The Path To Becoming A Real Estate Agent in Houston, Texas
The Texas housing market has witnessed steady growth in recent years, riding on the back of a strong economy and high employment opportunities. What characterizes the Houston real estate scenario is a steady increase in property values and high demand for housing.
Let us check the projections of Houston’s housing market growth. By the end of 2023, both home prices and sales volume are poised to grow at a steady rate though not as much as the explosive growth post-Covid19. Realtor.com predicts an increase in home prices and sales to go up by 4.5% and 2.9% respectively. The median asking home price in 2023 is $345,000 in the Houston area.
This post will focus on how to become a real estate agent in Houston and how to get a real estate license in the area.
Key takeaways
- Introduction to Houston Real Estate
- Overview of the Real Estate Market in Houston
- Why Houston is an Attractive Location for Real Estate Careers
- The Essentials of Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Houston
- What It Takes to Be a Real Estate Agent in Houston
- Steps to Become a Realtor in Houston
- Licensing Requirements in Houston, Texas
- Navigating Real Estate License Requirements
- How to Obtain a Real Estate License in Houston, Texas
- Tips and Strategies for Success
- Common Challenges for Houston Real Estate Agents
- Best Practices for Aspiring Realtors in Houston
- Furthering Your Career in Houston Real Estate
- Ongoing Education and Training
- Networking Opportunities for Real Estate Agents in Houston
Introduction to Houston Real Estate
Overview of the Real Estate Market in Houston
Houston, Texas has one of the top booming real estate climates in the USA. There are plenty of properties and job opportunities available, and these are the factors that draw people to the city. Greater Houston continues to grow at a striking rate with 6.7 million residents in the Houston metro area and tens of thousands of residents being added every year.
Hence, home values are continuously on an upward climb with a corresponding demand for purchased and rental properties. Further, due to its size, Houston has many different styles of homes available and it is not difficult to find a home that aligns with the needs of buyers.
For investors, the positive side is that millions of Houston residents take homes for rent rather than buy them. It is an ideal investment opportunity for those buying homes to rent out the property and get high returns on investment.
Why Houston is an Attractive Location for Real Estate Careers
Houston, Texas is one of the fastest growing real estate markets in the USA and an attractive location to launch real estate careers. Once you get a real estate license in Houston, Texas, the doors to high-average salaries and vast employment opportunities open before you.
Real estate agents can explore a wide variety of markets, ranging from the Houston Metro area to popular suburbs such as River Oaks, Sugar Land, Katy, and more.
Also, the average salary of real estate agents in Houston is $85,559 as of September 25, 2023. An agent with a few years of experience takes home about $100,120 annually. However, the figure depends on several parameters such as certifications, education, and additional skill sets.
All these factors make Houston, Texas, an attractive location for real estate careers.
The Essentials of Becoming a Real Estate Agent in Houston
What it Takes to be A Real Estate Agent in Houston
Houston is a flourishing real estate market and a golden chance for real estate agents to grow their careers. However, the first step to reach that stage for agents is to get a real estate license. A real estate license in Houston is issued by the state licensing board of Texas. The process is the same, whether the license is applied for in Houston, Austin, Dallas, or anywhere in the state.
To apply for a license, certain basic eligibility norms have to be met.
The first is that you must be an American of at least 18 years of age with good moral character. The last point will be examined during the licensing process. The next step is that you must go through 180 hours of coursework to acquire knowledge and skillsets in this profession. These courses are either held online or in a physical classroom environment and you can choose one at your convenience.
We at RealEstateU offer online courses for aspiring real estate agents. The coursework is crafted by leading professionals in the field and is available at the lowest prices in this niche. Check our website for more details.
Apply for the real estate license in Houston, Texas, once you complete the stipulated hours of coursework for aspiring real estate agents.
Steps to Become A Realtor in Houston
Before going into the steps to become a realtor, it is necessary to understand the difference between a real estate agent, a broker, and a realtor.
Both a licensed real estate agent and a broker act on behalf of buyers and sellers of property. However, a broker goes a step forward and works independently and can hire agents to work for the brokerage. A realtor is a real estate agent or a broker who is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the largest body in this trade.
Now, how to become a realtor in Houston?
After applying for a license (as detailed in the last section), submit yourself to a background check by the licensing authorities after paying the requisite fees. This is to confirm that you have a good moral character and will follow ethical standards in your career. Next, sit for the exam to get a real estate license in Houston and pass the exam.
Get a broker now to mentor and support you. Joining a brokerage means all the required infrastructure to launch your career is available to you – an office or workplace, marketing brochures, and office supplies. You will be required to pay for these facilities. Once you find a broker, the real estate license in Houston will be issued to you.
The final step to becoming a realtor in Houston from a real estate agent is to join the National Association of Realtors after paying the required annual fee. Now you can enroll in continuation education and other professional courses. Become a realtor takes your role as a real estate agent to the next level.
Licensing Requirements in Houston, Texas
Navigating Real Estate License Requirements
Real estate is a booming business in Houston, Texas, and becoming a real estate agent in the city is a very lucrative profession. However, you must have a license to practice with very strict and clear rules about how to get one. Navigating the real estate license requirements in Houston is not complex, rather it is simpler to start in this profession than others.
You need to be careful though as the requirements for getting a license are not standardized among the various states of the country. What is good for Florida will not be the same as New York or Texas. Hence, you must go through all the stipulations carefully before getting down to obtaining a real estate license in any state.
How to Obtain A Real Estate License in Houston, Texas
The steps to obtain a real estate license in Houston, Texas are not much different from other states except for one factor and that is, the number of course hours required. In Texas, you must go through 180 hours of study hours to be eligible for applying for a license. It varies between states with Florida, for example, stipulating 63 hours.
Other than this aspect, other requirements are common to states. You must be 18 years of age, an American citizen with working rights in the country, and a good moral character. After completing the coursework hours, apply for a license, have your background checked, pass the licensing exam, and find a broker to mentor you. Once done, you will get your real estate license in Houston, Texas, and be ready to interact with buyers and sellers of property.
Tips and Strategies for Success
Common Challenges for Houston Real Estate Agents
One of the critical challenges faced by real estate agents in Houston is not being updated with the latest laws and regulations governing real estate. This is the reason why continuing education (CE) is so important and has been made mandatory to renew a license every two years. Fitting CE into busy schedules is understandably difficult for real estate agents. Moreover, they will not do justice to their clients if they are not updated on the current laws governing the industry.
Best Practices for Aspiring Realtors in Houston
While different real estate agents have their methods to get the best from their work, here are three best practices that surely lead to success.
- Publicize yourself in the area: Mail flyers and brochures that advertise your services to residents in your operation area. This increases your visibility and generates leads.
- Develop a marketing plan: Make an effective marketing plan to grow your business. Go the digital route and use social media platforms to spread the word about your business.
- Grow your network: Attend broker open houses, community events, and networking events. Word of mouth about your business and referrals from friends and relatives is the fastest way to succeed as a real estate agent in Houston.
Furthering Your Career in Houston Real Estate
Ongoing Education and Training
Ongoing education and training are necessary, not only to renew your license in Texas but also to stay current with industry standards. All real estate agents must complete 18 hours of Continuing Education every 2 years. The course includes 4 hours each of Legal Update 1&2. If you are a supervisor in a brokerage, a 6-hour Broker Responsibility continuing education course must be completed also for license renewal.
Networking Opportunities for Real Estate Agents in Houston
You will not be short of networking opportunities with fellow real estate agents and brokers in Houston, Texas. Events are held around the year where you can exchange notes, learn about the horror experiences of other agents, and in short, be a part of a growing community. Networking is a sure success path for those in the real estate industry.