So, What Do I Have To Do To Become A REALTOR®?
There are a number of steps you will have to take before you will be allowed by the Real Estate Council of Alberta to practice real estate. If you follow the steps listed below, the process shouldn’t feel too overwhelming or cumbersome.
Step 1:
Go to www.reca.ca which is the website for the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA). They are the regulatory body that has the authority to issue you a license to practice real estate in the province of Alberta. Save the web address in your favorites because it’s likely you will be returning to that site regularly both before you are licensed and after you start trading in real estate.
When you get to the home page, at the top, hold your mouse over, “Licenses and Forms” and a drop down menu will appear. Move your mouse down to, “Real Estate”, then over to, “First Time Agents” and click on that. Review that page thoroughly, but pay close attention to the 6th bullet down. Click on the link to, “Criminal Record Check” and make note of the procedure required to obtain the information required by RECA.
Of course, because a lot of this may be a bit confusing, please call any one of our three offices and ask for any of the managers and we will be pleased to walk you through the process.
Step 2:
Go to www.creb.com which is the website for the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB). You must become a member of CREB if you are planning to join a real estate brokerage that is a CREB member. MaxWell Capital Realty is a member Brokerage of the Calgary Real Estate Board therefore all of its REALTORS® are CREB members as well. That’s a good thing, because it gives members complete access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and all of the many valuable services CREB has to offer. Once on the home page, in the right hand column, click on “EDUCATION” and then again in the far right hand column, you will find 3 headings that you must review; “Real Estate Associates Program (REAP)”, “CREB Orientation” and “Exams”.
It’s very important you familiarize yourself with these three areas in the creb.com website because in addition to the Real Estate Associates Program (REAP), you will be required by CREB to take the Orientation Course before you will be allowed to become a member of the Calgary Real Estate Board.
Step 3:
Go to the www.abrea.ab.ca website which is the website for the Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA). When you join the Calgary Real Estate Board, you will also become a member of The Alberta Real Estate Association and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) which are the bodies that in addition to providing “Organized Real Estate” with many benefits, they also ensure the REALTOR® Code Of Ethics and Standards Of Business Practice are adhered to by their members.
When you reach the AREA home page, click on the “Become A REALTOR®” located on the far left side. A drop down menu will appear and we advise you to check out all three categories, “General Information”, “Frequently Asked Questions” and “Real Estate Associates Program”. You will find very helpful information in all three areas.
Step 4:
We at MaxWell Capital Realty strongly advise you to telephone at least three to five different real estate brokerages that you feel you may wish to be associated with. Speak with the managers of each brokerage and make appointments to interview with them.
You are embarking upon a major change in your life and lifestyle. The career you have chosen is very exciting and can be very rewarding. However, if your personality clashes with the manager, you don’t get a good feel for the office or possibly the answers you get are not what you are looking for, the chances of you becoming a success in real estate may be diminished substantially. For the first part of your career, you will be relying heavily upon the accessibility to the manager and that person’s advice to guide you through sometimes confusing and perplexing situations. You cannot have any reservations about the real estate brokerage you join.
Of course, we at MaxWell Capital Realty would most certainly like to be on your list of brokerages you anticipate calling for interviews and discussions surrounding your specific needs in a brokerage
