Real estate is an exciting and growing field where you can earn a good living while setting your own schedule and meeting new people. Becoming a licensed real estate agent involves taking a number of classes to gain practical knowledge of the industry practices that apply to real estate.
The accessibility of online real estate schools make it easier than ever to get the schooling needed to pass the real estate agent exam. Less than half of applicants pass the licensing test the first time. Online courses offer students test prep courses to help you pass the exam the first time and begin a fulfilling career as a licensed real estate agent.
Advantages Of Online Real Estate Schools Vs. In-Person Learning
Succeeding in the real estate business takes hard work and a comprehensive understanding of the industry, the market, and ever-changing trends and regulations. Online learning offers a range of advantages over in-person schooling for real estate certification.
Benefits of online schools for pre-licensing classes, test prep, and continuing education coursework include:
Wider Selection of Classes
The emergence of e-Learning has opened up real estate students to a wider range of course selections and specialty areas of study and practice. In addition to pre-license and test prep, students can explore exciting, new electives they would not have otherwise been exposed to. Online real estate courses are taught by active industry professionals who provide valuable insight on the best ways to prepare for continued success.
More Affordable
Online schools are able to charge less without the costly overhead involved in running an in-person class. Completing the necessary coursework online also eliminates travel time and transportation expenses.
Flexibility
Everyone learns at different levels and in varying ways. Online real estate schools allow students to learn, study, and test on their terms and at their own pace. Some people can binge real estate licensing coursework like a Netflix limited series, while others are more comfortable spreading out the work over time.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Real Estate License?
Taking a real estate pre-licensing or continuing education class at a brick-and-mortar school can take anywhere from four to six months. Online students generally set their own timeframes with classes that provide the same information. Motivated students can finish courses in a matter of weeks or a few months. Exam and application timetables that prolong the licensing process can also vary by state.
Top 5 Online Real Estate Schools
An online real estate school can help prepare you for the state realty exam, provide ongoing education courses, and prepare you for advanced real estate designations. Each school has varying prices, ratings, interface compatibility, course availability, and student pass rates.
Before investing time and money in a real estate education program, it is important to inspect them all and find out which one fits in best with your goals, needs, and preferences.
The following are the top online real estate schools to help you decide which will best serve your needs.
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Originally founded in 1938, Kaplan is one of the oldest, largest, and most respected education and test-preparation companies. Famous around the world for preparing students for SATs, ACTs, and AP exams, Kaplan’s Real Estate Education offers real estate licensing courses that offer a variety of structural and interaction options, from live classes to home-study methods. On-demand structures give you the best of both worlds with recorded lessons to play at your own pace, with access to personal instruction as needed.
Kaplan Pros
- Licensing courses available in all 50 states.
- Instructors are practicing real estate agents.
- Full range of instructor accessibility and interaction options.
Kaplan Cons
- The course interface is outdated and less user-friendly than others.
- Real estate licensing classes are more expensive than other comparable companies.
- Shipping costs for materials are not included in the price of courses.
Real Estate Express
Real Estate Express is accredited by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) and the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC). They offer comprehensive, affordable real estate licensing and renewal courses taught by professional realty instructors. Founded in 1996, Real Estate Express has fully accredited pre-licensing courses with high consumer ratings from consumers that enjoy the “pass or don’t pay” approach.
Real Estate Express Pros
- Certified by both ARELLO and IDECC.
- Live chat available with some courses.
- Large selection of real estate courses.
Real Estate Express Cons
- Post-licensing courses are not available in many states.
- Course access expires after six months.
- Hard copies of study materials not provided (can be printed from online version).
The CE Shop
While The CE Shop offers a wide range of pre-licensing courses for aspiring certified real estate agents, the ARELLO-accredited online school specializes in continuing education coursework. Instructors for both preparation and post-licensing classes are real estate industry specialists who have been successful, active realtors for several years. Short for “Continuing Education,” The CE Shop can be accessed by future agents and realty professionals in all 50 states, with comprehensive, affordable courses for realtors throughout the various stages of their careers.
The CE Shop Pros
- Continuing education courses start as low as $9.
- Among the largest selections of realty-related continuing education courses online.
- Free trials are offered for some online courses.
The CE Shop Cons
- Poor website interface and user functionality.
- Pre-licensing exams are unavailable in many states.
- Pre-licensing and license exam prep classes cannot be separated.
4. 360 Training
360 Training offers self-study packages and pre-licensing courses for aspiring real estate agents, as well as individual exam prep options. Coursework is developed and taught by real estate industry experts that adhere to all state licensing guidelines and requirements. Featuring some of the lowest prices available for real estate pre-licensing classes, 360 Training allows students to order learning materials separately without having to pay for the exam prep for even more savings.
360 Training Pros
- Among the most affordable full pre-licensing courses in the real estate industry.
- Exam prep course not required to purchase learning materials.
- Money-back guarantee if the licensing exam is failed three times.
360 Training Cons
- Courses available only in 10 states – Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Missouri, Montana, New York, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.
- No interactive functions or instructor contact.
- The website is outdated with poor user interface.
5. The Center For Realtor® Development
Schooling for real estate agents does not end when the initial licensing coursework is completed. The Center for Realtor® Development (CRD) is ideal for agents that have passed the licensing exam and are looking to take their careers to the next level. CRD offers various niche market certifications and designations endorsed by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Most continuing education courses at CRD offer interactive components for direct online engagement and personal contact with a qualified instructor. Among the specialty areas of concentration available at CRD include solar housing, real estate for seniors, vacation home sales, and much more, depending on the state. Students at CRD must be current NAR members.
CRD Pros
- They are closely aligned with the National Association of Realtors®.
- Licensed agents take certifications and designations that reflect current trends in high-demand regions.
- The wide selection of specialized classes in continuing real estate education.
CRD Cons
- Class registration requires active membership in NAR.
- No classes are offered in exam prep or pre-licensing.
- Course topics are highly specialized and not applicable to all licensed Realtors®
Contact John Kinnunen at eXp Realty Today
The real estate industry offers a lucrative and satisfying career for those willing to put in the time and effort. Want to talk about real estate marketing, lead generation, or any other reality-related topic? I can show you how to get started, the best ways to learn, and set you on your path to success. Contact me today and let’s get the conversation started.
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