Real Estate Sales Pre-License

Successful completion of this course will meet the state requirement for 75 hours of instruction prior to taking the state Real Estate Salesperson Examination.  It covers the principles and procedures necessary to succeed in the field of real estate sales. 
Cost is $ 500, due prior to class, books are included.

Real Estate Post License Course

All new Real Estate salespersons must take a Commission-approved 25 hour Post License Course within twelve months of passing the examination.  If this is not completed, the licensee may be required to retake the state examination.  The Georgia Real Estate Commission will accept Basic Appraisal Principles to meet this requirement.  Cost is $ 250, due prior to class, books are included.

What you need to know before you begin. 

Upcoming agents must be at least 18 years of age, and have graduated from high school or hold a GED.  Georgia requires applicants to successfully complete a 75-hour pre-license course.  Applicants must then pass a State exam, which consists of questions on basic real estate transactions as well as various laws that may affect the sale of different properties.  You may pick up your license and “hang it” with a broker immediately after passing the State exam.  You will also need to complete another 25-hour course during your first year of being a sales agent, and if you miss that time deadline, you may have to begin all over again and retake the pre-license class and the state exam!

If you have had any “run-in” with the law at any time in your past, be sure to discuss this with the instructor prior to registering for the class.  Georgia law has some requirements that may need to be met.

Real estate agents usually work as independent sales agents contracting themselves with a licensed real estate brokers.  You will receive a portion of the commission earned on properties you sell.  As an independent contractor, you will be responsible for paying your own income and retirement taxes, and you will not generally receive paid leave or vacation time.  The State of Georgia allows you to hang your license with only one broker at a time.

Questions to ask brokers with whom you would like to work include such topics as commission split arrangements, “desk fees,” phone duties, and other office responsibilities.

Overview of the Real Estate Sales Profession. 

The purchase or sale of a home or investment property is one of the most significant and complicated financial events in a person’s life. Because of this, most people tend to seek assistance from a real estate broker or sales agent when buying or selling real estate.  You will be working with people who are often emotionally stressed, so you need to be a “people person” to succeed in this profession.

It is expected that employment opportunities for real estate brokers and sales agents through the year 2012 will grow slower than the average for all other occupations. However, due to the increasing housing needs of a growing population and the persisting opinion that real estate is a good investment, real estate brokers and agents will continue to maintain some employment growth. The field of real estate is relatively easy to enter and is appealing to many types of people who find the flexible working conditions and potential for high earnings most desirable. However, beginning agents must be prepared to face extensive competition from ingrained, more experienced agents and brokers as they attempt to obtain listings and to close an adequate number of sales. Competent, skilled, determined people who take pleasure in associating with a vast variety of people and in selling their product, especially those who have social and business relations in their communities, will have the greatest opportunity for success.

Work hours vary. They tend to be more regular if an appraiser works for an employer such as a bank or insurance company. Independent appraisers set their own hours. Like many small business owners, that can mean working well over 40 hours a week.