What’s next after passing your real estate exam?
The good news is that you don’t need to have everything figured out today. Building a successful real estate career happens one step at a time.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the nine most important things to do after passing your real estate exam so you can start building a successful business.
Key takeaways
- Finish the Licensing Process: Passing the exam is a major milestone, but you’ll still need to complete any remaining state licensing requirements before you can start practicing.
- Choose Your Brokerage Carefully: The training, mentorship, technology, and support you receive can have a lasting impact on your success.
- Build Your Business Early: Create a plan, set activity goals, manage your time, and establish a budget before your first transaction.
- Grow Your Network Intentionally: Your sphere of influence, referral partners, and mentors can become some of your most valuable business assets.
- Invest in Continuous Learning: Continuing education, certifications, and professional development can help you stay competitive and grow throughout your career.
1. Complete your licensing requirements
Passing the exam doesn’t mean you’re immediately ready to start practicing real estate.
Most states require additional steps before your license becomes active. Depending on your state’s requirements, you may need to:
- Submit a license application
- Complete a background check or fingerprinting
- Obtain required E & O insurance coverage
- Affiliate with a sponsoring broker
You’ll need an active license before you can legally practice real estate and earn commissions.
2. Find the right brokerage
Interviewing brokerages as a new agent feels a bit different than a traditional job interview. You may ask as many (or more) questions than the managing broker.
Consider asking:
- What training do you offer new agents?
- Is there a mentorship program?
- What technology and marketing tools are included?
- What are your expectations for first-year agents?
- How accessible are brokers when agents need help?
The answers can help you determine whether a brokerage is a good fit for your goals.
Understand how you’ll get paid
Real estate compensation can be confusing when you’re first getting started. After all, most real estate agents work entirely on commission based on a percentage of the property’s cost.
Most brokerages use commission splits, meaning a portion of the commission goes to the brokerage, and the remainder goes to the agent.
You may see structures such as:
- 60/40 split
- 70/30 split
- 80/20 split
It’s also important to ask about:
- Monthly fees
- Transaction fees
- Technology fees
- Marketing costs
Remember, the brokerage that gives you the highest split isn’t always the best choice. Strong training and support can be valuable early in your career.
3. Join your local REALTOR® association and get MLS access
Membership in your local REALTOR® association and the National Association of REALTORS® can provide valuable benefits, including networking opportunities, education, industry resources, and access to your local Multiple Listing Service (MLS).
(Despite the name, there isn’t just one MLS. The term “MLS” refers to hundreds of local and regional databases used by real estate professionals across the country. The MLS that serves your market may be different from the MLS used in a neighboring city or region.)
These databases allow agents and brokers to share information about properties for sale and cooperate throughout the buying and selling process.
Access to your local MLS is important because it helps you:
- Search active, pending, and sold listings
- Research local market trends
- Prepare comparative market analyses (CMAs)
- Access property details and listing history
- Share accurate information with clients
- Market listings to other real estate professionals
In many markets, MLS access is obtained through your brokerage, local REALTOR® association, or both. Your broker can help you understand which MLS serves your area and what steps are required to gain access.
The sooner you become comfortable using your local MLS, the more confident you’ll be when helping clients navigate the market.
4. Create a simple business plan
Successful agents treat real estate like a business from day one.
That doesn’t mean you need a 30-page business plan. In fact, a simple plan is often more effective.
Start by answering a few questions:
- Who do I want to serve?
- How will I find clients?
- What are my income goals?
- What marketing activities will I focus on?
- What skills do I want to develop?
Having a plan gives you direction and helps you stay focused when things get busy.
Additional Resource: Creating a Successful Real Estate Business Plan (That Actually Matches Your Life)
5. Set goals and manage your time
Many new agents focus only on sales goals. While income goals are important, activity goals are often more helpful early in your career.
Focus on actions you can control, such as:
- Meeting five new people each week
- Attending two networking events per month
- Posting on social media three times per week
- Following up with leads daily
These activities create momentum and often lead to future business.
Real estate coach and author Jenifer Morin believes she can often tell how successful an agent will be by looking at their calendar. Agents who intentionally schedule lead generation, networking, learning, and client follow-up are often the ones who build lasting careers.
Watch her explain why your calendar may be one of the strongest predictors of your future success.
6. Create a budget for your business
Real estate offers incredible earning potential, but income can be unpredictable, especially during your first year.
Creating a budget early can help you manage expenses, plan for slower periods, and make smarter business decisions.
Common expenses include:
- REALTOR® association dues
- MLS fees
- Marketing materials
- Technology subscriptions
- Continuing education and license renewal fees
- Business cards and signage
As your business grows, your budget may also expand to include more advertising, client events, and additional tools.
7. Build your sphere of influence
One of the biggest mistakes new agents make is waiting until they’re “ready” to tell people they’re in real estate.
Don’t wait.
The people who already know, like, and trust you are often your first source of referrals, introductions, and opportunities.
Start by making a list of people in your sphere of influence, including:
- Friends and family
- Former coworkers
- Neighbors
- Classmates and alumni connections
- Community groups
- Local business owners
You don’t need to ask everyone to buy or sell a home. Simply let people know about your new business and stay in touch consistently.
Build referral relationships
Your sphere isn’t limited to potential clients. Some of your most valuable relationships may come from professionals who regularly work with homeowners and buyers.
Consider building connections with:
- Mortgage lenders
- Home inspectors
- Insurance agents
- Contractors
- Attorneys
- Financial advisors
Strong referral partnerships can help you grow your business while providing additional value to your clients.
Watch a replay of our recent webinar, Activate the Hidden Goldmine in Your Partner Network, to learn more about building referral relationships.
Find a mentor
Every successful real estate agent was once where you are now.
A mentor can help you avoid common mistakes, navigate challenges, and build confidence during your first few years in the industry.
Look for someone who:
- Has experience in your market/niche
- Is willing to share knowledge
- Has built a business you admire
- Invests in developing other agents
The right mentor can shorten your learning curve and help you focus on the activities that matter most.
Step 8: Seek expert advice.
People are more likely to work with agents they know, trust, and remember.
That’s why it’s important to begin building your personal brand early.
Build your online presence
Start with a few foundational pieces:
- A professional headshot
- A complete LinkedIn profile
- Business social media accounts
- A professional website
- A Google Business Profile
You don’t need to be everywhere. Focus on creating a professional and consistent presence where your audience spends time.
Create a simple marketing plan
Keep your marketing strategy straightforward.
Many successful new agents focus on:
- Social media content
- Email marketing
- Community involvement
- Referral relationships
- Networking events
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s consistency.
Small actions repeated over time often produce the best results.
9. Commit to ongoing education and professional development
Passing your exam is an achievement, but it’s only the beginning of your learning journey.
The real estate industry changes constantly. Market conditions shift, technology evolves, and client expectations continue to grow.
Investing in your professional development can help you:
- Build confidence
- Better serve clients
- Develop specialized expertise
- Stay competitive in your market
- Utilize technology to improve customer service and save time
- Create long-term career growth
Whether you’re learning negotiation skills, exploring luxury real estate, or discovering how AI can improve your business, continuing education can help you stand out from the competition.
Become a member of a community of top real estate talent
With a Colibri Real Estate CE Membership, you’ll get more than just your state’s required continuing education courses. You’ll gain access to the tools, training, and resources that help you grow throughout your entire career.
Membership benefits include:
- Unlimited access to state-approved continuing education courses
- Practical tools, articles, templates, checklists, and white papers covering real-world real estate topics
- Career-focused professional certifications
- Discounts on advanced professional development programs
- AI training for Pro and Premier members
- Discounts on luxury real estate training through the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing
Whether you’re preparing for your first license renewal or looking to build specialized expertise, membership provides ongoing support at every stage of your career.
Become a member of a community of top real estate talent and invest in your future success today.
