Last updated on January 29th, 2024
Many people dream of becoming a successful real estate agent. But not all of them do well in their career. The profession requires hard work and building relationships with clients. The competition is also very difficult to tackle. This is because people from various occupations, careers and different stages of their life join this field of real estate to become an agent for their own different reasons.
So, what steps do you need to take to become a real estate agent with a successful career in it? You must enter the profession well prepared and with a state license for the job.
Remember that each state has its own licensing rules and process. Still, some common requirements have to be met in all the states.
Here Are The Basic Requirements To Become A Real Estate Agent
- You must be at least 18 or 19 years of age, depending on the state rules.
- You must hold a legal U.S residency
- A pre-license education is essential.
- You must also pass real estate license examination of your state.
However, to be successful, you need to evaluate your journey a lot, even if you legally qualify to start a career in this profession.
Here Are 10 Tips For Becoming A Successful Real Estate Agent
01. Find Out If You Are Made For Real Estate Profession
Are you really interested in being a real estate agent? Make sure that you are not in this field just for the sake of it. If you are not prepared to develop relationships with clients, make and manage contacts, doing own office work including paperwork and management and dealing with buyers and sellers on daily basis, then opt out.
It is a full time job and a long-term career. You can’t take up this job as a hobby. So, chose this career if you are fully committed to it.
02. Know Your Licensing Requirements
Licensing requirements for each of the states are different to some extent. Visit your state’s real estate commission website to find out the pre-licensing requirements. Find out all the requirements to become a registered real estate agent.
03. Get The Education
After knowing your licensing requirements, enroll your name in a real estate pre-licensing educational course in a live classroom at any local schools, technical schools, realty firms or universities. It would be a wise move to get education from a reputed institution.
Completion of the course may be a difficult task for you, but it will ultimately be helpful in running a successful career as a real estate agent. Since the industry is developing rapidly, you also need to be aware of new real estate trends.
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04. Take The Real Estate Salesperson Exam
You should apply for the Real Estate Salesperson Exam conducted in your state. Apply for the exam soon after finishing your real estate licensing classes. Check your state’s regulatory authority for the requirements to appear in the exams, you may be required to submit fingerprints and other details.
The authorities may check your background. Some good amount of paperwork may be involved in applying for the exam but do not be intimidated by it if you are determined to start the career.
05. Pass The Exam and Get The License
You would be studying hard to pass the Real Estate Salesperson Exam for becoming a successful real estate agent. Most of the candidates fail to pass it in the first attempt. You need to devote additional study time.
It would be better to join an exam preparation class. You can find many institutions to get coaching on the course. These preparation classes let you evaluate your strength and weaknesses.
It will help you in sharpening your knowledge of the issues and prepare well for the exams. After passing the exams and interview, you will be eligible to get your real estate agent license.
06. Pick A Brokerage
Next, after passing the exam, work with a real estate brokerage, which is an agency or office. Working with a broker will help you hone your skills as a real estate agent. So, contact a broker and work with the agency so that you have some on-field training.
Generally, the aspiring real estate agents have at least three years of additional training. The training will make you understand the tricks and tactics to handle the clients when selling the properties. However, choose a reputed brokerage that gives you necessary exposure of the field.
07. Have A Budget
You should set aside a budget to start as a real estate. Know that this field of business is perhaps one of the cheapest to start. You will need $1500-2000 to pay for startup fees.
You will be paying the fees for licensing courses, exam fees, signs and advertisements, creating logo designs, business cards and association membership.
It may take a few months before you start earning the money on your own. Up to then, you need money to meet your expenses. So, keep some money safe in pocket.
08. Create An Impressive Logo
One of the important factors contributing to the success of your real estate business will be your company’s logo. The logo will be a visual identity of the services you provide as the agent. 
Hire a professional logo designer who can reflect your business aspirations and client’s expectations through the logo design. You can opt for crowdsourcing platforms such as Designhill to create a custom made real estate logo design tailored to your values and needs.
09. Build Your Portfolio
Your impressive portfolio will let your potential clients know about your personality as a real estate agent, your work and achievements of the field.
You can build the portfolio by getting a mentor who will introduce you to the clients and let you have buyer/seller contacts. The mentor will teach you practicalities of the profession, which you can mention in your portfolio. You can choose a real estate agency as your mentor.
10. Get Your Website and Market Your Business
Your online presence as a real estate agent is crucial for attracting clients. Your potential clients use internet to search for local real estate agents. This means that your career depends a lot, on how quickly people find you on the web.
To ensure that, create a real estate website for your real estate business. The website must have your profile as the agent along with all the educative information of real estate industry and business in your area.
Also, market your services in a professional way. You should try all means to attract people’s attention to your business. Marketing means such as advertisements in the local newspapers and distribution of leaflets should be explored.
One of the most effective marketing strategies is to giveaway promotional products at the sideline of an event pertaining to real estate such as conferences and seminars. Here are some promotional products for real estate clients.
To conclude, you will start as a real estate agent just like a business owner by having a proper education of the profession and getting the licenses.
Set aside some money for the period until you start earning on your own. Market your services online and offline to make you visible to your potential clients.
