The most frequent question we get is, “What is the procedure to get my real estate license and start in the business?” The best place to go to get the most in-depth answer is Missouri Real Estate Commission, but to bring things down to the basics, here is a list of requirements:

1. Criminal background check to qualify for licensure: Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS). You will use the code number 0004.
2. Missouri Salesperson Pre-Exam Course and certificate of completion (48 Hour) to be eligible to take your licensing exam: Link to our course schedule
3. Missouri Real Estate Practice Course and certificate of completion to be able to apply for your license: Link to our course schedule
4. Proof that you have passed the Missouri real estate salesperson licensing exam: AMP Testing Center
5. An employing broker. You need to find a broker whose company, benefits and requirements fit your needs.
6. If your broker belongs to a local real estate association (Board of REALTORS®), you will need to join, too.
7. Membership in your association’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
8. Time to devote to working on starting up your business.
9. Patience while working on your lead list so you can eventually begin working with clients.
10. A savings account with a few month’s salary saved up, or a household income that will allow for the expenses required to enter the real estate business.

Most of the items in the list above will have charges associated with them. Following the links above will take you to each site to investigate further regarding cost and requirements. The broker you choose will have information on the fees for joining a real estate association and MLS fees.

Did you know that real estate agents are usually independent contractors? This means that real estate agents are self-employed, receive a 1099 from their broker and pay self-employment taxes.

This information should be verified with the Missouri Real Estate Commission.

National Arbor Day: Trees and the Home Purchase

Reprinted from National Association of REALTORS® Economist’s Outlook Blog/April 24, 2015

Posted in Economist Commentaries, by Brandi Snowden, Research Survey Analyst on April 24, 2015

National Arbor Day is celebrated on April 24th, and is a time to celebrate the importance of trees. For home buyers who recognize their significance, finding a home with features such as being located on a wooded lot, having many trees, or being close to parks is important. Using the 2013 Profile of Buyers’ Home Features Preferences, 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, and the 2015 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report we can examine which features recent home buyers considered important.

Eighteen percent of repeat buyers and 25 percent of buyers purchasing a new home said that being on a wooded lot or one with many trees was very important.

Twenty percent of home searchers in the South and 30 percent of home searchers in rural areas thought that having a wooded lot or many trees was very important.

Twenty percent of single males and 18 percent of married couples thought that finding a home on a wooded lot or with many trees as very important during their home search.

Among home searchers, 20 percent looking for a duplex, apartment, or condo with 2-4 units, and 18 percent searching for a detached single-family home thought that it was important to find a home on a wooded lot or with many trees.

Twenty-three percent of recent buyers felt that convenience to parks or recreational facilities was an influencing factor for their neighborhood choice.

Recent buyers living in a suburb or subdivision (28 percent) and unmarried couples (27 percent) felt that the convenience to parks or recreational facilities was an influencing factor for their neighborhood choice.

Looking generationally, convenience to parks and recreational facilities had the most influence on recent buyers aged 34 and younger at 28 percent, and recent buyers aged 35 to 49 at 24 percent.

Visit the Arbor Day Foundation for more information on getting involved this Arbor Day.