Making a Career in Real Estate in Georgia: 3 Key Steps to Success
For many, home ownership remains at the heart of the American Dream. According to Bankrate’s 2022 Financial Security survey, 74% of American adults place it above having a college degree, a rewarding career, or a comfortable retirement as a sign of prosperity and stability. In today’s competitive market, homebuyers face more challenges and require more guidance than possibly ever before due to low housing inventories, competition from other homebuyers, and rising housing costs. If you are a fun-seeking, problem-solving mover and shaker who loves the idea of overcoming obstacles to help people achieve their goals and dreams, real estate may be the ideal career for you.
“Real estate is a little like patting your head while rubbing your tummy at the same time,” said Tary Drouault, award-winning lead listing specialist and owner of Homes by Tary real estate firm. “It requires concentration, dedication, and a lot of moving parts. After more than three decades in this industry, I’ve found that – in addition to a sense of fearlessness and having a passion for helping others – there are three key steps to success in real estate – a deep understanding of the local real estate market, the necessary education and credentials, and the ability to grow a solid network of fellow professionals and clients. I speak from experience when I say that it is one of the most rewarding careers out there – one that I love so much that my daughter has followed in my footsteps.”
Tary breaks down her three key steps to success in making a career in the Georgia real estate industry in the following ways…
Understand the Georgia Real Estate Market
Tary knows that the real estate market in Georgia is as varied as the landscape, from the soaring ridgelines of the North Georgia mountains to the pristine beaches of Georgia’s Golden Isles. It’s essential to gain an understanding of the various areas of Georgia and what makes them special. Tary recommends having your finger on the pulse of the areas that offer highly ranked schools for families with school-aged children, major transportation corridors for commuters, recreational outlets for active families, and convenience to shopping, entertainment, and dining for buyers who like to stay on the go. Beyond the nuances of the different areas of Georgia and metro Atlanta, it’s important also to know which markets are the hottest in terms of home sales and population growth, as well as which are the rising stars where they might find more attractively priced homes, and which are the ones you’ll want to keep your clients informed about high turnover and lack of access to thoroughfares. Become a student of the regions where you hope to help your clients buy or sell their homes – everything from the best local restaurants to where to get their driver’s licenses renewed to not-to-be-missed community events.
Obtain the Required Education and Licensing
You must achieve several Georgia real estate licensing requirements to represent clients looking to buy or sell real estate. It is necessary to fulfill an appropriate pre-licensing course of study, pass the Georgia Real Estate Exam, obtain a certified criminal history report from the Georgia Crime Information Center, select a broker to act as your sponsor, and get your real estate license. You must complete 75 hours of pre-licensing coursework, which you can pursue online or through a Georgia Real Estate Commission Approved School, such as Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners Real Estate School, Kennesaw State University, Georgia Realty School, Georgia State University, and more. The quality of your education will go a long way in preparing you to take your exam, which consists of 152 multiple-choice questions, 100 of which are dedicated to National rules and regulations, while the remaining 52 questions focus on real estate regulations in the state of Georgia. It must be completed within four hours or less, and you must correctly answer at least 75 of the 100 national questions and 39 of the 52 local questions in order to pass. Once you obtain your license, you’ll need to renew it yearly by paying the renewal fee, meeting yearly education requirements, and pursuing a specified number of post-license hours for the life of your real estate career.
Build a Professional Network in Georgia
The broker you select to sponsor you in the activation of your real estate license will tap you into their own professional network. The larger the real estate firm they represent, the larger your access to their network. Beyond fellow real estate agents who can serve as an incredible referral system, you should also endeavor to foster relationships with local builders, general contractors, mortgage loan professionals, home inspectors, closing attorneys, interior designers, and more. Tary insists there is no other industry quite like real estate, where there is a true sense of community – we’re basically people who love to help other people finding fulfillment by helping each other. Become highly skilled at remembering names and faces, as well as forming mutually rewarding relationships. While an extensive network is a very good thing, the strength of your connections is most important. Tary believes one of the most effective ways to foster solid relationships is by participating in charitable events within the homebuilding and real estate industries.
Once you’ve passed your real estate exam and are seeking a sponsor to obtain your real estate license, consider starting a dialogue with Tary Drouault of Homes by Tary. Her firm partners with Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners. To learn more about the many benefits of a real estate career in Georgia, CLICK HERE and complete the online contact form. A member of the Homes by Tary team will be in touch with you shortly!
