How hard is it to become a realtor in Texas?

You must complete a "pre-licensing" course that teaches you the principles of real estate, contracts, and finance. These are "fundamental" classes. Each one is distinct and unique. If you don't want to go to school, there are online courses that allow you to take them at your pace. The classes total up to 180 hours.

Here's what's included in those 180 hours:

• Principles of Real Estate I

• Principles of Real Estate II

• Law of Agency

• Law of Contracts

• Promulgated Contract Forms

• Real Estate Finance

The pass rates for these courses are extremely high, with success rates over 95 percent and fantastic assistance.

You will then apply for a real estate license with the Texas Real Estate Commission and get your TREC license. Yes, there are a few aggravating forms to fill out and pricey fees to pay, but because it's all done online through the TREC website, the process is quite simple. Within a few days, you'll receive a letter of eligibility in the mail.

After you receive your eligibility letter, you can submit your fingerprints so that the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) can perform a background check. The TREC's responsibility is to see that all agents in Texas meet the requirements.

To earn your real estate license in Texas, you'll have to go through fingerprinting via the not-so-popular agency, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Also, they'll take your photo and charge a small fee for their time.

You will need to pass an exam too. Your exam eligibility letter will come with a Candidate Handbook, which has been designed to help prepare study material for the exam itself.

To get your real estate license, you'll first need to find a real estate broker in Texas who will sponsor you. Sponsoring brokers are experienced and ready to show you how it's done. They'll not only provide you with all of the tools you need to begin selling but will also assist you in marketing yourself as an agent.