This post will go into the many aspects of why the real estate profession is a very coveted career, the ways to become a real estate agent in Texas, and the role of the Texas real estate course in the process.
So, let us start with why becoming a Texas real estate agent is a preferred career option.
First, you are not bound by a 9-6 job, rather you fix your own schedules to work, thus having a perfect work-life balance and getting to spend quality time with friends and family. However, be prepared to work on weekends and holidays as clients may want showings at that time.
The income from a real estate career is quite substantial. Those dedicated to the job are easy six-figure earners. Let’s take an example. Real estate professionals earn commission on sales, usually 6% of the sale price of a property to be shared between the buyer’s and the seller’s agents. So if you take the median home prices in Texas to be about $450k, one deal at 3% will fetch you around $13.5k, and there will be so many in a year.
Now that you know why you should become a real estate agent in Texas, let us investigate how to become one along with all details of the Texas real estate course.
Steps to Become A Real Estate Agent In Texas
The process here will be divided into two parts. One is the basic requirements and the other is the mandatory requirements as decided by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). The TREC is a body that controls the real estate sector in Texas, laying down the curriculum of the Texas real estate course and issuing and renewing real estate licenses in the state.
Basic requirements
To apply for a real estate license in Texas, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a social security number. Aliens who have been legally admitted into the country and have been granted working rights can also apply for a real estate license. On the educational front, a high school pass, GED, or equivalent is required.
Mandatory requirements
This whole section is decided by the TREC and we will go through each step in detail.
# Complete the 180 hours of the Texas real estate course. This has been made mandatory by TREC because the coursework gives aspiring real estate agents the foundation to have a very successful career. As we shall see from the subjects, the course gives in-depth knowledge about the principles and best practices that govern the real estate industry. The agents can, therefore, offer optimized services to their clients in the future.
The 180-hour Texas real estate course is divided into six sections of 30 hours each. You can go through the topics in any order. The course consists of:
- Principles of Real Estate I (30 hours)
- Principles of Real Estate II (30 hours)
- Law of Agency (30 hours)
- Law of Contracts (30 hours)
- Promulgated Contracts ((30 hours)
- Real Estate Finance ((30 hours)
As you can see, it is a very comprehensive course covering all the aspects of the real estate sector.
There are certain things to keep in mind before selecting a provider offering a Texas real estate course.
First, check whether the course provider is approved by the TREC. Visit their portal to check the full list and select one from it. This is important as going through 180 hours of TREC-approved course will only count towards fulfilling the eligibility norm to appear for the licensing exam.
Next, decide whether you want to go through a classroom-based course or an online one. Let us compare the benefits of the two.
In a classroom setting, you are bound by fixed coaching hours. Moreover, you must commute to school every day which apart from the time spent is a drain on your resources. On the other hand, online courses can be downloaded onto any Internet-enabled device such as a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, or a mobile. You can thus study at any time, even on the go. Your study hours can be scheduled without upsetting your daily routine.
You must also select a course provider that has a good success rate among students. One of the top TREC-approved online Texas real estate course providers is RealEstateU. Their courses are designed by leading experts in this field and are hence of the highest quality.
# Submit your fingerprints electronically for verification of any past criminal records. Real estate professionals must have good moral standards and high ethics and any record of a felony will disqualify them from applying for a real estate license in Texas.
# Visit the TREC website to schedule a licensing exam. The fee for sitting for the test is $43. Select a designated center to appear for the test and be physically present there. The test though is an online one.
# Crack the licensing exam which has multiple-choice format questions. There are two sections – a national section covering the real estate rules generic to the country as a whole and a state-specific section related only to the real estate principles and practices in Texas. The minimum passing grade is 75% and the results in pass/fail mode are announced immediately after the exam since it is held online.
# After passing the exam, apply for a real estate license on the portal of TREC. The application fee, valid for two years is $185. Along with the application, upload proof of having completed 180 hours of pre-licensing education and the fingerprint clearance certificate.
# Find a broker to sponsor you. Inform this status to TREC.
You will now be issued an active real estate license in Texas.