Choosing A Real Estate School – 10 Incredible Tips
If you are looking to get your real estate license or even your broker’s license, then choosing the right real estate school is very important.
Below, I have laid out some tips on choosing the right real estate school as well as other helpful information that I have learned over the years working with dozens of real estate agents.
Let’s dive in!
How Is Your Schedule?
If you are working in another job, going to school or even currently working in the real estate world then you might not have the time for the traditional classroom.
The world of online schooling had exploded over the last 10-15 years and real estate education has jumped on board.
There are many online real estate schools you can choose from. Just be sure to choose wisely. Read reviews and ask around
One school that we recommend is Real Estate Express. They service around 39 states and do a terrific job. More on that later.
Classroom Schooling
If you decide to go with a local real estate school and sign up for in classroom, then be sure to ask around for reviews.
I did the classroom for my pre license for my sales associate and I could barely stay awake. Boredom got the best of me and I almost dropped out before giving it a chance.
I am so glad I didn’t!
The point is, be sure your professor is engaging and entertaining. If not, you might reminisce to a shitty math teacher you had back in high school, with your head on your desk drooling.
But what about education on your own time with Online…
How Do You Learn?
If you do not have the self-discipline to sit at a computer and educate yourself on real estate licensure, then the online course may not be ideal for you.
However, keep this in mind. If you do not have this type of “self-discipline” then going into business for yourself as a real estate agent, may not be the right road for you.
So, maybe the online course will be a true test for yourself… Becoming a real estate agent takes a lot of self-motivation and discipline to be successful.
What’s Your Why For Getting A Real Estate License
Why are you getting your real estate license or broker’s license? Does it make sense? I have seen a lot of failure in this business.
So just be sure you are doing this for all the right reasons. The last thing you want to do is waste your time or money in getting a powerful license that you do nothing with it.
I encourage you to write down all the reasons why you are moving forward and what you are going to sacrifice to be a success in real estate.
Will You Sacrifice
Look. Getting your real estate license is the easy part. The hard part is being an incredible success in the business.
Keep this in mind. Review all the content on this website as there are dozens and dozens of content on how to build a profitable real estate business.
So are you willing to sacrifice spending time with your family and children? Are you willing to sacrifice spending money and reducing your personal overhead?
Don’t be the agent who enters into this business who says “I want to be in business for myself so I have flexibility.” This mentality is an express line to failure in this industry.
The Process For Real Estate Sales Agents
In most states, you will have to get your Pre-Licensure for your sales associate license. This will depend on your state. My state of Florida, this consists of 63 classrooms (online) hours.
Then it is mandatory to go back to school for your Post License which is another 45 hours online or in the classroom.
Thereafter, you have what is called Continuing Education. You will be required to have real estate schooling of 14 hours every two years.
You can also get credits toward continuing education for local seminars or events that you go to. Just be sure to register and talk with your local real estate board. Most will have a calendar of events and it will show how many hours will be credited.
Usually, in our area, they average to be about 3 hours. So you will have to go to roughly 5 events every two years to hit this. Personally, I do the 14 hour online every time. It’s fast and easy with a simple exam at the end.
** Reminder. This will vary state to state. So check with Real Estate Express and they will guide you on the right path.
The Process For Real Estate Brokers
Again this is pertaining to Florida law. To be eligible to get your real estate brokers license you must hold an active sales associate license for at least 24 months of the last 5 years.
Once you are eligible, back to school!
You will enroll and complete 72-hour pre-license course. And within 24 months, you will have to complete 60 hours of post-licensure. Check HERE for current pricing in your state.
Thereafter you will have the same 14-hour continuing education every two years. However, you do not need continuing education for both sales associate and brokers. Just for Brokers.
Oh yeah… In the state of Florida and many other states, you can now start your own real estate brokerage! This is what I did about 3 years after having my real estate license at the age of 25.
** I didn’t know what the hell I was doing which is why I created this website. Learn from my failures and successes. If I was armed with this information on this site, I would be about $400,000 richer.
I have a couple articles on this as well in terms of starting a real estate brokerage. Just check out the Blog For Brokers.
The State Exam
I’m pretty sure every state has a required state exam to pass like Florida. They are usually fairly difficult to pass and they will try to manipulate the questions.
I have learned the process of elimination is the best route to take. Meaning eliminate the answers from the multiple choices that are definitely not the right answers.
If you narrow down to one answer, great! You got it! If you narrowed down to 2 potentials then you have a 50/50 chance at success as opposed to 25%.
I also recommend paying a little more money and buying any Exam Preparation material or course to assist you. It’s best to get this done the first time around. Trust me!
One other thing that helped me over the years was the use of flash cards/index cards. Question on the front with the answer on the back. Easy to bring these wherever you go and utilize when you have any kind of downtime, at lunch, etc.
Don’t Get Overwhelmed
You may be thinking… Damn, that is a lot of hours. Honestly, it really isn’t that bad. This is coming from a guy who really doesn’t care for traditional schooling or college.
Actually, I really despise most of my classes in high school and college. Learning about things I was not interested in with professors who were more boring than watching a pet rock.
Anyway… The online version allows is great. This allows you to work at your pace to knock it out based on your schedule.
Just be disciplined with it. An easy way is to allocate a certain time per day to work on it with NO distractions. Close your office door. Turn off email. Turn off your phone.
Get up an hour early each morning from 7am – 8am six days a week. And do two hours at night six days a week. In 3.5 weeks you will be done.
Keep Going
What do I mean by this? Well, I think everyone should get their Brokers license (assuming an option for your state).
Just go for it as quickly as permissible. This is an investment in you and your future. In doing this, you are less likely to let your license expire as you have put the time, money and sacrifice into it.
Again it really isn’t that bad at the end of the day. And who knows, this could lead into you starting your own real estate company one day!
Real Estate Schools
Choose wisely!
All real estate schools are not created equal. Not even the online version. They all have different content and the ways they teach.
Be sure to do your homework. We have mentioned Real Estate Express as they are a pioneer in real estate education. They educate tens of thousands of real estate professionals each year and have an easy online version for real estate schooling.
To Conclude
I wish you much luck in your new endeavor! This is an exciting time for you! Remember to bookmark this site as we are continually adding more and more content and resources. Please share with any others who may benefit from it. Thank you for your support.