Have you ever considered a career in real estate?
Many people initially thought is, “Where can I learn to become a real estate agent?” Luckily, numerous reputable online schools provide degrees in the real estate profession.
BUT BEFORE I GET INTO THAT…
To save you some time, let me tell you that these top 5 online real estate schools are neither the most effective nor the most guaranteed path to creating wealth through real estate.
So, if you’re serious about building a huge, passive income with real estate…
This is a much better all-around real estate model…
Real Estate Online School is a type of business model that teaches you about real estate investing.
If you’ve read my other articles on real estate investing, you’ll know there are 3 primary ways to invest:
Wholesaling, buy-and-hold, and flipping.
While each has pros and cons, there is a ton of potential for success in investing in real estate.
Real estate has created some of the largest fortunes in world history.
That being said, you should take some time to seriously think about something:
Is now the best time for YOU to get into real estate investing?
Because despite the potential upside, investing in properties or land takes a lot of capital, and is very labor-intensive.
That means if you:
- Have less than 3 hours per day, OR
- Aren’t sitting on $20K+ in disposable income
This may not be the best time for you to start investing in physical real estate.
Don’t get me wrong, real estate investing can be an amazing way to protect your assets while generating cash – but there’s a time and a place for it.
But there’s good news!
All you need is a system to generate the cash (& free time) you need to be ready for real estate investing.
My preferred method of getting there is by becoming a Digital Landlord
It takes the benefits of real estate investing, but removes many of the barriers (& annoyances), like:
- Small cash flow on properties
- Having to take out debt
- Dealing with repairs and upkeep
- Dealing with tenants
The cool part is that the income is mostly recurring (AKA semi-passive).
You could make anywhere from $2,000-$10,000+ per month doing it.
You can build it as big (or small) as you feel like, without the annoyances I listed above.
If that sounds interesting, you might want to think about using the Digital Rental Method.
Then, you can take the profits and start investing in physical real estate a year or two from now.
If you wanna see what Real Estate Online School looks like on the inside, keep reading.
Why Is Real Estate School Necessary?
The real estate industry is one of the most in-demand professions. Because of this, there are many opportunities for people with a license and know how to deal with the different rules that govern it.
However, before getting your real estate license, you need to take pre-licensing courses from a state-approved school. These courses will prepare you for what’s ahead, making you more likely to succeed as an agent. So let’s discuss the real estate license application requirement before getting into specifics like time spent on each course or what topics these online courses cover!
Specific State Programs For Pre-Licensing Education
Pre-License Education For Colorado
The CREC (Colorado Real Estate Commission) mandates that you have a total of 168 hours of classroom learning in the following six courses:
Laws & Practice
The Colorado Real Estate Commission requires that all licensees take a real estate principles course, also known as “Law and Practice” in CO. The national part of pre-licensing real estate principles is covered in this course. It will teach you fundamental real estate ideas, law, and licensed realtor practices.
Contracts & Regulations
Contracts and rules from the Colorado Real Estate Commission can be hard to understand. There are many different kinds of real estate sales; some need specific contracts, disclosures, and other legal forms. This course will walk you through Colorado’s licensing rules and statutory relationships so that you have the information you need to initiate informed contract negotiations.
Closings
This course will teach you the fundamentals of a real estate closing. You’ll also discover how to account for all funds received and disbursed and how to read and understand legal documents issued by your broker. This is a great place to start whether you’re entirely new to real estate or want to touch on the basics.
Record-Keeping & Trust Accounts
The Colorado Real Estate Commission has a standard requirement of holding trust and record-keeping accounts. This course will walk you through the steps of accounting for other people’s funds, including how to deposit receipts and disbursements, produce bank reconciliations, keep track of customers’ records, and generate year-end reports.
Legal Issues
The student is exposed to real-world concerns and difficulties handled by the Colorado Real Estate Commission in this course. Audits, complaints, legal challenges, and duties related to lead-based paint are covered in the first section of the course.
You will also learn about how these legal issues can affect your career as an agent. Other topics covered in this course include broker liability & agency agreements, disclosure statements, residential property inspections, contingent contracts for purchase or sale of property, home inspection reports & disclosures from sellers’ agents, etc.
Practical Applications
This course is meant to provide practical information to new real estate brokers. The importance of creating personal goals and having a marketing strategy are discussed. Other important topics covered include working with sellers and buyers, showing properties, preparing an offer, and the closing process.
Whether you’re in an online real estate school or already have years of experience under your belt, this course will provide some guidelines for navigating through all that goes into running a successful real estate brokerage firm!
Pre-License Education For Texas
Texas is one of the most popular states for purchasing a home, but why not take advantage of all it offers before you even purchase your first property?
With six courses totaling 180 hours, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires pre-license education to become licensed. Suppose you are interested in being a real estate agent and living out your American Dream by owning your own business while making money through commissions on transactions. In that case, this article is for you.
Real Estate Principles
This course will cover the fundamentals of Texas real estate laws and principles. I’ll start with a quick overview of real estate, how it differs from personal property, and why this distinction is important for real estate licensing requirements.
Then I’ll discuss the importance of ethics in practice as a licensed professional – keeping your clients’ best interests at heart and not using confidential information to your own advantage.
Finally, I’ll cover important contracts concerning real estate transactions, including deeds, encumbrances (both legal and equitable), liens – what they are and how they work – and titles to real estate themselves.
Financing Real Estate
There are plenty of ways to finance real estate. This course is designed for individuals who want to learn more about the process, including federal government programs and private sources of financing. Students will study monetary systems, primary and secondary money markets, sources of mortgage loans, loan applications, processes and procedures, closing costs, alternative financial instruments (including a home equity line of credit), and more.
Contractual Law
This course aims to teach you the basics of Texas contract law. This covers explaining contract elements, offer and acceptance, fraud statutes, specific performance, and breach remedies. It also contains information on the unauthorized practice of law and the disclosure requirements.
Agency Law
Why should you care about who represents you in a real estate transaction?
In this course, students will explore the law of agency and its application to the principal-agent relationship. The course will focus on how agents are authorized to act for their principals, how they can terminate that authority, and what duties they owe their principals.
Declaratory Contract Forms
Any real estate transaction requires the use of Declaratory Contract Forms. To fully finish the contract, you’ll need to understand a lot of forms and terminology. This course will teach you how to use certain forms and words in a real estate transaction.
Education For Florida Real Estate Commission
The Florida Real Estate Commission requires a total of 63 hours to be completed before you are eligible for your license. One course is required: 3-Hour Sales Associate (FREC 1), the only pre-license education for new agents and brokers.
Sales Associate Course (63 Hours)
Have you been looking for a way to get licensed as a Real Estate Salesperson in Florida?
The course is designed by the FREC (Florida Real Estate Commission) to help students pass the exam and covers all real estate topics.
This includes license law and qualifications for licensure, Florida Real Estate Commission rules, authorized relationships, duties and disclosure, brokerage activities and procedures, violations of license law, and penalties.
Always Review The Requirements For Your State
If your goal is to be a licensed real estate agent, you must review the requirements for your state. States have different rules and regulations regarding their real estate licensing and education requirements.
Some states require as little as 30 hours of classroom instruction, while others might require over 100 hours of training before granting an individual a license!
To find out what your state requires, visit its website and search for “real estate commission” or “realtor.”
The Top 5 Online Real Estate Schools Of 2021
#5 Real Estate Express
As a new real estate agent, you’ll have to pass your licensing exam before getting started. But those who are just looking for some career guidance might find themselves in the same boat. Enter Real Estate Express: affordable and comprehensive courses available in both pre-licensing and post-exam that offer exam prep and career path information.
What is the secret to success in real estate? It’s not always about who has the most experience or who can list more homes. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed in this competitive real estate industry. If you are looking for some help every step of the way, many affordable options are available! A great place to start is with Real Estate Express. They offer pre-licensing courses that will help get you started on your journey towards career success, regardless of your current education.
Pros
- Realtors are able to launch careers with these real estate courses
- It’s certified by the ARELLO (Association of Real Estate License Law Officials)
- Live chat Q&A for specific real estate courses
Cons
- Courses expire after 6 months
- Post-licensing is not available in most states
- Study materials are only available online
The road to being a real estate broker is not an easy one. The licensing process and requirements are difficult, and the exam is extremely challenging. But it’s worth it! Right? Well, maybe not if you don’t know what you’re doing or where to go for help. That’s why I’ve created this article with information about pre-licensing courses so that you’ll be better informed before deciding whether or not this is the right career path for you!
But you must have a license. The first step to being a licensed agent is getting your pre-license education and exam prep course. This blog post will discuss the options for these courses, including four different tiers of courses starting at $119.
They offer four different tiers of courses, starting at $119 and going up to $1699. The Ultimate Learning course includes everything you need, from professional development membership to a printed exam prep course and instructor Q&A sessions.
Real Estate Express is a company that provides real estate exam prep courses for all states. They have expert instructors approved by each state available on their platform and offer a “Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee” in which they will refund your purchase price if you don’t pass the exam—Florida and Tennessee are excluded from this guarantee.
#4 Kaplan
Now I’m going to have a look at Kaplan, an exam prep company that offers pre-licensing courses in all 50 states. They offer many options for how interactive you want your course to be, and the two-day boot camp is helpful if you’re new to real estate. However, they have a higher price point than other providers on my list.
Pros
- The course instructors are licensed real estate agents
- There are plenty of ways for the instructors to engage with you
- The prices for continuing education are competitive.
Cons
- The prices for Kaplan are higher than other courses
- The interface is a little clunky
- The shipping for the course is extra.
Founded in 1938, Kaplan has been helping students reach their goals for over 75 years. With offices in more than 30 different countries around the world, they offer instructor-led courses that are mainly live but also on-demand. Kaplan provides great flexibility through online learning opportunities for individuals wanting a traditional approach to studying with an emphasis on face-to-face interactions.
The company offers courses at different price points depending on your state—for instance, pre-licensing courses for New York start at $379, whereas pre-licensing courses for Georgia start at $299. Kaplan also offers online options, including self-study (their home study option) and on-demand and live-stream classes.
Kaplan’s overall pass rate for their courses was 76.16%. This success can be attributed to Kaplan’s interactive study group feature, which covers all national and state content in a live webinar format. You can join in on discussions with members of Kaplan’s instructors during these webinars, as well as access their interactive exam prep module online.
#3 360 Training
360 Training offers a variety of options for pre-licensing training. Starting at $79, you can purchase the course materials only or opt-out of exam prep to create a budget-friendly studying experience. All students receive access to self-paced study modules and an extensive library of video tutorials.
Pros
- Inexpensive pre-licensing courses
- The course is complete; additional exam prep is not needed
- If you fail your exam more than 3 times, you get your money back
Cons
- Only 10 states have these pre-licensing courses
- Their website is a little clunky
- You can not engage with instructors
If you’re looking for a self-study option, 360 Training Inc. is a great choice. Founded in 1997, the company based in Austin, Texas, markets self-study packages and separate pre-licensing courses to aspiring real estate agents. The company also provides individual exam prep offerings that are popular among international students.
360 Training offers a variety of pre-licensing, exam prep, post-licensing, and continuing education courses to help you stay up-to-date on these changes and prepare for your next exam. The pre-licensing course has two tiers: premium, which includes a money-back guarantee, and standard, which gives you access to all materials until your exam date. Each course is developed by experts in the industry who adhere to state licensing requirements, ensuring that they know exactly what to do to get you certified!
Anyone looking for a low-cost option should have 360 Training on their list. This company offers pre-licensing courses at the lowest price of $79 up to $375 in states like Texas, which is less than half the cost of some other providers. They offer options for the following states:
- Alabama
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Missouri
- New York
- Texas
- Virginia
Unfortunately, not Washington or any other states.
#2 The CE Shop
The CE Shop is a continuing education company that offers courses for real estate agents, mortgage professionals, and brokers. They have over 1,000 courses available online, so you can learn about the latest trends in the industry as they happen! Their courses are designed to be interactive and engaging, so you don’t get bored or fall asleep – They know that when it comes to learning something new, interest goes hand-in-hand with retention. Whether you’re just starting your career or looking for a refresher course on preparing listings presentations for your clients, CE Shop has you covered with their extensive catalog of relevant topics!
Pros:
- Their website offers a free trial for a few of their courses
- They have a multitude of continuing education courses
- You can get a single CE course for just $9.00
Cons:
- Their pre-licensing exam is only available regionally
- Their website could use a little work
As you might expect, The CE Shop offers plenty of courses related to continuing education for realtors–and how could they not?
They’ve been doing it since 2005 and have a stellar reputation. But there’s something about this school that sets them apart from the rest.
#1 Center For Realtor Development
The Center for Realtor Development offers a variety of continuing education courses for realtors. Topics range from specialized topics to general refreshers in the industry.
For example, there are courses on second vacation home sales, solar housing real estate, seniors real estate specialty, and more (the list varies by state). This is perfect for those looking to increase their knowledge or get into a different niche within the industry!
The courses are available anytime and can be accessed through an online portal after purchase.
Pros
- They provide Livestream classes for continuing education
- The National Association of Realtors endorses them
Cons
- They don’t offer exam prep classes
- You’ll need to be a member of the NAR for the majority of their live stream classes
- Available classes might not be for everybody
The Center for Realtor Development is an online real estate school that provides a wide range of professional development courses to help you stay up-to-date with the ever-changing world of real estate. CRD offers courses such as Real Estate Technology and Green Real Estate, allowing you to go deeper into niche markets within your profession. Not only does this provide knowledge that will enable real estate professionals to be more successful in their current position, but it also gives them the chance to pursue new opportunities by providing additional certifications or designations!
Frequently Asked Questions?
Can You Go To A Real Estate School Online?
In order to get your real estate license, you have to have a certain number of pre-licensing hours under your belt; this can mostly be done with an online real estate school.
Of course, considering your state, you may need to go through a pre-licensing education course and have a specific number of hours from a state-approved school.
For instance, California brokers and agents have to attain 45 hours of coursework that the California Department approves of Real Estate.
If you’re looking for a way to break into the real estate market, then an online real estate school may be your answer. With so many out there, it can be difficult to know which one is best suited for you. To help simplify things, I’ve created this list of 6 questions that will help you make a more informed decision:
- 1) What are the requirements in my state?
- 2) Is the school accredited by a third-party organization?
- 3) How long is their program?
- 4) Do they offer other types of programs (such as GRI or broker exam prep)?
- 5) What type of student services do they provide?
- 6) What does the course curriculum look like?
How Long Does It Take To Become A Real Estate Agent?
This question comes up a lot, and it really depends on the state in which you live. Based on your state requirements, you’re looking at 4 to 6 months to be a real estate agent. Of course, this will also include the time it takes to pass the real estate exam (based on your state, they may only offer the exam a few times a year) and whatever courses you’ll have to take based on your state’s requirements.
For example, if you live in Florida, you’ll have to take 63 hours of education classes specific to that state before taking the exam. In California, you must have 135 hours of state-approved coursework.
How Do I Start Building A Career In Real Estate?
If you are new to the real estate industry, starting out as a Realtor can be challenging. Just taking the exam isn’t enough; you’ll need to build a strong foundation of knowledge before you start marketing yourself and looking for clients. One of the best ways to build your real estate career is by networking with other professionals in the industry and working in an area close by. This way, you can attend networking events and ask people if they want help buying or selling their property; it also gives you time to study up on your new successful career!
Read Our In Depth Breakdown Of The Top 5 Real EstateOpp Courses For 2024
Are There Alternatives To Christian Business Incubator?
Yes, there are plenty of other business models to choose from if you want to pursue this making money online. Here are just a few:
My #1 Recommendation For Making Money With Real Estate In 2022
I’ve personally tried all of the major online business models:
- I’ve sold fidget spinners through Amazon FBA
- I’ve dropshipped a toilet bowl putting green on Shopify
- I’ve sold women’s health supplements via Clickbank affiliate marketing
And I made money with all of them, so trust me when I say: there is no “perfect” business model.
It’s worth noting that I FULLY endorse real estate investing as a way to grow wealth, and that’s why I invest my own money in commercial and residential real estate.
That being said, my #1 recommendation for making real money online as a beginner is, hands-down: being a Digital Landlord.
Whether you’re a complete newbie or have been around the block before but have never had that “big win” to propel you forward, using the Digital Rental Method is for you.
Why?
Time: If you’ve got a spare hour or two each day, you can do this. If you want to drop everything and go all-in, you can do this. More time obviously means faster results, but even putting in a few hours per day is enough to see real success.
And because of that flexibility, you don’t need to trade your time for money. Once the income starts, it’s recurring.
That means you can take a month off, travel the country, pursue a passion project, chill on the beach, or charter a boat across the world.
But you can only do that once you’ve created an income stream that doesn’t require YOU to be there all day, every day.
Real estate investing is a FULL-TIME JOB. If you stop finding deals, your money dries up.
Ownership & Control: Unless you’re buying your properties in cash, you don’t technically own the properties – the lender does.
If you miss a single payment, the property can be taken from you.
Why pour your soul into a business that could be taken away from you at the drop of a dime?
With the Digital Rental Method, you literally own all of the assets, which means you have ultimate control.
Ongoing costs: With real estate, profit margins are actually pretty slim. Real wealth is made in owning the assets, and owning A LOT of them.
using the Digital Rental Method, your profit margin is nearly 100%. Watch here to learn how.
Just a reminder: these Digital Rental Properties are worth (at a minimum) $500/mo in semi-passive income. And each time you create another one, your income increases, and the effort put into creating the next property decreases.
Best-case scenario, you have properties bringing in over $3,000+/mo on auto-pilot.
It’s Effectively Copy-Paste: Here’s my favorite part: once you have your first Digital Rental Property up, you can literally copy-paste another version of it and find another willing “renter” in a few days. DOUBLING your income doesn’t get much easier than that…
If you wanted to double your income with real estate investing, you would need twice as many properties, or double your profit margins on each property. And I can guarantee you, that’s a lot harder than a few clicks & a phone call.
Make Money Helping Real People: With the Digital Rental Method, you’re helping solve REAL problems that people are ASKING for help with:
Small local businesses around the world need one thing: customers. Without them, their business would fall apart. If you can provide those customers, they’re going to be really happy – and they’re going to pay you for it.
You’re helping a struggling mother or father put food on the table for their families, put their kids through college, or simply live life a little bit more comfortably.
Having this type of impact on the world is what will help you sleep soundly at night.
So, the rest is up to you. You could keep looking at other Real Estate Online School opportunities, which might make you money.
You could keep researching and researching for the next few months (or few years), never making a concrete decision.
OR, you can look deep inside, think about those dreams, hopes, & desires, and make the decision to ACTUALLY make it happen, just like it has for thousands of other students before you.
Making a fortune while actually helping real people that need it.
If this sounds like you, click here to see how it all works.
