DISCLAIMER: What follows is being written first hand from one individual’s life experiences. In other words, this won’t be definitive but will try to be comprehensive.
So here is your assignment, if you choose to accept.
No. 1- Go to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) site and familiarize yourself with the legal requirements to become an agent.
If you have never had a license in another state here are the requirements. (These are the requirements that I am working to fulfill.)
- Am I eighteen (18)? Yep. That ship sailed a long time ago but not in a far, far, away galaxy.
- Have I completed the 60 hours of classroom training? (Note: there is more to this but check the AREC site.) I’ve completed my course work and have the certificate to show for it.
- Pass the licensure examination. Alas, I am in the process of preparing to take the test. More about that later.
- Send the proper forms and fees to the Arkansas Real Estate Commission no later than 90 days after passing examination. Since I have to take the test I haven’t done this yet. What I have done is send in the items required to get an affidavit of testing that lets me take the exam.
- Post-License Education Not yet.
No. 2- Create a list of questions that you have about the job that you would like to have answered by an agent.
Personally, I asked questions as I went. Especially once I started into the course work. I opted to do my training online but more about that later.
No. 3- Contact an agency or real estate agent and see if they will be willing to meet with you and answer your questions. Understand up front that time is money in the sales’ realm.
As mentioned previously, I work at CENTURY 21 Action Realty . Our agents have been very helpful and insightful about all that being an agent entails. They can be contacted by calling our office at 870-741-3408. The best advice I have heard is that if you intend to pursue working as an agent, be sure you have enough money saved to cover your bills for a year. Real estate agents work on a commission basis. What that means is a lot of hard work with no return until your real estate sells. If you have worked in the industry or know someone in the industry, I’m not telling you something you don’t know. If you have what it takes, it can be a lucrative and fulfilling career. (BTW, if you are interested in a real estate career, may I recommend giving us a call. We are always interested in hiring more agents.)
What is some of the good advice that you heard from the agent/broker you spoke to about an agent’s job? Did it help you choose the field? I look forward to your comments. Check back for my next post. Thanks for reading.