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726
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Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
284
Votes |
726
Posts

A Texas RE License Journey

Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
Posted Jul 28 2015, 20:05

I'm going to use this thread to hold myself accountable, and hopefully help anyone else who may learn from my experiences!

After launching my own website in 2012, Go To Thread Here...

Dabbling in direct mail with @Jerry Puckett in 2013-2014...

Working leads for @John Chapman & @Jon Klaus over the last 3 years...

And sending out some more mail in 2015...

I'm ready to take the next logical step for me in my real estate career.

The "License Timeline" starts in the next post. 

User Stats

726
Posts
284
Votes
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
284
Votes |
726
Posts
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
Replied Sep 2 2015, 15:59
Originally posted by @Jon Klaus:

You started in June and finished before Labor Day - Congratulations!

What was the most surprising thing you learned about the process? And what was the most surprising thing you learned about real estate transactions?

Thanks Jon!  I guess that is pretty cool.

 I'm actually a little frustrated.  I should have had all this done by the end of July.  That's why I'm putting together a simple, well-ordered list for future agents to go by. :)

If you have time to put into the education part, it can theoretically be done from start to finish in 10 weeks or less. 

User Stats

726
Posts
284
Votes
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
284
Votes |
726
Posts
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
Replied Sep 2 2015, 16:05

@Jon Klaus the most surprising thing I learned about the process, is now NOT well laid out the steps are on the TREC website.  They're all there, but not in simple step by step that I needed.  I did a few things out of order, and it ended up costing me about a month.  

The most surprising things I learned about transactions, is how many different ways they can go squirrely, and all the different ways to avoid getting fined or having your license suspended.  Lots of CYA in the education.  It was very helpful.

Also, all the tenants in common vs joint tenants information was very interesting.  I never realized how complicated joint ownership and succession could be.

Also, how easy it is to screw up a contract by not copying the Legal Description correctly.  Possibly causing title problems down the road. 

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User Stats

8,666
Posts
4,012
Votes
Jon Klaus
  • Developer
  • Garland, TX
4,012
Votes |
8,666
Posts
Jon Klaus
  • Developer
  • Garland, TX
Replied Sep 2 2015, 16:14

Reminds me what I heard at least one time, about real estate agents basically being licensed to practice law in the area of real estate transactions.  Kind of like specialized lawyers. 

User Stats

726
Posts
284
Votes
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
284
Votes |
726
Posts
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
Replied Sep 2 2015, 17:05

Haha funny you should mention that. Every chapter or every book mentions how we are not to "practice law". They want us to understand all the basic principles but never "guide" or give any kind of legal advice at all. Such as making suggestions about how to hold title, or telling a client whether a property has a clean title. no writing contracts. Only using state promulgated fill in forms, uess buyer or seller requires a different one THEY WRITE. All very interesting.

User Stats

15
Posts
8
Votes
Andrew Sparks
  • New to Real Estate
  • New Bedford, MA
8
Votes |
15
Posts
Andrew Sparks
  • New to Real Estate
  • New Bedford, MA
Replied Sep 2 2015, 17:43

@Shane Woods thanks for sharing your story and congrats on getting your license! I've been thinking about getting licensed in order to build my sales skills in real estate and learn while doing. Would you recommend it as a path for learning real estate to eventually build a portfolio of rental properties?

User Stats

27
Posts
11
Votes
Sarah T.
  • MPA
  • San Antonio, TX
11
Votes |
27
Posts
Sarah T.
  • MPA
  • San Antonio, TX
Replied Sep 2 2015, 19:38

I am REALLY looking forward to the step list!!! The TREC website has killed hours of my life and you're right-- the instructions are head-bashingly circular!!!!

User Stats

726
Posts
284
Votes
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
284
Votes |
726
Posts
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
Replied Sep 3 2015, 11:37

@Sarah T. "Head-bashingly circular".  yes. that. exactly.

User Stats

726
Posts
284
Votes
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
284
Votes |
726
Posts
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
Replied Sep 3 2015, 15:04

Here's my Step By Step Guide, the right way!

Step By Step Real Estate Agent in Texas

User Stats

27
Posts
11
Votes
Sarah T.
  • MPA
  • San Antonio, TX
11
Votes |
27
Posts
Sarah T.
  • MPA
  • San Antonio, TX
Replied Sep 28 2015, 19:37
Originally posted by @Shane Woods:

Here's my Step By Step Guide, the right way!

Step By Step Real Estate Agent in Texas

I believe all this info is the most valuable thing I've received from BP, hands down. Thank you SO much.

User Stats

8,666
Posts
4,012
Votes
Jon Klaus
  • Developer
  • Garland, TX
4,012
Votes |
8,666
Posts
Jon Klaus
  • Developer
  • Garland, TX
Replied Sep 28 2015, 20:01

Congrats on picking up a listing!

User Stats

726
Posts
284
Votes
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
284
Votes |
726
Posts
Shane Woods
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Weatherford, TX
Replied Sep 29 2015, 08:19

Thanks @Sarah T.. It's comments like that, that make all the "blogging" worth it.  And I really didn't spend nearly the time on it I wish I could have.  Glad I could help!!!

@Jon Klaus, congratulate me when it sells for a price that pays off my owner's mortgage...fingers crossed.  No calls or showing yet...that estate sale needs to hurry up so I can really show off the space with good pics. 

User Stats

27
Posts
5
Votes
Arti Piland
  • Weatherford, TX
5
Votes |
27
Posts
Arti Piland
  • Weatherford, TX
Replied Feb 8 2016, 12:35

What an incredible resource!  Thank you so much for taking your time to document this for all of the confused minds out here!  Now onto the step-by-step guide you wrote!

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User Stats

19
Posts
1
Votes
Ann D.
  • Crowley, TX
1
Votes |
19
Posts
Ann D.
  • Crowley, TX
Replied Feb 11 2016, 14:26

Great posts! Your documentation shows a timeline that is truly exceptional! Thanks for taking the time to inspire.

User Stats

49
Posts
25
Votes
Tim W.
  • Keller, TX
25
Votes |
49
Posts
Tim W.
  • Keller, TX
Replied Mar 3 2016, 13:18

Do you have to be with a broker to get MLS access or just join your local group? My fiance is going to get her license just for investor deals for us. We have no desire to sell houses or show houses. The convenience of searching MLS and seeing houses on our schedule is the key.

THanks
Tim

User Stats

156
Posts
73
Votes
Jessica Wygal
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Cypress, TX
73
Votes |
156
Posts
Jessica Wygal
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Cypress, TX
Replied May 15 2018, 14:48

Shane - I am FINALLY licensed after a looong 9 months and I wanted to say THANK YOU! I am from Fort Worth (now live in Houston) and I had your blog book marked, every time I got one thing accomplished I was referring back to your post to determine what I should knock out next. I genuinely never even had to attempt to dig through TREC to get the steps you laid out so well. Thanks so much!

User Stats

2
Posts
1
Votes
Replied Aug 3 2019, 06:58

Years later, and this post is still helpful. Thanks for the awesome information!

User Stats

2
Posts
1
Votes
Replied Aug 3 2019, 06:59

Years later, and this post is still helpful. Thanks for the awesome information!

User Stats

156
Posts
73
Votes
Jessica Wygal
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Cypress, TX
73
Votes |
156
Posts
Jessica Wygal
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Cypress, TX
Replied Aug 4 2019, 18:23

Still one of my all time favorite posts for sure.