Jacqueline Kyo Thomas
New Hampshire is a great state that offers a promising future for anyone interested in becoming a real estate agent. If you’ve always wanted to be an agent, there are a lot of reasons to get licensed to sell real estate in New Hampshire.
In this article, we’ll dive into the many benefits you’ll gain from pursuing your New Hampshire real estate license. We’ll also give you a step-by-step guide to do it. Plus, we’ll share a great strategy, known as real estate reciprocity, for becoming a New Hampshire real estate agent.
Let’s get started.
What are the Benefits of Becoming a Real Estate Agent in New Hampshire?
Why should you become a real estate agent in New Hampshire? Let’s break this answer down into two sections. In this first section, we’ll discuss the general benefits of becoming an agent. Then, we’ll look at the reasons to do so in New Hampshire specifically.
The General Benefits of Becoming a Real Estate Agent
There are many benefits you’ll gain from becoming a licensed agent. Here are a few of the biggest reasons to pursue this career:
1. Flexible schedule One of the greatest benefits of becoming a real estate agent is that you get to choose your own schedule. You don’t have to obey the 9-5 work schedule. You’ll have a lot of variety in your work days because you’ll work at a time that’s mutually convenient for both you and your clients.
2. Earn what you produce Real estate isn't a punch the clock industry. You are paid - or not paid - based on how much you produce. In New Hampshire the average real estate agent makes between $47,000 to $150,000 per year. That huge range is because agent pay is entirely based on performance. The more you sell, the more you earn. This is either a pro or a con depending on what you're looking for in a career. It means that you don't need to deal with office politics or wait for an annual raise to earn more money, but it also means that you can't just show up and get paid like you might be able to in other jobs. If you want to take it easy at work you may want to consider another career path, but if you're entrepreneurial and willing to work hard then the sky is the limit.
3. Build relationships with clients Are you a people person? Real estate is where the people are. You’ll deal with a wide variety of people when working in real estate. If you enjoy building life-long connections with others, real estate will give you the perfect opportunity to do so. Plus, in real estate, your network is your net worth. Your future ability to make new connections and sales will depend on your network.
4. Learn about the local real estate market Some of us are naturally drawn to real estate. If you love architecture, interior design, construction, historic neighborhoods, and more, you’ll likely enjoy being a real estate agent. As an agent, you’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in all things real estate. You’ll get a chance to dive into the mechanisms of the local real estate market, and be able to analyze why certain properties sell for the price that they do.
5. Chance to be your own boss As a real estate agent you’re ultimately your own boss. While all agents in New Hampshire must operate under a brokerage, you are also running your own real estate business and are paid based on your individual performance. That typically means that you make your own hours, you set your pace, and you decide what you want to do on a daily basis.
6. Continuous learning and development Real estate is not a career to grow stagnant in. Many of the tactics that worked 10 years ago don’t work now, especially when it comes to marketing yourself or your properties. When you jump into real estate, expect to spend the rest of your career evolving into an upgraded version of yourself. You’ll need to spend time learning new marketing tactics, analyzing trends, and staying updated with the latest laws and regulations in your area. This is exciting for people who enjoy challenging themselves.
7. Chance to help people find their dream homes It’s so satisfying when you can help people achieve a goal. Whether that goal is to buy their first home, buy their dream home, sell their home for top dollar, or locate the ideal piece of property to start building a homestead, you can play a role in their life story. As a real estate agent, you will get the satisfaction of helping others.
Additional, New Hampshire-Specific Benefits
So, why choose to become a licensed real estate agent in New Hampshire? New Hampshire offers a few winning reasons that make it the perfect home for your real estate business.
1. New Hampshire has a strong economy In 2022, New Hampshire ranked as one of the strongest economies in the country. It has a healthy GDP growth rate and a low unemployment rate. In fact, it's the fifth-best economy in America, ranking behind Washington, Utah, California, and Massachusetts.
2. Lower cost of living In comparison to other New England states, New Hampshire has a relatively low cost of living. This means your income will stretch further in New Hampshire if you choose to live here. This lower cost of living also attracts prospective homebuyers from nearby states.
3. Low crime rate New Hampshire has one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. In fact, New Hampshire regularly ranks as one of US News's safest states in the country.
4. New Hampshire has no sales or income tax Speaking of attractive incentives, New Hampshire doesn’t require its residents to pay sales or income tax. By living and/or working in New Hampshire, you can save thousands of dollars annually.
5. Growing housing market New Hampshire’s housing market is growing, and expected to remain strong for the foreseeable future. From 2021 to 2022, the median sale price for New Hampshire homes increased by 11%.
6. New Hampshire is home to many large businesses There’s a lot of economic activity in New Hampshire because it’s home to a plethora of businesses, both small and multinational. Some of the biggest companies in New Hampshire include BAE Systems, GE Aviation, Oracle, Nanotech, Texas Instruments, and Velcro USA.
There are plenty of opportunities for real estate agents to specialize in certain areas, such as commercial real estate or residential real estate.
7. New Hampshire is a beautiful state This one is subjective, but New Hampshire is among the most beautiful states in the country. From the picturesque White Mountain National Forest to sandy beaches on the southeastern shore, New Hampshire offers New England charm, spectacular views, recreation, and relaxation. You may find it easy to sell New Hampshire because it is postcard-worthy.
How do You Become a Real Estate Agent in New Hampshire?
Ready to become a licensed real estate agent in New Hampshire? Here are the steps required to start your career. And keep reading for a cool, new strategy to get licensed in New Hampshire known as real estate license reciprocity.
- Be 18 years old
- Have a valid social security number
- Take the required pre-licensure course from a state-approved real estate school
- Apply to take the state exam
- Pass the state exam
- Find a New Hampshire real estate broker to sponsor your license application
- Apply and pay for your license
- Get your license
Have You Heard About Real Estate License Reciprocity?
The New Hampshire Real Estate Commission has reciprocity agreements with every state in the country.
Real estate reciprocity means that a real estate license you earned from one state can be transferred and used in another state. This is huge because it means that you won't need to take the required pre-licensure classes or re-take the national portion of the real estate licensing exam. Instead of taking the whole exam, you'll only need to take and pass the state portion of the New Hampshire licensing exam.
What are the requirements to apply for New Hampshire reciprocity? You must have an active license and have successfully passed the full license exam.
If you meet these qualifications, these are the steps to applying for New Hampshire reciprocity:
- Get a Certificate of Good Standing from your state licensing authority
- Pass the state portion of the New Hampshire real estate licensing exam
- Pass and apply for your license within six months of passing the New Hampshire state portion of the exam
- Pay the necessary fees and get your license
Need a study plan? We offer a New Hampshire Reciprocal Study Plan here.
Final Thoughts
Should you become a real estate agent in New Hampshire? There are a lot of great reasons to do so, especially when you consider that New Hampshire recognizes all state real estate licenses for reciprocity. If you’re already licensed in another state, becoming a New Hampshire agent is an easy win and will open you up to all of the benefits that New Hampshire has to offer.
Get started on your path to becoming a licensed New Hampshire real estate agent here.