How to work with clients in Florida real estate
Looking for exciting career opportunities and want to achieve your dream of working on your own terms and being your own boss?
A career in Florida real estate might just be the perfect fit for your career goals of financial independence and professional growth.
Thanks to its pleasant weather, stunning beaches, stable job market, and thriving economy, Florida continues to attract homebuyers and real estate investors from around the country.
Florida’s real estate landscape offers a diverse range of properties and choices to buyers of various needs, budgets, and aspirations.
If you want to work on a part-time basis or consider a career as a full-time real estate agent, now is a good time to enter the Florida market.
Markets like Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Tampa continue to climb in popularity rankings as the hottest real estate destinations for buyers and investors.
In fact, Florida is home to some of the fastest-growing cities in terms of demand for housing and commercial real estate.
Post-pandemic, Florida’s real estate prospects continue to grow steadily and have overtaken New York to become the 2nd most valuable market in the country.
It is no surprise that the housing prices in FL have increased by around 80 percent in the last few years.
These positive statistics and growth trends lead to a clear takeaway - there is a high demand for real estate professionals and the market has huge potential to help you build a career.
To make the most of the opportunities, you simply need to obtain a real estate license and you will be on your way to working with clients anywhere in Florida.
If you are curious to learn more about how to get a Florida real estate license then this article will answer all the frequently asked questions.
Many aspirants and students face common doubts and queries on how to start a career, especially if they have no prior experience.
In this detailed guide, we have covered all the key aspects of becoming a licensed professional in FL real estate.
Understanding the popularity of Florida real estate
Real estate agents are expected to understand the pulse and trends of popular regions, cities, and markets in a state.
To guide your clients and assist them in navigating through different stages of a real estate deal, you must be aware of the factors shaping the market.
Florida is home to four of the top ten fastest-growing real estate markets in the country and it offers diverse living and investment opportunities to meet different needs.
There are many factors that are contributing to Florida’s real estate rise and leading to record-breaking interest from homebuyers and investors.
World-class tourism and entertainment choices, picturesque natural beaches, tropical climate, and a strong economic outlook are key reasons behind the real estate boom in FL.
Another important reason that has led to strong growth in housing and residential real estate is the state’s improving job outlook and employment landscape.
In the last few years, Florida has added close to a million new jobs and the Peach State continues to flourish in terms of overall job growth and prospects.
With high inventory levels, growing median home prices, and strong demand from buyers and rentals, now is a good time to enter the Florida real estate market and reap dividends.
Requirement for a Florida real estate license
The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) requires every individual to obtain a real estate license in Florida to be able to work with clients and earn commission.
Like most states, Florida also has a pre-established set of laws, rules, and regulations that you must fulfill to qualify for a salesperson license.
Since only licensed professionals are legally allowed to take part in a real estate deal, it is important that you invest the required time and resources to obtain your FL agent license.
Age and Legal Requirements
To work in the real estate industry, you must meet the minimum qualifying requirements for getting a license as enforced by the FREC. These are as follows:
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older
- You must be a legal citizen of the US or a lawfully admitted alien
- You should have a high school diploma or GED equivalent in education
The above statutory requirements are applicable to every individual, irrespective of their location, region, or city in Florida.
Note that the Florida law discourages individuals with a history of felony or criminal activity to apply for a license.
However, if you have an instance of any criminal record or unlawful activity from your past, you should disclose it.
Pre-licensing Education Requirements
Like most states, Florida also requires individuals to complete minimum education to qualify for a salesperson license and work in the industry.
Completing pre-license education is a mandatory requirement to obtain your real estate license and hence, you must consider your education very seriously.
The FREC requires every individual to complete a minimum of 63 hours of pre-licensing education from a state-approved education provider.
The purpose of pre-license education is to learn about the fundamental real estate principles and understand the various real estate laws and guidelines for industry professionals.
Note that you are free to choose between joining an in-person, physical classroom-based program or enrolling in an online real estate pre-license course.
The duration of the course depends on the learner and how soon you can finish it but it takes between a few weeks to a month to complete the course credits.
Florida salesperson exam requirements
The FREC requires all students to take and pass the salesperson licensing exam in Florida to obtain their license.
The exam is three hours in duration and it will ask you 100 multiple-choice questions covering both state and national-specific portions.
In order to pass the exam, you must score at least 75% or above in the final test. You can visit the FREC website and choose a preferred day and date to schedule the test.
Here are some of the commonly asked questions and topics you will face in the real estate license exam:
- Real Estate Business
- Real Estate Appraisal
- Real Estate Contracts
- Real Estate Finance
- Federal and State Laws
- Real Estate Laws and Licenses
- Real Estate Commission Rules
- Real Estate Appraisal
- Titles, Deeds, and Ownership Types
When it comes to preparing for the test, most students and applicants often find the sheer vastness of the coursework overwhelming.
Here’s a fact about the exam’s pass rates - on average around 45 to 50 percent of the students who take the Florida test are unable to pass the test on their first attempt.
If you are a beginner, you might be wondering, about the difficulty of the Florida real estate exam and the answer is that it is generally considered moderately challenging.
However, the exam difficulty depends greatly on your level of preparation and confidence. If you have practiced well and understand the exam format, passing it is easier than it seems.
As a rule of thumb, students who have a solid grasp of the pre-licensing coursework and understand the licensing rules and laws will find the exam manageable.
Whereas if you have not grasped the fundamentals clearly or have not practiced enough, then it is likely that you will find the licensing exam challenging to clear.
In the next section, we are going to share some practical and useful tips on how to boost your exam preparation and improve your odds of success.
Tips to study for the Florida Real Estate Exam
Create a Study Schedule
You will encounter numerous subjects and topics during your pre-license education and training and it can be mentally and physically difficult to manage them at once.
This is why creating a dedicated study schedule is important as it can help them accomplish multiple tasks in a planned manner.
With a structured learning routine, you can easily cover many subjects and give time to specific concepts and important questions.
Plus, having a schedule to study will help you to pace yourself properly and avoid getting burned out or feeling stressed before the exam.
Review Course Materials and Textbooks
Many real estate education providers give their students exam training resources and study material to help you prepare for the licensing exam.
To help you prepare for the test, you can make use of course materials and make smart notes which can give you quick summaries of key concepts.
Some education providers also give flashcards that cover frequently asked questions and common topics.
Taking notes and reviewing them before the licensing exam is a great way to recap your course curriculum and important points.
Understand the Exam Format and Content
To prepare well for the licensing exam, you should not overlook the exam format itself as it is going to affect your performance and score.
As you cover your curriculum and complete the various courses, it is important that you learn about the exam format which consists of national and state-specific portions.
Apply for a Florida Real Estate License
Once you have successfully passed the licensing exam, you will be a step closer to obtaining your Florida real estate license and starting your career.
The next step is to submit your license application to the Florida DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) for review and approval.
Along with your application, you must also submit an electronic copy of your fingerprints along with a certificate of clearance if you have any history of felony or criminal activity.
Find Employer Sponsorship
After your license application is approved, you will receive your salesperson license within a few weeks.
However, at this point, your license will be inactive and to activate it, you must submit your employer sponsorship details to the Florida DBPR.
As per Florida law, it is mandatory for all applicants to find a sponsoring broker or brokerage firm to gain practical industry experience.
To complete this step, you can reach out to local licensed brokers and firms in your city or region and seek sponsorship.
Do not worry as this step is easy to complete because once you have received your license, it is easier to find a brokerage firm with whom you can work.
Working with a supervising broker is essential and during this experience, you will learn the tricks of the trade from seasoned professionals.
Final Thoughts
Are you ready to be a part of a dynamic, fast-moving, and rewarding career? Working as a real estate agent in Florida is an experience of a lifetime.
Congratulations on choosing an exciting and fulfilling career where you can meet new people, help them achieve their goals, and earn a six-figure income.