How to get your Dallas real estate license

If you are thinking of getting a real estate license in the Dallas area, now’s the time to do it. The seller’s market has inflated prices and typical home values now lie around $287,282, a 19.6% increase since last year. The forecast looks good, and prices are predicted to rise for the foreseeable future.

High home prices in the area are paying off big time for local agents. Agents can make anywhere from $33,000 to $110,000 annually for an average salary of $73,038. Real estate commission is around 6%, higher than the national average.

Selling real estate is a terrific profession. You can enjoy flexible hours and the satisfaction of knowing you helped someone at a pivotal point in their lives. And just about anyone can sell real estate, as long as they meet a few basic requirements, take the courses and pass the exam.

If you think Dallas real estate agent is the job for you, this article will provide you with everything you need to know to get started.

What Do I Need to Do to Become a Dallas Real Estate Agent?

To become a real estate agent in Dallas, you will need to meet the following qualifications:

• You must be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
• You must be at least 18 years of age
• You must meet the Texas Real Estate Commission’s (TREC) qualifications for honesty, trustworthiness and integrity

Then you must take the following steps. (Note, all requirements must be met within a year of filing your application):

1. File your application through the TREC web site and pay the fee. You can also file by mail.
2. Get your fingerprints taken and pass a background check.
3. Take 180 hours of Texas real estate education and submit the completion documents to the TREC.
4. Take the real estate exam.
5. After completing steps 1-4, you will have an inactive license. Your license will become active once you find a sponsor. You can submit a sponsor request through the TREC website. Once your request is accepted, you will be able to operate as a licensed agent.
6. For more information, check out our Texas real estate license guide.

 

Best Dallas Real Estate Schools

Your education will play a major role in your real estate career. While some schools offer only the basics, others provide you with tools that will be useful in ensuring your success. Texas schools that are recommended include the following:

The CE Shop

The CE Shop is a school that has become almost synonymous with real estate education. The facility offers online classes in most United States. It has received great student reviews and write ups across the board.

Students that sign up can choose from three different packages, each of which offers features that will get you ready for your real estate exam as well as a pass guarantee. The more you pay, the more you get, but every course offered will be worthwhile in helping you pass the test and build your career. They also come with various resources like real estate glossaries, career resources and more.

You also have the opportunity of purchasing more focused one-off courses that are targeted to your individual needs.

 

Real Estate Express

Real Estate Express is an ARELLO certified and IDECC accredited online real estate school. They are affordable, they provide helpful packages, and they offer a money back guarantee. Students can go at their own pace to prepare for the exam, However, courses will only be accessible for six months.

The school offers four different courses each of which vary in price and offerings. While the Basics will get you prepared for the test, other courses provide focused exam prep and career resources. They also offer live instructor support.

 

Mbition

Mbition is an online real estate school that offers individual courses including a Math Master. They are ARELLO, IDECC and AQB approved. They offer flexible scheduling and a seven-day money back guarantee.

Students that apply can choose from three different packages. Each comes with the basics you need to pass the test. More expensive and advanced courses come with additional exam taking tools.

 

RealEstateU

RealEstateU is a TREC approved online school. They offer audio courses that are compatible with any device. They are affordable, flexible and offer a 100% money back guarantee.

Unlike the other schools, RealEstateU has just one course offering. It is broken down into (6) 30-minute courses that provide the subjects needed to pass the real estate exam. The curriculum allows for increased focus so students can digest the information as they go.

 

Top Real Estate Brokerages In Dallas

After you pass the real estate test, you will be able to start your career. Some agents work for themselves, but it’s best to start off with an agency. The agency will give you the guidance you need to get your career off on the right foot and they will provide you with a strong client base.

When choosing the agency, you want to work with, there are many factors to consider including the training available, marketing materials offered, the commission split, desk fees, company reputation and more. Here are a few companies that make the cut.

Keller Williams

Address: 18383 TX-289, Dallas, TX 75252

Keller Williams stands out as one of the best real estate companies to work for. They have more than 106,000 brokerages nationwide including several locations in the Dallas area.

The company offers agents opportunities to make money through commission splits and profit sharing. They provide a 70/30 commission split which is higher than the standard 60/40. Once agents reach certain caps, they keep 100% of their commission.

They are also known for a company culture that supports improvement and support. They offer mentoring relationships that are targeted for growth. Their successful reputation and targeted branding are beneficial in helping agents attract clients.

 

RE/MAX

Address: 6510 Abrams Rd Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75231

RE/MAX is recommended for agents looking to take their careers to the next level. They charge higher desk fees than most, but this is accompanied by high commission rates. Top performing agents can take home as much as 95% in sales.

The company is known for churning out successful agents. In fact, according to Real Tends, 55 of the 200 top performing agents are RE/MAX agents. This means that joining the team automatically associates you with success.

RE/MAX’s iconic hot air balloon makes for a recognizable branding image that stands out. It has been named the Top Real Estate Franchise of 2020 by Entrepreneur Magazine and that’s a spot it’s been holding for 15 of the last 18 years.

 

Coldwell Banker

Address: 5950 Sherry Ln #200, Dallas, TX 75225

Coldwell Banker is a company known for putting their clients first. This has earned them a terrific reputation. It also helps new agents learn how to provide a terrific customer experience to the people they work with.

Beyond being committed to their clients, they are also dedicated to mentoring new agents. They offer top-down training resources and constant encouragement to boost personal development. They provide recognizable branding which has recently been updated as a sign that the company is continuing to innovate and modernize.

All commission splits and desk fees are worked out at a local level. And while they are nothing to write home about, the company’s support makes them an ideal employer for someone just starting out in the industry

 

eXp Realty

Address: 15950 Dallas Pkwy Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75248

eXp Realty is making a name for itself in the real estate industry for being among the first virtual real estate agencies. The lack of a brick-and-mortar location makes for fewer desk fees. They also provide a massive library of online training resources.

The company offers a generous commission split that start at 80/20 but gets higher once caps are met. They also offer revenue sharing that allows agents to get paid a percentage of sales made by agents they recruit. Stock options are available for high performing agents.

Because the company is virtual, it doesn’t have a strong culture or branding message. Rather, it relies on the success of its agents. However, it’s sense of innovation speaks for itself.

 

Century 21

Address: 9661 Audelia Rd #338, Dallas, TX 75238

Century 21 is a company that is hitting home with millennials. It is known for taking a stand for fair housing and the LGBTQ movement and for converting commercial spaces into innovative residential housing. They have recently updated their branding to fit their modern image.

Commission fees and other expenses are worked out at a local level and are typically not very exciting. However, the company is known as one of the few that do not charge a desk fee. They won’t ask for a penny before you close a deal which is helpful to new agents.

The company’s culture is very cause related. They were named as Forbes 2019 best employer for diversity. Their chief officer Cara Whitley has been recognized as a HousingWire woman of influence. They also partner with the Empowering Latinas program working to empower Latinas in the South Florida area.

 

What Local Associations are Best for Dallas Realtors?

When you move forward in your career, you may decide you would like to join a realtor’s association. Doing so will require you to get a realtor’s license which will look impressive to your clients, and it will provide you access to the perks the association offers. It will also get you armed with even more tools that will fuel your success.

There are several real estate associations available in the Dallas area. Here are some you might want to consider joining pretty soon if you haven’t already. Many of the best associations in the DFW area have presentations and conferences that can help real estate agents further their career early on in the new year. 

Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors

Address: 2650 Parkview Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76102

This association was established in 1918 and has over 40,000 realtor and affiliate members. They are focused on advocating for fair housing and private property rights. They are committed to diversity and inclusion and are looking to help members of the community despite color, race, gender and ethnicity.

GFWAR members are also members of Texas Realtors, the largest professional realtor organization in Texas. Their mission is to promote property owner rights and to keep home ownership affordable.

Those who join are automatically added to the Texas Realtors and National Association of Realtors membership roster. This elevates their reputation in the industry. They are also provided with tools to help them grow their business including MLS access, continuing education programs and newsletters and meetings that provide them with the latest information on how to grow their career.

 

MetroTex Association of Realtors

Address: 8201 N Stemmons Fwy, Dallas, TX 75247

This Association advertises itself as Dallas Fort Worth’s leading real estate resource for career advancement. Agents have access to market statistics, a young professional network and after-hours support. You can also register for events that will further your career.

The association emphasizes diversity. They provide high standards to members regardless of culture, economic status, age, gender, ethnicity and more. It is their mission to elevate their members’ success to create more vibrant communities.

If you are thinking of becoming a Dallas real estate agent, now is the time to do it. The market is booming making it ripe for those who want to get in on the ground floor.

Now that you know what you need to do to be successful, you can take the first step. We wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.