6 Tips to Identify a Good Real Estate School

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(Newswire.net — October 28, 2019) — Understanding the precepts and principles of real estate and property management is important for pursuing or continuing a career in the real estate industry. Many education institutes offer guided lessons to train and review regulatory laws and good practices that every aspiring agent needs to know. A good real estate academy should empower its students and arm them with the knowledge to succeed. 

As a prospective student looking to enroll in real estate coursework, identifying the right school can be a daunting task. Where do you start? In Michigan, there are two types of education platforms available: 1) in-person classroom learning, and 2) distance learning through flexible online programs. When deciding which route to take, consider these six tips to aid in the decision-making process.

Licensure Exam Guarantee: 

Does the school offer any kind of guarantee that students who successfully complete their courses will pass the PSI exam required for licensure with Michigan’s Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) or your money back? A quality real estate school should at the very least offer exam prep and mock tests in their pre-licensure training. Students wanting to try for their license need to satisfy a certain number of training hours before being allowed to apply for the licensure exam. Investigate how a school prepares its students before making your choice.

Course Requirements: 

LARA mandates real estate agents in Michigan complete coursework in civil rights law and equal opportunity housing before applying for the exam. Ensure the academy you choose covers these two topics, then explore what other essentials they offer. Important electives to consider are federal and state real estate law, real estate contracts, home financing, property management, ethics and advertising, commercial leasing, agency relationships, and so on. 

Career Resources: 

Preparing a student is about more than teaching them history and best practices in the field. It should include realistic expectations and practical knowledge for the real world, not just the theoretical one. Does it explain possible career paths, salary ranges, secrets to success, pitfalls to avoid, and how to develop a comprehensive marketing plan? A good school should provide links and resources you can take with you before AND after licensure. 

Flexibility: 

Adults and professional students have lives, families, existing responsibilities, and jobs that demand their educational pursuits cater to their busy schedules. If you’re the kind of person that needs flexibility, distance learning online might be best for you. Add up the number of hours you can dedicate to your studies each week. Is it regular and predictable, or infrequent and irregular? If it’s the latter of the two, a flexible study/attendance schedule will likely suit you better. Here’s a list of approved pre-license classes offered entirely online with secure and approved reporting methods. At Your Pace Online (“1 Attempt”) is the top choice on the list, boasting a Michigan Salesperson Pre-license course series at a competitive price. Take a look at what they offer. 

Accreditation: 

You should be sure that your prospective school is accredited by a governing body in charge of regulating real estate licensing in your state. In order to attempt the licensure exam, you must earn a certificate of completion from a LARA approved course. If there is no mention on their website or materials about accreditation, state approval, reporting, or earning a certificate, stay away and search elsewhere.

Success Rate: 

Results speak for themselves. A school can promote their services as the best, but without the stats to back it up, their boasting translates to little more than hot air. What is the success rate of licensure after completion of a school’s courses? Read student reviews and dig deep. Consider what they are saying, not just how they’re rating a course. 

Success rate matters; it lets you understand your chance of success based on the history of the school. A school with a high success rate obviously has more experience and is equipped with the right resources for its students. Be smart and start your career off right. Select a school that fits your needs.