Here’s How to Launch a Rewarding Career in Florida Real Estate
Real estate is a challenging and rewarding professional path where opportunities for growth and success are aplenty.
Starting a new career in Florida real estate can be a rewarding and exciting career move, especially as the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow.
One of the most popular real estate markets, Florida is home to beautiful beaches, picturesque natural views, a temperate climate, and a strong economic outlook.
Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville - Florida is home to four of the top highest-growing real estate markets in the country and has witnessed a 36 percent increase in homes sold.
Florida’s rapidly growing real estate landscape offers a fertile opportunity space for aspiring agents and brokers who want to build a thriving career.
This means you can find more clients and generate more income and commission opportunities by working in a popular and diverse real estate market like Florida.
If you dream of being your own boss and working as an independent professional, then a career in Florida real estate might just be the perfect launchpad for your goals.
Did you know that you can make a six-figure income while having a flexible schedule that puts your needs and plans in priority?
Plus, you will get the opportunity to work with clients from various backgrounds and help them achieve their goals.
Whether you want to work as a part-time agent or start a long-term career, working in real estate requires you a state-issued license.
To become a Florida real estate agent, you must obtain a minimum level of education, training, and skills necessary for the job.
As per the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), every aspiring individual must complete 63 hours of pre-license education to become a licensed professional.
In this article, we will walk you through the specifics of completing a real estate pre-licensing course in Florida and why you must make this decision in an informed way.
Understanding Pre-License Education
Like other professions, working as a real estate agent requires you to understand the industry laws, regulations, and practices.
Since real estate is a regulated industry, it is important to learn about state and federal laws and regulatory guidelines.
As per Florida law, only licensed individuals are allowed to work with clients and earn commissions in real estate deals.
Without a valid license, you will not be allowed to legally participate in the sale or purchase of residential or commercial real estate.
Having a Florida license is proof that you have qualified for the requirements and fulfilled the licensing standards to work with clients.
Once you earn your license, you can freely work with clients anywhere in Florida without any restrictions or limitations.
To obtain a state license, you must complete pre-license education requirements and qualify as a professional who meets the licensing standards and guidelines.
In Florida, aspiring real estate professionals must complete 63 hours of state-approved pre-license education to qualify for a salesperson license.
Completing an FL real estate license course is a mandatory step to start your career and start making money as a part-time or full-time agent.
Pre-license education is a term that encompasses many courses to help you understand the fundamental principles of real estate.
While completing your education, you will also learn about Florida and federal laws, consumer rights, industry standards, and the best practices for working with clients.
Here is a brief overview of what you will cover during your pre-license education:
- Real estate laws and commission rules
- License laws and guidelines
- Property rights
- Deeds and contracts
- Law of agency
- Authorized relationships, duties, and disclosures
- Real estate contracts
- Law violations and penalties
- Types of mortgages
- Legal descriptions
- Real estate appraisal
- Property rights
- Ethics and fair practices
- Planning and zoning
Completing 63 hours of course credits is a mandatory requirement to obtain a salesperson license in Florida.
The course will prepare you for your job duties, tasks, and responsibilities as a licensed agent who will guide clients in navigating real estate deals and transactions.
Additionally, pre-license education will also give you an in-depth knowledge of your profession and its underlying principles. This will come in handy when you take the FL salesperson licensing exam to obtain your license.
Since passing the state licensing exam is another mandatory licensing requirement, it is important to take your pre-license education seriously.
What is The Cost of Completing Pre-License Education?
Many students and aspiring professionals often wonder about how much it costs to complete Florida’s pre-license education.
There is no definite answer to this, especially as the cost of education varies on multiple factors such as - your education provider, medium of learning, type of course package, etc.
However, as a general estimate, you can complete your education by choosing courses that range between $200 to $700 based on your budget and learning needs.
Note that it is important that you choose an FREC-approved education provider to complete the 63-hour pre-license course.
One of the key factors that influences the cost of education is the medium of content delivery i.e. whether you want to learn in a physical, classroom-based school or enroll in an online FL real estate course.
Generally, many students prefer the convenience and flexibility of online courses as they can be completed from anywhere on any device.
Many online pre-license courses in Florida give you the benefit of completing the coursework at your own pace and learning as per your desired schedule.
There are also options where you can learn from an instructor-led, online course to go through your curriculum with the guidance of trainers and clear your doubts anytime.
This is why it is crucial to make an informed decision before choosing your education provider as it will significantly impact your career trajectory.
Importance of Pre-license Courses For a Salesperson License
Now comes an important aspect that demands mention - many students often think of pre-license education as merely a mandatory requirement that must be ticked off from a list.
However, pre-license education is the foundation on which a successful, thriving career is built.
Here are some key benefits of completing pre-license education and training as an aspiring real estate professional:
- Completing pre-license education qualifies you for a salesperson license which you must obtain to work with clients.
- Completing pre-license courses will give you the knowledge and skills you need to help clients buy and sell real properties in Florida.
- Specialized courses will give you a detailed insight into the industry and help you expand your understanding of your profession.
- Pre-license education will also help you stay updated with the emerging developments and latest trends in the industry.
Since clients prefer working with knowledgeable, skilled, and trained professionals, completing pre-license courses will reflect your commitment to your career.
If you are ready to embark on the journey to learn from the best online course for a Florida real estate license, let us give you a framework on how to choose an education provider.
How to Choose a Florida Pre-License Course Provider
Are you ready to start your education and become more knowledgeable in your profession of choice? If yes, it is important to choose the right education provider.
Whether you want to enroll in a Florida real estate license course online or join a classroom-based, physical learning environment, the decision is yours to make.
With so many options and alternatives, how do you make an informed choice when it comes to choosing an education provider? Let’s take a look at some actionable tips below.
1. Verify Florida Licensing Requirements:
Like most states, Florida also has a pre-established set of licensing laws and regulations for aspiring salespersons.
Before finalizing a pre-license education provider, you should learn about Florida education requirements in detail to set a benchmark on what to look for.
You should be aware of the basic eligibility criteria and understand the key terms such as - real estate exam, licensing laws, and qualifying requirements among others.
Once you are completely clear and up-to-date with Florida’s licensing process and its underlying requirements, you should start comparing various education providers.
After evaluating whether an education provider meets the criteria for providing an accurate, updated, and state-approved curriculum, you can finalize.
2. Find Out About Learning Formats.
When it comes to completing pre-license education, there is no one-size-fits-all approach as different students have their unique needs.
In Florida, you can choose to join a physical, classroom-based learning program or enroll in an online, virtual pre-license course for your education.
Many students prefer the online learning format as it is more flexible and convenient as compared to commuting to a location for education.
Another advantage of choosing online pre-license courses in FL is the cost factor as online courses are relatively more affordable than their physical counterparts.
Online courses can be completed from anywhere on any device, which can be incredibly useful for working parents.
3. Plan Your Budget
Did you know that pre-license education is one of the major expenses in your licensing journey?
Completing pre-license education requires both time and money and for some students, managing expenses can be a challenge.
Luckily, there are courses for every budget and you can easily pick the one most suitable for your needs.
Typically, Florida pre-license courses can cost you anywhere between $100 to $300 depending on the education provider, medium of content delivery, and the type of package you opt for.
Since there are courses catering to specific budgets, you can evaluate their specific features and benefits to plan your education budget.
Here’s a tip - some real estate education providers in FL might offer a ‘Pass or Don’t Pay’ option for students.
What is interesting is that some courses and education providers sometimes also offer the ‘Pass or Don’t Pay’ option to students which might be worth looking into if you are seeking to get the best value for your money.
4. Learn About The Features.
Another important criterion to consider before deciding on an education provider is whether they can offer a comprehensive, in-depth learning and training module.
It is important to note that while most courses and real estate schools offer a variety of value-added features and benefits, they are not created equally.
For example - basic students do not require a 360-degree camera but aspirational students might want to learn from the better.
Here are some of the common benefits and features you should check for are
Live instructor support, on-demand doubt clearance, digital flashcards for learning, video and workbook training series, Q& A sessions, course milestones, mock tests, and simulated practice exams among others.