How to Plan Your Career in Florida Real Estate
One of the most sought-after real estate markets in the country, Florida is home to beautiful beaches, stunning views, diverse culture, and a tropical climate.
Did you know that Florida is a hot favorite amongst homebuyers, skilled migrants, and real estate investors and currently ranks amongst the top 3 most popular markets in the country?
The Peach State is home to four of the top highest-growing real estate markets including - Miami, Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville and housing prices have increased by almost 80%.
Despite that, the median home price of $400K is significantly lower than the national average, which makes housing in FL relatively affordable leading to positive migration.
On top of it, thanks to its strong job market, world-class entertainment choices, and growing economy, FL is an attractive option for many residents, retirees, and first-time homeowners.
Florida’s real estate market is a great opportunity pool for aspiring agents and starting a new career in Florida real estate can be a lucrative and rewarding career move.
Due to the growing demand for housing, residential, and commercial real estate, Florida offers growth prospects for aspiring agents and brokers.
Did you know that the top real estate agents in Florida can earn as much as $180K annually while enjoying working in a dynamic, fast-moving industry with growth prospects?
If you are considering a career as a real estate agent in Florida, now is the time to take the next steps in pursuing your dream and the first step is to complete the required education.
Completing education is not only an essential step in your career journey but a mandatory requirement to obtain a Florida salesperson license.
Getting your license is a must if you want to work with clients anywhere in Florida and earn commissions through real estate deals.
Since completing a pre-license education is crucial to building a thriving career, it is important to learn how to choose the best real estate pre-licensing course in Florida.
In this article, we will give you a deep dive into what exactly is pre-license education in Florida, what are the benefits, and how to choose an education provider.
What is Pre-license Education
Real estate is a dynamic, ever-evolving, and fast-moving industry with numerous laws, regulations, guidelines, and frameworks.
To be on top of your career and give your best efforts as a professional, it is important to keep yourself updated with the latest developments, industry updates, and best practices.
Real estate is highly regulated by various state and federal laws and regulations, it is important for agents and brokers to meet the standards for professionalism and service.
Like most states, Florida also encourages aspiring real estate agents to complete essential education and training to become qualified for working with clients.
As per state law, to obtain a Florida salesperson or a broker’s license, you must complete a Florida real estate license course from a state-approved education provider.
Pre-license education is a compilation of mandatory and elective courses put together in an established, structured format.
The FREC allows only licensed agents to take part in a real estate transaction, therefore, completing pre-license education is a mandatory step to start your career.
Without a state-issued license, the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) will not permit you to legally partake in the sale, purchase, or leasing of commercial or personal properties.
With a valid license, you can freely work with clients anywhere in Florida without any restrictions or limitations.
The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) is the state authority for issuing and renewing licenses and it requires every individual to complete 63 hours of pre-license education.
Many students think that completing pre-licensing education is just an item to be checked off from the list of licensing requirements.
However, education is the important foundation upon which a successful and thriving career is built, especially in a competitive and dynamic industry like real estate.
Another important reason why pre-license education is crucial to your career is that it will prepare you for the Florida real estate salesperson licensing exam.
Since passing the licensing test in Florida is a must to obtain your salesperson license, completing an FL real estate course is imperative to start your career in real estate.
What is covered in the Pre-license Education curriculum
The pre-licensing course curriculum is designed to give applicants an overview of the state and national real estate industry.
During your training, you will be exposed to fundamental principles of working in the real estate industry.
Some of the fundamental courses you will cover during your training are - real estate laws, principles of real estate, consumer rights, ethics, and fair trade among others.
Here is a checklist of the courses you will complete as part of your pre-license education:
- Florida license and state laws
- Real Estate contracts and closing
- Real estate ethics
- Real estate marketing
- Property management
- Real estate finance
- Industry rules and violations
- Foreclosures
After completing your pre-license course credits, you will receive a certificate of completion from your education provider.
Cost of completing pre-license education
To become a Florida real estate salesperson, you must complete the mandatory prerequisite 63 hours of pre-license education.
Many aspiring real estate students often wonder what the cost of completing their education is and whether it is worth it or not.
In the short and the long run, completing pre-license coursework will give your career the strong foundation it needs.
When it comes to the cost, it varies depending on various factors such as - the medium of education, the reputation and experience of an education provider, course package and features and any additional features, and benefits.
To give you an estimate, completing Florida pre-license education will cost you between $199 to $700 depending on the real estate college, school, or course you choose.
As a rule of thumb, in-person, physical real estate classes are more expensive than online courses and learning.
Irrespective of whether you choose an online real estate course or opt for a classroom-based learning environment, it is important to choose an FREC-approved education provider.
What are the benefits of completing pre-license education?
By now, it should be clear to you what pre-license education is and how much will it cost to complete the same.
Next, let us walk you through some of the key advantages of completing pre-license education for your career.
1. Stay competitive:
Real estate is a highly competitive field and in order to grow and stay ahead of the curve, you will need more than just a basic license.
Pre-license education will help you stay updated and cognizant of the latest news, updates, industry trends, and market trends.
This knowledge of industry laws, regulations, and best practices will help you stay competitive in Florida real estate course.
2. Grow your knowledge:
Yes, you must complete pre-license education to get your license but it is also another important benefit of helping you expand your knowledge and skills.
By completing specialized courses and learning about important topics, you can grow your understanding, skills, and preparation for working in the industry.
With knowledge and skills, you can help your clients better and build a networ
3. Easier to complete:
Completing pre-license education should not scare you, as it can easily be completed from anywhere, thanks to the numerous online courses and schools.
Many students opt for online pre-license courses in FL to save time and complete their course credits on any device without having to travel to a classroom.
Whether you are a working professional or a busy individual, completing 63 hours of FL pre-license education is easier than you think.
In the next section, we will walk you through some practical tips and advice on choosing the most suitable education provider.
How to choose a pre-license education provider in Florida
Choosing among many options is never easy, especially when you are planning for a career and want the best value for your money and efforts.
Here are some of the key aspects to help you make an informed decision regarding choosing a pre-license college, course, or education provider in Florida.
1. Learn about the instructors
Since you will be preparing for the salesperson licensing exam, having the right teachers and trainers at your disposal can help you improve your odds of success.
Whether you are going for a classroom-based college or an online real estate pre-license course in FL, it is important to evaluate the experience, skills, and track record of the course teachers and instructors.
In Florida, there are numerous real estate schools that boast of the industry’s finest and most experienced trainers and instructors who can help you get your license.
The deciding factor in choosing any education provider, course, or school is the quality and experience of the teaching staff and instructors.
2. Explore the types of packages
If you are preparing for the FL salesperson licensing exam, you must keep an open mind and explore various learning plans and packages available for students.
Many real estate colleges and courses in Florida provide additional benefits and features as part of their courses to help students approach the exam with confidence.
Here are some of the practical and valuable features that you should consider paying for - exam prep resources, sample test questions, on-demand instructor support, simulated practice tests, and doubt-clearing sessions.
Based on your learning style and needs, you can compare the options and make an informed choice.
3. Check the course curriculum
If you want to maximize your learning and get the best training, then it is important to enroll in a recent, accurate, and updated curriculum.
This is one of the most crucial factors in your exam preparation and should be an important criterion for anyone who wants to get the best value for their money.
Learning from state-approved, up-to-date, and relevant courses will not only help you get the best knowledge but also help you prepare for the state licensing exam.
Before deciding on a course provider, make sure to check their course curriculum, learning resources, and other study material and match it with the FREC guidelines.
Now that you have learned about the importance of completing pre-license coursework, it is time to find the best real estate course in Florida to meet your nearing needs and goals.
Make sure to also learn about the student experience and explore the passing rate of the real estate college or course in consideration to make an informed decision.