I alluded to this here, but didn't really jump into it. There is another part of the story though...
Let's recap. I said in the previous post that I thought that real estate licensing requirements (from the state) should be relaxed or eliminated. Pretty bold, huh? Here is what I think the exam should look like.
1. Are you breathing? Y N (if yes, provide proof)
2. Are you a convicted felon? Y N (if no, please provide proof)
3. Are you a citizen or legal resident alien that is allowed to work? Y N (if yes, please provide proof)
Simple and to the point. But...
I think that the NAR should have an exam that is at least as hard as the state exams are currently. The education requirement should be tougher, and there should be an apprentice period. When one is cleared to be a REALTOR, it should mean something. It shouldn't be a gimmee.
Currently, if one asks around, the VAST majority of people think that REALTOR and real estate agent are interchangeable. Even among real estate agents and brokers, I hear the two terms used incorrectly. On another forum I am a member of, I had a debate with someone that swore up and down that membership in the NAR was a legal requirement for licensing in their state. I had to pull the page from that state's licensing requirements to show that there was no REALTOR requirement for licensing.
Currently (here in GA) one can get the license for a couple hundred bucks and a 75 hour commitment to the class. I did the class online, and knocked it out in under two weeks. The hardest part was scheduling the exam (I had to wait almost three months for an opening). Becoming a REALTOR was even easier. I sat through an orientation class and... ta da... I was a REALTOR. Of course, there is the matter of spending a few hundred dollars per year for membership in the local, state and national associations. And, in my case, since I can't just join anything, I have a time commitment to serve on the local association's RPAC.
I look forward to your ratings and comments.
Unless otherwise noted, all content of this blog is the property of Lane Bailey, ©2012 Lane Bailey.
I'd love to hear from you...
