Getting your Real Estate License? Read this!!!

Getting your Real Estate License? Read this!!!

Residential Real Estate Agent · The Woodlands, TX · Member since 2015 · 109 posts · 40 votes

I  have a real estate license in CA #01935461& TX #645065 so I feel I'm somewhat qualified to speak on the subject. 

The first thing you're going to want to consider is which "school" you go with. I went with Lumbleau for my CA lic. & Kaplan for my TX lic. I feel the 3 most important things to consider when choosing a real estate "school" are

  • Course materials- you want as much physical material as possible (books, cd's, packets, practice tests, online tests , etc. 
  • Reviews/ Reputation- self explanatory. Google " ABC school of real estate reviews".
  • In class vs online/at home- Both times I chose to take the online/ at home courses because I was too busy with school to attend the full time classes. The take home courses take a lot longer to complete because you're probably not going to be able to make a full time commitment but you'll be able to learn at your own pace. The in class licensing courses take a few as two weeks I've been told, so if you've got the time I'd say go for it. Quick Tip: Get the CDs if your school offers them! They helped me tremendously!

You'll also want to make sure you have some money set aside or some sort of financial support because the licensing fees will come out of no where and add up quickly. Sorry, I don't remember what the costs were...

While you're studying the course material you'll probably get overwhelmed but that's ok! There is so much , dare I say "useless" verbage in the study material. Go online and google " -enter your state- real estate test". Chances are there will be forums full of people who have already taken the test and know what sections to put your focus on. In my particular case, the school I used had a small booklet that contained summarized key points. Although they'll never admit it, these key points made up at least 70% of the ACTUAL REAL ESTATE EXAM. Still study all the course material given to you! Think about it...Real estate schools need you to pass! The more people that pass using their courses the more online reviews there will be pointing to them as the RE school to go to. 

Over prepare then prepare some more! The last thing you want to do is walk into the testing room un-prepared. I've seen so many people walk out of the RE testing center crying because they didn't pass. Sure they can still take the test over again but why go through the trouble when you could just pass the first time? 

CRASH COURSE!!!- I'll vouch for these things until the day I die. Basically this is a 2 day class you can sign up for (ideally a week before your test) that is taught by instructors who know exactly what will be on the official exam. They'll even give you actual practice questions that the state has used on previous exams. It's almost like cheating!They range anywhere from $100 to $300. Obviously you can pass without taking these crash courses but if you have the money and want to increase your chances of passing on your first try, I don't see why you shouldn't go with one. 

The Real Exam isn't hard! It really isn't...for the most part the test is 70 % course material and 30% common sense. You may want to schedule your test at a time later in the evening that way you can review all of your key notes and have the material fresh in your head (focus on the stuff you're having trouble with not the stuff you already know). 

You're going to pass! Just keep a positive mindset! So much of being successful involves having the right mindset. As quoted by the great Venus Williams -“In my mind, I'm always the best. If I walk out on the court (and) I think the next person is better, I've already lost.”

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Lender · Granite Bay, CA · Member since 2014 · 456 posts · 454 votes
11y

@Stanley Okazaki 

 I also really like Allied Schools.  I have been a RE broker in CA for 22 years. I am also a licensed NMLS lender, and do almost all my RE continuing ed with them.  You bring up great points about what people should look for in a RE school :-)

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  • Lender · Granite Bay, CA · Member since 2014 · 456 posts · 454 votes
    11y

    @Stanley Okazaki 

     I also really like Allied Schools.  I have been a RE broker in CA for 22 years. I am also a licensed NMLS lender, and do almost all my RE continuing ed with them.  You bring up great points about what people should look for in a RE school :-)

  • Residential Real Estate Agent · The Woodlands, TX · Member since 2015 · 109 posts · 40 votes
    11y

    Thanks for the comment @David Oldenburg

    Yes, I agree... I've heard a lot of good things about Allied. Speaking of continuing education I need to stop procrastinating and get on top of mine.

  • Oakland, CA · Member since 2015 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    10y

    I had a great experience with Allied for my Salesperson license.

    For Broker's license, I went with Kaplan. I paid over $500 for eight online courses. They have expired my access to these courses after six months and when I asked to get access reinstated, they told me I have to purchase the whole course again. They were not willing to reimburse me for previous amount that I have paid to take their online courses. Their dealings are not fair. I consider them a fraud.

  • Santa Monica, CA · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes
    9y

    You might want to try License Solution Real Estate School. They always answer the phone and will work with you if your account expires. They actually give you a year to complete your courses instead of only 6 months.

    If you need additional time after a year they do offer a small re-enroll fee. But, it's for another year AND you don't have to pay full price again!

  • Investor · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 1 vote
    9y

    just avoid realstateexpress, the software is not friendly and you cannot find anyone who can help. they hide behind calbre requirements all the time. 

  • Member since 2018 · 2 posts · 0 votes
    8y

    DO NOT USE WWW.ONLINEED.COM! I signed up for the CA RE. I should have done my research more before paying $249 + $25 for shipping for the Gold pkg. There's only 48 hours window preview and no guarantee whatsoever!! Now researching a little after failing Ch 1 and 2 tests, I deeply regret paying almost $300! Basically it's put your $300 down the drain! DO YOUR RESEARCH and see for yourself what other companies have to offer. They have 97% pass rate PLUS 110% guarantee pass!
    It's on your own pace and no support. When you ask the teacher/ instructor about something, basically she will tell you it's not on the exam or don't worry about it.
    If you are totally new to the Real Estates and need some assistance, well this is NOT the place you will get it.
    It's all on your own. Either you sink or swim!
    I want to kick myself. I am kissing my $300 good bye.

  • Rental Property Investor · San Jose, CA · Member since 2018 · 43 posts · 22 votes
    8y

    I highly agree the value of crash courses! They'll help you much better prepared for your license exam!

  • Member since 2018 · 21 posts · 2 votes
    7y

    I got my real estate license 5 months ago and the real estate scripts they provide are very useful and sales specific that help improves the bottom line.

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