Want a career in Texas real estate? Read this before starting
Working in Texas’ strong and stable real estate market is a professional dream come true for many, especially those who value flexibility, independence, and a better work-life balance.
Real estate is an exciting and rewarding profession that offers a great mix of opportunities and challenges at all levels.
Whether you are a complete beginner ready to get your first job or an experienced individual interested in switching careers, working in real estate is an enriching professional journey.
Post-pandemic, Texas’ real estate market has shown a strong recovery and it continues to be resilient and post-growth numbers.
Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Fort Worth are some of the hottest real estate markets in the country.
Due to a stable economy, thriving job market, and relatively affordable housing, Texas has emerged as a popular destination for skilled workers, professionals, and homebuyers.
In recent years, housing prices have increased significantly, and more buyers are lapping up the opportunity to purchase and rent real estate in Texas.
Overall, Texas’ real estate market outlook continues to be an attractive proposition for homebuyers and real estate investors.
If you are considering a career in TX real estate, now could be a good time to enter the market and take advantage of the opportunities available for agents and brokers.
The best part is that you do not need any advanced diploma or a specialized degree to get started.
As long as you meet the Texas real estate licensing requirements and obtain your Texas real estate license, you are good to go.
To help you get started, we are going to outline all the steps required in getting a real estate license, including the eligibility requirements.
Plus, we will also dive deep into the job duties and responsibilities of a real estate agent and what are the ideal skills to succeed in the industry.
Let’s start with exploring the Texas real estate landscape and understanding why it is fertile ground for aspiring agents and brokers.
Understanding the Texas real estate landscape
Texas is one of the largest states in the country and is truly a diverse landscape. The massive size of Texas puts it an advantage for home buyers and real estate investors.
In TX, numerous cities and regions are showing strong potential for growth in the future. For example, San Antonio and Austin have recently emerged as one of the most popular cities in the United States for living and working.
Due to Texas being a big state land-wise, the real estate market is highly varied and has something to offer to everyone.
When it comes to housing prices, in Austin, an emerging hub for tech companies, the median property prices can reach as high as $500,000 for a single-family home.
In addition to metro cities seeing growth, even smaller, less popular cities are emerging as winners in terms of adding new homes and boosting supply.
Less popular regions like Amarillo have a significantly lower median price of around $250,000 for a single-family home.
If one follows the industry numbers and market data, Texas’ housing market has witnessed impressive growth in the last few years.
Cities like San Antonio, Fort Worth, Frisco, Georgetown, New Braunfels, and Leander are growing the fastest.
Market data from Zillow reported that the average value of a Texas home has appreciated by around 150 percent in the last five years.
The overall sales of homes have gone up with higher average months of supply. Mortgage rates have also decreased, indicating a higher demand for housing in the state.
Even the luxury real estate market in Texas has witnessed a 60 percent growth in the past five years, indicating that buyers are willing to shell out luxury prices with confidence.
These stats point towards a steady demand for residential and rental properties in Texas which indicates that Texas is rewarding for aspiring and experienced real estate agents.
A healthy mix of economic, demographic, and cultural advantages has led Texas to become one of the most popular states for skilled workers, home buyers, and real estate investors.
Additionally, favorable government policies such as the lack of income tax is another significant factor attracting people to the Lone Star state.
If you are keen to make the most of Texas’ flourishing and fertile real estate landscape, now is a good time to enter the market.
Have you been wondering how do I get my real estate license in Texas easily?
Let’s walk you through the steps to become a licensed agent and embark on an exciting career journey.
How to obtain a Texas salesperson license
As per the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC), every aspiring and experienced real estate professional must have an up-to-date, valid real estate license in Texas.
Irrespective of your background or location, you are required by state and federal law to obtain a license in order to work with clients and engage in a real estate transaction.
With a state-issued license, you can work anywhere in the state, practice your profession, and close deals without restrictions.
To start with, you need to obtain a salesperson license in Texas which will be a stepping stone to enter the industry and work with clients.
After you have gained some real-world experience and have advanced in your knowledge and skills, you can apply for a broker’s license in Texas by completing additional education.
Now that we have given you an overview of the importance of getting licensed, let us walk you through the steps required to get it.
Step 1: Meet the basic eligibility requirements
Before embarking on a journey to get licensed, it is important that you are clear about what is expected from you.
The TREC requires all applicants to meet the basic statutory requirements to prove their eligibility for a career in real estate.
To join the Texas real estate industry, you must first meet the following requirements:
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older
- You must have a valid proof of residency in the state of Texas
- You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent in education
If you are not sure whether you meet the eligibility requirements, you can take a fitness determination test.
Step 2: Complete the pre-licensing education
Like most professions, education is the foundation of a successful, thriving career. If you want to get good at what you do, you must take your education seriously.
The most crucial aspect of getting your license is completing the mandatory pre-licensing coursework and meeting the qualifying education guidelines of the state of Texas.
The TREC requires all individuals to complete 180 hours of state-approved course credits to meet the qualifying education requirements.
Note that the TREC requires applicants to choose only a state-approved education provider. You can visit the TREC website to find a list of approved colleges, schools, and courses.
Here’s a list of the courses you will cover during your 180 hours of pre-license education:
- Principles of Real Estate: 60 hours
- Law of Agency: 30 hours
- Law of Contracts: 30 hours
- Real Estate Finance: 30 hours
- Promulgated Contract Forms: 30 hours
When it comes to the question of how do you get a real estate license in Texas - completing pre-licensing education is an integral part of the licensing journey.
The purpose of pre-licensing education is to give you the knowledge and training required to work in the industry.
From state and federal laws to industry guidelines and regulations, you will learn about the key principles and general real estate topics as part of your courses.
You are free to complete the course as per your preferred medium of learning and convenience.
This means you can choose to join a physical, class-based real estate college in TX, or enroll in an online, self-paced real estate prep course.
If you are wondering about the cost of pre-licensing education, it solely depends on the course provider, their experience, the type of course package, and the learning medium.
For instance, in-person, physical classroom-based real estate colleges in Texas are more expensive as compared to online real estate prep courses.
Generally, you can expect to spend anywhere between $200 to $700 to get your course credits completed from a state-approved education provider.
Step 3: Pass the Texas licensing exam
After you have completed your pre-licensing education, the next challenge is to pass the licensing test.
As per the TREC, every applicant must pass the salesperson licensing exam to obtain their real estate license.
The purpose of the exam is to test your knowledge and preparation and it will consist of multiple-choice questions based on the courses you have completed.
You will have 150 minutes in total to complete the exam. To clear the exam, you must achieve the minimum passing score of 75% or above.
You can schedule your exam at any of the Pearson VUE centers in Texas based on your preferred day, date, and location.
Note that if you are applying for a salesperson license exam in TX, the exam fees will be $43 for each attempt.
In case you are unable to clear the test on your first attempt, you can re-attempt it by paying the exam fee again.
Step 4: Complete background verification
As part of the Texas qualifying requirements, the TREC requires applicants to complete mandatory background verification and criminal history checks.
This is to ensure that only honest, trustworthy, and eligible candidates without any criminal history or act of felony can join the real estate industry.
To complete this step, you must submit an electronic copy of your fingerprints by getting your fingerprints scanned at a TREC-approved live scan vendor.
If you have any history of felony or unlawful criminal activity, you must submit a background clearance application which can be obtained from the local sheriff station.
Additionally, you might be required to submit any documents, legal proofs, and jurisdiction paperwork along with your fingerprint scan for verification.
Note that you must complete and submit the required documents for the background check and verification process within 60 days of submitting your salesperson licensing application.
Step 5: Find employer sponsorship
After successfully clearing the salesperson licensing test, you will receive your salesperson license.
However, to activate your license, you must find a sponsoring broker with an active Texas real estate license and send your sponsorship details to the TREC for review and approval.
Like most states, Texas also requires newly licensed agents to work under the supervision of senior, more experienced brokers and gain real-world industry experience.