How To Start a Lucrative Career in Florida Real Estate
The Florida real estate market is expected to grow due to sustained demand and interest from buyers and investors.
Florida’s real estate landscape continues to be a lucrative and diverse opportunity ground for real estate agents and brokers.
Thanks to its warm climate, world-class tourism, entertainment options, and thriving job market, there has been a notable increase in affluent buyers, migrant workers, and renters.
Be it popular destinations like Miami, Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa or upcoming ones like Naples, Sarasota, and Bradenton, Florida’s appeal is showing no signs of fading out.
As per industry research and market forecasts, four of the top ten hottest real estate hotspots in the country are in Florida.
Property valuation is rising in Florida and as the tourism-led economy grows, so will the investments in short-term and long-term real estate projects.
With more than double-digit growth in the number of homes sold and the popularity index, the Peach State is an ideal launchpad to kickstart your real estate career.
If you are considering a career in Florida real estate and want to be a part of the growth story, now is a good time to start preparing to make an entry in the industry.
While pursuing a career, it is important to understand the specific laws, regulations, and guidelines for professionals.
Since real estate is a regulated industry governed by a pre-established set of professional standards and rules, it is important to be familiar with them.
Working in FL’s booming real estate can unlock new opportunities for building a short-term or long-term career, especially if you are a complete beginner.
The market is ripe and if you are ready to embark on a journey to work in a dynamic, high-growth industry, this article will help you get started in the right direction.
Are you wondering how can I get my real estate license in Florida and work with clients? Keep on reading as we will walk you through the entire process in a step-by-step way.
The growing popularity of Florida real estate
Did you know that Florida is currently the third most populous state in the country and is an attractive destination for tourists, renters, homebuyers, and retirees?
The Peach State offers people an eclectic mix of travel, tourism, entertainment, employment, weather, and culture.
Thanks to its stable job outlook and strong economy, Florida’s real estate charm continues to allure buyers from across the country.
With growing sales for single-family and vacation homes and rising commercial property prices, Florida is showing no signs of slowing down when it comes to demand for real estate.
Since the last five years, housing prices have increased by almost 80 percent and there are many reasons behind the real estate rush in Florida especially in popular markets such as:
Miami
When it comes to travel and tourism-led growth, it is no surprise that Miami reigns supreme as the hottest real estate destination in Florida.
The coastal metropolis is renowned for its beautiful beaches, vast coastline, and magnificent natural views. Add to it a favorable tax system and world-class lifestyle.
Since the last few decades, Miami’s popularity has been steadily growing and it continues to enjoy a strong demand from vacationers and renters.
It is still one of the most preferred destinations for homebuyers and real estate investors who want to experience the best of weather, entertainment, and natural beauty.
Miami real estate has soared in value by around 30 percent year-on-year and the demand continues to grow with time.
Tampa Bay
Thanks to a diverse, rich cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and scenic coastal views, Tampa Bay has emerged as a popular real estate destination.
Tampa’s strong and thriving economy is driven by healthcare, finance, and shipping industries and the region is witnessing strong demand.
The median property value in Tampa Bay has increased by around 25 percent year-on-year, thanks to strong economic growth and a thriving job market.
With the influx of skilled professionals and migrant workers, Tampa Bay stands out as a place that brings together the best of natural serenity and bustling city lifestyle.
Orlando
Orlando’s real estate growth and popularity can be attributed to its world-class theme parks and bustling entertainment centers such as Walt Disney and Universal Studios.
It is amongst the most desirable places to live in Florida and it welcomes millions of tourists and visitors every year due to its beaches and unique experiences.
Orlando’s real estate market is witnessing strong demand and the soaring median home value is a testament to its growing popularity amongst buyers and investors.
Ranked as one of the best places for rental real estate, Orlando’s economic outlook has risen significantly in the last few years.
Now that you have learned about the popular real estate markets in FL and what makes them a great place to start your career, the next step is to learn about the Florida real estate license requirements in detail.
Starting a new career might seem daunting or overwhelming to say the least, but if you follow a structured, step-by-step approach, it is a straightforward process.
Steps to obtain a Florida real estate license
Before you commit to the journey of getting licensed, it is important to ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements to qualify for a license.
As per the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), every aspiring real estate professional must meet the statutory requirements listed below.
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older.
- You must be a legal resident of the state of Florida
- You must have a high school diploma in education or its GED equivalent
If you meet the above requirements, you can proceed to complete the next steps of the licensing journey.
Florida pre-license education requirements
Completing education is a crucial step and a mandatory requirement in obtaining your license and proving your eligibility for working with clients.
In Florida, you must complete 63 hours of qualifying education, also known as pre-licensing education from a state-approved education provider.
The duration of the course lasts between a few weeks to months depending on whether you join an in-classroom-based college or enroll in a self-paced online pre-licensing course.
The pre-licensing education curriculum will teach you the fundamentals of real estate and the various state and federal laws and regulations.
Completing pre-licensure coursework will teach you about real estate principles, real estate law, real estate finance, ethics, and regulations among other fundamental course topics.
Most importantly, pre-license courses will prepare you for the Florida real estate license exam as well.
You can choose to join a physical, classroom-based college or enroll in an online
real estate pre licensing course Florida as per your preferred medium of learning.
Although there are numerous real estate colleges, schools, and online courses to choose from, the key is to ensure that you only learn from a state-approved education provider.
Passing the Florida salesperson license exam
Passing the salesperson licensing exam is one of the most crucial steps in getting your Florida real estate license and starting your career.
The test duration is three hours and it will include 100 multiple choice questions. In order to pass the test, you must score at least 75% or above.
To schedule the test, you must first apply to the FREC with a certificate of completion of your education. You can take the test at any of the Pearson Vue centers.
Additionally, you will also be required to submit an electronic scan of your fingerprints for federal criminal history and background verification checks.
The sales associate licensing test is a closed-book, multiple choice questions test that consists of state and national-specific portions.
Many students find the test overwhelming at first, especially as it comprises multiple questions of varying difficulty.
However, if you prepare well, especially using the Florida real estate practice exam, it will boost your confidence.
Clear federal background verification
If you meet the above requirements, you can proceed to complete the background verification and criminal history check.
In Florida, you must meet the minimum standards for honesty, integrity, and truthfulness to qualify for a real estate license.
The FREC wants professionals with good moral conduct and no criminal history to work with clients.
To ensure this, they require all applicants to undergo a federal background check as a mandatory license requirement.
To complete this step, you need to submit an electronic scanned copy of your fingerprints along with your license application to the Florida (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) DBPR for review.
After completing the steps above, you will receive your Florida salesperson license within a few weeks.
Florida post license educational requirements
The real estate industry is highly competitive and to stay ahead, you must always be learning to stay ahead of the curve to grow as a professional.
As real estate is a dynamic industry, its laws, regulations, and standards continue to evolve and update to serve the best interests of consumers and industry professionals.
Post-license education will help you stay updated and keep your knowledge current plus it will also help you become more skilled and professional in your demeanour.
Post licensing real estate Florida is important to renew your license and maintain its validity as a professional.
Without completing post license education, your Florida salesperson license will become void and inactive. To maintain its active status, you must complete additional education.
Post-license education requires you to complete advanced real estate topics and in-depth courses that will help you advance your knowledge and grow your skills.
Generally, the license renewal dates are either the last date of March or the last date of September. It is recommended that you verify the same on the FREC website.
Completing post-licensing education is a must if you want to grow in your career and achieve long-term success.
Once you have completed additional course credits, you can log into the DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) website and submit your education completion information.
After you have successfully completed post-license education in FL, you will be required to take an exam and prove your understanding of the courses and topics covered.
The exam is a closed-book test that consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and you will get a total of 3 hours to complete all the questions.
To pass the exam, you must score at least 75 percent or above. In case you are unable to pass the test, you can retake it after 24 hours.