What's your Opinion? Online or Classroom Course?

Question

Please take a second, if you read this, and you are an agent, please leave a quick comment....

I am a single mom of 4, getting back into real estate investing, this time as a business not a hobby.  I have decided that I do want my license.  A classroom course is 7 days, 9 hours a day, then an exam.  I will have about $500 in child care bills for that week for my infant, and before and after school care for the older kids.  But, I am sure classroom study has it's advantages.

I am thinking an online course is better for my schedule, but has disadvantages as well.

Please tell me which you did, on or off line and what you recommend.  Please also tell me which ONLINE course you purchased if you did it online.

THANK YOU!!!

Adam Johnson · Answer

@Amy Solomon - I see why you asked for advice, this is a tough call to make!  I did both my salesperson and later broker licensing classes in a classroom setting.  Now that I have much more experience in closing transactions, I do my continuing education (CE) requirements online, usually because I wait until the last minute to meet that requirement.  I learn more and retain more in hands-on situations.  I have learned more by actually doing deals than I ever did in the class room, but the class room gave me enough background knowledge to get started.

I do the online CE classes to get it over with quickly and fulfill the minimum requirement.  There aren't a lot of classes available locally that cover investment and property management, and I couldn't care less about selling "pretty" houses because that isn't my business.  That basically forces me to go online because even though I don't get as much benefit out of the online format, getting SOMETHING on a topic I can use is better than wasting my time in a classroom learning about getting more listings, etc.  I focus my CE courses on what I am doing every day, so I have to go online to find that content.

From a time management perspective, online is easier to work in.  From a benefit perspective, I don't think you can beat the classroom.  What you plan to do with your license may help determine which way to go as well.  If you are getting it primarily for your own transaction benefit, you might find the online class is fine.  If you plan on working with other buyers/listings, I think you will benefit more from being in the classroom and interacting with others.  The classroom also gives you a room full of people to pass business cards too as well.

I understand the child care cost issue is important.  In my area, the local board offers a part time classroom schedule as well that is targeted more to people with a "day job", with classes in evenings and Saturdays over a longer time period.  This might be worth looking into as well to see if that option might be available.  Not having little ones in the background may make it easier to concentrate as well, but I realize the logistics of doing that may be challenging.

If I had to pick a side, I guess I would say classroom.  I will qualify that by saying that it is a tough call in your situation.

Curt Davis · Answer

I liked the classroom atmosphere as you can interact with others and also with the instructor.  There is no interaction online.  I also learn better in the classroom and you get it done faster.  Though online sounds more convenient for you, I think being away from the distraction of children will help you out the most.  Do the classroom personally.

Amy Solomon · Answer

I have bought and sold 5 properties, but closed on over 2500 as a real estate closer.  But what we know on that side is different than the realtor side...but also much of the same.

Belinda Lopez · Answer

The content is the same, the presentation and interactivity are not.  If you're a highly motivated, self-starter and can sit down and focus then by all means the online offers you greater flexibility.  It might take you longer than the classroom and you won't be able to really ask for clarification if you have immediate questions.

See if the online school offers a sample lesson so you can see how well you'll do.  Good luck!

J Scott · Answer

What are the downsides of online?  Personally, I think the flexibility of online is the biggest advantage, and it sounds like flexibility is what you really need.

For what it's worth, the content will be the same...

Anson Young · Answer

@Amy Solomon I've done both online and in class.  CO lets you do online, and I did 8-10 hours a day for 2 weeks to get it out of the way.  AZ has no online courses, so I flew down and did 8 hours a day for 9 days.

I preferred the online, personally, but I had already been around real estate contracts and been an assistant for an agent for over a year.  AKA: I was already familiar with most of the processes.

If you have experience, online

If you are starting from zero, classroom