Before you become a real estate agent in Florida, you have to apply for the Florida state exam.
Only after you pass the exam will you be rewarded your real estate license.
So, how do you apply to the Florida real estate exam?
This article is your guide on what you need to do to apply for the exam and which forms to include in your application.
Let's show you everything you need to know about your application.
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible to take the Florida Real Estate Exams:
All of these requirements are important to be eligible to take the real estate exam in Florida.
After meeting these requirements, you’re ready to put together and submit your Florida real estate exam application.
Your Florida real estate exam application should include the following:
You will have to fill in all the necessary details about yourself and your application in the form. You also have to provide necessary background information about yourself.
A live scan fingerprint is an ink plotted copy of your fingerprint. This is official government documentation that is used to identify any criminal history.
You can do it from any accredited Livescan vendors.
You can choose to have your fingerprints taken by Pearson VUE, the same company that administers the exam.
At the venue of the exam, you will be required to bring some important documents as part of your exam application.
You need two forms of identification:
After completing your real estate exam application, the next thing to do is to submit it to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
There are two available means through which you can submit your Florida real estate exam application.
You can complete and submit your real estate exam application via the DMPR’s online portal. All you have to do is create a new account, follow the necessary prompts and complete your application for a new license.
If you choose to submit your application by mail, you have to send your completed application, documentation, and required fees to this address:
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783
When mailing your application, package documents into a large manilla envelope, which you can get at any post office. Don’t forget to use a paperclip to collate the documents!
The FDBPR has a maximum of 90 days to complete the entire review and processing of license applications.
However, for real estate license applications, it typically takes them about 10 to 30 days to review and process the application.
While you are waiting, you can take a real estate exam prep course to help you study for the big test. You can do this by taking practice exams and reviewing important concepts and terminology.
Focus on a select number of tests that reflect the style of the exam. This will help to test and help you assess your level of preparation for the examination.
The Florida real estate licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE. Pearson VUE offers several testing centers where you can schedule your date and time to take the exam.
You can schedule a date and time for your test on the Pearson VUE website or via 888-204-6289 once the FDBPR approves your application.
Pearson VUE also allows scheduling a remotely proctored exam. This is an online version of the exam that can be taken at home.
If you choose to take the remotely proctored online exam, there are some requirements you have to meet. You need a functioning laptop or home computer with:
Before you eventually write your exam, you will have to run a system test on your computer.
This is to check the compatibility of your computer with the software Pearson VUE uses in administering the exam.
Generally speaking, the passing rate for the Florida real estate exam is somewhere between 50% and 60%.
This implies that the test can be somewhat tough, however, regardless of this fact, you can pass the test if you study and prepare accordingly.
To pass, you have to score at least 70% in the Florida real estate exam. If you fail the test on the first trial, you will be allowed to take a second attempt the test within 30 days and 1 year after the original test.
Keep in mind, that the second test will not be the same as the first test – no memorizing the answers!
The real estate exam requires a handful of documentation from you – some of which you might have never heard of before.
That’s why it’s important to make a checklist and to take your time collecting everything you need. By creating a list, you can make sure nothing is missing when you apply to the exam.
The real estate market in Georgia is nothing short of a booming one. To work in this market as a real estate agent, you need to pass the Georgia real estate exam.
There are certain eligibility requirements to take the exam: you have to be at least 18 years old, complete pre-license coursework, complete a background check, and finally, apply for the exam.
In this article, we will consider all the steps you need to apply to the Georgia real estate exam.
We will also take a look at a few other tips you should consider ahead of the exam. If you are looking to apply for the Georgia real estate exam, this article covers everything you need to know.
The Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) has set certain requirements that have to be met to take the Georgia real estate exam. To be eligible to take the exam, you:
If you have completed 10 quarter hours or six semester hours of either eligible real estate coursework or courses in principles, fundamentals, or essentials of real estate from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college, university, or law school, you will not be required to take the compulsory coursework. You just have to submit a transcript to the AMP during your application.
Once you meet these requirements, you can go to fill out and submit your exam application. There are two channels through which you can submit. These are:
You can complete and submit your real estate exam application online. To apply, log in to the portal, follow the necessary prompts, and complete your application for a new license. Once you have submitted your application, you can go on to pay for your exam with a credit card and schedule the time and location for your exam on the portal.
Applying via the online portal is only available to candidates that completed their compulsory pre-license coursework at an accredited school in Georgia.
If you did not undergo the compulsory pre-license coursework in Georgia or you are using an equivalent requirement, then you have to send in your application by mail.
If you are paying for the exam with a money order or certified check instead of a credit card, you also have to send in your application via mail.
You can find the application form in the GREC Application Handbook. Compile all your relevant documents and fees together in a manilla envelope and mail it to:
PSI,
18000 W. 105th St.,
Olathe, KS 66061-7543 USA
After sending in your application, you can schedule the time and date for your exam via telephone by calling 1 (800) 345-6559. It is advisable to do this about 7 to 10 business days after mailing your application.
When applying for the Georgia real estate exam, there are some necessary documents that must be included in your exam application:
Keep in mind that cash, company checks, and personal checks are not accepted, so avoid including them in your application.
Once you submit your application, the GREC takes about 7 to 12 working days to approve your application. After your application has been approved, you can schedule your exam within a week depending on the volume of candidates. This puts the time between the submission of your application and your exam at 3 weeks on average.
During this period, while you wait for your application to be approved and your exam date and venue to be scheduled, you can take your time to study for the exam.
You can only take the Georgia real estate licensing exam in one of the four PSI testing centers in the State of Georgia.
These centers are located in Duluth, Savannah, Macon, and Marietta. The date and venue for your exam will be scheduled on the online portal for those who completed the 75-hour compulsory coursework in Georgia.
Others will have to call PSI at 1 (800) 345-6559 or by mailing in an application to the submission address.
At the venue of your exam, you will be required to show two valid forms of identification. Be sure to have them on you, with at least one of them being a government-issued ID.
The Georgia real estate exam is pretty tough, but it is not impossible. For the exam, you have 4 hours to answer 152 multiple-choice questions. The exam has two parts, the National and State portions. In the national portion, you have to answer at least 75 out of 100 questions right. While the second portion is state-specific and you need to answer 39 out of 52 questions right.
Only around 60% of candidates pass the exam. This makes it important to utilize all of the free time you have before your exam. Prepare adequately and you are good to go.
Getting your Georgia real estate license allows you to start and build your career as a real estate agent in Georgia.
While getting your license may seem tasking, it could eventually be worth every bit of the work you put in. Once you pass, you are ready to get your license.
It is all just fun and games until someone sells a house using drone footage on TikTok.
Real estate agents can leverage technology to generate new real estate leads. This article discusses using social media, drones, apps, and email to get new leads. Let's look at how we can use tech to find new customers.
We all know that open houses have been one of the most important ways to generate new real estate leads. Instead of reinventing the wheel, we can use technology to give us an edge at doing what already works well.
One of the newest ways to leverage technology to find new leads is live streaming open house events.
We can share the live stream on social media. Potential buyers are more inclined to attend the next open house in person if they see a live stream first. When people attending open houses in-person notice the event is streaming online, they'll realize there is more competition than they initially imagined.
Live streaming is a great way to expand open houses beyond the neighborhood. While joining online isn't the same as attending in person, buyers across state lines can get a good idea of what the property looks like with people inside.
In addition, broadcasting busy open houses shows demand, something buyers and sellers both love to see.
Use drone footage to set listings apart from others. New leads like to see every property angle, and aerial footage is an attractive addition to high-quality pictures. Drone footage could save buyers a trip out to the property.
Giving new buyers as many views as possible will improve their understanding of the property. In addition, you can turn your videos into ads to improve your online engagement. We should expect our ads to perform better when enhanced with drone footage.
We can use footage like this during open houses and live streams to exhibit the property features and acreage. It also shows the distance from schools and nearby attractions like shopping and dining. Drone footage can even give examples of the weather during different seasons.
Creating video ads is essential because new generations of homebuyers respond well to video advertisements. For example, a video fly-through is engaging content for social media. Uploading interesting footage to YouTube on a regular basis will expand your outreach and bring in more leads.
Social media is a crucial way to generate new leads. It helps us share listings in different cities and states. Facebook is almost 20 years old. There have been a lot of new channels developed along the way.
Set up free accounts on Facebook, YouTube, Reddit, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. Remember to add some time to your calendar to do social media marketing every week.
Doing as little as one post a week is enough to notice a difference in new leads. Sometimes the most challenging part is getting started. Once we have a routine, it is easy to keep the content going.
Here are a few examples of how to use social media:
Besides posting content, we can leverage social media to network with other industry professionals. We should also ask for reviews from buyers and other professionals we've worked with in the past.
Social media is a great place to find ideas for content to emulate from other agents, especially if we get writer's block.
Curb appeal is fundamental to capturing the people viewing our listings and seeing our signs. It includes everything exterior to the house that makes them attractive to buyers. We'll want to work with sellers to suggest the most valuable upgrades.
A fresh coat of paint works wonders for curb appeal. Encourage sellers to pick colors that match the neighborhood and features found in nearby listings. Neutral colors appeal to most buyers.
A bright-colored door that contrasts nicely with the neutral exterior color can be a great way to draw attention. Doors are small enough to paint if the new owner decides they want something less noticeable.
Nowadays, there is an app for everything. Suggest a design app that helps homeowners get a clear timeline of how long the enhancement will take to complete.
Contractors sign up with the design apps to get their painting leads, making it easy for homeowners to find a trustworthy tradesperson. Apps like this make it easy to collaborate with sellers.
They can ask for input on the upgrades they should do before they sell the house.
Besides paint and a bright door, trimmed bushes and a freshly mowed lawn go a long way in the eyes of potential buyers.
Planting trees can be a great way to add value and curb appeal at the same time. Agents should encourage sellers to make strategic landscaping decisions that fit the community.
The idea is to make the outside look well-kept with professional maintenance. We can use apps to find the best landscapers in our areas.
One of the easiest ways to increase curb appeal is with the mailbox. Mailboxes are great ways to add flare to the exterior of the home. Antique mailboxes can be appealing in some neighborhoods.
In others, a natural wood post may be more attractive. If the mailbox is in front of the house, upgrading it is a great way to catch some additional attention. Recommend using an app to make finding a handyman easy for homeowners.
The ROI from email marketing is hard to beat. Newsletters are among the best ways to establish a relationship with new customers. Advertise the newsletter on social media channels and ask people to sign up.
Setup a scannable QR code to display at open houses and online. Make asking people to sign up for the newsletter a regular part of the sales pitch.
Once we have a list of email addresses, we'll have to get into the routine of sending them content. Draft a marketing schedule for the newsletter. Consider a different theme for each month.
We want to send at least one newsletter per month. Talk about new listings, market trend analysis updates, and success stories or reviews from recent customers. The newsletter is a great place to share social media accounts for people that want even more information.
Besides a newsletter with a monthly marketing plan, it is crucial to have a contact plan for buyers and sellers interested in working together. When fielding calls from new customers, remember to ask for their email addresses.
We can use various customer relationship management (CRM) platforms with automated follow-ups to make sure we're making contact after the first conversation.
We will have more emails to sort through when we ramp up our marketing with newsletters and CRMs. So take some time to organize overloaded inboxes.
Create new folders and labels that make it easy to stay organized and see who needs to follow up. Don't let new leads fall through the cracks.
We can target "For Sale By Owner" listings when looking for new homes to sell. If the listing stays on the market longer than a month, it might be an excellent opportunity to get in touch with the seller.
There are a variety of places owners sell their homes online. Zillow and Craigslist are some of the most popular online directories. Local newspaper websites can also be a valuable source of FSBO listings. We will want to create alerts for new listings and target those that don't sell right away.
Of course, we can always find FSBO listings the old-fashioned way by driving around target neighborhoods and taking pictures of for-sale signs.
But, no matter how we find them, we'll want to make sure we have our online presence on point.
Showing off a similar listing with drone footage and a recording of the last live-streamed open house could be enough to convince the sellers to use our services.
The best way to build new leads is to improve on what already works. Technology has opened the door to do our jobs better in a variety of ways.
Taking advantage of free social networking channels may be the most effective way to leverage technology to build new leads.
Whether you decide to live stream an open house, use drone videos, or record regular market updates for YouTube, the sky's the limit for reaching new leads. The best part is that using technology to build new leads is easy to learn and only costs you in time.
With median prices of homes upwards of seven figures, San Francisco is one of the most expensive housing markets in the country.
Despite these seemingly high prices, the San Francisco real estate is still a fast-paced one, with the average selling period of houses being just 2 weeks on the market.
San Francisco has a large flow of people moving and leaving the city, which makes it primed for prospects.
Starting as a real estate agent in San Francisco is tough, but it is possible.
If you want to start a career as a real estate agent in San Francisco, California, you just have to put in the required effort and time while following the steps in this guide.
Once you are 18 years old and you are eligible to work in the U.S., you can get started on your journey to becoming a real estate agent in San Francisco.
This section will cover, in detail, the step-by-step process you have to follow to get started.
You are required to complete state-specific pre-licensing coursework before you can take the real estate license exam.
For the pre-license coursework, you have to enroll in a California real estate school that is approved by the Department of Real Estate. Approved real estate schools educate and prepare you for the necessary courses ahead of the real estate license exam.
Real estate schools also provide the certification you need to apply for the real estate license exam.
The DRE-approved pre-license education is a compulsory 135-hour coursework that can be spread out to fit your schedule.
You have to complete the 3 required courses to prepare you for the license exam within a year of your enrollment.
Each of the courses has a 45-hour duration:
For your elective course, there are several options you can choose from which will result in a slightly different experience. Some of these courses include:
All of these courses constitute the core curriculum formulated by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE). They cover the topics and terminology that the license exam questions will be based on.
Once you have completed all 3 courses, the next thing to do is to apply for the California Department of Real Estate’s Salesperson Examination.
This exam is the most critical aspect of your licensing process. It is used by the DRE to evaluate your knowledge and understanding of real estate concepts and terminology.
To apply, you will need to provide the following:
You will also have to pass a background check. This is to check for any criminal history and ensure you are eligible to practice as a real estate agent in San Francisco.
If you have a criminal history, you can contact the DRE directly to see if you will still be eligible to take the exam.
After submitting your application and the DRE has approved it, you can schedule the date, time, and location for your exam.
The exam is pretty tough. It consists of 150 multiple choice questions and you need a score of at least 70% to pass.
Until you sign with a brokerage in California, you are not yet officially cleared to practice as a real estate agent. You will need to find a broker or brokerage to work under.
Getting a brokerage that will recruit you is straightforward. You can contact whichever brokerage you are interested in joining to inform them that you are a licensed agent looking to sign.
Once you sign with a brokerage, you are set to start practicing as a real estate agent in San Francisco.
The San Francisco real estate market is highly competitive. There are thousands of real estate agents throughout the city who are vying for a high commission check from the expensive land value.
It’s no secret that there’s plenty of money to be made as a real estate agent here and everyone wants their cut.
So, as you enter the market, remember that it’s important to stand out and connect with the people in your network. That’s the best way to start building experience and a reputation for yourself.
In 2024, according to Indeed.com, the average real estate agent yearly income is $117,613. This can be misleading. Not every agent will make this much money. In fact, most agents may make less than this. This number is greatly skewed by the amount of money that only a few agents make.
Keep in mind that, as a real estate agent, you earn on commission instead of a salary. However, in San Francisco, you can make a decent living even by selling fewer homes because of the real estate prices in California.
In major areas of San Francisco, the median home price is about $1,200,000 and this puts your commission, using the typical 3% rate, at over $35,000 on just one sale.
It takes about 5 months to become a real estate agent in San Francisco. You have to take 135-hour compulsory coursework which will span over at least 2 months.
Then you apply for the exam and your application is processed for about 3 months before you can take the exam.
As a licensed agent in a strong real estate market like San Francisco, you could be living the life of your dreams.
While the journey may be somewhat rigorous, you have to put in the required effort and time.
Once you become licensed in San Francisco, you can make more from selling fewer homes. So is it worth it? Yes, it is definitely worth it.
As the national real estate frenzy continues, many individuals are re-evaluating their career paths and considering real estate for their next job.
Los Angeles is constantly ranked among one of the hottest housing markets and continues to be a top city for real estate agents.
If you’re considering getting a real estate license in Los Angeles and becoming a real estate agent in Los Angeles in 2025, you’ll need five clear steps.
Becoming a real estate agent in Los Angeles is a fairly straightforward process that involves five key steps.
California requires all real estate applicants to attend an accredited real estate school and complete 135-hour pre-licensing courses.
These educational institutions have been accredited by the state of California and are approved to teach the coursework required for your licensure.
You can review all accredited schools on the California Department of Real Estate website.
This features three fundamental classes:
Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll be able to apply for the California real estate exam. To do that, you’ll have to send in an application with:
You can submit your application online, in the mail, or by faxing it to the DRE. Once submitted, it can take 3–4 weeks for your application to be approved.
You can view their current processing times on their website here. Once approved, you’ll receive a notification that you’re eligible to schedule your exam.
Once you’ve gotten approval on your application from the Department of Real Estate, you’ll be able to schedule your exam.
There is a designated testing facility in the Los Angeles area that you’ll have to schedule your exam with, as walk-in testing is not allowed.
For Los Angeles real-estate license candidates, the DRE holds all electronic exams at the La Palma Exam Center in Orange County—about 20 miles southeast of downtown LA.
You’ll have 3 hours to complete your salesperson exam and can opt to take it on paper or on a computer.
The exam is broken down into the following categories:
In order to pass the exam, you must get 70% of the questions right. That means out of 150 questions, 105 must be correct to get a passing score.
With a 63% passing rate, the California real estate exam is considered difficult and rigorous. If you don’t pass your exam on the first try, you’ll be able to retake the test another time.
If you pass, the DRE will mail and email you a copy of your official real estate license. From there, you’ll have to find a brokerage that wants to sponsor you.
It’s important to find a brokerage that fits your needs and supports your business goals as you start your real estate career in Los Angeles.
This can involve reaching out to various brokerages, interviewing with brokers, and connecting with other agents who are looking to grow their team.
Sometimes your real estate school can also help connect you with brokerages who are looking to add new agents.
Once a brokerage sponsors you, you can start selling and working with clients!
As with many major metro areas right now, the Los Angeles real estate market is incredibly competitive. Los Angeles is home to thousands of agents and is one of the most populated cities in the country.
In 2024, home sales increased 19.4% in Los Angeles county. This is great news for people entering the industry, but it could incentive more people to get their license.
Real estate agents in Los Angeles typically work on commission, so incomes vary widely. According to the latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics release (May 2023), the median annual salary (income) for real-estate sales agents in the Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim metro area is about $57,180—meaning half of agents earn less than that and half earn more.
Key salary data for LA agents (2023 BLS estimates)
For context, California’s statewide average (mean) wage for real-estate sales agents now stands at ~$72,870.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) member surveys still show that newer agents often earn under $40 k in gross income, while established top producers in luxury markets (like high-end areas of LA) can earn six—or even seven—figure incomes.
Overall, Los Angeles agents benefit from high home prices (and thus larger commissions per sale), but competition is intense. Many supplement their income with related work during slow periods. In summary, the typical Los Angeles agent earns in the mid-five-figures annually, with significant potential upside for the most successful.
Los Angeles’s housing prices rose dramatically from 2014 to 2024. The median home price (the price at which half the homes sold for more, half for less) in the Los Angeles area nearly doubled over the decade.
According to the California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) data, the median price for an existing single-family home in Los Angeles County was about $464,650 in 2014, and by 2024 it reached roughly $937,000. Below is a year-by-year breakdown of December median sale prices in Los Angeles:
Sources: California Assoc. of Realtors, Los Angeles Almanac. (Data represents the median price of single-family homes in Los Angeles County at year’s end.)
Home prices in Los Angeles saw steady growth from 2014–2019, surged in 2020–2021 (fueled by low interest rates and pandemic buying), and leveled off around 2022. By 2023–2024, the median price hovered near all-time highs (around $850k–$900k+).
Such high prices, coupled with rising interest rates in 2022–2023, contributed to a slower sales market – which in turn impacted real estate agent activity (fewer transactions meant tougher competition for agents).
Despite a slight dip in 2022, Los Angeles home values in 2024 are roughly 95% higher than in 2014, highlighting the strong long-term growth of the LA real estate market.
Between the coursework, application, and exam, there are several time-consuming aspects to becoming a real estate agent. You should plan to spend 3-5 months from start to finish to get your real estate license.
With 135 hours of classes and a processing time of around 6 weeks for the application, the time it takes can vary greatly based on your own schedule availability and the DRE’s times.
Becoming a real estate agent can be an incredibly rewarding and lucrative career for many. You’re helping guide clients through one of the biggest purchases in their life while working as your own boss.
In real estate, every day is different than the last. If you enjoy working with people, like a flexible working environment and want to be in control of your own business, real estate could be a great career for you to consider.
According to the Sacramento Association of Realtors®, Sacramento home sales increased by a whopping 44.2% from 2023 to 2024. From June 2024 to July 2024, the inventory for sale increased by 3.2%.
This is a clear sign of an active real estate market! This is excellent news for people who want to become a real estate agent in Sacramento.
So, how would someone get their license and start a real estate career?
In this article, you'll learn everything you need to know to become a Sacramento real estate agent.
You are eligible to apply for and get a real estate license to practice as an agent in Sacramento once you are at least 18 years old and can work in the U.S.
This section will cover, in detail, the step-by-step process you have to follow to get started.
One of the major requirements to become a real estate agent in Sacramento is to complete 135 hours of real estate coursework. This coursework is state-specific, and you must complete it before you can take the real estate license exam.
You can only take the coursework by enrolling in one of the real estate schools approved by the Department of Real Estate. These schools help you complete the required courses and prepare for the real estate license exam.
They also certify you upon completion and passing of the coursework. You will need this certification when applying for your license.
You can spread the compulsory 135-hour coursework out to fit your schedule. The coursework comprises 3 required courses, with each of the courses evenly split into a 45-hour duration.
You have to complete these 3 courses and take the license exam within a year of your enrollment.
You have several options to choose from for your elective course. These courses will provide you with a slightly different perspective depending on your choice. Here are some of the options available to you:
These courses are designed and formulated by the DRE to treat the fundamentals of becoming a real estate agent in California. In addition, you will learn about the relevant real estate topics and terminology that the license exam will be based on.
After completing the compulsory 135 hours of real estate coursework, you can apply to take the California Real Estate Salesperson Examination.
This exam is somewhat difficult to pass, with a pass rate of about 50%, so you have to prepare diligently.
In applying for the exam, you will have to fill out an application form and pay a fee of $60 for the exam. You will also have to submit a valid photo ID, a completed live scan form, and the certificates for your coursework.
Once your application is processed, you can go ahead to schedule the time, date, and venue of your exam. You will also have to pass a background test.
Passing the real estate exam is the most crucial step you have to take. The DRE sets 150 multiple-choice questions, and you need a score of at least 70% to pass.
The exam can be stringent and demanding, but it is not impossible. All you have to do is study diligently before the exam.
You cannot practice as a real estate agent until you sign with a brokerage in California, even after getting your license. You have to work under a broker. Finding a brokerage to sign you can be like the typical job-seeking process.
All you have to do is reach out to a brokerage that piques your interest. Let them know that you have just received your license, and they can schedule an interview with them. Once you scale this phase, you can start your career as a real estate agent in Sacramento, California.
Using websites like Realtor.com and Zillow.com, I can see around 10,000 realtors in the Sacramento area. This could include agents who serve the area, but might not live there. This is also a limited search.
Sacramento is a mid-sized city on the larger end. Close to 600,000 people live here. This means the area is dense with inventory.
Also, the amount of inventory has increased substantially in the last year. Although agents have more competition here, there's plenty of real estate to go around.
Since agents make money based on the value of the home sold, let's look at the average home value in the area. Sacramento's average home value is around $500,000. This is a rough estimate taken from Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.
Let's assume that an agent negotiated a 1.5% commission rate. That means, they would make $7,500. With the increase in for sale homes, this can set agents up to make good money. If agents want to earn $100,000 (above the national average), they must close about 13 homes.
This number does not include commission splits with brokerages. It also doesn't account for homes higher and lower the city average value.
It should take about 5 to 6 months to become a real estate agent in Sacramento, depending on how quickly you complete your coursework. The fastest you can complete your coursework is 2 months.
You then apply for the exam and have your application processed. After taking your exam, you will have to sign with a brokerage. All of these would typically take about 3 - 4 additional months.
While the journey can be rigorous and challenging, being a real estate agent in Sacramento can be more rewarding than you think.
Other than the robust income, you can have a flexible schedule and take pleasure in helping people make the critical decision of buying their homes. This makes it entirely worth all the stress.
You might be considering a real estate career. This is a big step. With big steps, there comes questions.
As a real estate school, we get a lot of questions about becoming a real estate agent.
This article lists the most common questions we get. Use this guide to learn more about the career and see if it's the right step for you.
Yes, as a potential real estate agent, you can interview brokerages before getting your real estate license. Interviewing before you get your license helps you decide which brokerage you want to join. Not only that, but you could coordinate with the DRE to automatically sign with a brokerage when you pass the state exam.
There is no fixed time frame restricting your time at a brokerage. Instead, the time spent after signing an independent contract with a brokerage is dependent on several factors, including the terms of the contract signed and personal factors such as how fulfilled and comfortable you feel at the brokerage.
Yes, the commission split between you and the brokerage you sign up with is negotiable. However, if you are uncomfortable with the split portion, both parties can negotiate until a compromise is found.
No, joining a real estate team as a new real estate agent is not necessary. Although joining teams may come with benefits, such as establishing a familiar ground and creating exposure in the real estate industry. However, if you feel you have what it takes to go solo and meet your clients, go for it!
You can keep the leads you get from hosting another agent's open house. One of the best ways to stay busy as a new agent is by offering to do an open house for a thriving listing agent in your brokerage. Any potential future clients you get in the process are a bonus and yours to keep.
The answer to this is no. You are not obliged to use your brokerage's preferred service providers. Instead, as an autonomous contractor, you are allowed to determine what works for you and your business, including the choice of who provides your services, such as escrow officers, mortgage lenders, etc.
No, you are not required to go to your office every day. The best place for a real estate agent is outside their office to find more opportunities to meet potential new clients.
However, it is crucial to keep your ears to the ground to know when special events such as masterclass training are being held. Brokerages offer events, classes, and training to help agents improve. So, you don't want to miss out!
As an aspiring real estate agent, a mentor is not required. But, if you can afford the commission split, you may want to find one. Mentors help shorten the learning curve and guide you through problems you might not know how to fix.
Generally, having a mentor will cost you 20% of every commission check. But, this can vary depending on the contract.
Yes, you can represent yourself in purchasing or selling your property once you have passed the real estate state exam and received your license.
No, printing your license is not required. Typically, the Department of Real Estate sends you two copies of your license:
The most important thing is to save these documents for reference purposes.
Yes, you can obtain a real estate license, even with a criminal record. The first step is to contact the Department of Real Estate to inform them.
When explaining your criminal history, be honest and specific. If the DRE finds the information you hide, you will look suspicious and untrustworthy.
Criminality is a significant factor in deciding a person's eligibility because trust is a cornerstone of a real estate agent's fiducial duty.
Staying motivated throughout the process of getting a real estate license is a vital key to passing the exam. To stay motivated, you must remember your reason for embarking on the journey. Your "why" can be financial freedom, independence, or providing for people you care about.
Also, experts recommend studying small volumes. Studying small volumes makes the material less daunting and helps you learn faster.
Becoming a real estate agent is an important decision and should be treated as one. Research and ask all the necessary questions before beginning the process of obtaining your license.
Furthermore, consider this an upfront investment and prepare to make several expenses such as pre-licensing education fees, real estate exam fees, application fees, etc.
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, San Jose offers rolling hills and scenic homes nestled in the Bay area.
Real estate agents know the beauty and value of the San Jose region, which is why they spend their time helping clients find a home there.
If you want to become a real estate agent in San Jose, consider the following.
If you’re ready to become a real estate agent in San Jose, there are five key steps to follow.
We’ll walk through what is required to get your license and start working with clients.
Before you can schedule your real estate licensing exam in California, you’ll have to complete 135 hours of pre-licensing coursework.
These classes must be taken at a state-approved accredited school and cover all the information covered on your exam. Programs are offered both in-person and online, depending on your preferred learning style.
Head to the Department of Real Estate’s website to see a complete list of accredited programs you can choose from.
No matter where you decide to enroll, all pre-licensing programs in California are required to teach three main courses:
Once you’ve successfully finished your real estate courses, you’ll be eligible to apply to take the California real estate exam. In your application, you’ll have to submit:
While it’s recommended you submit all your documents and information online, applicants can also apply to mail or fax their application to:
Department of Real Estate
Examination Section
P.O. Box 137001
Sacramento, CA 95813-7001
The DRE will process your application and determine if you’re approved to schedule your exam.
The current application processing times are listed online, so you can know what to expect after submitting your application.
Generally, there is a 6-8 week processing time, so review processing times and plan accordingly.
Once approved, you’ll receive a notification that you’re approved to schedule your exam.
While the real estate exam is done in person at a testing facility, the exams are taken electronically. They must be scheduled ahead of time via the DRE’s website.
On the day of your exam, you’ll have three hours to complete the exam consisting of 150 questions. The exam is broken down into the following categories:
Since you take the test electronically, you’ll know that day - before leaving the testing facility - if you have passed or failed the exam.
You’ll need to score 70% or higher to pass, meaning you’ll need to answer 105 out of 150 questions correctly. The California real estate exam has a 50% passing rate and is considered difficult, requiring proper preparation and study.
The good news is that If you don’t pass your exam on the first try, you’ll be able to retake the test later.
Once you’ve passed the exam, the last step you’ll need to complete before becoming a real estate agent is signing with a brokerage.
You’ll have to interview or reach out to brokerages to see if they’ll sponsor you and hang your license with them. If you’re unsure where to start, your real estate school can often connect you with brokerages looking to add additional agents.
During the interview process, you should find a brokerage that will help you grow as an agent and get you started in your career. In addition, finding the right brokerage will help you get a foundation in the industry and develop your skills.
In San Jose, and California as a whole, the real estate market is highly competitive. The average home sales price is up 20% year over year, with a shallow inventory.
This means that buyers have to pay more for the limited homes on the market.
As a real estate agent in San Jose, you’ll have to help your clients navigate the competition, ensuring they make smart choices when buying or selling a home.
It’s also important to note that there are over 11,000 licensed real estate agents in San Jose.
You’ll be joining a large group of licensees working to contend for the limited number of listings on the market. Keep this in mind when considering how competitive the market is.
One of the benefits of becoming a real estate agent is the limitless earning potential. Since you’re working off commission, every sale or transaction is more money than taking home as a salary.
In California, the average real estate agent earns around $76,400 per year, according to the Department of Labor.
Of course, your earning potential depends on how many transactions you’re completing in a year and your commission rate.
How Fast Can You Become a Real Estate Agent in San Jose?
Becoming a real estate agent doesn’t happen overnight. Considering your coursework, application, and exam, there are some time-consuming aspects to becoming a real estate agent.
With 135 hours of classes and a processing time of around 8 weeks for the application, you should plan to spend 3-5 months from start to finish to get your real estate license.
With a high media price point and competitive market, the real estate industry in San Jose is increasingly active right now.
If you are excited by the opportunity to help clients find their homes in this Bay Area enclave, becoming a real estate agent is a great career move.
The real estate exam will test you on vocabulary words you learned about during your pre-licensing education. There is a lot of them!
So, we compiled a list of the most common real estate exam vocabulary words that you should expect to see on the big test.
These are foundational to learn for the exam and your career. Although, they won't cover EVERYTHING you will see on the exam, studying this list of vocab words will give you basis that will help your real estate knowledge grow.
A three-page disclosure that gives borrowers a good-faith estimate of interest rate, monthly payment, and closing costs. Lenders must deliver it within three business days of a completed application. It replaced the GFE in 2015 under TRID.
A five-page statement of all final loan and settlement costs, due to the borrower no later than three business days before consummation. It replaced the HUD-1 Settlement Statement for most closed-end consumer mortgages.
A written contract in which a buyer hires an agent and sets the agent’s compensation up front. After the 2024 NAR antitrust settlement and new state laws (e.g., California AB 2992 effective Jan 1 2025), buyers must sign this agreement before touring homes.
A short-form addendum that specifies how—and when— the buyer’s agent will be paid if the seller offers zero cooperative commission. Required in many MLSs beginning in 2025 to ensure fee transparency.
The post-settlement practice of negotiating the buyer-agent fee separately from the listing commission. Sellers may now list a property without offering any buyer-agent payout, shifting the cost to the buyer or a lender credit.
A National Association of REALTORS® rule that requires a listing to be submitted to the MLS within one business day of any public marketing. Aims to curb pocket listings and promote fair housing.
Real property is all things attached to the surface of the land, the ground below, the air above, and all the legal rights to them.
It is used to refer to things that are typically immovable.
This includes the building itself and other appurtenances, such as landscaping, walkways, and other structures.
Personal property is a real estate vocabulary word that refers to any tangible and moveable objects such as gadgets, furniture, vehicles, machinery, and so on.
This simply means that personal property would be any property that does not qualify as real property.
Another difference between real and personal property is the mode of transfer. A deed is used to transfer real property from an owner to a buyer, while a bill of sale is used to transfer personal property.
A fixture is any item that was once personal property but has become real property by way of permanent attachment to real property.
Examples of fixtures include kitchen cabinets, ceiling fans, chandeliers, and window treatments.
The bundle of rights is a term that describes a collection set of legal rights that is generally vested in an owner of real property upon purchase and receipt of a title deed.
The bundle of rights consists of five rights. These rights may be held by the titleholder alone or may be shared with other parties.
The right of use allows a titleholder to use their property in any way that suits them as long as it is not illegal.
This could include things like hosting guests, renting out the property, or even making changes to the property.
Keep in mind that this right can be somewhat restricted in practice by HOA regulations, and local, state, and federal laws where applicable.
The right of possession gives a titleholder the freedom and power to choose who may or may not enter their property.
This right may be limited in the instances of search warrants, easements, or rental properties.
The right of transfer guarantees the right of a titleholder to dispose of a property.
This means they can transfer the ownership of their property to another party by selling it, willing it, or gifting it. Exclusion to this right exists in cases of mortgages and liens.
The right of encumbrance means that the title owner has the right to take out a loan on the home. By building and using the home’s equity, they can finance development projects to raise the home’s value.
This right permits a titleholder the freedom to engage in any activities of their choice on their property and enjoy the property as they see fit, as long as the activities are not illegal.
A good way to remember the bundle of rights ahead of your exam is the acronym “UPTEE.” It stands for Use, Possession, Transfer, Encumber, and Enjoyment.
In real estate, commingling occurs when an agent mixes their client’s funds with their own funds.
Usually, these funds may be designated for different purposes and in some instances, the funds may be from different sources.
An example of commingling is when the homebuyer provides the money to buy a home but the real estate agent deposits the money in their personal bank account. The money becomes mixed with the agent’s personal funds.
Steering is when a real estate agent discriminatorily influences the choice of a buyer by only showing them properties in certain communities.
This discrimination is often based on factors like the buyer’s gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or other protected factors.
An example of steering would be showing a person of a race only properties that are located in communities or neighborhoods where their race is prominent while avoiding areas dominated by another race.
Escrow, in real estate, is a legal arrangement between the buyer and the seller to have a neutral third party hold the funds temporarily until specific conditions have been met, usually a transfer of title.
Once the set condition is met, the funds are transferred to the seller.
Escrow typically assures the seller of the seller’s good faith and protects the buyer from a fraudulent transaction.
Escrow companies typically serve as a neutral third party and they hold onto the deed and other related documents.
Remember, escrow is a neutral third party that protects the integrity of the transaction.
Acreage is a real estate term that refers to a large expanse of land that is yet to be divided into small lots for residential purposes.
An acreage is made up of 43,560 square feet. A section is made up of 640 acres and a survey township is made up of 36 sections.
Eminent domain is the power that the local, state, and federal government has to acquire private property from a person for public use. This is usually done in exchange for fair compensation from the government.
For example, if the government wants to expand a highway, they may need to purchase and demolish buildings close to the highway to facilitate the widening.
An easement refers to the legal right of a person to access and use another person’s real property for a specific purpose.
For example, utility companies hold easements that permit them to access power cables on a property.
Here are a few terms that you should know to help you understand how easements work:
The servient tenement in an easement arrangement refers to the property that bears the burden of an easement.
A dominant tenement, on the other hand, is the property that benefits from the easement on another property.
Ingress, in easements, refers to the right of a person to enter a property while egress is the right to leave the property.
In easements, these rights come to play when a property is landlocked. It invokes an easement by necessity so that a person can access their property even if it means crossing another person’s property.
When you obtain a mortgage, the party benefiting from your payments is the beneficiary. In most cases, this is the bank or lender that you're borrowing money from to buy the house. This is because you promise to make payments back to the lender, and they, in turn, benefit from the payments, including the interest on the loan.
Equity is the difference between what you owe on a property and the house's current market value. Generally speaking, the more time that has passed since you bought a property, the more equity you'll have in the house. Then, when you go to sell the house, you'll be able to cash out on this value and benefit from your investment.
An FHA loan is a type of loan insurance that the Federal Housing Administration backs. This program was created in 1934 by the Housing and Urban Development department to make it easier for people to buy homes, as it requires a smaller down payment than conventional loans.
Today, buyers securing an FHA loan only need a 580 credit score and 3.5% of the home's cost as a down payment. This is why FHA loans are ideal for first-time homebuyers, as they require less up-front cash and are better for people establishing their credit.
However, all FHA loans require mortgage insurance to protect your lender against losses. So make sure to consider this added cost when considering an FHA loan!
A lien is a legal right to possess another person's property until their debt has been paid. Usually established by a creditor or legal judgment, a lien is meant to satisfy your obligation to pay off a debt or loan by using the property as collateral.
There are many different types of liens, but general and specific are some of the more common types in real estate. In a general lien, all your property - including your house and additional personal property - can be seized to pay off a debt.
However, a specific lien is used only to seize one specific property applicable to the debt - like a house. This does not cover all the personal property or items a debtor may own.
Created by Thomas Jefferson in the early days of our nation, a mechanic's lien is a legal document that ensures a supplier's or worker's right to enact a lien to ensure payment.
A mechanic's lien can be used by subcontractors or builders who have done work on a property and are seeking the appropriate payment. A property with a mechanic's lien cannot be sold and must be settled before putting a house on the market.
An acceleration clause is a term in a mortgage agreement that permits the lender to accelerate repayments, usually only invoked when the borrower misses payments or is in violation of the loan agreement.
Otherwise known as a mortgage acceleration, these standard protections are implemented to prevent the mortgage lender from defaulting on a loan.
When enacted, the borrower is responsible for paying the amount owed, including any accumulated interest since your last payment. If not paid by a set date, your lender can begin foreclosure.
When you obtain a mortgage, your loan will go through a phase called underwriting. Once under contract on a property, a person called an underwriter will go through the process of assessing the risk of lending the borrower the loan.
During this process, the underwriter will not only evaluate the borrower applying for the loan — but will also assess the condition of the property being purchased.
The bank is looking to ensure that the borrower's and property's qualifications are up to standards and will consider the risk involved with loaning money for the purchase.
The borrower must submit documents verifying their financial statuses, like bank statements, proof of employment, and tax returns. Additionally, the underwriter will use the appraisal to evaluate the property to ensure it is in appropriate condition and worth the amount of money you're purchasing it for.
A hypothecation agreement is when a borrower agrees to offer an asset as collateral in exchange for a loan. Used frequently in mortgages, while a borrower technically owns the house, a lender can seize a home as collateral if debts are not paid or the terms of the loan agreement are not met.
While the bank owns the property, it cannot claim any income or cash flow generated from the home unless the borrower defaults on their loan.
Your debt-to-income ratio compares how much you earn every month versus how much you owe. This considers your wages pre-tax, then calculates expenses like rent, mortgage, car payments, student loans, or other types of debt.
When purchasing a home, your lender will look at your debt-to-income ratio when determining how much you can afford.
A fixed-rate loan is a mortgage loan where the interest rate stays the same throughout the loan's lifetime.
This can be beneficial because you'll always know how much you owe, as monthly payments won't change over the length of the loan. In addition, if interest rates are currently low, obtaining a fixed-rate loan can be an intelligent financial decision.
An appraisal is a third-party professional opinion on the value of the property. This is generally done to ensure that the value of the property is in line with how much it’s being purchased for and guarantees the bank that it’s being purchased for a fair price.
The appraisal helps the lender protect itself against overfunding and ensures that the price is reasonable for the seller.
Usually, the buyer will pay for the appraisal once under contract on the house. However, it’s generally not required for all cash offers unless the buyer specifically requests it.
A comparable, often referred to as a comp, is a valuation of a property according to a study of similar properties in the area that you’re looking to buy or sell in. A comp is used to determine the home’s value based on surrounding properties that have recently sold and can indicate the appropriate value of your property.
For buyers, comps are helpful to ensure you’re putting in a competitive offer on the house. For sellers, they provide clear pricing parameters for how much your home is worth.
Comps consider things like the size of the property, the year it was built, and the property’s features. Real estate agents use comparables to help sellers list their property at an appropriate price and help buyers make an appropriate offer.
A drive-by appraisal is sometimes used in real estate to determine the home’s value. While not as in-depth as a full appraisal, a drive-by appraisal mainly evaluates the house’s exterior.
An appraiser will visit the house, make notes and take photos of the home’s exterior, and make a valuation call based on its street value.
Depending on the current market and the property you’re purchasing, your lender may feel comfortable with just ordering a drive-by appraisal versus a full appraisal.
An appraisal report is the written overview of the appraiser’s findings. This generally includes detailed results of similar properties in the area that have sold, a valuation of the property, and how the neighborhood will impact the home’s future value.
This overview will outline precisely how the appraiser came to their conclusions and cite the corresponding evidence associated with the report, like photos and data.
Trade fixtures outline personal property items that a tenant would install or use to operate their business in commercial real estate. For example, restaurant booths inside a restaurant would fall under trade fixtures that the tenant installed to conduct their business.
Unlike a regular fixture, these fixtures do not become a landlord’s property when the lease expires. A regular fixture is an item that becomes the landlord’s property after the tenant's lease expires.
The Latin phrase ad valorem means “based on value.” In terms of real estate, an ad valorem tax is a tax based on a property’s value — often in the form of a personal property tax.
These taxes are generally instituted by local governments and are assessed annually by the jurisdiction. These are usually the primary source of income for municipal governments and are essential to consider when purchasing a home.
A sales comparison approach is a standard real estate appraisal practice that compares one property to other recently sold properties with similar characteristics.
Many in the industry use this method to determine how individual features on the house make up the home’s overall value. The sales comparison approach considers factors like the size of the house, location, other sold listings, price per square foot, condition, and age of the house.
In the income approach, an appraiser determines the property’s value based on the income the property generates.
This is frequently used in multi-family housing or investment properties and considers factors like occupancy rates, operating efficiency, and condition of the property. This is also called income capitalization.
Depreciation is the decrease of the home’s value. A few factors are considered when calculating depreciation — physical depreciation, functional obsolescence, and economic obsolescence.
Physical depreciation refers to the decline of the property’s value over time due to time, elements, and usage. For example, natural weathering and decay would be considered physical depreciation.
Functional obsolescence is when deficiencies or undesirable aspects of the building decrease its value, such as historic architecture or outdated facilities.
Lastly, economic obsolescence is a decrease in property value due to a change in surrounding or local economics and often has nothing to do with the property itself.
Zoning is the division of land by the local government. These laws are local regulations that dictate how the land can be used.
These decisions are based on a master plan for the district and consider a variety of factors like economic development, traffic concerns, noise or light levels, and protecting local resources.
There are multiple zoning classifications, but some of the most common include commercial, residential, agricultural, hospitality, or industrial. Zoning laws can impact property value and what type of building or structure can be built on a property.
In real estate, a bilateral contract is a contract that involves two people, each with a contractual promise they must perform. As a result, each party is obligated to complete their tasks according to the contract.
For example, a seller will give a deed to the property in exchange for money from the buyer. Both parties are held responsible for their side of the contract.
In a unilateral contract, only one person or party is obligated to perform their contractual duty. For example, if you lose your wallet and offer a reward for finding the wallet, they’ll only get the reward if they find and return the wallet. Only one person is contractually required to perform a duty.
What does Caveat Emptor Mean?
In Latin, the phrase caveat emptor translates literally to “buyer beware.” For real estate, this means that when a buyer is purchasing a house, it is up to them to be familiar with the condition and inadequacies of the house.
While the seller will provide their own disclosures about the condition, it is up to the buyer to also get their own data to inform their decision about the property. Usually, this means that a buyer will hire an inspector to provide a first-party report about the status of the house where they can have a full picture of the property, separate from that provided by the seller.
From there, the buyer will be able to make their own decision with the knowledge they have.
A dual agency agreement is when a real estate agent represents two people or parties on the same deal. Usually, this will mean an agent is helping both the buyer and seller, and they’ll receive the full commission.
While this is not always legal, it is in California. When you represent both the buyer and the seller on the same deal, you’ll have two principles. That means you earn the whole commission. This is different than a single agency, where the agent will only represent one party.
If a property owner dies and there are no identified heirs or successors, a property can be reverted to the state upon an owner’s death.
The state will be required to take ownership of the property, since the property can’t be sitting abandoned or in limbo without any owners.
If a person dies without a will, their estate is then categorized as intestate. Similar to escheat, this could mean that the individual’s property is turned over to the state to manage.
While these laws vary from state to state, the lack of a will can turn a person’s estate over to the government.
A holdover tenant is a lessee who stays in the property longer than they are supposed to. Once their lease is up, they’re supposed to be vacated from the property.
But a holdover tenant stays in the property past their intended time. Even if the tenant is paying rent but they’re past their lease, they can be sued for being a holdover tenant.
A real estate transfer disclosure statement, also called a TDS, is a document containing what items are included in the purchase of a home.
This is the seller's opportunity to put in writing what is included in the purchase, including all the deficiencies listed and a checklist of items that come with the house like a microwave, furniture, or any other belongings. This is often the biggest disclosure a real estate agent will utilize when working with a buyer.
A voluntary lien is placed on property with the consent of the individual receiving the lien. For example, a mortgage is a voluntary lien because the buyer consents to the lien through the bank. Or, if you wanted to get a secondary loan or a car loan, these are all voluntary liens because the buyer asked for the responsibility that comes with the loan.
This differs from an involuntary lien, which someone else imposes, like a tax lien or a mechanics lien.
TRID stands for TILA (Truth in Lending Act) RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) Integrated Disclosures. This disclosure was specifically developed so that the lender has to be transparent in the purchase and provide two things.
The first is a loan estimate that outlines fees and costs associated with a mortgage. Additionally, they must provide a closing disclosure listing exactly how they will charge and where each fee is allocated in the closing process.
The Truth in Lending Act was developed in 1968 to protect the consumer and provide transparency throughout the lending process. Shortly after, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act was developed to prevent unnecessary settlement costs and promote transparency into each fee’s purpose.
TRID wasn’t put in place until 2015, but now ensures all parties are providing the appropriate information and disclosures for both buying and selling.
A voluntary lien is placed on property with the consent of the individual receiving the lien. For example, a mortgage is a voluntary lien because the buyer consents to the lien through the bank. Or, if you wanted to get a secondary loan or a car loan, these are all voluntary liens because the buyer asked for the responsibility that comes with the loan.
This differs from an involuntary lien, which someone else imposes, like a tax lien or a mechanics lien.
A subordination clause in real estate is a provision found in a mortgage or lease agreement that establishes the priority of that mortgage or lease in relation to other potential claims or liens on the property. Essentially, it determines the order in which creditors will be paid in the event of a default or foreclosure. If a subordination clause is included, it means that the current agreement (e.g., a second mortgage) will be subordinated to any future loans taken against the property, such as a refinancing or construction loan.
This clause is commonly used to protect the interests of lenders by ensuring that newer loans have a higher repayment priority over older ones, which can make it easier for property owners to secure additional financing.
A home equity loan allows homeowners to borrow against the equity they have built up in their property. It provides a lump sum of money with a fixed interest rate and is repaid over a set term. Home equity loans are commonly used for large expenses such as home renovations, debt consolidation, or medical bills, and they are secured by the borrower’s property, which means the home can be foreclosed upon if the loan is not repaid.
A HELOC, or Home Equity Line of Credit, is a type of revolving credit that homeowners can take out against the equity in their property. The loan is secured by the home and typically has a draw period during which the borrower can withdraw funds as needed, similar to a credit card. The draw period is followed by a repayment period where monthly payments must be made. HELOCs are often used for home improvements, debt consolidation, or other large expenses because they usually offer lower interest rates than unsecured loans.
Amortization refers to the process of gradually paying off a loan over time through regular, scheduled payments. Each payment covers both principal (the loan amount) and interest (the cost of borrowing), with the proportion going toward principal increasing and the proportion going toward interest decreasing over time. The goal of amortization is to completely pay off the loan by the end of the term. Mortgages, car loans, and personal loans are commonly amortized.
Pre-approval is a process where a lender evaluates a borrower’s financial situation—including credit score, income, debts, and assets—and commits to providing a loan up to a certain amount. Receiving pre-approval gives the borrower a clear understanding of their budget and makes their offer more attractive to sellers, as it indicates that the buyer is financially capable of purchasing the property.
Pre-qualification is an initial assessment by a lender to estimate how much a borrower might be eligible to borrow. It’s a less rigorous process than pre-approval, usually based on self-reported financial information. Pre-qualification gives potential homebuyers an idea of their borrowing capacity but does not involve a credit check or verification of the information provided, making it less reliable than pre-approval.
Fiduciary duties are the ethical and legal obligations that real estate agents and brokers have toward their clients. These duties include loyalty, confidentiality, full disclosure, obedience, reasonable care, and accounting. A fiduciary is required to act in the best interest of their client, putting the client’s needs above their own and being transparent and honest throughout the transaction.
Foreclosure is the legal process through which a lender takes ownership of a property after the borrower fails to meet the terms of their mortgage loan, typically by missing several payments. The lender will seek to recover the remaining balance by selling the property, often at auction. Foreclosure can have serious consequences for the borrower, including loss of their home and a significant negative impact on their credit score.
A short sale occurs when a homeowner sells their property for less than the outstanding balance owed on the mortgage. The lender must approve the sale, as they are agreeing to accept a reduced payoff amount. Short sales are typically considered as an alternative to foreclosure and can help homeowners avoid the more severe financial repercussions associated with foreclosure proceedings.
Clouds on title are any unresolved issues or disputes that cast doubt on the ownership of a property. These issues can include errors in public records, undisclosed liens, unpaid taxes, or legal claims. Clouds on title can prevent the transfer of property until they are cleared, as they create uncertainty about who legally owns the property.
An inspection is a thorough examination of a property’s condition conducted by a professional inspector. It typically includes a review of the structure, electrical systems, plumbing, and other critical components. Inspections are an important part of the home-buying process, as they can uncover potential problems that may not be immediately visible, helping buyers make an informed decision.
The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is a database used by real estate professionals to list and access property information for sale or rent. It provides detailed descriptions, images, and pricing information about properties, helping agents and brokers collaborate and share information efficiently. The MLS is one of the primary tools used to market properties and facilitate real estate transactions.
The Buyer’s Inspection Advisory is a document provided to prospective homebuyers, outlining the importance of conducting thorough inspections and investigations of a property before finalizing the purchase. It informs buyers about their right to inspect the property for any defects or concerns that could affect their decision to move forward with the transaction.
Kickbacks refer to illegal payments or incentives offered in exchange for steering business or influencing a real estate transaction. In real estate, kickbacks typically occur when a party, such as a real estate agent, receives undisclosed compensation from a service provider (e.g., a lender or contractor) for referring clients. These payments are illegal under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), as they can create conflicts of interest and unfairly increase costs for consumers.
Condos, or condominiums, are individually owned units within a larger residential complex. Unlike traditional single-family homes, condo owners share ownership of common areas and amenities, such as hallways, gyms, and pools, with other residents. Condos offer a low-maintenance lifestyle, as the condominium association typically handles exterior maintenance and repairs. Owners pay monthly dues to the association for upkeep and management of shared spaces.
Encumbrances are legal claims or restrictions placed on a property that can affect its value or restrict the owner's ability to transfer it. Common examples include liens, easements, and deed restrictions. Encumbrances do not prevent property ownership but can complicate the sale or financing of the property if not resolved or understood properly.
Encroachments occur when a structure or improvement, such as a fence, driveway, or building, extends onto a neighboring property without permission. This can create disputes between property owners and may need to be resolved before a property can be sold or transferred. Encroachments can affect property values and lead to legal issues if not addressed.
Deed restrictions are limitations or conditions imposed on the use of a property, often by the developer or homeowner’s association (HOA). These restrictions are written into the deed and can govern everything from the type of structures that can be built to the color of paint used on the home’s exterior. Deed restrictions remain in effect even after the property is sold and are legally binding on future owners.
Mello-Roos is a special tax imposed on properties within a community facilities district (CFD) in California to finance infrastructure projects and public services, such as schools, roads, and parks. Homeowners in these districts pay Mello-Roos taxes in addition to regular property taxes, and the amount can vary depending on the development and services funded.
"As is" is a term used in real estate to indicate that a property is being sold in its current condition, with no guarantees or warranties provided by the seller regarding its quality or condition. When a property is sold "as is," the seller is not obligated to make any repairs or improvements before closing, even if issues are discovered during the inspection process.
In real estate, GRM stands for Gross Rent Multiplier. It is a metric used to evaluate the potential profitability of an income-producing property. GRM is calculated by dividing the property’s price by its annual gross rental income. For example, if a property is priced at $300,000 and generates $30,000 in annual gross rent, the GRM would be 10 ($300,000 ÷ $30,000). A lower GRM indicates a better investment opportunity because it suggests that the property’s price is low relative to its rental income.
Closing costs are additional expenses incurred by buyers and sellers to finalize a real estate transaction. These include fees for loan origination, title insurance, appraisals, and other administrative services.
A home inspection is a thorough examination of a property's condition, typically conducted by a professional inspector. It identifies any potential issues or defects before the sale is finalized.
An origination fee is a charge by lenders for processing a loan application. It’s usually expressed as a percentage of the total loan amount.
A three-page disclosure that a mortgage lender must deliver within three business days of receiving a completed loan application. It summarizes the proposed loan’s key terms, projected monthly payments, and estimated closing costs so borrowers can compare offers.
The principal is the original amount of money borrowed in a loan, excluding interest. It represents the balance that the borrower must repay to the lender.
A quitclaim deed is a legal document used to transfer property ownership without guaranteeing the property is free of liens or claims. It’s often used between family members or to clear up title issues.
A survey is a detailed map or description of a property’s boundaries and features, often used to confirm legal property lines. It helps prevent disputes and ensures accurate legal descriptions.
Title insurance protects property buyers and lenders from financial loss due to defects in the title, such as liens or ownership disputes. It provides peace of mind during real estate transactions.
A CMA is a professional evaluation of a property’s value based on the sale prices of similar properties in the area. Real estate agents use CMAs to help sellers set a competitive listing price.
A contingency is a condition included in a real estate contract that must be met for the transaction to proceed. Common contingencies include financing approval and satisfactory home inspections.
A deed of trust is a legal agreement where a third party (the trustee) holds the title to a property until the borrower repays the loan. It’s commonly used in states that do not utilize traditional mortgages.
Fair market value is the estimated price a property would sell for in an open, competitive market. It reflects what a willing buyer and seller agree upon under normal conditions.
A fixed-rate mortgage is a loan with an interest rate that remains constant throughout the loan's term. This predictability makes it a popular choice for borrowers.
NOI is the total income generated by a property after deducting operating expenses. It’s a key metric for evaluating the profitability of real estate investments.
An open house is an event where a property for sale is available for prospective buyers to view without scheduling appointments. It’s often hosted by the seller’s real estate agent.
Pre-approval is a lender’s conditional agreement to lend a borrower a specified amount for a home purchase. It shows sellers that the buyer is financially qualified.
A REIT is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-generating real estate. Investors can buy shares in REITs to earn returns without directly owning property.
Refinancing replaces an existing mortgage with a new one, often to secure a lower interest rate or better loan terms. It can help borrowers save money or access equity.
A five-page final statement of all loan terms and settlement charges that borrowers must receive no later than three business days before closing. It lets them verify the actual costs and confirm they match the earlier Loan Estimate.
A title search is a review of public records to verify the legal ownership of a property. It ensures there are no outstanding claims or liens on the property.
A VA loan is a mortgage guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It offers favorable terms for eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.
A walkthrough is the final inspection of a property by the buyer before closing. It ensures the property is in the agreed-upon condition and any requested repairs have been completed.
A 1031 exchange allows property investors to defer paying capital gains taxes by reinvesting the proceeds from a sold property into a similar investment property. It’s a popular strategy for growing wealth through real estate.
If you want even more vocabulary words to study, we have an affordable and comprehensive real estate crash course and exam prep package. It gives you access to hundreds of digital vocabulary word flashcards.
It also comes with explainer videos, unlimited practice exams, and an e-book study guide.
We created the most in-depth study package to make prepping for the state exam easy and fun. Get yours today to pass the exam with ease.
A seller objection is a concern that a prospective seller raises, which could affect whether or not they work with you.
It is a question, excuse, or another form of hesitancy that they make out of not having enough information or fear that you cannot satisfy their needs.
Seller objections are perhaps the most significant challenge you might face while trying to convert a potential client. They could be very discouraging, especially for new agents.
However, suppose you ever hope to build a successful career in the real estate industry. In that case, you must know what to say and do to make a seller feel welcome and willing to work with you.
Seller objections can range from a concern about your pricing or timing of the sales to the value you can offer them and your experience in the field.
This article will teach you how to provide proper reassurance to the seven most common seller objections. The first on our list is - high commissions.
Many sellers will complain about your commission rates being too high or that they know someone willing to do it for less.
Do not be deceived. The only answer to this question is a big and decisive "NO." While this response might seem a bit aggressive, you shouldn't worry about it because you are simply establishing yourself as a professional capable of doing the job.
Your main aim is to provide value, and you cannot do this with lower pricing. So, unless you do not deem your services worthy of the rate you are offering, your only answer to the objection should be "No. Do you have any other questions?"
There are times when the above statement is true, and the market for sellers is bad. However, if the market is right for them, what you should do to convince the seller is to draw on their motivation. There must have been a reason they called you to sell their property first, and you must remind them of it.
For instance, if they want to sell so they can move closer to a relative in another part of the country, you should ask them how they plan on moving without selling.
If they reply by saying they would buy another house, you should ask them if it is realistic or wise to bear the financial burden of two mortgages.
If they reply by saying they would rent instead, you should ask if their move is temporary or permanent. If it is permanent, why would the seller be willing to build another person's equity over their own?
'For Sale By Owner' is a common phrase every real estate agent will hear. One way to go about this objection is to ask the seller for their absolute bottom line. For example, you could say, "By selling FSBO, you run the risk of not achieving maximum price. Are you aware of that?"
Suppose they say it is a risk they are willing to take. In that case, you should let the seller see that they will not only take a price reduction but also have to offer a buyer's commission.
Ask - "Is it really worth it? Let's crunch up the numbers and see how much you are really saving here."
Additionally, many sellers willing to do FSBO believe that it is a pretty straightforward process, which it is not. So, suppose the option above doesn't work.
In that case, you could ask if they know all the processes they need to take, how to draft up documents, handle all contingencies and protect themselves. Unfortunately, most times, they do not.
You could then show them how much of the behind-the-scenes work you can help them with to ensure they are safer and sell for more.
When a seller says this to you, the last thing you want to be is pushy or overtly persuasive. But, on the other hand, houses are usually the biggest assets many sellers own, so it's understandable if they are trying to be careful when picking an agent.
You could ask them, "What is the one thing that will make you hire me on the spot today without a doubt?"
Usually, they would say something that indicates they need some more time.
At this point, you should understand their need for time, let them know that you will be here, and are willing to show them you can provide value.
If you are a new agent, this is an objection you will go up against many times.
Your reply could be, "Well, I passed the state's requirements to get my requirements. I've done the education, and I'm aligned with professionals in the industry. I'm constantly learning every day, and I've got a team of supportive people around me. So what experience exactly are you looking for?"
They'd usually reply that they want someone who has sold many properties or has been in the industry for at least five years.
You could say, "Well, someone who has been in it at least five years isn't here in front of you. But, I am here in front of you, ready, willing, and able to provide you with the best service, an excellent experience, and to accomplish your goals."
After saying this, you shouldn't try to be pushy or to fill the void. You have played your part, and now, you should sit down and let the silence do the heavy lifting. More often than not, this will produce desired results.
When you hear a seller say this, you should try to educate them about every possible thing that can affect the sale. You should let them see that the market determines the sale, and you do not control the market.
You merely interpret it for clients and do what you think works best, such as staging the property, highlighting upgrades, and showing it well.
These are all things you do to get them the top asking price, but you cannot guarantee they will get the total asking price.
When presenting a CMA, many clients say, "I'm not going to do anything to my house."
To convince them to make renovations, you should point out to them the price differences between the current features in the house and their upgraded versions.
Let them see that a newly renovated house with all the latest models will fetch a higher price tag, and there is nothing you can do about it.
So if they want to sell at a particular price, they must be willing to put in the upgrades that will attract that price.
There will always be one objection or the other when dealing with sellers, and your job is to be adequately prepared for it.
You should know how to handle objections and match their energy, but most importantly, you should communicate with them. Do your best to earn their business, trust, and referrals.
Meeting a home buyer for the first time can make you feel like you're on a first date — What should you say? Where should we meet? How can I impress them?
When you're trying to win business, the stakes can feel high. But there are some tried and true ways to impress potential new buyers, showing them they should trust you with their business.
As you advance through your real estate career, these tactics will become like second nature. Here's how we recommend impression potential home buyers in a first meeting:
The location of your meeting is key to making a great first impression with new buyers, as it will set the tone of the relationship moving forward.
First and foremost, the location should be convenient for your potential client. You don't want your potential buyer going out of their way to meet with you, and you want to ensure the location is comfortable for everyone.
While some realtors might be inclined to meet at a nearby coffee shop or restaurant, the ideal place to meet a potential client is at your brokerage's office.
You'll have the resources you need, like WiFi, printers, coffee, and a desk.
By inviting them to your brokerage's office, you're showcasing your professionalism and showing from the initial meeting that you are a credible and established agent.
When you meet at a restaurant or coffee shop, you risk a loud, unfavorable environment to conduct business.
When you meet with a new buyer for the first time, you want to know those clients for the individuals they are — not just as another deal or transaction.
Buying a home is an emotional process for many clients, and they want to feel that they can trust and count on their realtor. It is one of the most significant purchases they'll ever make!
When building a connection with someone you've just met — and especially someone you might be in business with — you want it to be a natural conversation about shared interests or backgrounds.
Ask about their family, sports, where they went to school — things that indicate you're interested in their life outside this real estate transaction.
Clients can determine when an agent forces or fakes a connection to get their business. So instead, be genuine in your approach and slowly build the relationship authentically.
It will benefit you and your reputation in the long run, plus make the client feel at ease!
Real estate agents should be empathetic and understand that the home buyers they're working with likely have a million questions about the process and what it takes to buy a home.
Being ready and able to answer their questions will help boost your credibility and build trust with new clients.
When you meet with a client for the first time, walking them through the process and what they can expect from start to finish can help alleviate anxieties around what comes next.
They will likely have questions like "How do I make an offer?" or "How can I get connected with a lender?" As their agent, guiding them through the process is your top priority, so coming prepared and doing your homework ahead of time is crucial.
The longer you're in the business, the more you will notice the same questions come up over and over. So practice how you respond to common questions and hone in on how to communicate clearly with your client.
It can seem like a simple and obvious question to ask your clients —"Have you spoken with a lender to get pre-approved to buy a home?"
While rooted in common sense thinking, asking that question to potential clients can be insulting and should be approached with the utmost sensitivity.
It implies they don't have enough money to buy that house or can't get approved with a mortgage.
If you're concerned that a potential client wasn't appropriately approved or has the financial means to buy a home, you should pause before asking any potentially insulting questions.
Instead, you can rephrase the question of the lender's preapproval to ask, "Will you be buying this home in cash? Or will you be taking advantage of the historically low-interest rates?"
Asking it this way flips the question and flatters the buyer by implying they could pay cash for the home. A win-win all around!
In real estate, a buyer-broker agreement can protect the real estate agent from losing out on commission or having a client decide to use another agent during their home search.
It's a contractually binding agreement that states the buyer will work only with you, their agent, to buy a home with a specific commission amount.
While some brokerages strongly encourage all agents to have a buyer-broker agreement signed before working with buyers, it can also add pressure and stress for the home buyer.
A potential client who initially was interested in working with you might be spooked off once the legal jargon and signing on the dotted line are brought into play.
As an agent, determine if and when is the right time to have a client sign one of these agreements. When executed appropriately, an agreement protects all parties down the line.
Meeting new home buyers can be intimidating, no matter how long you've been in the real estate industry.
But if you see every new meeting as a chance to show your value, win new business and build great relationships, you'll excel at wooing all your new clients.
Whether you’re just starting out in your real estate career or are looking to grow your business to the next stage, you’ll need advice and guidance from those more experienced to get you there.
From mentors to team leaders and everything in between, the more people you have in your corner encouraging you, the more you’ll grow your business and feel confident in the process.
But what is the difference between a broker, team leader, mentor, and coach? The terms are often used interchangeably, and while they will all encourage you, each person has a slightly different role in your career.
When you join a brokerage, the head honcho at your office will be your broker. A real estate broker is someone who has completed more training and licensing requirements than a traditional agent, can work independently, and hire individual real estate agents to work for them.
While they might still help clients buy or sell a home, they will also have added responsibility to manage the office or provide support to the other agents. As you get your license, you will likely have to interview with a broker to get hired and hang your license at that particular office.
You should find a broker that you respect and trust — they’ll be an advocate and resource for you as you go through your career.
A broker is not only the boss of the office, they will also encourage you and ensure you’re growing in your career. They want you to succeed and advance in your career, just like a boss or manager in any other industry.
There are technically three types of brokers: associate, managing, principal, or designated brokers. An associate broker will have a license but often will not supervise agents. A managing broker will oversee an office, train and hire new agents, and help manage agents' transactions.
Lastly, a principal broker is one that ensures all national and local laws are obeyed and complied with. Each real estate office is required to have a principal broker.
As you begin your real estate career, you’ll have the choice to work independently or join a real estate team. If you decide to join a team, you’ll work under a team leader who oversees the group.
This leader manages the team’s operations, guiding a group of agents working together under a shared brand. In most cases, the team leader will take a percentage of your commission. In return, you’ll gain access to valuable benefits like lead generation, mentorship, and career advice.
The team leader will provide direction to help you grow, ensure you represent the team’s brand effectively, and offer motivation as you launch your career.
With their experience and leadership, a strong team leader will sharpen your skills and give you the support you need. And who knows? Before long, you might feel ready to spread your wings and start a team of your own!
Do you want to learn from someone who is experienced and respected in the real estate world? A mentor might be an excellent fit for you. A real estate mentor is someone you look up to and who provides guidance in the real estate transaction process.
Many brokerages will offer mentorship programs, so check to see if your brokerage has a similar program. If your brokerage doesn’t have a formal mentorship program, you can still find mentorship opportunities within your own network or through online groups or forums.
Also, check with your local realtor association to see if there are mentorships opportunities there.
Since mentors are often successful agents busy running their own business, they usually will have a cost associated with them in the form of a percentage of your commission. But in exchange, you’ll get invaluable guidance as you navigate transactions and deals.
Their role is to help you build confidence and pass on valuable lessons you can use as you start your real estate career.
While a real estate coach and mentor are often used interchangeably, they are slightly different. A mentor will walk you through various transactions and situations, but a coach will work to improve your specific skillset and give actionable advice.
This specific skillset advice will be based on where you have weaknesses and will help hold you accountable as you build your career. They’re someone that is also experienced in the industry but also can guide you on a formula and process to help you improve your real estate skills.
Whether that’s knocking on doors or improving your social media presence, your coach will work with you to develop a specific, actionable plan to achieve your goals.
Some brokerages will offer specific coaching programs, but a variety of national schools and programs can also pair you with a real estate coach.
Hiring a real estate coach can often be expensive, but if done correctly, you’ll notice an increase in your business and become a better real estate agent.
If your brokerage doesn’t offer a formal coaching program, ask respected leaders in your market what they recommend. A lot of the top agents have also likely been through coaching programs before!
Brokers, team leaders, mentors, and coaches all have one thing in common — their main goal is to encourage you and help you grow as an agent. Depending on your needs and the stage you’re at in your career, having extra support and guidance will benefit you today and as you advance in the real estate industry.
As the great Andrew Carnegie said, "Never be so foolish as not to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.” Surrounding yourself with more experienced agents will encourage you to be your best self.
The concept of government survey systems is based on a structure of lines that divide the United States into rectangles and squares.
Survey systems are the government's way of dividing the land for easy location and purchasing.
To better understand this concept, think of the United States as a giant square with several intersecting lines forming smaller squares, like a checkerboard.
In this article, you will learn everything you need to understand how survey systems work and how to locate properties using this system.
A government survey system, also known as the rectangular survey system, is a federal land survey system created by the Land Ordinance in 1785.
Due to the continuous growth in the United States territory, the need arose for a system through which property owners could identify their real property.
The rectangular survey system was one of the ways developed to achieve this.
It is a system based on the principle of meridian lines – running from north to south – and baselines – running from east to west – across most of the United States.
It is used to identify the specific location of land, divide, measure, and create boundary lines to aid the sale of these lands and settle disputes among property owners.
This system has also been used to prevent survey fraud and simplify land allocation for different purposes, such as schools and urban development.
The government survey system describes real property using the following structure:
Having highlighted the lines, their names, and their positions, let’s break things down by taking a quick example, using the coordinates “NW1/4 of NE1/4 of Section 8, T.2N., R.1E”.
These coordinates translate to the “Northwest quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 8 in Township 2 North and Range 1 East.”
A township is established by the intersection of tiers and range lines that measure 6 miles by 6 miles on each side. It comprises 36 sections, with a total area of 36 square miles.
These sections are numbered beginning from the North East, with the first section designated as 1, all through to 36.
For a clearer understanding, draw a large square and divide it into 36 smaller units. Start numbering each box, beginning from the top right corner to the top left corner, then downward in a snake formation until you have gotten to the last box at the lowest right corner.
Many people take townships to be the same as cities, but this is incorrect. While a township is merely a subdivision of a county or a town, a city is a much larger territory that is even bigger than a town.
A section is one of the basic units in a government survey system. It is a measure of land in a township with a one-mile square of 640 acres.
The land is referred to as half and quarter sections in each section. The one-sixteenth division of a section is called a quarter of a quarter, as in the NW1/4 of the NW1/4.
An acre is a unit of area used to describe a precise amount of land. It typically measures approximately 43,560 square feet, which translates to 4,046.86 square meters, 0.404686 hectares, or 1/640 of a square mile. An average single-family house sits on only about ⅕ of a total acre.
Therefore, to clearly understand how big an acre is, picture the American football field but without the end zones. If you use an NBA basketball court, which measures approximately 0.11, one acre will equal approximately 9 basketball courts.
It is important not to confuse an acre with a commercial acre, as these terms describe different things. A commercial acre is a term typically used when describing industrial or commercial properties in big cities.
It measures about 4,000 square yards instead of 4,840 square yards for a typical acre. This means a commercial acre is roughly 83% of a standard acre.
A hectare is a unit of area that measures about 10,000 square meters or approximately 2.471 acres. Hence, it is roughly two times larger than an acre.
To visualize how big a hectare is, picture an international rugby union field measuring approximately 1.008 hectares or a baseball field measuring roughly 0.83 to 1.12 hectares.
If you are not a die-hard sports fan, try picturing London's Trafalgar Square, which is approximately 1 hectare.
The government survey system is one of the systems of land description used in most states in the U.S.
It is a system based on the principles of lines drawn to divide the land into smaller sections for easy identification, purchase, and allocation. It also helps to prevent and settle boundary disputes among property owners.
As you acquire a mortgage or other types of loan, you might receive an amortization schedule that outlines your loan repayments.
Many consumers don’t realize that even though their monthly payments stay the same throughout their loan, how much they’re actually paying towards their principal loan amount will change month by month.
Otherwise known as amortization, this financial system is the foundation of mortgage payments and is crucial to understanding when working in the real estate industry.
Use our amortization calculator to find out your timeline. This is not accredited financial and legal advice but just a rough reference.
There are two primary meanings to amortization. In real estate, amortization is the gradual repayment of a loan. This includes a schedule of interest and principal payments of a loan until the entire amount is repaid with interest.
Originating from the old English language meaning “to kill”, amortization is a standard loan type often seen in mortgages. The slowly paying down of the loan amount “kills” the loan by the end of the term, usually around 30 years.
The other meaning of amortization is the spreading out of capital expenses relating to intangible assets over a duration. This is useful for accounting and tax purposes and is similar to the depreciation rate.
Amortization is the process of spreading out the cost of a loan over a specified term amount, with fixed payments each month. A portion of each payment will go towards the interest charges, with the amount of interest paid each month decreasing over time.
A lot of financial loans are amortized, like credit card payments. But things like personal loans, auto loans, and mortgages are usually amortized and allow you to pay down the balance over time. There are pros and cons to an amortized loan, with the biggest benefit being a fixed monthly payment.
This often allows for a more reasonable repayment schedule with full transparency into how much each payment will be. However, a drawback of amortized loans is that the borrower doesn’t accumulate equity in the property on the front end. The longer the loan term goes on, the more principal paid and the more equity earned.
For a 30-year mortgage, this can mean that very little equity is established in the loan's first several years.
Borrowers and lenders use specific formulas and calculators to determine the amortization schedule for a mortgage.
As long as you know the interest rate and the principal amount of the loan, you can calculate the amortization yourself using the formula: Total Monthly Payment – [Outstanding Loan Balance x (Interest Rate / 12 Months)] = Principal Payment.
There are also countless online tools and resources if you’re not interested in calculating this rate manually. Additionally, you should receive an amortization table at your closing which outlines all the upcoming payments over the loan length and how much is designated to the interest versus the principal.
When you receive a mortgage, your monthly payment goes towards the principal amount and the interest charged to the loan, otherwise known as your PI payment. When you obtain an amortized loan, the monthly amount doesn’t change over the length of your loan.
However, the amount paid toward principal or interest differs over the length of the loan. When you reach the closing table, your lender will provide you with an amortization schedule or table. This will provide full transparency into each monthly payment you make over your loan.
In the first half of your mortgage, most of your monthly payments will go towards paying down the interest on the loan. However, as you reach year 15 or so, you will begin to pay more towards your principal than your interest. By the end of the loan, the majority of payments will be principal, and you will have “killed” the loan.
When you reach the closing table, your lender will provide you with a payment schedule that fully explains how much of your payments will be allocated to both principal and interest. If you opt for a shorter loan term, like a 15-year mortgage, the less interest you’ll pay. You’ll see that your monthly payments will pay more towards principal payments than a longer, 30-year mortgage.
If you’re interested in shortening your loan amount, making additional payments at the beginning of your loan is recommended to pay down your principal amount more quicker. This will help you save money on interest payments and allow you to “kill” the loan quicker. Make sure though there are no penalties for repaying your loan earlier.
When amortization is applied to an asset like rental property, it is similar to the asset's depreciation. Rental property, unlike most other types of property, does depreciate. This is because there are costs associated with using the property as a rental like maintaining its condition and ensuring it’s a safe rental.
By spreading out these expenses throughout the loan, real estate investors can take tax deductions for their rental property. The Internal Revenue Service will allow taxpayers to deduct things like advertising, maintenance, property taxes, and utilities. Make sure you speak with a tax professional to fully understand the pros and cons of rental property depreciation.
However, if you’re currently a renter paying a similar amount as a mortgage payment, you should consider purchasing a home. Here’s why: every monthly payment you make as a renter is helping to build someone else’s equity in their property.
As a renter, you’re building no equity in your own home, and If you own your property, you’d be gaining wealth through property appreciation.
Amortization schedules can be a new concept for buyers to understand as they go through the mortgage process.
As their agent, ensure they know how this amortization schedule could affect the equity they have in their home and how the repayment of their loan will work. Knowledge is power when it comes to real estate, and amortization is something all real estate agents should be prepared to walk their clients through.
Hiring an agent to handle the sale of a home undoubtedly comes with a bunch of benefits for both the agent and the homeowner.
However, many home sellers would need some convincing to determine if hiring you would be beneficial to them.
As an agent, the ability to portray your knowledge and experience by providing answers to your clients’ questions would earn you the reputation and opportunity to succeed in the industry.
In this article, we will be responding to five questions home sellers ask agents, why they ask them, as well as some good follow-up questions to ask them.
Home sellers are concerned about how much their house would be worth when placed on the housing market.
This is because the information provides better insights into what buyers are willing to pay for the property, how it compares to other homes in the neighborhood, and what actions will increase the property’s worth.
Also, the listing price of a house gives the first impression to buyers and determines whether or not they’d be interested in the home on the spot. Before hiring an agent, sellers want to be sure of these two things:
As a savvy agent, your best response to this question would be to offer a data-backed Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) to the seller. This shows how the seller’s property compares to each of the best recently sold homes in the area.
Your analysis should include value adjustments for differences that may affect the property, such as:
Homeowners want to sell their homes for many reasons, ranging from a need to relocate to a high maintenance cost. Whatever their reasons may be, knowing why the owner is selling can help in determining how to list the property and to what extent you should go when negotiating.
Considering that the standard real estate agent’s commission is 5% to 6%, For-sale-by-owner is usually the first option for many home sellers.
Although it may seem like a great way to save money, the risks involved in selling without an agent causes sellers to reconsider.
They often want to have an understanding of how much agents will charge to sell their homes before going ahead with any transaction.
To respond appropriately to this question, you should provide an explanation that justifies the cost of the commission.
You can include the services you would be offering and that the commission would be split between you and the buyer’s agent.
Also, you can be open to negotiations but be sure to put up a fight to emphasize your worth.
After you have satisfied the seller’s curiosity about how much they will be charged for the house sale and why they will understand that they stand to make good money when working with you.
Following up with this question would create an avenue to walk them through your property services and find out which of these services interests them.
Home sellers always want to know the amount of time it will take for a house to sell. This is especially true when the seller needs to get out of an uncomfortable financial situation quickly.
Houses that stay on the market for too long don’t always do well.
Buyers tend to think there is a problem with the property, and as a result of desperation, the seller is willing to sell way below the asking price.
It is important to be realistic when responding to this question to avoid giving the seller false hope. You should inform the home seller that the rate at which their house would sell depends on the average market time for the area.
A more personalized estimate can also be provided based on the type of house or what part of the area it is situated in.
This question gives you better insights into what the seller wants. Although most sellers want to sell quickly and for as much as possible, you may come in contact with someone who needs to sell fast, not minding if it is for less than they should.
Or a seller who doesn't mind if the property has to stay a while on the market to make as much money as possible. As an agent, you should be able to align your services to what your client needs.
An agent who takes a holistic approach to property advertising is what home sellers seek when trying to sell their property. Advertisement is what creates awareness for the property and increases demand.
Because home sellers want to sell their property in the best way possible, they want to ensure that the agent they hire can handle the advertising of their home.
There is no better way to respond to this question than by highlighting the tools that are available to you as a real estate agent for advertising property.
But it wouldn’t be enough to stop there; you should go further to discuss what advertising strategies you would be utilizing, why they would be utilized, and their recorded success rates.
Home sellers are always looking for the best agents to handle their home sales. Therefore, when this question is asked, it is to examine the agent’s confidence and overall level of competence.
This is the perfect time to pitch yourself to your potential client. At this point, you are expected to inform the home seller about your qualifications and certifications, how long you have been an agent, your professional contacts, your team -if any- and how many listings you have converted into sales.
A homeowner who is looking to sell their property would most likely have done some research on what the duties of an agent are.
Therefore, asking this follow-up question will give more insights on how to satisfy the seller and reassure them that your services will cater to their every need.
When it comes to selling property, home sellers want to be able to trust the agents they would be hiring to handle the sale. This includes getting realistic and detailed answers to the questions they ask.
As an agent, you must make use of your expertise to respond in the best way possible. Once you can do this, you stand a chance of converting every interview into a job.
Every month as you make your mortgage payments, you are accumulating equity in your home. Plus, if your home has gained market value since you’ve purchased it, you’ve also accumulated equity that way.
However, most of the time, you’re unable to tap into your home’s equity until you sell your home, triggering cash out of those profits.
That’s where home equity loans and lines of credit come in. These second mortgages are a way to leverage your home’s equity and get access to that capital without selling your home.
But which one is best for your financial situation? And how do they differ?
A home equity loan is a one-time lump sum that the bank will approve you for based on your home’s equity.
Borrowers must repay a one-time amount, whether you use the full amount or not. Because of this, you should only apply for the amount you need to borrow. A home equity loan is also known as an installment loan or a second mortgage.
One of the biggest benefits of a home equity loan is that your interest rate and monthly payments will remain fixed over the course of the loan. This can make budgeting easier every month and will ensure you can factor in the same amount monthly.
A home equity loan is a great option if you want to use the line of credit to re-invest in your home through improvements or upgrades. But keep in mind that you’ll be required to repay the total amount you borrow, so it’s best used for a specific project or purpose.
You can think of a HELOC as a credit card that uses your home’s equity as collateral. Unlike a home equity loan, a HELOC is a revolving account that you can use multiple times and borrow against when you need it.
Depending on your equity, you can borrow anywhere from 60% to 85% of the equity earned in your home. However, be aware that most of these have a variable interest rate, which means your monthly payments could change throughout your loan.
One of the biggest benefits of a HELOC is that you don’t have to use the entire amount approved, and you will only pay interest on the money you’ve actually spent.
With a HELOC, you’ll be required to make monthly payments on the amount you owe, but you will be able to use the funds over an extended period. Usually, HELOC’s are based on an adjustable rate term, but some lenders will offer fixed rate HELOC.
Make sure you speak with a trusted advisor about the best option for you and your needs.
A HELOC is a good option for homeowners who have established significant credit in their house and need a loan for multiple projects or needs. One of the most appealing things about a HELOC is that it is one of the more flexible home loan options.
You don’t necessarily have to use the funds for home improvement projects — some people even use a HELOC to pay off student loans, medical bills, or debt consolidation. Because you can use a HELOC over a long period, this type of loan is great if you have a large project that will be completed in multiple stages.
If you’re considering using a home equity loan or HELOC, it’s important to fully understand how equity is calculated.
To calculate the amount of equity in a home, the bank might require you to get an appraisal to determine the home’s current value.
From there, your equity is the difference between what you own on the property and how much it’s appraised for. The bank will then loan you a percentage of that equity in either a lump sum (home equity loan) or in a line of credit (HELOC).
Your home’s equity is a powerful tool in your financial toolbox. Not only do you gain equity every time you make a mortgage payment — as your home increases in market value, but you will also gain equity.
It’s important to remember, though, that with either type of loan, the borrower is putting your house up as collateral. This becomes a problem if your home suddenly loses its value or you cannot make your loan payments.
Both the home equity loan and the HELOC are based on one thing — your home’s line of credit. However, they both have different terms and conditions that offer pros and cons depending on your needs.
If you want the most flexible option, a HELOC is a convenient solution for a variety of expenses. From home improvement costs to an unexpected medical bill, you can utilize your HELOC at the specific time you need it.
And, since you aren’t required to use the full amount, you only will pay interest on the money you spend. Remember that a HELOC will likely come with an adjustable interest rate, meaning your monthly payments will fluctuate over the course of the loan.
If you have a specific project in mind or know exactly how much money you need, a home equity loan is probably a better fit for you. With a lump sum payment, your interest rate and monthly payments will remain the same.
One of the negatives of a home equity loan though is that it is just a one-time expense, and you’ll be required to repay the full amount you borrowed whether you use all the funds or not.
Whether you’re considering a home equity loan or a HELOC, you should speak with a trusted real estate or mortgage advisor beforehand.
While they’re a great option if you need access to your home’s equity, they also can carry significant consequences if misused — including losing your house.
With the proper guidance and advice, though, they can be a great addition to your financial portfolio!
When lenders issue loans for the purchase or maintenance of real estate property, they inevitably take on several liabilities.
These liabilities more often than not come in the form of credit risks where the lender may incur losses due to a borrower’s inability to pay back a loan.
To minimize the possibility of losses happening, lenders make use of subordination clauses to ensure their lien on a property takes priority over other liens.
The real estate industry so happens to be one where financial issues can arise at any time. Therefore, you should acquire an in-depth understanding of what subordinate clauses entail before venturing into the realm of real estate deals.
Doing this will assist you in taking adequate control of your interests and prepare you for everything possible.
In this article, we will be taking you through what a subordination clause is, how it works and how it affects homeowners.
Before we dive into subordination clauses, let’s, first of all, discuss what a clause in a real estate contract is.
According to legal terms, a real estate contract clause is a provision in a legal document that dictates specific conditions under which all parties agree to abide by during the purchase and sale, exchange, or transfer of a real estate property.
These statements point out the rules and obligations to which a buyer, seller, and other entities involved agree.
A real estate transaction requires a contract to make it legally binding, and the use of clauses protects and prioritizes the needs of all parties involved.
In the competitive real estate market, buyers, sellers, and even lenders continually seek more flexibility in their transactions. To achieve this, any of the seven essential types of contract clauses can be utilized when preparing purchase offers or counteroffers.
Here are the seven essential types of clauses in a real estate contract:
A subordination clause, also known as a dependent clause is a provision in a contractual agreement that allows the present claim on a mortgage to take precedence over subsequent claims that may be made in the future.
In real estate, a subordination clause becomes effective once a mortgage loan has defaulted and there is more than one lien on a property.
When a borrower defaults on a mortgage, there is the possibility of the property being foreclosed and liquidated for cash.
Typically, the first mortgage lender gets the legal rights to repossess the property and recover the loan’s balance before any other lender. In many cases, the value of the property may not be sufficient to cover all the liens.
Therefore, the further down a lender is on the mortgage tier, the less likely they are to recover their loans.
To improve the priority of a lien, most lenders will include a subordinate clause in the real estate contract to protect them in case of a default. The subordination clause can be found primarily in mortgage notes and commercial real estate lease agreements.
A subordination clause works by establishing that one party's interest is superior to another if the borrower’s property needs to be sold to pay off outstanding debts.
The most important thing to remember about how a subordination clause works is that if the borrower defaults on the mortgage, the first lienholder which is usually the primary lender is taken care of before subordinate liens can recoup their costs.
For example, a lender agrees to lend Mr. A the money to purchase a house after a subordination clause, stating that they are to take repayment priority, has been signed.
If after two years Mr. A has incurred a huge amount of credit card debts and a lien has been issued on his house by the court. Mr. A is obliged to, first of all, pay the lien to the lenders before repaying the credit card company.
Subordinate clauses are also common in situations when there are two mortgages on a property but the property owner needs to refinance their primary mortgage.
The refinancing lender will require that a subordination clause be signed by the second mortgage lender to ensure that they are paid first if there is a default.
Although it may seem like the subordination clause is only important to lenders, this is not true. Subordinate clauses can significantly affect a homeowner's finances when refinancing a house.
This is because they can create huge stumbling blocks when trying to take advantage of the low-interest rates that come with refinancing a mortgage.
Refinancing happens when the initial loan has been fully paid and a new lender offers a loan under a new interest rate. A subordination clause will then be used to give priority to this new lender and ensure they are the top priority for repayment.
However, this may not always work out as many claim holders will not authorize this refinance because they would then become subordinate lenders.
A lien is a legal right or claim which has been issued against a property to assist the creditor -banks or mortgage agencies- to collect what is owed to them. Liens are real estate encumbrances that set a limit to what the property owner can do with the asset.
This encumbrance is placed on a property when a debtor fails to fulfill their financial obligations. As stakeholders in the property, creditors are given certain legal rights and may choose to get rid of the property by selling it to get their money back.
The most straightforward way to remove a lien from a property is to either satisfy the debt or negotiate a payment plan with your creditor. Once your debts have been fully paid, you can then file for a Release of Lien form which will act as evidence that you no longer owe your creditor.
Before purchasing a property, it is important to find out if there is a lien attached to the property. If yes, find out what type of lien it is. Liens are a matter of public record, therefore, by running a title report you can discover any liens that may be on the property.
Subordination clauses are a complex and delicate aspect of real estate transactions that should be handled with the utmost level of understanding. Failure to do this can result in severe financial and legal consequences that could easily have been avoided. Also, it would be wise to always seek legal help when preparing and before signing a real estate contract.
There are dozens of options when you search for the best real estate school in Los Angeles. All of which vary in cost, quality, and availability.
As you take the first steps to begin your career in real estate, we want to ensure you get off on the right foot — and that means attending the right school for you and your goals.
As you explore the options, consider whether you want to join in-person or online classes, and if the program you choose assists with job placement after passing the real estate state exam.
Additionally, it would help if you considered the value that a local, California-based school offers versus a national institution, which typically won’t come with state-specific content and services. Each of these factors will impact your experience in getting your real estate license.
We looked at some of the top real estate schools in Los Angeles and outlined their pros and cons below. Our rankings are based on Google reviews, which we think provide a realistic and subjective representation of their online reputation.
With all of our Los Angeles locations combined, we came in with 1300 Google reviews with an average of 4.9 star rating per review.
We placed ourselves on top of the list. Biases aside, when you stack our program up against the rest, we come out on top as the #1 reviewed program by students.
US Realty Training is renowned for our top-notch customer service and engaging coursework that students love. We take a personal approach to our classes, ensuring each student has what they need to succeed.
We provide the most thorough training, and offer students the ability to pick between three different educational formats to fit their learning styles and schedules.
Students can choose from two live training formats (live in-person or live Zoom meetings), an online pre-recorded video lectures format, or an online-only format. No matter which option a student chooses, all students receive our intuitive online program to assist them in their studies.
Our pre-licensing courses are available online for six months, but if you’re looking to finish faster you can do so within 54 day’s time.
Student Testimonial: “I cannot express how much this program helped me. It was honestly easy to follow the steps, the amount of assistance is incredible and the resources they have while taking the courses and AFTER you are licensed is incredible. It's like having a coach with you at all times. The videos and online courses were the best. I passed the very first time, I have referred and keep referring to US Realty Training. Thank you so much for making this so easy to follow and for my success in real estate.”
Let’s talk about the pros of our program. Here, you’ll find what our program brings to the table and what makes it the #1 pick among students in Los Angeles.
The pros of our school start outside the classroom. Our online database of free videos and articles are available for all with Internet access. This supplemental material helps educate you about the real estate industry and features interviews with experts in the field. It also showcases state exam prep content that will help students prepare and feel confident for the big exam.
Now onto the actual program. We're one of the only local real estate schools in California with both in-person training and live webinar classes offered remotely through Zoom. Students can pick from a variety of classroom types and times that work best for their schedule.
Our program, dare we say, is one of the most comprehensive classroom experiences in the state. We provide you with 3-months of training which focuses on one of the three prerequisite courses each month. This equates to 36-hours of classroom instruction and makes us the leading provider of live training in California!
Within each of our course packages, we also offer a state exam prep with one of the largest test banks in California. This comes with over 2,000 practice exam questions, meaning you can take nearly limitless variations of practice exams to help you pass the real exam on your first attempt.
We have the most locations throughout the state and, more specifically, throughout Los Angeles. Students can typically find a class that works best with their schedule given the flexible days & class times we offer. Daytime classes, nighttime classes, weekend classes - you name it, we have it! If you can’t find a location nearby, you can always choose our webinar option which covers the same exact material.
Our trainers are handpicked based on their years of real estate experience and their ability to break down complex concepts into simple examples that all can understand. With everyone’s years of experience combined, we have the most industry knowledge out of any other program in California.
Students have access to an extremely intuitive online portal which lets them review class presentation slides, read and engage with course eBooks, take quizzes, tests, and even practice state exams and view hundreds of vocabulary flashcards.
In fact, the online portal was designed specifically for user-friendly navigation and to help students learn in the most efficient way possible.
If you want to take a look at how we make learning easy, then sign up for a free trial and get access to our online student portal today.
In addition to the pre-licensing curriculum, we offer exam prep courses, continuing education, and the coursework needed for the Broker License to help students at any point in their career.
It’s not just our program that takes the cake. We have the best student services team in the state who will help you through every step of your journey.
We also connect our alumni to brokerages after they graduate from our program. This helps them hit the ground running once they pass the state exam and are ready to start their career.
If we had to list a con about our program, it would be our pricing. US Realty Training might not be the cheapest option on the market, but we think you’ll find we provide the best value.
This doesn't mean we’re the most expensive either. We strive to offer our program at a competitive price and most importantly we pack it full of everything you need to pass your courses and state exam. On our highest priced programs, we also offer a great payment plan.
Our goal is to ensure students from all economic backgrounds have access to our industry-leading education program.
No other program gives you the full toolkit like US Realty Training. Our #1 goal is to make your real estate education informative and fun.
Realty Academy offers in-person and live online classes for their coursework.
They rank #2 on our list with 154 Google Reviews and a 4.9 rating, illustrating their success among students who take their classes.
With four different pre-licensing packages, students can find the best learning style suited for their taste.
A favorite among students is the “+++VIP Program,” offering in-person training, hardcopy textbooks, exam prep with application assistance, and the inclusion of an 8-hour live cram course.
To provide the most support for their students, The Realty Academy also provides access to a private tutor to further explain real estate concepts and exam prep.
Student Testimonial: “I read online that only 44% of people pass the State Real Estate Exam the first time. I am one of the 44% thanks to Armando and the Realty Academy. Even with classes over Zoom, it was much more effective to have personal interactions then just going online. If you are serious about getting your license, this is money well spent!”
For those seeking a traditional classroom setting, the in-person classes at Realty Academy are beloved by former students.
They offer multiple monthly sessions to attend training either in-person or through webinars. In addition, the option to purchase private tutoring - no matter the original package selected - is a great way to guarantee that students are fully prepared to pass the real estate state exam.
While some of their course packages start at $299, their main licensing package is $699, making it one of the highest-priced programs compared to other options out there.
Compared to other programs, we didn’t notice any special features that The Realty Academy offers so we would consider this a lot of money for only 4-weeks of live training.
Additionally, they only have one in-person location available in Calabasas, California, which could make it inconvenient for students across Los Angeles County.
Key Highlight: They state they can connect students with several referral brokerages once they receive their real estate license.
Coming in third is Premier Schools — a California-based real estate company that offers online coursework.
Students appreciate the simple organization of the coursework and the ability to complete the requirements online at their own pace.
There are three packages for aspiring agents to consider; each will provide hardcopy textbooks to use in tandem with a printable workbook, open-book finals, and access to practice exams.
In addition, students can select upgraded packages to receive CD & DVD sets, providing them with pre-recorded state exam preparation.
Student Testimonial: "Great customer service. I had so many questions and all of them were answered in a timely manner and the person I talked to was super nice and helpful."
Here is what really stands out to us when we reviewed Premiere School’s program:
Students enjoy the speed at which they receive support from Premier Schools, giving them the encouragement they need to study and pass their finals.
Premier is an excellent option for those who enjoy learning independently with their textbook and notes.
The material is concise, and quizzes are graded immediately after submission, which helps students finish within the standard 54 days.
Others noted the affordability of the courses, allowing them to save money as they renew or obtain their license.
This school doesn't offer live in-person classes, meaning all lessons are done online on your own schedule.
Despite a high rating overall, previous students were frustrated with the level of communication and correspondence from their instructor.
Although they providing exam prep resources is helpful, the means they do this is not. CDs and DVDs are outdated and most people do not have devices to play those media files.
Some also said there was a mismatching of materials from the prep work to the final exam, leaving some previous students to retake their licensing exam after failing.
Key Highlight: This school offers all coursework in English or Spanish, making it an excellent choice for Spanish-speaking students looking to get their real estate license!
Lumbleau Real Estate School is one of the oldest schools in California. Today, classes are offered as a self-paced, online course with chapter summaries and 14 pre-recorded lesson videos.
Priced at $189, Lumbleau allows you to complete the three required pre-licensing courses within the standard 54 days without breaking the bank.
In addition, students can purchase hardcopy textbooks or go through their course material online.
In this $189 program, state exam preparation is included in the price, providing a one-on-one video meeting, video lessons, and a 3,300+ question bank to help you prepare for the RE state exam.
Student Testimonial: "Easy to follow real estate education program with great customer service. The layout of classes is simple and easy to follow. Their customer service was extremely helpful whenever I had a question - they replied right away. They were actually able to make real estate courses fun."
Students find that Lumbleau customer service representatives are great. Their support staff is composed of licensed real estate agents who offer a solid support system for students needing assistance with their coursework.
In addition, a free demo is available on their website. This allows prospective students to preview the format and style of coursework before committing to enrolling in their program.
With only online classes available, this school lacks the in-person support & training that many students look for here in California. Previous students have reported on the difficulty of reaching their customer service team, which created delays and disruptions in their coursework.
While it’s great to offer video content, especially from motivational speaker and salesperson, John Lumbleau, we found Lumbleau’s videos to be outdated and most likely produced in the 1980s to 1990s.
Like the videos, their website fits their oldies aesthetic. It’s not the most visually appealing user experience, but is likely effective.
Key Highlight: After each course section, you'll go through a 100 to 400-question interactive test to gauge the knowledge you learned. Each course also features a motivational video to get you started.
As one of the national institutions, Colibri doesn't have localized Los Angeles Google Reviews to rank.
But given its popularity, we thought it was still worthy of a spot on our list. In addition, as a national institution with courses across multiple states, students enjoy the online platform to walk them through their coursework.
Student Testimonial: "It was very convenient. Working a full-time job and being able to do the online Program was the best. If you have a job, this is the route to go. It was not too hard and not too easy, be ready to do a lot of studying."
As a national online learning company, Real Estate Express has a robust platform with various options for students to pick from. All of their instructors are state-approved, and you can choose between live or on-demand classes.
Some students report errors and technical issues while going through the coursework, causing frustration as they go through the lessons. Additionally, while they have live support, it's not 24/7, so some might have difficulty getting answers when necessary.
Key Highlight: Real Estate Express offers a "Career Hub" where you can ask questions and get practical guidance on how to launch your real estate career.
Picking the right Los Angeles real estate school can mean passing or failing your licensing exam. It also determines how knowledgeable you will be as a full-fledged agent in the real world.
As you examine the top real estate schools, check out our upcoming courses at US Realty Training and contact us to get started with the top-ranked school in Los Angeles.
Classes are available year-round, so there is never a wrong time to begin your real estate journey.
As a real estate agent, you are legally responsible for managing your client's funds throughout the transaction process.
That’s why agents and their clients have a fiduciary relationship, and agents have a legal obligation to handle clients’ funds properly.
Commingling is a term you’ll likely see on your real estate exam and is an example of mismanaging your client's money in the real estate transaction.
If you’re unfamiliar, make sure you take the time to learn what commingling is and how you can avoid it.
Real estate commingling is the act of mixing the client’s funds with the broker’s own funds. This is illegal and happens when a broker or real estate agent fails to properly deposit their client's funds into an escrow account, client trust, or earnest money account within the mandated time frame.
The mixing of funds like this should be avoided at all costs and is considered a type of fraud. It can have serious legal consequences like having your license suspended or revoked.
There are a few legal ways to commingle money regarding real estate investing. This occurs when funds are used intentionally from multiple sources.
For example, individual investors contribute to a real estate investment trust (REIT) or participate in a crowdfunding project. Commingling is allowed when the money is intentionally being invested in real estate. But when it comes to the broker and agent relationship, it is not legal.
Commingling occurs when the client’s money is not handled correctly and is mixed with the broker’s funds. While each state differs, mixing funds between a broker and their clients is usually illegal.
This is because most brokers and agents must follow a set of fiduciary duties and are bound to a different set of codes that they must follow.
While acting as the fiduciary, they must manage their client’s funds according to the law and real state code.
While commingling is the mixing of funds, conversion refers to spending a client's money for something other than what it was intended for.
When funds are commingled, it is not uncommon for conversion to also occur. Conversion is also a type of theft punishable by law.
If commingling and subsequent conversion occur, agents could be found in breach of their fiduciary responsibility and lose their license. It is a type of fraud, and agents should follow all proper steps to avoid this.
To avoid commingling funds, it is best to keep separate bank accounts for your business or investment accounts and your personal funds.
This way, there is a minimized chance you would accidentally spend your client or investment money on personal expenses.
There are several simple ways you can avoid commingling funds.
To avoid the commingling of funds in real estate transactions, a third party will hold the funds until the contract terms are fulfilled.
Keeping the funds in a third-party account is called escrow, and there are multiple types of escrow accounts a buyer or seller will encounter during the process.
The main goal of having an escrow bank account is to keep the client’s money separate and prevent funds from being mixed with other clients or the broker’s own funds.
When a client is ready to make an offer on a property, the real estate agents will collect the earnest money deposit and transfer it to an escrow account until the deal has closed.
The earnest money deposit is usually collected within five days of submitting the offer and is held in the escrow account until closing day.
The escrow process usually lasts 30 days and is considered complete when all financing and inspections have been approved and the property is ready for closing.
At settlement, the buyer will have to submit a cashier’s check or submit a wire transfer of the down payment and closing costs. Once this has been completed, escrow can be closed.
The escrow agent is then responsible for disbursing the funds to the appropriate parties at settlement.
After closing on a property, it is common to have a mortgage escrow. This is different from an earnest money deposit and allows the lender to collect extra funds along with the mortgage payment.
Often these will go into a fund to pay for things like property taxes and insurance premiums on behalf of the homeowner.
Commingling can be a complicated topic. Agents should be aware of the consequences of combining funds and should take all steps to follow the proper escrow procedure.
Talk to your real estate broker or a lawyer to confirm if you’re ever unsure of the proper way to deposit or handle your client's funds.
Your real estate exam will cover in-depth your fiduciary relationship with clients. Make sure you take the time to study commingling for your real estate exam.
You’ll stay informed and ensure you handle your client’s funds the right way, every time.
Real estate brokerages are where agents, brokers, and other staff work. They come in many forms: office buildings, small boutique stores, and even exist entirely digital.
When you become an agent, knowing where to hang your license might be intimidating. There’s a lot of uncertainties with brokerage. This article will tell you everything you need to know about brokerages.
A real estate brokerage is a firm or business entity where real estate professionals work under a licensed real estate broker.
These brokerages are commonly referred to as “real estate firms” or “real estate companies.”
The brokerage serves as the central hub for agents to carry out real estate transactions, including buying, selling, and leasing properties.
It’s also a hub for transaction coordinators, office managers, marketing specialists, assistants, trainers, coaches, legal teams, and property managers.
Brokerages also function like a storefront. Home buyers and home sellers are welcome to enter when they need real estate services.
In the U.S., more than 360,000 real estate brokerage firms are in operation.
These firms range from nationwide franchise networks with hundreds of offices to small, independent brokerages staffed by just a few licensees.
After agents have successfully made sales, the brokerages make money by taking a split of the real estate agent’s commission.
Brokerages may also charge fees for office spaces, marketing, and other resources.
These costs depend largely on the brokerage, available resources, and agent’s experience level.
Some brokerages may offer a 60/40 or 70/30 split. However, the better an agent is at closing deals, the better the split they are offered.
A 100% commission brokerage is a brokerage that gives real estate agents all their commission on every successful transaction.
100% commissions help agents make more money from closing deals.
However, these brokerages still charge fees. Otherwise, they cannot exist. These fees include: office support services, marketing, legal liability, and more.
Typically, 100% commission brokerages are online. That way, they have little to no overhead cost.
This way, they can keep expenses low and get their money by charging flat fees. Depending on your broker, these fees can range from very low to very high.
Choosing a real estate brokerage is critical to the success of a real estate agent. If you would like to pick the best brokerage, you should know one thing:
What’s your goal? Each agent has different goals based on their experience level.
New agents may have the goal of learning as much as they can. In that case, they should choose big brand brokerages as they provide more resources.
Experienced agents may have the goal of elevating their brand. So they may choose a brokerage that specializes in luxury real estate.
Take careful consideration into where you are in your career to help you determine the best brokerage.
New agents should pick a brokerage that provides training and resources. If you’re just starting your career, you need to focus on two things: building your network and learning.
Find a brokerage that will offer you resources like:
Since real estate brokerages want to maintain the integrity of their reputation, they will want their agents to become the best of the best.
Good brokerages understand this and feel incentivized to invest in you.
Brokerages often offer training and educational aids to their agents so that they stay up-to-date on the best practices.
A wide range of possible topics is covered during these training sessions, like understanding contracts, best sales practices, or connecting with your sphere of influence.
Big brand brokerages also offer coaching and mentor programs. The difference between coaches and mentors comes down to your needs.
Coaches will drill specific routines and activities. They help you refine and perfect your practice. A coach can help you perfect a cold calling approach.
Mentors provide deeper wisdom and education into your career. For example, they can provide insight and guidance in what to do during a transaction.
You can always change your real estate brokerage. This process requires filing paperwork with the state’s real estate commission, brokerage, and current brokerage.
If you don’t like your brokerage or your goals change, you can always switch to a different brokerage.
Every brokerage is different. They range from brands to boutique; brick and mortar to online.
The real estate industry is always evolving and changing. With it, the structure and operation of brokerages.
Even brokerages under the same brand (like Century21 or Keller Williams) will differ. Here are few traits you should consider with a brokerage:
Culture fit is an important factor when figuring out what brokerage to work at. How an agent melds with a brokerage’s culture will determine how well they perform and how long they stay.
In other words, if the culture of a brokerage doesn't fit your work style, then it makes going to the office and working with others harder.
The real estate industry is ever changing. To stay relevant you must keep learning and remain up-to-date with the current trends.
Working at a brokerage that offers training resources to its agents is the best way to do this. Some brokerages provide little training. Otherwise invest deeply in it.
When considering a brokerage, you should always prioritize brokerages that have good leadership.
Leadership is important because it helps dictate the brand, reputation, and direction the brokerage takes. If it’s aligned with your career plans, it’s a good match.
What is the difference between a broker and broker associate? Broker associates are licensed brokers who work at a brokerage.
Just because you have a broker’s license, doesn’t mean you have to become a broker. There are a lot of benefits to being a broker associate.
Some of these benefits include:
If you have a broker’s license, you can also choose to be self representing. In other words, start your own brokerage.
Starting a real estate brokerage involves a combination of strategic planning, legal steps, and a solid understanding of the real estate industry.
First, you'll need to be a licensed real estate broker, which means completing the necessary educational requirements and gaining experience as a real estate agent.
Once you're licensed, you can move forward with setting up your brokerage firm, hiring agents, and creating a business plan.
How to start a real estate brokerage successfully involves complying with state regulations, securing financing, and marketing your services to attract clients.
Here are the key steps to how to open a real estate brokerage:
Is owning a real estate brokerage profitable? It can be highly profitable if managed effectively.
Income varies by market size, experience, and whether the broker actively sells homes, but the latest data give a clear range.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a national median wage of $72,280 for real-estate brokers as of May 2024, with the top 10 percent topping $166,730.
Meanwhile, the 2024 NAR Member Profile shows brokers (and broker-associates) with 16 or more years’ experience earning a median gross income of $92,500, and 30 percent of that veteran group make at least $150,000 a year.
These figures reflect brokerage commissions only—broker-owners who also represent clients, manage property, or collect tech/desk fees from their agents can see total take-home earnings rise well above the published medians.
Agents are legally required to work at a real estate brokerage. That means, if you’re an agent, you have to choose one to work for.
Take careful consideration into which brokerage you choose. The decision can have a major impact on your career.
Look for brokerages with the right culture and resources for you. Make sure it aligns with your goals and career plan.
When you’re ready for the next level in your career, you can get your broker’s license. With a license, you can become a broker associate or owner.
There are so many incredible benefits and privileges that come with owning real estate - including access to the “bundle of rights.”
Many homeowners don’t realize that when they purchase a property, they also get the privilege of legal rights that give them the freedom to do with the property they want.
This bundle of five rights is key for homeowners and is heavily featured on the real estate exam.
As you prepare to take your licensing test, make sure you understand the bundle of rights and the value they bring.
The bundle of rights is a legal set of rights associated with purchasing and owning a home.
These rights are awarded to the buyer of a property when the title is transferred to the owner and the sale of the home is finalized.
There are five rights included in the bundle:
Individuals who purchase a property are awarded a set of rights that outlines their legal privileges through ownership.
These rights allow the buyer to use the property however they wish, as long as no laws are broken in the process.
Each of these rights stands by itself, and some of the rights may be distributed to other parties depending on the type of homeownership.
For example, if you buy a home by obtaining a mortgage, the bank or lender will share some of your rights until the home is paid off. Or, if you use the home as an investment property, the renters might also share some of the rights.
However, these rights must ultimately be observed within the scope of other laws or legally binding agreements.
Each of these rights has some limitations and exceptions that can vary based on the type of ownership, the governing rules in the state, and how the homeowner seeks to use the property.
While these rights apply to both residential and commercial properties, in a commercial property, the rights are often shared between multiple parties.
Sometimes called the right of control, the right to use gives the homeowner the ability to use the house as you see fit.
Whether you want to have guests over or potentially rent the property out, as the owner of the house, you are allowed to determine how you use the property and what activities are conducted within the walls of your home — as long as you’re not violating other laws.
This right can be dictated further by things like an HOA or zoning regulations that have a say over how you can use a property, so make sure you comply with those ordinances.
The right to possess is the simple right of ownership that comes with the transfer of the title.
You have the right to own and legally possess the property, which also means you can exclude or include people from your property.
You can prevent people from accessing or trespassing on your property, and you’re legally allowed to exclude people from your property if you wish.
A few exemptions to this rule would be a search warrant or a utility easement that’s in place on the property. In these cases, some of your rights to possess would be diminished.
Sometimes called the right of disposition, the right to transfer says that you are able to transfer, sell, gift, or get rid of the property in whatever way you see fit.
The main caveat to this right is if you have a mortgage. In order to have the right to transfer or sell, you’ll have to pay off any remaining balances with the proceeds from the sale or out of pocket.
If you own the home outright, there are no restrictions on the property transfer.
There are many different types of encumbrance when it comes to homeownership.
The right to encumber gives homeowners the right to do what they want or make improvements to the property.
This could include things like adding a pool to the property, changing the occupancy, renting the property out, and more. It allows you to use the home as collateral to earn profits or take money out against the property's value.
Some things like zoning laws or a mortgage on the property could restrict the right to encumbrance. It’s also required to let prospective buyers know about encumbrances on a property before they buy it.
There are so many wonderful joys to owning a home. And that right to enjoy your property is included in the bundle of rights!
Whether it’s the right to peace and quiet or to use the property as you see fit, there is a protected right to enjoy your property, just as long as you’re following other laws like noise ordinances.
If you live in a community with an HOA, you might have different rules to follow that could potentially supersede your bundle of rights.
When you purchased the property, you likely signed an agreement outlining the HOA rules and how you should follow them. These could impact your rights, but ultimately an HOA’s power can vary state by state.
This bundle of rights will likely be included in the real estate exam, so it’s important to understand each of their uses and descriptions.
One easy way to remember is the acronym UPTEE:
Remember this as you take the exam and are asked about the bundle of rights.
When you buy a home, you get access to a specific set of rights, including the right to use, possess, transfer, encumber and enjoy your new home.
While these rights have some exceptions, it’s important for homeowners and prospective real estate agents alike to understand their values and limits.
Typically, real estate brokerages pay their agents a percentage of the total commissions from a deal, with the remainder of the commission going to the establishment.
Nevertheless, the 100% commission model has begun to gain more popularity because of the shift to online business models.
If you are an agent – especially a newly certified agent – and you are trying to decide if 100% commission real estate brokerage is the way to go, or if you are simply curious about what it is, then keep reading because we’re breaking down the 100% commission brokerage.
A 100% commission real estate brokerage is a brokerage that pays its agents 100% or the entire commission from a successful deal. This implies that agents at such brokerages do not have to worry about splitting their commission with the brokerage.
Generally, in the traditional brokerage model, the commission from every deal is split between the agent and the brokerage, such as 50-50, 70-30, etc. Using 70-30, if a deal produces $100,000 as commission, the agent takes $70,000 while the brokerage keeps $30,000.
However, working with a 100% commission brokerage, the agent keeps the entire commission and is only required to pay a specific amount – which varies depending on the brokerage – as a flat fee for every transaction, no matter the amount of commission.
If we use the example above, the agent keeps the entire $100,000 while paying $75–$600/transaction and totals depend on caps, monthly desk fees and volume.
The 100% commission brokerage is an ideal design for agents, especially the experienced ones who want to work alone and earn more money than they typically would at a traditional model or build a brand name for themselves without worrying about the influence of the brokerage.
Candidates who are best suited for this brokerage model are agents who are skilled, experienced, and do not need in-office training. Most of the time, they have built an impressive clientele and a successful business for themselves over the years.
So, is it too good to be true? Well, let’s explore how 100% commission real estate brokerages actually work and whether or not you should work at one.
Like every other business, real estate brokerages aim to make profits while delivering the desired results to their clients. Hence, the brokerage would not just give their agents 100% commission without finding ways to make money themselves.
As an agent, you are still required to pay specific fees to be part of the brokerage, although these fees are usually fewer than traditional brokerages.
Depending on the brokerage, these fees vary as no real estate brokerage has the same fee structure. Some of these fees include a flat transactional fee for every closed deal, monthly desk fee, yearly fee, compliance fees, technology fees, administrative fees, etc., and they usually go to the general maintenance and sustainability of the brokerage.
When joining a 100% commission brokerage, it is essential to look out for hidden fees and other alternate avenues that these brokerages might use to make more money. Ensure that the brokerage is transparent with their costs and you are familiar with these costs before signing up to be their agent.
Transactions in real estate almost always involve huge sums of money, and if anything goes wrong, the consequences can be dire. Hence, agents need insurance to protect them from the financial aftermath of various errors and liabilities.
One such insurance agents need to acquire is Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance, which covers liabilities and fees associated with lawsuits that arise due to:
Old rule of thumb—writing one big E&O check on day one—has faded. Unlike traditional brokerages, where agents might pay E&O monthly or through a house split, most 100 %-commission firms now deduct a small E&O fee each time you close a deal and stop charging once you hit an annual cap. For example:
This per-deal approach still protects you but spreads the cost over time, so you rarely have to part with a four-figure sum on day one. Other coverages—general liability, cyber-liability, etc.—remain available à-la-carte or through the brokerage’s group policy, but the industry norm for E&O in 2025 is pay-as-you-close with a yearly cap, not an upfront lump-sum premium.
Typically, when joining a more traditional brokerage as a new agent or when you need assistance from more-skilled personnel on closing your deal, you would meet with your superiors at the office. However, this is rarely the case with most 100 %-commission brokerages today.
These firms continue to operate primarily in the cloud, so onboarding, deal reviews, coaching sessions, and team meetings all happen through video chat or inside virtual worlds such as eXp World.
What’s new since 2023 is that several brands now sweeten the package with optional coworking passes or regional hubs for face-to-face meetings when needed—for example, eXp Realty gives every agent complimentary access to more than 4,000 Regus business lounges worldwide, while Realty ONE Group maintains brick-and-mortar offices in many metro areas.
Each brokerage still has its own enrollment flow, but a typical first step is to email your interest and credentials and then complete digital paperwork sent in reply. The virtual model continues to give agents flexibility and independence without the cost of commuting or maintaining a desk—yet those new coworking perks make it easier for rookies who prefer occasional, in-person guidance.
Most 100 %-commission brokerages remain virtual-first, which lets them charge very low monthly fees and keep overhead to a minimum. That said, the blanket “no office” rule no longer applies.
Many cloud brokerages now lease small regional hubs or partner with coworking providers so agents can book a private room or host a listing presentation when professionalism demands it. Realty ONE, for instance, lists staffed offices in dozens of U.S. cities, and eXp’s Regus benefit gives agents a polished setting on demand.
Traditional firms still emphasize a permanent office to reassure clients and to stage internal meetings, but the hybrid approach adopted by leading 100 % shops has narrowed that gap.
A decade ago, agents at 100 %-commission brokerages often went to market with little more than a logo and a transaction management portal.
Today the bigger players pour substantial resources into cloud-based coaching. eXp University streams more than 80 live classes each week and maintains an on-demand library of recorded sessions, while Fathom Realty pairs every new agent with a mentor through its F.A.S.T. program for one-on-one, in-the-field guidance.
The support still differs from the hand-holding available at some traditional brokerages—there is no front desk, and shadowing opportunities are arranged rather than automatic—but new agents can now tap daily training, marketing toolkits, and peer masterminds without leaving home.
The takeaway: coaching exists; you just need the self-discipline to log in and ask for it.
The landscape for buyer representation shifted on August 17 2024, when the National Association of REALTORS® implemented practice changes tied to its antitrust settlement. Two points matter most to agents at 100 % brokerages:
Because you keep the entire gross commission (minus your brokerage’s flat or per-deal fee), your earnings now hinge on (a) explaining your value in that written agreement and (b) structuring the offer so the buyer or seller covers your fee at closing. Seasoned 100 % agents report little pushback so far—average buyer-agent rates stayed near 2.4 % through late 2024—but the new paperwork forces an upfront, transparent conversation that newer agents should rehearse in advance.
For many clients, the fee still comes from seller proceeds as a closing-cost credit; your job is to document it clearly and make sure the purchase contract reflects the negotiated terms. In short, the 2024 rule change rewards agents who can articulate their worth—exactly the skill set that lets a 100 % model shine.
100% commission brokerages are great opportunities for real estate agents to make more money and build a brand for themselves.
However, it is advisable for newly licensed agents to develop experience in more traditional models of brokerage, as 100% commission brokerages do not provide the necessary support and coaching they might need to develop and advance in the real estate world.
If you’re looking to purchase an investment property, there are several factors you’ll likely consider as you start your home search. Is the property in a good neighborhood? What type of improvements needs to be made? How much can I rent the units out for?
One of the main ways to determine the income potential of an investment property is by calculating the gross rent multiplier. This formula can help determine which properties could be a good investment down the line based on the amount of rent they generate annually.
Use our gross rent multiplier calculator to find out what the GRM is on a property. You can alternate tabs to access the fair market value and annual rental income calculator.
The gross rent multiplier is the formula investors use to determine the value and income opportunity associated with a rental property. The GRM is a function of how long the property will take to be paid off based on the anticipated rental income it will bring in.
It’s important to understand that the GRM doesn’t take into account the operating expenses on the property, like maintenance, taxes, insurance, and upkeep. Because GRM doesn’t consider additional expenses, the final number cannot be used as an accurate prediction of how long it will take to pay off but is more of a high-level indicator of the home’s potential earning value. It provides a starting point to investors as they make their decisions and can help compare two properties being considered.
Additionally, lenders will view the income potential compared to the cost of the property as a factor in approving a loan for an investment property.
GRM is a ratio of the rental income the property brings in on an annual basis and the home's fair market value. To calculate it, you use the formula:
Gross Rent Multiplier = Fair Market Value ➗Gross Rental Income
For example, if an investor is looking to purchase a rental property priced at $400,000, and annually it brings in $50,000 in rent, the property’s GRM is 8 years. On the other hand, if a more expensive property brings in more rent proportionally, it could have a lower GRM. Such as a $500,000 home that brings in $75,000 in rent annually. The GRM for this property would be 6.5 years.
You can also use this formula to calculate what a fair market value of a property would be. If you have the GRM of a property and know how much rental income it brings in you can use the following formula to calculate an estimated price of the home:
Gross Rent Multiplier x Annual Rental Income = Fair Market Value
Or, you can use GRM to figure out how much rental income the property brings in. If you know the area’s average GRM, you can use the following formula to calculate annual rental income:
Fair Market Value ➗ Gross Rent Multiplier = Annual Rental Income
These are all helpful formulas as you determine if a property is a good rental investment or not.
As investors are evaluating a property, it’s important to consider the length of time it will take before they can start making a profit on the property. The less time it takes, the lower the GRM will be.
Generally speaking, investors look for a GRM between four and seven years. Depending on the type of market or income potential, a GRM over seven years could still be a good investment — it just depends on how long the investor is willing to take to pay the property off.
GRM and Cap Rate can sometimes be confused with each other. While they are both used in comparing investment properties, they measure different things.
Cap rate, also known as capitalization rate, is calculated by taking its net operating income and dividing it by the property’s current value. It helps determine the potential return on investment — not the length of time to pay off a property.
Another big difference is that cap rate will take into effect costs to operate the property, like taxes, insurance, and occupancy rate, providing a more in-depth look at potential profit.
While the cap rate of a property can more accurately reflect costs, it also requires more information to calculate, making it less popular for investors looking to determine an investment property's earning potential quickly. That’s where GRM can be an easily accessible metric.
What is the best way to find investment properties?
Finding the right investment property can be difficult. The market is competitive, and inventory for good rental properties can be few and far between. As an agent, you can help your clients find the right property with a bit of hard work and consistency.
One way to find off-market investment properties is through on-the-ground grassroots efforts. To do this, drive through neighborhoods, and look for abandoned or neglected properties. You can contact the title company to find out who the owner is and if they’re interested in selling.
Another place to find investment properties is through property management companies that are looking to sell part of the management inventory. These properties are likely already occupied and could be an easy way to start collecting money.
Lastly, individuals listing their home through For Sale By Owner could be a promising avenue for investment property leads. Often these individuals will be looking to save money on commission or marketing expenses, and you can present them with a convenient solution.
With so many investors taking advantage of the hot real estate market, there is a lot of competition to find the most profitable properties.
Make sure you consider the property's condition, location, and rentability before purchasing. Your real estate agent can provide helpful insight and expertise on what will be a good investment!
As you search for an investment property, using the gross rent multiplier formula can help you determine when you might be able to pay off the property and earn 100% profit from rents.
This is helpful for investors comparing which property might be a better investment in the long run. By calculating GRM, you can
Getting your real estate license is an exciting and rewarding career move. As you prepare to take your licensing exam, finding the best real estate school in San Francisco is important to ensure you’re prepared and ready to pass your exam.
While several options are available in San Francisco, students should weigh the pros and cons of each program to ensure it fits their individual needs.
While some students prefer the flexibility of online learning, others may need a more structured classroom environment to understand and grasp the material thoroughly.
We looked at the top real estate schools in San Francisco based on Google Reviews and ranked the best schools in San Francisco for real estate.
With 192 Google Reviews and a 4.9 ranking, US Realty Training's real estate pre-licensing program is at the top of the list. Our innovative platform, coupled with in-person options, provides the best of both worlds for students wanting a comprehensive pre-licensing experience.
Students will benefit from our local real estate trainers who share their real-world experience and walk through the coursework in an engaging and easy-to-understand way. Here's what one student had to say about our program.
I am very pleased I chose US Realty Training to sign up with to help me obtain my RE License. It was a very seamless program from beginning to end. I passed my three courses in exactly 54 days! I applied for the State Exam that same day and took the state exam and passed the first time out!!! The courses and especially the online state exam prep were extremely helpful and really pinpointed the areas I needed to concentrate on. Kian Khalifian was very helpful in scheduling the crash course with Mac Nomura, who was fantastic!
I am very appreciative to US Realty Training and their staff for helping me successfully reach my goal! Thank You US Realty Training!!!
- Deborah Adri
If you’re curious about our education platform and what we offer, you can access our free content library. You’ll find actionable advice, career guidance, and hours of exam prep without enrolling in our program. You can find this content on our YouTube channel or the blog on our website.
Still unsure if our school is a good fit for you? You can enroll in our free introductory class and get a free trial of our online student portal — at no cost or obligation to you. Signing up for the free class is quick and easy.
With regularly scheduled in-person and a bevy of online courses, US Realty Training is one of the only programs that offers in-person and online real estate course options in San Francisco.
With several options like in-person, video, and online live classes, students can pick the best format for them and their learning styles.
Even within our online program, there is flexibility depending on the student’s preference. We have on-demand classes, which are pre-recorded lectures that students can watch on their own time, and live webinar courses for an interactive, classroom experience that you can attend from anywhere.
There are US Realty Training locations throughout the San Francisco area, and students can conveniently attend our in-person classes at our centrally-located office in Oakland. No other program has more local offices in San Francisco.
We offer class options during the day, evening, and weekend, allowing students the flexibility to attend class when it works best for them.
Our San Francisco real estate trainers have first-hand experience navigating the industry and working in real estate. Their knowledge and interactive teachings will guide you through the coursework, making you feel prepared, confident, and excited about your real estate career.
Our trainers are experts at breaking down complicated real estate topics and presenting them in a way that connects with our students, ensuring you not only remember the material but can apply it in real-world scenarios as you start your career.
We work with local trainers who help students prepare for the San Francisco market. Also, our trainers’ cumulative years of experience surpass that of any other program making it the most knowledgeable real estate school in the city.
US Realty Training’s online learning platform was designed with our students in mind, making it a seamless and easy-to-navigate experience. The intuitive design guides students through the pre-licensing coursework and serves as a one-stop shop for all learning material and resources.
Upon enrolling, students will get immediate access to vocabulary flashcards, eBooks, online quizzes, and more.
Are you interested in checking it out for yourself? You can sign up for a free trial of our online student portal and start learning today.
Whether you’re working on getting your broker license or fulfilling your license renewal requirements, we have a class for you.
Our program offers pre-licensing education, state exam prep, broker pre-licensing education, and continuing education. You can rely on US Realty Training for every phase of your real estate education needs!
When you enroll at US Realty Training, you have the support of our dedicated student advisor team to guide you through the coursework.
Whether you have a question about a class or need next steps to launching your career, our knowledgeable student advisor team is there to help, ensuring you have the answers you need.
The support doesn’t end once you graduate. After passing your exam, we can connect you with one of our amazing local brokerage partners throughout the San Francisco area to get your career started.
Although US Realty Training isn’t the cheapest option, we are the most competitively priced for the resources and network we offer our students. An investment in our program is an investment in your future success as a real estate agent.
We also offer a payment plan through Paypal to help make the cost of enrollment even more manageable for students.
California School of Real Estate comes in second on our list with 81 Google Reviews and a 4.9 rating. This school opened in 1941 and has been family-operated ever since.
While they don't have in-person options, they do offer online-only classes in the form of online, on-demand videos and home study materials.
If you're serious about prepping for the real estate exam, this is the place to do it. They were very helpful, and were extremely flexible during the pandemic lockdown. I felt fully supported all the way to my test date. Thanks CA School of Real Estate!
According to its website, the California School of Real Estate has been around since 1941 and was one of the first California-approved real estate schools.
The head instructor has nearly 40 years of teaching experience and has a local perspective that larger, national schools can’t offer.
With its two-phase program starting at $119, California School of Real Estate is one of the market's more affordable pre-licensing education options.
They also offer a 200% money-back guarantee if you don’t pass your state licensing exam.
While the school doesn’t offer in-person courses, they recently released a new PowerPrep Online Program for students to watch lessons on-demand. This home-study format features their head instructor providing tips and tricks to passing the exam in an on-demand video.
Additionally, the schools recently released a “Drive and Prep” program featuring audio lessons for students who prefer auditory learning.
Despite being a local San Francisco business, the school doesn’t offer any in-person classes for students that prefer a traditional classroom setting.
Additionally, their course format is only through on-demand videos, minimizing the number of live interactions students can get with other classmates or their instructors.
With 47 Google reviews and a 4.7 rating, CES Real Estate School ranks third on our list. With both in-person and Zoom-style classes, this option is one of the few local options besides US Realty Training with classes local to San Francisco.
I highly recommend CES Real Estate School! I took all my classes during the covid through zoom. It was the best investment I could of done, In myself. Ms. Charlotte was also a pleasure to work with.
CES Real Estate School offers weekly classes on Wednesday evenings at their San Pablo, California office. While their classroom isn’t centrally located to San Francisco, they do offer courses in other locations like Vallejo.
For students that have already met their pre-licensing coursework requirement, CES Real Estate School offers a Crash Course to prepare for the exam. This course can be taken over 2 days on Zoom, or you can purchase access to 6 hours of on-demand video to help you prepare.
Charlotte Saulter, the founder of the school, has over 20 years of experience running a brokerage, allowing her to apply her real-life learnings to students. In their reviews, students have responded positively to her engaging teaching style and helpful lessons.
With their in-person courses priced at $350, CES Real Estate School is an expensive option. The cheapest coursework, which only includes the practice exam, is $99, with prices increasing from there.
Additionally, as a small, locally run San Francisco option, they only have a few team members, bringing to question the level of support they can provide for students. On their Google reviews, some students reported inaccuracies in final grades and course material from CES Real Estate School.
Realty School 101 is a California-wide school that offers online real estate coursework with 24/7 support. They’re working on revamping their website and coursework for spring 2023, but still offer comprehensive online learning options for those looking to complete their pre-licensing or broker requirements.
Thank you for an online course that was easy to enroll, request and access support any hour of the day. 12 months was more than enough time to get all 3 courses done and to prepare for the state exam.
Realty School 101 allows students to get access to their coursework immediately upon enrolling. Having quick access to the material can help students who are eager to get started or looking to get through the classes quickly.
Realty School 101 operates as an a-la-carte signup process where students can choose different course packages to fit their educational needs. If you only need a specific course, you can enroll in the individual class versus purchasing a larger package with unnecessary extra classes.
With a 24/7 chat and phone support option, Realty School 101 has staff available to help at all hours. This feature can be helpful for students working through the material late at night or on the weekends.
With their courses ranging from $200 to $600, their pre-licensing courses are expensive and could be cost-prohibitive for students on a budget.
Additionally, their coursework does not have an in-person element, so students do not have the benefits of building local connections.
Kaplan Real Estate is a well-known national provider of educational content, including a real estate pre-licensing program. While not local to San Francisco, they offer a California licensing program with several different online class formats.
As a national company with several educational offerings outside of the real estate industry, Kaplan has the power of a large national brand to ensure its platform is constantly updated and innovated.
Its online portal allows students to work through the material at their own pace with options for on-demand, live, and home study courses.
While Kaplan doesn’t have a local San Francisco presence, students can pay extra to add the “Career Launcher” program. This will give you access to a weekly group mentor session that provides students with career tips, guidance, and networking connections.
Kaplan offers both on-demand and live courses and a home study option. Students can pick the format that works best for them.
Students who just want the basic course material can select the more affordable home study option. The live classes might be a good fit if they want a more structured online experience.
As a large national company, Kaplan’s coursework and platform are slightly generic without much personal touch or San Francisco-specific lessons. If students want to build connections deeply and understand the local real estate market, Kaplan might not be the best fit.
Additionally, students who still opt to go with Kaplan will need to pay extra on top of their coursework to benefit from the Career Launcher program.
Originally the KW Real Estate School, the Agent Real Estate School - Oakland is a licensing program with offerings across the state of California.
While the majority of the coursework is done online, they have some in-person meet-ups in other areas of the state, like Irvine and San Diego, which is not convenient for students who live in San Francisco.
Coming in at number seven on our list, they don’t have any student reviews specific to their San Francisco option.
While they don’t have local classes, they offer different online course options, including a fast-track course, virtual group study, and a one-day interactive prep webinar.
Depending on the student’s needs, they can pick the option that works for their timeline and budget.
Agent Real Estate Schools offers a Career Day webinar for potential students to hear from a professional on the real estate industry and career.
This can give some helpful perspective if students are on the fence about making a career move.
The school touts a “concierge” support model for students, giving them access to dedicated guidance through their instructors and staff.
Without any reviews specific to their Oakland program, it is challenging to discern what students thought of Agent Real Estate School.
Additionally, while they say they have local programs, they are associated with a national program that can minimize their website's personal, California-specific touches. This is also evidenced by their lack of in-person Oakland offerings.
As a national online platform, Aceable Agent takes a mobile-first approach to their pre-licensing courses. Their mobile app has several features like flash cards, quizzes and audio narration, making it a good option for students on the go who enjoy podcasts.
Aceable Agent’s claim to fame is their on-the-go learning platform, with the ability to complete the entire pre-licensing course on a mobile device. This could be beneficial for tech-savvy students who are looking to complete coursework online.
For auditory learners, Aceable Agent has an audio narration feature that allows students to listen to their classes as a podcast. Whether you’re in the car or on the run, the platform enables you to complete your class hours through listening.
With a 30-day money-back “Ace or Don’t Pay Guarantee,” students can feel confident that they'll get their investment back if they don’t pass the exam. Considering plans start at $150, this can give peace of mind to those hesitant to spend the money.
The user interface of Aceable Agent can be hard to navigate for students that aren’t as tech-friendly or prefer a traditional, book-based class.
Plus, without a note-taking system on the platform, students will have to write notes in a separate document or refer back to the course material as they study.
Since Aceable Agent is a national platform, there are no San Francisco instructors to help guide students through their courses or connect them with local professionals.
As you research which San Francisco real estate school is right for you, consider each program's reputation and expertise. US Realty Training is consistently top-ranked and loved by students alike.
With over 100 locations in California and over 2,000 five-star reviews, our program will help you ace your exam on the very first try. Are you interested in learning more? Contact us today to get started with a career that can change your life.
Office Hours
Monday - Friday, 9:30am-5:00pm (PST)
Admissions:
Enroll@USRealtyTraining.com
Student Services:
Support@USRealtyTraining.com
Phone: 888.317.8740
US Realty Training
12130 Millennium Drive, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90094
© 2025 US Realty Training. All Rights Reserved.
.avif)
