How to Become a Real Estate Agent in New York

Each state will have its own laws and regulations on how to become a real estate agent, but the ones in New York are pretty similar to the rest of the country. Check with your state for what regulations apply to real estate agents.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• proof of age
• proof of residency
• a lot of patience
• a desire to work with people

How to Become a Real Estate Agent

1. Get sponsored by a licensed real estate broker. You will not be allowed to take the New York real-estate agent test if you are not. You do not have to work for the broker who sponsors you, even though your license will come in his name. You can go to another broker and the license will be transferred over. There are two ways to get a broker to sponsor you. The first is to go to one you have used your self, and the second is to look in the employment section of the paper. There are usually brokers looking for real estate agents and they do like new ones because they can train them their own way.

2. Sign up for the required agents classes. Your sponsoring broker will know where classes are being held. Many brokers hold classes themselves and community colleges do also. Any school must be approved by New York State. You must be 18, and the course is for a total of 45 hours. You will learn much more than will be on the real estate agents test.

3. Apply to take the agents test. You cannot take the New York State test until you have completed the course and you have a certificate from the teacher. In New York, you have three chances to pass or you have to start over again. But your instructor will give you a good idea of what to expect on the test. It will cover everything from law to how to measure the square footage of a building.

4. Get to work. Once you have your agents license, you are ready to work. As a real estate agent, you have to work under the supervision of a broker. If you want to become a broker yourself, you must be an agent for at least a year, have worked 35 hours a week for at least 50 weeks, be a United States Citizen or legal alien and complete a 90-hour course.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not expect to get a regular wage. You only get paid when you rent an apartment or sell a house and it goes to closing.
• It is against the law for a broker to give agents advances against commissions, so you will need to have cash on hand to last until commissions come in.
• For some, it is a good idea to begin as a part-time agent and if you like it and find you can make a living, then switch to full time.
• The real estate market is very unpredictable and not only in New York. While good money can be made, you need to be prepared for the down times. An agent who spends his commissions without putting something away for the rainy days is foolish. You need to have the tenacity to stick it out through thick and thin.

Resources

• License information.
• State-approved schools.

[engelvoelkers]

on 2/13/2009 Recently the requirements have changed requiring greater hours of course study. Engel

[PattyOh]

on 3/9/2008 : )