Hello. I am seriously considering getting my real estate license (this would be in Maryland, btw) and am wondering if online courses typically do as good and thorough a job (or maybe even better?) than the typical classroom instruction courses. I live in a rural area and would have to drive a ways to get to any of the regularly offered classroom courses, but it could be doable if necessary. Any recommendations as to who offers great instruction?

Also, is it better to take a course offered directly from a real estate company, than a "generic" course? Do most of the bigger real estate companies, that offer such courses, want to only hire new agents that have taken THEIR specific real estate course?

Also, if you have any recommendations as to which real estate companies offer great on-the-job training or mentoring, after you get your license, that would be appreciated too!

BTW- I think that I would like to do this as a full-time career, not just for personal investing use.

Thanks in advance!

I believe you should always choose to do your real estate classes in a classroom especially for your initial license. You will get so much more insight when compare to online classes also it's a great place to meet fellow investors, buyers and sellers.

Thanks Brian. You bring up some good points!

I believe it is most beneficial for you to choose a classroom course rather than online. However, I chose an online course because it was the most practical for me at the time. I had a  full schedule and the nearest classroom offering the salesperson course was a half-hour drive from where I lived. I do not regret my decision. I passed my final exam with flying colors and passed the state exam the first time I took it. Since getting my license two months ago, I have been working as a Buyer Specialist and Administrative Assistant on a seasoned Realtor's team. The number of people I have met through real estate - both consumers and professionals - is crazy looking back through the past couple months. I do not feel that choosing an online course caused my career any damage. My first day as a Realtor, I met around ten agents and brokers plus another twenty consumers looking to buy/sell within three months. It's all about how dedicated you are, the culture of the company you choose to work with, and whether you choose to start out as an agent on a team or as an individual agent. If there is anything I can help you with as far as getting started, please don't hesitate to send me a message. I wish you the best in this new adventure.

@Christy Christman Thank you so much for taking the time to respond and share your experience. That is so encouraging! It sounds like you are off to a great start! I will take you up on your offer and send you a message later with a few more questions, if you don't mind! Thanks again.

Hi!  My wife took her course in a classroom through Long and Foster, then joined Keller Williams Legacy in Pikesville, MD.  She found the classroom setting very helpful, a lot of real world advice and scenarios from the instructor.  As far as which brokerage you should join, definitely explore your options, all have different royalties you pay, training, and commission structures.  Keller Williams is a training brokerage that focuses heavily on daily training in an array of topics.  My wife joined a team from the start and has been extremely happy with the decision.  If you ever want to pick her brain, just let me know.  She is more than happy to share her experience.  

@Ryan Dougherty Thanks, Ryan! It is good to know that if you  take classes through a brokerage you are not committed to that brokerage and it doesn't prevent you from being hired by another.  Keller Williams peaked my interest ever since I heard that one of their Maryland offices actually had an in-house home stager who did consultations with all of their sellers! I was impressed, as I am a big believer in home staging. This KW stager was a guest speaker on  "The Home Staging Show Podcast," which I listen to regularly. (Maybe your wife works at that office? I am way down south in Calvert County, btw. I think KW is starting to come to our area.)  There are actually some Long and Foster classes offered about 40 minutes or so from where I live.

Thanks for sharing and offering to let me ask your wife some questions!

it really depends on how you learn best. RE course is only meant to help you pass the stanardizd test, it does teach you how to be a realtor per sey. I needed a classroom environment. Others do fine online. Its all up to you.