Real estate is one of the sectors of the economy that will always be lucrative. Well, there will hardly be a second real estate bubble but still real estate offers significant money making opportunities. This is why many people are considering it to be a good career field. In some cases all you need to do in order to get into the real estate business is enthusiasm but in other cases you can’t become a broker without getting licensed first.
Check Your Local Regulations about Broker Licenses
Therefore, if you plan to become a broker, the first thing to do is check the local regulations. If you live in a country where brokers can practice without being specifically licensed, you are lucky because the entrance barrier is not existent.
However, if you are in the US or in another country where you need to be licensed before you can practice, it won’t be that easy. Licensing fees are not outrageous but still this is an investment you need to make upfront and for a newcomer this could be quite of a hurdle. However, don’t give up – there are alternatives you can explore.
Start a Real Estate Site
One of the easiest alternatives to becoming a licensed broker is to start a real estate ad site. As a rule, you don’t need any licenses for this but if you want to be sure, check your applicable law.
You are probably thinking that starting a real estate site is something very difficult. With the right software, it isn’t. If you are technical enough to install WordPress and add a real estate theme, then you are already in business because this is what it takes to start a classified real estate ads site.
For instance, you might want to start a site with ads for your local community. If people know you, they will come to you to submit ads (and pay for this).
People who are moving to your community will be able to find ads online, which is also convenient because they can check the ads from a remote place in another state or country before they physically move to your location.
The real estate ad site is just the beginning. If things go well, you can always apply for a license. If things fail, you wouldn’t have lost much. If the site is profitable but you decide that real estate isn’t your cup of tea, you can always sell the site and get some money for it.
Get a Broker’s License If You Plan to Stay in the Real Estate Business
After you get some experience in real estate and if you see you like it, you can always get a broker’s license. The procedures vary from state to state but they aren’t an impossible ordeal for sure.
When you become a licensed broker, you might think of ditching your old site. Wait, don’t do it! Now this site will be even more useful to you! Even if the site isn’t very popular, you will have the advantage of a broker with their own real estate ads site.
You can post ads for free on your own site, which will save you money. You can also feature some really important ads, so that more people notice them and this will speed your turnover. In any case, a real estate ad site is a valuable helper to your business and the investment you made in the beginning will pay a thousand times!