How to Choose The Right Pre-License Course for Florida Real Estate License
Do you dream of a career where you can work independently and be your boss while getting the chance to help people?
If yes, working in Florida real estate might just be the right fit for your career goals, especially since now is a good time to enter the market and make the most of the growth opportunities.
Florida is home to some of the fastest-growing real estate markets and the Peach State has a diverse mix of both well-established locations as well as up-and-coming destinations.
Be it the number of homes sold or the median home prices, Florida has seen a massive real estate boom thanks to the growing population which is projected to reach 25 million by 2030.
Florida continues to attract visitors, buyers, and real estate investors due to its scenic natural beaches, vast coastline, world-class entertainment options, and strong economy.
Experts project continued growth in FL real estate and if you are considering a career as a part-time or a full-time agent, now is a good time to enter the market.
Did you know that the top real estate agents in Florida can make as much as $120K to $150K after a few years of industry experience?
The best part about a career as a real estate agent is that you do not need to gain any advanced specialization or spend years to start working as a real estate agent.
All you need is a few months of education, training, and licensing to obtain your Florida salesperson license and you will be on your way to working with clients.
As per Florida law, getting a license requires completing mandatory pre-license education from a state-approved education provider.
This is why it is important to choose the right Florida pre-license course and ensure that you are meeting all the education requirements established by the law.
In this article, we will walk you through the importance of completing pre-license education and how to make the right choice while deciding on an education provider.
What is Pre-license education?
Like many states, Florida also requires aspiring real estate agents and brokers to complete pre-license education to obtain a license.
Pre-license education is a term that refers to a structured learning and training approach designed to help students prepare for a career in real estate.
The purpose of pre-license education is to provide students with the foundational knowledge of an industry, its laws, regulations, and underlying principles.
The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) is the state authority for issuing and renewing licenses to individuals and it is the responsibility of the FREC to formulate the curriculum.
By completing pre-license education, you can take the licensing exam i.e. the Florida salesperson license exam as education is a mandatory requirement for sitting in the exam.
Since passing the license exam is mandatory to get your salesperson license, it is important to complete your pre-license courses with diligence and discipline.
Pre-license education covers a broad range of courses and topics and the curriculum is formulated to give students an in-depth understanding of real estate.
In Florida, every aspiring real estate agent is required to complete 63 hours of pre-license education from a state-approved education provider.
Although pre-license education requirements vary depending on the state, the overall curriculum is standard and covers a general range of topics such as:
- Practices of Real Estate
- Real Estate Practices
- State and Federal Laws
- Consumer Rights
- Ethics and Fair Trade
- Contract forms
- Laws of Agency
- Real Estate Valuation
Completing pre-licensing education will give you the understanding and knowledge of a broad range of courses and topics related to your industry and profession.
Since the foundation of a successful career is built upon education, completing pre-license courses becomes more than just a mandatory requirement, but a crucial career decision.
In Florida, there are numerous pre-license education providers you can choose to meet your qualifying education requirements and prepare for the salesperson license exam.
Students are free to choose from different formats of content delivery such as - physical classroom-based, online self-paced, online instructor, and a combination of both online and offline mediums.
Students are free to choose their preferred medium of learning based on their needs, goals and budget.
Generally, most students prefer opting for a Florida real estate license course online as it allows them greater flexibility in managing their time and coursework.
Benefits of completing pre-license education
Whether you want to work as a part-time real estate agent or build a long-term career, completing a pre-license education will be a stepping stone to success.
Many students often wonder about the benefits of pre-license courses and whether it is worth investing the time and money required to complete education.
There are numerous advantages of pre-license courses and the most notable ones are:
1. Compliance with laws:
The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) has made it mandatory for every aspiring real estate agent to complete state-approved pre-license education.
Without pre-license education, you will not be able to meet the regulatory standards and licensing guidelines established by the state.
To work with clients and earn commission, you must obtain a valid license and to do that, you need to complete 63 hours of pre-license education first.
2. Useful knowledge:
Real estate is a competitive industry governed by a set of laws, standards, and regulations for professionals and firms.
To work and grow in the industry, you must equip yourself with the knowledge and understanding of fundamental topics of real estate.
Pre-license courses in Florida will give you a detailed education on a range of topics such as - state and federal laws, real estate finance, principles of real estate, contracts, consumer rights, and property management among others.
Having in-depth knowledge of the basics of your profession will give you a strong foundation with which you can pass the Florida salesperson license exam.
3. Networking opportunities:
While completing 63 hours of Florida pre-license education, you will meet a lot of new people, including fellow students, instructors, trainers, and teachers.
Since real estate is a networking-oriented profession, this will give you an opportunity to forge new connections and build your professional network.
By building professional relationships during your education, you can continue to nurture them as you advance in your career.
Professional connections can be of immense value as they can help you tap into newer markets, find referral clients, and generate more business.
4. Professional credibility:
Completing pre-license education will give you the credibility you need to make your mark in Florida real estate.
Since clients prefer working with licensed and knowledgeable professionals, it is important to complete pre-license courses and gain an essential understanding of real estate laws, principles, processes, and best practices.
Credibility is a huge advantage, especially in a heavily regulated industry like real estate. Being credible is a professional badge of honor that you can proudly wear.
After completing pre-license education, you will be perceived as more trustworthy and appealing to clients as it will demonstrate your commitment to your career.
To sum it up, completing pre-license education will not only give you the knowledge and training required to succeed but will also boost your professionalism and credibility.
How to choose a pre-license education provider in Florida
Now that you have learned about the importance of education and the significance of completing pre-license courses, the next step is to complete it.
Choosing the right education provider is essential to ensure you are getting the most out of the curriculum and the best value for your money.
However, with so many options and choices available, many students often wonder how to choose the right pre-license college, school, or course provider. Let’s find out.
1. Explore the course delivery format
Pre-license courses can be completed in a physical, real-world classroom environment or by enrolling in an online, self-paced, or instructor-led course.
If you are a working professional transitioning from another career to real estate, you will need to choose a flexible learning program to suit your schedule.
The same holds true for busy individuals who do not have the luxury of completing courses at a fixed time and they should choose self-paced courses.
When it comes to finding the best online course for a Florida real estate license, there are many options you can choose from to suit your budget and timings.
2. Evaluate the course quality
One of the most important aspects of any course is its curriculum quality and how well it can help you meet your education goals.
Not all courses are created equal, especially in a competitive real estate education market like Florida.
To get the most value for your time and money and boost your preparation, make sure to thoroughly review the course curriculum and ensure that it meets the standards set by the FREC.
A quality course provider will ensure the curriculum is accurate, up to date, and aligned with the FREC education guidelines and latest licensing regulations.
3. Check instructors’ qualifications
As a student, your learning experience will be shaped by your instructors’ skills, knowledge, and expertise.
Before deciding on a real estate college, school, or course provider, make sure to research your teacher’s educational qualification and teaching experience.
Expert instructors can make a significant difference in your learning goals - not only can they teach you better, but they can also help you overcome common doubts.
Choose only reputed, experienced, and certified instructors and trainers as they will help you maximize your learning and boost your preparation.
4. Learn about pass rates
When you do your research, you will find a lot of course providers and real estate schools in your area or region.
However, if there’s one aspect that gives the title of the best real estate online courses in Florida it is the pass rate of students.
The pass rate is the number of students who have successfully passed the Florida salesperson license exam on their first attempt.
If a real estate college or course provider boasts of a high pass rate, it means they are using the right teaching methods and training techniques.
In addition to the above factors, you must also evaluate the cost of completing pre-license education in Florida.
Generally, it can cost you anywhere between $200 to $700 to complete Florida salesperson license education.
Another important aspect to keep in consideration is that some pre-license courses offer a pass or get your money back.
While such offers might seem exciting, you should carefully evaluate the pros and cons of opting for such a course.