Simi Institute for Careers & Education
Real Estate
About
Real estate sales agents help clients buy, sell, and rent properties. We offer both on-campus and online courses to suit your schedule.
In order to apply for a California Real Estate Salesperson License, you must complete the following courses:
1. Real Estate Principles
2. Real Estate Practice
3. ONE of the following courses:
- Property Management (can be taken on-campus or online)
- Real Estate Appraisal
- Real Estate Finance
- Real Estate Economics
- Legal Aspects of Real Estate
- Real Estate Office Administration
- Escrow
*Completion of this certificate program fulfills ALL of the course requirements to apply for a California Real Estate Salesperson License. Completion of this certificate program fulfills SOME of the course requirements to apply for a California Real Estate Broker License.
Price varies per course.
Class Formats
We offer two class formats for Real Estate: On-Campus (Live) Courses and Online Courses.
Job Duties
Real estate salespersons typically do the following:
- Solicit potential clients to buy, sell, and rent properties
- Advise clients on prices, mortgages, market conditions, and related information
- Compare properties to determine a competitive market price
- Generate lists of properties for sale, including details such as location and features
- Promote properties through advertisements, open houses, and listing services
- Take prospective buyers or renters to see properties
- Present purchase offers to sellers for consideration
- Mediate negotiations between buyer and seller
- Ensure that all terms of purchase contracts are met
- Prepare documents, such as loyalty contracts, purchase agreements, and deeds
Work Environment
About half of all sales agents were self-employed in 2014. Most of the rest worked in the real estate industry in brokerage offices, leasing offices, and other real estate establishments.
Workplace size can range from a one-person business to a large firm with numerous branch offices. Many brokers have franchise agreements with national or regional real estate companies. Under this arrangement, the broker pays a fee to be affiliated with a widely known real estate organization.
Although some real estate brokers and sales agents work in a typical office environment, others are able to telecommute and work out of their homes. In both cases, however, real estate workers spend much of their time away from their desks, showing properties to customers, traveling to see properties for sale, and meeting with prospective clients.
Work Schedules
Many real estate sales agents work more than 40 hours per week. They often work evenings and weekends to accommodate clients’ schedules. Many brokers and sales agents spend a significant amount of time networking and attending community events to meet potential clients. Although they frequently work irregular hours, many can set their own schedules. Some brokers and sales agents work part time and may combine their real estate activities with other careers.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor,
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition
Employment Development Department/Labor Market Information Division, State of California, Occupational Employment Statistics, 2016