In the last several years, the popularity of attending flexible, online schools has risen dramatically. In fact, in 2018, nearly 7,000 postsecondary U.S. students were enrolled in online courses. Now that the pandemic has closed schools, that number has risen to closer to 36 million in the U.S. Finding the best online real estate school is now a legitimate concern for many.
Regardless of whether distance education continues to be so popular after the pandemic has been contained, it’s a big part of the discussion now. It’s much more flexible and convenient, especially for adult learners who are looking to get their real estate license in their spare time. If you’re in that boat, here are some important considerations that come with choosing the best online real estate school for you.
The Important Factors
Accreditation
Every state has different requirements for how many hours of courses you need and which ones count to your credit. Many online schools don’t cover every state requirement, as it’s difficult to manage and create all the classes necessary in all 50 states. Whichever state you’re in, make sure you research to determine which school will provide you the accredited classes you need.
Price
Everyone wants to save money, but scrimping on education isn’t something you should do either. There are lots of online school options out there, and finding the best value for your money is going to take some research.
I suggest that you evaluate costs per credit hour. For example, let’s take a look at two of the most popular online real estate schools: Real Estate Express and Mbition. The most basic option at Real Estate Express is $507. In Texas, where I have my license, you need 180 hours of courses. 507/180 comes to about $2.81 a credit hour. Mbition’s basic plan is $489, which divided by 180 comes to about $2.71 a credit hour.
However, these are so close in price, you know you’re going to need to look at the extra value each of these schools offer. Pay close attention to what each plan offers. Usually, if you get a bundle, you’ll get a slight discount because you get multiple sources of education for one payment. Make sure you know what you need to learn best and successfully pass all requirements for your home state.
Guarantees
Occasionally, a school will offer a guarantee on their product. Real Estate Express is one of these schools, which is part of why I chose to become an affiliate partner with them (the link is down below–don’t worry, if you do click it you still get a great discount with them while giving me credit, so it’s a win-win). If you don’t pass your real estate exam at Real Estate Express, you are guaranteed to get your money back.
There’s a good reason this is a rare offer, but if you find it, you should definitely take it into consideration. After all, that guarantee means that the school trusts their students to do well and trusts the instructors to teach successfully. Plus, it guarantees that you’re actually learning what you need to learn to succeed as a real estate agent. Remember, you go to school to grasp a deeper understanding of a subject you care about. That is an extremely important factor in whatever school you choose.
Instructors
Every online school can get you the documents and information you need to pass a test, but you won’t always get the extra support that should go with that. In some schools, the instructors are hard to get a hold of and rarely available. What you want is a school that guarantees access to and answers from instructors.
You might not initially think you need help from a professional, especially if you’re a good independent learner. But everyone learns differently, and when you’re completely on your own it’s hard to find answers if you do have questions. That’s why it’s so important to find a school that offers connection with instructors any time you want it.
Community
Most students like to connect with other learners, especially if the coursework they’re doing isn’t particularly enjoyable. Many schools offer options for students to interact, but in some cases, there just aren’t a lot of students and a school can’t afford the time or money to make that possible. Keep that in mind when you’re picking a school, as having students to talk to about your work could prove immensely helpful for understanding tricky topics.
If you can’t find a school that works for you and comes with a community platform, there are other options. There are lots of real estate groups on Facebook and LinkedIn–you’ll almost certainly be able to find someone on those or other social platforms to engage with. You’ll be able to ask questions to users from around the world, which is definitely a bonus.
Convenience
For the most part, working online is convenient. However, there are some courses that are not designed to effectively help students work at their own pace. For example, a school might offer courses only at certain times during a year when you aren’t able to attend. An online program might not be set up to save your progress and leave you hanging after a break, trying to learn everything all over again. And let’s not paint over the fact that anything online is prone to glitches, no matter how great the system.
When picking the best online real estate school, take the technology into consideration. Is it advanced and adaptable enough to fit your needs? Plus, when it comes time for continuing education (CE), you may not have to actually use a school at all, which could save you some inconvenience. Many associations and title/lending companies offer CE at any time of the year. Check into your local options to learn more.
Proctors
At the end of your studies, you’re going to need to take an exam. Nearly every state requires that there be a proctor present when you’re taking your real estate exams. However, every state also has different requirements for who can be a proctor. Usually, it has to be someone unrelated to you or to real estate as a profession who can supervise you taking the test in their place of business. Sometimes, this person must be an education professional (like a professor).
When considering what school to choose, definitely make sure they offer proctoring services. You don’t want to be caught struggling to get your license or finish your coursework because you have to wait on someone to agree to proctor you. Many schools have programs set up where you can connect to a proctor over video, chat, or a ProctorExam software. That way, you can take the exam any time, anywhere.
Which Is The Best Online Real Estate School?
There’s no one right answer to that question. Differing state and local requirements or your personal situation could lead you to several great choices. In the end, you have to choose what works best for you.
I chose to use Real Estate Express to get my education. Probably the biggest factor in my decision was the inclusion of a proctor program so I didn’t have to worry about setting that up for myself. Plus, they’re relatively cheap, provide access to instructors, and offer extensive coverage with their courses. For me, it seemed like the best online real estate school available.
Whatever you choose, make sure it aligns with your needs so you can get started on your success as an agent as soon as possible. As a reward for staying to the end, HERE is my discount link if you decide to go with Real Estate Express.