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Why I chose to become a real estate agent
What went through my mind before taking the leap.
My path to a New Jersey license
Real Estate from scratch
Step by step, I share how I got my real estate license in New Jersey: what went through my mind, how I decided and the obstacles I faced along the way, starting with the language. So you can start your own path too.
@vanessavalle_realtornj
Why I'm sharing this
I started from scratch, in another country and in another language.
When I decided to become a real estate agent in the United States, I didn't have a map. I had to research, ask, make mistakes and try again, all while learning the vocabulary of a new profession in English.
Today I'm a Realtor® in New Jersey, and I want to share that path just as it was: what worked, what didn't, and what I wish I had known sooner.
“If I could do it, so can you. And you don't have to do it alone.”
What the series covers
The languageStudying legal and technical terms in English.
The decisionWhat went through my mind and why I chose real estate.
Time and familyBalancing study with work and home.
The examHow I prepared and handled the nerves.
Choosing a school and brokerWhat I looked at before deciding.
Starting without contactsMy first steps as an agent.
The TikTok series
My path, episode by episode
A new chapter every week. Watch them here or follow me on TikTok so you don't miss any.
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The requirements and how I got organized
What you need to start and how I built my plan.
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Studying in another language
My biggest obstacle and what helped me overcome it.
04
Exam day
How I prepared and what it was like.
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Fingerprints, background check and my broker
The steps after the exam.
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My first months as an agent
What I learned when I started working.
The official steps
How to get a Salesperson license in New Jersey
A simple summary based on public information from the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI). Always verify the details with the official source.
Meet the basic requirements
Be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED). The Commission also evaluates each applicant's honesty and character.
Complete the 75-hour course
It's taken at a school licensed by the New Jersey Real Estate Commission and ends with a school final exam.
Pass the state exam
It's administered by the state's official exam provider (PSI). Write down the date you finished your course: deadlines count from there.
Fingerprints and background check
After the exam, you complete fingerprinting and a background check using the information on your score report.
Choose a broker and apply for your license
The license is applied for through a sponsoring broker, within one year of completing your course.
Keep your license active
The license lasts two years. To renew it, you need to complete continuing education.
Free · PDF
Download my checklist: Real Estate from scratch
The steps I followed, organized on a single page so you can track your progress.
- 5 phases, from the decision to your first 90 days
- Dates and deadlines you shouldn't forget
- My tips for studying in another language
Real Expectations Coaching · One-on-one
I don't sell you a course. I give you real expectations.
Some people promise quick success if you buy their course. I don't. Before you spend hundreds of dollars on the course, exam, license and memberships, plus months of study, I'll show you, with complete honesty, what can benefit you and what won't about being an active agent in New Jersey.
My only goal: that you make the best decision for you, even if that decision is not to become an agent.
“I'd rather you not get the license than get it with false expectations.”
What others promise vs. what I give you
No filters, no course sales and no promises of instant success.
What you're often promised
Real expectations
"Make money fast and easy"
Commission income that varies and can take time to arrive
"Buy my course and you'll succeed"
I don't sell courses: I help you decide whether taking one is right for you
"Anyone can do it"
We look at whether it fits your life, time, language and finances
"They only show you the good side"
Pros and cons, told by someone who lived it
"Getting licensed is the goal"
The license is just the start: being an agent means running your own business
It's for you if…
- You're thinking about becoming an agent but aren't sure it's for you
- You're worried about studying and working in English
- You have a job or family and want to know if you'll have the time
- You don't want to lose money on a course you won't use
The truths we'll talk about
- What benefits you and what doesn't about being an active agent
- The real costs: course, exam, license, memberships, marketing and continuing education
- How agents really earn: commissions, no fixed salary
- How long your first sale may take
- Why choosing the right broker matters
- The language: how I handled it
- Alternatives if you decide it's not for you
What you'll take away
- Clarity to decide: yes, no or not yet
- Your next steps, if you decide to move forward
- Honest answers to your questions
- My "Real Estate from scratch" checklist
This coaching is not for you if…
- You want to get rich quickly or without effort
- You only want to hear what you want to hear
- You're looking for a course to pass the exam (that's what approved schools are for)
How does it work?
- Message me on WhatsApp: the first 10 minutes are free, to see if coaching is right for you.
- We choose a day and time.
- You pay by Zelle, BCP or PayPal; your session is confirmed once payment is received.
- We meet by video call and talk about your situation.
Real Expectations Coaching
Is real estate right for you?
$100 USD
- 60-minute session by video call
- In Spanish
- First 10 minutes on WhatsApp, free
Payments by Zelle, BCP or PayPal. I'll send you the details on WhatsApp when we confirm.
Is this a class or a pre-licensing course?
No. It's a guidance conversation based on my experience. The official 75-hour course is taken at a school approved by the New Jersey Real Estate Commission.
Is it useful if I've already started the course?
Yes. It helps you get organized, handle the language and think about your first steps as an agent.
Will you sell me a course at the end?
No. If you decide to move forward, I'll explain the official steps and you freely choose your school. My job is to give you clarity, not to sell you anything else.
Do you guarantee I'll pass the exam or succeed?
No. Coaching gives you honest information and clarity to decide; results depend on your effort and your situation.