Why choose a career in California real estate
Home to some of the country's highly affluent and wealthy individuals, California’s real estate market is as diverse and attractive as it can get.
The ‘Golden State’ is renowned for its world-class lifestyle, booming economy, strong job prospects, and idyllic national parks and landscapes.
With an array of residential and commercial real estate projects, California offers a fertile opportunity ground for real estate agents and brokers.
The demand for real estate in CA is steadily growing and home valuations continue to soar year-on-year.
If you are an ambitious individual who craves professional autonomy and financial freedom, working in California real estate might just be a great career fit for you.
Many individuals choose real estate for the career flexibility and earning opportunities it offers - especially if you want to be your own boss and define your work-life balance.
Whether you are looking for your first job or want to switch careers, real estate is welcoming to anyone who is determined to make their mark in the industry.
The best part is that you can achieve your goal of working in CA real estate within a few months and it does not take any advanced education or years of college education.
However, to achieve your goal, you need to prepare yourself by fulfilling the various state and federal requirements and getting your real estate license.
Getting a real estate license is crucial to starting your career - it is both a regulatory requirement and a stepping stone to working with clients.
If you are wondering how to get your CA real estate license easily and start an exciting and rewarding career journey, this article will answer all your questions.
We will give you an in-depth look into why choosing a career in real estate can work wonders for your professional growth and what the licensing requirements in CA are.
Why choose a career in California real estate
The freedom to work independently, the unlimited earning potential, the flexibility to define your working hours…there are many reasons why people get attracted to real estate.
Real estate can be an ideal first career and a great midlife option if you want to switch things up professionally.
You might have read stories of people who transformed their lives for the better with a real estate career and how they achieved their goals and dreams in life.
Starting a new career can be intimidating for most people and it is understandable that one might feel nervous or overwhelmed before committing to a career in CA real estate.
However, if you are curious to learn more about what a career in real estate can offer, here are some benefits of working in this industry.
1. Higher earning potential
Let’s face it - one of the most attractive benefits of working in real estate is the potential to earn a six-figure income and control your earning prospects.
Unlike other professions which come with a fixed earning potential, a career in real estate can help you decide how much money you can make.
The more deals you close, the more commissions you can make as there is no limit to how much money you can earn as a real estate agent.
The best part is that the higher the value of a transaction, the higher will be your commissions.
This means if you help close a deal worth $800K for a home in California, you can make around $30K to $4OK in commissions.
It should not surprise you to know that the average income for a real estate agent in CA is around $110K - as you advance in your career, your earnings will follow along.
2. Growing job opportunities
Unlike many popular professions that are getting affected negatively by AI and witnessing job cuts, real estate is currently immune to the threat of automation.
In California, the demand for real estate continues to grow year-on-year, as a result of which there are emerging job opportunities for aspiring agents and brokers.
In fact, as per data shared by California’s Employment Development Department, career prospects for real estate professionals are expected to grow at an impressive 7 percent by 2030.
The need for skilled, licensed agents is not going away anytime soon as clients always rely on the expertise and guidance of industry professionals.
Since the market growth is strong, this means now is a good time to enter the market by getting your California real estate license and start working with clients.
3. Lower barrier to entry
Compared to other high-paying careers, it is relatively easier to enter the real estate job market and start your journey as a professional.
To obtain a salesperson license in California, you only need a minimum of a high school diploma to qualify.
Additionally, you only need to complete 135 hours of pre-license education to obtain a license.
While other jobs require individuals to complete years of college education before allowing individuals to start earning.
On the contrary, becoming a real estate agent in California can be completed within a few months.
4. Better growth and networking prospects
Being a real estate agent allows you to tap into a growing pool of professional opportunities, whether you are working part-time or full-time.
California’s diverse real estate landscape is perfect for starting as a real estate agent and as you progress, you can apply for a broker’s license.
If you like to try new things, you can also explore niche markets such as luxury real estate, vacation homes, and commercial real estate among others.
For those who want to be their own boss and achieve their entrepreneurial goals, you can also start your own real estate agency and brokerage firm in a few years.
Clearly, the professional advantages of working in real estate are numerous and you might be thinking - how can I get my real estate license in California fast?
To help you get started, let us walk you through the step-by-step process and the licensing requirements.
Note that you will have to start your career by applying for a salesperson license first and after you gain industry experience, you can obtain a broker’s license in CA next.
Steps for getting a CA salesperson license
Starting a new career requires commitment and clarity, and before you embark on the licensing journey, it is important to prepare yourself for what is required.
Like most states, California also follows a set of licensing laws and regulations that must be adhered to if you want to earn your salesperson license.
Specifically, you must fulfill the state-specific eligibility requirements and prove your competence to obtain a license.
The DRE in California is the state’s regulatory authority for establishing licensing guidelines and standards for professionals and firms.
In California, aspiring individuals are required to meet a set of pre-established qualifying requirements and complete the mandatory steps which are explained below.
Step 1: Meet the basic eligibility criteria
Getting a license is possible only if you meet the minimum eligibility requirements in the state of California.
According to the DRE in California, every individual must fulfill the basic statutory requirements which are:
- You must be 18 years of age or older
- You must have a high school degree or GED equivalent in education
- You must be a legal resident of the state of California or a lawfully residing alien
- You should not have any history of felony or any criminal activity
Before you get ahead of yourself, it is important to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements.
To ensure this, you can take a fitness determination test before committing to completing the remaining licensing requirements in California.
Step 2: Complete pre-licensing education
Completing education is the foundation for every successful career, and real estate is no different as you will be required to gain knowledge and foundational skills.
In California, aspiring real estate agents and brokers are expected to complete mandatory education, also known as pre-license education to qualify for a license.
As per the California DRE licensing requirements, every student must complete 135 hours of pre-license coursework from a state-approved education provider.
The purpose of pre-license education is to equip you with the basics of real estate, including state and federal laws, industry guidelines, and other fundamental topics.
Completing 135 hours of pre-license education requires you to complete three different courses, including mandatory and elective ones worth 45 hours each.
The two mandatory courses are - Real Estate Principles (45 hours) and Real Estate Practice (45 hours).
The third course (45 hours) is an elective course which you can choose based on your interests.
Some of the elective courses are - real estate finance, real estate appraisal, and property management among others.
Students in California have the flexibility to complete 135 hours of pre-licensing education in their preferred medium of learning.
You can choose to join a physical, classroom-based real estate college or school, or enroll in an online, self-paced, or instructor-led pre-license course.
Generally, students prefer the flexibility and ease of online pre-licensing courses as they can be completed from anywhere on any device.
The duration of the pre-license course depends on your pace of learning, however, it takes most students around a few months to complete the entire coursework.
If you are wondering how do I get a real estate license in CA after completing your education, the next step is to take the licensing exam.
Step 3: Take the California salesperson licensing exam
After completing California DRE-approved pre-licensure coursework, you will become eligible to apply for the salesperson licensing exam in California.
One of the most important licensing requirements is passing the licensing exam and the California DRE requires all students to take the salesperson licensing exam.
The exam is a closed book, multiple-choice questions test and it covers the courses and topics you will study during your pre-licensing education.
The salesperson licensing test consists of 150 multiple-choice questions and to pass the test, you must score at least 75 percent or above.
If you successfully pass the test, you can submit your salesperson license application to the department for review.
Note that you must also submit an electronic scan of your fingerprints by getting the scan done at a DRE-approved live scan vendor in California.
Completing a fingerprint check is a mandatory requirement to meet the standards of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness established by the DRE.
Step 4: Find employer sponsorship
If you have made it this far, congratulations, as you have successfully completed all the steps to obtain a CA salesperson license.
However, you must activate your license and to do so, you will have to find a sponsoring broker or brokerage firm licensed in the state of California.
It is mandatory for newly licensed individuals to work under the supervision of a supervising broker to gain industry experience.