Careers In Real Estate
The real estate profession is both challenging and rewarding. Real estate is for people who are able to manage
their time and be accountable for themselves. Real estate is for people who are motivated and want to end their
day knowing they have accomplished something: helping make the process of buying and selling a home less stressful
for someone by offering a wealth of knowledge.
Pre-License Education
A real estate license is required to practice real estate in Iowa. Before applying for your license, a 60-hour
pre-license course is required. After completing the course, you must pass the state of Iowa's real estate exam.
With the signature of your broker, you may then apply to the state for your license.
Once you receive your license, you can practice real estate as a licensed assistant or as a sales associate.
As a licensed assistant, you would work as an independent contractor under the guidance of a sales associate.
As a sales associate, you would operate as an independent contractor under the umbrella of a real estate broker.
Real estate sales associates are paid on a commission basis.
Start-Up Expenses for New Sales Associates
| 60 Hour Pre-license course |
$350 - $475.00 |
| Exam Fee |
$92.00 |
| License Application Fee |
$125.00 |
| Association Application Fee (one time) |
$700.00 |
| State Application Fee |
$75.00 |
| State Dues (prorated) |
$45 or $90.00 |
| National Dues (prorated) |
$32 or $64.00 |
| Local Dues (prorated) |
$140.00 |
| Lock Box Key Deposit |
$65.00 |
| Errors & Omission Insurance (prorated) |
$150.00 |
| NAR Realtor Campaign |
$30.00 |
| Background Check/Fingerprint Kit |
$56.00 |
| IAR Assessment |
$10.00 |
| Total |
$1,870.00 - $2,074.00 |
Ongoing Annual Expenses
| IAR Assessment Yearly |
$10.00 |
| National Dues |
$64.00 |
| State Dues |
$90.00 |
| Local Dues |
$280.00 |
| Errors & Ommission Insurance |
$150.00 |
| Total Annual |
$594.00 |
Monthly Expenses
| Multiple Listing Core Service Fee |
$45.00 |
Post-License Education
Coldwell Banker Hedges Realty offers comprehensive in-house training on the aspects of real estate that come
from experience. These classes are taught by experienced sales associates and are required as you become a part
of our organization. We offer ongoing training throughout your first years in real estate.
Getting Started in Real Estate
Since real estate is a commission-based business and you will have a significant investment of time, energy,
and money, it is recommended that you talk to a real estate broker about joining his or her team before you
pursue your license. This assures you that you have a place to hang your license after working so hard for your
license!
At Coldwell Banker Hedges Realty, we do not ask everyone with a real estate license to join our team of
professionals; we want our agents to be successful and representative of the company's ideals.
For additional information about possible career opportunities in real estate,
please submit your request below.
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