Guides for new and experienced DFW agents

Build a stronger real estate business. Find buyer and seller opportunities, compare brokerages, plan a move or start with a Texas license. Choose the problem you want to solve.

Choose your next step

Find buyer and seller opportunitiesFind the next useful step for your DFW real estate pipeline: buyer leads, seller leads, brokerage opportunities and follow-up for new and experienced agents.
Compare or switch brokeragesCompare DFW brokerage offers by opportunities, written costs, systems, support and exit terms.
Get licensed and start in TexasPlan your Texas real estate license, broker sponsorship and first months in DFW with primary TREC sources and practical guides.

Get leads

How to Get Buyer Leads as a New Real Estate Agent in DFWFive places new Texas agents find buyers, a weekly routine that works, and what to skip until you have a system.
How to Get Listings as a New Real Estate AgentWhere new Texas agents find their first sellers, how to prepare, and the rules to check before you call anyone.
How to Get Leads From Open Houses as a New AgentHow to find open houses to hold, what to do before, during and after, and how to follow up the same day.
Where Real Estate Leads Come From: Seven Sources ComparedSeven ways agents find buyers and sellers, compared by money, time and who each one suits, with a simple weekly plan.
Seller Leads for Experienced DFW Agents: Build a Useful Weekly PlanPlan seller conversations around past clients, referrals, local knowledge and brokerage opportunities, with a worksheet for experienced DFW agents.
Cold Calling for New Agents: Why It Feels Awful and What to Do InsteadWhy many new agents dread cold calling, what the FTC Do Not Call rules say before you dial, and warm alternatives to try in your first months.
Questions to Ask Before You Commit to a Real Estate Lead SourceAsk these questions before paying for or accepting real estate leads: permission, Do Not Call status, cost, exclusivity and how you will follow up.
The National Do Not Call Registry for Real Estate AgentsHow the National Do Not Call Registry affects real estate agents: the 31 day rule, business relationships, written permission, fees and penalties, from the FTC.
Google Business Profile for Real Estate Agents: Setup and RulesWho can create a Google Business Profile as a real estate agent, how service areas work, what Texas advertising rules add, and a setup checklist.
How to Ask for Real Estate Reviews Without Breaking the RulesHow real estate agents can ask for reviews within Google policy and the FTC reviews rule: what is allowed, what is banned, timing and wording.
How to Use a CRM as a New Real Estate Agent: Five FieldsA simple CRM setup for a new agent: the five fields that matter, a weekly routine, and the email and advertising rules to follow in Texas.
What Is a Sphere of Influence? Build One From ZeroWhat a sphere of influence is, how to count yours, a 100-contact template by category, and the Texas and federal rules to follow when you reach out.
How Much Do Real Estate Leads Cost an Agent, and Which Kinds Are Worth It?The real cost of real estate leads for Texas agents: cost models, cost per closed deal, referral fee rules and questions to ask.
Real Estate Lead Generation for Agents: 30 Questions AnsweredPlain answers for DFW agents on who gets leads, what counts as a lead, when to follow up, where leads come from, why they go cold, and how much leads cost.

Answer and follow up

Speed to Lead in Real Estate: Why the First Few Minutes Can MatterWhat the research says about response time, how fast is fast enough, and how to answer leads when you are busy.
Answer Rate in Real Estate: Why Picking Up the Phone Can Win LeadsWhat answer rate is, why it matters and how to track it, and simple habits that raise it.
A Real Estate Lead Follow-Up Schedule for the First 30 DaysA simple day-by-day plan to follow up with a new lead by phone, text and email without nagging, plus when to stop.
Real Estate Scripts for New Agents: Calls, Voicemails and TextsShort, plain scripts for a buyer lead call, a seller lead call, a voicemail, a text and a referral ask, with tips to sound like yourself.

Grow your business

Experienced DFW Agent Without Enough Leads? Find the BottleneckA practical pipeline check for experienced DFW agents: separate too few opportunities from missed conversations, appointments and follow-up.
How Many Leads Does an Agent Need to Close One Deal?There is no single national number. Learn the six funnel stages and do the reverse math from your closings goal.
How DFW Agents Keep a Pipeline Going in a Slow MarketA sourced look at current DFW and Texas housing data, plus a practical playbook, 12 week plan and cash reserve worksheet for agents in a slow market.

Start right

What Real Estate School Does Not Teach You (Texas)The business skills new Texas agents learn after the exam: prospecting, money, follow-up, and how to run yourself as a business.
After the Texas Real Estate Exam: How to Find a Sponsoring BrokerWhat happens after you pass, why your license stays inactive until a broker sponsors you, and how to choose one.
How Much Do New Real Estate Agents Really Make?What NAR data says about agent income, why the first year is hard, and how to plan your money.
Your First 90 Days as a New Real Estate Agent: A Simple PlanA week-by-week plan for setup, prospecting, follow-up and tracking your numbers.
First-Year Budget for a New Real Estate Agent (With a Worksheet)Costs new Texas agents often forget, how to estimate your runway, and a simple worksheet you can fill in.
Inactive Texas Real Estate License: How to Activate ItWhat an inactive Texas license lets you do, what it does not, and how a broker sponsorship makes it active.
Texas Real Estate Terms for New Agents: A Plain-English GlossaryDozens of terms Texas agents hear in their first months, from TREC and IABS to desk fees and option periods, in plain words.
How to Get a Texas Real Estate License: A DFW Planning GuideThe Texas licensing path from qualifying education to the exam and broker sponsorship, plus a planning checklist for a first real estate business in DFW.
What Are the Requirements for a Texas Real Estate License?The requirements for a Texas real estate sales agent license: age, citizenship, 180 hours of courses, honesty standard, fingerprints and exams, from TREC.
How Many Hours Does It Take to Get a Texas Real Estate License?TREC requires 180 classroom hours for a Texas sales agent license: six 30 hour courses.
How Much Does the Texas Real Estate Exam Cost?The Texas sales agent exam fee is $58 per the TREC fee schedule.
What Is a Sponsoring Broker in Texas, and What Do They Do?A sponsoring broker is the Texas broker your sales agent license is tied to.
eXp Realty for New Agents: Public Facts and Questions to AskPublic facts about eXp Realty from its SEC filing and website, how its revenue share model is described, and questions a new Texas agent can ask.
Fathom Realty for New Agents: Public Facts and Questions to AskPublic facts about Fathom Realty from its SEC filing, including the fee terms it publishes, and questions a new Texas agent can ask before choosing.
Real Brokerage for New Agents: Public Facts and Questions to AskPublic facts about Real Brokerage from its SEC filings, including the fee terms it publishes, and questions a new Texas agent can ask before choosing.
LPT Realty for New Agents: Public Facts and Questions to AskPublic facts about LPT Realty from its website and trade press, and questions a new Texas agent can ask before choosing a brokerage.
RE/MAX for New Agents: Public Facts and Questions to AskPublic facts about RE/MAX from its SEC annual report, and questions a new Texas agent can ask before choosing a brokerage.
Compass for New Agents: Public Facts and Questions to AskPublic facts about Compass from its SEC annual report, and questions a new Texas agent can ask before choosing a brokerage.
Coldwell Banker Realty for New Agents: Public Facts and Questions to AskPublic facts about Coldwell Banker from the Compass SEC annual report, and questions a new Texas agent can ask before choosing a brokerage.
Century 21 for New Agents: Public Facts and Questions to AskPublic facts about Century 21 from the Compass SEC annual report, and questions a new Texas agent can ask before choosing a brokerage.
Fathom vs Real vs LPT: Public Facts Side by SideA neutral side by side of public facts about Fathom Realty, Real Brokerage and LPT Realty, with questions a new Texas agent can ask each one.
The 6 Types of Real Estate Brokerages ExplainedCloud, discount, national franchise, tech-forward, local and team-led brokerages explained in plain words, with public facts and questions to ask each.
Traditional, Cloud and Team Brokerages ExplainedHow traditional office, cloud and team brokerages differ for a new Texas agent: who pays what, who owns clients, and what to ask before you join.
Cloud and Revenue Share Brokerages ExplainedHow cloud brokerages and revenue share programs work, what companies say in their filings, and eight questions a new Texas agent can ask.
National Franchise Brokerages ExplainedHow national franchise brokerages like RE/MAX, Coldwell Banker and Century 21 work, who sets your terms, and eight questions to ask.
Discount and Low-Fee Brokerages ExplainedHow discount and low-fee real estate brokerages work, what Fathom and Real publish about their fee terms, and eight questions to ask before you join.
Team-Led Brokerages Explained: Who Owns the Client?How real estate teams work inside a Texas brokerage, what TREC says about team names, who owns the listing and client, and eight questions to ask.
How to Read Real Estate Brokerage ReviewsHow to read agent and consumer reviews of a real estate brokerage, what the FTC rule on fake reviews says, and ten checks to run before you trust one.
Which Brokerage Type Fits a New Agent? Questions, Not VerdictsA neutral guide to matching your needs to the six brokerage types. Questions, not rankings.
Texas Brokerage Comparison: Public Facts and What Agents SayOur neutral brokerage profiles, comparisons and model explainers for new Texas agents. No rankings.
How Long Is the Texas Real Estate Exam and What Is on It?The Texas sales agent exam has a national and a state part, 240 minutes in all.
How Hard Is the Texas Real Estate Exam?What makes the Texas sales agent exam hard or easy: the passing scores, topics, how TREC counts pass rates and why school pass rates need care.
Where Do You Take the Texas Real Estate Exam?How to schedule the Texas real estate exam with Pearson VUE, plus the 24 hour rule and change and cancel rules.
How Long Until Your Texas Real Estate License Is Issued?What TREC says about review time, the background check and the inactive license after the exam.
How to Study for the Texas Real Estate Exam: A 4-Week PlanA four-week study plan for the Texas sales agent exam, built on the official topic counts, the passing scores and the practice test options.
Can You Get a Texas Real Estate License With a Criminal Record?What TREC says about criminal history, the Fitness Determination and the fingerprint background check.
How Do You Find a Sponsoring Broker in Texas?A neutral process for finding a Texas sponsoring broker: what TREC requires, how the sponsorship request works in REALM, and a scorecard to compare brokers.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Texas Real Estate License?TREC says sales agent applicants must be 18 or older.
Do You Need a College Degree to Be a Real Estate Agent in Texas?The TREC sales agent page lists no high school or college degree requirement.
How Much Does a Sponsoring Broker Cost in Texas?TREC lists no fee for a sponsorship request.
Can You Take the Texas Real Estate Exam Without Taking Classes?TREC says sales agent applicants must complete 180 hours of education before the exam.
How to Renew Your Texas Real Estate LicenseTREC renewal basics for sales agents: the two-year cycle, 18 hours of continuing education, first-renewal courses, late renewal and the online steps.
Texas Real Estate Fingerprints and Background Check: What to ExpectHow fingerprinting works for a Texas real estate license: who must do it, IdentoGO, the $37 fee, unreadable prints, out-of-state hard cards and timing.
What Happens If You Fail the Texas Real Estate Exam? Retake RulesFailing the Texas sales agent exam is not the end.
How Do Real Estate Agents Get Paid in Texas?Texas agents earn commission, not a salary.
Texas Real Estate Exam Day Checklist: What to Bring and What to ExpectWhat to bring to the Texas real estate exam, plus arrival time, break rules and check-in.
What Is the Texas IABS Form and When Do You Give It?The IABS form in plain words: what it says, when a Texas license holder must give it, and the website link rule.
Do New Real Estate Agents Make Money in Texas?A plain yes-or-no answer with BLS and NAR data: many new agents earn little at first, pay comes from commission, and planning your cash matters.
Realtor, Real Estate Agent and Broker: What Is the Difference in Texas?Realtor, agent and broker mean different things in Texas.
Are Real Estate Agents Independent Contractors or Employees in Texas?Learn how the IRS decides if a worker is a contractor or employee, what it says about licensed agents, and what TREC says about sponsors.
What Is TREC? The Texas Real Estate Commission ExplainedTREC licenses Texas agents and brokers, approves education and enforces the license act.
Can You Be a Real Estate Agent Part Time in Texas?TREC sets no minimum hours for Texas agents, but you still need a sponsor and must follow the rules.
Your First Week After You Get Your Texas Real Estate License: A 10-Step ChecklistA 10-step checklist for your first week with a new Texas real estate license: sponsorship, REALM Portal, IABS, SAE hours and a brokerage choice.
Is Real Estate a Good Career in 2026? An Honest AnswerAn honest look at real estate as a career, using BLS pay and outlook data and TREC licensing steps.
Why Do New Real Estate Agents Fail? What the Data Does and Does Not SayThere is no verified failure rate for new agents.
How Do New Real Estate Agents Get Clients? A Plain Guide for TexasNew agents find clients through people they know, open houses, online work and brokerage leads.
Texas SAE Hours for New Agents: What They Are and When They Are DueTexas new agents must finish Sales Agent Education before the first renewal.
What Should a New Real Estate Agent Do First? A Texas ChecklistJust passed the Texas exam? Do these steps in order: confirm your inactive license, find a sponsor, accept it in REALM, then plan your first renewal.
Does a Texas Real Estate License Transfer to Another State?TREC says Texas has no reciprocity with any state. What that means if you want to work elsewhere.
Can You Become a Real Estate Agent Online in Texas?What can be done online for a Texas real estate license and what cannot, per TREC.
Can You Become a Real Estate Agent at 40, 50 or 60 in Texas?Is there an upper age limit for a Texas real estate license?
TREC Advertising Rules for New Agents: What Must Be on Your MarketingWhat must appear on a Texas agent's ads?
Can One Texas Agent Represent Both the Buyer and the Seller?Texas does not allow dual agency, says TREC. A broker can act as an intermediary with written consent.
Why Choose DFW as a New Real Estate Agent? What the Census Data ShowsIs Dallas-Fort Worth a good place to start in real estate?
Can a Texas Real Estate Agent Work From Home?What TREC says about working away from the broker's main office, and what to ask about remote work.
How to Reactivate an Inactive Texas Real Estate LicenseWhat TREC says about going inactive, renewing inactive, and returning to active with a sponsoring broker.
Referral Fees in Texas Real Estate: Who Can Be Paid and Who CannotWhat TREC says about paying a referral fee in Texas, the $50 gift limit, why cash to an unlicensed person is a problem, and the RESPA rule.
How to Get a Texas Real Estate Broker License: What TREC RequiresWhat TREC lists for an individual broker license: 270 hours, 630 related hours, 720 experience points, four years active and the exam.
How to Check a Texas Real Estate License Status and SponsorUse TREC License Holder Search to look up a Texas sales agent or broker, read the public record carefully and check REALM when sponsorship details look stale.
Does a Texas Property Manager Need a Real Estate License?When Texas property managers need a license, based on leasing, showing, rent control, property type and the owner or employee exceptions.
Wholesaling in Texas: When You Need a License and What You Must DiscloseTexas wholesalers may sell a contract or option without a license only if they do not act as a broker and disclose in writing. Plain rules from TREC and the Occupations Code.
The Texas Option Period Explained for New Agents and ClientsHow the option fee and option period work in the TREC resale contract: who pays, what the buyer can do, and the deadline mistakes that cost clients their exit.
Earnest Money in Texas: Who Holds It, When It Is Due and Who Gets ItHow earnest money works in the TREC resale contract: the 3 day delivery rule, who holds it, when it is refunded, and how the release and demand steps work.
Buyer Representation Agreements in Texas: What Agents Must Do in 2026Texas now requires a written agreement before you show a home to a buyer. See what it must say, when to sign, the open house rule and common mistakes.
Taxes for Texas Real Estate Agents: Self-Employment BasicsA plain-words guide to Schedule C, self-employment tax, quarterly estimated payments and records for new agents, based on IRS pages. Not tax advice.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License in Texas?A step by step look at the Texas sales agent license path, who controls each step, what TREC says about timing, and how to build your own timeline.
How Much Does It Cost to Be a Real Estate Agent in DFW?What it costs to get licensed and stay in business as a Texas agent, with sourced TREC, association and MLS fees and a worksheet.

Pick a brokerage

How to Choose a Real Estate Brokerage in Texas as a New AgentEight questions to ask before you sign with a brokerage, and a simple way to compare two offers.
Commission Splits and Brokerage Fees Explained (Texas)How splits, caps, flat fees and desk fees work, with a labeled illustration and the questions to ask.
How to Switch Real Estate Brokerages in TexasWhat happens to your listings, buyers and commissions when you change sponsoring brokers in Texas, and the steps to do it cleanly.
Join a Team or Work Solo? An Honest Comparison for New AgentsThe real tradeoffs of a real estate team versus working on your own, and the questions to ask a team leader before you sign.
How to Hang Your Real Estate License in Texas (Step by Step)What hanging your license means in Texas, how a broker sponsors you through TREC, and what to do once it is effective.
Brokerages That Provide Leads in DFW: What to Ask Before You JoinWhat "we provide leads" can mean, how brokerages pay for them, and ten questions that show whether the leads are real.
What No Desk Fee Really Means for a Real Estate AgentWhat a desk fee is, what other fees to ask about, and how to compare two brokerages by what you keep after a realistic year.
Types of Real Estate Brokerages: Pros, Cons and Who Each One FitsFranchise, discount, high-split, cloud, team and support-first brokerages: why each exists, what it costs, and where agents tend to struggle.
Discount Brokerage or Support-First Brokerage? How to Compare Them HonestlyA discount brokerage and a support-first brokerage make different trades. Here is how to compare what you keep and what you get, with a worked example.
Relationship-First or Transactional? How to Tell What a Brokerage Is Selling YouBrokerage models differ in how much they invest in agents over time. Here are the signs, the questions, and how The Bauer Group thinks about it.
Best Real Estate Brokerage in DFW? Compare Fit Before You ChooseCompare DFW brokerages by opportunity access, total written costs, support, local fit and exit terms. A practical method for new and experienced agents.
Do Real Estate Brokerages Give You Leads?Some brokerages offer leads and many do not.
Red Flags When Choosing a Brokerage as a New Agent in TexasSpot warning signs before you pick a sponsoring broker in Texas.
Questions to Ask a Brokerage Before You Sign in TexasA checklist of questions for new Texas agents to ask a brokerage on costs, training, leads, contracts and exit terms before signing anything.
How to Change Your Sponsoring Broker in the TREC REALM PortalHow a Texas sales agent changes sponsoring brokers in the TREC REALM Portal: pin your license, request or accept, termination, timing and pay.
Which Real Estate Brokerage Is Best for New Agents? How to DecideNo single brokerage is best for every new Texas agent.
Do Real Estate Brokerages Offer Health Insurance or Benefits to Agents?Most brokerages treat agents as independent contractors, so benefits are often not included.
How to Join a Real Estate Brokerage in Texas: From Offer to First DayThe order of work for joining a Texas brokerage: read the agreement, pin your license in REALM, get sponsored, update your IABS and contracts, then start.
Which Brokerage Has the Lowest Fees? What to Compare InsteadA low fee on one line does not mean a low cost.
Switching Brokerages With Pending Deals and Listings in TexasWhat happens to listings, pending deals and commissions when a Texas agent changes sponsoring brokers, plus a step list and questions to ask first.
Can You Take Your Clients When You Change Brokerages in Texas?Who owns the client when a Texas agent changes brokers? What TREC says about listing and buyer agreements, releases, and what you can do next.
Holding an Inactive Texas Real Estate License: What It Costs and What You Can DoWhat an inactive Texas license lets you do, what renewal costs, the CE rules, and the steps to return to active status through TREC REALM.
What to Export Before You Tell Your Broker You Are LeavingA checklist for Texas agents who are changing brokerages: what to copy, what stays with the broker, and what TREC says about listings, buyers and commissions.
Moving to DFW as a Licensed Real Estate Agent: How to Start in TexasLicensed in another state? Here is what TREC says about out-of-state license holders, what changes in Texas practice, and a 60 day plan for DFW.

Printable tools

Brokerage scorecardCompare two or three brokerages side by side on cost, leads, training and exit terms.
30-day follow-up trackerLog every call, text and email for a new lead.

Official Texas resources

Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)The state agency that licenses Texas agents and brokers.
TREC: Become a sales agentThe official steps from courses to a sponsored license.
TREC: REALM portal updates and FAQsHow license holders manage their license and sponsorship online.
TREC: Licensing formsForms for licensing, inactive status and more.
Texas RealtorsThe state association, with forms, news and education.
National Association of REALTORSNational research and the Code of Ethics.
HUD: Fair housing and equal opportunityThe federal fair housing rules every agent works under.

Education only. Not legal, tax or financial advice. Confirm licensing rules with the Texas Real Estate Commission.

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