Are you thinking about becoming a real estate agent for the next chapter in your life? Perhaps you are in a mid-life career slump. Or maybe your goal is a new professional adventure post-retirement.  Whatever your reason, you’re far from alone in looking at real estate as an encore career.
 
In a 2018 survey of its members, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that about 95% of those who responded said that they started their professional life in a career other than real estate. So, as you consider making the leap, know that you’d be joining many others from all walks of life who have made the real estate business their second-act. But before you do, it’s important to mull over the realities. Here are five questions to help you do that, including a look at the plus sides.
 
1 - Can you commit to the study requirements for licensure?
You’ll need to invest time and energy in pre-licensing education before you can take the real estate exam. In Georgia, the requirement is 75 hours of coursework at a Georgia Real Estate Commission approved school like the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate. The number of hours may not be overly onerous, but make no mistake, the complexity of the coursework and the breadth of material you must learn require serious commitment and hard work.
 
On the Plus Side: Compared to some other professions, you can complete the education requirements relatively quickly – in a manner of weeks. And at the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate, you can choose either a classroom setting (12-week course) or an online course (anytime, anywhere). We also offer a cram course to help you prepare for the exam.
 
2 – Are you all set for working on straight commission?         
If you are accustomed to a regular paycheck, working on commission can be disquieting and financially challenging. There is a real possibility that it may be a while before you cash your first commission check. Meanwhile, you’ll have to cover your startup expenses and the costs of your day-to-day life. If you don’t have a nest egg put away, it could be a tough go.
 
On the Plus Side: As the captain of your own fate, you won’t have someone else placing salary caps or raise restrictions on your earnings. Work smart, hard and consistently and the sky’s the limit.
 
3 – How willing are you to trade evenings and weekends for flexibility?  
If you’re like most people, when you think of a real estate career the freedom to set your own hours comes to mind. There’s a caveat though. Your clients are likely to have regular day jobs. That means you’ll need to be available during their free time. Are you okay with working irregular hours and even some holidays in order to gain flexibility at other times?
 
On the Plus Side: You don’t have to clock in or clock out. So, for the most part, you’ll have latitude in deciding how your days will look and in making time for hobbies you’ve put on the back burner.  
 
4 – Can you call on prior experience in wearing many hats?
As a real estate salesperson, you’ll wear a variety of hats in your daily professional life. One minute you’ll be handling marketing, sales, or business operations. The next you may be an educator, a negotiator, or scheduler. And some days, you may feel like a tour guide or a professional juggler.
Depending on what you’re used to from your previous work life, it can lead to feeling overwhelmed.
 
On the Plus Side: Every day has the potential to be a new adventure, and the work is anything but boring. You can flex the skills you already have, pick up new ones, and hone your versatility.  
 
5 – Are you up for dealing with a mixed bag of personalities?         
As you weigh the pros and cons of getting your real estate license, seriously consider how you feel about being in a “people business” at this particular stage of your life. You’ll encounter all kinds of personalities and decision behaviors – some more difficult than others.  Are you up for the challenge or does the thought give you pause?
 
On the Plus Side: Chances are, most of your clients will be reasonable to work with. You also get to meet lots of new people and expand your network. And, difficult clients can keep you on your toes, making you a better agent overall.
 
Real estate is a career that rewards hard work, and the work is highly rewarding. If you decide that it’s right for you, let the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate help you get started on your encore career. Just give us a call at (912) 692-1085 ext. 2 or fill out the email form on our website. We look forward to hearing from you!

Summertime is a lot of things to most people. For some, it means a chance of spending time with the kids and family. For others, its a great time to spend more time out of doors. But if you're looking to make your days more productive, this summer can mean something else entirely: the chance to learn something new and move towards a highly fulfilling and exciting career: real estate. The best part? You can take that first step right in the comfort of your own home!


Educate Yourself
The first step to becoming a real estate agent in Georgia is to complete the required real estate education of 75 hours. The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate offers the option to take an online pre-licensing course which would tackle everything you need to know about Real Estate Principle, Practices, and of course information about Georgia License Law. It covers the basics of ownership, transfer and use of property, real estate law, mortgage fraud, finance, contracts and other required topics for the license exam, and it also qualifies passing students to take the Georgia licensing exam. Since you can take the course online and from the comforts of your own home, you get to dictate the pace and the hours of which you study. This works great especially for full time homemakers who would like to expand their knowledge and aim for a career in real estate while still balancing their home life. Of course, if you prefer the discipline of classrooms and have a lot of time on your hands, you can always opt for their 12-week classroom sessions.


Test Your Knowledge
After completing your real estate course, you will need to take the Georgia Salesperson Licensing Exam. This sit-down examination will drill you on everything you have learned and will need to know about the core basics of Georgia real estate. Dreading this part? No need to worry. After getting trained, it pays to prep yourself as well, and the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate also provides a SMART guide to passing via their National Real Estate Exam preparatory course. The only mastery and fluency exam prep system in the market, this program was prepared after the school did a careful analysis of all of the testing formats that a real estate applicant may encounter, and is composed of the ten topics found on all of the testing service exams and many state exams. What's great about it is it also includes two 100-question practice exams: one salesperson practice exam and one broker practice exam, to ensure you get as much preparation as you can! And of course, it is available to take online at your own leisure!


Get Licensed and Ready
Once you have completed your courses and feel you have sufficiently reviewed, you can take the licensing exam. Once you have passed, you may apply for your license at the testing center and get your new calling started! Not sure where to begin? The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate also gives post-license courses that can help you find the right track.  There's Advanced Topics for New Agents, where you will find helpful topics that can help you when working with clients, including property management, BRRETA (Agency Disclosure Law) , consensual dual agency, mortgage fraud, tax benefits of home ownership and tax-free exchanges of real estate. Finance and Settlement Procedures, on the other hand, covers security instruments, primary and secondary mortgage markets, mortgage fraud, source of funds and the process of qualifying for and obtaining real estate loans. It also covers the procedures involved in settlement and practical exercises in real estate math. Once again these courses may be taken online, giving you the advantage of flexibility and time!


Make the most out of the three months of summer and take a look at what the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate has to offer! If you are ready to be more productive, contact us today and we'll be happy to help you out!

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 In the real estate industry experience goes a long way; it’s something you gain over time and something you cannot learn from real estate books and or just by reading. However, according to Julie Farmer a Broker of Live Love Savannah, investing your money to get a proper education on real estate is equally important.
You might be thinking that concepts, laws, and regulations are something that you can study on your own, and or shortcut your way to the top of the real estate world without a proper education. But, No! All top agents completed their schooling, got the proper education, and mentored by the best school, with the best teacher.

How?  The real estate school like The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate teaches the Federal Laws, Housing Regulations, Realtors Rights and Responsibilities, Home Selling and pricing, etc. They make sure that you are prepared to take the real estate licensure exam to become a realtor.
Real estate schools can provide you the concepts, theories and the experience that you can use to become one of the best in the industry. Learn from the experience of the experts, from their past, avoid their mistakes, scenarios that may come up and how to handle them, learn techniques on how to sell homes, etc.
We can definitely say that the best doctors, architects and other professionals didn’t become the best in their industry just by having the experience. They had the proper education, the greatest mentors, the right attitude, and they got the help that they needed to become the best in what they do.
 If you are planning to become a real estate agent and or would like to know more about becoming a realtor here in Savannah, GA, check out the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate, the oldest real estate school in Savannah, GA. The next classroom course will start on August 15, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. For inquiries, you may call(912) 692-1085 press ext. 2. ​

With the Real Estate Market boom in Savannah, some of you might be thinking a career change and decided to become a real estate agent. While the media or the Internet may provide guides or "how-to's" and the required processes to becoming a real estate agent, these are most of the time, misleading and inaccurate especially in Georgia where the realtor process requires more than textbook knowledge but more so your time, dedication, and training. This process should not be taken lightly if you hope to be a certified and effective real estate agent.
The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate is the oldest real estate school in Savannah, GA and we pride ourselves working with our students turned top agents in the industry.
We have the “know how”, the experience, and provide the support our students need to become one of the best realtors in town.
We want to help you attain your real estate goals taking into account your daily tasks at home or present work that is why we offer two settings you can choose from: a classroom setting, or sign up for our online class. Whatever your option is, help and all learning materials are available for our online students anytime you need it.
But before you start your journey to becoming a real estate agent, here are some questions to ask yourself before you decide to enroll in a real estate school:

1. What do you know about the real estate industry?
2. Can you fully commit your time to attend classes and self- study?
3. Do you have the criteria and requirements to become a real estate agent?

There are specific criteria and requirements that you have to meet before you can apply for a real estate license to practice in the State of Georgia.  And for you to qualify, you must meet the following criteria among others:

•  Be at least 18 years old.
•  Be a resident of the State of Georgia, unless seeking a non-resident license. 
•  Pass a state real estate examination. 
•  Be a high-school graduate or holder of a certification of equivalency.
• Obtain a criminal history report from the GBI  (Georgia Bureau of Investigation)
• Complete a 75 hours Salesperson Pre-license course, attending all the sessions.

CLICK HERE to read more about the criteria and requirements for Georgia.
There are certain types of skills needed to become successful in the real estate industry and you need to be aware of what skills you have and areas for improvement to become successful in the business. Take our FREE, Short Assessment simulator for People Skills, Sales, and Knowledge Test.
What to Expect in a Real Estate Class?
Becoming a real estate agent is not an easy road to take. Like what I’ve mentioned earlier, you need time and dedication for you to get a real estate license. Here are some of the things that you can expect while taking the pre-licensing course and not limited to:

1. Expect that there will be a lot of studying involved and expect the course to be at a college level, with tests, quizzes, workbooks, and final exams.
2. You need to attend and complete the 75 hrs. Salesperson Pre-license course.
3. The course will make sure that you are well aware of the Federal Laws and Regulations, Your rights and responsibilities as a real estate agent, Understanding zoning laws and regulations, How to price and sell a home, etc.
4. Choose to attend a classroom setting or sign up for an online class that will suit your schedule.

Our school offers a 12-week classroom session meeting the requirements for the Georgia Real Estate 75-hr Sales Pre-license course.
The next classroom course will start on August 15, 2016, from 6:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. For inquiries you may call (912) 692-1085 press ext. 2 or drop by our office located at 7395 Hodgson Memorial Dr, Ste 103, Savannah GA 31405

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The New Year is time for all kinds of resolutions. You may be thinking of making a career change. As you look around your cubicle or your workstation, you may have decided that you are going nowhere fast. A problem so many people face is that their jobs have become dead-end positions where advancement will never happen. You know that you are more ambitious and hard-working, and you want to be able to succeed in the business world. You may want to consider the possibility of a career in real estate.

Hard Work Pays Off
You should not have any illusions about real estate. It requires hard work and dedication to be successful. There will be days when you are burning the midnight oil. However, the rewards can be very substantial.
It isn’t just the compensation which you receive for your efforts. You’re providing a real service to people. Your commitment to professionalism can save a client thousands of dollars, or increase the profits realized from the sale of a home. The paperwork in real estate can be frightening for a rookie, but a real estate profession will see to it that everything is done correctly. You are valued for your expertise and appreciate all of your diligence. That perhaps is the most important benefit of being a real estate agent: your work is recognized and clients are grateful for all you have done.
It goes without saying you are the captain of your destiny. You have control over your schedule and how your day will be worked. You make decisions that affect your career and not somebody else. There is a level of independence will not find other jobs. Anyone who is hard-working with an inner drive to succeed will find real estate a rewarding career.

The Right Education and Training Helps
You cannot just announce yourself as a real estate agent. Georgia requires real estate agents to be licensed and a means to that is getting specialized education. You may feel that you don’t have the time to get the needed instruction, but the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate can certainly help. We offer both classroom courses and online courses. You can easily fit your education into your work schedule, and get the training you need to become a real estate agent in Georgia.
Our courses include the following:

• Sales Pre-License Course (Classsroom)
• Sales Pre-License (Online)
• Sales Post-License (Online)
• Broker Pre-License (Online)
• Continuing Education (Online).

There are other courses as well. You can get all the training you need to successfully pass the licensing examination in Georgia.

​The Ben Farmer School Real Estate is the oldest real estate school in the city of Savannah. Many the most successful agents in the metropolitan area receive their training with us. You will quickly discover that helps in developing a network of other real estate agents. Our alumni stay in touch with each other.
You should not feel that you are trapped in the job you currently have. You can be in charge of your career and provide needed services to people. We are currently signing up students for new classes. Why not be a part of the program? You may have a number of questions about our school and how you can start your career as a real estate agent. We want to answer all of your questions, and give you some insights into how you can be a successful real estate agent. Please feel free to take a look at our website, http://www.savannahrealestateschool.com/ . You can also contact us at 912-692-1085 ext. 2. We look forward to hearing from you and helping to change your future for the better! You can get
 

If you have decided to pursue an exciting new real estate career, you must have a real estate license.  To qualify for a Salesperson real estate license in Georgia, you must:

•  Be at least 18 years old.

•  Be a resident of the State of Georgia, unless seeking a nonresident license. 
  
•  Pass a state real estate examination. 
  
•  Be a high-school graduate or holder of a certification of equivalency.
  
•  Obtain a criminal history report from the GBI  (Georgia Bureau of Investigation)
  
•  Complete a 75 hours Salesperson Pre-license course, attending all the sessions
  

Final decisions regarding licensure are the responsibility of the Georgia Real Estate Commission.  For additional information, visit the website of the Georgia Real Estate Commission.

1 Enroll in a 75-hour real estate course online or at an accredited school.  According to the Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC), you may also enroll in a real estate course at an accredited college or university (six semester or ten quarter –hours).

2 Complete the class and pass the course exam.  Most schools give you two chances at passing the course exam.  If you do not pass the second attempt, you will need to re-enroll in the course.

3 Take the Georgia Real Estate Licensee Qualifying Examination.  Locate an Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) testing site to take test.  Be sure to bring your GCIC report along with proof of completion of pre-license coursework (certificate or transcripts).  AMP can issue your license to you on the same day that you take and pass the examination. 

4 Activate your license with a broker agency.  Interview local or national realty companies to find one that suits your goals and needs.  Different companies allow you to negotiate commission splits as well as desk franchising fees.

Ben Farmer School of Real Estate offers the GA Salesperson pre-license course.  Check out our website for more information!

 

It sometimes feels as if you’re working life is going nowhere.  You sit in a cubicle or walk the floor of a retail store and your job is a dead end situation.  You want to be able to work with people and make a real difference, but you need the right training.  Real estate is an exciting career path with a chance to really be helpful.  The only problem for you is that you can’t enroll in a regular class because of your work schedule.  There is no need to worry about that because you can get the education you need online.

Online Classes Fit Your Schedule

All you need is a PC or laptop to get access to an online real estate class.  What is great about doing things online is that you can work these into your already very busy schedule.  The online courses are intended for a hard-working adult like yourself and the essentials are all covered.  The best courses are the ones that prepare you for the all-important real estate license examination.  However, you get started on the road to a real estate career with pre-licensing study.
You can think of this as an introduction to the exciting world of real estate.  A good pre-licensing program is going to cover ownership, the transferring use of property, real estate law, mortgage fraud, finance, finance and contracts among other topics.  A student is given the time necessary to absorb all this information and the best courses also allow for reviews.  You can go at your own pace within a reasonable period of time, and become fluent in the language and procedures of real estate.  A good course is going to get you ready for the Georgia licensing exam.  For any resident of Savannah the best school to go is the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate.

We Are the Oldest in Savannah
We have been teaching real estate in the Savannah area for years and we are proud of our graduates, many of whom are top real estate agents in Savannah.  We have a pre-license course available and there is an online option.  The program is 75 hours long and it covers the Georgia real estate license law as well as real estate principles and practices.  You have up to 6 months to complete the course and get ready for the license exam.   Our Pre-License Package includes Georgia Exam Prep and MathMaster  to help you better understand real estate math.  Best of all, you are able to take the steps necessary to begin a real estate career without jeopardizing your current work schedule.  You can do all of this in the comfort of your home.

Don’t Let the Future Pass You By
Nothing good comes from nothing and that is a fact.  You should not spend precious moments dreaming about a career that you could have.  You can take the steps right now to improve your job opportunities and work at something you can be proud of doing.  The Savannah area needs good real estate agents.  You can be one of those people ; doing the kind of work that you enjoy and being in charge of your own destiny.  Too many people let life pass them by, and you should not be one of them.  The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate is here to be your guide on the pathway to an amazing career in real estate. 
You may have some questions and we want to answer all of them.  Please do feel free to give us a call at 912 – 692 – 1085 (ext.2) or if you wish you can fill out the email form on our website.  Don’t let your dreams fade away.  Feel free to contact us and let us help you start on the road to career success.

We all know that New Year’s day is full of resolutions.  Some of them are kept, and some are not.  Perhaps you’ve decided that 2015 is the year in which you start a whole new career.  You may want to be running your own business; being in charge of your daily schedule instead of being told what to do.  You may also enjoy being around people and helping them.  If that is the case, you may want to consider a career in real estate.

The Opportunity Is There

The National Association of Realtor has taken a careful look at the real estate industry and believes that 2015 is going to be a good year.

• Young professionals are starting to get hired in high paying jobs and are looking to be buying their first home;
• It is anticipated that new-home sales are going to rise by at least 25% because the housing construction industry is coming back to life;
• Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced that fixed-rate mortgages for first-time home buyers will be available with 3% down payment;
• The economy is projected to improve over the year.

What this all means is that the real estate industry is coming out of the doldrums.  Savannah already has a number of properties that are moving on to the market.  A person can get started out in real estate this year, and be well on the way to success by Christmas time.

The Right Education Is Important

No one can become a real estate agent just by printing up business cards.  The state of Georgia requires a high school diploma or equivalency as basic education for real estate  agent.  There’s also a requirement in Georgia to take a 75 hour pre-license course. This has to be at a real estate school approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission.  No one can be a real estate agent in Georgia without a real estate  license.  The Real Estate License Qualifying Examination has to be successfully passed by a candidate in order to get this very important certification.

There are number of real estate schools in Georgia but not all of them are of high quality.  How course content is taught is extremely important.  A person is best educated by instructors who have in-depth experience in real estate and not just superficial understanding.  Any school can coach a person on how to pass the licensing examination.  Those schools that have superior instructors go one step beyond.  They provide knowledge and tools a person will use to be successful in a real estate career.

The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate Prepares Professionals

The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate is the oldest real estate school in Savannah.  Our reputation is well known in the community and many of the best real estate agents in the Coastal Empire have come from our classrooms.  We are much more than an exam prep program.  Our students are encouraged to learn all aspects of real estate.  We know these people are going to be relied upon by first home buyers and also by sellers.  It is why we add a little extra to the education provided.  Our graduates are well known for their real estate expertise.  In addition to the required education, we also offer continuing education to keep professional standards as high as possible.  The testimonials of our graduates reflect their educational experience with us and paved the way for a profitable future.

Keep That New Year’s Resolution 

Instead of having just a job why not have a career; one that you will enjoy and provide service to others as well? We can help you fulfill that New Year’s resolution for a new career.  The Ben Farmer School of Real Estate helps people take those first steps to the independence and high income of a good real estate agent.  If you are interested in our programs we would love to share information with you.  Please feel free to call us at 912-692-1085 ext. 2.  We look forward to hearing from you and helping you on your career path.