I Want to Become a Texas REALTOR® - Now What?

So you want to become a Realtor....Congratulations!!!! Now where do you start?? 

Classes, licenses, fees, and dues.  Brokers, offices, contracts, and clients....the list of questions goes on and on!  Which office do you choose to join?  How do all of these things fit together?  How do you make the right decisions for your career?  What does it mean to be a Realtor?  What kind of outlook does this profession have?  What is your earning potential?  I hope to answer all of these questions, and more over the course of this blog! 

First things first:  What is the difference between a Realtor and a real estate agent?

According to Navy Federal Credit Union, a real estate agent is "an individual who is licensed to negotiate and arrange real estate sales; works for a real estate broker."

According to Realtor.com, "A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate® -- the world's largest professional association. The term REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics."

All REALTORS® are real estate agents, but not all real estate agents are REALTORS®.  Most brokerage firms will require a real estate agent to join the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and become a REALTOR®.