Real Estate Classes at Community College???

Hello everyone,
I have always entertained the idea of being a real estate investor, but was a young twenty something who never got it together. To make a long story short, I've managed to save $9,000 don't have any credit card debt and plan to take basic real estate courses at my local community college next semester (real estate basics, the economics of real estate and real estate finance). Does this sound like a good plan?
I say this because I dropped a lot of money on Carlton Sheets in my early 20's and read Rich Dad Poor Dad. That got me going, but didn't give me enough structure or information to get started (I know myself, I need structure). I feel these real estate classes at community college are good because they will give me structure, they will teach me the basics in which I will be quizzed and graded on and they are MUCH cheaper than attending one of those seminars.
I would appreciate some constructive feedback.

Thanks,
Rachelle

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:11AM

Jimmy Rodriguez

Real Estate Investor · San Francisco Bay Area, California

38 posts
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Icon_minipost Oct 22 '08, 08:05 AM

any time you can learn something new that is a good thing.. and especially if you feel you are not ready to jump in. that alone is enough reason to take the college course IMO... however, "experience is by far life's best teacher." to put it simply.. you'll learn more in your first two weeks when you actually purchase than you will have with those years of book studying. That is not to say that jumping right in is very smart though.. sounds like your on a good course, keep it up.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:11AM

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Jason Wheeler

Private Money Lender · Pleasant Hill, California

414 posts
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Icon_minipost Oct 24 '08, 06:34 AM

The classes cannot hurt but I recommend getting a mentor and getting in the field ASAP. I took a lot of classes at Community College and they didn't really help me take action! Action is what is important in this industry.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:12AM

Kimberly McDowall

Residential Real Estate Agent · Ingleside, Texas

17 posts
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Icon_minipost Oct 25 '08, 05:12 AM

Although I think reading up and learning are great things, I'm not sure the classes you are planning to take will target what you are wanting to learn. Maybe you can find a local investors group in your area and see if they have some ideas about how to research or study what you specifically want to do.

If you require structure, you may talk to other investors who can hire you to do their legwork while you learn from them. When you are ready to go out on your own they can be a part of your experience in the areas of support and structure. This forum looks like a great place to start.

A mentor is a great idea as well.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:13AM

R G

Renter · California

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Icon_minipost Oct 27 '08, 04:48 AM

Hey everyone, thanks for your advice.

I have to admit, I am kind of afraid of just taking the courses, but being too scared to actually act. Signing up for the courses and taking them is my way of getting into this for real.

Also, I see that one of the courses you can elect to take after you have taken some intro classes is a paid, supervised internship course where you work with local real estate people (either at an office, with loan documents etc)...so that would provide me with good contacts.

I am going to continue saving money and enrollment for those classes being next month. I am super excited!

Also, I was hoping to find a mentor or at least a network of people through my associations with these classes.

-Rachelle

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:13AM

Brandon Boyd

Real Estate Investor · Truckee, California

15 posts
14 Influence

Icon_minipost Oct 28 '08, 04:48 AM

What I am going to say is my opinion...
I highly recommend finding a local real estate investor. Work out a partnership, split all profits 50/50 on all deals you close together. Make sure they are experienced and they will teach you how to invest. Be creative...

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 06:14AM

Loretta A. Steele

Residential Real Estate Broker · Moreno Valley, California

56 posts
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Icon_minipost Oct 09 '09, 05:37 AM

The community college classes seem for your people who are studying become a licensed real estate salesperson or agent, NOT for real estate investing.

If you want to learn investing, then locate a local Real Estate Investing Club, and start attending their meetings. There you may find an experienced investor to work with.

Real estate investing is about action and networking.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 09:59AM

Account Closed

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Icon_minipost Aug 05 '10, 11:05 AM

I recommend you get into getting trained on an online course. I know of a company who trains and after you close your first deal, they refund your money. The best part of this is you get to work from your home office.

Dale Osborn

Mobile Home Investor · Spanaway, Washington

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Icon_minipost Aug 05 '10, 02:18 PM

If you take the dry real estate classes offered by a community colllege to get people to be able to pass the real estate exam for a license, you might just get burnt out before you get started. You will learn a few things about real estate, but nothing at all about real estate investing. Try one class if determined and see how it goes!

Maria Quebec

Residential Real Estate Agent · North Bergen, New Jersey

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Icon_minipost Oct 10 '10, 10:34 AM

My advise. Find a real estate company that offers work from home. Get your real estate license from an online school which takes about a month to get. Then quit your 9-5 job after you are financially stable with the company you found.

Charles Perkins

Landlord · Seattle, Washington

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Icon_minipost Oct 10 '10, 10:56 AM

There's good reason to believe the OP has long left the building and made her decision. That being said though, the question is still very useful to many others.

So, is it useful to take college classes or other formal RE classes if all you really want to do is be an investor?

IMO, yes there is value in learning some of the basics about real estate. Contract law is very useful for instance. It can be useful to learn some basic finance as well or financial statement analysis. There are a number of courses that can help a real estate investor.

Are these classes worthwhile, I think that can only be determined by each individual. I can only say that I am glad that I took many of the college courses that I have. Will these classes make you successful, no. They can give you some of the basic knowledge and then it is up to you to put it to use and understand what you have learned.

Knowledge is only a building block. It must be applied and internalized to bring understanding. Understanding is not enough either because if don't commit to a course of action and hold yourself accountable chances of success are very slim.