Hello Everyone,

I'm a investor and do have couple of properties under my belt. I brought both the properties through MLS and end up paying few thousand $$ in commission. I'm planning to take real estate license but don't know where to start.

How many hours needs to be complete before giving exams? How many and name of books requires to prepare? Who teaches in Houston? Any online courses? Exam fees? Where to go for exams?

Thanks!!!

@Hiren Patani I think getting your real estate license can be a good thing. In order to be able to take the license test, you have to complete 180 hours of course work. There are no books required, whoever you choose for the courses will provide what's needed. There are many places in Houston and online that offer the coursework. I took my courses online and it took me a few months to get through them. A friend of mine took the classes in person and finished in a week. It's up to you to decide what works best for you. Online courses are usually cheaper. I think with the courses, exam fees, fingerprint/background check, I paid maybe $500-600 total to get my license. There are multiple testing facilities around Houston, when you sign up for the exam they will tell you where you can go.

After passing the exam, you then have to put your license with a brokerage in order to practice real estate. There is a wide range of services offered by brokerages, so choosing one that fits your needs is important.

Check out trec.texas.gov for all of the license requirements and how to get started.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

@Jonathan Halverson I have similarly thought the same thing as the OP about getting my license down the line. I have a W-2 job already so not looking to make a career change. I would only want the license to have access to MLS, to show myself properties and get access to rent rolls, etc and not inconvenience my agent to drive across Houston for something I may or may not purchase.

In order to achieve those things, do you still have to put your license with a brokerage?   If yes, are the brokerages ok just having a licensee under them who has no intention to buy or sell houses for commissions since it would be simply for purchasing investments?

@Ben Volkman I'm actually in a similar situation as you. I have a full time job as well. I got my real estate license a couple years ago with intentions similar to yours.

You do still need to place your license with a brokerage in order to get access to the MLS and to access properties. It varies from broker to broker as to whether or not they care if you don't intend to actually sell homes. I am with Keller Williams in Clear Lake and they have no issues with me putting my license there mainly for my own purposes and maintaining a separate job. I actually did just close on a retail deal through my brokerage, sold a house to some friends. But that was the first one in two years that went through the brokerage. If you do get your license, interview a few brokerages to make sure they are a good fit for you.

I was about to say, even with the license, you'll still need to catch on with a broker and join HAR to get access to the MLS.