A career in real estate can be exciting and rewarding. The first step to success begins with education. A good real estate school will prepare you on the laws of agency, which explains who you work for and the basic understanding of the business. Additionally, real estate agents must work alongside a licensed broker, usually providing services on a contract basis in return for a portion of the commission earned from the sale. Choosing a reputable real estate school can also influence broker’s interest in you.
Many are attracted to this field because of the flexible work schedule and their desire to have an unlimited earning potential. The question is how do you determine if a career in real estate right for you? Take the quiz.
Real estate was recently named one of the best business jobs and has a 12% projected job growth by 2020. Ranked high in job satisfaction, real estate offers you an opportunity to meld flexible hours, an entrepreneurial spirit and the satisfaction of helping others.
According to the Labor Department, the median annual salary for a real estate agent was $40,030 in 2010. The best-paid 10 percent made around $95,220, while the lowest-paid earned roughly $20,460 that year.
All real estate agents must be licensed and work under a licensed broker. To obtain the license, prospective agents must be 18 years or older, take the required courses and pass a written state exam. Although it isn’t necessary, a college or graduate degree can help prospective agents get ahead in the profession.
As you gain experience, agents will encounter many opportunities to advance within a firm, or they can earn a brokerage license and start their own business. The standard work week is 40 hours, although many real estate agents work longer weeks, and evening and weekend hours are common. However, real estate agents often have the opportunity to determine their own work schedules. This isn’t a typical office job: While agents will have to research properties and file paperwork, many aspects of the job—like analyzing and showing properties, meeting with clients, and researching the real estate market—take place away from the desk.
Offering a timely curriculum and instructors with real world experience, the Real Estate School at SABOR is your best place to launch a successful real estate career. The official real estate school of the San Antonio Board of REALTORS® is one of the oldest and most sought-after real estate pre-licensing schools in the state — with class times and a location convenient to you. It provides all the classes you require to fulfill and prepare for the licensing requirement tests and TREC examination.
Henry (Mac) McFarland
Henry (Mac) McFarland has been licensed since ‘97 with a mission to learn as much as he can, so he may help as much as he can. He has earned the ABR, CRS, GRI, AHWD, e-Pro, MRP, PSA, SFR, SRS, TRLS, TAHS Designations/Certifications. Mac is a Texas REALTORS® Senior Instructor and belongs to the Texas Real Estate Teachers Association.
Zelda Cain
In 2006, Zelda launched her second career in real estate, and in 2016 founded A2Z Real Estate Consultants in Houston, TX. Committed to educating, enlightening, and empowering communities, Zelda partners with corporations, elected officials, and nonprofit organizations to educate consumers on achieving their goals of homeownership and financial wellness. She is a lifetime member of the Texas Real Estate Teachers Association, a certified real estate instructor, and an instructor for the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council. She teaches approved certification, designation, and personalized courses for numerous realtor boards, associations, and conferences throughout the United States.
Jim McBeth entered the real estate business after 30 years in the corporate world. He found his new love in real estate, and has acquired numerous designations and lent his expertise to creating programs to help agents set and achieve their goals. He enjoys passing along his joy for real estate to his students, and helping them gain the focus they need to be successful.
Jeani Codrey is a broker, instructor, and second-generation real estate professional who is passionate about education. As a graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program, Jeani practices servant leadership and has served the industry in many capacities at the local, state and national levels. She is a past president and the 2006 REALTOR® of the Year for the Four Rivers Association of REALTORS® (formerly NBCLAAR). She is a Region 7 TREPAC Trustee and has served on the Texas REALTORS® Professional Development Committee for five years.
Tamara Tapman is a devoted military advocate, having helped veterans take advantage of their benefits and obtain low-interest home loans. She has taught courses aimed at helping agents better understand how to serve veteran and active military families, and continually seeks innovative ways to educate the real estate industry on how best to support this community. Tapman was also part of the Texas Veterans Land Board for more than two decades.
Jeani Codrey is a broker, instructor, and second-generation real estate professional who is passionate about education. As a graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program, Jeani practices servant leadership and has served the industry in many capacities at the local, state and national levels. She is a past president and the 2006 REALTOR® of the Year for the Four Rivers Association of REALTORS® (formerly NBCLAAR). She is a Region 7 TREPAC Trustee and has served on the Texas REALTORS® Professional Development Committee for five years.
Melinda Hipp specializes in reverse mortgages for homeowners aged 62 and older, serving hundreds of clients over the past 20 years. As a REALTOR® Academy Instructor, Hipp provides training on the benefits of both the refinance and purchase programs available to homeowners and homebuyers.
Wilson “Hoppie” Cantwell has been a licensed real estate agent for more than 45 years. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, Cantwell went into real estate and is currently president and managing broker of his independently owned and operated real estate brokerage. He was recognized as SABOR’s 2012 Property Management Specialist of the Year and became an instructor at REALTOR® Academy in 2015. Cantwell is also an internationally published author on residential property management.
Charlie Ruffo is a real estate broker with over 40 years of experience in the San Antonio and Houston markets. Ruffo has extensive experience with both commercial and residential real estate. He has been sharing his knowledge and teaching students at REALTOR® Academy for 25 years.
Cher Miculka began her real estate career in 1986 and has worked in several aspects of the industry including REALTOR®, broker, property adjuster, loan officer and home-building operations manager. She has a degree in Business Management from Texas State University where she graduated summa cum laude and she was the recipient of SABOR’s 2017 Broker of the Year Award. Cher is a 2008 graduate of the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program. She was SABOR’s 2021 Chairman of the Board and holds the GRI, CREI, CRS, ABR, LTG and e-PRO, AHLS, BAAS and C2EX designations.
Kenny Cunningham was born and raised in Birmingham, AL, and is a proud husband and father. Prior to becoming a REALTOR ®, he served in the United States Air Force for 11 years on active duty. His last duty assignment was at Lackland Air Force Base, and after separating from the Air Force, his family decided to call San Antonio home. With his passion for helping others and a love for homes, being a REALTOR® was his calling. After just five years in the industry, he became a broker and now owns his own company.
Janna Valencia first got her real estate license in the 90s and after several years of buying and selling real estate became very knowledgeable in lending and investing. She is now both a REALTOR® and mortgage broker with her own commercial lending business for investors. She enjoys teaching others the systems to success and helping agents build their businesses.
In 2004, Lupe Moreno started her career in real estate with an emphasis on new homes sales with a national builder in San Antonio. She quickly made a name for herself, being awarded the ‘Sales Counselor of the Quarter 2005’ and ‘Rookie of the Year’ by the National Association of Home Builder’s. In 2008, Lupe became a REALTOR®, working in markets like Nevada, Arizona, and now San Antonio where she specializes in: Custom Home Sales, Build on Your Lot, High Performance Green Home Sales, New Home Sales, and Military Relocation.
John Neely has helped thousands of students prepare for and pass the State Exam on their way to a successful career in Texas real estate. A native of San Antonio, John enjoys preparing SABOR’s REALTOR Academy students to launch their future in real estate. John served as a Nuclear Missile Officer in the USAF after graduating from Texas A & M. Currently, he is active in day-to-day real estate with a San Antonio based title insurance company and he teaches the Real Estate Exam Prep Workshop on weekends.
Adona Lowery is an active Broker/Owner who works with Owners and Tenants to provide rental and management services. She is passionate about assisting owners and investors with managing their homes, and sharing her property management experience with others to help them grow in their skills and be successful in their careers.
Steve Hamilton is an active REALTOR®, consultant and trainer who works with homebuilders and real estate companies to improve their sales and serve them. Steve’s passion is to help people get better at what they do. He has worked with REALTORS®, homebuilders and various companies for over 40 years and is a Certified Sales Professional and a Certified Negotiation Expert.
Dwight Hale is a retired Air Force veteran and a REALTOR® since 1989. An independent broker, his teaching experience spans over 30 years. He strives to present subject matter in a way that all students feel their time spent with him is both beneficial and even fun.
After serving in the United States Air Force for over 21 years, Ernie Guerrero earned his degree in real estate. He received his broker’s license in 1975 and has been serving the San Antonio community ever since. As a licensed REALTOR® he understands all facets of the profession and has authored several publications that have been approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission. He is a Commission certified instructor and is still active and anxious to share his expertise and knowledge to all his students.
Frances Escobedo is an active REALTOR®/Broker whose designations include GRI, SRES, SRS, SFR and ABR. As an instructor, her goal is to help students become real estate agents who serve their clients and community with honesty, integrity and professionalism. She uses her passion for helping people to ensure her students have the tools they need to be successful agents.
Chip Brown began his real estate career in 2003 and has earned the designations of GRI and CRS. He graduated from the Texas REALTOR Leadership Program in 2008. Prior to entering real estate, Chip worked for twenty five years in the telecommunications industry. Chip has also served in the US Navy as a Naval Aviator, in training, combat, logistics support, and staff assignments.
Scott Caballero has been a REALTOR® since 1996 and is no stranger to leadership at the local, state and national levels. He served as the 2011 Chairman of the Board for SABOR and specializes in teaching classes about the latest real estate technology.
Entering the real estate business in 1999, Phil Thompson quickly became involved with committee activities at SABOR. He served two terms on SABOR’s Board of Directors and also was a member of the Executive Committee. He brings a wealth of experience to the REALTOR® Academy and enjoys leading his classes in various subjects.
Sherri Teepen is a broker who is fiercely passionate about education and her goal is to help student and agents become more skillful in their fields. Sherri has received numerous awards and accolades for her unique teaching style as well as awards from peers and colleagues for her outstanding professionalism.
Pat Strong received her real estate license in 1980 and her broker’s license in 1983. She was an active agent listing and selling real estate for over ten years before she moved into management and spent over seven years in the management field. She is now a full-time instructor and teaches courses in Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana and Oklahoma. Pat is devoted to real estate training for both new and seasoned professionals, and instructs CE courses as well as other designation courses. She was awarded the Texas Association of REALTORS® 2006 Educator of the Year.
Glenwood Stevenson is a broker and has been involved in real estate for more than thirty years. She has a graduate degree in education, and lends her passion for teaching to help both new and seasoned agents become confident and skilled in their businesses.
David Rosow is a third generation REALTOR® and has been in the business over 40 years. His experiences include managing offices and training agents. He enjoys helping new and seasoned agents learn the latest skills and hone existing ones to help them maintain their edge and generate more business.
Lindsey Nix, REALTOR® and TREC Certified Real Estate Instructor, has sold homes for over 18 years. Being from a military family, she used to live in San Antonio as a child. After working in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, she became a REALTOR® in 2000. In 2006 she moved back to San Antonio and is now the Business Developer for Legal Title in Boerne.
