Broker pay for required salesperson classes?

Question

Real Estate Agents and the like,

I have heard that some of the bigger companies such as Keller Williams or RE/Max will interview you and if they like you but you don't have your salesperson license they will pay for you to complete the required classes and then give you a job after you pass the exam.

I'm wondering if anybody out there has done this or if you work for a broker in SoCal that does?

Thanks in advance for you responses!

Brett

Brett Synicky · Answer

Thanks @Phil Glantz .  I will do that!

Glenn J. · Answer

@Brett Synicky I was not and still am not licensed, but I am now taking the classes required to take the test in Virginia. Virginia requires you to take and pass a 60 hour class before you can sit for your license. There are several schools in my area that teach it, but I found that the broker Long & Foster teaches it for the lowest price. And there is no obligation to work for them.

Brett Synicky · Answer

@Glenn J. Were you licensed prior to going to that meeting?  Did you go for it?

Brett Synicky · Answer

@Karen Margrave I've heard nothing but good things about them.  I think they're based somewhere in Laguna Hills.

@Glenn J. great info and makes perfect sense.  Thanks!

Glenn J. · Answer

I went to a Keller Williams meetup.com meeting here in Virginia a couple of months ago where they try to sell you on becoming an agent for them, and what they offer is to pay for your license training after you have sold two houses through their brokerage. Nothing is paid for in advance through them. I imagine this is probably the norm for those companies that claim to pay for your pre-license training.

Karen Margrave · Answer

@Brett Synicky  I use Allied for my continuing ed classes, and really like them.

Brett Synicky · Answer

@Karen Margrave Thanks I live in Los Angeles so your advice is very relevant to my situation.  Regardless of what type of license I need or don't need to work as a PM or for a PM I'm going to take the 3 mandatory classes it takes to apply for the exam through the DRE.

@James Wise I hope I have the same luck you did if I choose to take the courses independent of a brokerage.

@Wayne Brooks I had my mind made up to take the courses online (probably through Allied) depending on what I could find out through asking my original question but you bring up a great point.  While the cost is higher a classroom setting certainly has it's benefits and it would be great to get to know a few people at a similar level as myself.

Thanks!

James Wise · Answer

Not all  Licensed Real Estate Agents are Realtors but all Realtors are Licensed Real Estate Agents. In some states you do need to be a licensed Real Estate agent to do P.M. and in some states you actually need to be a broker or run it through a brokerage like @Brett Synicky was planning on doing.

brokerages hiring any warm body is pretty accurate at least in my experience. When I was first licensed I talked with 6 brokerages. I was offered 6 "jobs"

As for the desk costing money. I don't have a desk. I've been to my office a handful of times. Many agents these days rarely go to the office. The job is done on the computer, over the phone and in the car.

Karen Margrave · Answer

@Brett Synicky I have advised many a person on BP to check with the offices in their areas regarding such training. Here in California I have seen brokerages offer licensing training very often. In fact, some of the Coldwell Bankers, ad C-21's do that. They have their own curriculum, and then once you're licensed, they train you on the business side of it.

As to them wanting any warm body, that's not necessarily true. It costs them money for every desk that's in their office, and the agents need to produce. One thing is for sure, it won't cost you a dime to call them and talk to them. Good luck!

Wayne Brooks · Answer

For the cost of the class, probably $500 or so, I'd rather have the choice of any broker to work with. You will Easily find multiple brokerages that want you to put your license there.  Find one with what you want.   Oh, and I would suggest a classroom setting if you have the time.  You'll learn more real world things, and make some contacts.