More and more people seem to want to become real estate agents. You can’t blame them – it truly sounds like the ideal life. Flexible hours, not a lot of requirements, and you earn massive amounts of money. Not to mention the fact that many people have managed to make a name and life for themselves in the real estate industry – take Debrah Lee Charatan, for example. It sounds like a dream come true. While there are many benefits to choosing real estate as your career, there are a few things you need to know before going in to it.
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Qualifications
It may interest you to learn that a lot of real estate agents have no qualifications to speak of. In fact, many people jump into this industry straight out of school, especially if it’s a family business or they know someone in the industry. However, this all depends on where you’re located, as some areas may require that you are in possession of a real estate license. There are various courses and exams you can take to prove your worth as a real estate agent, and these are recommended, even if they’re not required. Qualifications in business-related areas may also be helpful. Most people want to find the best real estate agent when trying to sell their homes, and they’re more likely to choose someone qualified over someone who isn’t.
Experience
As mentioned, qualifications aren’t always necessary in order for you to achieve your dreams of becoming a real estate agent. That being said, you can’t just expect to jump in headfirst and start selling houses. You’ll likely need to work alongside an experienced real estate agent for a period of time to get the feel of how things are done. However, doing this could require a certain amount of commitment. You may even need to take leave form your job or put your studies on hold for a while. Before you take such drastic measures, visit your local real estate agency and ask them if they’d be willing to let you job shadow a real estate agent only for a day. This way, you can get a feel for what you can expect without committing yourself. If you can see yourself pursuing it, you can take further steps.
Income
The main motivation for people wanting to go into the real estate business is often the money. They hear tales of real estate agents making massive amounts of money without putting in a lot of effort, and they think, “I want that too.” Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen instantly. Most real estate agents who are earning big amounts of money have worked very hard to get to where they are. They’ve worked extra hours and put in extra effort in order to get good recommendations. Keep in mind that most real estate agents work only on commission, meaning that they don’t have a set income. Of course, there are a few things that will generate you more income, for example being a good real estate sales person.
