FAQs
Membership FAQ's
New to the business or thinking about becoming a real estate agent? Then you most likely have a few questions. Contact our Member Services Department at 915-779-3521, and a staff member will be happy to assist you.
The first step in getting a real estate license is to contact the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC). Visit the TREC website to find out more about the process.
Yes, you can join GEPAR if you are currently sponsored by a Broker and have documents supporting proof of sponsorship. In addition, your sponsorship documents should have also been sent to TREC, or the TREC website should show you hold an active license with your sponsor
The dues you pay are based on your level of membership with our Association–Designated REALTOR®, Non-Designated REALTOR® or Affiliate.
Yearly membership renewals are due by December 1 for the next year.
Before you can participate in New Member Orientation, you must first sign-up to be a member of GEPAR. GEPAR holds new member orientation on the first Wednesday of every month from 8am to 3pm at GEPAR office (6400 gateway east). A Member Services Specialist will discuss the New Member Orientation with you. However, we encourage you to contact GEPAR at 915-779-3521 with any specific Orientation questions
When you join GEPAR, you can sign up for access to the SentriKey® Real Estate app, which allows you to manage your lockbox inventory, generate secure One Day Codes for access to your lockboxes, view access logs, and control your personal settings related to lockbox features and more. Brokers and Agents can purchase lockboxes through the Association at our REALTOR® Store.
To have access to ZipForm, you must be a member of a local REALTOR® Association and pay Texas REALTORS® dues. Visit the Texas REALTORS® website at www.texasrealtors.com to access ZipForm
We appreciate our committee volunteers and we encourage you to get involved in any way possible. Please visit our Committees page to learn more about each committee and to fill out a form to become involved.
A Limited Function Referral Office (LFRO) is a separate entity that sponsors real estate licensees or appraisers whose sole function is to refer prospective clients to a particular Broker.
Education FAQ's
You can find your education history on file with TREC here.
As a Real Estate Sales Agent, you must renew your license every two years. You can read about the process here.
TRECs' online license service allows you to quickly and conveniently apply for a license, renew your license, change your license status, or update your address. Learn how to set you your account here.
Fee amounts and payment instructions can be found here.
Texas REALTORS® has a helpful FAQ section with great SAE and CE information. To learn more, click here.
We know that sometimes you have questions regarding the courses you need, education requirements to maintain your license, costs to renew your license, and more. For personal assistance, please email hbeck@gepar.org or call 915-783-6072 and ask to speak with the Professional Development Department.
https://www.nar.realtor/about-nar/governing-documents/the-code-of-ethics
Advocacy FAQ's
Government Affairs is a term that is used to cover a broad range of subjects that affect you and your business. These topics include: Government, regulatory, legislative, public affairs, issues campaigns, grassroots support for TREPAC-supported candidates, and lobbying. GEPAR's Government Affairs Department has the pulse on real estate issues within the El Paso County. From participating in grassroots efforts, to interviewing candidates for City and County elections, GEPAR's Government Affairs team and committee work hard to protect private property rights and the real estate profession.
Texas Association of REALTORS® Political Action Committee (TREPAC) receives volunteer investments used to support political candidates and initiatives that strive to preserve homeownership and the vital real estate industry. TREPAC raises and disperses funds to candidates and elected officials in accord with the Government Affairs objectives of Texas REALTORS® and GEPAR. In addition, TREPAC advocates for the protection of private property rights, as well as promotes home ownership and the real estate industry. TREPAC is your insurance against government. See how much TREPAC has saved you and your business: TREPAC Calculator
But for TREPAC, Government Affairs could not operate accordingly with elected officials, issues campaigns, and candidates for office. But for Government Affairs, TREPAC would not have the advocacy needed to protect the private property rights and homeownership issues at the local, state, and federal levels. By investing in TREPAC, you are ensuring that real estate interests have a seat at the table when policy and legislation is being considered. Government Affairs sits at the table and protects your business and your clients’ private property rights.
REALTORS® serve residential and commercial property buyers and sellers in every zip code every day. Guided by enhanced training, earned expertise, and a Code of Ethics, our services play a critical role in helping more people achieve the American Dream. With current market challenges like rising prices and low inventory, as well as shifting trends in commercial real estate, those seeking to buy or sell a home or open or expand a business know they need a REALTOR® by their side.
Most of America’s 1.5 million REALTORS® are small business owners. Our profession makes up nearly 20 percent of the entire U.S. economy.
Owning real estate is a foundational bridge to financial security that should be open to all.
Generally, the Government Affairs monthly meeting is held on the first Thursday of the month at 11:00 am, and TREPAC meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month at 1:30 pm in the GEPAR small board room. However, we encourage you to visit this website's calendar to ensure specific meeting dates/times.
The TREPAC Fair Share is your minimum voluntary investment of $35, however, less can be given. The $35 investment appears on your annual GEPAR dues billing and is an opt-out voluntary investment. Your TREPAC Fair Share funds government affairs issues and activities and is an "investment" in your profession, private property rights, and homeownership.
You can login to your Texas REALTORS® member profile and look at your dashboard for your investment.
Click here for relevant voting information.
You can find your elected officials by following these links: Local Officials, County Officials, and State Officials.
Involvement FAQ's
Getting involved can benefit you in many ways- from networking to the feel-good aspect of volunteering to developing lasting personal and professional relationships. Getting involved and putting your thoughts and ideas into action helps shape the future of our industry. Several opportunities are available; find your passion, serve on one of our committees, volunteer for an event, or serve on the GEPAR Board of Directors. Regardless of your objective, becoming involved in your association fosters meaningful relationships from which you will learn and grow your business.
We treasure our committee volunteers and we encourage you to get involved in any way possible. When you serve on one or more of GEPAR's committees, you provide an invaluable service to your association, the real estate community, and yourself.
Please visit our Committees page to learn more about each committee and to fill out a form to become involved.
Once you submit the volunteer form, a GEPAR staff member will contact you on the dates and times of upcoming committee meetings.
The benefits of being an Affiliate member have never been better! Becoming a member is easy, and we provide you with the tools and opportunities you need to successfully market and provide services to area REALTORS® and their clients. You can apply online today and a GEPAR Member Services Specialist will contact you with the next steps to join.
Once you join, you will start receiving notifications about upcoming GEPAR meetings and events, along with several other benefits, including getting involved with the Affiliate Committee and attending the area Business Development Meetings to further connect.
Whether you're a real estate professional looking to meet people and get involved, someone who wants to volunteer for charitable opportunities, or someone who wants to network and build your leadership skills, we have something for you. Go to the GEPAR events section under the involvement tab on this webpage. We help you find key connections to build on your success.
The Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a fun way for members who are new to the real estate industry to meet other real estate professionals in the area and build a referral network. YPN is a member-driven organization that helps all real estate professionals excel in their careers by giving them the tools and encouragement to get involved and help them succeed in their business.
YPN is chartered and approved by the National Association of REALTORS® and is sponsored by GEPAR.
To find out more about YPN and its events, click here
To learn more about the Young Professionals Network on the national level, click here.
The Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program (TRLP) cultivates leaders from all segments of the community. Through educating, developing, and encouraging selected participants to undertake leadership roles, TRLP provides them with the means and resources to begin their involvement and instructs them on how to utilize assets to effect change and make a difference in their respective professional, personal, and civic areas of interest.
TRLP offers participants and graduates an ongoing opportunity to meet other motivated leaders and to share an intensive learning experience that focuses on community issues and leadership skills. The program provides participants with lectures, seminars, guest speakers, group discussions, and leadership exercises that address vital issues affecting Texas REALTORS®. To find out more about GEPAR's program, and how to apply, email imartinez@gepar.org.