Real Estate Careers Overview
Real Estate Salespeople (or “Agents”) and Brokers help their clients buy, sell or rent property, which are significant decisions requiring a substantial investment in time and financial resources for most people. A real estate transaction usually involves extensive credit checks, disclosure of a multitude of financial and personal documents for submission and scrutiny by the bank (lender) in order to secure a mortgage loan.
A Real Estate Salesperson/Broker is a trusted agent whose training and expertise help guide their clients through a complex and often stressful real estate transaction.
Is Real Estate a Good Career?
The real estate industry is vulnerable to changes in the economy, job stability, population growth, available inventory, and interest rates. However, despite these vulnerabilities, real estate is still perceived as a good financial investment. Real estate professionals will always be in demand due to the arduous processes and financial significance of buying, selling or renting property.
Types of Real Estate Salesperson or Broker
You can work as a Salesperson or Broker for the seller (Listing Agent), the buyer (Buyer’s Agent), or both (Dual Agent). In New York, a Real Estate Salesperson or Broker may represent both the buyer and the seller if BOTH the buyer and seller give their informed consent in writing.
Why Become a Buyer's Agent?
There is so much information out there about this industry, it can be overwhelming to a regular person. First time home buyers have an even harder time getting through it all. That’s why buyers hire a Buyer’s Agent in the first place — to help guide the client through the process.
A Buyer’s Agent will learn about their clients’ needs and help them determine where to start their search. They scour all of the resources at their disposal to find the homes that will match their clients’ needs. They can find homes that may otherwise have been overlooked by a client.
They bring value through their expertise in finding and presenting the right homes. When it comes to closing the deal, the Buyer’s Agent will also negotiate on their clients’ behalf.
When the day is done, you will have the job satisfaction that comes with helping your clients make it through the challenging journey of finding their perfect home!
Interested in this career path? The next step is to become a licensed real estate Salesperson.
Why Become a Listing Agent?
Listing Agents are the home sellers’ go-to resource for doing a job they cannot do themselves. They are masterful at marketing their clients’ homes to the right buyers. They are experts in a variety of marketing techniques to cover all avenues to grab as much exposure as possible. Selling a house is one of the single largest transactions that most people are ever a part of. It is essential that they meet with a Listing Agent they can trust.
A Listing Agent is an expert in their local markets from both a valuation and a negotiation perspective. A good Listing Agent will be able to price a home to sell within a specific time frame. They are able to ensure negotiations run smoothly among multiple buyers. Their goal is to get a home on the market, get as much exposure to it as possible, and create a demand among multiple buyers to yield the best offers possible.
A good Listing Agent gets a home seller the maximum amount of money for their home in the smallest amount of time possible. And the best part is, every home has its own unique characteristics and circumstances. No two homes are marketed the same so a Listing Agent is certainly a dynamic and creative professional.
Interested in this career path? The next step is to become a licensed real estate Salesperson.
Why Become a Real Estate Broker?
Real Estate Brokers are the foundation of the real estate business. All agents must have a Broker with whom they register their license in order to do business. However, a good Real Estate Broker does more than hold licenses. They are mentors who train agents and cultivate their talents to help them excel. A good Real Estate Broker can make a good agent great. They understand the ins and outs of the business due to their vast experience in the industry. They know the pitfalls to avoid and the best opportunities to pursue.
They are managers, coaches, innovators and strategists. Real Estate Brokers do it all. And with all the extra work comes greater rewards, both monetary and through recognition. Exceptional agents naturally gravitate to the path of becoming a Real Estate Broker. If you are a top performing agent with the right qualifications your next logical step is to become a Real Estate Broker!
Interested in this career path? If you already have 2+ years of Salesperson experience take the Broker course.
Real Estate Courses
New York Real Estate Salesperson
No experience necessary
77 Hours
Our 77-hour course covers everything you need to pass the New York State licensing exam and start your career — no prior experience required.
Course available in-person, Zoom & online self-study.
New York Real Estate Broker
2+ years of experience
75 Hours
Ready to advance? This 75-hour course prepares licensed agents with at least two years of experience to qualify for their New York broker license.
Course is available via Zoom only.
New York Real Estate Continuing Education
No experience necessary
22.5 Hours
Renew your New York real estate license with confidence. This 22.5-hour course covers all required continuing education topics to keep your license current and active.
Course available in-person, Zoom & online self-study.
El H.
This recommendation is for Garry, one of the Property and Casualty Insurance Broker Pre-Licensing course instructors. He kept class interesting and fun and almost my whole class passed the exam the first time. He really seemed to care about his students and their comprehension of the material as opposed to just drilling the correct answers into us.
Jillian R.
At the time of writing this, I am about 75% done with my classes at REEDC and I am having such a great time that I felt compelled to write a review.
The instructor is very knowledgeable, funny and engaging. When you are there, you genuinely follow the material because it is taught so well.
Todd M.
I have just finished my course and exam here. I cannot say enough about this wonderful place! There is a great concern and devotion on the part of everyone there that your experience is positive and you are happy with your learning. Most impressive was the incredible effort put towards job placement, recruiting, and real world networking.
Jessie B.
The Property Casualty Insurance course was taught by Garry Smalley, a great instructor who engaged the class and made the whole experience worthwhile. Believe it or not, I remember laughing a few times in the class from some of the stories. I just got my license today! Passed on my first try, the course was more then enough if you are willing to study 1-2 hours a few nights a week
Paul L.
Just finished two weeks of classes, and I couldn’t be more pleased. The teacher, Greg is very impressive, having been in the field, and is a wealth of knowledge. He always has time to answer my many questions. I live in Brooklyn, and work in Manhattan, and if I don’t feel like coming into NY on weekends, I can go to their Brooklyn office, which works out well for me.
Susan M.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a salesperson and a broker?
A salesperson is licensed to help clients buy, sell, and rent property while working under a sponsoring broker. A broker has completed additional coursework and experience requirements, can work independently, and may supervise salespeople of their own. Most agents start as a salesperson and advance to broker as their career grows.
Do I need any previous sales experience, and are there any education requirements?
No prior sales experience is needed to begin. Our New York Real Estate Salesperson course is designed for complete beginners and requires no background in the field. You’ll need to be at least 18 years old and complete the state-required 77-hour course before sitting for the licensing exam.
How long does it take to get licensed?
It depends on your pace. Our rotating schedule lets you start the same day you enroll, and many students finish the required coursework in as little as two weeks. After completing the course and passing the state exam, you’ll be ready to register with a sponsoring broker and begin working.
How are classes offered?
We offer flexible options to fit your schedule, including in-person classes, live Zoom sessions, and online self-study, depending on the course. Many classes are available on weekends or after work hours so you can study around your existing commitments.
Does REEDC help with job placement after I'm licensed?
Yes. Once you’ve completed your course, you’ll have access to our job placement resources, including job boards featuring NY-based companies actively seeking new agents. These employers are selected because they know our training produces high-quality talent, giving you a trusted head start as you launch your career.