The Raleigh, North Carolina area is one of the most desirable metropolitan areas in the South. This capital city of almost 400,000 is home to several universities and work opportunities that make it the perfect place to live and raise a family. With new families moving to the Raleigh area each year, housing is a commodity that sells even in a very tough economy. As a matter of fact, the current economy may be one of the best reasons why it is the perfect time to become a real estate agency in Raleigh.

In any economy there are always buyers seeking great deals on homes. Individuals with good credit are able to secure financing and will often be preapproved to purchase homes. Smart real estate agents will target their marketing toward these individuals and others who seek homes for personal use or for investments. There are also many companies in the Raleigh area that offer some form of relocation assistance. Cultivating relationships with these companies is a way to market to potential homebuyers.

The drop in housing prices due to the economy has created some very good opportunities for first time home buyers as well as newcomers to the Raleigh metro area. This means that graduates from Raleigh area universities, parents interested in purchasing small homes or condominiums for college students; and those who move to the Raleigh metro area for new employment opportunities will be in the market for houses. These are excellent sales opportunities for real estate agents.

Becoming a real estate agent in Raleigh N.C. involves time and a willingness to take educational classes, before getting the license and after getting the license.

Pre-Licensing
Before applying for a real estate license, the potential applicant must complete a Broker Pre-licensing Class, which requires a minimum of 75 classroom hours. This class cannot be taken as an online or distance learning class. After successfully completing the course, the applicant may file an application with the state. After the North Carolina Real Estate Commission received and determines that the applicant is eligible the applicant is notified they may take the test. Once approved to take the test, the applicant must contact the testing location and pay the testing fee and then schedule to take the test.

One License, 3 Categories
Although the state of North Carolina only has one type of real estate license it does divide the brokers into 3 categories which are provisional broker, broker, and broker-in-charge. In addition to the broker license, the state of North Carolina makes provision for non-resident commercial brokers, and for certain individuals such as those leasing or selling their own homes, trustees, persons following court order, and estate trustees.

Provisional License
After passing the 75 hour pre-licensing course and passing the exam, the applicant is granted a provisional broker license. A provisional license means that the broker must be supervised by a broker-in-charge. The provisional term is removed from the license after the provisional broker has completed the post-licensing education requirement. Educational education is one 30 hour course per year for the first three years after being granted there license. If these conditions are not met the license will be cancelled.

Broker
This is someone who has met all of post-licensing requirements of the North Carolina Real Estate Commission. The broker is able to work for a real estate firm, but to be a sole proprietor they must meet the Broker-in-charge requirements.

Broker-in-charge
Every real estate firm and sole proprietor must have at least one broker with this designation. To be a broker-in-charge, you cannot be considered as a provisional broker. You must have been a broker full time or part-time in two of the previous five years. An addition they must complete an additional 12 hour broker-in-charge course. This class must be complete within 120 days. Additionally the broker-in-charge must renew their broker license each year and take an annual four hour Real Estate Update Course