Chris Linsell – The Close https://theclose.com/author/chris-linsell/ Your #1 Source For Actionable Real Estate Advice Wed, 07 May 2025 08:36:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 https://assets.theclose.com/uploads/2017/12/theclosefbprofile2-60x60.png Chris Linsell – The Close https://theclose.com/author/chris-linsell/ 32 32 5 Best Utah Real Estate Schools for 2023 https://theclose.com/utah-real-estate-schools/ https://theclose.com/utah-real-estate-schools/#respond Wed, 13 Nov 2024 16:19:55 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=13222 Set yourself up for success by picking the right educational institution for your needs.

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Did you know you could be a licensed real estate agent in Utah in less than six months? Well, to start your real estate career, you’ll have to complete a 120-hour prelicensing course. So the first step in your journey should be learning which Utah real estate school is best for you.

Our guide will help you navigate the features that matter most to prospective real estate agents, including affordability, quality of instruction, ease of use, exam prep, and more. We want to help you successfully launch a new career in our industry—so let’s dive in!

5 Best Utah Real Estate Schools for 2023

Our Top 5 PicksPricing FromPromo Codes
The CE Shop$629TheClose35 – Save 35%
Stringham Schools$595
Harman Real Estate Academy$399
Institute of Real Estate Education$445
Utah Real Estate School$599

(Utah prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

The Close logo
Quick Facts
account_balance

Utah Real Estate Governing Body:

Utah Division of Real Estate

schedule

Prelicensing Requirements:

120 hours

inventory

Post-licensing Requirements:

18 hours within two years

school

Continuing Education Requirements:

18 hours every two years

If you’re curious about the types of classes that you’ll need to take throughout your real estate career in Utah, simply jump to the helpful info section. But if you’re ready to choose the best education provider for your situation, keep reading to find out why these are our top picks!

Best Overall Real Estate School in Utah: The CE Shop

The CE Shop scorecard
Pros
  • Offers a five-day free trial
  • Post-licensing included in Premium Package
  • Pass guarantee included in three of four packages
Cons
  • Doesn’t help you make contacts in the local real estate industry
  • No access to a live instructor
  • Pricey
The Close Score
4.6
Value
5.0
Customer service:
5.0
Student experience:
3.5
Features:
3.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
5.0
out
of
5

The CE Shop offers: 

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education

We chose The CE Shop as our top pick because they’re pros in online education. The company’s self-paced course is interactive, which means that the material will be more engaging than the text-only slides that are typical of at-your-own-pace real estate schools. You’ll also be quizzed periodically on the material to ensure that you understand it before moving on to the next section.

Try The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY TRIAL!

The CE Shop lets you test drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit their website today!

The CE Shop Pricing

In Utah, The CE Shop offers four online prelicensing packages. Although it isn’t the cheapest school on our list, its packages often go on sale.

  • Courses Only ($629): On top of your prelicensing course, enjoy digital flashcards and e-books by real estate professionals.
  • Standard Package ($725): You’ll get the course-only features plus a pass guarantee and Exam Prep Edge, The CE Shop’s bundle to prepare you for your license exam.
  • Value Package ($789): In addition to all of the previous features, you’ll enjoy business-building courses for new agents.
  • Premium Package ($955): This top-tier package includes everything from the above packages plus an 18-hour post-licensing course that’ll help you renew your license after your first two years as an agent.

(Utah prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Readers of The Close can SAVE 35% on The CE Shop’s prelicensing course. Use promo code TheClose35 at checkout.

Best Feature

Aside from the five-day free trial, which most schools don’t have, we like that all the add-ons in The CE Shop’s Premium Package will provide you everything you’ll need until your first license renewal. Instructor-led webinars on topics that will be on the license exam? Check. Business-building courses? Check. Your 18-hour post-licensing course? Check. However, if you’re not yet ready to spend a whopping $955 for the Premium Package, we’d recommend you to invest in The CE Shop’s Value Package.

Room to Improve

Even though The CE Shop does advise you on choosing a brokerage and finding your real estate niche in its business-building courses, they won’t be able to introduce you to someone from a brokerage in your hometown who may be hiring. If you’re looking for a company that has a more personal approach to education, you might check out the Utah Real Estate School.

Bottom Line

The 120 hours of coursework will fly by when you purchase a package with The CE Shop.

Enroll Now

Best Real Estate School in Utah for Exam Prep: Stringham Schools

Stringham Schools scorecards
Pros
  • Local company
  • Free demo course
  • Continuing education classes included in top-tier package
Cons
  • Exam prep not included in most basic packag
The Close Score
4.2
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
5.0
Student experience:
3.0
Features:
3.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
4.3
out
of
5

Stringham Schools offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education
  • Broker licensing

A partner school of The CE Shop, Stringham Schools is a local institution that can assist you with Utah-specific real estate instruction. You can choose between two different presentation options: text-only slides and the HD video course. If you learn better from hearing material rather than reading it, the latter choice should be a no-brainer.

Stringham Schools Pricing

In Utah, Stringham Schools offers three prelicensing packages.

  • Sales Agent Prelicense Course ($595): You’ll get access to your prelicensing course in a self-paced format, a textbook, instructor videos, and unlimited technical support.
  • Prelicense + Bundle ($695): You’ll receive the features of the above package plus the exam prep program and real estate legal reference handbook.
  • Prelicense Bundle + New Agent 18-hour CE ($830): Enjoy everything from the above package, as well as the 18-hour post-licensing course you’ll have to take within two years of becoming an agent.

(Utah prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Best Feature

As you go through the practice questions, Stringham Schools’ exam prep material will keep track of what kind of questions you miss. The program will use that information to create a tailor-made study guide, which means the time you spend preparing for the exam will be used efficiently.

Room to Improve

Even though we love Stringham Schools for its exam prep features, you won’t get them unless you purchase the school’s prelicensing bundles, starting at $695. If you’re looking for a more affordable package with test prep included, consider the Utah Real Estate School instead.

Bottom Line

Consider Stringham Schools if quality exam prep that’ll help you ace the state exam is your biggest priority.

Enroll Now

Best Real Estate School in Utah for Students on a Budget: Harman Real Estate Academy

Harman Real Estate Academy scorecard
Pros
  • Online and in-person classes
  • Affordable
Cons
  • There’s only one prelicensing package option
  • No other educational options offered aside from prelicensing
The Close Score
4
Value:
4.5
Customer service:
3.8
Student experience:
4.0
Features:
1.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
4.3
out
of
5

Harman Real Estate Academy offers:

  • Prelicensing

Harman Real Estate Academy has been educating new real estate agents in Utah since 1984. The company made our list for its affordable package price and the option to go back and forth between online and in-person classes.

Harman Real Estate Academy Pricing

Harman Real Estate Academy offers one affordable prelicensing course package.

  • Real Estate Prelicensing Course ($399): A self-paced course, this will give you access to practice exams and textbooks. There are also optional live sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays if you prefer in-person classes.

(Utah prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Best Feature

By purchasing your prelicensing through Harman Real Estate Academy and using their included exam prep material, you can save up to $275 off the total cost of getting a license in Utah.

Room to Improve

While Harman does offer a very affordable prelicensing course for Utah students, you won’t be able to follow that through as your career progresses because the company doesn’t have any other real estate programs. If you prefer a school that also offers continuing education or post-licensing, check out Institute of Real Estate Education.

Bottom Line

Save money on your real estate education by enrolling in Harman Real Estate Academy’s Utah salesperson course today.

Enroll Now

Related Article
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? What You Need to Know

Best Real Estate School in Utah for Instructor Support: Institute of Real Estate Education

Institute of Real Estate Education scorecard
Pros
  • Offers self-paced and live online classes
  • Lots of bonus features included in all packages
  • Offers payment plans
Cons
  • No live instruction option in most basic package
The Close Score
4.6
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
3.8
Student experience:
4.0
Features:
5.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
4.3
out
of
5

Institute of Real Estate Education offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education
  • Broker licensing

Despite its generic name, the Institute of Real Estate Education is the largest locally operated real estate school in Utah. With all the extras that they include in their packages, it’s little wonder why.

The school practices the reverse classroom educational philosophy. This means you’ll listen to the instructional material on your own time. When it’s time to practice what you’ve learned, you’ll have direct access to state-approved instructors who will help you with any concepts you’re struggling with.

Institute of Real Estate Education Pricing

The Institute of Real Estate Education offers four prelicensing packages.

  • Core ($445): You’ll receive the 120-hour prelicensing course, e-books, live webinars, practice exams, access to sample contracts and downloadable resources, a pass guarantee, and networking opportunities with Utah brokers.
  • Live ($645): This includes everything in the previous package plus the option to take your classes in-person or live online.
  • Pass ($845): Besides receiving everything from the previous package, you’ll have access to a real estate law audiobook, exam prep with live instructors, license exam simulations, and a math crash course.
  • Spark ($1,295): This all-inclusive package contains everything in the previous package plus access to 12 weeks of career coaching, as well as courses on negotiation, marketing, sales, and presentation.

(Utah prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Best Feature

The staff of the Institute of Real Estate Education promises to answer your questions within an hour and connect you with area brokerages after you complete your licensing exam.

Room to Improve

Some of the students said the program takes longer than 120 hours to get through. If you’d like a more efficient online educational program, consider going with our top pick, The CE Shop Institute of Real Estate Education.

Bottom Line

You won’t be disappointed knowing the Institute of Real Estate Education offers a local expert available for support.

Enroll Now

Best Real Estate School in Utah for Career Opportunities: Utah Real Estate School

Utah Real Estate School scorecard
Pros
  • Local company
  • Brokerage placement assistance included
Cons
  • Only one prelicensing package option
  • Course is non-refundable
The Close Score
4.2
Value:
4.5
Customer service:
2.3
Student experience:
3.5
Features:
5.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
4.5
out
of
5

Utah Real Estate School offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education
  • Broker prelicensing

Utah Real Estate School is located in Midvale, Utah. While you don’t have to live around Midvale to access the school’s online prelicensing course, you may want to attend one of the free monthly exam prep sessions they offer onsite.

Utah Real Estate School Pricing

Utah Real Estate School offers a single prelicensing package option.

  • 120-hour Agent Online Prelicensing Course ($599): You’ll get the course, a textbook, access to exam prep classes, and placement assistance with a brokerage.

(Utah prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Best Feature

We appreciate that Utah Real Estate School offers free placement assistance for their students. You’ll feel better knowing that you already have a job lined up once you’re licensed.

Room to Improve

Utah Real Estate School has a no-refund policy and students are only given six months to complete the course. If you want to review and learn the material at a more leisurely pace, consider enrolling in the Institute of Real Estate Education, where you’ll get a full year to complete the course.

Bottom Line

If you appreciate the security of job placement help, try Utah Real Estate School.

Enroll Now

How We Selected the Best Real Estate Schools in Utah

At The Close, it’s always our mission to provide you with the best options for your real estate needs. Our team of real estate professionals, writers, and editors use a weighted rubric that involves scoring each school according to the following criteria:

  • Cost
  • Class formats
  • Course offerings
  • Platform usability
  • Mobile and web interface
  • Instructor support
  • Student reviews

Read more about our methodology here.

Utah Real Estate Schools: Helpful Info

Getting your Utah real estate license will take several steps, but your schooling needs won’t stop there. To stay licensed, you’ll need to revisit your real estate education every two years. Typically, state approved real estate schools in Utah offer several if not all of these education types, so make sure you know whether a school has other types of classes before signing up. Let’s take a look.





Utah Real Estate Schools: FAQs

Have more questions about Utah real estate schools? Check out our answers to the most frequently asked questions below. If there’s something we missed, be sure to let us know in the comment section. We’d love to hear from you!









Related Article
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis

Bringing It All Together

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a Utah real estate school. We hope our list will help you choose a school that’ll set you up for success. We’re here to celebrate and support every step of your real estate career. Have advice, insights, or questions? Drop us a comment below!

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https://theclose.com/utah-real-estate-schools/feed/ 0 How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Utah 2024: The Complete Guide Are you searching for how to become a real estate agent in Utah? Discover the steps you need to take to succeed as a realtor by reading our guide now. Buyers Guide,FAQ,how to become a real estate agent in utah The Close logo The CE Shop scorecard Stringham Schools scorecards Harman Real Estate Academy scorecard Institute of Real Estate Education scorecard Utah Real Estate School scorecard expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse
5 Best Michigan Online Real Estate Schools https://theclose.com/michigan-real-estate-school/ https://theclose.com/michigan-real-estate-school/#respond Thu, 09 May 2024 08:45:52 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=13232 Ready to get licensed? We’ve researched real estate schools in Michigan to provide you with an in-depth guide to their offerings, features, strengths and weaknesses.

The post 5 Best Michigan Online Real Estate Schools appeared first on The Close.

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So you’re considering a new career as a real estate agent in Michigan. Congratulations! Your first step is to choose from one of the many MI real estate schools where you can complete the 40 hours of prelicensing education required by the state.

Let us help! We’ve researched real estate schools in Michigan to provide you with an in-depth guide to their offerings, features, and strengths. We’ll share our recommendations to help you choose the right one for your schedule, timeline, and learning style.

5 Best Michigan Real Estate Schools

Our Top Picks
Pricing From
Promo Codes
Best Overall: Colibri Real Estate
$206
TheClose40 - Save 40%
Best for Online: Aceable Agent
$179
Click our Aceable Agent link - Save 25%
Best for Career Advice: Kaplan
$179
KAPRE5 - Save 5%
Best for Live Stream Classes: Michigan Institute of Real Estate
$295
Best Continuing Education: The CE Shop
$209
TheClose35 - Save 35%

(Michigan prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)

The Close logo
Quick Facts
account_balance

Michigan Real Estate Governing Body:

Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA)

schedule

Prelicensing Requirements:

40 Hours

inventory

Post-licensing Requirements:

None

school

Continuing Education Requirements:

19 Hours Every 3 Years

If you want to know the types of classes that you’ll need to take throughout your real estate career in Michigan, simply jump into the helpful info section. But if you’re ready to choose the right school for your needs, keep reading and find out why we’ve selected these as our top choices.

Best Overall MI Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate scorecard
Pros
  • Various course packages, bonus materials, and extra support
  • Easy-to-use web interface
  • Live stream and at-your-own-pace options
Cons
  • Live stream classes offered during weekdays only
  • The Basics course doesn’t come with exam prep materials
  • No CE options
The Close Score
4.1
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
2.3
Student experience:
4.5
Features:
1.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
5.0
out
of
5

Colibri Real Estate Offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep

The main reason we like Colibri Real Estate is its easy-to-follow format. The essential material is repeated often, so you’ve ample opportunities to learn it. If you have problems with a particular topic, you can email or call your instructor to receive further explanation of the content.

Colibri Real Estate Pricing

In Michigan, Colibri Real Estate offers five prelicensing course packages.

  • The Basics ($206): This entry-level package is the perfect choice for someone who’s a disciplined self-starter. It comes with your 40-hour prelicensing course, three real estate e-books, and instructor access via email.
  • Exam Preparation ($284): Aside from everything in The Basics, you’ll also receive simulated exams, audio review guides, and flashcards to help you study.
  • Exam Preparation Plus ($342): You’ll receive everything in the previous packages and 40 hours per month of live access to instructors.
  • Ultimate Learning ($456): Students will receive everything in the previous package plus a one-year professional development program membership. You’ll also receive a printed textbook instead of the e-book provided in the previous three packages.
  • Live Stream Learning ($422): Take your classes during Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and receive all the features of the Ultimate Learning package with a live instructor online.

(Colibri Real Estate prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)

Readers of The Close can SAVE 40% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course. Use promo code TheClose40 at checkout.

Best Feature

Our favorite feature of Colibri Real Estate is its easy-to-follow format. Since the company provides online real estate instruction for most of the states in the country, they have it down to a science. The course is comprehensive, but the material is presented so that even a real estate novice can understand it.

Room to Improve

Most users were happy with their experience with Colibri Real Estate, but it’s not the perfect choice for everyone. Some complained that the material was introduced on text-heavy slides that presented too much information at once.

Bottom Line

Colibri Real Estate is affordable, easy to navigate, and allows you to work through the material at your own pace. Sign up for one of their five packages today to get started on your new career.

Enroll Now

Best MI Real Estate School for Online: Aceable Agent

Aceable Agent scorecard
Pros
  • Ability to take classes from your smartphone or mobile device
  • Updated study material with a great video component to classes
  • Affordable
Cons
  • Basic package offers few exam prep materials
  • Doesn’t offer continuing education classes
The Close Score
3.8
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
3.8
Student experience:
4.0
Features:
1.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
5.0
out
of
5

Aceable Agent Offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep

The main benefit of enrolling with Aceable Agent is that you don’t have to be tied to your laptop or desktop computer to get through the material. Aceable Agent’s Apple and Android apps allow you to learn while you’re waiting in line at the grocery store. Once you return to your computer, you can continue with the material seamlessly.

Aceable Agent Pricing

In MI, Aceable Agent offers three prelicensing education packages for aspiring real estate agents.

  • Basic ($179): With this straightforward course, you’ll enjoy a completely self-paced course. You’ll also get instructor support, “lite” exam prep with more than 1,000 practice questions, and a course on how to find the right broker.
  • Deluxe ($299): You’ll get everything in the previous package plus access to 75 videos, 70 audio lessons, “deluxe” exam prep materials with almost 1,700 practice questions, and a real estate exam prep e-book.
  • Premium ($399): Enjoy everything in the previous package plus an hour of private tutoring with a real estate pro, five live webinars per week, and access to an archive of webinars plus a live stream Q&A where you can ask questions that are on your mind.

(Aceable Agent prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)

Click our Aceable Agent link today to SAVE 25% on its Michigan prelicensing course package.

Best Feature

You know how clunky it feels to visit a website from your phone that’s not mobile-friendly. That’s why Aceable Agent designed their program with an easy-to-use app. Switch back and forth from your laptop to your phone to get through all the course material, or you can choose not to use a computer at all.

Also, Aceable Agent’s instructional material includes a summary at the end of each level so you can do a quick self-check to make sure you’ve retained the essential information. We like their Deluxe Exam Prep, which will prepare you for the state and national parts of the test. If you miss something on the practice test, you’ll receive more instruction on that material so you won’t get the question wrong when it counts.

Room to Improve

Once students become comfortable working within a specific company’s format, they often return to the same school for continuing education courses. Unfortunately, this isn’t an option for Michigan real estate agents using Aceable. Currently, Aceable Agent only offers continuing education courses for agents in Texas, Georgia, and New York. Even if you like Aceable Agent’s format, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with another school’s program to earn your continuing ed credits.

Bottom Line

If you want the flexibility to work through your prelicensing coursework at your own pace, consider trying Aceable Agent.

Enroll Now
Related Article
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? What You Need to Know

Best MI Real Estate School for Career Advice: Kaplan

Kaplan scorecard
Pros
  • Fantastic track record in online education
  • Variety of class formats
  • Optional Career Launcher program
Cons
  • Dated interface, not a great mobile experience
  • Packages offer little flexibility in class choice
  • No phone-based student support
The Close Score
4.1
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
3.8
Student experience:
3.0
Features:
3.5
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
4.0
out
of
5

Kaplan Offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Continuing education

Kaplan has been helping students pass tests since 1938. Even though real estate has undoubtedly changed since then, the company offers a wide variety of online real estate courses. All of Kaplan’s course materials were crafted by top industry professionals, so you can trust that you’re ready come time for your license exam.

Kaplan Pricing

Even though Kaplan offers three prelicensing packages, we recommend the Career Launcher Package. Let’s learn about what each of the packages includes.

  • Michigan Real Estate Fundamentals ($179): This online course includes the 40 hours of instruction required by the state. It also includes unit exams to help you identify areas that need additional study.
  • Michigan Real Estate Fundamentals with Exam Prep ($199): This Kaplan package includes 40 hours of instruction, practice exams, instructor access via email, and access to an online, interactive study group.
  • Career Launcher Package ($399): Besides everything from the previous two packages, you’ll also receive an eight-hour intensive training course and eight weeks of professional coaching. You’ll not only learn how to pass the Michigan real estate exam, but you’ll also learn how to succeed in your career.

(Kaplan prelicensing package pricing as of September 2023)

Readers of The Close can SAVE 5% on any Kaplan prelicensing course in Michigan. Use promo code KAPRE5 at checkout.

Best Feature

Most real estate companies are focused on helping you pass the test, which is why they don’t cover the topics that will make you successful in your business. That’s why we love Kaplan’s Career Launcher

The format is worth mentioning too. Instead of giving you an online slideshow that showcases successful business strategies, you’ll learn from real, live agents from the comfort of your home. You’ll not only benefit from seasoned instructors, but you’ll also be able to interact with other students. Learn about the real estate industry in your area of Michigan by talking with people going through the same process as you.

Room to Improve

In the past, Kaplan was known for providing live classroom experiences for students studying real estate, but its basic education offerings are all at your own pace. While we’re sure it’s much more cost-effective to offer only online self-paced courses, some students need in-person interactions to learn.

Bottom Line

Jump-start your career with the top-tier package offered by Kaplan. Even though this is the most expensive course we’ve suggested so far, we feel that the practical knowledge you’ll learn from their Career Launcher program is worth the extra cost.

Enroll Now

Best MI Real Estate School for Live Classes: Michigan Institute of Real Estate

Michigan Institute of Real Estate scorecard
Pros
  • Access to a live instructor
  • Variety of class formats
  • First six hours of CE included in all packages
Cons
  • Pricey
  • No money-back guarantee
The Close Score
3.9
Value:
3.0
Customer service:
2.3
Student experience:
5.0
Features:
4.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
4.5
out
of
5

Michigan Institute of Real Estate Offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Continuing education
  • Broker prelicensing

Michigan Institute of Real Estate has been educating local real estate agents since 1985. They offer three different instructional methods that all cover the same 40 hours of material. Like the other schools in our buyer’s guide, Michigan Institute of Real Estate offers an online course that you can complete at your own pace, but they also offer a home study program for people who prefer printed materials over online instruction.

In addition to their home study course offering, Michigan Institute of Real Estate made our list because they provide in-person and livestream classes for people who want to learn from a live instructor.

Michigan Institute of Real Estate Pricing

Here’s the breakdown of Michigan Institute of Real Estate’s five prelicensing packages:

  • Online Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Course – Basic ($295): This package includes narrated slides you can access from a computer, laptop, or mobile device. It also includes a video cram course to help you study for the exam, an e-book, and a one-on-one coaching session.
  • Online Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Course – Premium ($395): For an additional $100, this includes everything in the previous package, a physical copy of the test preparation book, and an exam prep program with more than 500 practice questions.
  • In-person or Virtual Classroom Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Course ($355): Attend the 40 hours of prelicensing courses in either an actual classroom in Ann Arbor, Flint, or Oak Park, or view it live, online from your computer at home. The package also includes a textbook, real estate key points, math sheet, webinar recordings, and a six-hour continuing education class.
  • Home Study Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Course – Basic ($349): If you don’t enjoy following a specific schedule, you may prefer this package. It includes a textbook, instructional CDs and DVDs, a video cram course, a one-on-one coaching session, and a six-hour real estate class.
  • Home Study Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Course – Premium ($449): This includes everything in the previous package, an exam prep program with more than 500 practice questions, and flashcards.

(Michigan Institute of Real Estate prelicensing package pricing as of September 2023)

Best Feature

One of the most common criticisms of self-paced classes is that the material is too dull to get through on your own. If your eyes begin to glaze over when reading about types of mortgages or real estate law, you may benefit from a live instructor who’s had lots of professional experience.

Finding live prelicensing classes is increasingly difficult. That’s why we were happy to discover Michigan Institute of Real Estate’s in-person and live stream options. With live online instruction, you still have the benefit of learning from home, but you’ll hear about real-life examples from an actual agent. Anecdotes, examples, and stories work remarkably as learning tools to help you understand complicated material.

Room to Improve

While we appreciate that the school offers the state-required instruction in several different formats, the online class is rather pricey compared to other options on our list.

Bottom Line

Check out Michigan Institute of Real Estate. They are the only locally owned institution on our list, and their live, online class format may appeal to your learning style.

Enroll Now

Best MI Real Estate School for Continuing Education: The CE Shop

The CE Shop scorecard
Pros
  • Modern, expertly designed courses
  • Lots of bonus resources
  • Offers CE courses
Cons
  • No access to live instructors
  • No live instructor support
The Close Score
4
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
3.5
Student experience:
3.5
Features:
3.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
5.0
out
of
5

The CE Shop Offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Continuing education

It only makes sense that our best school for continuing education courses is The CE Shop. After all, continuing education is part of their name. The CE Shop offers a wide variety of classes for practicing real estate agents. That means you can stick with them throughout your career as an agent.

The CE Shop Pricing

In Michigan, The CE Shop offers four prelicensing packages to choose from:

  • Courses Only ($209): Perfect for the student who is self-motivated and studies well with practice materials, this package includes the 40-hour prelicensing course, business e-books, digital flashcards, a glossary, and customizable study schedule.
  • Standard Package ($295): You’ll receive everything in the Courses Only package plus Exam Prep Edge, which offers national and state practice exams.
  • Value Package ($325): Students will receive everything from the Standard Package plus business-building courses to set themselves up for success.
  • Premium Package ($455): Get all of your real estate continuing education courses for the next four years with this package. You’ll receive everything from the previous package plus 18 hours of CE classes.

(The CE Shop prelicensing package prices as of September 2023)

SAVE 35% at The CE Shop. Use promo code TheClose35 at checkout.

Best Feature

When you take your prelicensing courses, you have no choice in what topics you cover. But after you become a licensed real estate agent, you can choose some of your license renewal courses. The CE Shop offers a wide range of courses, including Working With Real Estate Investors, Real Estate Auctions, and Growing Green in Real Estate.

Room to Improve

While most of the reviews are generally favorable, some complained about the test prep material. How this affects you will depend on how many extra exam resources you feel you’ll need when it comes time to prepare for the license exam.

Try The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY TRIAL!

The CE Shop lets you test drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit their website today!

Bottom Line

Thanks to its free trial, there’s no risk in checking out The CE Shop. You’ll get great value for your money with all the bonus features included even in their most basic package.

Start Your Free Trial

How We Selected the Best Real Estate Schools in MI

To ensure that our readers land on one of the best real estate schools in Michigan, we came up with a weighted rubric that involved scoring each school according to the following criteria:

  • Course offerings
  • Class formats
  • Cost
  • Ease of use
  • Web and mobile interface
  • Instructor support

Read more about our methodology here.

MI Real Estate Schools: Helpful Info

It’s important to know that your real estate education doesn’t end with your 40 hours of prelicensing class requirements. Most states have additional requirements so that you can keep pace in your new career, and Michigan is no different. Here are the types of course offerings you can expect to find at both local and national real estate schools.




MI Real Estate Schools FAQs

Do you have more questions about Michigan real estate schools? We’ve got you covered with answers to our most frequently asked questions below. If there’s something we haven’t covered in this article, be sure to leave your question in the comment section.








Related Article
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis

Bringing It All Together

There’s a lot to consider when choosing a Michigan real estate school. Hopefully, our buyer’s guide will help you choose and start your real estate career on the right foot. We are here for you at every stage of your real estate career! Have additional thoughts, advice, or questions? Leave a comment below!

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https://theclose.com/michigan-real-estate-school/feed/ 0 How To Become a Real Estate Agent in Michigan 2024: The Complete Guide Are you wondering how to become a real estate agent in Michigan? Discover the steps you need to take to succeed as a realtor by reading our guide now. Buyers Guide,FAQ,how to become a real estate agent in michigan The Close logo Colibri Real Estate scorecard Aceable Agent scorecard Kaplan scorecard Michigan Institute of Real Estate scorecard The CE Shop scorecard expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse
Zurple Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons https://theclose.com/zurple-review/ https://theclose.com/zurple-review/#respond Tue, 09 Jan 2024 19:33:13 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=50627 Zurple is more than a lead generation platform, they are a lead conversion platform. Are they right for your business?

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Which would you prefer: a lead or a client? Many real estate tech companies will generate leads. Zurple is moving beyond simple lead generation, positioning itself as the industry’s first client generation company.

In this Zurple review, I’ll provide an unbiased look at how it works, examine how much the platform costs, share an exclusive video walk-through, and tell you whether I think Zurple is worth the price tag.

Unlike other Zurple reviews, to determine if the company lives up to the hype, I did a deep dive into Zurple to better understand what it does differently than all the other players in the crowded real estate lead generation space.

The Close Scorecard

Check out The Close scorecard, where I lay out the software’s pros, like lead exclusivity, analytics, and the powerhouse nurturing system, alongside some of the cons, like the limited integrations. Think of the scorecard as a bird’s eye view of Zurple, complete with my overall score based on the criteria I evaluated.

Zurple scorecard
Pros
  • Exclusive leads
  • Powerful lead nurturing system
  • Easy-to-use platform with a minimal learning curve
  • Extra features like social media schedulers and video messaging
  • Excellent analytics
  • Easy team management
Cons
  • Customer service needs improvement
  • Lack of training
  • Limited integrations
  • Websites are basic landing pages, not fully branded
  • No ownership of the websites
  • Six-month contract required
The Close Score
4.2
Pricing:
3.3
Features:
4.3
Integrations:
3.7
Lead Quality:
4.3
out
of
5

I will say that Zurple offers a powerful lead generation option with exceptional nurturing tools for agents who can spend a little more. It may be a difficult platform for a solo agent, especially newer agents, to jump into software this complex. Not because it’s challenging to learn but because it may be a lot to invest right out of the gate. But, for established agents, Zurple provides a steady source of exclusive leads that can continue to build your business on autopilot.

Check Out Zurple

What Is Zurple?

Zurple is a lead generation software that specializes in lead capture and nurturing. The company uses online lead generation strategies to capture leads and employs intelligent lead nurturing on autopilot to increase lead conversion rates. Agents then spend their time making meaningful connections once the lead becomes active.

infographic presentation how Zurple works
Zurple isn’t just focused on getting leads but on converting those leads into clients. It separates itself from the rest with its post-lead acquisition nurturing quality.

Once a lead is captured, their information is fed directly to the Zurple customer relationship manager (CRM), where “Zurple Auto Conversations” take over. This complex set of reactive nurturing campaigns does the bulk of the lead nurturing for you, including email, SMS texting, MLS property alerts, and more. 

These Auto Conversations adjust their flow automatically depending on your lead’s response and website behavior, making their conversion rates and effectiveness very high. When a prospect’s Lead Intelligence Score rises to a certain level, Zurple notifies you to jump in, and you can continue the conversation with a now-active buyer or seller.

One of the best features of Zurple’s lead generation system is the leads are exclusive to the agent. So, no need to worry about competing with other agents for the same lead as you might with a Zillow or realtor.com lead.

Related Article
Real Estate Lead Nurturing: 7 Strategies for Conversion

Zurple Pricing 3.3 out of 5

Zurple offers a base price with add-ons to give you more flexibility regardless of team size. You start with the basic package, then add additional lead streams as your ability to handle them grows. 

Initially, I got a bit of shell shock from the sticker price for this CRM. $149 per month just for the CRM itself seemed like a pretty steep amount to pay for software that doesn’t really integrate with other platforms. But, seeing the power of lead nurturing and the resulting conversion capabilities, the software justifies the heavy price tag.

Here’s the breakdown of Zurple’s pricing:

  • Zurple system: $149 (includes $10 data services fee)
  • Add-ons:
    • Additional website: $100 per month
    • Lead products
      • Pipeline Boost (social media leads): $10 per lead
      • Search engine lead products (auto leads and auto listings): Depends on city, but generally $35 to $40 per lead

Zurple has invested a lot into its lead nurturing system to maximize leads. Because of that, Zurple doesn’t let agents purchase the lead generation system without investing in the Zurple CRM. It wants to ensure any generated leads have the greatest potential to convert.

I get that. Many companies are moving to walled gardens where they keep everything within their ecosystem. But it’s limiting for agents if they want to use software they already know how to use and love. It requires learning a whole new platform that may be missing some features.  

Based on my experience with ad spending, the pricing for Zurple’s lead generation system is expensive. But it is in line with other platforms that provide exclusive leads, especially considering Zurple’s team of advertising pros is doing the work for you. They create the ads and then place them in the optimal times and locations to get the highest rate of return. 

I love how much effort Zurple puts into assisting agents to generate leads, but the nurturing system is where the real value is. Zurple’s system runs more like a sales assistant than a CRM. 

Zurple Review Video Walk-through

Are you curious about what life is like as a Zurple agent? Check out Chris’s video walk-through, where he gets full, unfettered access to the entire Zurple platform and shows you precisely what you’ll see when you become a Zurple user.

Zurple Key Features 4.25 out of 5

Zurple is a complex platform. In this section, I’ll detail how Zurple works, what I like about it, and where I think it could improve. 

Automated Lead Nurturing + Auto Conversations

This feature is probably the most important differentiator. When leads come in, they’re fed directly into the Zurple CRM, which immediately delivers highly engaging interactions to nurture them.

I’m not talking about a basic welcome email drip sequence. These are complex automated outreach campaigns using email, text messages, MLS market updates, new listings, and more.

The game-changer here is that Zurple’s nurture campaigns automatically adjust as the behavior of your leads changes. So, for example, if you send your lead a property alert and they wind up opening that alert and visiting it 10 times a day, the next step in the campaign progress will be different than if they only opened it once.

Zurple calls these nurturing sequences “Zurple Auto Conversations,” and they’re pretty impressive. I love that this technology also works based on your lead’s SMS text response behavior.

This technology is becoming more essential to running your business, especially if you’re a solo agent. It acts almost like a sales assistant, keeping up with your fresh leads, qualifying them, answering questions, and keeping them engaged, all on autopilot. That frees you from spending time trying to keep up with your marketing efforts while still trying to show homes, go on listing appointments, and all the other fun aspects of being a real estate agent. 

Lead-capturing Websites

Zurple agents start by setting up a market-specific landing page for the areas they’re interested in targeting. This site isn’t designed to replace your primary website—it merely provides specific buyer and seller value to capture contact information.

a Zurple landing page with a lead capture form.
Use landing pages to capture data (Source: Zurple)

While the Basic plan only comes with one landing page, many Zurple agents run multiple pages, targeting different market segments and communities in their region. This makes sense, as the more focused your real estate marketing approach is, the more effective it will be. 

Many real estate lead generation companies try to get agents to use their landing pages as company websites because it makes capturing and transferring leads easier. But, these same companies rarely offer the branding, content marketing options, and overall connectivity your real estate website needs to be effective. 

Zurple’s agent websites are intended to be used simply as a lead capture device. I love the simplicity and functionality of Zurple’s landing pages, but I wouldn’t advise an agent to use it as their business website.

Related Article
6 Best Real Estate Website Builders of 2025

Lead Intelligence Scoring

Once your lead has demonstrated certain behaviors, Zurple reviews signs of their readiness to activate as a client. The company will notify you that it’s prepared for you to take over communication.

Zurple lead details page on mobile.
Lead details with Intelligence Scoring (Source: Zurple)

You then remove the lead from the automated communication flow in the CRM, meaning the lead will no longer receive nurturing messages based on their website behavior.

Zurple’s Lead Intelligence scoring is thoughtful and based on the lead’s behaviors. I love how the system prompts you when it’s time to take over the lead communication. There’s no question about when you should jump in because the system, based on the direct lead collection data, tells you. It’s clever how the system prioritizes the leads based on thousands of data points. That way, you can spend more time specifically on those leads who are ready to activate.

Related Article
15 of the Best Real Estate Scripts That Actually Convert

Social Media Marketing Tools

Once you set up your market-specific landing page, you must drive traffic to that page. You can do this through social media tools inside the Zurple CRM. One of my favorite parts is the timeline view, which shows your post history for anything you post from inside the platform.

You can also drive traffic with your marketing, independent website, or paid ads, including those you run on Zillow, realtor.com, and any other Zapier-connected platform. Zurple also offers the option to contract with them to run Google, Bing, and Yahoo ads to drive traffic through search engine results, a logical strategy since their websites are so market-specific.

Screenshot of Buyer Lead ad templates for Facebook in Zurple back office.png
Zurple Quick Ads for social media (Source: Zurple)

The social media ad templates are sharp and reduce your time, especially if you are new to ads. However, the functionality is limited. This is not the place to do all of your social posts. It’s just a place to promote your listings and Zurple websites. 

Analytics

Zurple does an outstanding job giving you tons of feedback on your progress. You can track everything from how many leads have converted and how many leads have come from each source. You can also tell how well individual agents on your team convert their assigned leads. I love how much information it provides to help you improve your conversion rate after Zurple reviews your data.

Screenshot of dashboard inside Zurple back office, including lead details, activity analytics, properties viewed and more.
Lead details inside the dashboard back-office (Source: Zurple)

Integrations 3.75 out of 5

One thing about Zurple that I’m not as crazy about is that you can’t integrate with outside platforms. The company prides itself on capturing leads for you and putting them through the lead-nurturing process. Doing that with any external tools you may be using is challenging. It’s basically a walled garden that you can’t use with any other platform. So, if you want to use this platform, it’s an all-or-nothing solution. 

However, the platform allows outside lead sources to be fed into the system. You can add your Zillow, realtor.com, and Market Leader leads directly into the software so it can get the same lead nurturing treatment as the leads generated from the Zurple landing pages. That ability can help you develop a higher return on investment (ROI) on the money you spend generating leads from those platforms, which adds significant value to the Zurple system.

Lead Quality 4.3 out of 5

Zurple’s automated lead-scoring system is one of my favorite features. When a new lead comes in through any source, it’s fed directly into the CRM. The automation starts, and that’s where the magic begins. Based on the lead’s response to the lead nurturing efforts, the lead’s score will change. In other words, if a lead opens an email vs one that doesn’t, that lead’s campaign will change. You’ll be alerted to those who have shown behaviors that turn it from a cold to an active lead so you can take over the communication efforts when the lead is ready. 

I love this feature! The automated artificial intelligence (AI)-driven nurturing campaigns keep your leads engaged, monitoring their behaviors so you lose fewer of them along the long way. I don’t know about you, but I always found playing the long game in lead nurturing hard. I lost so many leads I generated because they were a year away from making a home purchase. This system prevents that lead loss and helps you convert more leads into sales. 

Zurple also helps keep your pipeline filled with leads in different parts of the sales funnel. And you don’t have to become some kind of marketing expert—Zurple has created a system to do it all for you with their Auto Conversations.  

Zurple Alternatives

As awesome as Zurple is, there may be better choices for you and your business. Let’s take a look at some alternatives worth considering.

Prospecting ToolBest ForPricing
REDXBudget lead gen + auto-dialerA la carte pricing starting at $50 per month
Market LeaderVolume exclusive leads + social media leads$189 for the basic platform + $7 to $30 per lead
SmartZipSeller leads + geographic targeting$299, increasing to $999 depending on market value
Sierra InteractiveEnterprise-level brokerage services, including website, lead gen, lead nurturing, and ad management$500 per month
Real GeeksAll-in-one platform for solo agents$299 per month for up to 2 users

Hey, there’s more than one way to generate leads. If you’re looking for more options to make your lead generation plan fit how you work, check out some of our buyer’s guides below.

Bottom Line: Is Zurple Worth It?

For many agents, the answer is yes. The platform isn’t perfect—Zurple requires a substantial commitment of time and money to maintain the various landing pages and the statuses of the leads that Zurple is nurturing on your behalf. 

But these drawbacks are well worth the benefit in potential commission income for experienced agents, large teams, or brokerages. For newer solo agents, this may be more than necessary. There are plenty of more affordable options that might be a better fit. 

Many companies are moving to walled gardens like Zurple where they keep everything within their ecosystem. But it’s limiting for agents if they want software they already know how to use and love or opt for something more affordable. It requires learning a whole new platform that may be missing some features. 

I do recommend Zurple as a real estate lead generation and nurturing platform for those ready for it. Zurple’s features are well worth the price, the CRM and lead system are intuitive and easy to navigate, and the integrations with other lead sources like Market Leader, Zillow Premier Agent, and others are seamless.

Get Started With Zurple

Methodology: Why You Can Trust This Review

Not all reviews of real estate tech products are created equal. I typically approach any reviews from the perspective of a practicing real estate agent who might use the platform. As a licensed real estate agent, I have direct experience using software to run my business. I have personally closed several real estate transactions, generated leads, and developed and deployed a digital strategy in my business. I have firsthand knowledge of what it takes to be successful in this industry.

Leaning on that experience, I evaluated this lead generation software based on the following criteria:

  • Price vs value provided
  • Lead quality and exclusivity
  • User interface and learning curve
  • Analytics 
  • Lead nurturing and automation

For this Zurple review, I also used a rubric to weigh the software against its competitors to balance my professional opinion with objective assertions. You can trust that the observations, analyses, and conclusions are mine and represent the position of the editorial team here at The Close.

Bottom Line

After an intensive look at Zurple and the benefits it offers real estate professionals, The Close is happy to offer this product our endorsement and recommend it to our readers. 

The platform isn’t perfect—it is certainly a financial commitment as well as a time commitment to maintain the different moving parts of the various websites and monitor the status of the leads that Zurple is nurturing on your behalf. But, these drawbacks are well worth the benefit in potential commission income.

The post Zurple Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons appeared first on The Close.

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https://theclose.com/zurple-review/feed/ 0 Zurple Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons Uncover the potential of Zurple for your real estate business. Explore our in-depth review to determine if this platform suits your real estate business needs. CRM Review,Zurple Review,zurple review Zurple scorecard TheClose_Infographic_PR2 pasted_image_0-removebg-preview Screenshot-2023-12-21-at-4.42.39-PM Screen-Shot-2022-08-23-at-4.45.29-PM Untitled-21
15 Clever Real Estate Prospecting Ideas to Boost Your GCI https://theclose.com/real-estate-prospecting/ https://theclose.com/real-estate-prospecting/#comments Thu, 04 Jan 2024 18:19:55 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=5101 Some agents cold call, others send postcards. But the goal is always the same: to initiate contact with potential clients to turn them into leads. Here are 14 ideas you can act on today!

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Real estate prospecting is the act of generating new clients through active outreach and outbound communication. Rather than waiting for the phone to ring, a real estate agent engaged in prospecting picks up the phone (or emails or texts or knocks on the door) to initiate contact with potential clients.

Learning how to prospect in real estate can be one of the most rewarding pursuits, and, undoubtedly, it’s the best way to generate new leads. If you need to level up your real estate prospecting, I compiled this list of my 15 best tips and have a resource to help you get started right away. 

However, before you jump right in, take a look at Sold.com. It’s a referral service that matches sellers and buyers with agents in their area—and best of all, it’s completely free. So while you’re out there prospecting, Sold.com is busy generating leads.

Get Started With Sold.com

1. Learn the Art (& Science) of Real Estate Prospecting Letters

A critical tool in a real estate professional’s toolkit is the prospecting letter—especially handwritten ones. Simple, efficient, and inexpensive, a prospecting letter serves several purposes:

  • It conveys a lot of information (like a neighborhood comparative market analysis).
  • It’s an easy way to introduce yourself and soften the ground before a phone call.
  • It’s effective: People read hand-addressed letters more often than marketing postcards.

Make sure your prospecting letters are personalized, professional, and authentic. Your goal is to demonstrate your value and prompt prospects to reach out, so include a motivational call to action.

Get started today: Write a prospecting letter to 10 neighboring homeowners about the last transaction you were involved in. Share exactly what you did to complete the job and how you’re ready to help the recipients sell their homes. We’ve got you covered here with our best letter templates and how to use them!

The Close resource: The 15 Best Real Estate Prospecting Letter Templates

Download the 26 Best Prospecting Letter Templates

2. Try Circle Prospecting

Circle prospecting is all about reaching out to the 30 (or so) homeowners who live close to your latest listing or recent closing. Let them know real estate activity is happening in the area and that it is an opportunity for them to get in on the action. 

I use a one-two-punch strategy for circle prospecting:

  1. The moment a listing goes live (or a sale closes), send a postcard or letter alerting your community to the activity.
  2. Follow up with a phone call (or, if you’re feeling bold, a door knock) the day after to start the conversation.

Get started today: Look through your listings (or recent sales), pick a neighborhood to focus on, and send out 30 cards (ideally handwritten). Make sure you’re recording all of this activity in your customer relationship manager (CRM) so you can track your results and add any interested prospects to text or email drip campaigns.

The Close resource: 8 Circle Prospecting Strategies to Boost Lead Generation

3. Base Your Real Estate Prospecting on Predictive Analytics Data

Realtors who use data to guide their decision-making processes are going to come out ahead when prospecting in real estate. Track what you’re doing, what’s working, your response rates—and especially who you’re targeting—so you’re not spinning your wheels. 

You can also use data developed through predictive analytics. Say you want to send prospecting letters but don’t want to waste money on those who aren’t interested. Predictive analytics companies such as SmartZip use thousands of data points to narrow down the prospects in your community most likely to buy or sell.

Get started today: Put big data to work for you in your prospecting. Check out how a predictive analytics platform like SmartZip or Offrs can help you narrow down the prospects in your community to only those most likely to buy or sell. Check out our deep-dive reviews on some of our favorite predictive analytics companies.

The Close resource: SmartZip Deep Dive Review; Offrs Deep Dive Review

Get Started With SmartZip

4. Get Some Face Time With Real Estate Prospects

Let’s start by establishing your overall goal for prospecting. Yes, you want listings and closings, but prospecting is also about establishing the first step in your relationship with a lead. Finishing up a cold call with a listing in your pocket is rare. It’s much more common that you set a date for an in-person meeting. 

My first broker, who’d been in the business for decades, used to say he would prospect in hopes of a handshake. He’d offer to take a stranger to coffee, drop by to see an FSBO listing—anything to get in front of a buyer or seller and establish a connection. 

Humans crave connection on a deep level and the trust that comes with it. A solid relationship with a client increases your chances of closing a deal, which all starts with a handshake.

Get started today: Set up office hours at a local coffee shop. Every time you speak to a cold-outreach prospect, mention that you’re going to be at a coffee shop on a particular morning, and they should drop by for a cup of coffee (on you) to talk real estate (or fly fishing or animal rescue, or whatever is going to start building that relationship). Creating a non-confrontational way to offer a face-to-face experience is an excellent way to build relationships.

The Close resource: If you’re nervous about breaking the ice with strangers while prospecting, here’s our list of the most outrageous, unbelievable real estate facts to warm the conversation up and get things moving along.

5. Remember, You’re Providing Value to Your Community

I often hear new agents say they don’t want to bother anyone with cold calls or door-knocking. Yet the reality is you’re providing value to your community.

When you reach out to potential buyers and sellers, letting them know about your services and expertise, you also make them aware of their real estate options. Remember, you’re the professional. You’ve received specialized training to help your clients make the best real estate decisions possible.

Have confidence in your contribution to the community and be the expert who helps clients navigate buying and selling.

6. Make Your Weekly Goals About Work & Your Long-term Goals About Results

Prospecting is hard work, and it’s easy to feel like you’re spinning your wheels if you don’t set benchmarks. Make your weekly prospecting goals about your work (the number of calls you make, the number of texts you send, the number of doors you knock on). Center your quarterly goals around the amount of business you close. 

This high-level thinking will keep you motivated and focused on big-picture targets—not minor setbacks.

Get started today: Prospecting should be a part of your overall lead generation strategy. Consider where you need to apply your efforts and resources to stay focused on reaching your long-term goals. Use our lead generation plan template to create your blueprint.

The Close resource: 37 Underrated Real Estate Lead Generation Ideas

7. Use an Autodialer to Improve Your Efficiency

Cold calling is not for everyone. In fact, it can be pretty challenging, especially if you hate to hear “no.” But agents cold call because it works. Keller Center Research Report shows that if you’re consistent and put in the time, you will generate leads. 

If you’re a cold caller, you need the best real estate dialers available. I like REDX, which provides leads—expired listings, FSBOs, targeted neighborhoods, and preforeclosures—for you in an organized customer relationship manager (CRM). Their power dialers, which can make you much more efficient, keep the phone calls ringing—all you need to do is polish your scripts.

Get started today: A good first step is to check out our complete guide to real estate cold calling.

The Close resource: Next, you’ll want to decide if a product like REDX, Mojo Dialer, or Vulcan7 can help you level up your cold-calling game. When you’re ready to boost your productivity and prospecting efficiency, REDX offers to waive its $150 setup price for The Close readers.

8. Create a Lead-generating Website

Real estate prospecting is easier if people are already familiar with who you are and what you do. If you haven’t already, create a professional website that provides visitors with information about selling a home in your community. Additionally, offer your visitors an opportunity to search for properties currently listed for sale and a way to contact you with questions.

The very best site providers include lead generation services, which means they capture information from people perusing your site so that you can reach out to them. Website lead gen works because you’ll have easier conversations and higher conversion rates when you speak to your prospects directly.

Get started today: There are a lot—and I mean a lot—of options when it comes to website builders. Start by checking out our roundup of our top picks for website builders.

9. Engage on Social Media 

As mentioned above, prospecting isn’t about cold calling and mass mailings. It’s about starting (and cultivating) relationships with people you think will be buyers or sellers. I’m sure you often hear how important it is to market yourself and engage on social media. So, what does that actually mean in practice? 

Post regularly to your social media platform of choice (I recommend you pick two networks to focus on), but also comment on and like the posts of your followers and those you’re following. Use real estate hashtags to connect with new buyers and sellers. Be part of a larger conversation in your community.

In addition, use social media to connect to people who share your interests. My favorite example is a friend of mine who’s a history nerd and agent. He actively posts and comments on our community history pages so buyers and sellers see him as an authority on the local area. He’s so well-known and respected that he has a huge advantage when prospecting for leads.

Grow your database with a steady stream of affordable, exclusive real estate leads from social media ads. Social Connect from Top Producer is designed to get you a high volume of leads and move them through your pipeline until they’re ready to buy and sell real estate. Connect with an average of 30 consumers interested in real estate in your local market for just $300 per month!

How Social Connect works:

  • Digital advertising experts create and run social media ad campaigns on your behalf
  • You get exclusive leads from your desired local area
  • All leads are automatically nurtured via text and email on your behalf until they’re ready to connect, saving you time and effort

Get started today: Use your social media accounts to connect to others with similar interests and parlay those online interactions into real-life ones.

The Close resource: Check out our library of social media tips and strategy guides and our collection of proven real estate marketing techniques that generate leads.

10. Dedicate 90 Minutes Each Day to Prospecting

Your real estate prospecting efforts will only be successful if they are consistent. Prospecting is a lot of work, so thinking you will get it done in a couple of minutes daily isn’t realistic.

Successful real estate agents set aside 90 minutes every day for prospecting. If you can commit to a regular schedule, you’ll be amazed at the results that 7.5 hours of prospecting each week will yield.

Get started today: Head to your calendar and block off 90 minutes of protected time to prospect each day. I suggest making it the first thing you do every morning since you’re more likely to use your CRM in the morning anyway.

The Close resource: Not in love with your CRM? Check out our round-up of top CRMs and see if one is a better fit for you and your prospecting activities.

11. Call Expired Listings. Every. Single. Day.

Expired listings represent a golden opportunity to land real estate seller leads. After all, these owners have raised their hands and said, “I want to sell my home!” For one reason or another, their home hasn’t sold yet. But chances are, they still want a buyer. 

Before you get an owner of an expired listing on the phone, prepare background information on their property. How much was it listed for? Was it priced right? Was it marketed correctly? Has it been listed more than once in recent years? Use effective expired listing scripts to overcome objections and move quickly.

According to Vulcan7, almost 40% of expired listing homeowners relist within 30 days, which means you have an excellent chance of being their new agent and closing a deal. But also, you’re not the only agent prospecting these leads, so the sooner you get on the phone and start making connections, the better.

Get started today: Head to your MLS and set up an alert for any property that changes to “expired” status.

The Close resource: The 26 Best Expired Listing Scripts + Objection Handlers

12. Call FSBO Sellers. Every. Single. Day.

Like expired listing sellers, FSBOs are fantastic prospects because they have publicly announced that they want to sell their homes. 

However, your strategy will differ from expired listings because FSBOs believe they don’t need a real estate agent (or at least they claim to). Either that, or they don’t want to pay a commission. Often, all it takes to win these listings is a savvy pitch and persistent follow-up. Call attention to the fact that homes sold by a Realtor tend to sell for 32% more than FSBO homes. That percentage could more than account for any concerns about the commission.

Get started today: Be sure to set up a new listing alert for FSBO homes on Zillow since more than 90% of FSBO homes are listed there.

The Close resource: Get comfortable with our best FSBO scripts and assemble a generic FSBO deck that you can tailor to individual homeowners.

13. Don’t Fear the Word ‘No’

According to a famous study by Baylor University on real estate cold calling, it takes an average of 209 calls to set one appointment or get a referral. For those of you who fear rejection, the takeaway is that you will have to endure a lot of gut-wrenching “no’s” before you finally get a “yes.”

For those who have already overcome your fear of “no,” this statement is music to your ears. It means that for every “no” you get, you are quantifiably closer to a “yes.” It means that you will get three appointments if you can make 627 calls weekly (which is totally doable in your 90 minutes each day).

Get started today: Practice with our cold calling scripts. Practice, practice, and practice some more until it’s rote. Practice with family, friends, and fellow agents who can throw objections at you. If your scripts flow naturally, you’re not going to be bothered by a “no”—you’ll just be on to the next potential prospect.

The Close resource: How to Overcome the 3 Most Common Seller Real Estate Objections Like a Boss

Related Article
36 Best Real Estate Text Message Scripts for Agents in 2025

14. Send Direct Mail (It’s Still King)

We know it might not be cool, but plenty of people out there (especially older generations, the ones who actually have houses to sell) appreciate direct mail. Whether it’s a postcard, a thoughtful handwritten letter, or a timely market report, put a stamp on it. The Close’s own Trevor Jones says you get bonus points if you time your voicemail drops to coincide with the arrival of your mail—you get double the impact!

Get started today: Use that data from your predictive analytics resource to ensure you’re targeting the right audience and plan your direct mail cadence.

The Close resource: Check out our round-up of favorite postcards, learn how to use them to generate leads, and get our free design guide.

15. Nurture Your Prospects

🚨Friends, real estate agents, I can’t say this enough: You can prospect all you want: write letters, cold call, talk to everyone in line at the grocery store, but if you don’t nurture your prospects, they won’t ever turn into leads. OK, lecture over.🚨

How do you do it successfully? Start with our guide on long-term lead nurturing, where we offer plenty of tips and tricks to ensure your prospects aren’t falling through the cracks. 

If you have a great CRM, it should come with automation that will help you maintain contact with your prospects. Generally, it takes dozens of “touches” for a prospect to become a lead, and a CRM’s automated email and SMS drips can do just that.

At its heart, though, nurturing is really about showing people that you actually care about them and are paying attention to their needs. Remember birthdays, anniversaries, favorite sports teams, and kids’ names (or use your CRM to help you remember), and you’re halfway there.

Get started today: Think of 20 people in your sphere of influence (SOI) or recent prospects and reach out. Send an email or text (or social media DM) to check in, say you’re thinking about them, celebrate a recent birthday, see how back-to-school went, ask how they spent a recent holiday, or reference a good-natured sports rivalry. We bet you hear back and can move those prospects into your leads column.

The Close resource: Lead Nurturing: Tools & Strategies for Conversion (+ Scripts)


Bringing It All Together 

So, then, what is prospecting in real estate? Real estate prospecting is never forgetting that you’re providing a service to your community through your expertise and professionalism and letting your community know just that! Prospecting in real estate can be tough, but it works. If you put in the time, remain consistent, track your progress, engage with your community, and have some helpful scripts handy, you’ll be successful. On those hard days, remember that each “no” is getting you closer to the “yes.” 

Have additional questions or tips for your fellow agents? Leave us a comment below!

The post 15 Clever Real Estate Prospecting Ideas to Boost Your GCI appeared first on The Close.

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GCI: What It Is & Why It Matters to Every Real Estate Agent https://theclose.com/what-is-gci/ https://theclose.com/what-is-gci/#comments Fri, 15 Dec 2023 07:48:59 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=17682 Gross commission income (GCI) is the full amount of money a real estate agent may receive in exchange for representing a buyer, seller, or both in a real estate transaction.

The post GCI: What It Is & Why It Matters to Every Real Estate Agent appeared first on The Close.

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Gross commission income (GCI) is the full amount of money a real estate agent may receive in exchange for representing a buyer, seller, or both in a real estate transaction. GCI is generally calculated by multiplying the commission rate by the final sale price.

But there’s much more to understanding this key calculation and why it matters to every real estate agent. We’ll explain the difference between GCI and the more complicated net commission income (NCI). We’ll give you a calculator, examples, easy-to-use formulas, and a few tips on how to increase your GCI in 2024.

What Is Gross Commission Income? 

As we mentioned, GCI is the total commission paid as a result of a real estate transaction and is calculated by multiplying the commission rate by the final sale price of the property.

For example, if the commission rate for a particular listing is 6% and the final sale price is $250,000, the GCI would be:

$250,000 x .06 = $15,000

Basic Gross Commission Income Calculator

Want to calculate your own basic GCI? Fill in your final sale price and commission rate below.

When & Why GCI Can Get Complicated

The basic GCI calculation is pretty simple, but several situations can impact this otherwise straightforward formula, including your split, seller concessions, and more.

For example, let’s say the total commission paid on your new listing is 6%, but another agent brings the buyer. In this situation, that 6% commission is divided between two parties. The gross commission income for each agent is now 3%, calculated by dividing the original 6% in half (assuming an equitable split between both sides).

Price negotiations can also affect your GCI. Say you’ve got a seller concession of 2% of the sale price to cover the cost of some repairs. Depending on how the repair addendum is written, the 2% concession may or may not be included in the commissioned sale price.

When figuring your GCI, anything that affects the final amount upon which the commission is calculated must be taken into account.

However, it does get more complicated, especially when trying to figure out your actual take-home income, or your net commission income (NCI). Establishing your NCI requires additional calculations. 

GCI vs NCI: What’s the Difference?

Your NCI is the dollar amount that’s left over from your GCI after everyone else gets their piece of the real estate commission. Though every agent and every transaction is unique, let’s look at some of the typical expenses deducted from the GCI to calculate your final NCI.

  • Broker split: In most situations, agents share a portion of their commission with their broker until they’ve reached their cap for the year. 
  • Team split: If you’re a member of a real estate team, this number usually gets rolled into your broker split. For more information on typical team splits, check out Sean Moudry’s article about real estate team structures.
  • Transaction fee: Sometimes called a desk fee, brokerages may charge agents a flat fee per transaction. This usually covers office rent, utilities, and services.
  • Commission-based referral fees: If you secured your client via referral, either from another agent or from a lead generation service like Zillow Flex, that fee will be deducted from your GCI. 
  • Commission-based marketing: Photographers and videographers sometimes offer no upfront cost payment options as an enticement in exchange for higher rates paid when a property closes.
  • Taxes: Make sure you figure taxes as a final step because you’re only taxed on the income that you actually net, not your GCI. As an independent contractor, you need to set this aside for tax time.

Sample Net Commission Income Calculation

When figuring out your NCI, a sample calculation may look like this:

Why GCI Matters for Real Estate Agents

If you’re a real estate agent working with a traditional cap and split agreement, knowing your GCI is essential for business planning. Imagine how much easier it is to plan out your expenses if you have a sense of what you’re projected to earn and when. It can also be an excellent barometer of how successful your lead generation and marketing efforts have been, and whether they are worth their costs. Your GCI is, above all, a tool for you to use to strategically build and budget for your business. 

Cap Tracking 

When most real estate agents sign on with a brokerage, they negotiate both their cap and their split with their broker. As a quick reminder, their split is the percentage from each commission they earn that goes to their broker. Their cap is the total amount of money an agent will pay via commission to their brokerage in a given year. A typical cap for a mid-sized, non-metro brokerage is between $20,000 and $30,000.

In the example above, we used a typical home sale price of $300,000 and a typical commission rate of 3%. Assuming there’s no referral fee to be paid, a gross commission ($9,000) would be split between the broker (40% – $3,600) and the agent (60% – $5,400).

This split would occur with each transaction until the agent hits their cap of $25,000. At this rate, it would take seven transactions for the agent to reach their annual cap.

Keeping track of your gross commission income throughout the year allows you to understand how close you are to meeting your cap requirements. In most brokerages, once you “hit cap,” you no longer have to split your commission with your broker, putting significantly more money in your pocket at the successful close of each transaction.

Strategic Planning

This shift impacts how you’ll plan your expenditures throughout the year. Knowing your cap helps you be more strategic in your marketing and budgeting. You should evaluate your business plan to make sure you’re taking advantage of your expected cap date. You can use this information to better craft your real estate business plan and set up better spending strategies for lead gen companies like Zillow Premier Agent. You can even adjust your real estate farming strategy based on how much additional revenue you’ll have available.

Measure Your Success 

In the real estate industry, an agent’s success is often measured by their GCI. When you hear someone referred to as a “million-dollar agent,” they’re not talking about the price point of the homes they sell. They’re referring to that agent’s typical annual GCI.

Using GCI as a measuring stick makes it easier to compare an agent’s actual success rate. It’s certainly not the only way we should judge an agent’s success, but it’s a universally identifiable metric, so it’s important to know.

Qualify for Designations

Finally, you’ll need to reach a specific volume of transactions and GCI to qualify for certain real estate designations, like the CCIM designation. Keeping track of your GCI and the perks of reaching specific benchmarks is a great way to advance your real estate career.

How to Increase Your GCI

One of the easiest ways you can increase your GCI is to negotiate a better cap or split with your brokerage, or consider a low-cost virtual brokerage like eXp or REAL. Small adjustments in either your split and/or cap can make a big impact on your bottom line. If you have questions about choosing a brokerage, make sure to check out our Best Real Estate Companies to Work For article.

You can also follow us for more tips on lead generation, prospecting, lead nurturing, and marketing


Bringing It All Together

Do you track your GCI closely? What do you do with that information? Tell us in the comment section below.

The post GCI: What It Is & Why It Matters to Every Real Estate Agent appeared first on The Close.

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REDX Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons https://theclose.com/redx-review/ https://theclose.com/redx-review/#comments Tue, 28 Nov 2023 22:35:04 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=4263 Is REDX worth the price tag? In this review, we’ll dive into the features, pricing, and how this prospecting software can help you grow your business, uncovering the info you need to decide if REDX will work for you.

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REDX is a powerful platform that delivers a diverse assortment of listing leads, an auto-dialer, and a lead management system to help agents crush their cold calling efforts. It promises to be the turbo-charged lead generation tool every agent needs, offering the most up-to-date lead data for FSBOs, expired listings, preforeclosures, and more to give real estate pros a leg up on their competitors, saving time and money. 

But is this prospecting software worth the price tag? In this REDX review, I’ll dive into the features, pricing, and how REDX can help you grow your business, uncovering the info you need to decide if REDX will work for you.

The Close Score

REDX scorecard
Pros
  • A la carte pricing
  • Vortex lead management system
  • Three levels of auto-dialer (Preview-Line Dialer, Power Dialer & Multi-Line Dialer)
  • Easy-to-use scripts
  • User-friendly interface
  • Tons of training
  • Mobile app
Cons
  • Limited integration options
  • High percentage of inaccurate data
  • No integration with outside CRM
The Close Score
4.5
Pricing:
5.0
Features:
4.5
User Interface:
5.0
Integrations:
3.1
Lead Quality:
4.7
out
of
5

Cold calling is not for everyone. But for hungry agents armed with solid cold calling scripts who are motivated to connect with new leads consistently, REDX might be the perfect solution. It offers some of the best data out there for expireds, FSBOs, and preforeclosure leads. And GeoLeads, which allows you to target a specific geographic location regardless of status, takes your prospecting to the next level. 

Ready to start booking more listing appointments? REDX is now offering to waive its $150 setup price for The Close readers.

Visit REDX

What Is REDX?

RedX logo

REDX is a lead prospecting platform with a robust auto-dialer integration. Agents can subscribe to one or more of the five categories of listings: expireds, for sale by owner (FSBO), for rent by owner (FRBO), geoleads, and preforeclosures. 

When you log into REDX, you’ll see a list of fresh leads, complete with phone numbers, addresses, tax information, and even a property listing if it’s been recently listed on the local MLS. REDX mines all of that data from national, private, and even proprietary databases and has access to over half a billion landlines and 200 million mobile phone numbers. 

REDX also helps agents call as many leads as quickly as possible through its Power Dialer, and provides scripts so you know exactly what to say when someone answers. I personally don’t like using the multi-line dialer, though other agents swear by it. It’s a bit nerve-racking to have three lines dialing at once. But the power of the single-line dialer is undeniable, and I love it!

Related Article
The Top 10 Real Estate Lead Generation Companies for 2025

REDX Pricing (5 out of 5)

REDX has an a la carte pricing model with options as low as $50 per month. All paid subscriptions include the VORTEX Lead Management System (LMS). 

Here’s the breakdown of REDX’s a la carte pricing:

App NameMonthly Cost
Vortex$50
Expired Leads$70 (Expired PLUS $130)
GeoLeads$70 (GeoLeads PLUS is $130)
FSBOs$50 (FSBO PLUS is $70)
FRBOs$60 (FRBO PLUS is $80)
Preforeclosures$50 (preforeclosures PLUS is $90)
Power DialerPreview-line dialer is $60, Power Dialer is $100, Multi-line dialer is $150
Market Insights Add-on$25
Data Insights (Financial, Home & Building, Lifestyle)$25 each

Pricing in Context

REDX pricing is set up so you can choose the type of leads you want. Start with one lead source and as your business grows, you can add more types of leads. Choosing the PLUS option for any of these lead types will give you the full Data Insights suite for your list. 

As I mentioned, cold calling is not for everyone. It takes a lot of confidence and practice to make an investment in these types of leads profitable. If you aren’t great at converting leads on the phone, you may end up spending the money without any return on investment (ROI). 

But, if you’re looking at the cost of these leads versus any other lead source, REDX is one of the most affordable lead generation companies on the market. The biggest reason for that is there is no advertising spend associated with these leads. 

Even if you opt for the premium leads from REDX, the monthly investment is under $100 per month for most of the lead types, with the only exception being expireds at $130 per month. Where else can you get so many leads for so little cost?

The best part about these leads is you don’t have to wait for the leads to come to you before you act. REDX delivers fresh, qualified leads each day directly to your VORTEX lead system You’re free to start calling as soon as you open your REDX account. I love the flexibility and stability of knowing I have plenty of reliable leads to work on my time schedule. To me, the cost benefit is completely justified and well worth the spend.

REDX Key Features

Let’s break down the features that make REDX an outstanding choice for agents ready to take their business to the next level.

VORTEX Lead Management (4.8 out of 5)

REDX Vortex dashboard

The REDX experience centers on its lead management system (LMS), called VORTEX, which is where you’ll find a list of all your current leads, their contact information, and links to notes you’ve made from previous conversations. Using VORTEX makes REDX simple. The design is straightforward, so there’s no confusion about what to do when you open the platform. Everything is laid out in the most uncluttered way, so it’s easy to get right to work contacting your leads each day.

VORTEX is not a customer relationship manager, so it doesn’t track all of your client interactions or allow you to put them on a drip campaign—its only job is filling up the pipeline with listing leads and helping you contact them. You can make notes inside each contact card, though, so when you reach out again you’ll be able to jump right back into the conversation.

Subscribe to whatever kind of leads you want to prospect and the platform constantly generates those types of new, qualified leads. While you might be able to find some of this information through your MLS, REDX does all of the hard work for you in a fraction of the time. I always hated mining this data myself so I love how easy it is to access this information. 

The thing I love about VORTEX is its ease of use. When you log into REDX, it’s easy to see exactly where you are and what you need to do next. For many agents, technology can be a barrier to entry. But REDX keeps things simple, which makes it incredibly easy to use.

The one thing I don’t particularly like about REDX is there is no integration with other platforms. So, if you’re in love with your customer relationship manager (CRM), you really can’t easily send your leads to it from inside REDX. You’ll need to work the leads inside REDX until they become active, and then move them into your CRM from there.

Related Article
The 8 Best Places to Buy Real Estate Leads in 2025

Lead Generation (5 out of 5)

REDX uses cutting-edge aggregation techniques to pull together five different types of leads. One of the best things about REDX is its ability to generate high-quality leads that any agent can use to fill their listing pipeline. Their data comes from reputable sources with the most up-to-date information available. Having that information fed into your REDX portal daily saves time and ensures you’re working with the most current data.

In my experience, the data hasn’t always been 100% accurate. But for the record, that’s true for any data mining platform. REDX provides as accurate information as it has access to, which means many times the information it’s pulling from records is simply old or incorrect.

REDX lead filters





Power Dialer (4.6 out of 5)

Screenshot of the REDX Power Dialer startup screen popup.

The REDX Power Dialer calls through your computer or cell phone and initiates a constant roll of calls. The moment someone picks up, you are instantly connected and as soon as that person hangs up, the dialer has already lined up the next one. 

REDX estimates that Power Dialer users have more than four times the number of conversations per hour than manual dialing. More conversations means more appointments and more transactions. 

I personally love how simple the Power Dialer is to access from right inside your VORTEX platform. And because the REDX Power Dialer is integrated with the lead management system, it automatically keeps track of everything, including the disposition of each call, your personal notes, how many calls you’ve made during your session, and much more.

Plus, in its two premium Power Dialer packages, REDX allows you to pre-record a voicemail for each calling session, so you don’t waste time leaving a voicemail every time you reach a mailbox. You can also record your conversations with leads for review later with your sales coach. And the time zone protection makes sure you’re not calling at inconvenient hours. All of these added features make the REDX Power Dialer a smart tool to grow your business fast. 

Three Levels of the Power Dialer

The efficiency of Power Dialer is actually a little overwhelming at first, especially if you are used to the relatively casual pace of manual phone prospecting. But, from my experience, you get into a rhythm rather quickly. It’s exciting seeing how many calls you can knock out in a short amount of time. I personally never liked using the multi-line dialer. But the single-line is an amazing time saver that literally doubled my productivity. 

I find using the dialer helpful to eliminate the hesitation between dials. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it can be mentally exhausting every time you have to dial the phone. So, keeping it going knocks out friction.

The REDX Power Dialer comes in three different packages.

Three Levels of the Power Dialer

Preview-Line Dialer
$60 per month
  • 1 line
  • 1,500 minutes
  • Call with computer or phone
  • Time zone protection
  • Usage log
Power Dialer
$100 per month
  • Everything in the previous package, plus: Unlimited minutes Upload voicemails
Multi-Line Dialer
$150 per month
  • Everything in the previous package, plus: 3 lines Upload callback messages Free spam monitoring

Scripts (4.3 out of 5)

If you don’t have your phone pitch down just right, REDX has multiple scripts tailored to each of their lead sources. The real estate lead scripts are excellent starting points for someone looking to get better on the phone. But, I probably wouldn’t settle on the given scripts verbatim.

What I like about the scripts section is there is a place to add your own scripts to the list. So, for example, if you’re working your FSBOs but the REDX script (which honestly could use some work) doesn’t work for you, you can upload your own script to use instead. That feature makes the scripts section so much more valuable.

The best feature of these scripts is their easy accessibility. They’re located directly inside the lead contact card while you’re dialing. You never have to leave the contact to use the scripts. I also love how easily you can switch between the different types of scripts by simply clicking the different icons, like between a FSBO and a preforeclosure.

Related Article
10 Mike Ferry Scripts to Generate & Nurture Real Estate Leads

Pulse Conversion Tracker (4.8 out of 5)

The REDX Pulse tracks your call time and conversions. For anyone goal-oriented or motivated by hard numbers, this is your happy place. Anytime you need a boost in your motivation, just pop over to the Pulse screen to check in on your progress. It’s clean, clear, and concise—just the pick-me-up a hardworking agent needs.

Analytics (4.4 out of 5)

REDX offers four different bundles of data insights: market, financial, home and building, and lifestyle. Each bundle is considered an add-on for an additional $25 per month, though you can get them for free if you choose the PLUS option for any particular lead type. The analytics are designed to enrich your knowledge and give you the confidence to talk to any lead about any property. 

For example, if you subscribe to the market insights add-on, you could pull up the market data for the local area during your conversation with a homeowner. Having that data at your fingertips can go a long way in helping you look like the neighborhood expert. For me, the price is a bit of an overreach on REDX’s part and not really worth the extra $25 per month. But for some agents, it might be a confidence boost to know they have access.

Training & Troubleshooting (4.6 out of 5)

The training and troubleshooting resources on how to best use VORTEX are essential to increasing your success with the platform. The library of written material and prerecorded videos help answer most questions, and they have phone support during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time). 

There is also a robust blog and an informative podcast with helpful tips and techniques for success. If you need help converting your leads, you can find additional training on using all the features plus additional tips on overcoming objections.

REDX Alternatives

REDX is a leader in the prospecting and phone dialer industry. But they’re not the only game in town. Let’s take a look at some of the alternatives you can compare against the features and pricing of REDX.

Prospecting ToolBest For
Mojo DialerIntegrating with outside platforms (CRMs, lead sources, etc.)
LandvoiceBudget option with no dialer
Vulcan7Teams
Related Article
Mojo Dialer Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons

Who Is REDX Best For?

REDX is perfect for motivated agents who are driven to actively and consistently prospect for leads. If you’re the agent who doesn’t like to sit around and wait for leads to come in, this is a great option and worth consideration. It is also one of the most affordable lead generation companies out there. 

But if you’re worried about committing to regular prospecting, we have other options for you to consider. Check out our article on the best places to buy real estate leads to find the right fit.

Related Article
The 8 Best Places to Buy Real Estate Leads in 2025

The Bottom Line: Is REDX Worth It?

REDX provides a simple interface for agents with easy-to-navigate tools and only the slightest learning curve. Plus, it offers flexible packages so you can enter the outbound prospecting field at your own pace. Overall, REDX provides solid leads and the means needed to convert them at a high level.

However, if you’re not the type of person who feels comfortable cold calling, this may not be the best answer for you yet. REDX is an outstanding platform, but it’s not passive lead generation. You have to actively work these types of leads in order for them to be worth the money. That said, it’s a great platform to begin your outbound prospecting journey.

Methodology: Why You Can Trust My Review

I’ve been a licensed real estate agent since 2018, and I’ve used a myriad of tools to help me run my business, including REDX and other data aggregation companies like it. When I assess real estate software solutions, I approach them through the lens of a practicing agent who would use the platform in my real estate business. 

I combine my personal expertise and a rubric created specifically to weigh REDX against its competitors in an objective and balanced way to add context to my assertions. When I analyze and review platforms, I specifically look at these criteria:

  • Pricing
  • Features
  • Integrations
  • Ease of use
  • User interface
  • Learning curve for implementation

 I also take into consideration any additional systems for: 

  • Marketing 
  • Data analytics 
  • Pipeline management 
  • Automation

You can learn more about our methodology here.

Your Take

Are you ready to take your outbound prospecting to the next level? Using a platform like REDX could be just the tool you need to get there. Have you used a platform like REDX? What was your experience? Let us know in the comment section below.

The post REDX Review: Pricing, Features, Pros & Cons appeared first on The Close.

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https://theclose.com/redx-review/feed/ 5 REDX scorecard REDX_Wordmark_Logo_CA1600 REDX Vortex dashboard REDX lead filters expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse Geoleads interactive lead map Geoleads property search filter Geoleads search neighborhood Geoleads flexible lead source Storm-Dialer Untitled-5
 4 Best Online Real Estate Schools for Louisiana https://theclose.com/best-louisiana-real-estate-schools/ https://theclose.com/best-louisiana-real-estate-schools/#respond Mon, 27 Nov 2023 20:43:20 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=30641 If you're ready to find the best Louisiana real estate school to prepare for the exam, check out our top picks for your budget, schedule, and career goals.

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Ready to get licensed in Louisiana? We’ve got your guide to choosing the best real estate course for your needs right here. We’ve thoroughly reviewed Louisiana’s in-person and online real estate schools for the features that matter to you—affordability, flexibility, instructor support, user experience, and more. We’re here to help you find the school that checks all the right boxes so you can get started right away.

4 Best Louisiana Online Real Estate Schools

Our Top PicksPricing FromPromo Codes
Best Overall: Colibri Real Estate$313TheClose40 - Save 40%
Best School for Career Resources: The CE Shop$295TheClose35 - Save 35%
Best School for Accelerated Study: Burk Baker School of Real Estate & Appraising$195
Best Budget School: ProEducate$149

(Louisiana prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)

If you’re curious about the types of classes that you’ll need to take throughout your real estate career in Louisiana, simply skip to the helpful info section. But if you’re ready to choose a provider, keep reading to find out why these are our top choices out of the many approved to teach in Louisiana.

The Close logo
Quick Facts
account_balance

Louisiana Real Estate Governing Board:

Louisiana Real Estate Commission

schedule

Prelicensing Requirements:

90 Hours

inventory

Post-licensing Requirements:

45 Hours Within the First Year

school

Continuing Education Requirements:

12 Hours Every Year

Best Overall Louisiana Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate scorecard
Pros
  • Easy-to-use online platform
  • Expertly designed curriculum
  • Packages offer a variety of features
Cons
  • No live instruction option
  • No continuing education offerings
  • No access to local real estate brokerages
The Close Score
4.2
Value
5.0
Customer service
3.8
Student experience
3.5
Features
1.0
Reputation
5.0
Online experience
5.0
out
of
5

Colibri Real Estate offers: 

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep

We can’t help but praise Colibri Real Estate for designing an easy-to-use online school platform for all learners. With more than 25 years of experience educating agents nationwide, Colibri Real Estate continues to perfect its online learning platform.

You can expect a seamless user experience whether you’re on your computer, tablet, or mobile device. The courses are organized into manageable sections, and they make sure you get access to instructor support whenever you need it.

Colibri Real Estate Pricing

In Louisiana, Colibri Real Estate offers four prelicensing packages for online self-study.

  • The Basics ($313): Best for self-starters, this package includes your course, state-approved instructor support by phone or email, and three e-books.
  • Exam Preparation ($413): In addition to everything in the Basics package, this includes a Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee and exam prep materials such as flashcards, audio review guides, and simulated exams.
  • Exam Preparation Plus ($470): You’ll get everything in the above package plus Q&A sessions with an instructor and their Exam Crammer webinar series.
  • Ultimate Learning ($542): On top of every previous feature, this package includes a printed copy of the course textbook and one year of access to the Career Booster Pack with professional development resources such as action plan templates, real estate videos, and job aids.

(Louisiana prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)

Readers of The Close can SAVE 40% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Louisiana. Use promo code TheClose40 at checkout.

Best Feature

Colibri Real Estate edges out its competitors by packing extra features into their prelicensing courses while maintaining quality education.

Room to Improve

I’d love to see Colibri Real Estate offer post-licensing and continuing education courses.

Bottom Line

Choose Colibri Real Estate if you’re looking for the latest and most user-friendly design of online courses on the market.

Enroll Now

Best Louisiana Real Estate School for Career Resources: The CE Shop

The CE Shop scorecard
Pros
  • Modern, expertly designed courses
  • Offers a trial period
  • Post-licensing courses included in Premium Package
Cons
  • No access to live instructors
  • No networking opportunities
The Close Score
4.5
Value
5.0
Customer service
5.0
Student experience
3.5
Features
2.3
Reputation
5.0
Online experience
5.0
out
of
5

The CE Shop offers: 

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education

Because it got its start offering quality continuing education nationwide, The CE Shop offers options to help agents fulfill all their real estate education needs. The CE Shop includes career resources in their prelicensing packages to help you start your career strong and offers educational courses for maintaining your license.

Try The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY TRIAL!

The CE Shop lets you test drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit their website today!

The CE Shop Pricing

As an online-only real estate school, The CE Shop offers four comprehensive prelicensing packages.

  • Courses Only ($295): This package includes your 90-hour course, flashcards, a study schedule, and e-books.
  • Standard Package ($369): This package includes everything above plus a pass guarantee and Exam Prep Edge, The CE Shop’s helpful test preparation package.
  • Value Package ($409): On top of everything in the Standard Package, this includes business-building courses that help you set yourself up for success as a new agent.
  • Premium Package ($569): You’ll get all of the above features and the Louisiana 45-hour post-licensing course.

(Louisiana prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)

Readers of The Close can SAVE 35% on The CE Shop prelicensing course. Use promo code TheClose35 at checkout.

Best Feature

While I love the career resources in their packages, you can’t beat a free trial that allows you to check out the entire course before you sign up.

Room to Improve

Although The CE Shop includes many features in its packages, they don’t offer live instructor support like Q&A sessions or webinars.

Bottom Line

Choose The CE Shop if you’re interested in resources that extend into your first years as a new agent.

Enroll Now

Related Article
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? What You Need to Know

Best Louisiana Real Estate Course for In-person Classes: Burk Baker School of Real Estate & Appraising

Burk Baker School of Real Estate & Appraising scorecard
Pros
  • Offers in-person and online self-paced classes
  • Access to a live instructor
  • Affordable
Cons
  • No exam pass guarantee
The Close Score
4.1
Value
5.0
Customer service
3.8
Student experience
4.0
Features
1.0
Reputation
5.0
Online experience
4.8
out
of
5

Burk Baker School of Real Estate & Appraising offers: 

  • Prelicensing
  • Continuing education

Burk Baker, a certified real estate instructor since 1977, opened this school in 1981. The company offers online and in-person prelicensing courses in six locations across Louisiana.

The company offers hybrid packages, so if you’re looking for the accountability of in-person learning and the convenience of online courses, you can have a mix of both. Their online courses offer you the option to attend in-person math tutoring and review sessions.

Burk Baker School of Real Estate Pricing

In Louisiana, Burk Baker School of Real Estate offers online, classroom, and livestream prelicensing options. In-person classes are offered in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Mandeville, Metairie, and Monroe.

  • In-person Louisiana Licensing Course ($645): Take an accelerated two-week course in the mornings Monday through Friday, or take five weeks of evening classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You’ll have access to practice tests, instructor support, a textbook, and math and review sessions.
  • Online Louisiana Licensing Course 101 30-day Access ($195): You’ll get a month’s worth of access to online lessons, videos, practice exams, and e-books. You’ll also have the option to attend in-person math and review sessions.
  • Online Louisiana Licensing Course 101 90-day Access ($295): You’ll get access to everything above for three months.
  • Online Louisiana Licensing Course 101 180-day Access ($395): You’ll get access to all of the above features for six months.

(Louisiana prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)

Best Feature

We like Burk Baker School of Real Estate’s flexible online access options, especially if you have plans to finish quickly. Their two-week accelerated classroom course is also a great option if you’re in a hurry.

Room to Improve

You won’t get as many features through Burk Baker School of Real Estate’s online option as you would elsewhere, since features like math and review sessions are offered in-person only.

Bottom Line

Burk Baker School of Real Estate is for you if you prefer to learn in person or you’re looking to finish your course quickly.

Enroll Now

Best Louisiana Real Estate School for Students on a Budget: ProEducate

ProEducate scorecard
Pros
  • Offers course demo
  • Affordable
  • Packages offer a lot of extra features
Cons
  • No live instruction
  • Dated online interface
The Close Score
4.2
Value
5.0
Customer service
5.0
Student experience
2.5
Features
2.7
Reputation
5.0
Online experience
4.5
out
of
5

ProEducate offers: 

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education
  • Broker prelicensing

ProEducate has been in the real estate education sphere for 35 years, and they focus on offering affordable course options. They offer online self-paced courses that you can gain access to for 30, 60, or 90 days at a time.

ProEducate Pricing

In Louisiana, ProEducate offers online or home study prelicensing packages priced for 30-, 60-, or 90-day access.

  • Online or Home Study Real Estate Fundamentals 30-day Access ($149): You’ll get access to a hardcopy or digital textbook, real estate math review, a real estate glossary, test skills review, and access to an instructor by email for one month.
  • Online or Home Study Real Estate Fundamentals 60-day Access ($169): You’ll get access to everything above for two months.
  • Online or Home Study Real Estate Fundamentals 90-day Access ($189): You’ll get access to all of the above features for three months.

(Louisiana prelicensing package prices as of November 2023)

Best Feature

ProEducate’s prices are the lowest on our list, so they’re a good option for anyone looking to complete their course without breaking the bank. Plus, they’re the only school on our list to offer broker prelicensing courses in Louisiana.

Room to Improve

The course materials are a little bare, relying primarily on audio recordings over PowerPoints, though the information is solid. You’ll need to be self-motivated with good study skills to complete your course.

Bottom Line

ProEducate is for anyone looking for the cheapest course option and who can go without a lot of extra features.

Enroll Now

How We Selected the Best Louisiana Real Estate Courses

To come up with this list of the best Louisiana real estate courses, our team at The Close scored each school using a weighted rubric based on the following criteria:

  • Course offerings
  • Class formats
  • Pricing
  • Schedule flexibility
  • Ease of use
  • Mobile and web interface
  • Instructor support

Read more about our methodology here.

Louisiana Real Estate Schools: Helpful Info

To help you pick the best school for your needs, I’ve outlined what you can expect from the real estate programs on our list.





Louisiana Real Estate Schools FAQs

Got more questions? Scroll down to check out our most frequently asked questions below. If there’s a question we didn’t answer, we’d love to hear from you in the comment section!









Related Article
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis

Bringing It All Together

We hope you feel empowered to take your next step into an exciting real estate career. We design our guides to give you the clearest and most current answers you’re looking for. Have a question? Let us know in the comment section below!

The post  4 Best Online Real Estate Schools for Louisiana appeared first on The Close.

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https://theclose.com/best-louisiana-real-estate-schools/feed/ 0 Best Online Louisiana Real Estate Course Find the best online real estate course to become a licensed agent in Louisiana. Read our expert review to get pricing information and more. FAQ,best louisiana online real estate course The Close logo Colibri Real Estate scorecard The CE Shop scorecard Burk Baker School of Real Estate & Appraising scorecard ProEducate scorecard expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse
How to Get Your Real Estate License in Indiana in 4 Easy Steps https://theclose.com/how-to-get-your-real-estate-license-in-indiana/ https://theclose.com/how-to-get-your-real-estate-license-in-indiana/#respond Fri, 17 Nov 2023 21:47:27 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=39183 If you’re looking to get into the bustling real estate markets in cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, or South Bend, you’ll want to learn how to become a real estate agent in Indiana first. Let’s jump in!

The post How to Get Your Real Estate License in Indiana in 4 Easy Steps appeared first on The Close.

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If you’re looking to get into the bustling real estate markets in cities like Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, or South Bend, you’ll want to learn how to become a real estate agent in Indiana first. The process of getting your license is more straightforward than you think, which means you’re only a few months away from a new profession. Let’s jump in!

Before we start, note that real estate agents in Indiana are referred to as brokers, while those with additional education who can oversee other brokers are called managing brokers. Also, there are a few licensing requirements we should cover. To be eligible for an Indiana real estate license, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Featured Partner

Get 30% Off on Your Prelicensing Course With Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate logo
  • Complete Required Courses: Enroll in and complete the state-specific pre-licensing courses provided by Colibri.
  • Prepare and Pass the Exam: Use Colibri’s study aids and practice tests to prepare, then pass the state licensing exam.
  • Apply for Your License: Submit your application and necessary documents to the state, and activate your license if needed.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Indiana

Checklist block background image
The Close logo
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Indiana
checkmark bullet
Complete a 90-hour Prelicensing Course & Exam
checkmark bullet
Pass the Indiana Real Estate License Exam
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Join an Indiana Real Estate Brokerage
checkmark bullet
Apply for Your Indiana Real Estate License

1. Complete a Prelicensing Course & Exam

To get your real estate license in Indiana, you must complete 90 hours of prelicensing coursework. Your course will cover all subjects required by the Indiana Real Estate Commission, including real estate basics, law, finance, and brokerage operation.

At the end of your course, you’ll need to take a proctored final exam, which is different from the real estate licensure exam. You should be able to do this from home since most Indiana real estate schools have access to exam proctors or include proctoring as part of their course packages.

You can choose whether you want to take your prelicensing course in an online or in-person format. If you’re looking for an online real estate school, we highly recommend looking through The CE Shop’s comprehensive packages. The company manages to keep their prices affordable without skimping on perks such as exam prep, instructor support, and extra resources to get you started as a new agent.

Readers of The Close can SAVE 35% on any The CE Shop prelicensing course in Indiana. Just use promo code TheClose35 at checkout.

Related Article
The 5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Indiana (+ IN License Guide)

2. Pass the Indiana Real Estate License Exam

The Close logo
Quick Facts
monetization_on

Cost:

$53

schedule

Time to Complete:

4 hours

inventory

Format:

125 multiple-choice questions

laptop_windows

What to Bring:

2 forms of valid ID and a non-programmable calculator

school

Passing Grade:

75%

In Indiana, you’ll have the choice of taking your exam in person or online. Choose from one of 22 PSI testing center locations across Indiana, or opt for an online exam with a virtual proctor from the comfort of home. Visit the PSI website to schedule your exam and pay your fee. 

All that’s left before you take your license exam is to ensure you’re prepared. Start by reviewing your course material, and consider investing in a quality exam prep package to boost your confidence. With targeted practice questions, flashcards, and study aids, exam prep can make the difference in ensuring you pass your exam on your first try.

Arrive at the PSI examination site or sign in to your online test platform at least 30 minutes before your exam. This allows time to check your ID and familiarize yourself with the exam instructions. Remember to bring:

  • Two forms of valid ID (one must be a government-issued photo ID with a signature and the other must have your signature)
  • A non-programmable, silent calculator (optional)

You’ll be tested on both state and national topics on your license exam. All questions are multiple choice, and you’ll have four hours to finish. You’ll need 75% correct to pass.

Related Article
Ace Your Exam with Our Free Real Estate Practice Exam

3. Join an Indiana Real Estate Brokerage

In Indiana, you must be associated with a managing broker before you can obtain your real estate license. Your managing broker is an experienced real estate professional who will oversee you as you begin working as part of a brokerage.

To get started, find local brokerages in the city where you’d like to work and begin contacting them. Let them know where you are in the licensing process and ask questions that will help you decide whether or not you want to affiliate with them.

Related Article
Best Real Estate Company to Work For in 2025

4. Apply for Your Indiana Real Estate License

Almost there! Once you find a brokerage, you can apply for your Indiana real estate license online or by mail with the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. 

The real estate license application is relatively simple and straightforward. You’ll only need to provide your personal information and your managing broker’s information to prove that you are affiliated with an Indiana brokerage.

You’ll have to wait four to six weeks for the state to process your license application. Once approved, you’ll be notified by email, or you can check the status of your license application on your MyLicense account.

How Much Does It Cost to Become a Real Estate Agent in Indiana?

The Close logo
Quick Facts
account_balance

Indiana Real Estate Governing Board:

Indiana Real Estate Commission

schedule

Prelicensing Requirements:

90 hours

inventory

Price Range for Prelicensing Courses:

$545-$885

monetization_on

Total Estimated Cost:

$650-$1,200

It costs between $650 and $1,200 to get your real estate license in Indiana. Some of the costs are fixed, such as your exam and licensing fees. But the cost of your 90-hour prelicensing course will vary depending on the provider you choose.

Sample Indiana Real Estate License Costs

Prelicensing classes (90 Hours)$545-$885 (through The CE Shop)
Exam prep (optional)$79-$135
Exam registration$53
Exam retake$53
License application$60
Total Cost$662

(Indiana real estate license costs as of November 2023)

How Much Do Realtors Make in Indiana?

According to The Close’s salary information database, Realtors in Indiana make $67,415 per year, which is lower than the national average of $73,985. Remember, real estate sales is a commission-based career. With the right skills, good work ethic, and commitment, there’s no limit to your income as a real estate broker.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Indiana: FAQs

We have even more answers to your frequently asked questions below. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, let us know in the comment section!





More Career Resources From The Close

We can’t wait to celebrate your success in real estate! At The Close, we’re dedicated to providing you with actionable advice at every stage of your career.

Sign up for our newsletter to keep the articles coming straight to your inbox. Better yet, join our Facebook Mastermind Group to connect with agents nationwide.

The post How to Get Your Real Estate License in Indiana in 4 Easy Steps appeared first on The Close.

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https://theclose.com/how-to-get-your-real-estate-license-in-indiana/feed/ 0 Colibri Real Estate logo Checklist block background image The Close logo checkmark bullet checkmark bullet checkmark bullet checkmark bullet The Close logo The Close logo expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse expand/collapse
5 Best Kentucky Online Real Estate Schools https://theclose.com/kentucky-real-estate-schools/ https://theclose.com/kentucky-real-estate-schools/#respond Mon, 23 Oct 2023 19:56:03 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=47872 If you're researching Kentucky real estate schools to kickstart a new career, check out our buyer's guide to help you find the right program to meet your needs.

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Are you looking for real estate schools to launch your new career in the Bluegrass State? Your journey will start by completing a required 96-hour prelicensing course before sitting for the Kentucky real estate exam.

We’ve chosen our top picks of Kentucky real estate schools to suit every budget, schedule, learning style, and more. If you’re ready for a rewarding and flexible career in real estate, let’s jump in!

5 Best Kentucky Real Estate Schools

Our Top PicksPricing FromPromo Codes
Best Overall: Colibri Real Estate$584TheClose40 - Save 40%
Best for Online: The CE Shop$505TheClose35 - Save 35%
Best for Interactive Study: Kaplan$399KAPRE5 - Save 5%
Best Budget School: Kentucky Real Estate College$395
Best School for Continuing Education: Kentucky Realtor Institute$679

(Kentucky prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

The Close logo
Quick Facts
account_balance

Kentucky Real Estate Governing Body:

Kentucky Real Estate Commission (KREC)

schedule

Prelicensing Requirements:

96 Hours

inventory

Post-licensing Requirements:

48 Hours Within the First Two Years

school

Continuing Education Requirements:

6 Hours Every Year + a Kentucky Core Course Every 4 Years

If you’re curious about the types of classes that you’ll need to take throughout your real estate career in Kentucky, simply jump into the helpful info section. But if you’re ready to choose your education provider, keep reading to find out why these schools made our top picks.

Best Overall Kentucky Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate scorecard
Pros
  • Easy-to-use online platform
  • Expertly designed curriculum
  • Packages offer a variety of features
Cons
  • No live instruction option
  • No continuing education offerings
  • No access to local real estate brokerages
The Close Score
4.4
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
3.8
Student experience:
3.5
Features:
2.5
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
5.0
out
of
5

Colibri Real Estate offers: 

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing

Colibri Real Estate tops our list because of their expertly designed courses and value-based package options. As an industry leader in the real estate education arena, Colibri Real Estate thinks of everything you’d need to complete your course as efficiently and comfortably as possible. Their online courses are all self-paced, but you’ll get the support of live instructors to help you at any point during your course.

Colibri Real Estate Pricing

In Kentucky, Colibri Real Estate offers three self-paced prelicensing packages.

  • The Basics ($584): The Basics package includes your 96-hour prelicensing course, access to instructor support, and three real estate e-books.
  • Exam Preparation ($684): On top of the features in the Basics package, enjoy an exam prep package that includes audio reviews of core topics and a Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee.
  • Ultimate Learning ($884): You’ll get everything from the previous packages as well as a copy of the course textbook, Q&A sessions with live instructors, webinars, and one year of access to Career Booster Pack to help guide you in your real estate journey.

(Colibri Real Estate prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Readers of The Close can SAVE 40% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Kentucky. Use promo code TheClose40 at checkout.

Best Feature

Colibri Real Estate provides the best balance of independent study and interactive support. Unlike other schools, they offer more than phone and email access to instructor help, creating Q&A sessions so students benefit from hearing commonly asked questions answered live. Plus, their Exam Crammer webinar series takes test prep to the next level with even more in-depth review of core concepts.

Room to Improve

If we could ask for more, it would be to include exam proctoring for the course exam as part of their prelicensing packages. Currently, Colibri charges $15 per online proctor. However, if you prefer an in-person proctor, it’s your responsibility to find one that meets Kentucky’s criteria. In-person proctors usually set their own prices.

Bottom Line

You won’t be disappointed in Colibri Real Estate’s well-designed courses and easy-to-use online platform.

Enroll Now

Best Kentucky Real Estate School for Online: The CE Shop

The CE Shop scorecard
Pros
  • Modern, expertly designed courses
  • Offers a trial period
  • Post-licensing courses included in Premium Package
Cons
  • No access to live instructors
  • No networking opportunities
The Close Score
4.5
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
5.0
Student experience:
3.5
Features:
2.3
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
5.0
out
of
5

The CE Shop offers: 

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education

The CE Shop is another favorite choice among prospective real estate agents nationwide. Originally known for their extensive variety of continuing education courses, The CE Shop offers everything you need to start your career as a real estate agent in Kentucky. They also boast high student satisfaction rates and license exam pass rates that are higher than the state average.

The CE Shop Pricing

In Kentucky, The CE Shop offers four self-paced, online prelicensing packages compatible with all your mobile devices.

  • Courses Only ($505): This straightforward package includes your prelicensing course as well as business e-books, digital flashcards, career resources, a real estate glossary, and a study schedule.
  • Standard Package ($569): Enjoy all the features of the courses-only package, but also get Exam Prep Edge, The CE Shop’s exam prep package full of practice questions, and a pass guarantee.
  • Value Package ($619): You’ll get everything in the Standard Package plus business-building courses designed specifically for new agents.
  • Premium Package ($885): This package includes all the previous features as well as your 48-hour post-licensing course and a textbook.

(The CE Shop prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Try The CE Shop’s FREE 5-DAY TRIAL!

The CE Shop lets you test drive their courses and features before you buy. Visit their website today!

Best Feature

We’re most impressed by the ease of use across devices of The CE Shop. Being able to switch easily between your laptop at home and your cell phone while you are away means you can utilize any moment to get ahead and finish your course quickly.

Room to Improve

Though The CE Shop offers plenty of helpful features to get you through your online course, you’ll need to work through it independently. They don’t offer extra interactive support like Q&A sessions or study sessions.

Bottom Line

Choose The CE Shop if you’re looking for a seamless online learning experience across multiple devices.

SAVE 35% on The CE Shop courses using promo code TheClose35

Enroll Now

Best Kentucky Real Estate School for Interactive Learning: Kaplan

Kaplan scorecard
Pros
  • Fantastic track record in online education
  • Networking opportunities and live online coaching sessions
Cons
  • No live instruction option
  • Not great for mobile
The Close Score
4.3
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
3.8
Student experience:
4.0
Features:
3.3
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
4.5
out
of
5

Kaplan offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education

Kaplan has a reputation for quality education and a long track record for preparing students for standardized tests. So, their instructors know how to ensure you walk away with a solid understanding and ace your license exam. They offer online self-paced course options in Kentucky, all with a variety of helpful features.

Kaplan Pricing

In Kentucky, Kaplan offers three online, self-paced prelicensing packages, starting with a basic package all the way to one that offers a variety of career resources.

  • Kentucky Real Estate Principles ($399): This package includes your prelicensing course and access to an interactive study group to cover content in live webinars.
  • Kentucky Real Estate Principles Online Course Package with Exam Prep ($429): Enjoy all the features of the previous package plus get Kaplan’s national and state exam prep online courses.
  • Career Launcher Package ($629): This all-inclusive package has everything from the above packages as well as the Real Estate Acceleration Live Online Course with professional coaching aimed to help you launch your real estate career.

(Kaplan prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Best Feature

The best Kaplan feature is access to a live interactive study group. And since Kaplan has been providing quality real estate education and exam prep for years, we’re assuming you’ll only get the best from their live online coaching too.

Room to Improve

Kaplan focuses on providing you with the features they think matter most: quality courses, exam prep, and interactive methods to ensure you understand the course effectively. As a result, they don’t add extra features like printed copies of textbooks or a pass guarantee.

Bottom Line

Kaplan is a great choice for anyone looking for interactive and live components to their course.

Enroll Now
Related Article
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? What You Need to Know

Best Kentucky Real Estate School for Students on a Budget: Kentucky Real Estate College

Kentucky Real Estate College scorecard
Pros
  • Local company
  • One-stop shop for all your real estate classes
  • Offers payment plans
Cons
  • No live instruction option
  • Proctor not included in the basic package
The Close Score
4.1
Value:
5.0
Customer service:
3.8
Student experience:
3.5
Features:
3.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
4.3
out
of
5

Kentucky Real Estate College offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education
  • Broker prelicensing

Kentucky Real Estate College made our list because they squeeze in the most affordable price on average across all stages of your real estate education. Plus, they’re one of two schools on our list that offer broker prelicensing courses in Kentucky, should you want to make a change to becoming a managing broker in the future.

Kentucky Real Estate College Pricing

Kentucky Real Estate College offers three feature-rich prelicensing packages for prospective agents.

  • Lite ($395): This package includes your 96-hour prelicensing course, instructor support, practice exams, quizzes, and case studies. If you’d like to include the Proctor Pro, it will cost you an extra $36 for three proctored final exam attempts.
  • Essentials ($465): You’ll get all the features of Lite, a course e-book, a state exam prep e-book, and the Proctor Pro.
  • Ultimate ($595): This includes all the features of previous packages, a national exam prep e-book, real estate math e-book, access to MathMaster+ and PerryPrep+, and your 48-hour post-licensing course.

(Kentucky Real Estate College prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Best Feature

Kentucky Real Estate College stands firm with its low-cost packages while including all the basic features students need. Often, schools offer only your course at their lowest price, but Kentucky Real Estate College includes exam prep, instructor support, and even a math class. You’ll even find their Ultimate package really affordable, with the post-licensing course already included.

Room to Improve

Since Kentucky Real Estate College is a local school, we’d prefer it if they also offered scheduled online or in-person classes for students who prefer live instruction.

Bottom Line

Kentucky Real Estate College is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to break the bank and still get a lot of add-ons in their course package.

Enroll Now

Best Kentucky Real Estate School for Continuing Education: Kentucky Realtor Institute

Kentucky Realtor Institute scorecard
Pros
  • Local company
  • Proctor included in all packages
Cons
  • Pricey
  • Course packages don’t have a lot of add-ons
The Close Score
4
Value:
4.5
Customer service:
3.8
Student experience:
2.5
Features:
3.0
Reputation:
5.0
Online experience:
4.5
out
of
5

Kentucky Realtor Institute offers:

  • Prelicensing
  • Exam prep
  • Post-licensing
  • Continuing education
  • Broker prelicensing

Kentucky Realtor Institute is a dependable local institution that offers comprehensive real estate education across your entire career. You’ll get a deeper understanding of Kentucky real estate law and the industry from local experts and professionals with decades of experience. The school holds itself to a high standard when it comes to delivering quality education that will leave you with lifelong knowledge.

Kentucky Realtor Institute Pricing

Kentucky Realtor Institute offers the required 96-hour prelicensing course in two parts (Part A and B) across three package options.

  • The Silver Study Package ($679): This online package includes your course split into Part A: Modern Real Estate Practices (60 hours) and Part B: Kentucky License Law (36 hours), with your proctored exam and quizzes included. You’ll also complete a course project to help you gain a deeper understanding of the concepts.
  • The Gold Study Package ($749): You’ll get everything from the Silver Study package plus a copy of the textbook, study guide, and copy of the Kentucky Realtor Institute License Law Manual.
  • The Platinum Study Package ($849): This offers all of the previous packages’ features plus exam prep materials that include thousands of practice questions, videos, audio lessons, flashcards, live online webinars, and an e-book.

(Kentucky Realtor Institute prelicensing package prices as of October 2023)

Best Feature

Kentucky Realtor Institute leaves no stone unturned when it comes to ensuring you know the ins and outs of local real estate. Plus, their continuing education course options are by far the most extensive, so you can enjoy the quality of their courses without the high price tag of some of their other program options.

Room to Improve

You’ll need to invest in the priciest package from Kentucky Realtor Institute to get exam prep, unlike other schools. Although their exam prep package is one of the most comprehensive, you’ll have to decide whether it’s worth the cost for you in the long run.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for lifelong learning from a reputable local school, then Kentucky Realtor Institute is for you.

Enroll Now

How We Selected the Best Kentucky Real Estate Schools

To come up with this list of the best Kentucky real estate schools, our team at The Close scored each school using a weighted rubric based on the following criteria:

  • Course offerings
  • Class formats
  • Pricing
  • Schedule flexibility
  • Ease of use
  • Mobile and web interface
  • Instructor support

Read more about our methodology here.

Kentucky Real Estate Schools: Helpful Info

Before you start your 96-hour prelicensing course with a school that’s approved in the state of Kentucky, it’s helpful to understand the various real estate programs you’ll encounter throughout your career.





Related Article
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Kentucky in 8 Easy Steps

Kentucky Real Estate Schools FAQs

Have more questions? Scroll down for answers to the most frequently asked questions about getting a real estate license and choosing a real estate school in Kentucky. Don’t forget to add your own question to the comments section. We’d love to hear from you!







Related Article
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis

Bringing It All Together

We hope our handy guide made choosing a Kentucky real estate school a walk in the park. At The Close, we focus on breaking down tips and advice from experts into actionable steps that you can take at any stage of your career. Have any additional thoughts or questions? Leave us a comment below!

The post 5 Best Kentucky Online Real Estate Schools appeared first on The Close.

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How to Get a Florida Real Estate Broker License https://theclose.com/florida-real-estate-broker-license/ https://theclose.com/florida-real-estate-broker-license/#respond Tue, 17 Oct 2023 21:46:48 +0000 https://theclose.com/?p=24501 Are you ready for an exciting career challenge?

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Are you ready for an exciting career challenge? If you’ve enjoyed working as a real estate agent in the Sunshine State, you might be ready to advance your career by earning your Florida real estate broker license.

Becoming a broker comes with additional benefits and increased responsibilities. You might find it easier to land big clients as a broker, and you’ll be able to collect desk fees and up to 50% of the commissions of the agents you manage. Here’s what you need to know about the process of earning your Florida real estate broker license.

What Are the License Requirements for a Florida Real Estate Broker?

Before we dig into the steps, let’s make sure you’re eligible. It’s worth noting that the Florida Real Estate Commission does not require you to be a resident of the state to become a broker. However, to become Florida real estate broker, you must:

  • Be 18 years old or older
  • Have a Social Security number

You’ll also need to meet a minimum threshold of professional experience as a Florida real estate agent and check one of these boxes:

  • Being registered as an active sales agent for at least 24 months during the preceding five years
  • A current and valid real estate broker’s license in any other state for at least 24 months during the preceding five years
  • A four-year degree in real estate

How to Get a Florida Real Estate Broker License

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How to Get a Florida Real Estate Broker License
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Complete a 72-hour Florida Real Estate Broker License Course
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Submit to a Background Check
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Complete the Florida Real Estate Broker License Application
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Pass the Florida Real Estate Broker Exam

If you’ve met all the basic requirements for a Florida real estate broker license, let’s walk through this step-by-step guide.

1. Complete a 72-hour Florida Real Estate Broker License Course

Similar to your prelicensing classes, this course must be taught by a qualified instructor at an approved real estate school. Unfortunately, you cannot apply your prelicensing or continuing education courses to this new broker education requirement.

Florida real estate broker license courses aren’t broken down into individual classes. However, Florida requires that each broker course covers the following topics:

  • Getting started in the real estate brokerage business
  • Valuing real property
  • Listing and selling real property
  • Specialties

As you know from earning your salesperson’s license, choosing the right Florida online real estate school will be crucial to your success. We recommend that you take your Florida real estate broker license course through Colibri Real Estate.

Their Broker Ultimate Learning Package includes the Florida real estate broker license course requirements, the Principles of Real Estate Practice e-book, a real estate math e-book, support from a state-approved instructor, access to a discussion board, one-year premier membership to RISMedia, and 60 hours of state-mandated post-licensing courses.

Earn your Florida real estate broker license by enrolling in Colibri Real Estate!

SAVE 30% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course. Use promo code TheClose30 at checkout.

Related Article
10 Best States for Real Estate Agents

2. Submit to a Background Check

At least five days before you submit your Florida real estate broker application (and after you’ve completed your classes), you need to visit a LiveScan service provider to be fingerprinted. You need to complete this process even if you already submitted your fingerprints to earn your salesperson’s license.

The amount each LiveScan provider charges may vary, but the DBPR also offers this service at its Tallahassee office for $37.25, so you can expect to pay at least that much. You must bring at least two valid forms of ID, including one that was government-issued. The fingerprinting process should take five to 10 minutes.

Related Article
The Average Real Estate Broker Salary for Every State

3. Complete the Florida Real Estate Broker License Application

The next step to becoming a real estate broker in Florida is to set up an online account with the Florida Real Estate Commission. If you already have an account and your current license is linked to it, you can begin to fill out your online application for a broker license.

The application asks for your personal information, for information about your current real estate license, and about your potential criminal history. You’ll also be required to submit documentation to prove that you completed your Florida real estate broker license course and work experience requirements. Once you’ve completed your application, submit it to the state with payment of the $43 fee.

Related Article
Real Estate Broker vs. Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis

4. Pass the Florida Real Estate Broker Exam

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Quick Facts
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Cost:

$36.75

schedule

Time to Complete:

3.5 hours

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Format:

75%

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Passing Grade:

Computer-based, 100 multiple-choice questions

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Bring to the Testing Center:

Two forms of valid ID and certificate of prelicensing education completion

You can take the Florida real estate broker exam from the comfort of your own home. You’ll need a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam, microphone, and strong internet connection. If you’d prefer to take it in person, Florida real estate exam testing sites are located in the following cities:

  • Boynton Beach
  • Coral Gables
  • Doral
  • Ft. Lauderdale
  • Fort Myers
  • Gainesville
  • Hollywood
  • Jacksonville
  • Lakeland
  • Lake Mary
  • Melbourne
  • Miami
  • Oakland Park
  • Orlando
  • Ormond Beach
  • Pensacola
  • Sarasota
  • St. Petersburg
  • Tallahassee
  • Tampa

When taking the Florida real estate broker exam, you must present two forms of valid, signed ID (one must be government-issued). You’ll also need your Certificate of Prelicensing Education Completion, which shows you have completed the Florida real estate broker license requirements within the last two years.

Learn more about the exam by downloading the Candidate Information Booklet, which discusses how to reschedule your exam if you’re ill and what to leave at home (including everyday items like purses and cell phones).

You’ll learn whether you passed or failed immediately upon finishing the exam. If you didn’t pass, you can retake the exam as many times as necessary, as long as you’re successful within two years of your application approval. Once you pass the licensing exam, you must fill out one additional form to activate your broker license. This form, called the Florida Real Estate Commission Broker Transactions Form, doesn’t cost anything to submit.

Related Article
How to Start a Real Estate Brokerage in 9 Steps

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate Broker License in Florida?

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Quick Facts
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Florida Real Estate Governing Body:

Florida Real Estate Commission

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Education Requirements:

72 hours

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Price Range for Real Estate Broker Course:

$199 to $398 (through Colibri Real Estate)

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Total Estimated Costs:

$400-$600

It costs approximately $400 to $600 to obtain a real estate broker license in Florida, which is slightly less than the cost of obtaining a salesperson’s license. If you’re not yet a licensed real estate agent in the Sunshine State, read our article and learn How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida in 5 Easy Steps.

Sample Florida Real Estate Broker License Costs

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Classes (72 Hours) $199 to $398 (through Colibri Real Estate)
Broker License Application $43
Fingerprinting $37.25
Broker Exam Registration $36.75
Exam Retake $36.75
Total Costs $316-$552

(Florida real estate broker license costs as of October 2023)

Check out the Broker Unlimited Learning Package with Colibri Real Estate! It includes the 72-hour broker course plus 60 hours of post-licensing classes that you’ll need to renew your broker’s license the first time!

How Much Money Do Real Estate Brokers Make in Florida?

According to The Close’s salary information database, real estate brokers in Florida make an average of $81,240. This is a great income—a little bit higher than our national average for broker earnings of $79,781. 

However, this isn’t a sure thing, which you understand if you’ve been working in the industry for some time. Even though some months may be more profitable than others, a broker sometimes has additional sources of income. A Florida real estate broker may collect desk fees and a percentage of the commissions of the real estate sales agents working under them. Additionally, some real estate brokers receive income from the ownership of ancillary businesses like title companies or mortgage companies.

Finally, sometimes real estate brokers see an increase in the number of clients they serve because they’ve earned this upgrade in their certification. Homeowners facing high-dollar real estate transactions may trust a broker to handle their purchase or sale more than a real estate agent. Other brokers step away from transactions altogether to focus on building their companies and supporting agents full time. 

Florida Real Estate Broker License FAQs

Are you wondering if it’s worth all that effort to become a real estate broker in Florida? It is a lot of work, but the financial benefits and other rewards may make it worthwhile. Here’s some additional information about the licensing process that may help you decide.





More Career Resources From The Close

We hope you’re excited to earn your Florida real estate broker license. Now that you know how to take the first steps, it’s time to learn more. The Close offers plenty of career resources for every stage of your real estate career. Subscribe to our newsletter to get our articles direct to your inbox. We also invite you to join the conversation in our Facebook Mastermind Group and meet agents from across the country.

The post How to Get a Florida Real Estate Broker License appeared first on The Close.

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