As a Realtor many people think I have it made, sell a house and collect the money, easy right. What most folks don't know is the hours and hours of school as well as the necessity of passing the end of exam test before being afforded the certificate necessary to take the state test. Did I mention the Real estate exam is a computerized test with an average pass rate of 38% on the first try? After passing the state exam and paying the test fee (before the exam of course) there's the MLS fee's, the county association fees to join and the national association realtor fees. OK we have that done and with the exception of the test fees those are yearly fees. Now as a licensed realtor with my dues paid I need to have a broker to work for. Depending on the company you work for the fees can be from $350 a month down to $50 a month plus anywhere from 10% to 90% of all commissions earned. With the addition of a website, advertising, fee's, etc, the average realtor spends $500 to $800 a month ( this could be more or less ) to stay in business before any sale. A normal closing takes about two months in today's market if the home is to be financed. That's between a $1000 and $1600 before closing in fee's then the Broker takes his share of the sale commission. You can see where I am going with this. I often joke that this is a life style not a job unless you have more than one closing a month there is no money left over. Why do I continue as a realtor ? because I love what I do! The expression on a first time home buyers face when you hand them the keys is priceless. In today's economy home sales is a tough business so please be tolerant and respect your chosen realtor. Stick with him or her and remember they do not receive a dime unless your transaction (home purchase ) closes. In today's tough economic times Realtors often require a prospective home buyer be pre-qualified by a lender before showing homes, please do not be offended it's just a sign of the times.