fefps

[fefps]

Who Looks After the Florida DBPR Licensing?

In Florida, the real estate market is very quickly growing as more and more citizens are getting vaccinated. No one wants to miss the high flow of opportunities. That’s why even citizens of other states are also applying for Florida’s Real Estate Licensing. To understand all the details correctly, let us go step by step otherwise there can be a lot of confusion. 

Who controls the licensing portion in Florida?

Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) controls the licensing portion in Florida. The initial portion is only managed by the DBPR, for the rest of the process, there are multiple sub-departments. For example, the enrolment process of candidates is managed by the DBPR, the rest of the things for real estate agents are handled by Florida Real Estate Council (FREC). Once applications are processed, Florida Law and Enforcement Department (FDLE) handles the fingerprinting portion. Moreover, it is mandatory for candidates to get the fingerprinting done by FDLE approved vendors only like FEFPS. Otherwise, the applications can be rejected. Moreover, marking the correct ORI number is also important, as ORI serves as the address to the relevant Department/Business. 

In the case of complaints, sub-departments are responsible for handling initial-level complaints. If there is any escalation, DBPR gets involved and resolves that. Now let us check the process of Florida DBPR licensing:

Understand The Requirements: The first step is     to understand or rectify the requirements. Here let us take an example of     a candidate who wants to be a Florida Real Estate Agent. Now the candidate     should first understand the requirements published by the DBPR/FREC. This     way it’ll be very easy to pursue things. The basic requirements are listed     below:

The candidate must be 18 years older

The candidate must be a U.S. citizen

There must be a good educational qualification     like a high school diploma or equivalent is required. However, as per the     employment/business, this requirement may change.

Go With the Pre-Licensing Course: In Florida,     it is important to take a 63-hour pre-licensing course. Don’t worry about     this as there are a lot of options as per the need. Before getting     enrolled in any course, it is important to check the rankings as per the     need. There are multiple websites available that may help regarding the     same. In comparison to other states, Florida is very different in terms of     support or dependency. There are many courses that can be completed     without third-party guidance. 

File Your License: This step is a     self-explanatory one. The candidate must fill the form with the correct     ORI numbers. The ORI numbers act as the virtual address of the department.     Marking incorrect ORI numbers results in rejection and the whole process     must be restarted. That’s why it is important to fill the forms carefully.     After this, take the exams and score good marks. The general cut-off     criteria are 75%. So, make sure to keep score more than this.

Submit Fingerprints for Level-2 Background     Check: After passing the tests, candidates must submit the fingerprints     electronically. For this, they must contact FDLE approved vendors like     FEFPS. This is a mandatory process for criminal history check. 

Short Description: DBPR looks after the Florida Licensing Portion. Once the level 2 background check is done and candidates are licensed, sub-departments are also there to handle the requests and complaints. After this DBPR gets involved only in escalations.

[fefps]

Why Electronic Fingerprinting Is an Important Process in Florida DBPR Licensing?

Applicants can avail of Florida DBPR Licensing Services from the Florida Department of Law and Enforcement (FDLE) approved vendors like FEFPS. Please ensure the applications are marked with correct Originating Agency Identification Numbers (ORIs) while submitting fingerprints. In case of incorrect ORI numbers, the Department of Business and Professional regulations will not accept the applications and the candidate must initiate the process again. Remember, only the applicant should be responsible for ensuring correct details to the department.

As per the official process of applying, candidates must first check the pre-requites. Accordingly, they must proceed. In most cases, the initial step is to complete the education and then pass the respective exams. Also, please ensure to meet the minimum criteria of marks so that in the future the rejection is not because of a similar issue.

Now, candidates must find FDLE approved vendors like FEFPS for availing of electronic fingerprinting services. These fingerprints are important to pass the level 2 background checks. Here, FDLE ensures on the behalf of DBPR, the candidates should not have criminal records. In case of the availability of criminal records, the applications are delayed or rejected. The governor-level approval may be required. This process is time-consuming and may consume more than a month.

FEFPS is offering offline and blended modes for recording fingerprints. Both are criteria are made available to candidates as per the residing locations. For example, Out of Florida residents must avail offline services. They must send Florida Fingerprinting cards with the impressions. FEFPS professionals are going to use these hard cards for converting fingerprints to electronic ones. For the candidates residing in Florida, they must book online appointments and then visit as per the schedule. Within 5-10 minutes, their fingerprints will be recorded using scanners. Now, these fingerprints are sent to FDLE and FDLE will forward the results to DBPR. That’s how a level 2 background check is completed.

Now let’s check the FAQ about the Fingerprints.

1. For How Long, The Fingerprinting Results Are Valid?

DBPR retains are electronic fingerprinting results for almost 12 months from the date the results are received by the FDLE. However, FDLE retains them for 180 days only. In case the fingerprints of a candidate are not available in the database or are expired then candidates must submit them again.

2. What Information is asked by the FDLE Approved Live Scan Vendor?

This information depends on the type of application and residential area. For example, if the candidate is residing in Florida, then he must fill in the details online as per appointment. Accordingly, he must show the documents regarding the profession and identity proof. The candidates residing outside Florida must submit the documents and Florida Fingerprint Cards through couriers.

3. Is There Any Provision to Use Same Fingerprints for All the Applications?

DBPR only accepts the results if they are from FDLE approved vendors. As per the rules of the FBI, fingerprints cannot be shared with another agency. Thus, if the candidate is applying for a license with any other agency, he must get them scanned as soon as possible.

[fefps]

How To Avoid A Bad Deal From Real Estate Brokers?

For selling or buying a home, the first choice of a customer is a realtor from Florida State Board Of Realtors. In Florida, there are many options to choose from. Also, the details of all the real estate agents are visible on the official website of the Florida Department of Business And Professional Regulation. This way customers can choose the best real estate agents. However, it is also true that real estate agents are there for earning money. From their perspective, the deal must be profit-centric. That’s why no one is going to offer a 100% genuine deal.

 If a customer is thinking of avoiding a realtor then he can easily avoid it. There is no legal requirement of having a realtor in the middle of a deal. Before or while choosing the brokers, consider the following things:

When choosing a broker to sell your home, interview several and ask the following questions:

What Are The Current Market Rates?

It is very important to know the current market rates. To know this there are several methods like considering multiple realtors or consulting the most recent buyer or seller. Analysing the environment is also important. For example, it is obvious due to the covid-19 pandemic, the market is down.

Ask about the commission of a realtor?

As realtors are also working for money, they want deals to be profit-centric. Thus, asking the amount they’re taking as commission gives a clear idea about the best price of the home. Here all the realtors charge commission as per the deal. Thus, another realtor may offer the same deal in less commission. 

How much time it may take to sell a home?

If a customer is interested in selling his home quickly then he’ll be offered low prices. Showing the realtor that the customer is in urgent need automatically gives him an extra chance to offer a low price. 

Now Let’s understand the two basic contracts offered by the brokers:

Exclusive right for selling: The first type of contract offers an exclusive right to sell the contract. By signing this contract, the seller is agreeing that he has to pay commission to the broker once the house is sold. Even if he is not taking the help of the broker for finding a better deal but he has to pay a commission if there is a deal. As this deal ensures the profit of brokers in almost all the scenarios, that’s why they prefer this contract.

Exclusive agency contract: The second type of contract offered is an exclusive agency contract. In this contract, the buyer can skip the commission process if he is finding buyer without the agent’s help. However, there are a few restrictions while using MLS. Agents won’t be in favour of this agreement because this reduces their chances of earning money. In case they’re signing this contract then there are two possible options i.e. they’re going to charge more commission or the services offered won’t be up to the mark.

Note: All the contracts have beginning and end dates.  Buyers can renew the contracts once they expire.

[fefps]

How To Verify A Florida Realtors License Renewal Date?

Florida licensed realtors should keep a track of license renewal date. Generally, the deadline for renewing a license is 31st March or in few cases, it is 30th September. However, to always be on time, realtors should keep checking the online portal and should start the renewal process earlier. That’s because in the last phase of renewal (in the last 7 days) many realtors are there for filing renewal applications. Thus, the process may get delay, and accordingly, delay can harm the business. Though, the respective agencies send renewal notices to the Realtors on their registered email addresses, many of them still miss the deadline. 

The expiry date of a license is also printed on the backside of the hardcopy provided to brokers. In case this copy is missed, the brokers should contact respective agencies. 

Note: Extra fees is required to reissue the hardcopies. 

How To Verify A License If The Hard Copy Is Not Available?

Well, it is very easy to verify a license for both customers and realtors if a hard copy is not available. Below are the steps given:

1. By clicking here, you’ll be redirected to the official website of DBPR. There DBPR has provided all the details to ensure maximum transparency. That’s why even customers can check the details of realtors they’re dealing with. Also, in the Complaints section, the complaints are mentioned thoroughly. 

2. Click on the button “Verify A License” at the top. This button then asks for the credentials of realtors like Name, License Number like details. Now hit the search button. This helps in fetching that respective data for the user and displays it on the screen.

3. Fill out all the applicable fields for enhanced search.

4. View Results

How To Decrease The Search Results?

Using common methodology like names for searching the name of a realtor fetches multiple results. That’s because many licensed Realtors can have the same name. Thus, it is important to know how to narrow the search results. Below are the attributes/fields which can help in narrowing the results:

1. Use Email Address

2. Mention License Type

3. License number

4. Full Name

Once the details are corrected, the update details with activation status and expiry/renewal date are displayed. In case the license is active, it’ll remain active till the activation date. In order to keep the state active, fulfil all the requirements as per the given list. Also, the list of Frequently Asked Questions is given to remove the doubts. Also, in the case of renewal, it takes 60 days to update the expiration date column. So, in case a realtor has recently renewed the License, keep patience till it gets updated.

What are the pros and cons of being a real estate agent?

• A member of a huge market: Real-estate Market is very huge. The license holders, who have good negotiation and sale skills can easily earn a fortune. 

• Duties:  A Real-Estate agent has to look after a lot of things like managing clients, offering the best prices in the Market and meeting people. 

• Promotion: As many individuals are interested in being a part of this society. The competition is increasing day By day.