How To Become A REALTOR®️
- designmyreverie
- Sep 6, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 10, 2023
Have you ever dreamed of a career in Real Estate? If you have, let us help you get started. We will be here every step of the way and can‘t wait to see you succeed!
STEP 1: Read This Article
STEP 2: Get Your Questions Answered
Once you have read through this, give us a call and set up a meeting so we can answer any questions you may have! We are pretty good at that! Our direct contact info will be at the bottom of this page and you are more than welcome to reach out at any time.
STEP 3: Talk To Your Partner
If you have a significant other, PLEASE talk to them about this transition. A career change like this one, especially coming from a salary or hourly job, can take a toll on a family if you don’t plan correctly.
STEP 4: Decide To Become A REALTOR®️
After completing steps 1-3, if you feel that Real Estate is right for you, make that decision and get started!
STEP 5: Save Your Money
Typically, by the time you have obtained your Real Estate license, joined a brokerage (hopefully ours), and joined your local mls, you will have spent about $2,500. This number can vary based on your goals, so don’t let this scare you off! Remember, it is an investment into yourself and your family.
STEP 6: Start & Pass Your Online Real Estate Course
The Florida and/or Alabama Real Estate School can be done online or in person. We usually recommend online because it‘s more cost effective and it can be done at your own pace. We use www.mlscampus.com for Florida because of the low cost and the end of course practice tests. For Alabama we use www.alabamarealestateinstitute.com. No, we do not get paid by these companies, these are just the ones that we have personally used and love. Once you pass your final exam, the school will send your completion certificate to the state testing companies and DBPR (Florida) or AREC (Alabama). The final exam in Alabama is proctored.
STEP 7: Submit Your Application For Licensure
In Florida, you will submit your application with all of the required documents to DBPR. This can be done prior to taking your state exam. You will find more information on that process online at myfloridalicense.com or by calling DBPR directly at 850-487-1395. In Alabama, you will submit your application with all of the required documents to AREC. You will find more information on that process online at arec.alabama.gov or by calling AREC directly at 334-242-5544. We do want to note that, for your Alabama license, you must wait until you pass your state exam (in person in Alabama) to submit the application and it must be mailed. Both states charge an application fee.
STEP 8: Get Fingerprinted
No matter what license or ID Card you hold, you are required to be fingerprinted each time you apply for a new license. Electronic fingerprints are your best bet. Rely on DBPR or AREC for the location of fingerprinting services. Please note, you will need to set up an appointment for electronic fingerprinting in Alabama for the same day you plan to take your state exam (if you live out of state) so that you don’t have to make an immediate second trip. Dothan, AL is the most convient location when it comes to testing and fingerprints. PLEASE do not do the mail in fingerprints for your Alabama license if you live out of state. Too many problems can arise, including but not limited to, having to redo them all together. In Florida, you ARE allowed to be fingerprinted before you take your state exam and we DO recommend that.
STEP 9: Take Your State Exam
Just take the test!!!! The best way to pass the test is to take it. It can be taken multiple times, so don’t feel like you have to study for four months before you take it. Go get a feel for it! If you pass, the testing center will notify the correct people. If you fail, you must wait 24 hours to re-take it and the testing center will give you a paper showing what subjects you need to work on/study before you re-test. The DBPR & AREC websites mentioned above will give you instructions on how to register to take the exam and what to expect.
STEP 10: You Passed Your Test! Now Choose Your Brokerage!
Hopefully before now you have met with us, but if you haven‘t, we would love to meet with you! If you feel that we aren’t the right fit for you or you desire a corporate style company (we are a family style boutique company) make sure you interview multiple Brokers and ask about the fees/the way they do business/what they offer agents. It will benefit you in the long run when dealing with these types of brokerages with a corporate ladder. You can get in a -not so great- spot pretty quickly if you don’t ask the right questions!
STEP 11: Join Your Local MLS & NAR
Your Broker should be helping you with this. This is also the part that costs the most upfront, however, it is very necessary!
STEP 12: You Did It! Start Learning, Marketing, Selling!
This is the most crucial part of your entire career. Lean on your Broker and get it done right! Trust us, don’t mess this part up!
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