All Forum Posts by: Dan Cotter

Thanks Azeez. Looking forward to it.

I'm in. Great idea, thanks.

Thanks James & Azeez. Georgia MLS would actually be really convenient. They have a campus near where I work.

Thanks James! I'll check that out.

Hi, Atlanta agents and brokers!

You all took a pre-license course at some point. Any recommendations?

Is it all pretty much cut-and-dry material, so all that matters is having a good teacher? Or does the teacher really flavor the course and any potential networking benefit, so you should find someone who matches your interests?

I'm leaning toward the GIRE in-classroom course. Maybe Joe Kennedy or Selena Henry. Just my preliminary thoughts. I'd really appreciate your input - whether it is something I have considered or something totally different.

Thanks,

Dan

P.S. My background & interests: I'm an acquisitions analyst and zoning/permitting specialist for a residential real estate developer and home builder (detached homes and townhomes). I would use what I learn for my current job. In 2-3 years, I would also like to do some of my own investing, probably starting with an FHA duplex.

Eric, did you pick one? I plan to get a real estate license relatively soon, probably after earning my urban planning credential (AICP). One of my colleagues at work did the online real estate pre-license course through GIRE and liked it. He recommended also getting the book AND also doing their optional cram session.

Personally, I tried the Coldwell Banker online course and found it to be incredibly tedious clicking through the endless series of slides and questions, and not being able to progress at your own pace (being forced to answer the same questions multiple times, etc.). Then my work schedule got nuts, I didn't have time to study, and the course expired. It probably didn't help that I got sick of the online interface, either.

So the "flexible" online option is actually only so flexible. Be prepared that it is a commitment, and you will need to study pretty diligently to finish before the course expires. This is coming from someone with a masters degree, so trust me, I'm not just lazy. Personally, the social pressure of going to classes would force me to make it a priority, and I think I'd enjoy the classroom setting more anyway.

I think weekend-only courses are hard to find, because it would take so long. Did you find one that looks good?

Welcome to Atlanta! I live in O4W as well.

Congrats on escaping the Columbus weather for a while. I went to BGSU for a year, very randomly, and had friends at Ohio State. It's a fun city, but oh man, the cold.

Have you gotten the official Atlanta welcome yet? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5W73HaVQBg

Dan

Thanks William!

P.S. About the lawyer: get someone who handles zoning cases in Atlanta - preferably East Point! They will know the local code, the political players and hot buttons, and what you should push hard for vs. lay off of in negotiations.

Welcome to BP!