Realtors License
#31
Re: Realtors License
Lol - starting to see why you're looking for a change in career from management consultant....
OK - will take it (almost*) back on topic with the realtor thing - check out your local real estate licensing board, whatever it is - in Texas its TREC. They will have all the education and experience requirements you need to get into the business.
I looked into it a few years back as I do quite a bit of real estate and I was looking for easy access to the MLS to try to save some costs.
Round our way, you become a salesperson first (classroom/exam route) then have to have 4-5 years experience working "in a brokers office" plus quite a few hours more classroom/exam time before you can call yourself a Broker. From memory, it was something like 400 classroom hours to become a salesperson and another 400 to become a Broker. If you didn't have an accredited degree, that second chunk of 400 becomes something like 1000 hours. I have an MBA in marketing that should have got me around that second chunk, but as it was from a UK school, I needed to get the transcripts "translated".
At the end of the day, I wasn't looking to build a new career and wasn't prepared to put in the hours again (at the time I had was an NAEA member in the UK), plus the 4-5 years just for "personal" MLS access, so I didn't go that way.
From talking to a friend who is a Broker, the definition of "working in an office" is quite, erm, flexible - he takes people on on a "supervisory" basis, lets them use his office and takes a massive chunk of any commission they manage to generate. Not a period for getting rich by all accounts!
*if you do go that way, don't fall into the trap of assuming that the marketing of a realtors services can be achieved in the same manner as the company selling air duct/carpet cleaning/oil changes. Get some professional marketing help. Or montor the effectiveness of the campaigns of the office you tie to- maybe in some markets the blind mailshots do work.
OK - will take it (almost*) back on topic with the realtor thing - check out your local real estate licensing board, whatever it is - in Texas its TREC. They will have all the education and experience requirements you need to get into the business.
I looked into it a few years back as I do quite a bit of real estate and I was looking for easy access to the MLS to try to save some costs.
Round our way, you become a salesperson first (classroom/exam route) then have to have 4-5 years experience working "in a brokers office" plus quite a few hours more classroom/exam time before you can call yourself a Broker. From memory, it was something like 400 classroom hours to become a salesperson and another 400 to become a Broker. If you didn't have an accredited degree, that second chunk of 400 becomes something like 1000 hours. I have an MBA in marketing that should have got me around that second chunk, but as it was from a UK school, I needed to get the transcripts "translated".
At the end of the day, I wasn't looking to build a new career and wasn't prepared to put in the hours again (at the time I had was an NAEA member in the UK), plus the 4-5 years just for "personal" MLS access, so I didn't go that way.
From talking to a friend who is a Broker, the definition of "working in an office" is quite, erm, flexible - he takes people on on a "supervisory" basis, lets them use his office and takes a massive chunk of any commission they manage to generate. Not a period for getting rich by all accounts!
*if you do go that way, don't fall into the trap of assuming that the marketing of a realtors services can be achieved in the same manner as the company selling air duct/carpet cleaning/oil changes. Get some professional marketing help. Or montor the effectiveness of the campaigns of the office you tie to- maybe in some markets the blind mailshots do work.
#33
Re: Realtors License
On the getting out of Management Consultancy, I am not looking to get out, I am doing very well and need it to fund life while I get up to speed on the realty adventure.
I just do not suffer fools lightly, and have been known to be brutally blunt with almost everyone, but in a way that has always worked well for me. I hope that I did not offend anyone.
#35
Re: Realtors License
I'm pretty thick skinned - it takes more than being called a naive fool by a stranger canvassing opinions on a discussion board to upset me
#36
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2011
Location: Dallas, Texas
Posts: 50
Re: Realtors License
I took my Realtor exams here in Texas a couple of years ago, it's an enjoyable career. You can work part-time if you wish, but to become an established, recognized Realtor I would recommend full time, or at least dedicate as much time as you can. I would also recommend calling one of the large brokerage firms, Coldwell Banker, Century 21 etc. Their office managers will sit down with you and discuss a career in real-estate. Obviously they will paint a rosy picture and be biased towards their individual brands, however as long as you bear that in mind you may find it informative. Also ask to talk to a new agent while you're there, I found that to be most enlightening. If I can help in any way just message me.
Martin Shufflebotham
<snip>
Martin Shufflebotham
<snip>
Last edited by Bob; Mar 12th 2012 at 8:39 pm. Reason: removed the spammy looking bit
#37
Re: Realtors License
Well after finally getting through the real estate course here in NJ (75 hours class time) my wife and I both passed our state exams at the first attempt and are now real estate sales people....
Just getting together with a broker now and looking forward to being a royal pain in the arse from here on out.
Just getting together with a broker now and looking forward to being a royal pain in the arse from here on out.