If you’ve been looking into getting started with real estate school, the biggest question you’ll face right off the bat is whether you want to go with the traditional in-person model or try an online program. Both can be great options for different reasons, but that just makes it all the more difficult. I’ll break down your options into helpful categories so you can decide which option will work best for you. By the end, you should know whether you want an online real estate school or more traditional model.
How To Choose Your Real Estate School
There are several categories to take into account when you’re picking out the best school. Below, I’ve given a rundown of some of the most important with the option I think will offer you the best value in that area. In the end, you’ll be well equipped to research your state options and choose the real estate school that fits your needs.
Cost
As with everything else in life, it’s essential to consider the money you’ll have to pay into schooling. When it comes to online vs. in-person schools, you’re likely to get the cheaper price with an online option, every time. Plus, you will either get your online books for free or pay a significantly cheaper price than you would for physical copies.
Take my home state of Texas, for example. The popular hybrid (in-person and online) real estate school Champions School of Real Estate costs $980 for pre-license training. The fully online school Real Estate Express, on the other hand, costs only $570 (less if you use my discount). That’s a big difference.
Of course, you’ll want to check with individual schools in your state to find out the best deals. And don’t forget to weigh the fact that you will be online for MANY hours if you opt for the online school. If that’s not your cup of tea, you may want to look at other options.
Speed
There is really no “best” way to get your license quickly. Most in-person options offer classes any time of day, so if you’re dedicated, you can finish them quickly. What will ultimately slow you down here is if you work a job, or if the class you need is only offered when you’re not available. In an online school, you can access any class at any hour, so it’s really the same principle–if you do the work, you get done fast!
One thing to take note of would be your state rules. Some states limit how and when you can test for specific sections. You may have to wait a certain period of time for a test opportunity to open for you. Unfortunately, that’s all governed by the state and there’s no easy way around it.
Flexibility
There are many reasons that students choose online school (not the least among them the current COVID restrictions), but there are a few reasons that stand out. Among the top is the need for flexibility and life balance.
You’re busy–you’ve got school, work, family, friends, exercise, sleep, and lots more! It’s hard to fit school into all that mess. By choosing an online school, you have the flexibility to work on classes whenever it’s convenient for you. As long as you have reliable internet, you’re good to go anywhere.
However, that should come with a warning. If you’re not the best at learning in a self-paced environment, you might lose time struggling through material or procrastinating. Make sure to take into account your ability to self-motivate before you commit to an online schedule.
Comprehension
More often than not, you’ll learn a lot better in the classroom than in an online atmosphere. If you’re in in-person classes, you get to connect with expert teachers, engage with other students, ask questions, and hear things explained with real-life examples.
In an online school, you’ll still be able to do some of this, but there will be a delay in response times to your questions. It can also be WAY harder to connect with peers online; in some online schools, it just doesn’t happen. If you need to dig deep into content and ask lots of questions, consider an in-person option first.
Networking
Networking is necessary for success for any real estate agent. Talking to other agents can inspire you with new ideas about how to get ahead, can help you further develop concepts learned in your class, and can provide you with connections to possible future leads. You want real relationships in real estate, however you can get them.
Obviously, an in-person class would significantly improve your opportunities to talk to other agents and engage in brainstorming and information-gathering with them. While there are Facebook groups and other online forums, there isn’t the same sense of connection you’ll find in a traditional classroom experience. When it comes to networking, in-person is definitely the winner.
Your Choice
In the end, it is your choice. I went with online school because I found that in my busy life the flexibility was the most important to me. Plus, I was able to cut my costs by nearly half. I’ve found that not all schools are best held in a classroom, either. For something as complicated yet focused as real estate, online works just as well as–if not better than–an in-person class.
So, it’s up to you. If you prefer the face-to-face connection, are willing to sacrifice on convenience, and can pay a little extra, in-person will work great. But if you’re looking for the ultimate convenience and a cheaper overall cost, you’ll want to look into online options.
If you’re wondering where to start, I suggest checking out Real Estate Express. It’s the school I used, and I found it to be everything I was looking for. It was convenient, relatively cheap, and helped me prepare for my test and pass successfully. In fact, Real Estate Express will give you a full refund if you DON’T pass your test. If you decide to opt for an online real estate school, that might just be the place to get started.