Real Estate School: Online or In-Person?

 

You are interested in becoming a real estate agent, but you have no idea where to start or what steps to take to achieve your goals. The first step in becoming a real estate agent, like most careers, is to get the proper education or certification from an accredited real estate school and complete the state licensing exam.

One of the first big decisions you will have to make in starting your real estate career is which school you would like to attend and whether it is more beneficial for you to take classes online or in-person. There are benefits and drawbacks to each, so you will have to analyze which option will help you gain the most success.

One big benefit of online programs is that there is a lot of flexibility around them. It is very likely that you have other responsibilities to take care of while you are completing coursework, such as other work schedules or a family to attend to. Online programs allow you to complete your licensing on your own time and schedule while still being able to carry out your everyday tasks.

Furthermore, it can be a big money saver. Online classes can wind up being less expensive than in-person classes because you will be saving money on the cost of traveling to campus, the cost of a babysitter if you have a family to care for, and the cost of having to ask off of work on the days and times you have classes. 

There are Drawbacks

However, there are drawbacks to doing online schooling as well. You need to take into account which method of schooling will be most beneficial to you in acing the state licensing exam. Although it is tempting to take classes in the comfort of your own home, you must have the self-discipline to log onto the online program and complete the coursework in a timely, efficient manner. You must be able to stay organized, motivate yourself, minimize distractions, and manage your time efficiently. 

Also, there is a lack of face-to-face communication with peers and teachers. Some people benefit more from being able to have discussions with students and teachers throughout a class time or lesson. With online schooling, you still have the ability to communicate through emails or discussion boards; however, you may not get the feedback or answers to your questions as quickly as you would like. There is also a higher likelihood of miscommunication through online mediums since there is no way of indicating tone of voice or body language. 

Interaction

In turn, one of the biggest benefits of getting your education in the classroom is being able to have that face-to-face communication with teachers and other students that want to obtain their real estate licensing. The ability to have that interaction allows you to build relationships and trust with those around you and to obtain answers to your questions in a quicker manner. You may also find that you are able to learn more efficiently in a classroom where you are allowed that clear interaction instead of staring at a computer screen in which you will have to lead yourself in the learning process. 

One drawback is that you will not have that flexibility to complete your coursework on your own time like online real estate courses allow. There will be a limited amount of days and times to choose from when it comes to scheduling your classes, which may cause problems if you have a work schedule or child’s school schedule to work around. You will not be able to work at your own pace so, if you feel like you may be learning ahead or behind the rest of the group, you will more than likely have to stay at the same pace as the rest of the group. 

There is also the additional drawback of the extra costs of travel or time. You will have to account for the money it will take to travel to the campus, whether that be by car or public transportation options, and the cost of taking off of work for those class times or finding childcare while you are in class if needed. 

Conclusion

Remember that requirements for real estate licensing depends on the state that you live and plan to work in. Make sure that you are aware of all state requirements before making your decision and do research on local programs and online programs. For a better idea of what type of education is better for you, ask for recommendations from friends or coworkers, compare the costs of courses, materials, and travel, and assess which aspects of learning are going to be the most advantageous for you to obtain your real estate certification.

 

Whether you choose to go into the classroom or stay home and take your classes online, you want to make sure that your choice will be the most useful to you in jump starting your real estate education!