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How to Get Your Colorado Real Estate License

March 8th, 2010

cohomes1With the high unemployment rates topping the headlines nationwide, many individuals are looking for a career change that will provide them with a secure income in any economic climate. Earning a Colorado real estate broker license can be exactly what you need to launch a brand new career with unbridled opportunity for income. The real estate market is on the road to recovery and a growing real estate market is the ideal situation for licensed brokers to maximize their income. In just a few weeks and much less cost than you might think you could be earning remarkable commissions with your Colorado real estate broker license.

Generally the requirements for qualification are simple. Individuals eligible to take the Colorado real estate broker license examination are at 18 years old and of good character. Undisclosed illegal or unethical behaviors could result in the denial of a license. Proof of identity, citizenship and residency will be required to take the exam, and a fingerprint card must be submitted along with the application. For a fee there is fingerprinting available onsite at testing centers. Fingerprints will be used to conduct a criminal background check prior to issuance of a Colorado real estate license.

The education requirements that need to be met in order to take the real estate broker license exam in Colorado are outlined on the state’s Department of Regulatory Affairs’ website. There are 48 hours required in each of the categories of both real estate laws and practices and Colorado real estate contracts and regulations. Closings and brokerage administration will each be covered in 24 class hours, for a total of 48 hours. Practical applications will be covered in 32 course hours. Recordkeeping and trust accounts will be covered in eight hours. For real estate attorneys, there is a 12 hour recordkeeping, trust accounts and closings course. Current legal issues are an eight hour course. The final educational requirement is the Colorado broker transition course. Upon completion of the course work a successful final examination score will be necessary to receive the education completion certificate required to be sent in with the real estate broker license exam application.

conighthomeThe exam application and fees should be sent along with all requirements to PSI licensure: certification. When the application has been reviewed and processed, an examination date will be issued to you. The Colorado real estate broker license examination is administered online at a PSI testing site. The exam results are available immediately upon conclusion of test. Once the exam has been passed, the final requirement to receiving your license will be securing an Errors and Omission insurance policy to protect you as a licensed real estate broker.

Online course are available to meet all of the educational prerequisites, making the transition to a career in Colorado real estate easier than you could imagine. In a couple of months and for less than the cost of a single college course you could be on the road to a prosperous career in real estate.

You can take the complete Colorado real estate license course here at RealEstateExpress! 100% online and for the best price anywhere! Click here for more information.


It’s Missouri Real Estate Continuing Education Time!

March 5th, 2010

maleagentWe’re already well into 2010 and those people with a Missouri State real estate salesperson or broker license know it is about time to submit proof of the completion of their Missouri real estate continuing education coursework. Missouri Real estate broker licenses are set to expire on June 30 and Missouri salesperson licenses on September 30 of 2010 without the submission of the 12 hours of required courses due in even years as per Missouri guidelines.

The 12 hours of continuing education that are required to maintain an active real estate license include three hours of core courses along with 9 hours of elective classes in various real estate related subjects. The core class will cover options for representation in Missouri. Elective courses available to choose from cover a number of different areas.

Most of the Missouri real estate CE courses are three hours, so you can choose three classes from timely topics such as residential finance and short sales to using the web to improve customer service. Environmental issues, working with seniors, anti-trust laws, brokerage, fair housing and risk management are all choices available in three hour courses. There is a six-hour course available that covers Missouri laws and contracts. Should you choose this course you will only need one additional elective course to meet the nine hour elective requirement.

As a licensed real estate agent or broker, you know that often the biggest challenge to completing the requisite classes needed every other year to keep your real estate license active is finding the time in your busy schedule to fit in 12 hours of continuing education. Fortunately there are online classes to choose from that can be completed at whatever time and at whatever pace best suits your lifestyle. The freedom and flexibility that comes with being able to take the required classes from anywhere that you have an internet connection has made the process of maintaining a valid real estate license easier than ever.

clockThe schedule of a successful real estate agent or broker is unpredictable and overwhelming. You have to be ready when your clients are ready, and that can make scheduling traditional classes difficult. Finding the time to sign up for the class is only the first hurdle, it is being able to complete all of the classes as scheduled that can make just 12 short hours feel like a monumental time frame. Online Missouri real estate continuing education courses can be completed any time of the day or night seven days a week offering the ultimate in convenience at a minimal cost.

Once the continuing education courses have been completed it is up to you to submit the proof of completion along with the appropriate forms prior to the date the license is due to expire. If you misplace the proof of completion, you will need to contact the school for additional proof as the Commission does not track your continuing education.

Do not let your real estate license expiration date sneak up on you when completing your continuing education requirements is now so simple.


What Clients Want From Their Real Estate Agent

March 4th, 2010

realtorbuyersReal estate is a wealth generating industry. Almost every multi-millionaire in the country will say that a good portion of their fortune has been made in the real estate industry. Many will say that having a real estate license was instrumental in their financial success. They will also tell you that it takes much more than a real estate license alone to succeed in real estate. To achieve and maintain success in real estate through any economic situation requires knowing what the customer needs and how to get it for them. A real estate license can get you in the door, but the agent that gets the business will be the one with all the other attributes that the customer wants.

Customers want the agent that they choose to be knowledgeable. The real estate agents and brokers that will have the most business will be the ones whose name is synonymous with expert real estate advice. You will be expected to have the answers to all questions directly and indirectly related to a real estate purchase from how are the schools in the area to how many foreclosures were in the neighborhood in the last year. No matter the question, you should have the answers or know where to get them. When you are the person with the most knowledge of the real estate market, you will be the one that customers come looking for to meet their real estate needs.

realtorholdinghouseTrustworthiness is among the most important of considerations when today’s customers are choosing a real estate agent. There is a lot of skepticism in real estate post housing crisis, and customers want someone that they can believe in. A real estate agent with a reputation of honesty and integrity will remain successful in any market climate. Repeat and referral business will be the cornerstone of your financial success.

Understanding your customers and their needs will go a long way toward building your reputation in the real estate community. Even the savviest of customers will need the guidance of a real estate professional, whether or not they know they need it. A skilled real estate agent will be able to guide their customers through the transaction with the least amount of stress and anxiety as possible. Remembering that the purchase of a home, or the sale of one, can be one of the most trying times in a person’s life is important to understanding your customer’s needs. Although it is a process that a successful agent goes through almost daily, you must remember that this is not the case for your customer. Holding their hand falls under the job description of a successful agent.

Once you have your real estate license you are a business owner and the business brand is you. The careful marketing of yourself as a brand is essential to your career in real estate. Knowing and providing the services that customers are looking for in a real estate professional is what will make you a success.


How to Become a California Real Estate Agent

February 15th, 2010

california1Moving into 2010, many people have found themselves looking for a new career. As unemployment levels rise, it is important to find a career path that can withstand economic difficulty. Getting your California real estate license can put you onto a career path that has generated more wealth than any other industry. In a few short weeks you could be on your way to earning unbelievable commissions in the California real estate market.

The requirements are much simpler than you might imagine getting your real estate license in California. The general requirements are few. You must be at least 18 years old and provide proof that you are a resident of the United States. You must also be of good character. Honesty is an essential qualification in order to be considered for a real estate license. Conviction of a crime is not necessarily result in a denial, however not disclosing prior criminal history or disciplinary action will be grounds for denial of your California real estate license. Fingerprinting is required and there is a fee of $56.00 to have it done as a part of the real estate exam application process. There is no experience required to become a licensed real estate agent in California.

As part of the prerequisite education, there are three courses that you will be required to take prior to applying for your real estate license. The courses are 45 hours each for a total of 135 of coursework to qualify for licensure. The first course is Real Estate Principles, which is followed by Real Estate Practice. The final 45 hour course is your choice of a number of different real estate related courses including, but not limited to, real estate appraisal, finance, mortgages, real estate law, escrows and more. Once you have successfully completed all 135 hours with a passing grade, you may apply to take your California real estate license exam.

california2While you are completing this process, you will want to be looking for a qualified broker. Your California real estate license will be inactive until it is posted in the broker’s office for which you intend to work. Be mindful of important details that you should be certain of before you choose a broker to work for. Things such as commission split, office expenses, and lead generation are all details you need to be clear about before you decide who to sign on with. Since as a real estate agent in California you cannot accept payments from anyone except your broker, you will want to have a broker in mind when you are ready to apply for your real estate license.

The California real estate market is rebounding in a big way and people with a California real estate license will be ready to reap the rewards. Real estate in California is more than just homes for sale; people buying a home in California are buying a lifestyle. You are just weeks away from earning incredible commissions in the California real estate market.


The Apple iPad for Real Estate Agents

February 9th, 2010

The newly introduced iPad has taken the ideas behind the iPhone and the compact efficiency of a netbook to create what promises to be an essential tool for anyone with their real estate license. Not only does the iPad have everything you could need right there at your fingertips, it also looks really cool.

ipad1All of the apps currently available on a real estate agents iPhone are also available on the iPad, and new apps are becoming available every day. One highly anticipated app will have state approved contracts for real estate transactions allowing you to use your iPad to pull up a contract, fill it out, and have that contract signed online. Fully executed contracts can be emailed to all interested parties from right there.

The technology offered by the iPad is quite impressive, especially to potential clients. Touch screens and 3G wireless internet capability from almost anywhere is a fantastic way to knock your clients socks off with the wealth of information available to you with the gentle touch of a finger. Instead of scheduling meetings with clients that may require days to synchronize schedules for can be done on the spot with those clients that are also using the video chat technology. Every successful real estate agent and broker understands that time is money. Having the ability to have that online meeting right now instead of waiting days or weeks translates into faster closings and happier clients.

Something widely underused by many established real estate agents is video on their websites or social media sites. The newest agents that are just receiving their real estate license are going to be using all of the latest technology available to help them stand out in the crowd. Seasoned real estate agents are going to have to get on board as clients become more and more technology savvy. Many potential clients do a great deal of research on the real estate market, and well as the agents themselves, using the internet. If you cannot set yourself apart from the masses marketing yourself, clients will think you cannot effectively market their home.

The price point of the iPad is comparable to many standard laptops and surprisingly significantly less than other notepads with touch screen technology and Wi-Fi capabilities. Even at its introductory price of between $499.00 and $829.00, the iPad is competitively priced, and those prices are likely to go down even further by next year to between $199.00 and $299.00, roughly equal to the current price point of a netbook.

Having answers to every possible client question or concern is urgent in building a solid reputation as a knowledgeable real estate agent. To know everything you need the latest technology at your fingertips to be able to find the most updated information for your clients when they ask the question. The iPad has combined what the iPhone is with what the Netbook should have been to create what is sure to become a necessity to every successful real estate agent.


Why Real Estate Investors Should Have a Real Estate License

February 2nd, 2010

real estate investors

If you’re a real estate investor, you spend a great deal of your time dealing with real estate professionals. You also spend a great deal of your investment profits on real estate commissions paid to real estate agents. If you are able to devote the time and energy, you may want to think about getting your real estate license as a way to increase both your investments and your income. Although it may mean additional work to do, including real estate licensing education, the benefits of having a real estate license as a real estate investor far outweigh the drawbacks for most people.

Having your real estate license allows you to remain in control of your own transactions. You are able to list and market your own properties. You will no longer have to worry that your agent is not doing enough to promote your homes for sale; no one will work harder to sell your property than you will. Having first hand contact with the other people working on the deal is also helpful. With your real estate license you are free to negotiate with other agents, as well as deal directly with appraisers and attorneys as well as mortgage brokers to stay updated on the progress of the deals in your pipeline.

Having access to MLS listings is another huge benefit to being an investor with a real estate license. All of the latest information on homes that are available on the market will be right at your fingertips. No longer will you have to rely on a real estate agent to bring the great deals to you; as a licensed real estate agent you can find them for yourself. Having a real estate license is a tremendous advantage when it comes to seeking out those unbelievable investment deals. You will never miss another fantastic opportunity because you missed a call from your real estate agent.

The most obvious advantage to having your real estate license as an investor is the remarkable potential to increase your total income. First of all you will be paying out significantly decreased fees by not having to pay a commission to an outside real estate agent to market and list your home for sale, therefore keeping more of the sales profits in your pocket. Then there is the additional increase in income that you will generate in commissions from listing and selling your own properties. The potential increase in commissions from sales could be quite significant to your overall income at the end of the year.

There are a few things that you should consider about getting your real estate license. It will require completing all of the requisite real estate licensing education as required by your state and of course you can do that through our online real estate school here at Real Estate Express.  When business is good, there will be a significant amount of added paperwork and marketing involved in selling your own properties. What is certain is that the added work can pay off in a big way for real estate investors that hold a real estate license.


Low Mortgage Interest Rates = Real Estate Sales!

January 21st, 2010

lowratesLow interest rates are providing those with their real estate license an amazing opportunity to prosper as the real estate market continues to stabilize and begins to rebound. There are more ways that the nation’s low interest rates can help the business of a licensed real estate professional than you might think. It is important to your success as a real estate agent to know and understand the differing ways that you can use low interest rates to increase your business. One thing that is clear is that the low interest rates are bringing in huge numbers of buyers.

The obvious way the rates affect your business is with those clients that just cannot turn down the current interest rates as low as they are. Those people with good credit and high credit scores can be inspired to purchase by the amazingly low rates that they are being offered to them right now. If you paired the current interest rates with the low home prices for your undecided clients, you can present them with an irresistible opportunity.

Then there are those clients that may have been unable to qualify for the home that they wanted. Lower interest rates make it much easier to qualify by lowering the overall monthly payment of the proposed mortgage that your clients want to get approved for. Those clients that were unable to get into their homes because the debt to income was a little out of their reach can now be re-qualified at lower rates. The lower interest rate brings down the payment making it easier to qualify. For those clients who have been waiting until they could afford their dream home, that time may have come.

Low interest rates often translate to increased commissions. Lower interest rates mean that your clients will qualify for a home of an increased value. When you recalculate what your clients can afford at the interest rates currently available, you may find that they qualify for a more expensive home. As you are perfectly aware, the more the purchase price of the home the higher your percentage of commission will be. As you can see there are a number of ways in which low interest rates will increase your client base and your prospective commissions.

Afamilyll of the focus on generating movement in the housing market is promising tremendous prosperity for those with an active real estate license. The lowest interest rates in decades can be a huge asset to your potential sales offering still one more way for the home buyer to make the most of their money. With federal tax incentives, the lowest home prices in years and some of the best interest rates ever offered for home loans the timing has never been better for people to dive into real estate. A real estate license is your ticket to cash in.

Understanding all ways that low interest rates can increase the commissions you can earn with your real estate license is essential in maximizing your business potential.  If you are not currently licensed but would like to be, please check out our online real estate school here at RealEstateExpress.com.


Real Estate License Reciprocity

January 19th, 2010

morecustomersIncreasing your customer base is crucial to being a successful real estate agent. Many times real estate agents work in areas bordering other states that offer additional opportunities for growth. The bad news is, if you do not have a real estate license in that state then you cannot work there. The good news is if that state allows real estate license reciprocity, you could become licensed in that state as well and take your career to the next level.

Real estate license reciprocity is an agreement between states that allows you to get a license in another state; in most cases simply by taking the reciprocal state’s exam. As long as you hold a valid real estate license in your current state, you are a few questions away from a second real estate license that could enlarge the real estate market that you work in and increasing commissions beyond anything you could imagine.

There are a number of states that have real estate markets that cross over each into other.  New York and Pennsylvania have reciprocal agreements with each other as well as with Connecticut. With New York and Pennsylvania sharing 300 miles of bordering land, real estate agents can be licensed in both states creating a whole new market for you to take advantage of.

Florida is another one of the states that offers reciprocity to nine states, including the three states that border it; Mississippi, Georgia and Alabama. Florida is one of the states that do not require you to take the entire state exam; just a 40 question test regarding Florida real estate law. Upon passing the test, you can earn your Florida real estate license and expand your territory throughout the Gulf States.

Connecticut is also one of the nine states that have reciprocity agreements with Florida. Given the market of people living in Connecticut that will sell their home in order to purchase a home in Florida to retire in the income potential is tremendous. There is no reason to forfeit the commission on the Florida home your clients purchase. Just by taking the short exam on Florida real estate law will open you up to work both homes with your clients and double your commission.

miamicondosIf you are a broker there is opportunity as well. The Florida State broker’s license courses can be found online, and as long as you have held a license in any state at all for a minimum of two years, you can become a Florida real estate broker.

Today’s technology allows real estate agents to promote themselves and their properties worldwide. It stands to reason that you would use that technology to expand your career. Real estate reciprocity can offer a way to grow your career to new heights by opening the door to a real estate career in another state, without having to repeat the complete real estate license coursework. Simply pass the test offered on that state’s real estate laws and start closing deals.  And if you’re looking for a real estate school where you can train to begin a real estate career, you’ve found the right place!  Real Estate Express is “America’s Favorite Real Estate School“!


How to Keep Your Virginia Real Estate License Current

January 15th, 2010

vahomesYou obtained your Virginia real estate license and you’ve invested quite an  effort into growing your career.  As busy as you are it might be easy for the renewal year to pass before you know it, especially in that first year. The good news is that there are online Virginia real estate continuing education courses available to complete your requirements from anyplace with an internet connection, and whenever it is convenient to your schedule.

In the State of Virginia, the required continuing education for the first year after getting your Virginia real estate license is 30 hours of post licensing classes to maintain the active status of your license. You will need to choose between a residential or commercial track of coursework to know which courses are approved for the track you choose. Half of the necessary hours must be in required classes and the other half of the hours can be in elective courses. If you should change your mind about what track you would like to pursue within your first year, you may request this change in writing prior to the course completion.

After the renewal in the first year, there are 16 hours of requisite continuing education that will need to be taken each year thereafter. Half of the necessary hours can be in any real estate related courses, but the other eight hours are broken down into a few specific topics. Within these eight hours there will be two hours required on Fair Housing practices and three hours on the topics of Standards of Conduct and Ethics. The final three hours will be one hour on each of the topics of Real Estate Contract and Real Estate Agency, as well as an hour on Emerging Trends and Legal Updates.

valandmarkThere are a couple of ways that your license can become inactive in Virginia. The first being voluntary surrender if you choose not to work for a period of time. Your license will also be inactive should you not meet your continuing education requirements on time. If your Virginia real estate license expires without the appropriate continuing education and renewal requirements being met, you will not be able to practice real estate until the license in made valid once again. If your license becomes inactive for any reason, the annual continuing education classes required for license renewal are also the classes that will be needed in order to reactivate an inactive license.

The ability to complete these mandatory educational requirements in an online classroom setting has made keeping on top of the hours needed before your license expires more convenient than ever before. The approved courses that you need can be completed from anyplace with an internet connection 24-hours a day.

As hard as you worked to get your Virginia real estate license, you do not want anything like running out of time to complete the coursework you need to renew it to make your hard earned license inactive. Take your continuing education courses online at “America’s Favorite Real Estate School” and be ready for your renewal date.


Missouri Real Estate Agents - Upgrade to a Broker License

January 12th, 2010

archMissouri has long been a fantastic state for buying and selling real estate.  Did you know that Missouri offers more assistance programs for potential home owners than many other states in the country?  And that was even before the recently passed economic development initiative adding an additional 35 million dollars in various assistance programs for people looking to purchase a home in Missouri. This is terrific news for real estate agents in Missouri as the traffic generated by the state and federal incentives for home buyers creates the potential for earning greater commissions.  It is also excellent news if you are a real estate broker.  Not only will the renewed interest in home ownership create opportunities for agents to earn commissions, brokers will be earning commissions on their own deals, as well as the deals of every salesperson they broker.

Qualifying to obtain a Missouri real estate brokers license is quite simple. Generally you need to be at least 18 years old and have been a licensed real estate agent for at least 24 out of the last 30 months. If you meet these requirements, all you have to do is complete the 48 hour pre-licensing broker course and pass both the state and national broker exams. That means in a matter of weeks, you could increase your income significantly.

Missouri offers a few additional ways for people to qualify to take the brokers exam. For example, a licensed attorney with a real estate license does not need to complete the pre-licensing education. They need only pass both portions of the exam to become a licensed real estate broker. A licensed attorney without a real estate license will need to take the real estate salesperson exam and then take the broker exams. If only one of the exams is passed, they will get six months to successfully complete all exams. Certification of passed exams and a copy of the bar card will need to be submitted with the application for the broker license in order to have the educational and experience requirements waived.

mohomesIf the potential examinee is a licensed real estate agent in another state, as long as they have been licensed for 24 out of 30 months, a complete license history certification may be used to qualify to take the broker exam. A copy of license will not be accepted. The required courses will need to be completed and a passing grade on both exams to apply for a broker license.

A broker that has been licensed in another state for at least 24 of the last 30 months will still have to complete the required coursework, however with a certified complete license history they will only need to take the state exam in order to apply for a Missouri broker license.

Whichever way the requirements are met, the application to become a licensed Missouri real estate broker must be submitted within six months of passing the broker exam or the pre-licensing requirements will need to me met once again.

Instead of earning commissions on just your own deals closing, you can drastically boost your income by getting your Missouri real estate broker license. With a minimal amount of time you can increase your commissions without increasing your own workload. Becoming a licensed broker in Missouri is the most logical career move for a successful real estate agent.

RealEstateExpress.com offers complete Missouri Real Estate Broker License Packages through our 100% online real estate school.  If you’re already licensed as a Missouri real estate agent, check out our Broker packages!




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