Business

5 Helpful Tips for Getting Started in Real Estate

Published

6 years ago

September 23, 2020

Not everyone is cut out for a career in real estate. However, for those who want flexibility, freedom, high income earning potential, and the ability to perform meaningful work on a daily basis, real estate is the perfect landing spot. Here are a few helpful tips you can use to get started:

Attend Online Real Estate School

Before you start your career as a real estate agent in Dayton Ohio, you have to get licensed. And in order to obtain your license, you have to follow the steps outlined by your state’s real estate commission.

All states have nuances, but the general requirements are the same across the board. You’ll need to take a real estate license course to prepare yourself for the required exams. Thankfully, you can take your 75-hour course online. (Some states require lengthier courses, so do your research to find out what you need to do in order to sit for the exams.)

Pass Both Exams

The next step is to pass your exams. This includes both the state and national exam.

The state portion of the test will evaluate your knowledge on specific regulations and laws in your state. Most state exams require you to answer 30 out of 40 questions correctly to pass.

The national exam is standardized. It covers a variety of topics, including fundamentals of real estate law, real estate contracts, agency law, appraisals, mortgages and finance, taxation, real estate mathematics, federal laws affecting real estate, etc. There are typically around 80 to 100 questions on this portion of the exam.

Find the Ideal Broker

Once you pass the exam and you have your license, you need to choose a broker. And this is where many new agents get tripped up.

“Too many new real estate agents think a real estate broker choice is primarily based on commission splits,” real estate professional James Kimmons writes. “It’s not all about the split, as the final in-your-pocket income has to do with many variable services provided by brokers.”

In addition to commission splits, you need to think about how you’ll obtain leads, what marketing and advertising expenses are covered, what the office costs are, mentoring and training, and your level of comfort with the broker (and other agents).

While a broker isn’t technically your boss, he or she can make or break your success early on in your real estate career. Take your time and choose wisely!

Build Your Network

Success in real estate is all about networking. While you might get lucky and find a broker who occasionally tosses you a lead or two, you’ll typically be responsible for bringing in all of your own clients. And the bigger your network the better.

Use every opportunity in your work and personal life as a networking opportunity. Whether it’s neighbors, friends, family, past work colleagues, or the parents of your child’s friends – the wider you cast your net, the more potential there is for success.

Wow Your Clients

Once you earn a client’s business, you need to do everything within your power to multiply it. And the way you do this is by wowing them to where they can’t help but refer you to their network of friends and family. But be strategic in how you do this.

“All too often, real estate agents try to impress their clients by using fancy terms or information which can end up making their clients feel uncomfortable,” Mashvisor mentions. “While it’s important to show that you’re knowledgeable and an expert in the real estate market, this alone is not enough. There are tons of other agents out there, so why should they pick you?”

At the end of the day, it’s all about building trust and coming across as authentic. People want to do business with people who they perceive as both knowledgeable and caring. There are plenty of knowledgeable agents, so set yourself apart by adding a human touch.

Build Your Real Estate Business

When you break it down into five simple steps, it makes the process of building a career in real estate sound easy. And while it’s definitely not easy, you don’t have to make it more complicated than it is. By following the path that others have already discovered, you can set yourself up to be successful for many years to come.

Business

Click for Counsel: YesLawyer Wants to Make Lawyers as Accessible as Wi-Fi

Published

5 days ago

April 1, 2026

Matthew Wiles

Photo Courtesy of: YesLawyer

Byline: Andi Stark

For many people facing a legal problem, the most difficult part is not understanding their rights but finding a lawyer willing to speak with them in the first place. Long wait times, unclear pricing, and administrative hurdles often delay even the most basic consultations. YesLawyer, an AI-enabled plaintiff firm operating across all 50 states, is testing whether technology can shorten that gap.

Founded in 2024 by 25-year-old entrepreneur Rob Epstein, the platform offers free intake, automated screening, and, in many cases, same-day conversations with licensed attorneys. The idea is simple: reduce the friction between a client’s first request for help and an actual legal discussion. In this interview, Epstein explains how the system works, where artificial intelligence fits into the process, and what problems the company is trying to address in the broader legal system

Q: When you say you want lawyers to be “as accessible as Wi-Fi,” what does that mean in practical terms?

A: It’s a way of describing speed and availability. Someone dealing with a workplace dispute, a serious injury, or an immigration issue should be able to move from an online form or phone call to a real conversation with counsel in hours, not weeks. YesLawyer is structured so that a client begins with a free case evaluation, goes through automated conflict checks and basic screening, and, in many instances, speaks with a lawyer the same day.

Q: How does the process work once someone contacts the platform?

A: We use a structured workflow. It starts with a short questionnaire and an initial conversation to capture basic facts. That information feeds into conflict checks and internal review. The system then proposes a match with a licensed attorney and provides a calendar link for a virtual consultation, often within 24 hours. After the meeting, the client receives a written legal plan outlining next steps, deadlines, and estimated fees.

Q: Where does artificial intelligence fit into that process, and where does it stop?

A: AI is used for organizing and routing information, not for giving legal advice. It helps with conflict checks at scale, case categorization, and structured summaries so attorneys can focus on the substance of the matter. Every consultation is conducted by a licensed lawyer, and all decisions about strategy or next steps are made by humans.

Q: What problem is this model trying to solve in the current legal system?

A: Delay and cost are still major barriers. Many civil plaintiffs face long waits just to get a first appointment, along with high retainers and hourly billing that make early legal advice risky. We try to respond with faster consultations, flat-fee options, and financing. The idea is to remove administrative friction so lawyers spend less time on logistics and more time speaking with clients.

Q: Some critics say platforms like this blur the line between a technology company and a law firm. How do you describe YesLawyer?

A: We describe ourselves as a national, AI-enabled plaintiff firm that connects clients with independent attorneys. That structure does raise regulatory questions, especially around responsibility and oversight. We focus on licensing verification, attorney-written case plans, and clear communication about fees and services.

Q: You’ve said the main bottleneck is “systems” rather than people. What do you mean by that?

A: The issue isn’t that lawyers don’t want to help more people. It’s that the systems around them make it hard to scale their time. Intake, scheduling, and document handling take hours. Automating those parts means attorneys can handle more matters without being overwhelmed by repetitive tasks.

Q: Does this model risk favoring only the most profitable cases?

A: That’s a real concern in legal technology. Automation often works best for repeatable, high-volume disputes. Our view is that lowering administrative cost can actually make it easier to take on smaller or more complex cases that might otherwise be turned away. Whether that holds over time depends on the data.

Measuring Impact Over Time

YesLawyer’s attempt to compress the timeline between inquiry and consultation reflects broader changes in how legal services are being delivered. As artificial intelligence becomes more common in administrative work, firms are experimenting with new ways to reduce wait times and clarify costs.

The company’s early growth suggests that many clients value faster access to an initial conversation, even before considering long-term representation. Whether this platform-based model becomes widely adopted or remains one of several emerging approaches will depend on regulatory developments, lawyer participation, and measurable outcomes for clients. For now, YesLawyer’s experiment highlights a central question in modern legal practice: how quickly can help realistically be made available to the people who need it.