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Whether you are planning to take another step to advance in your career, fulfilling your dream, or earning more money, being a real estate professional and further becoming a Realtor is definitely a promising choice. Throughout the years, the real estate industry continues to boom, and Realtors managed to excel in this path by demonstrating an exemplary code of ethics and benefits from broadening their domain of influence. Becoming a Realtor can lead you to a more promising career. And if you are planning to take this path, you must first equip yourself with knowledge on how to become a Realtor. Just like any achievement, there are some things that you need to go through and surpass before you become a Realtor. Nevertheless, all your efforts can be compensated once you begin to enjoy the perks of being a Realtor. What is the job of a Realtor? The main task of the Realtors is to help potential clients in selling, buying, or renting a commercial or residential property. Basically, they work by finding the properties that suit the needs of their clients, make contracts, and act as the middleman between the buyer and seller by making a negotiation. Realtors also do market research, host open houses, and manage client networks. Being a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Realtors are expected to work while following NAR’s code of ethics. What does it take to become a Realtor? Becoming a Realtor can give you a diversified and satisfying career. Several things comprise the real estate. Thus, pursuing a career in real estate could involve commercial sales, home sales, land development, investment real estate, strata management, rental property management, and more. Now, if you want to know how to become a realtor, then you need to familiarize yourself with the following steps: 1. Meet the Education and Age Requirements Anyone hopeful to pursue a career in real estate and become a Realtor has to meet the education and age requirements. Although these requirements could differ according to one’s state, each supervision requires Realtors to be at least 18 years old. Also, most states require the Realtors to at least attain a high school education. Although it is not required that you get a college degree to be a Realtor, getting a higher education could help you become more efficient in your career. College-level communications, marketing, business administration, and accounting courses can give you the basic skills that are necessary for Realtors. 2. Take Real Estate Courses Although it is not required that you get a bachelor’s degree to become a Realtor, it still does not suggests that becoming a Realtor does not impose at least a few standards in the real estate agent education. Nearly all states demand a minimum number of hours for the coursework, which you can either do online or in person. Most states impose that you complete 40 to 300 coursework hours. Since the education requirement could vary per state, you should first verify the minimum number of coursework hours required in your state as well as the kind of pre-license courses it requires. 3. Finish a Background Check After completing the required coursework hours, the next thing to do is to get ready with your licensing. Before applying for a license, you will commonly undergo a background check and you must pass it. Requirements may still vary per state. However, these may include a fingerprint check or a criminal record report. 4. Pass the Exam You will qualify to take the real estate exam once you pass the background check. If you do well and pass the exam, that will be the time that you get your real estate license. You should know that every state releases its license and supervises its exam through the Real Estate Commission or any other related agency. 5. Acquire an OJT Experience You can start working after you get your real estate license. Instead of permitting new agents to act independently, many states will ask the new Realtors to work for a reputable brokerage for several years. 6. Familiarize the Local Market As you broaden your experience in the industry, it is recommended that you also familiarize your local market. First, you should familiarize your neighborhoods, commercial properties, and housing stock in the area. Then, find a time to find out the local property values, evaluate the market trends, and comprehend the trends. The more intuition you get, the more useful and helpful you can be to your future clients. This will also improve your credibility. 7. Go In for NAR Membership This step is very important. To become a Realtor, you need to join NAR. Locate the local association of Realtors and check the requirements for the membership. Typically, the membership will involve an annual fee and an application. If you join NAR, you may also want to enroll yourself in continuing education. Another privilege of joining NAR is that you can also have an access to services and market data that simplify your function as a Realtor. 8. Acquire a Professional Certification If you are already in the real estate industry being a Realtor for several years, you can choose to specialize in a specific area. NAR, as well as other professional organizations, offers certifications that can make Realtors excel in their specialty and exhibit their expertise. Why Should You Want to Become a Realtor? There are several advantages to becoming a Realtor and these perks can help you excel in the real estate industry. You can enjoy the following if you become a Realtor: - Networking Being a member of NAR will give you a special title and gravity that other agents do not enjoy. Moreover, you can also establish a lasting bond with other Realtors, which can be useful in expanding your domain of influence and network and consequently help you improve your business. - Real Estate Certifications and Designations As mentioned above, being a Realtor will also give you the choice to take more classes so you can get prominent real estate designations. Getting these designations will help you progress in your niche and become an expert. These will also let you grow your business and boost your potential income. Some of the popular certifications that you can get are the following: - Graduate Realtor Institute or GRI Designation - Seniors Real Estate Specialist or SRES - Certified Residential Specialist or CRS - Resort and Second-Home Markets or RSPS Designation - Seller Representative Specialist - Accredited Buyer’s Representative - Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager - Real Estate Negotiation Expert - Residential Accredited Appraiser Conclusion Becoming a Realtor is not a requirement for a blossoming real estate career. However, it would be smart to point out that a lot of people are seeing it as a useful gratuity when handling a business. Yes, being a Realtor may involve some big fees. Nevertheless, some incredible networking opportunities can compensate for the amount. Furthermore, many clients will trust a reputable Realtor. If you want to succeed in your career, you should be willing to make some investments to polish your name and title. You should thoroughly understand your role and be a great help to your clients.