Finance Guide Center

Real estate?

Currently I am a mortgage loan underwriter for a huge financial institution. I want to maybe become a real estate agent. My aunt is making killer money. Now is there any way not to take the class and take the test since I already know a lot of real estate? Or what exactly is the whole process to make this career change?

Public Comments

1. Every state has different requirements. You really should check with the Department of Real Estate in your state. I know a real estate attorney in CA who just went and took broker's exam without going to classes. I suppose other states have similar exemptions.
2. In California you have to atleast take Realestate Principles. You can take this by correspondance thru the mail. There are several companys that offer this type of class if you type "california realestate school" in yahoo search you will see a long list. You can sign up for the state exam once you are enrolled in the class. Here is a link for the official state DRE:
3. Depends on the licensing requirements in your state. Check with the Department of Real Estate for their requirements. Most states require some basic courses, but there may be exemptions or partial exemptions for experience in the field. The only exception in California is that licensed attorneys, regardless of their field of practice, can go straight to the Broker level exam. Afterwards, most states also require a certain amount of continuing education for license renewal at either the Agent or Broker level...so you might as well get used to taking classes...and who knows, despite all your experince, you may learn just the thing you needed to know...