Business Analytics and Real Estate Consulting

 Becoming a Realtor in California

Becoming a Real Estate Agent or Realtor in California opens doors of opportunities to your life. There is no other job that provides so much opportunity, flexibility and limitless upward mobility in your life. Real Estate Agents are in full control of their life and business, even though they must be hired by a broker to legally practice Real Estate services, they are considered entrepreneurs and have independence as long as they follow the State and Federal laws. 

In California, To become a real estate agent, Califonia has its own requirements:

You must be 18+ years old

Earn Certificates of Passing three Real Estate courses

Pass the State License Exam

Find a Brokerage and get hired 

Start your journey

Take the Licensing exam After completing the educational requirements which is passing three courses including Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice and the optional Real Estate Fiance, you have to sit for a real estate license examination. This one requires prior application before you can book a place and get a date. An application fee is charged as well. Proceed to sit for the examination and pass it.

Experience To perform commercial real estate consulting, you need to have some experience as an agent. This can be done by joining a brokerage firm under an experienced real estate broker. Moreover, this step is necessary before issuance of the license. Having completed 2 to 3 years of real estate agency, you can set up your own consultancy firm and provide professional advice to people who intend to invest in real estate.

Listing Agent Realtor Realtors usually fall into one of two different categories -- real estate listing agent or buyer's agent -- though some do both. A real estate listing agent helps a property seller list a home or business for sale. She then enters the property in the local real estate multiple listing services and markets the property within the community. When a buyer wants to see the property, the agent informs the seller. The agent helps manage the review of offers and counteroffers, and finalizes agreements on behalf of the seller. You typically get a 3 percent to 4 percent commission on the sale, which you might split with a brokerage.

Buyer's Agent A buyer's agent works with clients looking to buy a home or commercial building. A primary responsibility in this role is to research properties that meet the client's parameters, and then show the client the properties. While agents sometimes offer insights and recommendations on properties and offer prices, the buyer typically directs the preparation of an offer to buy. During negotiation you help facilitate offers and counteroffers until both parties agree to a contract.

Real Estate Consultant vs. Realtor Real estate consultants and realtors play very different roles in the housing market, though their duties and responsibilities might overlap at times. A consultant usually advises clients on building or investment activities in the market. A realtor helps clients buy or sell properties. Both professions typically require a real estate agent or broker's license in your state. You obtain one by completing an accredited course and passing a state exam.

Consulting Industry Real estate consulting firms provide research, analysis and advising services to clients such as construction developers, investment banks, mortgage lenders, materials producers, builders and property investors. Some consultants provide services to many types of business or investors, while others specialize in a particular type of client. As a consultant, you can either work for an established firm that already provides these services or start your own business.

Consultant's Role As a consultant, you typically start a relationship with a new prospect by meeting with him to discuss objectives. For example, a property developer might need to learn about the viability of putting in a new strip plaza, while an investment bank may want to diversify into real estate investments. After learning of the client's objectives, you prepare necessary research tools and set out a schedule to perform and report on research. For the property developer, your research may involve site-based visits, meetings with community officials and local real estate professionals, as well as secondary research compiling data that provide direction on broader trends in regional property development