Your guide to choosing the best real estate course in Florida
Becoming a real estate agent requires education, training, and licensing and if you are interested in starting a career in Florida real estate, you need to prepare for all three.
Florida’s real estate market has shown steady demand over the last few years and the state is witnessing strong interest from homebuyers, migrant workers, and real estate investors.
Working in Florida real estate can give your career a strong start and bring opportunities for growth and profitability.
If you are an aspiring real estate agent ready to join the industry, now is a good time to plan your move and move ahead with confidence.
However, you must be prepared for working in a highly competitive industry and rub shoulders with thousands of skilled agents, brokers and realtors.
To truly set yourself apart from the competition and make your own mark in Florida real estate, you will need to invest in getting yourself educated and acquiring the necessary skills to succeed in real estate.
This is why completing pre-licensing education is crucial to building a thriving, successful career in real estate.
Education is the foundation for a solid knowledge of the practices, policies, and processes of real estate.
Completing pre-licensing education will not only give you knowledge about the fundamentals of real estate and its underlying laws and guidelines but will also give you the confidence you need to work in a competitive industry.
If you are ready to embark on a rewarding and fulfilling professional journey, it is time to invest in completing a Florida real estate license course and acquire the necessary knowledge.
Choosing a real estate course can be overwhelming, especially when you are surrounded by choices and options and all of them claim to be better than the other.
To help you make the right choice, we have put together this article which will guide you on how to select a pre licensing course or college to complete your education.
Choosing the right real estate education provider can make or break your career - to help you choose better, this article will cover the key aspects you should keep in consideration.
Need for pre-licensing education in real estate.
Many applicants and students often presume that completing pre licensing education is important to tick off a mandatory requirement in the licensing process.
However, the importance of real estate education and training is much more than just a mandatory item on a checklist.
Ask any successful real estate salesperson or broker and they will tell you how education played a vital role in their professional growth.
The purpose of pre-licensing education is to give applicants a thorough walkthrough of what it is like working in the real estate industry.
As a student, you will learn about the fundamental topics of real estate - the laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines for agents, brokers, and realtors.
The coursework consists of core concepts and topics which will be a part of your career as you grow and advance. Some of these topics are - Principles of Real Estate, Laws of Real Estate, Real Estate Finance, Ethics and Fair Trade among others.
As part of your FL real estate course, you will gain in-depth understanding of your job profile, duties, and key responsibilities.
You will also learn about lawful practices, unlawful acts, legalities, contracts, deeds, and other specifics of the industry.
Since real estate salespersons are expected to juggle multiple tasks, it is important that you are prepared about what to expect in your career.
Another important reason why you should take studying for real estate seriously is that the topics you will cover during pre-licensing courses will prepare you for tackling the Florida salesperson licensing exam.
Like most states, Florida requires aspiring agents and brokers to take and pass the state licensing exam to earn their license.
To learn the core concepts, understand industry trends, hone your skills and gain knowlege about the state and federal laws, completing pre licensing education is a must.
What does a real estate agent do
A real estate agent is responsible for guiding their clients during real estate transactions and helping them close deals in a more efficient way.
As an agent, you can represent either the buyer’s or the seller’s side and help your clients get the best value for their money.
Real estate agents conduct site visits and property showings to prospective buyers and homeowners on behalf of your client.
Florida is home to thousands of real estate agents who work with clients and help them buy or sell residential and commercial properties anywhere in the state.
Agents are expected to be thorough with the laws, rules, and regulations governing a financial transaction.
As a real estate salesperson in Florida, it is your duty to ensure that every deal is meeting the guidelines and standards established by the Florida real estate commission and the best interests of your clients are safeguarded.
Now that you have an overview of what your job role will entail and your key job responsibilities, it’s time to learn more about how to prepare for a career in real estate by choosing the right education provider.
Choosing a pre-licensing education provider in Florida
Given the importance of education and pre-licensing coursework, it should not come as a surprise when we recommend that you take your time to evaluate and compare the available courses and colleges.
As per the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), every applicant must complete 63 hours of pre licensing education from a state approved education provider.
If you want to create a thriving, successful career in FL real estate, you must have a solid foundation of the fundamentals and a solid grasp of the industry’s best practices.
In Florida, there are numerous real estate schools, courses and colleges which offer pre licensing education with their unique teaching packages and plans.
To find the best real estate course in Florida to meet your learning needs and increase your chances of success, you must keep the following aspects in mind.
1. Check the course curriculum.
One of the most important factors in deciding whether to join a real estate education provider is how updated and accurate their curriculum is.
To maximize your learning and get the best value for your money, you should only learn using a recent, accurate curriculum that is verified by the FREC.
Students should opt for modern, latest courses which are designed to give you an in-depth knowledge of the topics you will face in the licensing exam.
Be it the study material or the sample practice tests, if you want to approach the exam with confidence, you must learn only relevant and current information.
2. Explore the features
Not every pre licensing course is the same - while some offer a variety of value-added features and benefits, some only scratch the surface.
Before deciding on a pre licensing course or real estate prep school, make sure to explore what are the add-ons they offer as part of the basic education program.
Some of the benefits and features you should check for are - live instructor support, video and workbook training series, Q& A sessions, digital flashcards, progress updates, course bundles and on-demand trainer support and assistance.
Since you will be preparing for the salesperson licensing exam, these additional features can help you boost your preparation and improve your odds of success.
3. Learn about the instructors
The deciding factor in choosing any education provider, course, or school is the quality and experience of the teaching staff and instructors.
Completing pre licensing education will take weeks or months of your time and to make the most of your experience, you must learn from professional, certified instructors with a proven track record.
In Florida, there are numerous real estate schools that boast of the industry’s finest and most experienced trainers and instructors who can help you get your license.
However, you must not go by self-proclaimed promotional claims and instead do your own research about the skill, expertise and qualification of the trainers and teachers.
4. Explore the types of packages.
Different students have their unique learning needs and requirements and to cater to them, real estate schools and course providers offer specific learning packages.
If you are preparing for the FL salesperson licensing exam, you must keep an open mind and explore various learning plans and packages available for students.
While some courses offer a more beginner-friendly approach, others are known for their rigorous training methodology. Based on your learning style and needs, you can compare the options and make an informed choice.
Many students prefer packages which bundle exam preparation bootcamp and learning modules along with the 63 hours of course credits.
5. Plan your budget
Preparing for a new career will require money and cost investment and pre licensing education is going to be one of the major expenses in your licensing journey.
Generally, pre licensing education in Florida can cost you anywhere between $100 to $300 depending on the education provider, type of package, medium of content delivery and the expertise of the trainer.
There are different courses and learning packages for different budgets and you can easily choose the most suitable one based on the money you are willing to spend.
Note that some courses and real estate colleges may also offer the ‘Pass or Don’t Pay’ option to students which might be worth looking into if you are seeking to get the best value for your money.
Now that you know how to choose the best real estate pre-licensing course in Florida for your needs and requirements, the next step is to start working towards your goal of getting licensed.
While most education providers cover the same curriculum and topics generally, their teaching methodology, instructor skill level and value-added benefits makes some better than the rest.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is that you must only opt for FREC-approved
real estate training irrespective of whether you join an in-person real estate school or enroll in an online, virtual training course.
Tips for passing the Florida salesperson licensing exam
Passing the Florida salesperson licensing exam is a crucial step in becoming a licensed salesperson and working with clients.
It is common to feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the test, especially if you are taking it for the first time.
This is why it is important to take some time and learn about the format of the exam and its contents as it will help you feel more confident and avoid any unwanted surprises.
Another important tip is to create a learning routine and pace your studies over the duration of your preparation. Since you