No, all agents licensed in the state of Texas can show any property within the state.
An option period is an unrestricted right to terminate a contract and recieve the earnest money back. Example: 5 day option period for $100.00. The buyer will pay $100.00 for the right to back out of the contract within 5 days. All option periods end at 5:00PM.
Yes, TREC requires agents to have geographical competence. A local agent already has knowledge of the area and a network of professionals.
Typically agents are paid by the seller. The listing agent and the buyers agent split a predetermined percentage negotiated by the seller.