1) Can I make a good living selling real estate?

Truth is, those who work hard can make a good living at almost any job. Here’s another truth: in real estate, you’ll be paid exactly what you’re worth. You set the limits of how much you earn. If you want to make more money, you simply gain more knowledge, acquire new skills, work smarter or more creatively, or better manage your time to achieve more results.

If you want an opportunity to prove you’re worth more than you are currently being paid, a career in real estate supplies that opportunity!

2) Besides a paycheck, what makes this a good job?

Almost everyone in real estate sales has their own reasons for liking the job. We hear three most often:

• It’s a people business. If you like working with people and helping them make their dreams come true, you will find it satisfying. Real estate sales provides a meaningful service that enhances peoples’ lives.
• It’s a chance to be independent. At many real estate brokerages, sales people are independent contractors. There is no time clock, and rarely a boss looking over your shoulder. Your activity and schedule are your own responsibility. But, remember, you earn money only when you sell, so independence must be accompanied by discipline if you want to get ahead. Also, you are obligated to conduct your business in a legal and ethical way.
• You can leverage your personal strengths. Because real estate is a highly diverse field, you can tailor your practice to fit your abilities. You can choose to sell homes, real estate investments, shopping centers, office buildings, industrial properties, open land, farms ... whatever. You also can choose career specialities like property management, real estate appraisal, real estate financing, or other areas of interest.

3) Exactly what do I need to sell real estate?

You need a license to sell real estate. It’s issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State. To get a license you must be at least age 18 or older, successfully complete 60 classroom hours of specialized education, and successfully pass a test called the “licensing exam.” Your specialized education is what we offer at Polley Associates.

In addition, you must be employed by, or establish an independent contractor relationship with, a real estate broker. Technically, only a broker has the legal power to conduct a real estate transaction. In sales, you will be an agent of the broker. You must interview with brokers to obtain a position in their firms, in the same way you would interview for any job.

With a license in hand and a broker behind you, it’s off to sell you go!

4) I’m a college grad. Why do I need more schooling?

First, it’s the law. Pennsylvania wants to ensure consumer rights are protected in real estate transactions. Consequently, the state wants you to know how to protect them. Our courses deliver that knowledge, and more.

Second, many people find the licensing exam to be difficult, even challenging. Our courses help you to be prepared for the test, as well as for the job.

Finally, it is unlikely your college education – as good as it may be – covered the specific legal information the state requires for real estate licensees.

5) Why should I attend pre-license classes at Polley?

Well, for starters, we’re really nice folks.

More importantly, we’re really good at what we do: teaching people about real estate.

Our pre-license courses (the ones the state requires you to take before you can sit for the licensing exam) are different from garden-variety real estate programs. Instead of spouting a lot of theory, we focus on your performance – the skills you’ll need to be successful in the marketplace, and the knowledge you’ll need to pass the licensing exam.

We’ve created programs and materials that enable you to perform tasks, explain and justify your concepts, and represent future clients with confidence, skill and expertise.

6) The courses sound pretty technical. Will I be bored?

Absolutely not.

We’ve got terrific, veteran instructors. They know the ins and outs of the business, have been there and done that, and so can explain things well. Our classrooms are modern and comfortable. Our courses are state-of-the-art multimedia presentations that entertain as well as teach.

It’s tough to be bored when you’re having fun.

7) Can I attend Polley classes and still keep my job?

Of course! Hey, we know everybody has to put food on the table, whether they’re planning to get into real estate full-time or just to supplement their current income. We schedule courses at convenient locations (there are four in the Philadelphia area alone), during the mornings, during the evenings, even on the weekends. You tell us what your needs are, and we’ll do our best to match classes with your schedule.

8) How does Polley help me once I’m in business?

Earlier on this page we mentioned that you control what you earn, in part, by increasing your knowledge and skills. Thousands of real estate licensees depend on Polley Associates every year for additional courses: to become an Accredited Buyer Representative, or a broker, or an appraiser, or a home inspector, or just a better salesperson. We can help you in every phase of your career.

9) I’m not good at math. Is there a lot in these courses?

A lot? No. Some? Yes. The sale or purchase of real estate is, after all, a financial transaction. If you can add, subtract, multiply and divide, you’re in good shape to start. We’ve got special techniques to help you learn the rest.

10) OK, I’m ready. What do I do now to get started?

Actually, we want you to talk to other people in real estate first. Find out from them what it’s really like, and what you can expect.
Next, ask them where they got their pre-license education. (This is a safe bet for us; Polley Associates is the state’s largest provider of real estate education. More than 85 percent of our pre-license students are referred to us by others!)

Finally, choose your Polley courses and complete the enrollment form. Then send it in with your payment. We’ll do the rest.