rental property investment, landlord

Buy to let mortgage quotes uk property landlord information Let -a- Property .info The Home for Landlords, Tenants and Letting Agents " Providing buy to let mortgage, UK rental property investment, landlord information and guidance " Add a Site Landlord E-Book & Buy to Let Profitability Calculator Introduction > Why Buy to Let- > e-Book > Calculator > Trial Download > Bonus > Order The Practical Guide to Buy to Let - 2005 (ISBN 0-9544860-0-5) is Published by Infoguides. It is a dowwnloadable 'electronic book package' consists of an electronic book 'The Practical Guide to Buy to Let' , Buy to Let 'Profitability' Calculator Software and bonus Property Letting Checklist Software....... Are you an existing landlord hoping to maximise your current investment return. As a prospective landlord , are you concerned about a price crash or interest rate fluctuation. Would you like to let your property out as a rental property but not sure where to start. Are you presently investigating the best use of landlord mortgages products. Can you currently analyse all factors that impact investment profitability . How can you identify, minimise and control the risks of your Uk Property investment. Are you aware of your legal obligations as a Uk Property landlord. How can you plan for maximum property investment return with a letting property- ....... ..... What is an 'e-book' ? "This is a great package that will greatly assist my first venture into the Buy to Let market." D. Wright - London, 25/8/05 "I must say the whole package is very impressive, it has helped me a great deal during the stages of 'buying to let'. Plus any updates are sent without any issues at all." J. Belassie - 31/8/05 "I found the book both easy to read and informative. The calculator was an excellent tool that allowed me to see at a glance the financial viability of my potential investment. A must have purchase for all of those considering a purchase of this nature." 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If you are serious about becoming a UK property landlord and looking at purchasing an investment property (or perhaps you are already a landlord), save yourself thousands of 's, and weeks of time and frustration by simply purchasing this e-book and software toolset to help you make the right decisions. This unique package offers completely independent information . We are NOT selling you a property, or financial products, legal or other servicesall were selling is sound researched information. NO STRINGS GUARANTEE : If you're serious about venturing into the property letting market, this guide is the best small investment youll ever make. That's why well refund your money in full if you're not completely satisfied with this product. Why Pay for a Book When I Can Get Free Information- True, on the Internet youll find plenty of 'free information' about the becoming a landlord. But beware! If its free, its probably there as encouragement for purchasing some other product or service on the back of it and it's usually a mortgage or a property! As property consultants, the publishers of this guide are completely impartial and are not affiliated with any individual or organisation in the housing or financial services industry. Our e-book package provides comprehensive, sound and totally impartial informtion based on practical landlord experiences of Uk property investment. Here is what a few of our readers have said about the package:- What Our Customers Say... "Overall, I was very impressed by the content and by the delivery mechanism (downloading it over the internet).... I would recommend this book as a must for anyone considering venturing into the property rental business." Allan McBain, Prospective Landlord, Surrey "As someone who was struggling to build an adequate model, I would strongly recommend the Buy-to-let calculator. It is extremely professionally presented, very user friendly, allows for quick assumption changes and has certainly helped guide me simply through some of the multitude of alternative investment strategies. Compared a well known competitive offering, I found it infinitely superior" Paul, Private Investor, Wokingham "I greatly enjoyed the book. My wife and I just entered the Buy-to-Let market and are in the process of completing on three purchases. I like how the main facts are presented and have unashamedly drawn up question lists directly from the narrative. It has helped in all steps of our investment plan." Mr Tony Ross, Landlord, Oxfordshire ""Wonderful product - a good buy!" Neil Hewitt, Prospective Landlord, Bournemouth Introduction > Why Buy to Let- > e-Book > Calculator > Trial Download > Bonus > Order Web Let -a- Property .info Back Top Accommodation Search free property advertising advertise buy to let mortgage business mortgage business mortgage buy to let mortgage rates Buy to let insurance building insurance uk capped rates commercial funding uk commercial mortgage uk compare credit cards commercial property critical illness fixed rate mortgage flexible mortgages uk income protection Investment Property Mortgages limited liability company l andlord insurance legal expenses letting agents Directory mortgages uk mortgage insurance property insurance property development loan secured loans savings accounts self certification site map small business loans uk unsecured loans uk variable rates Advertising Accommodation Credit Cards General Home Insurance Income Protection Unemployment Insurance Landlords Tenants Insurance Mortgage Insurance Protection Professional Advice Property Finance & Mortgages Property to Buy or Sell Savings Secured Loans Unsecured Personal Loans landlord property insurance builings insurance uk tenants insurance uk buy to let mortgages buy to let mortgage letting property advice Insurance Quotes

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UK mortgages home: mortgage calculator, rates & lenders list Mortgages UK: Mortgage calculators, rates & lenders list Mortgage Quote Line 0845 108 0505 MORTGAGES.CO.UK MORTGAGES CREDIT CARDS LOANS INVESTMENTS LIFE INSURANCE HOME INSURANCE INSURANCE KEY WORKER MORTGAGES MORTGAGE NEWS REMORTGAGES MORTGAGE CALCULATOR FIRST TIME BUYERS BUY TO LET MORTGAGES MORTGAGE INFORMATION MORTGAGE PROTECTION INSURANCE POOR CREDIT MORTGAGES EQUITY RELEASE MORTGAGES LARGE MORTGAGES COMMERCIAL MORTGAGES INTERNATIONAL MORTGAGES HOLIDAY HOMES MONEY SAVING TIPS FOR HOME OWNERS BAD CREDIT MORTGAGES UK MORTGAGE LENDERS DIRECTORY ENDOWMENT MORTGAGES DIVORCE & MORTGAGES NEW MORTGAGE TYPES: Current Account Mortgages Islamic Mortgages Green Mortgages Self Build Mortgages Shared Ownership Mortgages TOOLS: MAXIMUM BORROWING MORTGAGE CATEGORIES MORTGAGE LIFE INSURANCE MORE LINKS : CREDIT CARDS PERSONAL LOANS LIFE INSURANCE PENSIONS Search all Financial Services Welcome to Mortgages.co.uk , your comprehensive online UK mortgage portal. We have over 100 pages of information , questions & answers and glossary sections, with separate areas for remortgages , buy to let , commercial mortgages , international mortgages , inheritance tax and how to make a will . Read our guide for homeowners 2005. For an international mortgage or overseas mortgage for investment properties or holiday homes in Australia , Bulgaria , Canada , Caribbean , Cyprus , Florida , France , Greece , Ireland , Italy , Malta , Poland , Portugal , South Africa , Spain and the USA . To make an enquiry now please click here . Mortgage Calculator Enter Mortgage Amount: £ Enter Mortgage Interest:% Enter Mortgage Term: 1 year 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years 6 years 7 years 8 years 9 years 10 years 11 years 12 years 13 years 14 years 15 years 16 years 17 years 18 years 19 years 20 years 21 years 22 years 23 years 24 years 25 years 26 years 27 years 28 years 29years 30 years Your Monthly Payment Will Be: Repayment: £ Interest only: £ For a no obligation quotation You may also wish to start by using our interest rate calculator service, or by comparing products on offer from different lenders . If you would like mortgages.co.uk to put you in touch with a regulated adviser call 0845 1080505 8 out of 10 people in the UK are paying too much for their mortgage. Find out if YOU are one of them, and get a FREE, no obligation quote. Do you have mortgage protection insurance ? Why not get a free quote for Accident, Sickness & Unemployment cover, and SAVE up to 33% compared to high street lenders. Cover starts at just £3.95 per £100.00 of benefit, with cover from day one. You can apply online and get the first three months of cover FREE . We also have directory of UK brokers , or you can let us do the work for you by filling in our simple, no obligation one minute enquiry form . Today's Most Popular Results Mortgage Enquiry Form Need Life Insurance? ------ Mortgages - Information Mortgages - Home ------ Financial Services - Home mortgage news Are bad credit mortgages available to anyone? - Thu, 29 Dec 2005 Mortgage lending reaches new high - Thu, 29 Dec 2005 Good year for first-time buyers predicted - Wed, 28 Dec 2005 More News ARREARS & CCJs? Remortgages Sub Prime Mortgages Arrears, CCJs Self Certification Adverse Credit Debt Consolidation APPLY NOW FREE HOME CONSULTATION APPLY HERE PROTECT YOUR MORTGAGE 3 month's free mortgage protection cover APPLY NOW None of the information on this website is intended to promote any specific mortgage product or provide mortgage advice. Mortgages.co.uk is a non-regulated trading name of Financial Services Net Ltd. links | contact us | advertise with us | Add to your favourites Mortgages.co.uk (C) 2005 Financial Services Net Ltd [Terms & Conditions] more sites: pensions | PMI | cheap flights | ink cartridges | income insurance

Home For Sale

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real estate agents. While

TREC - Salesperson Application Information -- Licensee Info Search Quick Links -- To Popular Pages -- Licensee Info Search R. E. Contract Forms Renew or Apply Online Salesperson Application Real Estate License Forms Education Providers Core R.E. Course List Freq. Asked Questions Real Estate License Act TREC Rules Data File Downloads License Information Licensing Main Page MCE Requirements FAQs Timeshare Registration Residential Service Company Program Licensed Residential Service Companies Fee Schedule Applications, Requirements Applications & Other License Forms Real Estate Salesperson Requirements Real Estate Broker Requirements R.E. Broker (Corporation & LLC) Requirements Candidate Info. Brochure Reciprocity Information Inspector Applications Renew Your License Renewing a Salesperson License Renewing a Broker License Online Renewal (Brokers, 2yr Salespersons) Duplicate of License Renewal Notice Inspector Renewals KEY To Symbols =Page is in area (folder tab) of this color = Adobe PDF file format = Web site external to TREC Applying to Become a Real Estate Salesperson (PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION CAREFULLY) To be eligible to apply for a real estate Salesperson License, an individual must be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien, eighteen (18) years of age or older and a legal resident of Texas. This next requirement depends on the date of your planned application For Those Applying Prior to January 1, 2006 To be eligible to apply for a real estate Salesperson License, an individual must furnish the Commission satisfactory evidence of successfully completing the following education: Principles of Real Estate core real estate course [60 classroom hours] Law of Agency core real estate course (30 classroom hours) Law of Contracts core real estate course (30 classroom hours) An additional four semester (60 classroom) hours in core courses or in related courses acceptable to the Commission. Evidence of successful completion shall be presented via credit transcript or certificate prior to filing a Salesperson License Application form. DO NOT submit original transcripts and/or course completion certificates. Keep the originals for your personal files and send photocopies to the Commission. For Those Applying On or After January 1, 2006 To be eligible to apply for a real estate Salesperson License, an individual must furnish the Commission satisfactory evidence of successfully completing the following education: Principles of Real Estate core real estate course [60 classroom hours] Law of Agency core real estate course (30 classroom hours) Law of Contracts core real estate course (30 classroom hours) An additional core real estate course (30 classroom hours) Another four semester (60 classroom) hours in core courses or in related courses acceptable to the Commission. Evidence of successful completion shall be presented via credit transcript or certificate prior to filing a Salesperson License Application form. DO NOT submit original transcripts and/or course completion certificates. Keep the originals for your personal files and send photocopies to the Commission. To be eligible to apply for a real estate Salesperson License you must first obtain a letter from the Commission attesting to satisfaction of all education requirements. THE EVALUATION OF EDUCATION DOCUMENTS MUST BE PERFORMED BEFORE THE APPLICATION CAN BE FILED. To obtain an evaluation of your education documents submit the form, Request for Evaluation of Education Documents . A fee of $20.00 is required for the evaluation of education documents for the purpose of determining if education requirements have been satisfied. This fee is good for one year. Please submit copies of your transcripts or course certificates with your request for evaluation. DO NOT submit original documents. The following required fees must be submitted at the time of filing an application. AN APPLICATION RECEIVED WITHOUT THE APPROPRIATE FEES WILL BE REJECTED AND RETURNED. The following fees should be submitted in ONE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER payable to the Texas Real Estate Commission. ALL FEES LISTED BELOW ARE NONREFUNDABLE. Fees Required with Real Estate Salesperson License Application Fee Amount Comment Original Application $69.50 Required for all applicants Recovery Trust Account (formerly Recovery Fund) $10.00 Required for all applicants unlesspreviously paid File your Salesperson Application and Pay for it Online! License examinations are administered by PSI, a testing service company. Once your application has been received, processed and accepted, you will receive notification that you may obtain a copy of the Candidate Information Brochure (CIB) to register for the exam. The CIB will provide instructions on how to make reservations to take the examination and contains study material and instructions about licensing. A copy of the CIB can be downloaded from the PSI web site at http://www.psiexams.com . Please DO NOT attempt to register for the exam without first receiving notification from our office. The filing of an application authorizes an investigation of the applicant's background. Information revealed in an investigation may be cause for disapproval of an application eventhough other requirements for a license are met. If an investigation is necessary, it may not be conducted until the applicant has passed the examination. State law prohibits issuing more than one license once a licensee has defaulted on astudent loan guaranteed by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC) unless the licensee has entered into a repayment agreement with TGSLC. YOU SHOULD CONTACT TGSLC BEFORE FILING THIS APPLICATION if you have defaulted on a student loan. An application or renewal may be rejected if this agency has received information from TGSLC that the applicant has defaulted on a student loan. The Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation can be contacted at: Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation P.O. Box 15996 Austin, Texas 78761-5996 Telephone: 1-800-222-6297 Before you can practice as a licensed salesperson you must arrange for a Texas real estate broker holding an active license to sponsor you as a salesperson. Applicants and inactive salespersons are not authorized to act as real estate agents. While you are not required to have a sponsoring broker to file an application for a license, a sponsorship request form is included with the application materials. If you wish, you may file the sponsorship request along with the application. Once all licensing requirements have been satisfied, TREC will send an active salesperson license to the broker, and you may act for the broker on receipt of the license. You may also file the application and arrange for sponsorship after TREC notifies you that you have been issued an inactive license. Once a broker holding an active license has mailed a request to TREC to act as your sponsor, you may begin to act for the broker as a salesperson. The time involved in processing an application depends on work volume. Inquiry as to thestatus of an application delays processing work. Inquiry should not be made unless there isreason to believe that information submitted to the Commission has not been received. An incomplete application will not be returned for completion. A letter will be mailed requesting the incomplete information. The examination must be passed within six months from the date the application is filed with the commission office. You are not authorized to perform any act for which a real estate license is required until an ACTIVE Texas Real Estate Commission license is in the possession of your sponsoring broker. Submit Documents And Applications On Plain Paper. Do Not Send "Thermal" Type Paper. Page last modified: 11/21/2005 Site Map Privacy & Security Policy Open Records Accessibility Texas Online Statewide Search TX Homeland Security

Real Estate Brokers and

Real estate brokers and sales agents Skip Navigation Links Latest Numbers U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook www.bls.gov Search the Handbook BLS Home | OOH Home | Frequently Asked Questions | A-Z Index | Contact Us Printer-friendly version ( HTML ) -- PDF ) -- Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents Nature of the Work Working Conditions Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Employment Job Outlook Earnings Related Occupations Sources of Additional Information Significant Points Real estate brokers and sales agents often work evenings and weekends and usually are on call to suit the needs of clients. A license is required in every State and the District of Columbia. Although gaining a job may be relatively easy, beginning workers may face competition fromwell-established, more experienced agents and brokers in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Employment is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates; during periodsof declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resultingdemand for sales workers fall. Nature of the Work [ About this section ] Back to Top One of the most complex and significant financial events in peoples lives is the purchase or sale of a home or investment property. Because of this complexity and significance, people typically seek the help of real estate brokers and sales agents when buying or selling real estate. Real estate brokers and sales agents have a thorough knowledge of the real estate market in their communities. They know which neighborhoods will best fit clients needs and budgets. They are familiar with local zoning and tax laws and know where to obtain financing. Agents and brokers also act as intermediaries in price negotiations between buyers and sellers. Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis. In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agents sale of the property. Brokers are independent businesspeople who sell real estate owned by others; they also may rent or manage properties for a fee. When selling real estate, brokers arrange for title searches and for meetings between buyers and sellers during which the details of the transactions are agreed upon and the new owners take possession of the property. A broker may help to arrange favorable financing from a lender for the prospective buyer; often, this makes the difference between success and failure in closing a sale. In some cases, brokers and agents assume primary responsibility for closing sales; in others, lawyers or lenders do. Brokers supervise agents who may have many of the same job duties. Brokers also supervise their own offices, advertise properties, and handle other business matters. Some combine other types of work, such as selling insurance or practicing law, with their real estate business. Besides making sales, agents and brokers must have properties to sell. Consequently, they spend a significant amount of time obtaining listings—agreements by owners to place properties for sale with the firm. When listing a property for sale, agents and brokers compare the listed property with similar properties that recently sold, in order to determine a competitive market price for the property. Once the property is sold, both the agent who sold it and the agent who obtained the listing receive a portion of the commission. Thus, agents who sell a property that they themselves have listed can increase their commission. Most real estate brokers and sales agents sell residential property. A small number—usually employed in large or specialized firms—sell commercial, industrial, agricultural, or other types of real estate. Every specialty requires knowledge of that particular type of property and clientele. Selling or leasing business property requires an understanding of leasing practices, business trends, and the location of the property. Agents who sell or lease industrial properties must know about the regions transportation, utilities, and labor supply. Whatever the type of property, the agent or broker must know how to meet the clients particular requirements. Before showing residential properties to potential buyers, agents meet with them to get a feeling for the type of home the buyers would like. In this prequalifying phase, the agent determines how much the buyers can afford to spend. In addition, the agent and the buyer usually sign a loyalty contract which states that the agent will be the only one to show houses to buyers. An agent or broker then generates lists of properties for sale, their location and description, and available sources of financing. In some cases, agents and brokers use computers to give buyers a virtual tour of properties in which they are interested. With a computer, buyers can view interior and exterior images or floor plans without leaving the real estate office. Agents may meet several times with prospective buyers to discuss and visit available properties. Agents identify and emphasize the most pertinent selling points. To a young family looking for a house, they may emphasize the convenient floor plan, the areas low crime rate, and the proximity to schools and shopping centers. To a potential investor, they may point out the tax advantages of owning a rental property and the ease of finding a renter. If bargaining over price becomes necessary, agents must follow their clients instructions carefully and may have to present counteroffers in order to get the best possible price. Once both parties have signed the contract, the real estate broker or agent must make sure that all special terms of the contract are met before the closing date. For example, the agent must make sure that the mandated and agreed-upon inspections, including that of the home and termite and radon inspections, take place. Also, if the seller agrees to any repairs, the broker or agent must see that they are made. Increasingly, brokers and agents are handling environmental problems as well, by making sure that the properties they sell meet environmental regulations. For example, they may be responsible for dealing with lead paint on the walls. While loan officers, attorneys, or other persons handle many details, the agent must ensure that they are carried out. Working Conditions [ About this section ] Back to Top Advances in telecommunications and the ability to retrieve data about properties over the Internet allow many real estate brokers and sales agents to work out of their homes instead of real estate offices. Even with this convenience, much of the time of these workers is spent away from their desks—showing properties to customers, analyzing properties for sale, meeting with prospective clients, or researching the state of the market. Agents and brokers often work more than a standard 40-hour week. They usually work evenings and weekends and are always on call to suit the needs of clients. Although the hours are long and frequently irregular, most agents and brokers have the freedom to determine their own schedule. Consequently, they can arrange their work so that they can have time off when they want it. Business usually is slower during the winter season. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement [ About this section ] Back to Top In every State and the District of Columbia, real estate brokers and sales agents must be licensed. Prospective agents must be high school graduates, be at least 18 years old, and pass a written test. The examination—more comprehensive for brokers than for agents—includes questions on basic real estate transactions and laws affecting the sale of property. Most States require candidates for the general sales license to complete between 30 and 90 hours of classroom instruction. Those seeking a brokers license need between 60 and 90 hours of formal training and a specific amount of experience selling real estate, usually 1 to 3 years. Some States waive the experience requirements for the brokers license for applicants who have a bachelors degree in real estate. State licenses typically must be renewed every 1 or 2 years; usually, no examination needs to be taken. However, many States require continuing education for license renewals. Prospective agents and brokers should contact the real estate licensing commission of the State in which they wish to work in order to verify the exact licensing requirements. As real estate transactions have become more legally complex, many firms have turned to college graduates to fill positions. A large number of agents and brokers have some college training. College courses in real estate, finance, business administration, statistics, economics, law, and English are helpful. For those who intend to start their own company, business courses such as marketing and accounting are as significant as courses in real estate or finance. Personality traits are equally as important as ones academic background. Brokers look for applicants who possess a pleasant personality, are honest, and present a neat appearance. Maturity, good judgment, trustworthiness, and enthusiasm for the job are required in order to encourage prospective customers in this highly competitive field. Agents should be well organized, be detail oriented, and have a good memory for names, faces, and business particulars. Those interested in jobs as real estate agents often begin in their own communities. Their knowledge of local neighborhoods is a clear advantage. Under the direction of an experienced agent, beginners learn the practical aspects of the job, including the use of computers to locate or list available properties and identify sources of financing. Many firms offer formal training programs for both beginners and experienced agents. Larger firms usually offer more extensive programs than smaller firms. More than a thousand universities, colleges, and junior colleges offer courses in real estate. At some, a student can earn an associates or bachelors degree with a major in real estate; several offer advanced degrees. Many local real estate associations that are members of the National Association of Realtors sponsor courses covering the fundamentals and legal aspects of the field. Advanced courses in mortgage financing, property development and management, and other subjects also are available. Advancement opportunities for agents may take the form of higher rates of commission. As agents gain knowledge and expertise, they become more efficient in closing a greater number of transactions and increase their earnings. In many large firms, experienced agents can advance to sales manager or general manager. Persons who have received their brokers license may open their own offices. Others with experience and training in estimating property value may become real estate appraisers, and people familiar with operating and maintaining rental properties may become property managers. (See the Handbook statements on property, real estate, and community association managers ; and appraisers and assessors of real estate . ) Experienced agents and brokers with a thorough knowledge of business conditions and property values in their localities may enter mortgage financing or real estate investment counseling. Employment [ About this section ] Back to Top In 2004, real estate brokers and sales agents held about 460,000 jobs; real estate sales agents held approximately 24 percent of these jobs. Many worked part time, combining their real estate activities with other careers. About 6 out of 10 real estate agents and brokers were self-employed. Real estate is sold in all areas, but employment is concentrated in large urban areas and in rapidly growing communities. Most real estate firms are relatively small; indeed, some are one-person businesses. By contrast, some large real estate firms have several hundred agents operating out of numerous branch offices. Many brokers have franchise agreements with national or regional real estate organizations. Under this type of arrangement, the broker pays a fee in exchange for the privilege of using the more widely known name of the parent organization. Although franchised brokers often receive help in training sales staff and running their offices, they bear the ultimate responsibility for the success or failure of their firms. Real estate brokers and sales agents are older, on average, than most other workers. Historically, many homemakers and retired persons were attracted to real estate sales by the flexible and part-time work schedules characteristic of the field. These individuals could enter, leave, and later return to the occupation, depending on the strength of the real estate market, their family responsibilities, or other personal circumstances. Recently, however, the attractiveness of part-time real estate work has declined, as increasingly complex legal and technological requirements are raising startup costs associated with becoming an agent. Job Outlook [ About this section ] Back to Top Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2014, because of the increasing housing needs of a growing population, as well as the perception that real estate is a good investment. Relatively low interest rates should continue to stimulate sales of real estate, resulting in the need for more agents and brokers. In addition, a large number of job openings will arise each year from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. However, job growth will be somewhat limited by the increasing use of technology, which is improving the productivity of agents and brokers. For example, prospective customers often can perform their own searches for properties that meet their criteria by accessing real estate information on the Internet. The increasing use of technology is likely to be more detrimental to part-time or temporary real estate agents than to full-time agents, because part-time agents generally are not able to compete with full-time agents who have invested in new technology. Changing legal requirements, such as disclosure laws, also may dissuade some who are not serious about practicing full time from continuing to work part time. This occupation is relatively easy to enter and is attractive because of its flexible working conditions; the high interest in, and familiarity with, local real estate markets that entrants often have; and the potential for high earnings. Therefore, although gaining a job as a real estate agent or broker may be relatively easy, beginning agents and brokers may face competition from their well-established, more experienced counterparts in obtaining listings and in closing an adequate number of sales. Well-trained, ambitious people who enjoy selling—particularly those with extensive social and business connections in their communities—should have the best chance for success. Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents often is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates. During periods of declining economic activity and increasing interest rates, the volume of sales and the resulting demand for sales workers falls. As a result, the earnings of agents and brokers decline, and many work fewer hours or leave the occupation altogether. Earnings [ About this section ] Back to Top The median annual earnings of salaried real estate sales agents, including commissions, were $35,670 in May 2004.The middle 50 percent earned between $23,500 and $58,110 a year.The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,600, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92,770.Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest number of real estate sales agents in May 2004 were as follows: Residential building construction $54,770 Offices of real estate agents and brokers 37,970 Activities related to real estate 32,460 Lessors of real estate 25,840 Median annual earnings of salaried real estate brokers, including commission, were $58,720in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $33,480 and $99,820 a year.Median annual earning of real estate brokers were $61,550 in offices of real estateagents and brokers and $44,920 in activities related to real estate. Commissions on sales are the main source of earnings of real estate agents and brokers.The rate of commission varies according to whatever the agent and broker agree on, the typeof property, and its value. The percentage paid on the sale of farm and commercialproperties or unimproved land is typically higher than the percentage paid for selling a home. Commissions may be divided among several agents and brokers. When the property issold, the broker or agent who obtained the listing usually shares the commission with thebroker or agent who made the sale and with the firm that employs each of them. Although anagents share varies greatly from one firm to another, often it is about half of the totalamount received by the firm. Agents who both list and sell a property maximize their commission. Income usually increases as an agent gains experience, but individual motivation,economic conditions, and the type and location of the property also affect earnings.Sales workers who are active in community organizations and in local real estate associationscan broaden their contacts and increase their earnings. A beginners earnings often areirregular, because a few weeks or even months may go by without a sale. Although some brokersallow an agent to draw against future earnings from a special account, the practice is notcommon with new employees. The beginner, therefore, should have enough money to live forabout 6 months or until commissions increase. Related Occupations [ About this section ] Back to Top Selling expensive items such as homes requires maturity, tact, and a sense of responsibility.Other sales workers who find these character traits important in their workinclude insurance sales agents ; retail salespersons ; sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing ; and securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents .Although not involving sales, the work of property, real estate, and community association managers ,as well as appraisers and assessors of real estate, requires an understanding of real estate. Sources of Additional Information [ About this section ] Back to Top Disclaimer: Links to non-BLS Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement. Information on licensing requirements for real estate brokers and sales agents is available from most local real estate organizations or from the State real estate commission or board. More information about opportunities in real estate is available on the Internet site of the following organization: National Association of Realtors. Internet: http://www.realtor.org OOH ONET Codes [ About this section ] Back to Top 41-9021.00, 41-9022.00 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook , 2006-07 Edition , Real Estate Brokers and Sales Agents , on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ ocos120.htm (visited December 29, 2005 ). Last Modified Date: December 20, 2005 Occupations: Management | Professional | Service | Sales | Administrative | Farming | Construction | Installation | Production | Transportation | Armed Forces Related Links: Tomorrow's Jobs | OOH Reprints | Important Info | How to Order a Copy | Teacher's Guide to OOH Additional Links: Career Guide to Industries | Career articles from the OOQ | Employment Projections | Publications Home | BLS Home Back to Top www.dol.gov Frequently Asked Questions | Freedom of Information Act | Customer Survey Privacy & Security Statement | Linking to Our Site | Accessibility U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections Suite 2135 2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20212-0001 URL: http://www.bls.gov/OCO/ Phone: (202) 691-5700 Fax: (202) 691-5745 Do you have a question about the Occupational Outlook Handbook ? Technical (web) questions: webmaster@bls.gov Other comments: feedback@bls.gov Occupations: Management Professional Service Sales Administrative Farming Construction Installation Production Transportation Armed Forces Related Links: Tomorrow's Jobs OOH Reprints Important Info How to Order a Copy Teacher's Guide to OOH Additional Links: Career Guide to Industries Career articles from the OOQ Employment Projections Publications Home BLS Home