Rental Property Investor · Cumming, GA · Member since 2022 · 10 posts · 2 votes
Does anyone have any good advice on the best route to obtain a R.E. license in Georgia? Is there a company to use that stands out as better than others? Are there any online courses that are better than the others for passing the Georgia exam?
Real Estate Agent · Metro Atlanta · Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 5 votes
3y
I know you said it would be difficult to attend in person but I think some of the companies are flexible in the number of days and for evenings. Although it depends on the person, but it is much quicker to pass the test in person than to do it online. I used Barney Fletcher but if you are in the Atlanta area, you can take it at Capitus, which is what the Atlanta Realtors Association offers in Sandy Springs.
Also, being an agent can be a lonely experience so it helps to meet people early on. You may learn things you can't online.
Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
@Rodney Woodruff, I used Aceable Agent. Aceable is all online, user-friendly, cheap, and easy to follow through. In addition, watch Prep Agent's YouTube videos (super helpful). Furthermore, take multiple practice exams before sitting down for the State and National exams. Depending on how frequently you study, you can be licensed within as little as 3-4 months if you put your nose to the grindstone. Hope this helps!
Rental Property Investor · Cumming, GA · Member since 2022 · 10 posts · 2 votes
3y
Thanks Michael!
Once you finished the Aceable Agent course and passed the exam, how did you go about choosing a company to work with? As I understand, you must work with a brokerage for a period of time after you become a licensed salesperson.
Real Estate Agent · Atlanta, GA · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
@Rodney Woodruff, yes, for your license to be active it must be hanged with a brokerage. Honestly, I decided to work with my current brokerage based on mutual connections and relationships. That being said, when interviewing brokerages you need to get answers upfront. Specifically, ask how the brokerage can help you build your business and if they provide any training tools that will enable you to succeed. Moreover, get clarity on commission splits and monthly fees.
Real Estate Agent · North Augusta, SC · Member since 2017 · 254 posts · 233 votes
3y
@Rodney Woodruff - All the courses teach information that doesn't really help with being a realtor/investor (I mean, it does, but not as much as you'd think). I'd suggest just finding a cheap online course - I used 360Training.com because they had discount codes and I think I got the online course for less than $100. There are quizzes at the end of sections (and if you fail, you repeat reading the section). I felt like that course got me ready for the actual RE exam because the questions on the course were way harder.
If you're brokerage hunting, I'd be happy to chat with you. I have a GA brokerage and an SC brokerage. I LOVE my GA one (and don't love my SC one). The one in GA doesn't charge commission on your own deals. It's the only brokerage I've heard of that does this (or does this more than 1 per year). So, I've bought and sold my own properties "for free". Their fees are pretty darn reasonable, great broker, great resources (leads and such if you want them), we even have an attorney we can email for help with stips or other questions if we have them. :)
Congrats on starting to get a little deeper in the RE pool! :)
Rental Property Investor · Cumming, GA · Member since 2022 · 10 posts · 2 votes
3y
Thanks Erin!
I am mostly looking into the license in order to gain access to MLS information. I am interested in the online courses, but I was concerned with finding the brokereage to work with afterward. I am trying to decide if I should use one of the broker-sponsored courses or do an online course on my own terms.
I would recommend a weeklong in-person class, if one is available near you. The group learning atmosphere is much better than the online courses. I did the online course (real estate U) because I have a young kid but it was super dry and boring, though it got the job done quickly and cheaply. CE Shop is usually recommended but I have no experience with it. I assume all online courses are about the same.
I would recommend a weeklong in-person class, if one is available near you. The group learning atmosphere is much better than the online courses. I did the online course (real estate U) because I have a young kid but it was super dry and boring, though it got the job done quickly and cheaply. CE Shop is usually recommended but I have no experience with it. I assume all online courses are about the same.
That would be ideal. I have a full-time job and it will be difficult to coordinate the week-long in-person course. If I can figure it out though, I will definitely look into it.
Lender · MD · Member since 2022 · 12 posts · 4 votes
3y
I am licensed in MD, I went through CE Shop. I thought they were a good online course company. When I worked my full time job I came home and studied for hours. Didn't take long at all to get it done, just have to stay on it.
I am licensed in MD, I went through CE Shop. I thought they were a good online course company. When I worked my full time job I came home and studied for hours. Didn't take long at all to get it done, just have to stay on it.
Just realize / clarify that after you pass to get your agent's license (mainly pass the exam etc.), to keep it active you have to "hang" it with a broker. Usually dues and fees comes to $2k-$3k annually, and that's just doing "nothing." So, its not exactly "cheap" access to the MLS (which those fees include your MLS fees). You can try eXp which seems to be used by investors since they generally "leave you alone."
Brokers make their money off the backs of agents via the commission split. So, if you aren't producing, i.e. making sales, then the brokers aren't making money. Any franchise will cost the broker per agent. So, even if you are paying your dues, your broker is losing money on you. That's the main reason for thecommon threads about finding "investor friendly brokers."
I see you say that you are just looking for access to the MLS. Just remember that the pre-licensing course won't teach you much about how to be an agent, which is a sales position. The course just teaching you facts, terms, and the legal aspects. The actual part of being a salesperson, getting leads, filling out the paperwork, closing deals, etc. is all on you, with some help/guidance from your brokerage.
Real Estate Agent · Metro Atlanta · Member since 2019 · 6 posts · 5 votes
3y
I know you said it would be difficult to attend in person but I think some of the companies are flexible in the number of days and for evenings. Although it depends on the person, but it is much quicker to pass the test in person than to do it online. I used Barney Fletcher but if you are in the Atlanta area, you can take it at Capitus, which is what the Atlanta Realtors Association offers in Sandy Springs.
Also, being an agent can be a lonely experience so it helps to meet people early on. You may learn things you can't online.