Thinking of Getting Your Alberta Real Estate License? Here’s How to Become a REALTOR!

Are you at the point in life where you are looking for a new career? Maybe you now have a family and need a career that offers a balance of work and family life. It could be that you just need a change and the thought of working with clients to find their dream home and get the best price for their current home appeals to you. If this sounds good to you, a career in real estate may be just what you are looking for. However, as with the most rewarding jobs, you can’t just go out and begin selling real estate, you must first go through the proper channels to become a realtor. This is your guide to obtaining your Alberta real estate license and beginning your journey to a new and exciting career.

Why Choose a Career in Real Estate?

Have you been thinking about a career in real estate? As a realtor, you will enjoy a fulfilling, dynamic, and rewarding career. The sky is the limit when it comes to being a realtor. You get out what you put in. Let’s take a look at why a career in real estate is right for you.

Flexible Schedule

Who doesn’t want to set their own schedule? Most realtors are independent contractors. This means you will essentially:

• Be your own boss
• Set your own schedule
• Build your client base
• Choose your preferred marketing methods.

This type of independence allows you to work as little or as much as you like. Some choose to make real estate a full-time job, while others use it as a part-time side job. It’s completely up to you and your family’s needs.

Grow Your Reputation

Most people buy and sell houses multiple times during their lifetime. Delivering exceptional customer service to your client increases the chances that when they get ready to buy or sell again, they will come back to you. This puts you in control of client retention and allows you to build your client base and grow your reputation as a realtor who works hard for clients.

Help Clients Accomplish Their Goals

There is a certain satisfaction in helping clients find their next home. Whether it is a young couple looking for a starter home, a growing family needing extra space, or retirees looking to downsize, you are helping clients find their sanctuary. This is the place where they will take the next step in life and make new memories for years to come.

Work and Family Balance

You have to make a living to pay the bills and support your family, but you don’t want to miss out on your family either. Due to flexible scheduling, you can catch your child’s after-school game or take that family vacation you’ve been planning forever. A career in real estate offers realtors the ability to balance work and family life.

What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Becoming a Realtor?

Before obtaining your Alberta real estate license, there are eligibility requirements you must meet. When it comes to residency requirements, you must be a Canadian citizen, hold a permanent resident card, or a work permit in order to sell real estate in Alberta. You must also be fluent in the English language and at least 18 years of age to hold a license.

Candidates must have a diploma from a Canadian post-secondary school or the equivalent and complete the required education courses to obtain your real estate license. Failure to meet any of these requirements makes you ineligible to obtain a real estate license in Alberta.

Steps to Becoming a Realtor

Those who choose to work in real estate have the ability to practice in four different areas. The first is the residential sector and consists of helping clients buy and sell residential properties. A single residential property can have no more than four individual units on the premises.  Commercial real estate is the second area of practice and consists of helping clients buy and sell buildings and property zoned for commercial use. The third area of practice is rural real estate, which is the buying and selling of farmland and ranches. The fourth area of practice is property management. Property management is where realtors lease properties on behalf of the owners. The good news is that realtors do not have to choose just one area. You can work in as many areas that interest you as you want to.

Required Real Estate Courses

The courses required to become a realtor should be taken seriously. They are designed to arm you with the knowledge and tools you need to be successful in the real estate industry. Each candidate must take the course entitled ‘The Fundamentals of Real Estate’. From there, candidates are offered a series of practice courses, one focused on each of the four areas of real estate. The entire program must be completed successfully within 18 months.

Joining a Brokerage

After successfully completing the required educational requirements, the next step is to gain employment with a brokerage. Working for a brokerage is mandatory before you are able to apply for your Alberta real estate license. Brokers have undergone extensive training and will guide and teach you how to be successful in real estate.

Submit An Application For Your License

Once a brokerage has hired you, then you have 12 months to apply for an Associate Application for License and Registration. Keep in mind there will be sections of the application that will need to be filled out by the brokerage. You will also have to submit a recent Certified Criminal Record Check. Both of these are mandatory in order to become licensed. Each candidate must pass the written licensing exam with a score of at least 70 in order to obtain their Alberta real estate license.

Become a Part of Our Family!

Here at CENTURY 21 we take pride in our community and are passionate about helping our clients find their dream home. Whether you are looking to sell your current home, find your dream home, or join our team as an agent, we are here to help. Contact us today to see what we can do for you!