Realtor's Log: Hurry Up, Wait, and One Thousand Dollars

Monday, November 30

    OK, I decided to wait a bit until I had more to write about instead of blogging everyday saying, "Still waiting..".

So, I mailed of my request to have TREC look at my education and bless me with the ability to apply for my license, and 13 days later they did.  I, first, had to go get my fingerprints.  It's not necessary to have your fingerprints taken before taking your State Exam, you actually have 6mo, but I had the time, so why not. A single form and $40 plus 15 min and BAM! Fingerprints done, now what? With my fingers still smelling of alcohol I immediately filled out the application on-line, paid my $107 to TREC and waited some more. A week later I received a letter stating that I was now able to schedule my appointment to take my state exam. WooHoo!!

Now, before I run-off and pay $61 to take my test, I wanted to get the most out of my schooling.  They offer a Prep Class to get you ready for the State Exam.  That is where I was today, and will be tomorrow.

The class was from 8 - 4 with an hour lunch and ten minute breaks at the top of every hour.  The class consisted of pretty much a review on all the other books that I had been studying from day one with some emphasis on the "Need to Knows", pretty cool. Once  I finish manana, I will be calling to make my appointment to take my State Exam.  OK, Let's review the costs of this adventure up to this point. I do this knowing that it may differ from state to state and school to school.

Coursework/schooling - $800 -$1000

TREC Education Review Form - $30

Fingerprints - $40

TREC Application for License - $107

State Exam - $61

Alright, let's switch gears.  The above was all about the journey to get a license, but that just the half of it.  You also have to find a Broker to hold your license.  I got to take tours of different offices look at their fees and "splits" That means they take part of your commission per transaction up to a certain point or amount.  WHAT!? Yes. I know, it was news to me too, but the poker face stayed strong..Power to the players!  I decided to get with the Big KW.  Friendly people, nice atmosphere, decent fess and splits, Great continuing education. 

Here is the other cool thing/worry.

  I imagined that Starting out with your license is a little like getting your degree,  there is that moment of slight panic coupled with the "I..think I'll go....this way" thought.  I would encourage those of you wanting to pursue your license to not wait until you pass your test to start looking for a broker. 

I also wanted to get the fastest start possible, so I joined a team instead of going it alone.  Really cool stuff, and I'll post more on the Pros and Cons of that next time.  Best of luck in all you do.

~The Rook~

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

Thursday, November 05

      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~

Preventing The Crash....no not that one.

Tuesday, October 13

The Crash

Holy Geez, please don't think I'm gonna add to the flood of "Hey, guess what?  We're in a recession" type articles and editorials that are everywhere.  I'm talking about my PC.  I love my PC, it's got cool blue and red lights, and a window, etc.  That is really cool to look at during those late hours of scowering over the County Courthouse records, but it does not stop your computer from crashing.  CRASH!  Everything gone, from spreadsheets to contacts.  Wiped from existence.  I wanted to call from help, but I couldn't.  All my contacts were in my PC, so remembering them seemed laughable.  I remember, before iPhones and computers, when I could spout out at least 30+ phone numbers and addresses.  I had to remember, no choice.  That is what Rocks about technology!  I have a choice to store it in my mind or the PC's, but my PC's mind can CRASH!  After the initial shock, and maybe a little weeping, I remembered about the External Harddrive.  Give it up for the External Harddive!!  750Gigs of automatic back up there at the ready.  Once the carcass of the old harddrive was thrown out, and a new shiny one in it's place; it was a simple drag and drop.  Booyah!  Back in business.  So, please, if you do not already own an external harddrive, go get one. 

Once the clicking stops.

Wednesday, October 07

Once The Clicking Stops

So, I've always have had this thing with Roller Coasters.It was that moment once the clicking stops.  You feel alone and fearful.  You know your gonna get off the thing and have this surge of energy, and there will be laughing, but that isn't in the forefront of your mind right now.  The clicking stopped!  It's about to get.... something.  And there it is, you don't know.  I've done a handful of deals, I feel back in that quiet moment right before the first big fall.  It doesn't help to look at the person sitting next to you, they are in the exact same spot.  In fact, they have that same "deer in headlights" look right back at you.  I realized that this is the ride I got on and I have to do this on my own.  I don't think like other people in my family.  I start Geeking out about short sale and talking to a bank, and they have this look like the penguins from Madagascar, "just smile and wave, boys."  Both of my parents are retired after working three decades for the same company.  My mom for Southwestern Bell, and dad for the city.  They have that worker mentality.  They did an awesome job raising my brother and sister the same way, but something didn't click with me.  I joined this site in search of like minded people, and I like what I have seen so far, after crawling all over this thing for several hours.  I get to listen in on all of these great conversations, and everyone seems so helpful and honest.  It is apparent that the supposedly bad economy has no impact here.  I think I'll stay.