Learn How To Get Your Texas Real Estate License Online Easily
Texas is one of the country’s hottest real estate markets right now. It is witnessing record demand for residential and commercial real estate
Home to popular real estate markets like Austin, Dallas and San Antonio, the Lone Star state is witnessing record demand for residential and commercial real estate.
In the last few years, housing prices in TX have increased by around 50 percent in the last five years and even the number of home sales have been growing considerably.
In addition to the strong demand for housing and residential real estate, Texas is also leading in the number of homes being constructed and the total supply of housing.
Rated as the country’s 9th highest state in terms of GDP, Texas’ economy is on a growth path and homebuyers and real estate investors are also flocking to the state.
Thanks to the relatively affordable home prices, strong economy and a positive job outlook, Texas continues to be a strong real estate market.
These trends indicate that for aspiring real estate agents and brokers, Texas could be an ideal destination to kickstart a profitable and lucrative career.
Imagine earning a six figure income annually while having the flexibility to define your working hours and choosing your own clients.
Does this sound like a professional dream come true? If yes, working as a real estate agent in Texas might just be a great career choice.
As per the Texas law, it is mandatory to obtain a real estate license to work with clients anywhere in the state and earn commission.
Without a valid license, you will not be legally allowed to assist clients in buying and selling properties and hence, getting a license is a mandatory and essential step to start a career.
As a beginner, you might be wondering how to get my real estate license in Texas easily, and what it takes to become a licensed professional.
In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of applying for a real estate license in TX, including Texas specific license requirements and other key aspects.
Understanding the job profile of a real estate agent
Many individuals who are taking their first steps into a new career from a different phase and stages of their professional lives often have numerous questions before starting.
Whether you are a complete beginner or someone switching careers, you might be curious to learn more about what a real estate agent does.
The job profile of a real estate agent is diverse as it requires you to complete a range of duties and tasks.
A real estate agent is a licensed professional who works with clients to help them buy, sell or lease properties and earn commissions in exchange for their services.
Real estate agents can represent either a seller or a buyer in a transaction and help their client achieve their goals.
There is rarely a dull moment in the life of a real estate agent as you will be managing multiple responsibilities as part of your job. Some of them are described below:
- Meet and interview with prospects and clients interested in buying or selling real estate in Texas.
- Understand the specific needs and goals requirements of prospective clients by responding to their queries and concerns.
- Evaluate the needs and requirements of clients based on your meetings and interactions.
- Help buyers search and shortlist suitable properties within their desired location and region.
- Assist sellers in setting up their property for sightings and site visits from potential buyers.
- Assist your clients through the various stages of closing a real estate deal - from shortlisting options to negotiating rates and completing the paperwork.
- Draft clear, accurate and concise drafts, deeds, terms and contracts for a real estate deal between a buyer and a seller.
- Answer client questions and clarify any doubts related to the property details, deal terms, payment plan and other concerns.
- Collaborate with mortgage brokers, home appraisers and attorneys in facilitating the real estate transaction between buyers and sellers.
- Nurture client relationships before, during and after the deal and look for referral business opportunities.
- Engage in marketing, promotion and networking opportunities on behalf of your employer to attract clients.
Note that your exact duties will depend on your employer’s discretion and your skill level and experience.
As you grow and advance in your career as a real estate agent, you can take on a more managerial and supervisory role or choose to work independently.
Before we give you the exact details on how to apply for real estate license in Texas, it is important to take a step back and understand why getting a license is crucial for success.
The need for a real estate license in Texas
Many beginners, especially first timers often wonder whether there is any practical benefit of getting a license or is it merely a mandatory regulatory requirement to be fulfilled.
Like most professions, Texas’ real estate is a regulated industry which is governed by an underlying set of pre-established state and federal laws and regulations.
As per the Texas Real Estate Commissions (TREC), real estate agents, brokers and realtors must hold a valid and active license to work with clients and perform the following tasks:
- List or update a property for the act of sale, purchase or renting
- Represent the interest of clients and consumers in a real estate dea
- Assist clients and individuals in searching, shortlisting, or visiting properties
- Negotiate the price, value, or deal terms of properties
- Prepare, approve or submit any documents, deeds or contracts
- Earn commission and income from participating in a real estate deal or transaction
This means having a valid real estate license is a must if you want to comply with the Texas license laws and federal guidelines for professionals.
Without a valid Texas real estate license, you will not be able to legally assist clients and grow your career.
Not only will your career prospects be limited, you will also have to rely on a licensed professional to earn your commissions.
Having a license is the key to unlocking growth opportunities in a dynamic and rewarding market of Texas.
Getting licensed is an essential step in achieving your professional goals, whether you want to work as a part-time or full-time agent in Texas real estate.
Beyond regulatory requirements, the most important thing you need for a real estate license is to gain the trust of potential clients who seek to rely on professionals for making decisions.
There are many licenses in the real estate industry, however, you can apply for two different types of licenses to work in TX real estate.
First is the salesperson license which will allow you to join the industry and start your career from scratch as a complete beginner.
You can work with clients and earn commissions with a salesperson license, however, you will have to work under the supervision of a senior broker in Texas.
After gaining a few years of industry experience and building your professional network, you can complete additional education and apply for a broker’s license.
In the coming sections of this article, you will learn in detail about how to get a Texas real estate license and start your career.
However, it is important to learn the numerous benefits of choosing a career in TX real estate, especially since pursuing a profession is an important life decision.
Career benefits of working as a real estate agent
Irrespective of whether you want to work as a part-time agent or build a full-time career in real estate, there are numerous advantages which make it worth putting the time and effort.
High Earning Potential
The number one reason why a career in real estate is enticing for thousands of individuals is the ability to make good money and growth opportunities.
Imagine earning a six figure income and enjoying financial independence - that is exactly what the top real estate agents in TX do for a living by making as high as $120K. m
Thanks to the lucrative commission and earning opportunities, you can build a financially lucrative and rewarding career as a real estate agent.
As a real estate agent, there is practically no limit to how much you can earn as the more deals you close, the higher will be your earning potential.
Opportunities for Professional Growth
Real estate is a constantly growing and evolving industry as people are always looking for investing in property, renting their property or moving to new cities and states.
If you have been looking for a dynamic, high-growth career, then real estate is a good choice for long-term success.
As a newly licensed agent in Texas, you can start by working with senior agents and brokerage firms to gain experience. After completing additional education and building a clientele, you can apply for a broker’s license.
With time, you will gain the experience to find your own clients and also start your own real estate firm.
Fulfilling Career Choice
Are you seeking a meaningful career where you can be of service to others and derive emotional fulfillment?
There is no bigger satisfaction than the realization of helping clients achieve their home ownership dreams.
As a TX real estate agent, you will get opportunities to meet clients from all walks of life and help them navigate the journey of buying or selling with your knowledge, skill and expertise.
If serving people and helping them realize their homeownership dreams sounds emotionally rewarding to you, then this is a good career path to pursue.
High Career Flexibility
Do you want to be the master of your own work-life balance and take control of your career growth?
Real estate agents also enjoy the flexibility to work from anywhere - be it from the office or from a remote location. Top real estate agents often choose to define their own schedule and work as per their preferred hours.
As long as you are closing the deals and meeting your goals, you can choose to work independently and steer control of your professional life.
As a real estate agent, you can choose to work part-time or full-time, based on your financial needs and career aspirations.
There are numerous pros of getting a license and if you are already wondering how to become a real estate agent Texas, let us walk you through the step-by-step process.
Steps to obtain a Texas real estate license
To become a licensed professional, you must start by ensuring that you qualify for applying for a real estate license.
It is important to make sure that you fulfill the minimum eligibility requirements established by the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) as it is one of the first steps to become a real estate agent in Texas.
- Your must be 18 years or above
- You must be a legal resident of the state of Texas or a lawfully residing alien
- You must have a high school diploma of GED equivalent in education
Complete pre license education in Texas
If you meet the basic statutory requirements, the next step is to complete pre licensing education and meet the education requirements.
As per the TREC license guidelines, every applicant is required to enroll in a real estate college, school or online course to complete 180 hours of qualifying education.
The purpose of pre license education is to learn about the real estate laws, principles and understand the rights of consumers and industry standards for professionals.
The TREC requires you to complete 180 hours of coursework divided into six mandatory courses worth 30 hours each which are:
- Principles of Real Estate 1: This course will give you an overview into the basic principles of the industry. You will learn about real estate property types, fair housing laws. real estate practices, titles, legal descriptions and other basic principle.s .
- Principles of Real Estate 2: This course focuses on in-depth knowledge of real estate regulations and principles. You will learn about property management, conveyances in real estate, real estate regulations, appraisal and closing procedures.
- Law of Agency: This course explains the different types of agency relationships and their basic laws and regulations. You will learn about ethics, fair and deceptive trade practices and consumer rights.
- Law of Contracts: This course will give you an understanding of how real estate contracts are formed, what are the disclosure requirements, statute of frauds, offer and acceptance contracts.
- Promulgated Contract Forms: This course covers the usage of TREC promulgated forms and its overarching rules and regulations.
- Real Estate Finance: This course provides knowledge about real estate transactions, loan programs, finance and accounting, credit and other processes and practices.
You can complete the pre-licensing courses in-person by joining a real estate college, or choose to opt for an online course for pre license education.
Note that if you are thinking about how to get my real estate license in Texas it is important to learn that you must choose a TREC approved education provider.
Note that although there are a number of course providers in Texas, only a handful of them are approved by the TREC.
Thus, in order to ensure that you are learning from an updated and accurate curriculum, it is important to choose only a state approved pre license education provider.
Pass the Texas real estate licensing exam
If you are wondering how to obtain real estate license in Texas, you must prove your knowledge and competence by taking the Texas salesperson license exam.
It is a closed-book, multiple choice questions test covering both state and national specific portions.
As per the TREC license guidelines, it is mandatory to pass the state license exam by scoring at least 75 percent or above.
To schedule the test, you can visit the TREC website and pick a convenient day and date to take the test at a Pearson VUE center or online in the presence of a proctor.
Criminal Background Check
Each state has its own set of background verification requirements for applicants who want to obtain their real estate license. The purpose of background check is to ensure that only trusted, honest and qualified individuals can join the industry.
If you are planning on getting a Texas real estate license, then be prepared to undergo a detailed real estate background check. There are many types of checks available in the market, and criminal background checks are one of them.
A criminal background check helps to reveal the background of an applicant, including their criminal history such as - any incidents of fraud, felony and other convictions. If there have been any pending criminal cases or misdemeanors, a background check will bring that up.
Now if you have a history of felony or any other criminal activity, don’t lose hope. As per the Texas law, you still have a chance of getting a license, however, it depends entirely on the severity, duration and nature of the crime.