Your step by step guide to a successful career in Florida real estate
A career in real estate brings with itself the opportunity of working in a highly dynamic, fast-moving and ever-evolving industry.
The career path of a real estate agent offers numerous benefits such as unlimited earning potential, opportunities for networking, high career flexibility and professional autonomy.
Real estate agents work with clients and help them buy and sell properties in Florida and in exchange for their services, agents earn commission on every deal.
Did you know that you can make a six figure income as a real estate agent? In Florida, the top real estate agents can earn as much as $150K annually and even the average base pay for a commercial agent is $80K in a year.
Working as a real estate agent is a dream come true for many individuals, especially for those who value independence and freedom in their profession.
If you are keen to build a profitable side income stream or embark on a long-term career journey as a full time agent in Florida, now is a good time to get started.
Florida real estate offers exciting possibilities and prospects for aspiring real estate agents who want to make their mark in a growing economy and booming market.
To work with clients, you must first obtain your Florida salesperson license which is a mandatory requirement for all professionals.
Getting a license requires completing multiple steps and one of them is getting your education by completing a Florida real estate course.
Since education will play a crucial role in getting your license, it is important to learn about the state specific requirements and how to choose the right education provider.
In this article, we will walk you through the steps on completing pre license qualifying education to apply for a salesperson license in Florida.
The appeal of Florida real estate
Florida’s real estate landscape is unlike any other state in the country and the market continues to offer lucrative opportunities.
With a plethora of property choices and locations to choose from, homebuyers and investors continue to flock towards Florida’s booming real estate.
Thanks to the net positive migration rate, Florida’s population has steadily grown by 15 percent since the last decade.
With around 3 million new residents making Florida their home, the demand for real estate has been unprecedented since the last few years.
In addition to strong population numbers, Florida’s economic outlook has also grown rapidly and has led to a positive job market and increasing job opportunities.
Emerging as a forerunner for better employment prospects, Florida has posted strong growth since the last 14 months.
Speaking of industries, Florida’s world-renowned tourism industry continues to attract millions of tourists and the state has witnessed the highest level in tourism related visitors.
With booming businesses and commercial initiatives, the demand for vacation homes and rental properties is also
Another alluring factor contributing to Florida’s real estate growth is the lack of personal income tax for residents which makes it an attractive destination.
Florida’s unique lifestyle, diverse culture, pleasant climate and picturesque beaches have buoyed the real estate’s vibrancy and appeal.
The growing influx of homebuyers, investors and businesses are giving a boost to Florida's residential, commercial and vacation real estate, leading to rewarding income opportunities for agents and brokers.
If you are ready to start your career, it is important to obtain your license first and to do so, you must complete the Florida real estate license course for a salesperson license.
Importance of pre license education
Education is the foundation for a successful career, whether you want to work part-time or as a full-time agent.
As per the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) licensing guidelines, it is mandatory to complete 63 hours of state approved education to qualify for a salesperson license.
Pre-licensing education is a way to prove your commitment to the profession and learn about the fundamental principles, laws and guidelines of the industry.
Since you will be working with clients and helping them make informed property decisions, it is a must that you are aware of their rights, best practices, standards and legal regulations.
As part of your coursework, you will learn about the foundational topics of real estate such as - Principles of Real Estate, Practice of Real Estate, Real Estate Finance, Consumer Rights, Ethics and Fair Trade, Contract Forms among many others.
Completing a FL real estate course will help you prepare for an exciting career filled with opportunities and challenges.
Most importantly, completing qualifying education is the only way to apply for a salesperson license and become a licensed professional in Florida.
Since only licensed professionals are allowed to work with clients and earn commissions, if you want to get the most out of a career in real estate, you must complete your education.
Completing required education will not only make you more confident and knowledgeable at what you do, but it will also open doors for business and client opportunities.
Investing in choosing the right pre license education provider will give you great returns, both in the short and long run and it is the gateway to unlocking earnings and success.
How Long Does It Take to Complete Real Estate Education?
The FREC requires students to complete 63 hours of pre license education, however, there is no specific duration within which one must complete it.
According to the FREC education guidelines, a student cannot complete more than 12 hours of coursework in one day.
Thus, if you are aiming to complete the Florida real estate license course in the shortest duration, you can expect to spend at least three weeks of time.
Note that there are education providers which offer accelerated learning programs for students who want to reduce the duration of completing their education.
Accelerate pre license courses can help you speed up the time to complete your Florida course and achieve your goal of becoming a licensed agent quickly.
Ultimately, your progress depends on your education provider, your time management skills and how dedicated you are to achieving your goal.
How to choose a pre license education provider in Florida
By now, you might have understood the significance of completing education and if you are ready to embark on your journey, it is important to make an informed decision.
The impact of your pre license education will determine your odds of success - the better prepared you are, the higher will be your chances of acing the salesperson licensing exam.
To pass the exam, you must prepare yourself for tackling a range of topics and subjects. This is why choosing the right education provider is crucial to success.
In Florida, there are numerous real estate schools, courses and colleges which offer pre licensing education with their unique teaching packages and plans.
There are numerous real estate colleges, schools and course providers to choose from, however, not all of them are equal in their quality, features and benefits.
To find the best Florida real estate course, you must keep certain aspects in mind before deciding on one.
Check the course curriculum
Completing 63 hours of pre license education will be based on a range of topics and courses encompassing the laws, principles and regulations.
Learning from an up to date and accurate curriculum is imperative to be at the forefront of the latest and greatest.
Before deciding on a real estate course, college or education provider, make sure to understand their curriculum in detail.
To get the most of your learning and maximize your preparation, it is critical to evaluate whether the curriculum provider is meeting the FREC standards.
Learning with the help of the latest course material and resources is important to understand the most updated industry laws, regulations and guidelines.
Be it practice tests or mock questions, having access to accurate, relevant and updated learning resources is important to approach the exam with confidence.
Evaluate the course features
Although real estate education providers offer a diverse array of courses and learning packages, not all of them are created equal.
Some courses offer more features and value added benefits which are incredibly useful for students.
If you want to get the best value for your money, you should take some time to evaluate the various course features such as - video led courses, exam training series, on-demand instructor support, Q&A sessions among others.
Many students prefer opting for feature-rich course packages as they offer in-depth training and learning benefits in comparison to basic pre license courses.
Some courses are more suitable for beginners, whereas some are oriented towards intermediate students who already have experience with the salesperson licensing test.
This is why it is important to understand the specific features of a course before deciding on the right one for your learning needs and goals.
Learn about course instructors
One important factor in choosing a real estate college, school or course is to make a comparison based on the teachers, instructors and trainers.
To get the best out of your education, it is important to learn from expert trainers who are certified and qualified.
Luckily, Florida boasts of some of the leading instructors and trainers who can help you get the best learning in the most optimum way.
It is important to not fall prey to promotional and marketing claims and do your own research to evaluate the worthiness of your instructors.
The crucial deciding factor in choosing an education provider or a real estate school should be the experience, track record and skill of the trainers and instructors.
To complete 63 hours of pre license Florida salesperson education, you will be spending considerable time and money.
To get the best worth for your investment, you must learn from certified trainers with a proven record of helping students pass the salesperson license exam.
Plan your budget
You can choose from a range of learning packages and pre licensing courses to suit your learning budget and needs.
The cost of completing Florida pre license education varies from $100 to $700 and the courses are catered to students with specific learning needs and training goals.
Note that physical, classroom based real estate colleges are generally more expensive as compared to completing an online Florida real estate course.
Preparing for a new career will require money and cost investment and pre licensing education is going to be one of the major expenses in your licensing journey.
Generally, pre licensing education in Florida can cost you anywhere between $100 to $300 depending on the education provider, type of package, medium of content delivery and the expertise of the trainer.
We hope the pointers discussed above will help you in making a smart, informed decision regarding your pre license education and training in Florida.