Back to School for Real Estate Agents

Real Estate School Is in a Class of Its Own

It’s back-to-school season for kids and adults alike! Whether you’re a future agent launching a new career or an existing professional ready to tackle your CE, don’t fall behind this autumn. In the back-to-school spirit, we’ve compiled a few tips to make completing your real estate education as simple as ABC.

Register for Courses

The first step in going back to (real estate) school is actually enrolling. First, you’ll want to determine exactly what kind of real estate education you need to purchase this fall.

Pre-Licensing

Pre-Licensing is the regulatory education required by each state’s real estate commission for getting your license and working in the real estate industry. Obtaining an approved Pre-Licensing course is the first step that future agents must take when launching a real estate career.

Exam Prep

If you’re studying up for a licensing exam, whether starting out as an agent or working on reciprocal licensure, Exam Prep might be right for you. The CE Shop’s experts took apart each state’s candidate handbook and simplified it for the best study experience. You can expect unlimited practice exam questions that are mirror image examples of what you’ll see on the test, and we believe in our Exam Prep Edge program so much that we guarantee a full refund if you demonstrate competency in all sections but do not pass the exam.

Post-Licensing

Some states require certain courses for your first renewal after you become a licensed agent. If you’re approaching one year in the field, you may need to invest in Post-Licensing education. 

States That Require Post-Licensing Education:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington 

Continuing Education (CE)

Continuing Education consists of the coursework required to retain your real estate license. While your license renewal date and specific CE requirements will vary depending on your home state, each and every agent must complete Continuing Education to maintain their licensure. Luckily, The CE Shop offers an array of state-specific courses and engaging electives that follow current trends and issues in the industry. 

Shop for School Supplies

Once you’ve found the right education, ensure you have the perfect supplies on hand. 

Designated workspace

Like most professional and educational undertakings, real estate school requires time, dedication, and focus. A designated workspace can clue your mind into study time and help make learning more productive. Whether it’s an ergonomic chair in one corner of your bedroom or a fully outfitted home office, remember to prioritize your physical learning space.

Laptop, tablet, or smartphone

Of course, you’ll certainly need one or the other if you choose to take courses online. Here at The CE Shop, you can study up on any device, making it more convenient than ever to learn on your time. While exploring your new career path, you may want to look up terms, check local market data, or type notes, so be sure to have a device on hand that supports your learning style.

Books

If you’re learning offline, you may need to purchase some clunky or expensive textbooks before heading back to real estate school. When you opt for a fully online company like The CE Shop, however, you can shop around for a few fun reads to supplement what you’re learning instead. Our favorites include The Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller of Keller Williams, The Book of YES by Kevin Ward, and Real Estate Success in 5 Minutes a Day by Karen Briscoe.

Pen and paper

Whether you’re jotting down concepts to come back to or working through some of the trickier math questions, you can’t go wrong with good old pen and paper. Be sure to have plenty on hand so you never have to jump up and interrupt your learning.

Complete the Required Reading

While your courses will cover the more logistical side of the job, real estate can be a complex and ever-evolving industry. Luckily, The CE Shop’s experts spend countless hours researching trending topics, tips, and advice designed to help grow your business beyond your real estate courses. This fall, explore some of the resources below to develop an informed and well-rounded approach to real estate.

Getting started:

• The Top 5 Reasons Agents Quit and How to Overcome
• Congratulations, You’re a Real Estate Agent! …Now What?
• Assembling Your Sphere of Influence

Grow your business:

• Discovering Your Real Estate Market Niche
• Buying and Selling Eco-Friendly, Energy-Saving Homes
• Building Your Real Estate Team From Scratch

Hot topics:

• Great Agents Can Make or Break a Sight Unseen Sale
• U.S. Cities Offer Incentives to Lure in Remote Workers
• Across the U.S.: What Does $500,000 Get You in Real Estate?

Industry news:

• Natural Disasters and Real Estate
• Land of the Renters: U.S. Homeowners Pay More Per Month
• Vacation Home Sales Skyrocket During COVID-19 Pandemic

Technology:

• Using Social Media to Grow Your Real Estate Business
• 5 Reasons Why Real Estate Agents Should Use VR
• 10 Things Your Real Estate CRM Should Do for You

Make Friends

No matter the stage of your real estate career, success takes a village. Remember to socialize as you’re heading back to real estate school.

Network

When it comes to growing your sphere of influence, there’s no time like the present! Make a point to network with your fellow agents and local industry thought leaders to grow your knowledge. After all, sometimes peers are the best teachers.

Join a real estate group

You may already be a part of PTA, but what about NAR? There are also hundreds of national and local real estate organizations that can supplement your learning this fall. If you’re looking for something a little more casual, perhaps consider joining one of The CE Shop’s Facebook groups. 

While you may not get a gold star these days, following a few simple back-to-school steps can help make your real estate education a breeze. After all, nothing should lesson your enthusiasm for going back to school!