Licensing
NMLS license: 20 hours of pre-licensing education + state exam. Required in every state.
Bond
Surety bond is required — $25k–$100k depending on state.
Lender relationships
Sign with 3–5 wholesale lenders. UWM, Rocket TPO, and Plaza Home Mortgage are large but transactional. Black-led credit unions are slower but values-aligned.
Marketing
Real estate agent partnerships. Black homebuyer education events. Atlanta, Houston, Charlotte, and DMV are strong markets.