Do Realtors need a special license to operate in wilmington (Middletown: sales, real estate)

[polski4u]

I recently had an agent tell me that he is unable to show a house in wilmington because he doesn't have a special license to operate there. He said the license costs too much to make it worth his while to operate within the city. Can anyone confirm if there really is a really expensive special license or if it's just an excuse?

[Rakin]

Sounds like they are BS'ing you. Usually a license is issued by the state and good state wide.
They probably are not a member of that MLS system and do not have access to listings and lockboxes which would cost money for him to join.

Just an educated guess based on most areas or states.

[SXMGirl]

I do believe that realtors need a special license to sell in the city of Wilmington.

[FirstStater]

Many municipalities require realtors to hold a license in their municipality. The City of Wilmington is one; Town of Elsmere; Town of Middletown, Dewey Beach, Rehoboth Beach, etc. It can be costly for a realtor who does business in all these towns to pay those license fees on a yearly basis. It can add up.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by polski4u

I recently had an agent tell me that he is unable to show a house in wilmington because he doesn't have a special license to operate there. He said the license costs too much to make it worth his while to operate within the city. Can anyone confirm if there really is a really expensive special license or if it's just an excuse?

Totally true, without question. I hold a professional State of Delaware license (not a Realtor's) and almost every town/city has their own license requirements. I have a State license, plus licenses in a few towns. I also refuse jobs if I'm not licensed in that specific town/city. It's not worth it. Middletown's license, I believe for my profession, is $175/year. I can't afford to pay all those license fees. Everybody wants a piece of the pie and that's what drives my fee up. Stop and think - plumbers, electricians, Realtors, home improvement companies, appraisers, home inspectors, painters, .....They get lots of license fees from everybody.

[polski4u]

Originally Posted by rdlr

Totally true, without question. I hold a professional State of Delaware license (not a Realtor's) and almost every town/city has their own license requirements. I have a State license, plus licenses in a few towns. I also refuse jobs if I'm not licensed in that specific town/city. It's not worth it. Middletown's license, I believe for my profession, is $175/year. I can't afford to pay all those license fees. Everybody wants a piece of the pie and that's what drives my fee up. Stop and think - plumbers, electricians, Realtors, home improvement companies, appraisers, home inspectors, painters, .....They get lots of license fees from everybody.

Agreed, but Middletown is much more to the rural end and it is further away from the commercial centers. Wilmington is a city and commercial center. If a realtor claims to be working in northern delaware, they should at least get licensed in the big areas, since that is where the bulk of sales will be.

[longnecker]

Originally Posted by polski4u

Agreed, but Middletown is much more to the rural end and it is further away from the commercial centers. Wilmington is a city and commercial center. If a realtor claims to be working in northern delaware, they should at least get licensed in the big areas, since that is where the bulk of sales will be.

MOST of the state is not with in the town/city limits of any town. Town licences are not required in unincorporated areas.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by longnecker

MOST of the state is not with in the town/city limits of any town. Town licences are not required in unincorporated areas.

Very true. I'd say half of my work is within cities/towns. I have a State of Delaware professional license, then about 6 licenses in various towns. I stopped working in New Castle County because of the costs involved. I narrowed it down to where I do the most work. 2-3 jobs a year in Middletown was not cost effective for me.

[polski4u]

Originally Posted by longnecker

MOST of the state is not with in the town/city limits of any town. Town licences are not required in unincorporated areas.

I agree, most of the state isn't in unincorporated areas. But Wilmington is the urban hub of New castle county. The volume of real estate there is very high, since it's a city. If realtors want to cross off other small towns from their list, then that's entirely understandable. But to claim to cover the county and cross off the urban hub of the area doesn't make sense.

Originally Posted by rdlr

Very true. I'd say half of my work is within cities/towns. I have a State of Delaware professional license, then about 6 licenses in various towns. I stopped working in New Castle County because of the costs involved. I narrowed it down to where I do the most work. 2-3 jobs a year in Middletown was not cost effective for me.

What you are saying makes perfect sense. There is no reason to have a license in a low volume area. However, Wilmington is not a low volume area. This is just my opinion, but I don't think that realtor should even bother with the county if a Wilmington license isn't on the table.

[longnecker]

Realtors are independent commissioned sales people. Should they not have the right to work where they are comfortable and feel they can make the most money??