/* Interactive Image slideshow with text description By Christian Carlessi Salvadó (cocolinks@c.net.gt). Keep this notice intact. Visit http://www.dynamicdrive.com for script */ g_fPlayMode = 0; g_iimg = -1; g_imax = 0; g_ImageTable = new Array(); function ChangeImage(fFwd) { if (fFwd) { if (++g_iimg==g_imax) g_iimg=0; } else { if (g_iimg==0) g_iimg=g_imax; g_iimg--; } Update(); } function getobject(obj){ if (document.getElementById) return document.getElementById(obj) else if (document.all) return document.all[obj] } function Update(){ //getobject("_Ath_Slide").src = g_ImageTable[g_iimg][0]; getobject("_Ath_Slide").innerHTML = g_ImageTable[g_iimg][0]; getobject("_Ath_FileName").innerHTML = g_ImageTable[g_iimg][1]; getobject("_Ath_Img_X").innerHTML = g_iimg + 1; getobject("_Ath_Img_N").innerHTML = g_imax; } function Play() { g_fPlayMode = !g_fPlayMode; if (g_fPlayMode) { getobject("btnPrev").disabled = getobject("btnNext").disabled = false; Next(); } else { getobject("btnPrev").disabled = getobject("btnNext").disabled = false; } } function OnImgLoad() { } function Prev() { ChangeImage(false); } function Next() { ChangeImage(true); } ////configure below variables///////////////////////////// //configure the below images and description to your own. g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
1. Back to school, taking tests
To become a licensed real estate agent in most states, classes are required. In New Hampshire, the 40-hour courses that are sanctioned by the state cost from $295 to $349, and at least one charges an additional $85 for books. In Massachusetts, the course costs between $210 and $249. In Texas, one school charges up to $770. Most states also require more classes each year or every other year to keep the license current.

The licensing exam in New Hampshire costs $100, $75 in Louisiana and $59 in Texas.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
2. A license to sell
To receive the license after you have passed the test in New Hampshire you must pay an additional $70, which must be paid every two years to keep the license current. In Louisiana, the cost is $45 -- $35 for renewals. Montana charges $175 for licenses in even years and $87.50 in odd years. In Vermont it costs $50, in Massachusetts $93 and $100 in Minnesota.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
3. Membership costs
Once agents get their licenses many join their local, state or national associations. And some local and state groups offer memberships to the National Association of Realtors as part of their membership. In Grand Rapids, Mich., members pay $380 for local dues, $80 for state -- plus a $6 legal fund assessment and an additional $64 to join NAR. Martha Rooney, an agent in New England, pays $409 per year for all of her membership fees.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
4. The tax man cometh
Because most real estate agents operate as independent contractors, they're responsible for paying self-employment taxes. This means they fully pay their own Social Security and Medicare taxes to the tune of about 15 percent of their gross incomes. New England agent Martha Rooney grossed $75,000 last year and paid $20,000 in various taxes.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
5. Advertising and marketing
You've got to let people know you've hung your real estate shingle. Martha Rooney, an agent in New England, runs an ad in the newspaper once a month, which costs her $864 each year. She also mails out 150 recipe cards each month, which costs another $1,200 per year. Other marketing expenses include business cards, personalized "For Sale" signs and other more expensive mailers.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
6. Lockbox key fees
Martha Rooney, an agent in New England, pays $420 per year to keep her lockbox key, which allows her to enter and tour houses on the market.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
7. Insurance
Ever heard of errors and omission insurance? Well, real estate agent contracts exchange hundreds of thousands of dollars. A misplaced decimal or an omitted word can spell T-R-O-U-B-L-E. Martha Rooney, an agent in New England, pays $250 per year for her insurance. Anthony Marguleas, a Los Angeles broker and owner of Amalfi Estates, says some firms charge $1,500 to $2,000 upfront for errors and omission insurance, while his company takes out part of the cost from the commission on each sale the agent makes. Like all self-employed people, most agents must pay for their own health insurance or be included on a spouse's plan.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
8. Car costs
Real estate agents spend many hours in their cars driving clients around to look at houses. Martha Rooney, an agent in New England, says you must keep your car clean, in good repair and full of gas, plus pay for additional auto insurance. Last year she spent about $2,500 on gas alone. And don't forget about tolls.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
9. Technology
You can't do business without a computer and business software these days. Also many agents have their own Web sites, Internet access at home, digital cameras to snap photos of houses and PDAs to stay in touch. Some install navigation systems in their cars so they're never lost while house hunting.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
10. Cell phone
Clients searching for their first home or dream home often need to reach their agent at night or on weekends. Martha Rooney, an agent in New England, pays about $600 each year for her mobile phone plan.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
11. A penny saved
Like other independent contractors, real estate agents must fully fund their own retirement plans. Martha Rooney, an agent in New England, puts away 30 percent of her earnings for retirement.
"); g_ImageTable[g_imax++] = new Array ("", "
12. Home office costs
The National Association of Realtors says more than 70 percent of its members have offices in their homes. Office setup may include an additional telephone line, fax machine, desk, chair, photocopier, paper shredder, filing system and more. Martha Rooney, an agent in New England, spends $1,200 each year on her home office telephone line and high-speed Internet connection.
"); //extend the above list as desired g_dwTimeOutSec=1 ////End configuration///////////////////////////// if (document.getElementById||document.all) window.onload=Play