Hiring Real Estate Agents

---

Why Should I Be A Real Estate Agent?

• Be Your Own Boss! As an Independent Contractor you retain control over your own schedule and number of hours and days worked, jobs accepted, and the performance of your job.
• Minimal Training Time Required for Licensure! Unlike many other professions, a License to practice Real Estate in the State of South Carolina can be obtained within a matter of weeks.
• Make Your Own Schedule! Flexible hours and work days to accommodate you and/or your fam-ily’s needs.
• The potential for UNLIMITED INCOME!
• The SATISFACTION of knowing that you assisted someone in achieving the “American Dream” of home ownership.

The Benefits of Being a Real Estate Agent at The Mather Company

1. The company has prime location on Devine Street with over 20,000 drive by’s a day. Agent’s name and phone number will receive free exposure outside the office several times a year
2. The company will provide agents with multiple leads throughout the year
3. 24 hour Broker in-charge assistance
4. Administrative assistance during company business hours
5. A professional photographer is available to take pictures of each listing, free of charge to the agent
6. A videographer is available to film each listing, as well as create a video walk through complete with music which will be made available on DVD and online, free of charge to the agent
7. Agent’s listings will receive exposure on the front page of the company website, and each listing will have its own unique page on the website, which will include a description, pictures, the walk through video, and the agent’s contact information
8. Agents will have a personal page on the website which will include agent’s picture, contact information and listings
9. Mileage trackers will be made available to agents to help agents track their miles for tax deductions
10. iPads will be available for agents to borrow to assist in listing presentations
11. After an agent’s first 6 months with the company, The Mather Company will take out an ad in The State newspaper featuring the agent
12. A designer is available to design flyers, brochures, signs, etc
13. Company will provide agents with name riders
14. Unlimited access to office supplies and printer
15. Free 24/7 access to internet, computers, phones and private offices/boardrooms
16. Opportunity for new agents to shadow experienced agents

What Does it Take to Become a Real Estate Agent?

Start a New Career by Getting Your South Carolina Real Estate License
Real estate licenses in South Carolina are issued and regulated by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. The department is responsible for ensuring that the steps are completed before a South Carolina real estate license is issued. The department also monitors the completion of required continuing education and other requirements for license renewal.

Pre-Licensing Course
South Carolina requires that all real estate license applicants complete a pre-licensing exam course. The course must be at least 60 hours long and is only valid when taken from an approved school. The purpose of the course is to prepare the student for the licensing exam. Courses are often offered outside of normal work hours, though students should expect to have to study outside of the classroom.

PSI Exam
The company PSI currently holds the contract to give the real estate license exam in South Carolina. hence the nickname “PSI exam.” The exam is composed of two parts. One is specific to South Carolina real estate laws and the other is a general real estate section. The pre-licensing course will cover all of the information that will be on the exam. Many schools offer a practice exam so students can be sure they are ready to take the PSI exam.

Provisional License
Once the applicant passes the PSI exam, she is issued a provisional real estate license. With a provisional license, the applicant is considered a real estate agent. However, the agent must find a real estate broker to work with until his license is upgraded. A “broker in charge” is not the same as a broker. The broker in charge is a person charged with overseeing provisional licensees.

Salesperson License
A provisional license is only valid for one year. During that time, the agent is expected to upgrade her license to a salesperson license. To do so, 30 hours of post-licensing education from an approved school is required. There is no minimum waiting period before pursuing the 30-hour requirement; some agents will take the additional courses immediately after passing the PSI exam.

License Renewal
Salesperson licenses must be renewed every two years. The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation requires renewal of licenses in every even-numbered year. To qualify, agents must have taken a minimum of eight hours of continuing education from an approved school. The exception to this is the first time a real estate agent renews his license, when the 30 hours of continuing education for the upgrade to a salesperson license will satisfy the requirement.

Are You Military?
MyCAA Military Spouse Career Advancement Accounts can provide up to $4,000 of Financial Assistance for military spouses. For more information, visit this link.

Where Can I Take My Classes?

The following are three schools located in Columbia, SC that are accredited Real Estate schools:

1. South Carolina Real Estate School for Success
   www.RealEstateSchoolForSuccess.com
   Phone: (803) 807-9152
   288 Saint Andrews Road Columbia, Columbia, SC 29210
   info@realestateschoolforsuccess.com
   A Veterans & “MyCAA” accredited Training Program (Visit this link for more information)
   Enter Promo Code “MATHER” for 15% OFF
2. Real Estate School of South Carolina
   www.RealEstateSchoolofSC.com
   Phone : (803) 791-3800
   101 Medical Circle Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169 (across from Lexington Medical Center)
   reschoolofsc@bellsouth.net
   A Veterans & “MyCAA” accredited Training Program (Visit this link for more information)
3. Midlands Technical College
   www.MTCTraining.com
   Phone: (803) 732-0432
   ce@midlandstech.edu

---

If you are interested in talking with us more about becoming an agent here, please contact Charlie Mather at 803.622.9480 or via Charlie@CharlieMather.com. You can also contact Charlie by filling out the following form: