Even before getting your New York real estate license, you can enter the industry through an unlicensed position. Real estate assistants, marketing specialists, and leasing agents don’t necessarily have to have a real estate license. So these support roles can provide you with valuable experience while giving you a steady paycheck as you prepare to be a successful real estate agent or broker.
Let’s explore a few different ways to get started in real estate immediately, even without a license, while working toward your goal of becoming a licensed agent.
Jobs You Can Do While You Earn Your NY Real Estate License
Here are some unlicensed positions that can get you into the real estate industry right away.
Real estate assistant. Assistants provide administrative support to licensed real estate agents or brokers. You’ll manage office tasks like scheduling, document management, and data entry.
Leasing assistant. Some property management firms employ leasing assistants to handle administrative responsibilities of rental management, such as scheduling showings, listing new units for rent online, and drafting leases for the agents to review.
Real estate marketing specialist. If you have a marketing background, you might start your real estate career as a marketing specialist. You would work with agents or brokers to develop marketing strategies and create promotional content for both the agent/brokerage and for individual properties.
Transaction coordinators (TCs). TCs manage the paperwork and logistics of real estate transactions from the time a contract is signed until the deal closes. You would ensure that documents are properly signed, deadlines are met, and all parties are updated at each step.
Real estate photographer. Since most buyers shop for real estate online, listing photos, videos, and virtual tours make a crucial first impression. The photographers who shoot these images and videos are highly skilled and get a first-hand look at property marketing. Note: if you plan to use drone footage, you may need an FAA permit to fly a drone commercially in New York.
Is It Worth Getting a New York Real Estate License?
For most people interested in NY real estate, getting a real estate license is well worth it!
On average, it takes only $325 to earn your New York real estate license. And you can get your license in as little as six weeks. Plus, the average agent in New York makes a good living, with many agents earning well over $100,000 per year!
And, getting your NY real estate license opens so many doors in the industry. Let’s take a look at what you can do once you have your license.
What You Can Do With a New York Real Estate License
With a NY real estate license, you are legally authorized to:
Represent homebuyers and sellers in real estate transactions.
Help buyers locate and purchase property that’s listed with a broker.
List real property for sale, lease, exchange, or rent.
Negotiate the sale, lease, exchange, or rental of real property.
Collect rents on behalf of rental property owners.
Your license is your key to multiple career paths in New York real estate, including:
Real estate sales agent. The classic real estate career path, real estate agents help match homebuyers and home sellers for successful real estate transfers.
Real estate broker. Real estate brokers earn fees by supervising real estate sales agents. Many brokers actively work with buyers and sellers directly as well.
Property managers. Property managers handle the day-to-day operations of rental properties on behalf of property owners. This includes property management activities like leasing, screening tenants, addressing maintenance issues, collecting rents, and renewing leases.
Leasing agent. Leasing agents specialize in the leasing functions of property management for large firms. They show units to prospective renters, negotiate lease terms, and draft leases for signatures.
How to Get Your New York Real Estate License
While you can technically get a job in NY real estate without a real estate license, those jobs are limited. They typically don’t offer the flexibility and high-income potential of licensed careers.
And since a NY real estate license is so accessible, there’s no reason to wait!
Enroll in the 77-hour New York real estate prelicensing course today. Take the class online, studying at your own pace. Then, when you’re ready, you can take the New York real estate exam. Once you pass with a score of 70% or higher, you can submit your application to become a licensed real estate professional in New York.
Your new career is ready and waiting for you! Get started today.
Updated 11/21/24