posted
I am looking at things I might want to do in the future, and a lot of the better sales jobs here in FL seem to require a FL real estate license.
I know that this isn't a great time to enter the market as a real estate agent, but I know a lot of people who continue to make a really good living doing this even in the current economic climate, so I was wondering if anyone out there had taken a real estate license exam, and if so what did they think about it?
Was it tough? Both my uncle and my grandmother had their licenses, although only my uncle did it as a primary job, and that was years ago.
I have found some online courses that would meet the requirements for hours (63) in FL, but I don't know how much the exam is, or how often it is offered either.
I guess it just seems interesting to me, so I thought I would see what people have to say about it.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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I know a lot of people do it part time to see if they like it, as the money isn't always steady.
But Orlando has some world-class resorts, with people who line up to buy from them, so the situation is a little different than in most places.
Most of these resorts (not timeshares, I don't want to do the high-pressure/force sales) require you to have at least 4-5 years sales experience, although not necessarily in real estate sales....but they do require you to have your license.
I like Ocala, but my wife prefers Orlando so she could go back to working for Disney. I am up in the air about it, but if I could land a better job then it would be a no-brainer.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Does the possibility of more hurricanes not make you feel really iffy about the long-term real-estate market in FL?
Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
The probability of earthquakes, fires, and mudslides hasn't harmed the CA real estate market. I would assume the same applies to hurricanes and FL.
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Fires and mudslides are only a problem in certain areas. As far as earthquakes go, they don't happen often enough, nor cause enough damage these days, to really catch people's attention. I don't think the same thing applies to FL. You can guard against earthquakes, hurricanes, and mudslides with how and where you build. However, in coastal FL, when a hurricane hits, your ass is grass, and nature's the lawnmower. Build on stilts, and you risk getting blown over. Build low and strong, and get flooded out. I speak of coastal FL here, though, not of inland. The coast is where most folks want to live and vacation, though.
Of course, I may be full of crap.
Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
It actually makes the market stronger. People don't stop buying houses just because at some point there may be a hurricane. Also, hurricanes don't usually do a ton of damage in the Orlando area. It is not on the coast, which is where most of the significant damage occurs.
Don't get me wrong, some damage happens, but it isn't devastated like the coast is usually.
Also, if someone's house is damaged, what happens? They either fix it, or they buy a new one....and if they do buy a new one, they usually use an agent.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
That's right, Orlando is not the coast. Since that's where you're talking about working, I'll not play Chicken Little. Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
Real Estate is like trying to open a restaurant. The large majority fail to make any money at it, and give it up inside a year.
However, the barrier to entry is low for real estate agents (as opposed to restaurateurs), and a genuine interest surely is an advantage over those who think it's easy and lucrative.
Posts: 4287 | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
steven, some of the areas most prone to fire and mudslides and flash flooding and close to fault lines as well are some of the most expensive real estate in CA. Think Malibu...
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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posted
Yes, and people have taken steps to deal with those problems through how and where they build. Fire damage is totally preventable, and mudslides are easily dealt with if you know the area is prone to them. Flooding is a little tougher, although you can build on stilts like they do here on the NC coast. Earthquakes can also be dealt with through building low and strong, and having a roof type that won't kill you if if falls on you. Being on the Florida coast during a category 5 hurricane is a different situation. Like I said before, building on stilts doesn't work if the winds are too strong, because hurricanes can cause powerful tornadoes in addition to the basic high winds. Building low and strong doesn't work, because then you get flooded. It sucks.
Posts: 3354 | Registered: May 2005
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posted
I think it would be a decent part-time job, if you care enough to do your homework.
I have some friends who aren't any smarter than I am who make a lot more money than I do selling real estate...but most of them have family in either as brokers or in the finance end of things, so they feed each other.
I didn't think it is all that expensive to take the exam, and I read really, really fast with really good comprehension, so I might take it as a hobby of sorts.
I think that regardless of where yo work, having your RE license would look good, and could possibly open some doors.
Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
I don't have my license yet, because I'm waiting for my boss to get his brokers license, but I am most of the way there.
In MN, you have to take 3 week-long classes and pass a test. I found the test easy, and if you read well with good comprehension, you will to.
The part you need to know about is how much it costs to be licensed, if you don't intend to use it. It's not the best idea to get it "just to have it" unless you really intend to sell part time or apply for a job that requires it.
The below information is for MN, you should, of course, check your state's rules.
The test cost $120. The classes cost about $150 each, I think, I don't really remember. It definitely wasn't less than that.
When you get licensed, you don't actually get a license. You need a broker to hold your license. Most brokers require you to join the organizations they are a part of, which include the MLS, the state Realtor association, and the city Realtor association. Otherwise you get the benefits of their membership without paying the dues. The dues come out of your pocket, and add up to about 1000 bucks a year.
After the first year, you also are required to take 15 (I think) hours a year of continuing education, which also costs a couple hundred bucks.
The reason I'm waiting to finish my license is that when my boss becomes a broker, he'll hold my license for me and won't require me to join all the organizations since I won't be selling real estate. (He doesn't, either.) He tried to find a broker who would hold his for him without requiring him to join, since he had absolutely no intention to sell, but had no luck. In my classes, they talked about it, and made it sound like pretty much no broker would do it. Because why would you get your license if you weren't going to use it at least a little?
So, taking the test isn't the expensive part. I would make sure it's something you want to do before you go ahead with it, because otherwise it's a really big waste of money to stay licensed in case you want to use it later. If you let it lapse, you have to go through the classes and test all over again if you want to get re-licensed.
Posts: 7954 | Registered: Mar 2004
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