A career in real estate is exciting, fast-paced, lucrative, and highly satisfying. If you are good with people and have a knack for finding the perfect homes or investment properties for them, this can be an attractive option.

California has one of the most competitive real estate markets in the world. If you are just starting out, you may have difficulty competing with seasoned agents who have years of experience in the area.

Fortunately, there are some steps that you can take to stand out from the crowd and start your career as a California realtor on the right foot. Here are a few helpful tips. 

1. 1. Figure Out What You Want to Do

When you want to be a real estate agent. The first thing to do is figure out what area of real estate you want to get into. This is a critical first step as certain areas require more training and certifications than others. 

Those who specialize in sales usually have a background similar to that of a sales representative for any other company or service-based business. Often, they are college graduates who are typically tasked with finding potential buyers for properties.

Property managers are responsible for all day-to-day business operations of buildings and properties owned by individuals or corporations. This includes everything from tenant relations to contract negotiations, inspections, leases, evictions, rent collection, and budget analysis. 

1. 2. Take a Course

You'll want to choose a training course that meets all of your needs and schedules - some courses last for a couple of months while others only take a few weeks. It's also important to note that typically, though not always, the shorter the training course, the higher the cost. 

The longer courses give better value because you'll get more for your money in terms of instruction time. Shorter courses are great when you need some flexibility. 

1. 3. Pass the Licensing Course

To become a real estate agent, you must pass the required licensing course that generally consists of about 135 hours of pre-licensing education. With help from the best California real estate exam prep, passing your pre-licensing exam shouldn't be difficult. 

You have plenty of options, and each one has unique benefits. Choose the feature that offers the most outstanding value. After passing the exam, you will be awarded the license. Usually, you are given six months to one year before having to recertify. 

1. 4. Get Licensed Experience 

A sales agent must complete two years of licensed experience before applying for the state exam. Candidates may take the state exam without completing the experience requirement if they already have a valid real estate license issued by another state.

According to The California Department of Real Estate, "Before you can become eligible for licensure in California, you have to meet certain education and examination requirements. These requirements include completing 90 hours of pre-licensing college-level courses and two years of full-time licensed real estate experience." 

1. 5. Start Working With Clients

You should generally be able to start working with clients after finishing your training course. However, every company is a little different, so make sure to ask your trainer what the deal is before you sign on with a company. 

If you can, you may want to start as a part-time agent or even just an assistant until you get more experience under your belt. 

When you're thinking about getting into real estate, one of the first big questions you'll have is how the process works. It's not as complicated as it may seem at first. With the above tips in mind, you can ensure that your experience goes smoothly.