Have you ever dreamed of a career that offers the potential for six-figure earnings, flexible hours, and the opportunity to help others make one of the biggest decisions of their lives? Becoming a real estate agent in Canada might be the perfect fit for you. But before you jump in, it’s essential to understand the steps, requirements, and initial costs involved in starting your career.
Whether you’re just exploring your options or ready to take the plunge, this guide breaks it all down for you—from meeting the basic requirements to landing your first client.
Reasons to Become a Real Estate Agent in 2025
Real estate continues to be a lucrative and rewarding profession for many reasons. Here’s why it’s worth considering this career path in 2025:
- Uncapped Earning Potential: With the right mindset and strong work ethic, there’s no ceiling on your income. According to labor market reports, top-performing real estate agents in Canada can bring in $178,000 or more per year, while those earning at the average level still enjoy a stable and sustainable income.
- Flexibility: Real estate agents have control over their schedules, the ability to work remotely, and a level of autonomy that is rare in many other careers.
- Opportunities for Growth: Advances in real estate technology, such as virtual staging and AI-powered customer tools, have created new ways for agents to stand out and succeed.
- No Advanced Degree Required: All you need is a high school diploma and a real estate license to begin.
While some agents in Ontario may work part-time, the real estate industry is generally considered a full-time profession, and it is competitive. Many agents work long hours and need to be available to clients on evenings and weekends. A significant portion of agents, estimated to be between 20-30%, work part-time, often balancing real estate with other jobs. However, full-time agents are often better equipped to handle the demands of the market and build strong client relationships.
Step 1: Meet the Basic Requirements
Before you can start your real estate career, you’ll need to satisfy a few prerequisites. These requirements apply across Canada, though the specifics may vary slightly by province.
- Age and Residency: You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Canada.
- Education: A high school diploma (or equivalent) is required.
- Background Check: You must pass a criminal record check, with no history of fraud or theft.
- Pre-Licensing Education: Complete a province-approved real estate course to learn the basics of contracts, ethics, and property laws.
Step 2: Enroll in a Real Estate Course
Education is the first step to starting your real estate journey, and each province has different pre-licensing course requirements that can vary in cost, length, and content. For instance, in Ontario, the pre-registration phase is about $4,140, with post-registration costing $655 (at the time of publishing- 13 July 2025). If you’re curious about the other costs involved in taking a real estate course, check out the Humber program for a full breakdown of fees.
Let’s Zoom Into Your Learning Path!
Pre-Registration Phase
Your journey toward RECO registration begins with the pre-registration phase, designed to build a solid foundation for your career. In this phase, you’ll need to complete 5 courses, 4 exams, and 2 simulation sessions. These are carefully structured to provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the real estate industry. You have 24 months to complete this phase, giving you plenty of time to learn at your own pace. Starting your real estate journey is an exciting and rewarding step forward.
Registration with RECO
Once you’ve successfully completed the pre-registration phase, you’re eligible to register with RECO (Real Estate Council of Ontario). This is your official entry into the profession, so it’s a big milestone! However, don’t delay—registration must be completed within one year of finishing the pre-registration phase. This step validates all your hard work and officially grants you the ability to start your real estate career.
Post-Registration Phase
Your learning doesn’t stop at registration—continuing education is key to staying ahead in the real estate world. To renew your RECO registration after the initial two years, you’ll need to complete the post-registration phase. This includes a mandatory compliance course to keep you informed on industry standards. You’ll have 24 months to complete this phase, along with your choice of two out of five elective courses to customize your learning experience based on your interests and career goals.
This three-step process not only prepares you for success but also ensures you remain a trusted and knowledgeable expert throughout your real estate career. It’s a journey of growth, learning, and achievement!
Step 3: Pass the Licensing Exam
Once you’ve completed your real estate course, the next step is to tackle the licensing exam. This crucial test is designed to assess your understanding of real estate principles, laws, and practices, ensuring you’re fully prepared to start your career in the industry.
Exam Basics:
- Format: Typically, multiple choice, with approximately 75 – 115 questions.
- Passing Score: Most provinces require around 75% to pass.
- Exam Focus: Topics include contracts, property law, and provincial regulations.
How to Prepare:
- Use prep books, such as Practice Pro for Ontario, to get familiar with the content.
- Take mock exams to identify weak areas and improve your confidence.
- Join online study groups on platforms like Facebook and Reddit for peer support.
Step 4: Join a Real Estate Brokerage
Congratulations, you’re now a licensed real estate agent! However, you can’t work independently yet. You must join a brokerage to gain access to valuable resources, mentorship, and clients.
How to Choose the Right Brokerage:
- Explore options like innovative tech enable real estate brokerages which provide you with tools and technologies to differentiate yourself
- Ensure the brokerage offers adequate in-person training, mentorship, administrative support, and networking opportunities.
- Visiting the brokerage to meet the managers and administrative staff is a good way to gauge their expertise and responsiveness.
- Watch for red flags, like high desk fees or a lack of formal training programs.
Step 5: Build Your Brand and Grow Your Customer Base
Now comes the exciting (and challenging!) part of building your reputation and creating a name for yourself in the real estate market. This is where your hard work, networking, and dedication will start to pay off as you establish trust with clients, learn the ins and outs of the industry, and carve out your unique space in a competitive field.
Find Your Niche:
- Focus on a specialty like luxury properties, first-time homebuyers, or commercial sites.
- Make your services irresistible by using local SEO strategies, such as creating a Google My Business profile featuring keywords like “Toronto condo realtor.”
Budget-Friendly Marketing Ideas:
- Post virtual home tours and educational content on TikTok and Instagram.
- Host free local seminars or partner with professionals, such as mortgage lenders, to network.
Leverage Technology:
- Use CRM platforms to manage leads and clients.
- Incorporate virtual staging tools to make your listings stand out online.
Is Real Estate the Right Career for You in 2025?
Real estate is a rewarding career for those who thrive under the following circumstances:
- You enjoy flexibility and self-direction.
- You’re willing to hustle for opportunities (50+ hours/week is typical for new agents).
- You’re excited about continuous learning, from mastering sales to adopting new tech.
Boost Your Real Estate Career with Expert Guidance
Starting out in real estate can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone. At Cityscape, we focus on helping aspiring agents succeed by offering personalized support, tools, and resources to build thriving careers.
Click here to book a free career consultation and start turning your dream of becoming a real estate agent into reality today!
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