What is an online real estate school?

Online real estate schools in several states provide a variety of courses for current and prospective real estate agents and brokers. These schools provide convenient classes that may be completed from the convenience of your own home or, in some circumstances, on your mobile device. Pre-licensure classes, post-licensure classes, and continuing education courses are common at real estate schools.

The best online real estate colleges include courses in a variety of formats and teaching approaches, taught by competent and skilled instructors. Coursework can be accessible at any time, and the site is simple to navigate. Furthermore, the online real estate school will offer extra industry resources, advice on obtaining and renewing your real estate license, and answers to commonly asked questions. Accreditation from the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), or other recognized organizations is also required.

Determine Your Requirement for Online Real Estate Training

There are two compelling reasons to take online real estate programs if you want to become a certified real estate agent:

• Cost
• Convenience

Online real estate classes are typically hundreds of dollars less expensive than in-person classes; this is usually true for online vs. in-person education. You are not paying for the use of a classroom; you are paying for the digital components and the teacher's time. In-person classes may need the purchase of costly textbooks, which can be replaced by affordable or free ebooks while learning online. You'll also save money by skipping the time and expense of traveling to and from lessons.

Online classes are also more convenient because you may work on your lessons whenever and wherever you have an internet connection (although, depending on the course, there may be scheduled live online events as well). You can usually go at your own pace, which is great if you like to take your time and don't want to rush through the content.

In general, choosing an online real estate school does not imply losing quality. The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) maintains a list of real estate schools and pass rates, and you can see that many online schools have outstanding pass rates (a high pass rate does not necessarily guarantee a good-quality school, but a low pass rate should be avoided). Online colleges generally provide many of the same benefits as in-person classes, such as the ability to speak with industry experts, and in some cases, even more. High-quality options can be found at the schools listed above.

In-person classes have their advantages as well. You'll have more chances to interact with the instructor and your classmates. If you find it difficult to motivate yourself to sit down at a computer on your own time, it may be preferable to have regular weekly meeting times in an actual classroom. Some people learn better in person rather than through a screen. So, while online classes are typically less expensive and more convenient, in-person classes may be appropriate for some aspiring real estate agents.

Online Real Estate School Comparison

When looking for the best online real estate school, consider the following factors: availability, accreditation, courses offered, and prices.

• Availability: Do the courses you require to exist in your state? Are any preparatory certifications or licenses required?
• Accreditation: Look for schools that have accreditations specific to your states, such as ARELLO and IDECC. These certificates verify that the institution meets particular requirements for curriculum presentation, student assessments, and student/instructor engagement methods.
• Salesperson pre-licensing courses: These are the fundamental courses you must complete in order to meet your state's hourly requirements.
• Broker pre-licensing training: You'll need to take further training to become a real estate broker; depending on your state, you may require particular credentials or on-the-job experience.
• Exam preparation classes: Courses for pre-licensing may not fully prepare you for the exam. That is the purpose of exam prep; the more questions in the question bank that are comparable to the actual test, the better.
• Continuing education (CE) courses: To keep their licenses, real estate agents must complete a specified amount of CE course time on a regular basis, as determined by their state. Many schools provide these classes, which may cover issues such as contract law and fair housing.
• Course fees: Different companies offer courses with different elements, such as video supplements or access to specialists, which affects their prices greatly. Compare colleges to find courses that are inexpensive and have the features you want.
• Money-back guarantee/cancellation policy: Some institutions have a money-back guarantee, which allows you to receive a refund if you can demonstrate that you failed the exam after completing prep courses. Many offer refunds if you cancel within a particular time frame, with some offering as much as a month.
• Time in business/pass rates: Is the school a well-known, established name in the sector, or did it just appear on the scene? The best schools have a long track record and a high pass rate.
• Usability of the website: Not all real estate school websites are created equal. Even if the substance of the classes is similar, some provide a significantly better user experience than others.
• Interaction between teacher/expert/student: Is it possible to ask the teacher or an industry expert questions, or must you be a passive learner? Can you talk to your classmates?
• Coursework assistance options: How can you get in touch with the teacher if you need assistance? Is the school's support available via live chat, phone, or email?
• App for mobile devices: Although learning on the go is convenient, only a few real estate schools currently provide mobile apps.
• Third-party evaluations: What do real students have to say about the school on review sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau?

Enrolling in an Online Real Estate School

It is simple to enroll in an online real estate school. Create a new account by entering your personal information and email address. Then you can choose the course(s) you desire and enter your payment information.

Following that, simply follow the instructions on the website, which will be specific to each school. You'll most likely have access to course materials via an online dashboard, and some resources (such as ebooks) may be distributed by email as well.