Everything you ever wanted to know about starting a career in Real Estate
ECAR is here to answer your questions. Check out this FAQ library to inform and guide you on your journey of starting a career in real estate. Or call us at 860-892-2595!
Complete your education, pass the licensing exam, affiliate with a brokerage, and begin building your business. Must complete the 60-hour Pre-Licensing course per the State of Connecticut. Click here to learn more about ECAR’s Real Estate School.
For motivated individuals who enjoy helping people and building relationships, real estate can be a rewarding and flexible career. Click here for NAR’s Member Profile Report
ECAR’s Real Estate School and other state-approved providers offer pre-licensing education online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Click here to learn more about ECAR’s Real Estate School.
Most individuals spend approximately $1200 depending on education and licensing costs. For example, ECAR’s pre-licensing fee is $499, the state salesperson application fee is $80.00, the examination fee is $59.00, and the salesperson license fee $578.00. Further information can be found here.
The best school depends on your schedule, learning style, and support needs. ECAR is the voice of Real Estate in Eastern CT, so obviously we think our school is the best. Click here to start making connections at the source.
Connecticut requires completion of a 60-hour Real Estate Principles and Practices course. Click here to learn more about ECAR’s Real Estate School.
Topics include contracts, agency, fair housing, financing, valuation, property ownership, and Connecticut-specific regulations.
Students who complete their coursework and prepare with practice exams are often well positioned to pass. It can be quite difficult to pass. ECAR and instructors that go the extra mile to ensure the success of its students.
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may retake it. Many successful REALTORS® needed more than one attempt. If you failed one portion and passed the other, you will need to retake that portion of the exam and will have to pay the fees again.
Connecticut allows candidates to retake the licensing exam if they do not pass.
You may take the examination on an unlimited basis for up to one year from the date of eligibility.
If you do not pass both portions within one year, you must reapply for an additional year of eligibility.
After you pass both portions of the examination, you have 2 years from the date of the most recently passed portion to activate your license.
To activate the license, you must be supervised by a CT licensed broker and pay the $590.00 license fee.
All real estate salesperson licenses expire on May 31st of every even-numbered year.
Yes. In most cases, you must first obtain your Connecticut real estate license and affiliate with a brokerage. Click here to find a Broker affiliated with ECAR.
Connecticut recognizes certain reciprocal licensing arrangements and applicants should review current state requirements. Click here for a list of Reciprocal States.
No. REALTOR® membership is voluntary, but it provides valuable resources and professional recognition. Being a REALTOR® is a three-way agreement between Local Association, State Association and the National Association. With this three-way agreement there are many member benefits that all three Association provide to REALTORS®.
Complete the 60-hour Principles and Practices course, pass the Connecticut licensing exam, affiliate with a brokerage, and join the Eastern Connecticut Association of REALTORS®.
Costs may include education, licensing fees, REALTOR® dues, and MLS access. The fee structure is a three–way agreement with National, State and Local Association ECAR’s dues for the year $841.00, if agents join ECAR after January 31st the dues are pro-rated. MLS fee structure two times a year (6 months) $212.10.
In addition to licensing fees, dues, and MLS access, you’ll need to consider marketing, technology, and business expenses which could vary depending on which brokerage you choose.
Income varies significantly based on effort, experience, market conditions, and business practices. Click here for NAR’s Estimated Earnings for 2025.
Income varies widely, but many first-year agents focus on building relationships and establishing a client base. 2 years or less median gross. Click here for NAR’s Estimated Earnings for 2025.
Yes. Many REALTORS® earn a full-time living, though success depends on business development and client service. Your success depends on YOU and the sky is the limit.
Here’s a few success stories, however; keep in mind exceptional success stories can make real estate sound like an easy route out of hardship. NAR’s own 2026 data show that REALTORS® with two years or less of experience earned a median of only $8,000 from real estate in 2025, and 62% earned under $10,000. ECAR should use these stories to demonstrate possibility—not promise an outcome.
- Natali Zaher — refugee and formerly homeless: Zaher moved from Syria at age nine and experienced homelessness at 13. By 2025, at age 29, she reported 77 transaction sides and $27.7 million in sales volume. She credits discipline, community service and using her experience to guide clients rebuilding their lives. Read her NAR profile
- Darrin DeSilva — homelessness and personal loss: At 23, DeSilva was homeless and asking for donations by the roadside. After someone took an interest in him, he found stable employment and entered real estate. Within a few years, he reported 23 transaction sides and $10.7 million in sales volume. He specifically credits accountability, mentors and community relationships. Read his NAR profile
- Alex Morris — homelessness and substance-use recovery: Morris entered real estate while newly sober and financially struggling. He built a referral-based business through service, later creating a real estate team that supports others in recovery and donating nearly $70,000 to related organizations. Read his NAR profile
- Abel Shiferaw — immigrant and language barriers: An Ethiopian immigrant, Shiferaw used his language skills and cultural knowledge to educate East African buyers. He became his brokerage’s Rookie of the Year, a top producer and helped his parents purchase their first American home. Read his NAR profile
- Barry Long — significant physical disability: Long became quadriplegic after a motorcycle accident. His difficulty finding accessible housing led him into accessibility advocacy and real estate systems reform, eventually earning recognition as a 2026 NAR Fair Housing Champion. Read his NAR profile
This national data comes from NAR’s 2026 Member Profile, covering REALTORS®’ 2025 business activity:
- Median gross income: $59,200
- REALTORS® with 16+ years’ experience: $88,500
- Median business expenses: $9,530
- Typical individual production: 9 transaction sides and $2.7 million in sales volume
- Independent contractors: 86% of REALTORS®
- Median experience: 13 years
“Gross income” is not take-home pay. Subtracting the median $9,530 in business expenses leaves roughly $49,670 before income and self-employment taxes, although expenses vary considerably. NAR 2026 Member Profile highlights
For comparison, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics—which covers licensed agents, not specifically REALTORS®—reported 2024 median earnings of:
- Real estate sales agents: $56,320
- Real estate brokers: $72,280
- Top 10% of sales agents: above $125,140
- Bottom 10%: below $31,940
The assumption people often miss: $59,200 is the midpoint across all REALTORS®, not a realistic first-year expectation. Experience, established referrals, market conditions, brokerage splits, part-time status, and lead-generation costs produce an enormous income range. The national statistics also shouldn’t be presented as a promise of earnings when recruiting students.
Realtors receive professional service fees for their work, meaning they receive a percentage of the final sale price. Payment occurs only when the transaction officially closes. Professional service fees are not set by law and are always negotiable.
To become a REALTOR® in Connecticut, you must complete the required 60-hour Real Estate Principles and Practices course, pass the Connecticut licensing exam, affiliate with a licensed real estate brokerage, and join a local REALTOR® association such as ECAR. Click here to learn more about ECAR’s Real Estate School.
The REALTOR® Code of Ethics is a set of professional standards that requires REALTORS® to protect clients, treat consumers honestly, and promote fair housing and ethical business practices. Click here for the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Most individuals complete the process within two to six months.
Applicants must hold an active Connecticut real estate license, affiliate with a REALTOR® brokerage, complete an application, and agree to follow the REALTOR® Code of Ethics.
Yes. Newly licensed agents are encouraged to join ECAR to access education, networking, advocacy, and business resources. Joining ECAR gives you many tools to build your career, a working relationship with other REALTORS® and Affiliates. Be part of ECAR’s committee to build your relationship with all ECAR’s members.
Yes. Many agents begin part-time while maintaining other employment. Most REALTORS® are compensated through professional service fees earned when transactions successfully close.
Some agents close their first transaction within weeks, while others may take several months. Because building a lead pipeline takes time, you may not secure your first contract for several months.
- No. Many successful REALTORS® begin in their 50s. The typical REALTOR® was a 57-year-old white female who attended college and owned her home
- 66% of all REALTORS® were female, up from 63% last year
- 86% of members own their primary residence, and 41% own a secondary property
Key national demographics:
- 44% were age 60 or older
- 30% were 65 or older
- 13% were under 40
- 66% female, 32% male
- 79% White
- 10% Hispanic/Latino
- 6% Black/African American
- 5% Asian/Pacific Islander
- 1% American Indian, Alaska Native or Aleut
- 92% had some postsecondary education
- 53% held at least a bachelor’s degree
- 66% were married
- 86% owned their primary residence
- 41% owned additional property
- 18% spoke a language in addition to English
- 12% were born outside the United States
- 71% volunteered in their communities
- 73% said real estate was their only occupation
Real estate professional service fees are always negotiable and vary by transaction.
Consider training, mentorship, technology, commission structure, culture, and broker support, lead generation, overhead cost associated with the brokerage. Business models vary from brokerage to brokerage. It is a good idea to interview several. Click here to find a Broker affiliated with ECAR.
Members receive education, networking, advocacy, professional standards support, leadership opportunities, and access to REALTOR® resources.
Members receive professional development opportunities, networking events, continuing education, and advocacy representation. Click here for the benefits of ECAR Membership.
ECAR offers education, networking, mentorship resources, advocacy, and leadership development. Click here for the benefits of ECAR Membership.
An MLS is a property database. A REALTOR® association provides membership services, education, advocacy, networking, and professional standards support.
Yes. Veterans often transition successfully into real estate careers using skills developed during military service.
REALTORS® are independent contractors and are compensated through professional service fees rather than salary.
Yes, many REALTORS® perform administrative and marketing tasks from home, while also meeting clients in person. Depending on the brokerage and your personal goals. Some brokerages have office space and timed hours.
Many new agents maintain savings to cover several months of personal and business expenses. $2,000-$5,000 for upfront startup costs alongside 6-12 months of fixed personal living expenses. It commonly takes 6 to 9 months of active daily lead generation before you see your first paycheck.
Common mistakes include failing to follow up, underestimating startup costs, neglecting education, and lacking a business plan.
Connecticut offers opportunities in residential, commercial, investment, and waterfront real estate.
Interview multiple brokerages and compare training, mentorship, culture, technology, and support. Click here for a list of interview questions when choosing a broker.
Once licensed and affiliated with a brokerage, you may begin working with clients immediately.
Most new REALTORS® use smartphones, laptop, CRM, digital signature platform, MLS access, and marketing tools.
A successful REALTOR® is self-motivated with wide sphere of influence and a flexible schedule.