Careers in Real Estate

As stated by the National Association of Realtors, the real estate profession has expanded and offers one of the widest career selections in the business world today. Helping people buy and sell homes, office buildings, industrial property and corporation farmland, property management, land development, mortgage banking, urban planning, real estate counseling, appraisal and research are all aspects of a career in real estate.

Advantages and Rewards of a Career in Real Estate

A career in real estate provides flexibility and freedom to set your own pace. Income directly reflects your efforts, with no limits on what astute, hard-working men and women can earn. Successful people in real estate are goal-oriented, persevering, self-motivated, ambitious and people-oriented. The rewards of a real estate career are a potential for high earnings, status in the community, autonomy, time freedom, helping people, the intellectual challenge and the satisfaction from those accomplishments.

Working in real estate allows for independence and choices of environment in which to work, such as affiliation with a large or small firm as a listed salesperson. With more experience and upon passing of an additional exam, becoming a real estate broker is the next step. Brokers can own their own businesses and employ other salespeople.

Education for a Career in Real Estate

Colleges and universities now offer a variety of real estate and related courses. At many of these colleges, students can specialize in a program that leads to a bachelor’s degree in real estate. Some universities offer graduate level courses. Contact your local public library for university and real estate college course information and directories.  There are also online programs and Real Estate Schools in the area which you can attend.

Professional Requirements for a Career in Real Estate

Entry into the real estate profession takes preparation. As with other professions, licensing is required. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, but all require prospective salespeople and brokers to pass a written exam. For more information on licensing, contact the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials at 334/260-2902 or at their Web site.

Some states allow students to take pre-licensing educational courses accredited by the state licensing agency before they qualify to sit for the exam. In other states, students can take these educational courses within a specified time after being licensed.

In order to obtain a broker’s or sales agent associated license, more than half the states specify special education and/or experience or their equivalents. However, states are upgrading their license laws and prerequisites for both brokers and sales associates at a rapid rate. Current information is available from your local Board of REALTORS® at www.realtor.com or the Real Estate License Commission in the state(s) where you would practice.

Getting Started in Real Estate

Entry into the real estate field depends on education, training and interests. Most people begin as sales trainees in a brokerage firm. Other possibilities include office assistant, listing or rental agent, assistant in a department of a large real estate organization, or in the mortgage division of a bank or savings and loan.  Click here for a step by step guide on "How to Become a Licensed Real Estate Salesperson".

Continuing Education in Real Estate

Formal education is available while working in real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and its Institutes, Societies and Councils sponsor continuing education programs for members, and award designations for specialty areas of real estate. Continuing education increases knowledge and skills, improving earnings potential and enhancing opportunities for success.

If you have an interest in becoming a licensed Real Estate Agent with Highland Lakes Realtors, contact me to schedule an interview today.   Gene Hammonds at 512-267-7772.

Read on for the numerous advantages to developing your career with Highland Lakes Real Estate, Inc....

• Family and agent owned Boutique real estate brokerage providing exceptional customer service, client representation, and high professional standards with strict adherence to the Realtors Code of Ethics.
 
• You will not get lost in the crowd or find yourself wondering alone. You are considered critical to the success of the company and will never be only a number or a body passing through the system.
 
• Accessible management with 2 family brokers available. The broker-manager is a CRB Certified Residential Broker well trained in helping agents attain success. He can fall back on over 37 years experience in residential, commercial and ranch land sales.
 
• Exceptional office location on Highway 1431 provides a base from which to provide service throughout central Texas. Our professionally decorated office and facilities are unequaled in the Lake North market.
 
• Cutting edge technology equipped office with all the tools you need to be at the top of your game.
 
• Your own powerful professional web site fully paid by the company and serviced by Alamode – A leader in real estate technology.
 
• Education is provided free of charge in a combination of one-on-one coaching and small group classes either by the broker, a seasoned veteran agent or an outside instructor. The company also provides single course classes at the Graduate Realtor Institute through the Texas Realtors Association or Austin Board of Realtors. A new agent receives the GRI 1 course at TAR in Austin.
 
• All agents have the opportunity to become a stockholder – partner. After only 6 months with the company, you can purchase stock with cash, finance with a fixed payment or deposit a portion of your commission into a stock purchase deposit account.
   
• Among the numerous agent benefits, our Move-On moving truck is at your disposal for the use of your clients. Highland Lakes is the only company in the Lake North market offering this exceptional benefit.
 
• Generous commission splits balanced to allow profits for both the company and agents. For the great majority of agents, our program will meet or exceed the net agent earnings of most major programs.
 
• No waiting on your earnings. Agent commission is paid at closing by the title company.
 
• Our compensation structure is the opposite of the current trend of many brokerages and franchises that place the risks on the back of the agents. Most of those require the agent to pay and continue paying for everything under the sun regardless of whether you sell something or not. As a Highland Lakes agent, you don’t pay anything until you sell and close a transaction. You don’t pay for a desk, printing, signs, lock boxes or any of the dozens of miscellaneous expenses necessary for your successful business. In bad times, the company carries you – not the other way around.