Real Estate License - Online or Classroom?

Question

Hi all! The next step in my process to become a buy-and-hold investor is to get my real estate license. It is not my intention to become a real estate agent as I wish to keep my day job until my investment income equals my salary.

Though I understand the basic concepts of RE transactions from the purchase of my own home, I really want to grasp all the concepts. Personally, I feel an online setting won't give me the knowledge I desire.

For those who recently got their license, what was your experience?

Can you please recommend an online course or better yet a classroom setting in North Orange County, CA?

A classroom setting would be my preference unless there are really strong favors toward online.

As always, thanks for reading. -Michael

Account Closed · Answer

I have looked into the same thing for the same reasons. In the Bay Area the community colleges offer a reasonably priced course.

Account Closed · Answer

Anson Young

I am a total newbie to real estate. But, I am used to CA state licensing test questions as I am a licensed P&C insurance agent. The insurance test abuses double negative questions and strives to confuse you. I am sure the real estate test is similar. Which online provider did you use?

Logan Pradon · Answer

Hey Michael,

I recently acquired my real estate license so I was able to get my MLO license. Im not sure if you are talking about the actual classes (pre-lisensure education) you need to take or a crash course. As for the actual classes I used Blair Black, they send you the books and when you are ready they send you the online test. In my opinion, it was a little dry. I did however take a crash course from www.realestatecentre.biz/ It is right down the 91 from you and I feel it was very helpful. Yes they help you pass the test like any other crash course but they were very informative and taught me a ton. Hope this helps and good luck!

Mark Ferguson · Answer

Andrew Vogt
Every state has different requirements on what you have to do and how many classes you need.  I would do a search on the internet to see what your state requires.

Lucas S. · Answer

Michael Manawil  I am in a similar situation trying to decide right now between in person and online.  I am leaning towards some of the on-line options mainly due to schedule with my family :-/  But i recognize that i would probably learn more with the in-person one.  There is a local community college near me though that offers classes at a decent price/schedule.

Andrew Vogt · Answer

To continue on becoming an real estate agent, roughly how much do classes take?

I am a buy and hold investor.  I currently have 4 properties.  I'm looking at starting a management company in the long term.  I know that in order to run a legal management company, I need a broker that can work with the legal contracts.  So I was thinking of obtaining me license, then trying to become a broker down the road...?

Cindy Silkett · Answer

I just got done taking my classes in MN; completed everything in 1 month.  Thought of doing on-line because I've done on-line classes before but I was glad I didn't.  Networking is great going the classroom route.  You can learn so much more than by yourself on a computer.  There were a couple people in the classes that took the 1st course on-line and said it was terrible (timed to make sure you read everything).  Personal preference if guess.

Mark Ferguson · Answer

My buddy is getting his license now and went the online route.  He is a tech guy and works online all the time. He wishes he would have gone classroom route.  It is a lot of information to process while staring at a computer.  I did it online, but I have been around real estate my whole life and had a huge advantage.  For anyone new to Real Estate I suggest classroom.

David Niles · Answer

Going to side with the classroom guys.  I do everything online but for this, the classroom works best IMO.  Not only for asking questions but as others have said, its the class interaction and contacts / relationships you will build that can help you down the road.  Sitting alone infront of your computer....while easier, wont get you any of that.

Bill Gulley · Answer

I strongly suggest the classroom. I have asked my computer questions before and I never got an answer yet!

Another thing is that you meet those like minded types, you're all in it together and you can end up staying in touch to get help or ideas as you move on.

Lots of things can be discussed in class that would never be in any text and you get the real life examples as the instructor is usually a seasoned broker.

Take the class to learn RE, take the computer course to learn the answers to the test questions. You can pass the test and not really know squat.  :)