Realtor's Log: And So It Begins....

      SO, after much debate, and reading a whole lot of streams on getting a license vs. not, I am in the process of getting my real estate license.  I wanted to document the process as much as possible for anyone else out there interested in what's involved.  So let's begin.

     I just completed taking my Course Exams.  These are the exams you take that show the TREC (Texas Real Estate Commission)you are able and qualified to take the State exam for your license.  Let's talk a little more about the exam process, shall we?

I went the correspondence route because I can move faster on my own instead of going at the pace of the slowest student in a classroom setting. 

 My first book was Principles I.  Not being new to the industry, it took me all but two days to run through it.  There were pre-tests and post tests for every chapter.  At the end of the book, there is a "Homework" section.  This serves as a practice exam. Once you finish this, you are able to take the test that shows you completed the 30 hrs of course work.

So here it is.  I walk into the school with my homework scantron (Remember those?) filled out, the little girl runs it through the machine and gives it back to me with the correct answers, I take the graded scantron into the testing center and use it to correct the answers in my textbook, I return the scantron to the little girl, she gives me the actual exam, I take said exam into the testing center with my book because it's open book.  What?!?  Really?

So the next day I show up all of my books at 8am and start this process.  By 2pm, I have completed the remaining 120hrs of course work needed.  I did have a little trouble going home because my brain was fried.

I stopped off at the post office and mailed copies of my certificates, college transcripts, request for the TREC to review my education form, and a check for $30 for whatever.  It will take the TREC about 7-10 days to get back with me to let me know I can take my State Exam, woohoo.  I will be studying in the meantime, and taking the Prep Exam they offer at the school.  I also have to get my fingerprints done after I get my approval, but before I go for my exam.

I have also been visiting different Brokers and deciding on who I want to go with.  Everyone has been extremely helpful, and I have been able to sit in many a class that they give to their Realtors for free on how to make their business successful.  I'll post which one I chose later.

I'd also like to comment on the streams I read.  The biggest thing I saw in all the streams was this notion of disclosure.  As if it was a crippling thing that was destined to ruin any deal if spoken of.  In all the reading I did on the subject of disclosure and what you had to say, I could never find anything that seemed that bad.  I think time will tell.  That's it for now, I'll jump back on to let you know about the fingerprints and State Exam.  I'll also be discussing what my first month is like as a licensed real estate agent.

~The Rook~