What Does it Take to Get a Real Estate License?

The question is simple. What does it take to get a real estate license? In Texas, it requires 7 easy steps:

1. 5 classes (180 hours)
2. File for an inactive salesperson license
3. Fingerprint requirements
4. Take the real estate exams (National and State)
5. Background check
6. Texas Guaranteed Student Loan repayment history check
7. Obtain a broker's sponsorship

The real estate license in Texas is given by the Texas Real Estate Commission. If you manage to get ALL of that done, you have just begun your real estate career.

Lots of factors go into deciding if this career is for you:

"I love houses and I love people" are typically a good start. But beyond that, there are so much more to consider:

• Are you a driven, self-motivated person? Or are you a better fit for "showing up and having tasks for your to complete?"
  There's not wrong with either one. But if you are not the former, you will have alot of episodes of non-productive moments. You just dont know what to do because you dont have a clue.
  
  
• Do you have lots and lots of reserve savings to sit on?
  Many people tell you 6 months. I will tell you, that's not enough. 1 year maybe. 3 years - you may have a highly likelihood for survival. You not only need to pay your living expenses,  you need $$$ to start/ grow your business. You cannot expect to get into this business and just start closing on deals.
  Are you single, or do you have a family to feed? That makes alot of difference as to whether you can begin this.
  
  
• Do you do this PART-TIME or FULL-TIME?
  Disclosure: I began this career part-time. It doesnt mean you can't. It's just harder. At that point, it was just my husband and I so he followed me around when I had to show houses. We were still "together". If you have kids and your spouse has to be home, this career cannot tear you more than it will.
  I did part time for 4.5 years. It was a supplemental income and I saved every penny of it for when I was "full-time". Can you not rely on that income for when you go to "full-time"?
  Also, part-time served no one any purpose. Looking back, that's what I see. What I knew back then and the inability to take proper calls, attend inspections, attend classes were a disservice. I cannot in my right conscience think that part time was any good (although at that time, I couldnt see it).
  Market Update: Depending on your market (for us in Frisco TX, it's a super HOT seller's market) - What buyers could wait for you to get off work, and/or see houses with you only on weekends when you are not at your full-time job? Houses hit multiple offers in a day or two and seller stops showing because it's overwhelming. That is how crazy the market is.
  
  
• Success and Family Time Don't Go Hand-in-Hand
  If you have a family, spending time is important. If you start a new business, working is important. During this season of your life, everything will be IMBALANCED. 
  You cannot start/ grow a successful business without putting time into it.
  When you have lots and lots of time to be at dinner, pick up kids, attend birthday parties, do family stuff, you are not working, ie. making money. 
  When you are working, you cannot be at both places.
  You really have to figure that out.
  
  
• Be good in marketing, website, design, photography, social media, and everything else.
  I dont have to say more. These are just the tip of what it requires to become a good real estate agent. 

I hope I didn't sound discouraging. The reality is most realtors sell 5-8 homes per year. THat's not quite a viable and sustainable income to live on, and kids to feed. If you sold 5 homes a year in Collin County Texas, you would have been the top 15% of the market. There you go.