Congratulations on passing your real estate exam! This achievement marks a significant milestone in your journey to becoming a real estate professional. However, many new passers often find themselves wondering, "What do I do after passing the real estate exam?" It's a common question, and rightly so, as this phase is crucial for setting the trajectory of your career. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps to transition from a successful exam candidate to a thriving real estate agent.

Complete Any Remaining Licensing Requirements

The first thing you need to do is check off any remaining licensing requirements you need to complete. Depending on which state you live, you will need to make sure you’ve completed the following:

• Fingerprinting/background check
• Filling out/submitting a real estate license application
• Payment of any outstanding fees

If you took the real estate exam, you may have completed some of these steps already. Take time right now to double-check what remaining documents you must submit to your state’s real estate department. Depending on the state you live in, you may also need to complete post-licensing courses.

What are post-licensing courses?

Post-licensing courses are additional hours of required education that you take once you have your real estate license. This is an additional, one-time course. Note that post-licensing courses and continuing education (CE) are different. Post-licensing courses are required to keep your license within the first few years of it being issued, in select states. Continuing education is required to renew your license in every state.

States that require post-licensing courses are:

• Alabama
• Florida
• Georgia
• Texas
• Washington

If you are getting licensed in one of these states, then you must find a state accredited post-licensing program that satisfies the educational requirement. Keep in mind, you can still practice real estate before completing the post-licensing course. In fact, we recommend that you do!

Pick the Perfect Real Estate Brokerage

Take the time to thoroughly research potential brokerages, paying close attention to factors such as their organizational culture, the level of support they offer, the quality of training programs, and their commission split. This evaluation will help you make an informed decision and align yourself with a brokerage that best suits you.

Brokerage Checklist

The following are guidelines that you can use to see if a brokerage is right for you. Use it as a brokerage barometer to see how it will complement your style and business: 

Cultural Fit 

A brokerage's culture should align with your personal values and work style. Some brokerages have a competitive, high-energy atmosphere, while others may offer a more collaborative and supportive environment. It's essential to choose a place where you feel comfortable and motivated.

Training and Development Opportunities

As a new agent, the training and mentorship provided by a brokerage are invaluable. Look for brokerages that offer comprehensive training programs, ongoing educational opportunities, and access to experienced mentors. This support is crucial in the early stages of your career.

Commission Split and Fees

Understand the brokerage's commission split and any associated fees. Some brokerages offer a higher commission split but charge more fees, while others might have a lower split but provide more support services. Consider what balance works best for your financial goals and needs.

Brand Recognition and Market Presence

A well-known brokerage can provide a sense of credibility and trustworthiness to your clients. Additionally, a brokerage with a strong market presence may offer more networking opportunities and access to a broader client base.

Technology and Marketing Resources

Evaluate the brokerage's investment in technology, online platforms, and marketing resources that can help you in lead generation, property marketing, and efficient transaction management. This could include platforms and resources like PorchLyte, Biteable, BuzzSumo, Buffer, and Missinglettr. 

Personal Growth and Future Opportunities

Consider your long-term career goals and select a brokerage that offers room for growth and advancement. Whether it’s opportunities for specialization, leadership roles, or expanding your business, your brokerage should support your future aspirations.

Start Promoting Yourself

There’s a lot of fluff advice out there on “how to build your marketing strategy” that doesn’t really apply to an average agent. This advice would recommend agents “advertise” or print “business cards,” which, to their benefit, are marketing things. But, this too-often repeated advice fails to highlight the fundamental mission of your business that matters most: connecting to your sphere of influence.

For real estate agents, especially new ones, your sphere of influence is the most important marketing asset. The people you know and the people they know will most likely be your first few clients.

Your goal after passing your real estate exam and getting your license should be to start telling as many people as you can that you are a real estate agent.

But before you do that, you need to make sure that your online infrastructure is set up to intake requests. For example, if your friend Joe saw that you’re an agent from your Instagram post, (and Joe needs help buying a house) your online infrastructure should allow him seamless access in contacting you at that very moment. Here’s what you need for a great online infrastructure:

Creating Your Online Infrastructure

When creating your online infrastructure, you should take into consideration the idea of making it as easy as possible to contact you and find you. For that, you will need the following:

• Easy to navigate website that contains your contact information, including phone number and email. 
• Social media with your website, phone number, and email linked properly in the bio.

These are the base level online components that every real estate agent should create. This stakes your digital territory and provides easy access to contacting you. There are more advanced tools that you can add to your online infrastructure later in your career. For example, an email capture system that funnels contacts into campaigns that provide insightful content to your leads. But, that is biting off more than you can chew right now. By ensuring a fluid, seamless access to your contact, you will reduce any and all friction that could exist, making it as easy as possible for people to come to you. That just leaves you with one mission: repeated, consistent communication with your sphere of influence. 

Consistent Communication with Your Sphere of Influence

Now that your online infrastructure is set up, your main focus should be consistent communication with your sphere of influence. This is the name of the game in real estate. The more times people see you, hear you, and feel the excitement that you have for your career, the more likely they will think of you when they need to hire a real estate agent. You can communicate with your sphere through text, phone, email (depending on the relationship), and posting to social media. Direct, voice to voice or face to face communication is the most influential, but texting and social posts play their marginal help too. The goal is to set up a system that lets you routinely contact your sphere of influence. On top of this, you’re posting to social media and creating this localized online buzz amongst your sphere and extended sphere. 

So, when someone you know (or vaguely know) needs an agent, your online infrastructure is set up to give them seamless access to your contact information.

Keep this in mind, your job doesn’t now become: make videos and post them on TikTok. Your focus should be on the phone calls, texting, and direct communication. That’s what builds deeper, more trusting relationships with people you know. Video content, pictures, stories, reels, YouTube videos, posting to TikTok, etc. serves as social proof of your abilities and helps communicate with an audience that you do not have immediate contact with the help of your online infrastructure.

Networking and Professional Development: Building Your Real Estate Career

The real estate game is never a solo one. Even if you eventually get to a point where you work alone, having certain connections to fellow agents and other stakeholders can prove invaluable. As such, when you’re just starting out, networking is crucial. 

Apart from picking up practical knowledge and tips from interactions, you would also be able to access resources that can help move your career in the right direction.  

Join the Right Professional Organization

Joining a professional organization like the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) can provide numerous benefits. These organizations provide access to standardized contract templates, ensuring transactions are legally sound and efficient. 

Members can avail themselves of legal resources and advice, vital for navigating complex real estate laws and regulations. Such associations offer ongoing educational opportunities, keeping agents in the know of industry changes and best practices. 

Networking opportunities are abundant, allowing members to connect with peers, mentors, and potential clients. Additionally, membership often includes access to exclusive market data and tools, enhancing an agent's ability to serve clients effectively.

In addition, joining your local state association of realtors is crucial because it allows you to be ingrained in the business even more since you connect with other realtors. You can also access and explore state-specific educational materials and other resources. 

Network

Networking is a cornerstone of success in a real estate career, and it takes on an even greater significance when you're aligning with a brokerage. Effective networking within your chosen brokerage and the broader industry involves several strategic approaches:

• Leverage Brokerage Events and Training Sessions: Participate actively in any events, training, or meetings your brokerage organizes. These are prime opportunities to meet colleagues, learn from their experiences, and form collaborative relationships. Engage in conversations, ask questions, and show genuine interest in your peers' insights.
• Attend Industry Conferences and Seminars: Broaden your network by attending industry-wide events. These gatherings are excellent for meeting professionals from various facets of real estate, gaining new perspectives, and staying updated on industry trends.
• Join Real Estate Associations: Becoming a member of real estate associations and attending their events can expand your professional network significantly. These associations often include agents from various brokerages, providing a diverse networking platform.
• Community Involvement: Engage with your local community through events, volunteer activities, or local business groups. This not only boosts your visibility as an agent but also helps you build a network of potential clients and referrals.
• Online Networking: Utilize platforms like LinkedIn to connect with other real estate professionals. Share and engage with content relevant to your industry to build an online presence.
• Develop a Referral System: Build relationships with agents both within and outside your brokerage. A referral system can be mutually beneficial, where you can refer clients to each other based on specialized needs or location preferences.
• Mentorship and Collaboration: Seek mentorship from experienced agents in your brokerage. Their guidance can be invaluable, and this relationship can often lead to direct networking opportunities.

Remember, effective networking in real estate is about building genuine, mutually beneficial relationships. Be consistent, professional, and proactive in your networking efforts, and over time, it will significantly contribute to the growth of your career.

Final Thoughts

As you navigate this path, remember that each phase contributes significantly to your future in the industry. The diligence and attention you invest now lay the groundwork for your professional growth and success. To excel as a real estate agent, continuous learning and active networking are indispensable. Your commitment to these principles, coupled with a passion for the profession, will pave the way for a rewarding and prosperous career in real estate.