agentcampus.com Real Estate Blog

How the Internet Serves Clients

2009-03-11T15:11:00.001-05:00

The internet is a great asset to all real estate clients. By being able to take the time to look around on their own, many people find that they do in fact have the time to look for a new home than if they hadn’t been able to use the internet. Online real estate listings allow people to go through and eliminate options that don’t work for them with ease. Instead of having to look at 50 homes and weed out the ones that don’t work, clients will often be left with a handful of homes that do suit their needs, which they can then schedule appointments to look at in a much easier fashion than if they had to look at every home that might work for them.

In regards to how the internet serves clients, it can also help them to make a better decision about the realtor or mortgage broker that they choose. Many people are timid about calling a mortgage lender or a real estate agent that they know nothing about. By allowing them to browse websites that offer information on each different person, they’ll feel more confident in their decision of what real estate agent or mortgage broker to work with. This is why it is important for these agents to have a website that paints an adequate picture of what their business is like, and how they operate. This will give clients a much better feel for what they want and what they can get in the real estate market.

The internet has essentially created a whole new world for clients, including the ways that they can see and learn about homes for sale and different things that have to do with real estate. While nothing will ever match the personal interaction that people get from dealing with a real estate agent or mortgage broker one-on-one, there are still many benefits to the internet for clients who are looking to buy a home or get a mortgage.

Everyone needs to save all the time that they can. By having access to the internet, where they can review homes for sale, mortgage information, and real estate agents and mortgage lenders in their local area, people are able to be as completely prepared as they want to be when it comes to buying a home. Then, they can spend less time looking at homes that aren’t right for them, and much less time dealing with lenders or realtors that don’t suit their needs.

Real Estate Tips and Tricks

2009-03-11T15:09:00.002-05:00

Staying afloat and keeping your job in an economic recession can prove to be tough. Everyone in the real estate industry, from agents to appraisers and even title companies, is affected by the declining economy and the lack of home sales. By taking the time to do a few small things, you can easily make sure that you have work at all times, even when things are on the slow side. For example, if you’re an appraiser, take the time to advertise to people who are looking to sell or refinance their homes. This is almost the only business going on since home sales are so slow right now, and you can actually benefit greatly from these people. Let people know how important your services are, no matter what you do, so that they feel the need to acquire your services for their real estate ventures.

Agents, title insurance companies, inspectors, mortgage companies, and appraisers alike all need to do the same thing. Find the business that is going on, and do everything in your power to convince people to work with you. Build a reputation for yourself, or use the one that you have previously built, to help people feel secure in working with you. Reassure those people who are uncertain about buying a home that now IS a good time to buy a home, as long as they can afford it. In these declining and uncertain economic times, people need someone and something that they can trust. For those who are looking to get involved in real estate, that trust comes from real estate professionals like you.

Buyers are skeptical about buying right now. Banks are crumbling and foreclosures are growing exponentially, almost overnight. All people hear on the news is about the mortgage crisis and how bad the economy is. They don’t hear about how they can get a great deal on a home that will be worth much more once the economy bounces back. Tell people this stuff, because they won’t hear it anywhere else. For every five or ten people that are selling or being foreclosed on, there is someone out there bravely considering buying a home. As a professional, it is your job to make them feel secure enough to decide to go through with it, or to at least procure your specific services.

You shouldn’t lie to consumers, by any means. However, reassuring them that they are doing the right thing, if they are, is not lying. When all people hear on the news is bad things, it’s hard for them to believe that there is anything good left in the real estate industry. Find the good, and show it to these people. This can keep your real estate business going, even when things aren’t looking so good nationwide.

Where is the Housing Market Still Booming and How?

2009-02-23T15:20:00.002-06:00

Many people are concerned about the housing market in general, with the recent fluctuations, bubbles, and rampant foreclosures across the country. If you are one such concerned person, you may be looking for areas of the housing market that are still stable, even flourishing. In this brief article, we’ll take a look at what is causing this recent boom in certain areas of the market, as well as what these areas are and where you can find them.

Quite possibly the part of the housing market that actually benefited from this financial crisis and housing bubble is the college off-campus housing market. Off-campus housing is great for students that can’t afford to live in dorms, and need to scrimp and save to be able to go to college at all. Why, you ask? Due to the recent financial turbulence throughout the country, many people have been going back to school to finish their education, especially those that realized they were in financial trouble if they didn’t. So now, more than ever, there are lots and lots of low-income students attending colleges across the country, so anywhere you find colleges, you find flourishing off-campus housing.

Another housing market that is managing to stay afloat fairly easily is that in ethnic districts of large cities, such as Chinatown in San Francisco. Many immigrants have been flowing in to take advantage of American housing that is now cheaper than ever. Urban housing has seen a drastic drop in price nationwide, but districts like Chinatown have been hit significantly less hard due to the increased number of renters and buyers. Unfortunately, this increased immigration has lent support to complaints about immigrants taking work away from American citizens, especially now that jobs are being lost across the country.

There are plenty of other pockets of real estate that are springing to life, as there is always some sort of silver lining. It can be hard to gauge how some places do so well while others a few streets down do so poorly, but there are certain generalizations that work. Learning to keep an eye on certain types of property, rather than necessarily certain areas of property, can help you make predictions about what will and will not be stable in the event of economic disaster. Learning to differentiate between these types of properties will soon prove to be a useful skill for the potentially hard times ahead.

Where ISN’T Real Estate hurting?

2008-10-24T08:42:00.004-05:00

I always hear of the elusive cities where real estate seems to be an “untouchable”-the caste system of such things being quite opposite than Indian society. Untouchable is described as the cost not dropping, going as far as even saying the costs for certain homes or areas are rising! How can this be? Is Real Estate even an area that people want to work in, let alone invest in? Well, the answer is, yes actually.

Although there are areas that have stunted growth or actually reverse growth, there are cities doing incredibly well. For example, in a list created by Forbes for the 10 best cities to buy a home in, unsurprisingly, four Texas cities make the cut. To top the list is Houston, TX with home sales prices with a 6.6% increase.

The list is as follows:

1.Houston, TX
2.Austin, TX
3.St. Louis, MO
4.Philadelphia, PA
5.San Antonio, TX
6.Dallas, TX
7.Charlotte, NC
8.San Francisco, CA
9.Jacksonville, FL
10.Atlanta, GA

If you are thinking of a career change but live in these cities, think again! And with Agentcampus.com’s MCE in Texas, this is a perfect time to excel in your career in the Lone Star State.

Need a new career?

AgentCampus.com also offers pre-licensing courses for Real Estate.

Six new Courses to our extensive catalog

2008-09-26T11:20:00.004-05:00

AgentCampus.com, the leader in online continuing education for the real estate industry, is proud to announce the addition of six new courses to our extensive catalog of real estate CE courses, real estate pre license courses, real estate post license courses, exam preps, and Mortgage CE courses!

In addition to our existing course catalog, we now offer mortgage CE courses ONLINE in the states of Massachusetts, Florida, Iowa, and Nevada!
In the area of Real Estate Pre License, we have brand new courses for the states of Colorado and Nebraska!

Need CE or Pre License credit, exam prep or post license, but aren’t a resident of one of those states? Check out agentcampus.com to see if we offer ONLINE courses where you live!

And don’t forget, AgentCampus.com also offers ONLINE courses in Title Insurance, Appraisal, and Home Inspection!

Fingerprinting: Safety or Invasion?

2008-02-11T20:30:00.001-06:00

There have been a number of Real Estate Commissions across the US that have added, or are adding fingerprinting as a requirement to getting/renewing your license. Once it's done, you don't have to do it again, they just want everyone on record for the public's safety.

But many real estate agents think it's not only just an added cost to getting/keeping a license, but also an invasion of privacy. It's just another way to keep "big brother" in the middle of our lives.

I've asked a few friends what they think, and it most of them seem to think what I do. It is another annoying cost (about $50 in Texas I think), but if you don't have anything to hide, why not? It can be used as a marketing tool for RE agents - adding trust back into those relationships.

I am all about keeping real estate licensing costs down, but I am also in favor of keeping the public safe. From a marketing standpoint at AgentCampus, how many of you would like to see us offer a voucher for a free fingerprinting after passing the classes you take with us?

I'm not saying this is possible, I'm just thinking out loud. I am just a simple marketer thinking about how I can make my student's lives easier. :)

Down Market Isn't Everywhere

2008-02-04T11:28:00.000-06:00

With reports like California Licensees dropping for the first time in over 10 years, it's hard to imagine things being good in Real Estate anywhere. But there is hope. As with the price of a house, the market is different depending on where you are.

Just to the north, Washington Realtors are talking to their Legislature about their housing market, which seems to be on the up and up.

There are markets in Texas (I'm biased because that is where I am) that are still doing well (Austin) and some not (Dallas). Don't automatically assume that because the nation on average is down that your area is too. Remember those lemons.

What should it cost to become a Realtor?

2008-01-29T10:09:00.000-06:00

I came across this posting from a prospective real estate agent in Texas. He is asking a pretty straight forward question, but is still hard to answer.

At AgentCampus, we offer real estate licensing courses in all states that will let us. But that is just the first step. I have been talking to many new agents in Texas recently, and they all say the same thing: it costs a lot of money to be a real estate agent in your first year. The training is the easy part.

The fees for local associations, exams, and that 60 hours in your first year is what really gets you. To be a real estate agent requires training and exams. To be a REALTOR and have access to the MLS, that's a more. But it is what is required to be a serious agent.

Just like I said about Home Inspection becoming more regulated, this is most likely a good thing. It keeps the people who are only "so so" about becoming an agent out. It's the barrier to entry. If you want to do this, you have to be serious. But when it is just ridiculous? Are other states the same way?

Don't get me wrong, I am not slamming the MLS, NAR, or anyone else. Truthfully I don't know enough about that subject to really do it justice. I am just posing that question. What should it cost to become a Realtor? Does anyone really tell you in the beginning what the investment really is? How important do you think it'd be to tell prospective agents this?

On a side note: We are developing Prospective Agent kits for people who want to become agents in the states we offer training. Keeps your eyes out for them. I might even post some of the knowledge I find on here and see what you all think. I'd love input on what you would have liked to know BEFORE becoming an agent.

The Maze of Marketing

2008-01-28T09:22:00.000-06:00

Being in the internet marketing industry for the past 5 years has taught me one thing. Marketing is only effective when used in it's entirety. You cannot rely on one piece alone.

Print advertisements are a necessity because it builds awareness, the beginning of relationships.

Sponsorships are a necessity because it also begins Word of Mouth. Want people to know who you are, tell them.

Calling prospects is a necessity - you are talking to people who are actively in the market!

Networking is a definite necessity. If you need to know why, ummm ...

Search Engine Marketing is a necessity because it builds your brand and reaches the next generation of buyers.

Online advertising leads are fresh, active, and hot. They are looking for you and WANT you to contact them. But they aren't the entire market. Having a blog, linking, website development - that's all a part of that one area of marketing. So many blogs out there spout to have the best tips and tricks for marketing on the internet. Some can be confusing, some can be full of great advice, most have both.

But in the end, it's only one part of your business. Build your business as a whole business. Use all the tools available to you, not just one. You wouldn't try to do your hair for a night out with only hairspray right?

Kickstarting the Real Estate Market

2008-01-22T16:11:00.000-06:00

This week I heard something really funny. After all of this mortgage and foreclosure talk, the real estate market was not looking fun for anyone. Just because of some spending and lending gone bad.

To make up for it, every real estate agent has been pushing on the fact that its a buyers market. Short sales are happening, and on that day, the National Association of Realtors got into it. They launched a national ad campaign to boost the buying of homes and using certified Realtors to do so.

Then today happened. The Fed cut rates by 0.75%, the largest cut since the 1990s. Shailesh Ghimire of AgentGenius commented on the situation well. What are we missing? What is the government not telling us?

As a marketer to the real estate industry I am happy about these two developments. As a possible home buyer, I am highly ecstatic. I hope the jumpstart works to counter act what the media created in talking about some missed opportunities.

Let's go real estate agents. Time to make some lemonade!

Home Inspection of the Future

2008-01-14T08:59:00.000-06:00

The Real Estate industry is highly regulated. Each state in the US has it's own set of rules and regulations, and each one is completely different from the other. Many are moving into fingerprinting and streneous background checks as well as.

On the other hand, the Home Inspection industry has been largely unregulated. Recently I've noticed that many states are picking up Home Inspection regulations; requiring licenses, continuing education, and registration with the state.

Specifically I've seen mention of Arkansas and Florida thinking about moving to a regulated home inspection model. Florida promises to put recently approved legislation into effect in early 2010.

With the home loan industry in trouble, and the mass of houses on the market due to foreclosures, we might see this industry regulation pushed even faster than previously thought.

While it'll be nice to have this part of Real Estate regulated, it brings up the question, how happy are the newly regulated home inspectors going to feel? This will definitely restrict entry into the market, but from my perspective, I can't see anything bad about it. What do you think?

The Truth About WOM

2008-01-04T16:17:00.000-06:00

Word of Mouth Advertising. It's the glory of all marketing programs. Free advertising that is almost guaranteed to convert. In the real estate industry, it is the best way to find clients. Referrals are the stuff life is made of.

Seth Godin posted a new insight to word of mouth, and uses the Iowa caucuses as an example. The gist is that while WOM marketing is the highest converting it is rare. To get someone to refer friends to you just doesn't happen as much as searching the internet. But that is why it is so powerful.

Your regular advertising campaigns are still needed, but getting your current clients to speak out is the key. In another post he tells you how. Overdeliver.

Behind the Scenes

2007-12-31T11:16:00.000-06:00

I came across a wonderfully entertaining blog today called TheBrickRanch. It's awesome to see such a well written piece about Real Estate and the work that really goes into it.

Teri makes a great point about how going to a performance is just like Real Estate. All people on the outside see are the houses, the showings, and the final papers. Few get to see the work behind selling a house.

How do you get to the closing table? It’s juggling, it’s acrobatics, it’s high-wire balancing and double-jointed flexibility. It’s work, it’s experience, and it’s training. It’s theatre, it’s a circus, and yeah, it’s definitely real estate.

The experience and training are what really set you apart from the rest. It's the relationships you've built and the things you know.

As we enter 2008, the team at AgentCampus wishes you all a productive and profitable year. Thank you for entrusting your training to us this year. We look forward to many other years of training with you.

Real Estate License? What?

2007-12-26T11:43:00.000-06:00

I am on a weekly mailer from Google that let's me know what's going on in the Real Estate world. One thing I have noticed recently is an increase in blogs being posted with the title "How to Get Your Real Estate License"

If the posting isn't complete jibberish, then the instructions are specific to some state. One thing that we at AgentCampus.com are fully aware of is the fact that getting a real estate license is completely different dependent on your state. One state might require 210 hours for training to take their state test, another may not allow online training, and yet another may require specific courses to get your real estate license.

I am currently working on a guide for various states. A definitive "how to get your real estate license" that will cover your state. We are starting with the states we offer training in, but if you're nice and send me an email, I might be persuaded to do one in your state as well.

But always know, the best place to find out how to get your license is your state's real estate commission. Don't get duped into some fake program. Always remember each state is special. Look for something that is approved by your state before moving forward.

New York Still Going Strong

2007-12-17T07:54:00.000-06:00

In the midst of all the hype about a declining market, New York is fighting back. The Times Union published a story about how the number of Realtors has increased over the past year.

Despite lowering sales and tougher entry regulations, the real estate business still seems like a good idea to New Yorkers. Especially the the chance to make something from the power of hard work. Not just time in an office.

I am just hoping that other states pick up this mentality as well. Foreclosures may be up, but the biggest power that can bring real estate back from the brink is the mindset of it's people. Get out there and talk up your profession. Tell them what you love about being a real estate agent.

Take the time this holiday season to do something special for others. People ultimately want to make a difference with their career. You can be the change in their life that they have been looking for.

Happy Holidays! And thanks New York for bringing back the joy of the season!

Foreclosure Boom = Real Estate Bust?

2007-12-03T13:57:00.000-06:00

There have been numerous news stories about the increase in foreclosures. According to a press release from RealtyTrac, foreclosure rates were up 30% in Quarter 3 of 2007. This has caused a media frenzy about the people being foreclosed on and the status of the real estate market as a whole.

Is this foreclosure boom to blame for the recent lag in the real estate market? It seems that way. People see on TV that houses are foreclosing, prices dropping, and thinking "maybe real estate isn't the best thing to invest in right now with all this stuff going on. Maybe I really can't afford it, maybe it'll lose it's value if I buy now."

Like the stock market, the real estate market is an investment based (aka people based) market. We rely completely on the people of the world, nation, and states we live in. Their outlook makes all the difference to buying and selling decisions.

The US Council of Mayors released a similar report stating "The foreclosure crisis is no longer just about mortgages, entire neighborhoods are being negatively affected on several levels. This issue is now the number one economic challenge of many American cities."

This is not something that can be turned around immediately, but keeping your investors and clients up to date and educated about mortgage rates, budgeting, and other financial information is always in their best interest as well as yours.

Don't look at the recent declines in the market as "lost commission." See it more as an opportunity to fine tune your business. Reconnect with your clients, develop literature on mortgage rates and financial advice. Use your required real estate CE training hours to develop your business more. Look for the opportunities in the market for expansion of your business. Give it time, be positive, and the market will increase again.

Remember ... "Don't Worry. Be Happy."

What is Real Estate Training?

2007-11-21T13:25:00.000-06:00

After attending NAR (National Association of Realtors) this year, I began reflecting on what people think of when they hear "real estate training." It seemed to the AgentCampus team that people were confused as to what training we offered. Then we noticed our "competitors" offering classes nothing like ours. We used the same terminology, but not the same product.

I then ran across an article from RISMedia, by John Fuhrman about what is needed most in real estate training.

John's point seems to be that training is not about legal compliance, but about learning how to be a better agent and business person. As a life long student who enjoys education just for the sake of learning new things, I completely agree with his article. He makes some fantastic points about ways to develop yourself as a real estate agent/broker.

What I think is missing though is the point that the legal aspect is still necessary. Professional development courses that he speaks of should be taken in addition to the real estate courses we offer (true Continuing Education).

They are the classes that you NEED to continue in this profession. They are the air you breathe in Real Estate. The core information you need to be a professional real estate agent in the modern world. Professional Development courses are more for those people that have a need to be better, stronger, and faster.

So what is real estate training? It depends on your focus. But online real estate training is first and foremost about keeping your license. The rest is for the betterment of yourself and your business.

NAR Poker Chip Discount

2007-11-13T23:11:00.000-06:00

AgentCampus.com is in the City of Lights this week at the National Association of Realtors Tradeshow and Conference. We are meeting some fantastic people here and giving away discounts! If you know someone here, tell them to come by Booth #2548 for a Poker Chip Coaster and a chance to win a free iPod Nano!

The Poker Chip Coasters have a discount code worth 20% off any course purchased online. Come see us at the show!

Real Estate as a Second Career

2007-11-06T07:44:00.000-06:00

When I got out of college, I noticed that a lot of my friends in Marketing were turning to Real Estate as their first career choice. It is the perfect blend of being your own boss, marketing, and networking, everything we had been groomed for in business school.

Then I got to AgentCampus, and learned that actually, on average, most real estate agent's don't start there. According to the National Association of Realtors, only 4 percent of Realtors started there. In our recent survey to AgentCampus.com Alumni, about 8% of respondents started real estate as their first career.

The truth comes down to most agents get into real estate to reach their personal goals of financial independence without dealing with the ups and downs of corporate life. One such agent in Detroit was recently interviewed, and I think his story is much like most of yours. Dave Henderson was in the automotive industry for decades before he became a successful agent. He says that his favorite part about being an agent is the relationships built.

"I like people," he says. "I'm interested in getting to know them. Buying or selling a house is an exciting chapter in the lives, and to be involved in it is exciting, too."

At AgentCampus we are not just about selling real estate training. Our goal is to help every person that wants to get and keep their real estate license do just that with as little impact on their time as possible.

What is your success story?

Welcome to the new AgentCampus!

2007-10-30T08:35:00.000-05:00

Hello to All of our New Students and Alumni!

We have changed the look and feel of AgentCampus to make the site more accessible. Each state has its own area of the site with available training for real estate, title insurance, appraisal, home inspection and mortgage training. We are adding new courses and packages for CE, Pre-Licensing, and Post-Licensing everyday. Keep checking back for new courses and deals.

Don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to receive updated information on the Real Estate industry, new marketing ideas for agents, and discounts!

If you have any ideas for the new site, are having trouble finding something, or any other comments, feel free to let us know! Leave a comment on here and we will look into it right away.

Again, Welcome to the New AgentCampus.com!

AgentCampus Now Offers Pennsylvania Real Estate CE Courses Online

2007-08-31T16:03:00.000-05:00

Beginning September 1, 2007 Pennsylvania REALTORS® will have a convenient new option for renewing their continuing education credits. One of the nation’s most well known real estate education websites, AgentCampus.com, is excited to add Pennsylvania to its growing list of professional real estate industry training.

The new online CE courses will use a blend of Flash videos, animation, narration, and role-play to teach lessons. The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission requires agents to take a minimum of 14 hours of continuing education every other year. AgentCampus’ Pennsylvania CE courses meet state requirements and offer a wide variety of elective courses to complete the minimum number of hours.

Online Marketing Tips for Real Estate Agents

2007-07-17T09:06:00.000-05:00

With all the new forms of online advertising today, where is the one place real estate agents can go for great marketing advice they can trust? The truth is, there is no magical wonderland of marketing ideas out there, or at least that we were able to find; however, we did find sites providing good fundamentals to consider as you begin your online real estate marketing initiatives.

First, and foremost, before you invest a lot of money into Google, Yahoo, MSN or any other pay-per-click advertiser, be sure you understand what makes a good online ad and what doesn’t. About.com’s Top 5 Strategies for Writing an Effective Real Estate Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Ad can help you understand the difference in the two. Learning about the relevance that keywords play in the online marketplace before investing in advertising can save REALTORS hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Check out Blitz Development’s list of Real Estate Marketing Tips for a great list of online keyword tips for the real estate industry.

Besides using keywords, real estate agents can help their websites naturally appear higher in organic search engine rankings (coming up closer to the top when someone is using a search engine) through blogging. Agents can attract clicks to their web pages by writing about relevant news topics or hot industry discussions, the search results will display the news as well as the real estate agent’s website. To learn more about writing blogs for the real estate industry, read Real Estate Blogs-The Power of Enthusiasm.

Another great way to learn additional ideas and to satisfy Texas SAE requirements at the same time is to take online marketing courses, such as AgentCampus’ Marketing I: Building a Real Estate Practice or Marketing II: Negotiation Techniques.

For more ideas from the National Association of REALTORS®, go check out Cathy Dodge’s Field Guide to Marketing Tips for REALTORS®.

Foreclosure PSAs

2007-06-29T12:57:00.000-05:00

Homeowners in financial trouble are about to start getting some friendly, helpful advice from their mortgage lenders. Beginning in July, public service announcements will hit television, radio, print, and web audiences urging homeowners in financial trouble to call the Homeowner Preservation Foundation hotline.

The toll-free mortgage advise phone number, (888)995-HOPE, was created as a joint effort between the nation’s biggest competing lenders to help stop them from losing approximately $30,000 on every mortgage that they are forced to foreclose on this year. Homeowners will receive advice on how to stop their foreclosure and will be put in contact with resources at their lending institution.

With an estimated $30 billion in national foreclosure losses expected this year, Mortgage lending-related businesses and organizations have come together to join the NeighborWorks' Center for Foreclosure Solutions. According to Inman News, “The list of partners in NeighborWorks' Center for Foreclosure Solutions reads like a who's who of mortgage lending. It includes Countrywide Home Loans, Washington Mutual, Bank of America, Option One Mortgage Corp., Chase, Citi, EMC Mortgage Corp., GMAC Rescap, HSBC North America, Ocwen Loan Servicing LLC, National City Mortgage, American Financial Services and SunTrust Mortgage.”

Additionally, the list of government-funded participants includes Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and mortgage industry groups such as Mortgage Bankers Association and the Housing Policy Council.

The purpose of the advertising is to encourage homeowners who are in financial trouble to get I contact with their lender instead of avoiding them. Apparently the hotline is working well because the organization is expecting to receive nearly 15,000 calls in the month of July alone!

If you or someone you know is facing foreclosure on their home, please encourage them to make a free call to (888)995-HOPE.

New Course: Laws, Rules, & Court Cases

2007-06-18T15:35:00.000-05:00

Understanding the laws of the real estate industry can be tricky, but thanks to AgentCampus.com, now Michigan Real Estate agents have an easy, convenient way to get the required training they need. Recently approved by the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, this course satisfies the mandatory 2 hours of Continuing Education that Real Estate license holders are required to complete by October 31, 2007.

We are excited to announce the release of our 2 hour Laws, Rules, & Court Cases course online in Michigan. This course teaches Michigan Real Estate license holders the information they need to ensure they comply with Michigan real estate laws and understand necessary regulatory information. Particularly focusing on occupational code and general rules established by the Michigan Occupational Code Section 2504(4), the new course also covers the Seller Disclosure Act and issues relating to inspections.

You can access the new course through the AgentCampus Real Estate Continuing Education page.

Virginia Puts Time Limits on Real Estate Post-Licensing Requirements

2007-06-18T15:33:00.000-05:00

Thinking of getting your Virginia Real Estate license? Make sure you have time to complete all of your first year required courses before you sign up. Virginia’s new time restrictions are giving agents two fast-paced options:

Take an additional 30 hours of training within 12 months after obtaining their license
Allow their new license to become inactive after the first year

Salespeople who obtain their Virginia real estate license on or after July 1, 2008 will be required to complete an additional 30 hours of post-license curriculum within one year from the date they obtained their license.

Currently new licensees have two years to complete these courses. Originally, the Virginia Association of Realtors pushed for a bill that would have required licensees to complete the mandatory 30 hours within 6 months, but that bill was not passed. Mandated by the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, and supported by the Virginia Association of Realtors, the General Assembly’s legislation will affect anyone obtaining a new Virginia Real Estate license.

With the amount of time to complete initial curriculum being cut in half, new agents are going to be looking for the quickest, convenient ways to meet these licensing requirements. Online real estate license training is likely to increase in Virginia in 2008, and educators are already getting prepared for the demand. AgentCampus.com just launched its campaign for its new 60 hour Virginia Real Estate Pre-License Package to help agents earn their initial Virginia requirements online. Additional courses to meet post-license curriculum will be available through AgentCampus.com before the July 1, 2008 cutoff date.