Have you thought about starting a new career, making more money, and having more time, freedom, and flexibility? If so, you should seriously consider getting a real estate license and becoming a real estate agent!
You might wonder, is it worth it? We think the answer is a resounding YES – and in this blog, we’ll tell you what a real estate agent is, why you should strongly consider being one, how to get your real estate license, and the Rhode Island Real Estate Schools that you can attend to make your career happen.
What Is a Real Estate Agent?
Simply put, real estate agents are small business owners who make their schedules, market their own business, generate their own leads, and have the freedom to grow. This is a big responsibility, but it is the ideal job for many people. It makes real estate one of the best career paths for entrepreneurs and individuals with drive, focus, and a strong work ethic.
A real estate agent is a licensed professional who connects buyers and sellers in real estate transactions and represents them in legal negotiations.
Now that you know what a real estate agent is let’s take a look at why it’s an attractive career.
Why Become a Real Estate Agent?
Working as a real estate agent offers a great deal of variety. From working with different clients to visiting many homes, you won’t be doing the same thing every day. You get to be your own boss and enjoy the satisfaction of helping buyers and sellers navigate through one of life’s significant milestones.
Compared to other careers, getting into the field is easy. Acquiring your real estate license is a relatively quick and affordable process. It offers the earnings potential you usually need a college degree for without having to rack up burdensome student debt.
Here are six reasons why in 2022 a career in real estate could be the right choice for you:
- You Don’t Need a College Degree. While college is expensive, time-consuming, and socially unappealing to some, real estate education is cost-effective and can be completed on your schedule. Locally, there are plenty of Rhode Island Real Estate Schools that can help get you ready for the licensing exam.
- You Make Your Own Schedule. You get to work when you want, where you want, and however long you want. All of your success is entirely up to you, and you dictate what you want to do with your time.
- You Get to Work in a Diverse Environment. Many people find it difficult to thrive in an office, working a 9 to 5 schedule. As a real estate agent, you can be out networking, meeting new people, seeing beautiful homes, negotiating new deals, working on marketing, or finding new clients. This can frequently be done from home or in an environment suitable for helping you focus and get things done.
- You Get to Meet New People. One of the most meaningful advantages of being a real estate agent is that you get to meet people you would never ordinarily be able to meet. It is the perfect opportunity for being social, making new connections, and learning about people from all walks of life. In real estate, networking is a vital part of becoming successful.
- You Decide Your Income. In real estate, you directly control your annual income. Unlike a salaried job, you are completely in control of how much you make. You truly can make as little or as much as you want, depending on how much work you put in and how dedicated you are to become successful.
- You Never Stop Learning. One of the most exciting aspects is the opportunity to continue learning and progressing as you advance in your career. The real estate industry is constantly changing, and you’ll be able to evolve with the industry and learn new skills to become successful.
How To Get Your Real Estate License
To work as a real estate agent, you must first complete the required real estate education, pass an exam, and then secure your real estate license. A license permits you to represent buyers and sellers in real estate transactions.
You will need to take a pre-licensing course from an accredited real estate licensing school before you can sit for the real estate license exam. In Rhode Island, the cost of pre-licensing courses is quite affordable, averaging around $300. Once you pass the exam, it’s time to submit your application.
All RI real estate professionals are licensed by the Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR). An application signed by the applicant and the principal broker where you will hang your real estate license is required, and must include the following requirements:
- Applicant must be at least 18 years old
- Completion of 45 hours of Sales Pre-license training & 3 hours of Agency Law
- Completion of 3-hour Lead Paint Hazards/Awareness course
- A passing grade on the state licensing exam (70% or higher)
- A criminal history record from the R.I. Department of Business Regulation
- Broker signature on the application
- Errors & Omission Insurance (typically through your broker)
- Applicable application fees
Once your application is approved, the state will mail your real estate license certificate to you, and your name will be searchable under the licensees’ section of its website. At that point, you will be able to fully participate in the buying and selling of real estate!
You may wonder if there are other things you can do with a real estate license to make a living, or if you’re limited to assisting/helping people with buying or selling real estate. In actuality, there are a number of other jobs within agencies that your license https://www.spectrumrec.com/blog/ways-you-can-use-your-real-estate-license/can qualify you for, such as listing manager, showing specialist, and transaction coordinator.
Rhode Island Real Estate Schools
There are several accredited Rhode Island Real Estate Schools, including:
- Rhode Island Association of Realtors®
- Rhode Island School of Real Estate
- Real Estate Institute of Rhode Island
- The CE Shop (online education)
- Greater Providence Board of Realtors
- Real Estate University
Continuing education:
Also, here’s a complete list of all approved Rhode Island Real Estate schools for pre-licensing and continuing education classes direct from DBR (Department of Business Regulation).
Ready to Jump Into a New Career?
The Spectrum Real Estate Consultants Team is a true real estate team, and our team is growing! We are always happy to have a conversation with qualified candidates about our current and future positions. If you’re interested in joining our team, click here to see the currently available positions.
