Success Happy - I want to be a real estate agent, and eventually a broker. everyone says college isn't necessary, but...?

I want to be a real estate agent, and eventually a broker. everyone says college isn't necessary, but...?

Would it be beneficial to me to get a 2-year degree in Marketing to learn some business skills? please tell me anything else you think would be beneficial to help me be a successful real estate agent. Thank you.Thank you.

Public Comments

College is not necessary to become licensed in most states, but some brokers will not hire someone without a degree. A background in marketing, business management (since you are essentially your own business) or finance would be a great start.
Do both. I would get the license and see what kind of additional training they offer and then maybe go to school a few days a week. My daughter got an associates by going two days a week. believe me you won't be that busy for your first two years in RE anyway and no matter what, you'll have something to show for your time.
There are going to be a ton of people who are going to disagree with me on this, but let me give you the straight and narrow. College is highly overrated. In the case of real estate its not necessary at all. The bottom line is that people are either born with a passion to do what they do or they are not. A college degree is not going to teach you to be passionate. It's not going to give you something you don't inherently have already. My best suggestion is to take the classes necessary to prepare yourself for licensing, and make mental notes throughout your career about what works and what does not. If you are truly cut out to be a real estate agent or broker, the rest is a natural progression. It's like the writer who wants to be an author. The only real path to writing is to simply write. Schooling will not make you the next Stephen King or Tom Clancy. The school of arts will not make you the next Picasso or Beethoven. You either are or you are not. http://www.springboardblog.blogspot.com
The more education you have the better.... If you know more than the next guy, you will do better at this job. This is the kind of career you have to always be studying for. You should look at Baylor University in Waco TX. They have a degree program in Real Estate. http://www.baylor.edu/business/finance/index.php?id=24184 http://www.danfrankrealty.com
Everyone has their own opinion as seen in these answers. The truth may lie a little closer to this, however. What are the requirements in the state that you want to practice? You do need at least an associate's degree here in Ohio in order to test for your Broker's license. (Along with other real estate related qualifications) That recently changed here as well in a number of other states. The National Association of Realtors has recommended that for all 50 states. Good luck. Edit***regarding CrG...if you are an agent, the Broker holds the listing. Hence the word "agent". You act as an agent for the Broker. That has nothing to do with commission splits.
In most states the real estate commission requires some class time. there are independent schools and often they will even accept some computer on-line courses. A two year degree could cover a lot of the same information and may complete most of the required hours, but probably not all unless it was specifically designed for that. truthfully, I have a four year degree in marketing and feel it has been helpful but the real knowledge about being successful in real estate came from being mentored by experienced and successful agents. I might just go with the minimum classes if I could then get into a good training or mentoring situation a good brokerage firm.
College is not necessary. Century 21 is a good franchise that trains their agents. Do not go with a firm where the Broker keeps all the listings, giving the agents a small percentage. Remax is an agency for trained agents who rent their own desk space, etc. Facts like these are not available in college.
It's not necessary, but i would shoot more for accounting and economic courses. Understanding how the economy can affect your house sales is vital; understanding how to not get screwed on commission and other real estate finances is crucial. Knowing how to advertise/stage a property is something that comes with experience. If your plans are to eventually become a broker, trust me... you'll have many years of mandatory continuing education courses to take. Also please note that there are many real estate brokerages out there that will pay for your pre-licensing fees if you agree to hang your license with them- go for it!!!! That's about $300 saved, and they give you more support because they have invested interest in you (try long and foster). Good luck, I wish I started earlier.
In this market it might not be a bad idea to take class in marketing while also working in the real estate field maybe has front desk help then in two years the market should be better and you will have a better understanding of the business it self