| A career in real estate can be very lucrative and | | | | their teachers been nationally recognized by real |
| rewarding. If it is a career of interest to you and | | | | estate organizations or associations? You will want |
| one you believe you can succeed in, it is very | | | | to attend a school whose teachers have been |
| important that you begin with the best tools | | | | long time employees and are active agents or at |
| available. Starting a career in real estate begins | | | | one time were active agents. Teachers who are |
| with choosing the right real state school. While | | | | agents or have been agents know the industry |
| there are many schools to choose from, choosing | | | | and can provide critical insight into what it takes |
| the right one will go a long way in launching your | | | | to create a successful career. Is the school |
| new career and keeping your career on the road | | | | recognized by its' peers? Is the school active in |
| to success. There are many important factors | | | | the real estate community and what sort of |
| that you will want to research when searching for | | | | contributions have they made to that community? |
| the right school for you. When you are ready to | | | | A good school will be involved in the real estate |
| start looking at schools you will want to get some | | | | community as well as their local community. |
| answers to some very basic questions. | | | | Look to attend a school that has been recognized |
| How long has the school has been in business? A | | | | by their peers, has won awards and is actively |
| school that has been in business for 20+ years is | | | | involved in their community. There are many real |
| more likely to know the regulations of the Texas | | | | estate organizations and associations that need |
| real estate market better than schools who are | | | | the support and help of the community in order |
| new to the real estate education business. An | | | | to succeed and continue to provide opportunities |
| established school will have been engrossed in the | | | | to real estate professionals. Look for a school |
| development of the Texas real estate industry | | | | that supports these organizations and associations. |
| over the years and experienced the regulatory | | | | Once you become an agent it is highly likely you |
| changes that have occurred over those years. | | | | yourself will become an active member of one of |
| Schools that have been in the market for a good | | | | these organizations or associations. Where do the |
| deal of time will have a strong insight into the | | | | majority of the students come from? Have the |
| past, present and future of the Texas real estate | | | | students attended the school since getting their |
| market and its' trends. Is the school recognized | | | | licenses or are they attending the school because |
| for its' education? Look for schools that have | | | | it offers the lowest priced education? Be wary of |
| achieved recognition from state and national | | | | schools offering rock bottom pricing. More often |
| bodies. There are several awards that point to a | | | | than not these schools are offering such low |
| school that has top quality staff, curriculum and | | | | prices in order to get as much business as |
| instructors. | | | | possible. These schools are not focused on the |
| The Pinnacle Award is a national award that | | | | students overall educational needs and continued |
| recognizes the best real estate school across the | | | | success. Look for a school where the students |
| nation. You may also want to ask what awards | | | | are repeat customers, schools whose business |
| the staff and instructors have achieved. You want | | | | comes from personal referrals. |
| to make sure you learn from the very best in | | | | The real estate business is all about referrals and |
| the business so be sure to ask if they hold any | | | | there is no higher compliment than having brokers |
| special positions or have been recognized by | | | | and agents refer others to a certain school. A |
| organizations like the Texas Real Estate Educators | | | | school whose student population is based upon |
| Association. What is the quality of the instructors | | | | personal referrals is a business you can trust. |
| and curriculum? Does the school write it's own | | | | There are many factors one should take into |
| core curriculum or do they use other outside | | | | consideration before selecting a school to attend. |
| resources? When looking for a school, ask about | | | | While many schools offer quick paths to a license |
| the schools curriculum and their teachers. A school | | | | or low priced education, you should choose a |
| that writes its' own core curriculum can keep up | | | | school that is well established, recognized by it's |
| with the ever-changing marketplace and adapt its' | | | | peers, involved in the community and has a |
| core curriculum to reflect those changes very | | | | reputation for excellence. Look for a school that |
| quickly. Schools that use national publications for | | | | you know will not only help you achieve your |
| their core curriculum often have to wait several | | | | license but also provide you with the latest |
| years for their core material to reflect industry | | | | information in the market place and curriculum |
| changes. Ask the school how long their teachers | | | | that is current and relevant. A school you know is |
| have been with the school. Are its' teachers | | | | vested in your future and your ability to succeed |
| active agents or one-time active agents? Have | | | | in the real estate field. |