If the thought of a flexible career with good money-making opportunities excites you, becoming a real estate agent may be your dream job, and Orlando is a great place to do it. Selling real estate is an excellent opportunity to use your social skills to help others find their dream home or business space. You have the personality and the time, but what else does it take to land your dream job?
Before becoming a real estate agent in Orlando, FL, you must be 18 years old, have a social security number and either a high school diploma or GED. It does not matter whether you are a Florida resident or not. You will also need to complete a 63-hour course before getting your fingerprints taken, applying for licensure, and completing the state exam.
Steps to Become a Real Estate Agent in Orlando
Learn how to become a realtor in Orlando in only a few steps. Depending on your availability, your time to complete them may be longer or shorter than others. The time it takes to complete the FREC-approved course will primarily determine how long it will take you to become fully licensed.
It can average 2-5 months to complete all the steps and receive your real estate license in Florida. Those who dedicate most of their time to completing the course can receive their license in about 3-4 weeks. You will need to commit not only time but also money.
You can expect to invest about $350 or more throughout the process. The school you choose to attend will be the most significant factor in determining the total expenses involved in receiving your real estate license in Florida. After schooling, other costs will be from the fingerprinting, application, and processing fees, as well as exam fees.
Once the course is completed, you must submit your fingerprints, apply for licensure, and pay the fees involved. Other than getting fingerprints taken, the whole process can be completed online, from classes to exams. If a regular, in-person classroom is best for you, that option is also available.
Orlando Pre-Licensing Education
According to state standards, an aspiring realtor must complete a 63-hour course approved by FREC (Florida Real Estate Commission). Choosing which school you attend is one of the most critical steps. First, you want to be sure FREC approves it. If it is not an approved education, it will not count, and you will have wasted your time and money. It would help if you also decided what classroom situation works best for you and your schedule.
You want to decide if you want to do it entirely online or in person. This decision should be based on how you learn best and what will set you up for the best success. You will also want to consider what works best with your schedule. Finding an in-person classroom that works may be more challenging if you do not have much free time. You’ll also need to decide what else you want from your classes.
Choose a school that has a high success rate and offers student support. These classes will teach you everything you need to be a realtor and pass your state licensing exam. Checking their passing rates will give you a good idea of how successful they are at preparing real estate agents for their careers in Florida. Depending on how much time you can devote and the classroom style you choose, it averages about four weeks to complete.
Applying for Licensure in Orlando, Florida
Once the 63-hour course is completed, you will have up to two years to apply and sit for the Florida real estate exam. If you have not gotten the chance to take the exam after the two years are up, you will need to complete another course before applying. There are two ways, however, that you can avoid taking the real estate course.
If you are already licensed in another state, you may be eligible to become an Orlando real estate agent just by taking the test, without the required classes. You must ensure that the state you’re licensed in is on the list of mutual recognition. Another way you may be able to skip the 63-hour course requirement is to have completed college.
In the event that you have a bachelor’s degree in real estate, you may be able to receive a waiver. You can send in your transcripts ahead of time to see if you qualify, or you can send them in with your application request.
You can apply to take your Florida real estate exam online or by mail. The fees are $83.75; however, those in the military or their families may be eligible for discounts or reimbursement. You will need to send in your background check along with the application.
The background check will require you to have your fingerprints taken. Electronic fingerprinting takes only a few minutes to complete but can take up to 5 days to process. The fees for this vary, depending on where you go to get them done.
Passing the Florida Real Estate Commission Licensing Exam
The final step to get an Orlando realtor license is passing the licensing exam. This test is completed by Pearson Vue and consists of 100 multiple choice questions. This exam can be completed at either a testing center, home, or office.
If you choose to take the exam online, you will need access to a webcam. This webcam will be used to monitor you throughout your test. You are not permitted to leave your workspace, and nobody is allowed to be in the room at any time during the exam. It is recommended that you download and run a system test before taking the exam, to ensure everything is working correctly.
If you choose to take the exam at a testing center, look at your confirmation email to see when you will need to arrive. There are security measures in place, so arriving early is recommended.
It is best not to bring anything with you, as no personal items are allowed in the testing area. Any personal belongings will need to be stored. Once in the testing area, you will be monitored during the entire testing process.
Regardless of how you take the exam, two forms of ID are required, and you will need to read and agree to the testing rules. A passport, driver’s license, and credit card are examples of acceptable ID.
A score of 75% is required to pass. Many applicants must take the test a few times, so do not be discouraged if you fail on your first attempt. If you receive a failing score, you may wait 24 hours, then pay the $36.75 fee and reschedule. You can take the test as many times as you need to.
After passing, a Florida real estate license is awarded, and you can begin practicing as an Orlando, FL, realtor. And this is how to get licensed for real estate in Orlando.
You will then need to decide whether you will work with a real estate agency or independently.
Signing with a Real Estate Agency or Working Independently
You have completed the course, passed the exam, and are officially a licensed Orlando, FL, real estate agent. Where do you go from here? You may feel comfortable diving right in and trying to work independently, or you may want a little more guidance when you start. Choosing what works best for you is essential when working independently or for a real estate agency.
Working with a real estate agency may be what you need if you want extra support and guidance as you begin your new career. In the housing market, hours or even minutes can make a difference in a sale. This time constraint makes it helpful to have a team working with you.
The other benefit is that most real estate agencies already have their name known. Working for yourself will require creating your own client base and getting your name out there. This will incur advertisement fees and extra time, but agencies are not without their own fees, either.
Working with an agency requires you to work under a broker. This usually means you give a portion of your commission to them. In the beginning, you are working essentially as an apprentice. You have to share your commission with your mentor, plus pay fees to the broker for using them. Although they have expenses, working independently does as well. You must decide which fees you’re willing to incur to get the most of your real estate license.
Is it Worth It to Become a Real Estate Agent in Orlando?
Becoming a licensed real estate agent in Florida can be rewarding. According to Indeed.com, the average yearly salary for a real estate agent in Orlando is $101,392. The pay sounds excellent, but it also takes some investment of time and money, especially when starting.
The schooling fees, fingerprinting, and exams may seem minor when starting a whole new career, but these are not the only fees you may incur when beginning.
It generally costs money to get going in your business. You will want business cards, yard signs, advertisements, and MLS listings. All of these cost money and can add up very quickly. The other investment to make is time.
Real estate agents make good money, but they do not get paid until the sale of a property is finalized. That means you may invest your time without seeing pay for a while. To be successful, you may have to give up time you might not be willing to. Most 9-5 jobs can have weekends off, but those are prime times to work real estate. You will also have to be flexible in your scheduling and may need to work at a moment’s notice.
You may spend months with a client searching for the perfect home or business, but clients are not always as loyal as you are. At a moment’s notice, You may not be available to look at a specific location at a moment’s notice, and they could quickly turn to another agency. Be flexible in your schedule and courteous with your clients; word of mouth can be a great advertisement for you.
Once you have the client base, the skills, the time, and the resources, you can be a successful real estate agent in Florida. The pay can be significant, and the schedule can be flexible. This can give you the freedom you may be looking for.
Summary of How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Orlando
To become a real estate agent in Orlando, FL, you need to complete the 63-hour course requirement, get a fingerprint background check, and pass the state exam. If you wish, almost the entire process can be done online. Becoming a licensed realtor is the easy part; being successful can be stressful and time-consuming, but it can also be rewarding.
