Real estate brokers and agents are primarily responsible for facilitating clients in selling, purchasing, and renting property. They should be well informed about the real estate market, so that they are in a position to advise clients about prices, market trends, and other related information like leases and mortgages. The job responsibilities of real estate brokers also include the promotion of properties through advertisements or word of mouth. They act as intermediaries to ensure that effective negotiations take place between all parties involved, and that all terms and conditions of the contract are fulfilled. Real estate brokers spend a lot of time out of office; they visit sites to evaluate the condition of properties, comparing different properties, and taking clients to see the properties.
Real estate certification may be pursued in traditional classroom settings as well as distance learning courses. Online education programs are appropriate for those who want to continue managing their professional responsibilities while continuing their education. Although they are equally rigorous as far as curriculum is concerned, earning a real estate certificate online helps you cut down costs and allows you to study within the comfort and convenience of your home.
Certificates in real estate are available at different levels for people new to the profession or experienced professionals. The program that you decide to enroll in will depend on your prior education and future career objectives. Certificates are a good option not only for those who wish to enter the field, but are also pursued by real estate professionals who aspire to learn new things and keep up with the latest information, laws, and regulations. After completing a certificate, you could decide to enroll in a degree program: bachelor or master's in real estate.
If you are seeking to attain specialized knowledge, many institutes offer variations of real estate certificates that you may choose from. These include real estate development and real estate finance. Before you decide to pursue a particular real estate certification, make sure that the relevant school has received accreditation from a body which is recognized by the Department of Education. Other factors to take into account while choosing an online course include the school's history and reputation, credentials of the faculty, and alumni network.
Although the program curriculum varies depending on the school that you are enrolled in, examples of the types of courses that you may come across include:
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Real Estate Fundamentals
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Legal Basics in Real Estate
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Understanding the Closing Process
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Real Estate Transactions and Contracts
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Real Property and Asset Management
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Urban Planning and Sustainability
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Real Estate and Land Economics
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Real Estate Decision Making
Before you can start practicing in any state as a real estate broker, you will have to be licensed. General licensing requirements include some work experience, completion of a certain number of real estate courses, and passing an exam. To attain licensure, you'll also have to be above the age of 18. Typically the licenses are state specific and have to be renewed every 2 to 4 years.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2012, real estate brokers earned a median annual salary of $41,990. The BLS estimates suggest that that the profession will experience a growth of 11 percent from 2012 to 2022.