Real Estate - Irving,TX

I would recommend taking the classes through Leonard Hawes or Champions. Call both and see which has classes close to you. I'm an agent with Keller Williams and when I got my license, none of the schools were particularly close by but Leonard Hawes had remote classes held in small hotels that were close to me. I was trying to set up my schedule online and was struggling with when and where to take each class. I called Leonard Hawes and the lady I spoke with had me set up with a perfect schedule in about 10 minutes!
I would take the classes in the classroom. You get that personal interaction with instructors and other students that can be invaluable.
You will need some cash flow to get through school and get started in the business. The yearly fees can easily be paid by selling one house a year. You just have to set aside money to pay for the things that may hit when you don't have a closing.
If you would like to discuss details in person, please feel free to contact me at ____@____.com or ###-###-####. I would be happy to walk you through getting started!
Good luck!

Dear W.,

The classes are easy and can be taken quickly or over a long period of time. There are real estate schools all over the Metroplex. Since you didn't say where you live, I can't suggest one in your area. I'm an agent with Coldwell Banker. Our school is in northern Irving just south of Highway 114 (but easily accessible from 183 and LBJ as well).

Being a REALTOR is both rewarding and demanding. On the up side, you set your own hours and feel a sense of accomplishment when you help others reach their goals. On the down side, it's commission only, and you must be self motivated and able to run your own business. If you have question you'd like to discuss, feel free to contact me directly by cell at ###-###-#### or by email at ____@____.com luck!

D. Dunn
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage (Southlake)

Hi W.,
Taking the classes and passing the test isn't that bad. Getting started and sustaining a career in Real Estate is probably the harder part! I once heard a statistic that 80% of those who get their license are inactive and, effectively, out of the business within 2 years. It takes consistent effort to develop your network that can continually feed you month after month, year after year.

My husband is an agent for 25 years and I am in mortgage for 11 years and we are always evaluating new strategies. We've had excellent months, followed by not-so-excellent ones, followed by excellent ones! Now is a really nutty time to be in this business and things change constantly. We specialize in pre-foreclosure properties now and, had you asked me 5 years ago what a "short sale" was, I wouldn't have been able to tell you. But today, short sales are 95% of our business!

People stress and stress about picking the right Broker, the right business cards, the right website, the right headshot, virtual tours, postcards, billboards, etc. (all great ways to spend $$$, but not actually get you any business), but really, you just have to get out there and do some networking, you'll make it.

Best of luck and feel free to contact me!

C.
____@____.com

My husband (and mother-in-law and sister-in-law and dad) got his RE license from Leonard Hawes Real Estate School in Arlington. They also take their maintenance courses there. My dad sold real estate for a while, but now they are showing agents for several property management companies. That way there is less overhead and less liability. None of them had a lot of trouble with the classes or test. My sister in law is a broker. It helps if you have steady income from another source or a lot of savings. The real estate market fluctuates quite a bit. I think you would probably do well to attend the classes since you get the interaction from the teacher and the other students. Good luck!

W. I am a Realtor and the mother of a a 5 year old. The flexibilty was the origial reason I chose this profession. It is available and can be vary rewarding but success on any leave comes from maintaing good organization and a strong work ethic. School isn't bad. I complteted my classes in 6 weeks back in 2002. If you can maintain focus there are also internet classes. I would strongly recommend going to a physical class enviroment that's the first step to getting your work ethics in order. You can also network. You never know who you're going to meet and what opportunity will meet up with you everytime you walk out of your door. Make a commitment to yourself set a financial goal of what you want to acheive and don't look back; no matter what the news says the economy is like everyone needs a place to live. Best wishes.

Cameo Raymond
Weichert Realtors
###-###-####

my hubby got his doing basic classes at the local community college. easy. can do weekends/evenings. Good luck!

Some folks like going to a traditional classroom setting. I chose to do my class online so I wouldn't have to pay for childcare and I could study anytime.

I did www.360training.com and thought it got the job done. But I think the key is that as soon as you get your license, to go to your local association of realtors and take all the GRI classes asap so you can get practical application to truely help and protect your clients. As well as the GRI, every other class you can make your first year will help tremendously!

You can also go to www.trec.state.tx.us to get more education providers available in your area.

Good Luck! Although it is not for everyone, my husband and I LOVE the real estate business!

Hi W.,
I am a Licensed Real Estate Agent. I took all online classes through Champion School of Real Estate, which made it very easy. The test was hard, but I found several study guides in the book store and was lucky to pass the state exam the first time. I recommend using the study guides to help before the exam.

I recommemd taking casses instead of internet. Also be syre to have a second income or savings account to rely on during the first year.

Updated

I recommend taking the required education in a classroom environment. Also, be sure to have a 2nd income or a large savings account to float you through the first year (or 2). It may take a while before you actually close your first deal. Good luck!

Hi - I am married to a Realtor. My suggestions is "Don't do it", the market is very unstable and income does not out-way your expenses in any given year. So...if you're not married to a wealthy person and you're not doing this as more of a hobby - don't. Consider another career. Not to mention, you loose out on so much family time on weekends and evenings. But, my husband LOVES being a Realtor. Good luck!

I just asked this question yesterday to a friend that is a real estate agent. He suggested champion school as it will be faster than the community college. I did see that CCCC has classes you start Jan 19 and finish to take the exam early may.

it is truly not as scary as some make it out to be. Just use common sense and study. I took on line classes at Collin County and through Champions. I will tell you it's not cheap to hold a license. Check out all of the dues and continuing ed that is required. I do love it, though. Cannot imagine doing anything else! :-)

There are a lot of good schools out there and some things can be done by correspondence. I will be honest though after 10 years of having a real estate license I am giving mine up. It has a high overhead and I just wasn't willing to continue to pay all the dues and not have anything to show for it. Do you know about the dues? A yearly due to TREC - under $100 unless you are a Broker. Then local dues which are $400-$500 year. Then MLS Dues which are $150 per quarter. Then your broker can have desk fees, advertising fees etc.

I am not a good self-marketer. If you have that in you, I say go for it. I've really felt the crunch the last few years and have decided to go in another direction.

I have been a Realtor for 10 years and LOVE it! It is not easy and I do work a lot of hours. but, I get to do a lot of fun things with my kids. I can make my own hours. But if I don't work, I don't make money. I like the classroom setting because I got to hear other peoples stories. It helped me when I got out in the selling world. Make sure you find a Broker that will support new agents. I was very luckey and had a lot of great Older Agents help me. I now mentor in my office. Good Luck!