Getting a RE license

[k.o._IHB]

First off, forgive my naiveté, I’ve been reading this and other sites for a while, but some things I just still haven’t committed to memory. And 2nd yes, Graph, I made sure to do a “search” and found only snippets of what I was looking for.

Anyways, I’m looking to educate myself beyond the blog, and that means reading books and now thinking about getting a RE license. If I want to purchase a home, I want to spend as little as possible with various fees associated with a purchase. Is this something that should be considered or does just getting a certain % back using Zipreatly, etc., as a buyers agent, yield benefits that are comparable?

I’m a little confused by the process, so I wanted to pick the brains of those here. It seems as though I cannot just study for the exam and take it to become licensed. Instead, changes made late last year indicate I also need to have taken various RE courses in order to have it “stick”. I have the time and desire to study up for the test and classes, so that really isn’t an issue for me.

Thoughts from anyone?

 

[CalGal_IHB]

First off, forgive my naiveté, I’ve been reading this and other sites for a while, but some things I just still haven’t committed to memory. And 2nd yes, Graph, I made sure to do a “search” and found only snippets of what I was looking for.

Anyways, I’m looking to educate myself beyond the blog, and that means reading books and now thinking about getting a RE license. If I want to purchase a home, I want to spend as little as possible with various fees associated with a purchase. Is this something that should be considered or does just getting a certain % back using Zipreatly, etc., as a buyers agent, yield benefits that are comparable?

I’m a little confused by the process, so I wanted to pick the brains of those here. It seems as though I cannot just study for the exam and take it to become licensed. Instead, changes made late last year indicate I also need to have taken various RE courses in order to have it “stick”. I have the time and desire to study up for the test and classes, so that really isn’t an issue for me.

Thoughts from anyone?

I was also wondering: once you received your re license, do you you have to be associated with an agency?

 

[graphrix_IHB]

I know this question hasn't been asked before, but thanks for trying the search button first. I really do appreciate that.

Anyway, I am sure you can check out a RE principles book at the library. If not there, you should easily be able to find it used somewhere like Amazon or the local community college bookstore. I warn you... it is boring and yet very simple.

CalGal - Yes you have to have a broker to "hang" your sales license with in order to use it. You do not need a broker to take the test, but you will need a broker to hang it with eventually to make it active or it will get canceled. I don't remember what the time line is off the top of my head, but four years sounds familiar. You can get your brokers license if you have a bachelors degree or take the required courses plus have two years experience. You can check out the DRE site for more info, I might be off on the broker requirements.

And, if you want to pass the sales person license, check out RETrainers.com. They have a crash course, and if you fail after you take their course, you should... well, really an inbred monkey high on Xanax and meth could pass it after that.

 

[CalGal_IHB]

I know this question hasn't been asked before, but thanks for trying the search button first. I really do appreciate that.

Anyway, I am sure you can check out a RE principles book at the library. If not there, you should easily be able to find it used somewhere like Amazon or the local community college bookstore. I warn you... it is boring and yet very simple.

CalGal - Yes you have to have a broker to "hang" your sales license with in order to use it. You do not need a broker to take the test, but you will need a broker to hang it with eventually to make it active or it will get canceled. I don't remember what the time line is off the top of my head, but four years sounds familiar. You can get your brokers license if you have a bachelors degree or take the required courses plus have two years experience. You can check out the DRE site for more info, I might be off on the broker requirements.

And, if you want to pass the sales person license, check out RETrainers.com. They have a crash course, and if you fail after you take their course, you should... well, really an inbred monkey high on Xanax and meth could pass it after that.

Thanks for the info. I'm not interested in taking the license, but I was interested in how it worked.

 

[IrvineRealtor_IHB]

First off, forgive my naiveté, I’ve been reading this and other sites for a while, but some things I just still haven’t committed to memory. And 2nd yes, Graph, I made sure to do a “search” and found only snippets of what I was looking for.

Anyways, I’m looking to educate myself beyond the blog, and that means reading books and now thinking about getting a RE license. If I want to purchase a home, I want to spend as little as possible with various fees associated with a purchase. Is this something that should be considered or does just getting a certain % back using Zipreatly, etc., as a buyers agent, yield benefits that are comparable?

I’m a little confused by the process, so I wanted to pick the brains of those here. It seems as though I cannot just study for the exam and take it to become licensed. Instead, changes made late last year indicate I also need to have taken various RE courses in order to have it “stick”. I have the time and desire to study up for the test and classes, so that really isn’t an issue for me.

Thoughts from anyone?

Not a difficult process. I second the motion that crackerix made regarding the crash course. (Buy the CD-ROM and learn to click the buttons in the right order like you're Sawyer earning a fish-cracker on LOST.) To pass the test you need to know the answers, not the information. In fact, knowing the information and having to learn the answers only makes the process worse.

If you are getting the license just to do your own purchase, I'd advise against it as it is not cost-effective. ZipRealty offers 20% back, Redfin offers 67% back, and usctrojanman (another realtor on this site) will get you a portion of his commission too, maybe better than the others.

Here's the Dept of Real Estate page if you're in it for the info:

www.DRE.ca.gov

Thanks and good luck.

-IrvineRealtor

P.S. Here are the Broker requirements.

 

[k.o._IHB]

I know this question hasn't been asked before, but thanks for trying the search button first. I really do appreciate that.

Anyway, I am sure you can check out a RE principles book at the library. If not there, you should easily be able to find it used somewhere like Amazon or the local community college bookstore. I warn you... it is boring and yet very simple.

CalGal - Yes you have to have a broker to "hang" your sales license with in order to use it. You do not need a broker to take the test, but you will need a broker to hang it with eventually to make it active or it will get canceled. I don't remember what the time line is off the top of my head, but four years sounds familiar. You can get your brokers license if you have a bachelors degree or take the required courses plus have two years experience. You can check out the DRE site for more info, I might be off on the broker requirements.

And, if you want to pass the sales person license, check out RETrainers.com. They have a crash course, and if you fail after you take their course, you should... well, really an inbred monkey high on Xanax and meth could pass it after that.

Graph,

Thanks for the info! I've already checked out a few books at the library and am going to read over the DRE site as well. Even if I don't decide to take it, I'll be a little more educated....

 

[k.o._IHB]

[

Not a difficult process. I second the motion that crackerix made regarding the crash course. (Buy the CD-ROM and learn to click the buttons in the right order like you're Sawyer earning a fish-cracker on LOST.) To pass the test you need to know the answers, not the information. In fact, knowing the information and having to learn the answers only makes the process worse.

If you are getting the license just to do your own purchase, I'd advise against it as it is not cost-effective. ZipRealty offers 20% back, Redfin offers 67% back, and usctrojanman (another realtor on this site) will get you a portion of his commission too, maybe better than the others.

Here's the Dept of Real Estate page if you're in it for the info:

www.DRE.ca.gov

Thanks and good luck.

-IrvineRealtor

P.S. Here are the Broker requirements.

Thank you for your info, IR2. Although it is your opinion that it isn't cost effective to do this, isn't it better to be educated about the whole process? I know that there are, just like in any profession, people who are good and poor at their jobs. I'd just want to make sure my BS radar was on track to ensure the largest purchase of my life went as smooth as possible. Any other thoughts?

 

[IrvineRealtor_IHB]

Thank you for your info, IR2. Although it is your opinion that it isn't cost effective to do this, isn't it better to be educated about the whole process? I know that there are, just like in any profession, people who are good and poor at their jobs. I'd just want to make sure my BS radar was on track to ensure the largest purchase of my life went as smooth as possible. Any other thoughts?

1. Keep open communication - business partners can rarely read your mind.

2. Honesty - If you're unhappy with something, ask for it to change. (If you're happy with something, also let it be known.)

3. Treat each other with respect.

That's about it.

With 150+ posts here, if you've been reading as much as you've written, I'd guess you have a good grasp on the rest of the basics.

Good luck,

-IrvineRealtor

 

[PANDA_IHB]

First off, forgive my naiveté, I’ve been reading this and other sites for a while, but some things I just still haven’t committed to memory. And 2nd yes, Graph, I made sure to do a “search” and found only snippets of what I was looking for.

Anyways, I’m looking to educate myself beyond the blog, and that means reading books and now thinking about getting a RE license. If I want to purchase a home, I want to spend as little as possible with various fees associated with a purchase. Is this something that should be considered or does just getting a certain % back using Zipreatly, etc., as a buyers agent, yield benefits that are comparable?

I’m a little confused by the process, so I wanted to pick the brains of those here. It seems as though I cannot just study for the exam and take it to become licensed. Instead, changes made late last year indicate I also need to have taken various RE courses in order to have it “stick”. I have the time and desire to study up for the test and classes, so that really isn’t an issue for me.

Thoughts from anyone?

Not a difficult process. I second the motion that crackerix made regarding the crash course. (Buy the CD-ROM and learn to click the buttons in the right order like you're Sawyer earning a fish-cracker on LOST.) To pass the test you need to know the answers, not the information. In fact, knowing the information and having to learn the answers only makes the process worse.

If you are getting the license just to do your own purchase, I'd advise against it as it is not cost-effective. ZipRealty offers 20% back, Redfin offers 67% back, and usctrojanman (another realtor on this site) will get you a portion of his commission too, maybe better than the others.

Here's the Dept of Real Estate page if you're in it for the info:

www.DRE.ca.gov

Thanks and good luck.

-IrvineRealtor

P.S. Here are the Broker requirements.

In what circumstances would it make sense for someone to get their broker and sales license if he or she does not do real estate as a full time profession? IR2 advised against it if you were doing your own purchases, but does it make sense if you own several properties in OC that you want to sell yourself? If you are not a full time real estate professional like IR2 but got your broker and sales license, what was your reason for doing so? Just curious.

 

[usctrojanman29_IHB]

First off, forgive my naiveté, I’ve been reading this and other sites for a while, but some things I just still haven’t committed to memory. And 2nd yes, Graph, I made sure to do a “search” and found only snippets of what I was looking for.

Anyways, I’m looking to educate myself beyond the blog, and that means reading books and now thinking about getting a RE license. If I want to purchase a home, I want to spend as little as possible with various fees associated with a purchase. Is this something that should be considered or does just getting a certain % back using Zipreatly, etc., as a buyers agent, yield benefits that are comparable?

I’m a little confused by the process, so I wanted to pick the brains of those here. It seems as though I cannot just study for the exam and take it to become licensed. Instead, changes made late last year indicate I also need to have taken various RE courses in order to have it “stick”. I have the time and desire to study up for the test and classes, so that really isn’t an issue for me.

Thoughts from anyone?

Not a difficult process. I second the motion that crackerix made regarding the crash course. (Buy the CD-ROM and learn to click the buttons in the right order like you're Sawyer earning a fish-cracker on LOST.) To pass the test you need to know the answers, not the information. In fact, knowing the information and having to learn the answers only makes the process worse.

If you are getting the license just to do your own purchase, I'd advise against it as it is not cost-effective. ZipRealty offers 20% back, Redfin offers 67% back, and usctrojanman (another realtor on this site) will get you a portion of his commission too, maybe better than the others.

Here's the Dept of Real Estate page if you're in it for the info:

www.DRE.ca.gov

Thanks and good luck.

-IrvineRealtor

P.S. Here are the Broker requirements.

In what circumstances would it make sense for someone to get their broker and sales license if he or she does not do real estate as a full time profession? IR2 advised against it if you were doing your own purchases, but does it make sense if you own several properties in OC that you want to sell yourself? If you are not a full time real estate professional like IR2 but got your broker and sales license, what was your reason for doing so? Just curious.

1. Working on your own transactions and saving/collecting the commissions.

2. Making supplemental income by working with buyers and/or sellers.

3. Have access to property records and MLS

Those are the main reasons I can think of getting your license other than becoming a full-time realtor. There are costs associated with becoming a realtor...testing, finger printing, study course, application fees. Then there are your realtor dues that you have to pay on an annual basis (this includes MLS access fees). Then for realtors who aren't brokers (like me and IR2), there are annual broker fee, transaction fees, and/or commission splits. I chose to work under a broker because they take care of all the record keeping for me and I don't have to work about E&O insurance (the larger chain real estate firms offer more benefits such as advertising and support staff with a pretty office but they take a higher commission split for that).

 

[High Gravity_IHB]

If you are a lawyer, you just need to pass the test to get a broker license (i.e. pay for cram course and the test). Having a broker license is useful if you are in the mortgage business because it gets you around the California usury law.

 

[PANDA_IHB]

First off, forgive my naiveté, I’ve been reading this and other sites for a while, but some things I just still haven’t committed to memory. And 2nd yes, Graph, I made sure to do a “search” and found only snippets of what I was looking for.

Anyways, I’m looking to educate myself beyond the blog, and that means reading books and now thinking about getting a RE license. If I want to purchase a home, I want to spend as little as possible with various fees associated with a purchase. Is this something that should be considered or does just getting a certain % back using Zipreatly, etc., as a buyers agent, yield benefits that are comparable?

I’m a little confused by the process, so I wanted to pick the brains of those here. It seems as though I cannot just study for the exam and take it to become licensed. Instead, changes made late last year indicate I also need to have taken various RE courses in order to have it “stick”. I have the time and desire to study up for the test and classes, so that really isn’t an issue for me.

Thoughts from anyone?

Not a difficult process. I second the motion that crackerix made regarding the crash course. (Buy the CD-ROM and learn to click the buttons in the right order like you're Sawyer earning a fish-cracker on LOST.) To pass the test you need to know the answers, not the information. In fact, knowing the information and having to learn the answers only makes the process worse.

If you are getting the license just to do your own purchase, I'd advise against it as it is not cost-effective. ZipRealty offers 20% back, Redfin offers 67% back, and usctrojanman (another realtor on this site) will get you a portion of his commission too, maybe better than the others.

Here's the Dept of Real Estate page if you're in it for the info:

www.DRE.ca.gov

Thanks and good luck.

-IrvineRealtor

P.S. Here are the Broker requirements.

In what circumstances would it make sense for someone to get their broker and sales license if he or she does not do real estate as a full time profession? IR2 advised against it if you were doing your own purchases, but does it make sense if you own several properties in OC that you want to sell yourself? If you are not a full time real estate professional like IR2 but got your broker and sales license, what was your reason for doing so? Just curious.

1. Working on your own transactions and saving/collecting the commissions.

2. Making supplemental income by working with buyers and/or sellers.

3. Have access to property records and MLS

Those are the main reasons I can think of getting your license other than becoming a full-time realtor. There are costs associated with becoming a realtor...testing, finger printing, study course, application fees. Then there are your realtor dues that you have to pay on an annual basis (this includes MLS access fees). Then for realtors who aren't brokers (like me and IR2), there are annual broker fee, transaction fees, and/or commission splits. I chose to work under a broker because they take care of all the record keeping for me and I don't have to work about E&O insurance (the larger chain real estate firms offer more benefits such as advertising and support staff with a pretty office but they take a higher commission split for that).

Trojan, when you mentioned that IR2 and you are not brokers, do you mean that you guys just have a sales license and not the broker license. I have to research this more as I don't even know the difference between a sales license and a broker's license.. Thanks for the input though.

 

[usctrojanman29_IHB]

First off, forgive my naiveté, I’ve been reading this and other sites for a while, but some things I just still haven’t committed to memory. And 2nd yes, Graph, I made sure to do a “search” and found only snippets of what I was looking for.

Anyways, I’m looking to educate myself beyond the blog, and that means reading books and now thinking about getting a RE license. If I want to purchase a home, I want to spend as little as possible with various fees associated with a purchase. Is this something that should be considered or does just getting a certain % back using Zipreatly, etc., as a buyers agent, yield benefits that are comparable?

I’m a little confused by the process, so I wanted to pick the brains of those here. It seems as though I cannot just study for the exam and take it to become licensed. Instead, changes made late last year indicate I also need to have taken various RE courses in order to have it “stick”. I have the time and desire to study up for the test and classes, so that really isn’t an issue for me.

Thoughts from anyone?

Not a difficult process. I second the motion that crackerix made regarding the crash course. (Buy the CD-ROM and learn to click the buttons in the right order like you're Sawyer earning a fish-cracker on LOST.) To pass the test you need to know the answers, not the information. In fact, knowing the information and having to learn the answers only makes the process worse.

If you are getting the license just to do your own purchase, I'd advise against it as it is not cost-effective. ZipRealty offers 20% back, Redfin offers 67% back, and usctrojanman (another realtor on this site) will get you a portion of his commission too, maybe better than the others.

Here's the Dept of Real Estate page if you're in it for the info:

www.DRE.ca.gov

Thanks and good luck.

-IrvineRealtor

P.S. Here are the Broker requirements.

In what circumstances would it make sense for someone to get their broker and sales license if he or she does not do real estate as a full time profession? IR2 advised against it if you were doing your own purchases, but does it make sense if you own several properties in OC that you want to sell yourself? If you are not a full time real estate professional like IR2 but got your broker and sales license, what was your reason for doing so? Just curious.

1. Working on your own transactions and saving/collecting the commissions.

2. Making supplemental income by working with buyers and/or sellers.

3. Have access to property records and MLS

Those are the main reasons I can think of getting your license other than becoming a full-time realtor. There are costs associated with becoming a realtor...testing, finger printing, study course, application fees. Then there are your realtor dues that you have to pay on an annual basis (this includes MLS access fees). Then for realtors who aren't brokers (like me and IR2), there are annual broker fee, transaction fees, and/or commission splits. I chose to work under a broker because they take care of all the record keeping for me and I don't have to work about E&O insurance (the larger chain real estate firms offer more benefits such as advertising and support staff with a pretty office but they take a higher commission split for that).

Trojan, when you mentioned that IR2 and you are not brokers, do you mean that you guys just have a sales license and not the broker license. I have to research this more as I don't even know the difference between a sales license and a broker's license.. Thanks for the input though.

I think that IR2 only has a sales license, but I'm not 100% sure. I have a sales license. You can also get a sales/broker license and a broker license. When you have a sales license, you have to hang your license with a broker.

 

[Geotpf_IHB]

There are a LOT of part time realtors out there. Either housewifes doing it as an "Avon lady" gig, or people supplementing their income. Some just use it for friends and family.