Connecticut Real Estate License

[Phelim Lennon]

Real Estate Agents of CT - I am looking to get my real estate license soon in Connecticut. I would like to take the courses online but I don't know if that is possible. If not, do people have some recommendations on places that they took the classes and liked? I live in West Hartford so need it to be within 30 mins or less of a drive.

CT, Hartford, Bloomfield, Manchester, Avon, Simsbury, Granby, Farmington, Bristol, Southington, Glastonbury, Middletown, Rocky Hill, Cheshire

[Rick Santasiere]

One quick note @James McCard. Class is just under $600. Taking your test(s) and paying for your license is another $300-$350. In order to be a realtor though you need to join a board. This makes you a member of Car, GHAR, and NAR. CT Assoc. of Realtors, Greater Hartford Assoc of Realtors, and National Assoc of Realtors. That is $525/year, but they will pro-rate.

You will also need MLS which is +-$600/year (paid quarterly). License renewal is $200 every other year believe, and continuing Education is every two years and that cost is around $75-$100 (you can take the online ones) So, from a time commitment you are taking a 60 hour course, yes. Money is (upfront) $1,000 (to take class, and actually get the license - tests, and the state of CT handout). And as of 2016 you are looking at $1,200ish every year. The cost goes up, not down each year as well. To some people, spending $1,200/year if they are not seeing a ROI, is just too much if they are not doing at least two transactions per year.

One last thing. There are very few brokerages that want to take in part time agents where they are simply becoming licensed to have access to the MLS and quick access to properties. Some agencies actually terminate you if you do not close a certain number of transactions. I have witnessed this when I worked for Coldwell Banker back in 2008. There is a reason for this, which I can spend a great deal of time writing about, but is much easier to discuss live. I am happy to chat with anyone who is thinking of becoming licensed in CT or MA. And down the road, Realtors who expect to get their brokers license have an even more difficult time doing so, because you need to be classified as "active." I am not sure what the exact requirement is for a CT REB, but in order to be a ABR (advanced buyer rep), you need to have closed at least 5 transactions for buyers only and have proof of doing so.

There are a lot of great ways for me to sit down with a prospective new realtor to decide whether it makes sense for anyone to follow through with getting licensed.  I have done it probably 10-12 times so far this year, and have had 3 people decide to get licensed.  Please note this is NOT a negative message to anyone thinking of becoming licensed, it simply is a quick License Info session that I hope some people thinking about this take the time to really weight all the options.  I am happy to sit down and chat with anyone thinking of taking the plunge. I am also working out a business plan for anyone who decides to become licensed to either do flips, buy and holds for their own portfolio that makes sense.  PM me any time.