All agents have to complete real estate continuing education, but the best don't stop there. Our industry is ever-changing, and the most successful agents are the ones who never stop learning.
That’s why we’ve put together this collection of deep-dive resources just for you. These resources go beyond what's covered in our Texas Legal Updates, Conracts, and Broker Responsibility CE courses, giving you deeper insights, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to apply in your day-to-day business. So dive into these expert-approved reads and keep pushing your business forward.
1️⃣ Mastering Intermediary Relationships
Think you understand dual agency? This official Texas Real Estate Commission article clears up the confusion around intermediary relationships, which is how Texas handles representing both buyer and seller. It walks you through the exact steps (like getting written consent from all parties) and offers practical reminders so you can confidently navigate dual representation without breaking any rules. A must-read to ensure you handle this delicate situation legally and fairly, keeping your clients’ trust and staying out of trouble.
2️⃣ Fiduciary Duty Explained
Are you truly putting your clients first? This plain-language law blog breaks down fiduciary duty – the “highest duty known to the law,” as NAR calls it. It spells out the six loyalty duties (using the handy OLDCAR acronym) that every Texas agent owes their clients and gives real examples of breaches. Reading this will remind you of the gold standard of ethics you’re expected to uphold and how honoring these duties builds the client trust that grows your business. Don’t wait for a lawsuit to refresh your memory – get these insights now.
Ivo Limić
3️⃣ Serving Veterans and VA Buyers
Become the go-to agent for military clients! This uplifting REALTOR® Magazine piece explores the unique challenges veterans and active-duty buyers face – and how you can help them overcome stigma around VA loans. Two seasoned experts share insider tips on dispelling myths (like VA loans being “difficult”) and catering to military needs.
By reading this, you’ll pick up strategies to better serve those who served us, from navigating VA appraisals to leveraging special programs. It’s an inspiring reminder that with a little knowledge, you can turn VA-backed buyers into lifelong clients by getting them home sooner.
Lisa A. Beach
4️⃣ TREC Disclosure Updates
Stay ahead of rule changes! Direct from TREC’s newsroom, here’s a rundown of the latest disclosure rule updates that affect your practice going into 2025. Most importantly, the required Information About Brokerage Services form now clearly states commissions are negotiable – not set by law.
This article explains what’s changed and when you must start using the new forms. It’s a quick read that ensures you’re up to date on the newest compliance details (like broker fee disclosures) so you can educate clients and avoid mistakes. Don’t get caught using outdated forms – get the scoop straight from the source.
5️⃣ Advertising Compliance 101
Are your ads TREC-legal? This handy guide from TREC lays out exactly what every real estate advertisement in Texas must include. (Spoiler: Your name or team name and your broker’s name – with the broker’s name at least half the size of the largest contact info in the ad.)
It also warns against common advertising violations like misleading URLs or unregistered team names. If you market on social media, yard signs, or anywhere else, this is a must-read to double-check you’re following the rules. It’ll help you keep your branding creative and compliant, avoiding fines while attracting clients the right way.
6️⃣ 8 Contract Mistakes
Don’t let simple mistakes derail your deal. This eye-opening article by a veteran escrow officer reveals the most common errors agents make on Texas contracts – the kind that land you in legal hot water. From botching the survey provision (mistake #1 – checking the wrong box and making the seller pay for a new survey), to unrealistic HOA document deadlines and missing signatures, you’ll learn the pitfalls that title companies see every day.
Each mistake comes with a fix or prevention tip. Reading this is like getting a personal debrief from a closer at the closing table – you’ll walk away ready to write cleaner contracts and protect your clients (and yourself) from costly delays or lawsuits.
7️⃣ Survey Dilemma: New vs. Existing?
Save your clients money without sacrificing peace of mind. This piece dives deep into the choice of using an existing survey with a T-47 affidavit vs. ordering a new survey in a sale. Using an old survey can save $500–$700, but the article explains hidden risks: the old survey isn’t certified to your buyer, meaning if there’s an error or encroachment, the buyer has no recourse against the surveyor.
It weighs buyer and seller considerations in plain English. After this read, you’ll be equipped to advise clients on the best route – and you’ll impress them with your savvy understanding of title coverage (like what “survey deletion” insurance is). Turn a mundane contract paragraph into a chance to shine as a knowledgeable deal-maker.
8️⃣ Making the Most of Unlicensed Assistants
Get help without getting in trouble. TREC knows many brokers and agents rely on unlicensed assistants, so they published this clarifying Q&A on what tasks an unlicensed person can and cannot do. The article draws the “thin line” between administrative help and activities that legally require a license. Can your assistant cold-call prospects? Schedule showings? Attend an open house?
Find out here. It’s full of real-world scenarios that will help you delegate efficiently while avoiding criminal charges or disciplinary action for unauthorized brokerage. If you’re growing your team (or just trying to avoid burnout), this guide is a lifesaver to safely maximize your support staff’s role.
9️⃣ Broker Oversight & Liability
Supervising agents isn’t just paperwork – it’s protection. This risk management article lays out how a broker can be held vicariously liable for their agents’ missteps and offers three smart strategies to limit that risk. It acknowledges the real-world challenge: as your team grows, so do the chances of a rogue agent error.
You’ll get tips on setting up training, compliance checkpoints, and a culture of communication that catches problems early. In short, it shows how strong oversight and mentorship not only keep you compliant with TREC’s broker responsibility rules but also prevent lawsuits and E&O claims. If you’re a broker (or aspire to be), this read will convince you that active supervision is worth every minute – it’s building a bulletproof brokerage.
Amanda
🔟 Competency: Know Your Limits
Just because you have a license doesn’t mean you’re qualified for every deal. This Texas REALTOR® magazine article drives home the point of TREC’s Competency Rule: you must be knowledgeable in the local market and type of property you’re dealing with, or risk violating your duties. For example, if you’ve only sold homes and suddenly take on a commercial listing without extra training or partnering up, you’re skating on thin ice.
The article gives practical ways to build competence – from studying market data to shadowing experienced colleagues – and cites a recent law that prompted TREC to emphasize this rule. It’s a friendly nudge to never stop learning. Read it and you’ll be inspired to fill any gaps in your expertise before you take on that next niche client, keeping your reputation (and license) safe.
1️⃣1️⃣ Antitrust in Real Estate
Never discuss commissions at cocktail hour! This insightful read demystifies antitrust laws as they apply to real estate. It uses plain examples to show what illegal price-fixing or market allocation looks like – e.g. two brokers agreeing to “you take east side, I take west” or a group quietly fixing a minimum 6% commission.
The takeaway? Even casual agreements with competitors can be felony violations with prison time and huge fines. But don’t fret – the article also shares simple tips to avoid antitrust trouble, like training your team and having a clear office policy that commission rates are always independently set. In light of recent high-profile lawsuits, this is a timely refresher that will keep your brokerage on the right side of the law while competing fiercely (and fairly) in the market.
Amanda
1️⃣2️⃣ Fair Housing Foundations
Protect your clients and your conscience. This easy-read guide refreshes you on Fair Housing Act essentials and how they apply to your daily work. It covers the seven protected classes and reminds that fair housing basically means treat everyone equally. As the expert quoted says, problems arise “when agents make assumptions about people” – for instance, only showing certain neighborhoods based on a buyer’s ethnicity or family status can inadvertently become illegal steering.
The article drives home that you need consistent processes for all clients. It also warns of the serious penalties (fines, lost license) if you slip up. Consider this your friendly compliance check-up that also doubles as inspiration to serve every buyer and renter with the same high level of professionalism.
1️⃣3️⃣ Wire Fraud Warning Signs
Don’t let your deal fall prey to hackers. This NAR resource highlights the growing threat of real estate wire transfer scams and gives you concrete steps to shield your transactions. You’ll learn why fraudsters target home purchases and see best practices that top brokers use: e.g. educating buyers early, using secure communication, and always verifying wire instructions via a trusted phone call.
It even suggests adding a wire-fraud notice to your email signature and having clients sign a disclosure so they’re on high alert. Given that millions have been stolen in Texas through spoofed emails, this is timely advice. Read this short guide and you’ll feel empowered to talk to your clients about staying safe – proving your value by guarding their money as fiercely as you negotiate their contracts.
