The Key: Becoming a Multi-State Licensee
“THE KEY” IS BLAKEMORE REAL ESTATE’S AGENT-FOCUSED BLOG SERIES IN WHICH EDUCATIONAL TIPS, BEST PRACTICES, AND EXPERT INSIGHTS ARE SHARED TO HELP REALTORS® EXCEL IN THEIR CAREERS.
Becoming a Realtor® and dedicating your career to helping buyers, sellers, and investors generate wealth through real estate is—we believe—a lifetime calling to service. We also believe that service should not have to be confined to state lines. Many members of our team are multi-state licensees who view this national perspective as a powerful way to serve our clients better and expand a high level of professionalism and market wisdom.
Why become a Realtor® in multiple states?
Real estate is a constantly moving industry from economic conditions to buyer and seller needs to supply and demand, predictability and real estate rarely go hand-in-hand. By being licensed in multiple states, our agents are tapped into the nuances of countless variable transactions. In some states, the escrow period requirements differ greatly, or they require a real estate attorney review before closing, or the required continuing education (CE) requirements change.
Being a licensed Realtor® means that you are a dues-paying member of the National Association of Realtors®, which includes its own requirements for professional education and standards. Being licensed in a particular state means that you’ve passed their state exam and are well-versed in all the unique attributes and fiscal requirements of representing buyers and sellers in that state.
So when you are licensed in two or more states, your depth of knowledge, negotiating prowess, and overall market awareness are doubled. This means double the benefit to your clients.
How to Balance Your Time & Resources
The most important aspect of being a Realtor® in multiple states is choosing a brokerage that has systems and personnel in place to support your clients and network when you may be serving your other area. Then it’s on you to appropriately manage your time and marketing resources to provide the same high level of service to your clients in both areas.
We recommend using a variety of tools:
Utilize time-blocking and calendar appointments to stay on track. This will keep you organized and clear-minded. Ensure both calendars reflect your accurate availability by using a 2-way sync.
Create print and digital guides to share with your clients. The digital versions can be provided quickly to accommodate when you can’t immediately schedule a meeting in person, and the print guide makes for an excellent pop-by next time you’re in town.
Be present on social media so they see you working no matter where you are. This provides a reassurance of your professionalism and focus on the industry. If you find yourself spending more time in one state, make sure you’re providing market updates or listing features from the other.
It also matters where you hang your license. We’re biased (obviously), but boutique and independently-owned brokerages ensure you have a Broker who knows you and your situation well and can step in if you can’t. Most boutique brokerages also have a select and highly qualified group of independent agents who can assist as Showing Agents or even Co-Agents so your buyers and sellers receive support at all times.
What Clients Can Expect & Benefit From
It might be alarming to some of your clients if they feel you aren’t fully dedicated to the area they are looking in — we get it! However, your clients and network receive many benefits from being licensed in multiple areas.
Market Awareness: Multi-licensed agents have a stronger awareness of different market strategies and hear double the perspectives from buyers and sellers.
Industry Expertise: Multi-licensed agents need to know all the ins and outs of (very) different contracts and addenda and professional ethics for real estate.
Additional Resources: Multi-licensed agents have double the resources specific to each of their service areas, meaning they also have double the contacts to help.
For North Carolina (Asheville Area)
Reach out to Sydney Battersby!
For Northern California
Reach out to Hank Herrern!
for Southern California and Florida (Orlando Area)
Reach out to Chris Sugden!
If one of our (many) multi-state licensed Realtors® isn’t serving the area you want to buy in, we work with an expansive referral network of agents who do business like we do — by referral and with a high level of service.
