Has it ever been your dream to introduce people to their perfect home? Becoming a realtor takes training, diligence, and effort as you need to know the state requirements and take the courses needed to become one, but if it is your dream, you can achieve it.
Know State Requirements
If you want to become a realtor, you need to know the requirements for your state. Some states require you to take education courses for a certain number of hours, while others require that you complete a background check. Requirements vary from state to state. For example, according to the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association, in the state of Wisconsin, you are required to be 18 years of age, take 72 hours of required education, then pass the state test to get your real estate license. Because the state requirements vary so dramatically from state to state, it’s important to research them before you apply to get your realtor’s license.
Take a Pre-licensing Course
According to Lead Agent, many states require over 100 hours of training and education, which means you will likely need to take a pre-licensing course. A pre-licensing course is offered through a college or university and it does require a fee to take. The number of courses required differ depending on the requirements of your state. In some states, you will only need to take a few classes before going to take the test. In others, many more are required.
Pass the Exam
After you’ve taken all your courses and completed the hours required for your state, you can then go and take the realtor’s test, which also differs depending on the state you are in, but the general layout of the test is the same. There are two portions—a national section and a state section and you are required to pass both. There is a fee to take the test, though it’s usually not more than $60. You will also have a limited amount of time to take the exam, anywhere between 90 minutes to four hours. The test will require you to know real estate math, as well as an understanding of legal terms. According to Peterson’s, your understanding of real estate terms will help you succeed on the test.
Becoming a realtor takes time, effort, and a little bit of cash for the coursework and to pay for the test. But it can be a rewarding and worthwhile career—worth every penny you spent obtaining your license.
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