Choosing the best real estate school doesn’t have to be difficult. If you know what information to seek out and where to find it, you’ll be able to make a confident decision and start your real estate prelicensing education in no time.
There are a few key things you should look for in a real estate school in order to make sure you’re getting the education you need to pass your licensing exam and the knowledge needed to launch your career. In this article, you’ll learn 10 tips for selecting the real estate school that will set you up for success.
1. Ask for recommendations from friends and coworkers.
Family, friends, and coworkers who have earned their real estate licenses are great resources of information. Reach out to them and ask how they prepared for their exam. Chances are they did some research before choosing a real estate school. Their knowledge could save you time and help you make a more informed decision.
2. Research the history of the real estate school.
Does the real estate school have a long history of success and past student reviews to back up its claims? The school you choose should have a solid record of previous student successes. Look past the school’s marketing and seek out how long the organization has been operating. You want to make sure that your education isn’t affected by errors that newer schools may still be working to fix. A school’s history can tell you a lot about what you can expect when you enroll.
3. Look for licensed real estate agents and brokers.
The school you choose should offer classes taught by licensed real estate agents and brokers who not only know the material but have the life experience necessary to provide you with a rich and insightful educational experience. An experienced instructor can offer contextual information that can make all the difference when attempting to understand difficult or confusing concepts. The same goes for the authors of your study material. You’ll learn a lot more from authors and instructors informed by real-world experience.
4. Inquire about the school’s learning methodology.
What sort of study practices and teaching styles does the real estate school implement? Ineffective teaching methods can make a big difference in the amount of information you retain and the experience you have. Look for a real estate school that incorporates the latest findings from learning science in their courses to ensure that you’re absorbing the content in a way that produces long-lasting and effective results.
5. Find out if real estate practice questions are in the curriculum.
Practice questions (like those found in online question banks) and practice exams will give you the prep you need in order to be successful on exam day. The school you choose should incorporate practice questions and exams in the curriculum to ensure you can retain the necessary information and put it into practice. Testing your knowledge will help you not only perform better on exam day but also become a more informed real estate agent in the future.
6. Explore the class format options the real estate school offers.
The class format, whether online or in-person, can make a big difference in your success. If you’re a busy parent or professional, you may find that online courses give you more schedule flexibility and save you valuable time. If in-person learning is more effective for you, you will want to look specifically for real estate schools that offer in-person courses. Make sure that the school you choose offers the right class format for your learning style and schedule.
7. Make sure the course content is up-to-date and satisfies your state’s requirements.
Your real estate school should have the most recent information on your state’s prelicensing education requirements and on the topics covered in the course. This means that the school is nimble enough to move quickly when new information comes out or when requirements change. You should feel confident that your real estate school is on top of the latest news and information regarding real estate licensure.
8. See if the real estate school offers continuing education courses and broker licensing education.
When researching real estate schools, it might be beneficial to make a note of which ones offer continuing education (CE) courses and real estate broker prelicensing education. Attending a school that is a one-stop-shop for all your future real estate education needs is both convenient and time-saving. You’ll thank yourself later when you need to fulfill CE requirements or you decide to pursue a career as a real estate broker.
9. Consider the number of students who have attended the school.
The quality of a real estate school can be affected by the number of students who attend. More students mean more information and feedback, which in turn helps the real estate school improve upon its offerings. See if you can gauge the number of students that the real estate school has served successfully, so you can avoid being a guinea pig for less experienced providers.
10. See if the school offers comprehensive student support.
When issues arise, you’ll want to ensure that they get resolved as smoothly as possible. This is where having access to a robust student support team is valuable. A comprehensive student support team will offer help for curriculum questions, technical issues, and logistical requests. Knowing that your school offers help when unexpected issues arise can save you a big headache down the road.
source: Kaplan