If you’re interested in becoming a professional Realtor, congratulations! You’ve completed the first step in starting a new, rewarding career. Not to be confused with a hobby, the real estate industry is a serious business – one in which individuals must be dedicated to succeed. There are risks involved, but the potential for income is limitless. Read on to find out what you need to know about becoming a professional Realtor.
 
Before you embark on your real estate career, you must abide by your state’s requirements. Obtaining a real estate license issued by the North Carolina Real Estate Commission (NCRE) is necessary for transacting real estate brokerage business for compensation as an agent. It’s actually a criminal offense to operate as a real estate agent without the proper licensing required by our state. There are three primary types of individual real estate licenses issued by the state of North Carolina:

• Provisional Broker: Entry-level license status level
• Broker: Primary individual license
• Broker-In-Charge: Qualifications include two years of brokerage experience

To qualify for a real estate broker license, applicants must be at least 18 years old, maintain citizenship in the United States, possess a social security number, complete a criminal background check, satisfy one of several education qualification options, and pass the real estate license exam. Among the education requirements is 75 classroom hours of the Broker Pre-license Course at an NCRE-approved school. (There are more options for those holding certifications in other states.) The real estate license exam includes both national and state sections. The combined exam takes approximately four hours, and a passing score is 75 percent of the total questions answered correctly.
 
Applicants will be required to pay a fee and provide the required documentation to obtain a real estate license, and may fill out the actual application online or on paper. Upon review by the NCRE, approval can happen in as little as 10 days, although paper applications generally take a little longer. Keep in mind that continuing education may be required to maintain certification.
 
It’s not necessary to obtain a degree from a four-year university, but it should be noted that those agents with degrees are generally held in higher regard. It’s also beneficial to have some knowledge of business and marketing – which combined, make up a huge part of the real estate industry.
 
Remember that a career in real estate is not for those who are accustomed to relying on steady paychecks. You may not see income for weeks, or even months. And although risky, it can also pay off ten-fold. Just remember that networking is key. It can be difficult to build up a clientele when you’re just starting out. That’s why it’s beneficial to choose a real estate company with an established reputation in your market. At Network Real Estate, we support our agents every step of the way and do our best to put them in the greatest position to succeed from the very beginning. We’re known for our extensive training in communications and sales, as well as our effective use of mail-out programs and materials. These mail-out programs help jumpstart a new agent’s plunge into a successful and rewarding career in real estate.
 
If you’re interested in exploring a career in real estate, or are looking for a reputable agency, contact Network Real Estate. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, and three dedicated offices in the greater Wilmington, N.C., area, Network is extremely connected. We’d be happy to speak with you about the extensive training options and support we offer new and experienced agents, as well as the steps we take to ensure you have the tools necessary to succeed in the industry. We’re proud to say our agents enjoy a generous, competitive compensation package compared to other companies in the area. Get started today!
 
Neal Johnson is a CMCA, CRB, CNE and GRI-certified, licensed real estate broker at Network Real Estate, which has exclusively served a high volume of property sales and purchases in the greater Wilmington area for over 30 years. With three offices at College Road, Historic Downtown and Pleasure Island, Network’s brokers are widespread and well-versed in this marketplace, making Network a preferred Real Estate company for first-home buyers and beyond.