Allison Potts

While landline phone systems aren’t as popular as more modern voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP) or virtual phone systems, they often provide a more reliable calling solution for areas that lack a reliable high-speed internet connection. Their less robust feature set also has the added benefit of making setting up a system as simple as picking a provider and plugging in components per the following steps: 1. Evaluate Your Business Needs Start by asking yourself why you need a business landline phone system versus taking advantage of a less expensive, more feature-rich option like a VoIP-based solution. If you are in an area with poor cellular coverage or otherwise lack a high-speed connection, then the decision to use a landline phone system is easy. Otherwise, ask yourself the following questions: Do you want to use a landline because it doesn’t require you to pay to upgrade existing desk phones? If so, there are a number of low-cost adapters that can reduce this expense. Alternatively, some VoIP services offer hardware leasing options, which can save you the hassle of purchasing equipment that will be out-of-date in a few short years. If it is because you prefer to use a fax machine to transmit documents? Some VoIP service providers offer built-in fax capability. This can save you the expense of maintaining a separate fax machine. Are you concerned about what would happen when the office loses power or there is another form of emergency? The best small business VoIP services can be configured to automatically ring on designated smartphones or to a specific voicemail when power is interrupted, using a lesser-known feature known as fail over. Many services also offer a feature called E911, which saves first responders time by displaying the physical location of the caller. Are you hesitant to make the change because you are concerned your internet speed isn’t fast enough? Ultimately, many landline users select a conventional system because they don’t feel their internet connection is stable enough for VoIP service. The best way to be certain is to take our online speed test at your office. This quick test will measure your connection and let you know if you have enough bandwidth to support a VoIP system. If you are still uncertain about which type of business phone system is right for you, check out our guide to VoIP versus landline services. 2. Develop a Budget for Your Phone System A standard business landline system with one phone line can cost $40 to $75 per month. But, when budgeting for a landline system, you will need to keep in mind additional factors that can affect your system’s cost and usability. For example, most companies need more than one to prevent callers from getting a busy signal. Additional factors that could increase the overall system cost include: Additional charges for connecting teams in the field or working from home The number of voicemail boxes and accessibility for staff Conferencing and intercom capabilities On-hold music or messaging A dial-by-name or department directory Call recording functions The types and quantity of desk phones Per-minute costs for international or long-distance calls Added functionality and multiple line support can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars per month. To put this into perspective, popular VoIP providers like start at $19.99 per user, per month, whereas virtual phone service from begins at $26 per month, and you can set up extensions for employees. This is why it is so important to consider all types of business phone systems before signing a long-term contract with any provider. 3. Research & Contact Local Providers Landline services run on copper lines, and only a few providers may service your area. In contrast, small business VoIP systems work anywhere across the United States and many countries worldwide. With limited landline providers, you may only have access to one or two options in your area. To find local providers, type “business landline service” into Google or your preferred search engine. Web browsers use your location data to deliver relevant results, so you should get a few options on the search engine results page. Look for a few providers, click through to their website, and enter your address to check for service availability. 4. Determine If You Need to Set Up Your Service Landline providers have different processes and fees for setting up services. Before signing on the dotted line, it’s important to ask about equipment requirements and charges for new or updated wiring. You’ll want to provide details about the total number of phones required and if you need voicemail boxes. Typically, vendors will bring the wiring to the outside of your business, but they may charge for internal wiring. Newer office buildings may not have any internal wiring whatsoever. If your chosen vendor doesn’t cover the expense, then it can cost you thousands of dollars. For multiple phone lines, you may opt for a private branch exchange (PBX). A PBX consists of a physical hardware box that’s hard-wired via a main line, and all office phones plug into your PBX console. Some provider plans and add-on packages offer technical support for PBX systems, whereas others require your business to handle upkeep and upgrades. Providers can schedule an appointment to look over your building and give you service and maintenance plan options. 5. Connect Your PBX Box & Desk Phones Once the installation team completes the wiring, you’ll have one or more wall outlets that fit a modular plug from a phone. For standard landline service, simply plug the telephone cable into the phone jack and insert the power adapter into an electrical outlet. If you have a PBX console, you’ll plug each desk phone cable into the PBX port labeled “telephone line.” From there, connect the PBX box into the wall jack. Once completed, your PBX system will light up. Test out your system by picking up a phone receiver and dialing an office extension. In addition, use a cell phone or ask a team member to dial your line to make sure it works. As long as your phones light up and you can send and receive calls, you’re good to go. Bottom Line Business landlines and desk phones are a reliable way to connect your teams and clients. However, the best VoIP phones and services give you the same and, in most cases, even better options. If you’re still on the fence, try out a free phone service like in your office or sign up for a free trial of . That’ll help you decide what steps to take next.

California real estate agent license renewal must happen every four years to keep a license active; renewal requirements include the completion of 45 clock hours of mandatory continuing (CE) coursework and submission of course completion proof to the state of California. Coursework must be completed within 90 days of license expiration. These are the five steps for California real estate license renewal: 1. Determine Coursework Requirements License renewal in California is somewhat unique compared to the renewal process in other states in that first-time license renewals have different coursework requirements than subsequent renewals. For example, you will need 45 hours of coursework to renew your real estate license in California for the first renewal, but subsequent renewals only require 35 hours of continuing education. In addition, the state also specifies that 41 of the required 45 hours for first-time renewal be spent covering mandatory topics. However, the state only requires 26 of the 35 hours required for secondary renewals be spent learning about mandatory topics. These mandatory classes are required so that agents are aware of changes to laws and regulations and cover everything from ethics to risk management and consumer protection. 2. Choose a Real Estate School While California offers classroom-based education for both prelicensing and continuing education, online schools offer the greatest flexibility because they allow you to take classes all at once or one at a time. In addition, the best schools for license renewal in California also offer additional benefits for busy agents. For example, , which is a subsidiary of Colibri Real Estate, offers a program featuring 24/7 access. It also features instructor assistance, progress tracking, printable chapters, and more. Packages of complete coursework for first-time and second-time renewals start at $58.95. 3. Take Continued Education Courses & Pass Tests Once you know what courses you need to take and decide on a school, sign up for your classes online. You have one year from the date of course enrollment to complete your coursework. This should be sufficient for the course hour requirements for either first-time or second-time license renewal. However, it is also worth noting that all online real estate license renewal courses end with a final test, similar to the process for gaining your real estate agent or broker license. These are proctored with a unique time limit; each one offers only one minute per question. If your final test has 30 questions, for example, the allotted time for the test will be 30 minutes. Your test will be available through your online dashboard following completion of a course. If you fail the test, then you are allowed to retake it once. Upon failing a second time, real estate agents must retake the course again before being able to retake the test. 4. Gather & Submit Necessary Forms After completing your coursework and passing your tests, submit your license renewal application to the California Department of Real Estate. You will need any CE certificates supplied upon passing your course tests, the course titles, and total hours of each class. These are the required inclusions for renewal application for the state of California: Fees: There is a fee of $245 to process your application for renewal in California. Application form: This form asks questions about your residency, real estate background, felony convictions, and purpose for the license. These should be easily answered questions that do not require excessive documentation—unless you have a felony conviction. Proof of CE: As part of the application process, you will be required to submit your CE certificate numbers to verify completion of required coursework. You can download license renewal forms from the California Department of Real Estate or you can renew entirely online through the eLicensing online system. After submitting the necessary forms and fees, you will have to wait up to six weeks to receive application acceptance and a new license. You can, however, track the status of your application online. 5. Keep Track of Renewal Dates Although the state of California will send you a letter or email 60 days before your next renewal date, you should not rely on these notices. It is easier if you track your renewal date and plan for your coursework ahead of time. Allowing yourself extra time can keep you from paying extra fees and filing more paperwork if your license expires. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Can I renew my real estate license after expiration? You can renew your license up to two years after the expiration date in California without retaking the licensing exam. However, you cannot practice real estate or complete any sales until your California real estate license has been renewed. What are the real estate license renewal fees? At $245, the fee for renewing your license is less than the fee to get your California real estate license in the first place, as long as you renew before the expiration date. If you are renewing your real estate license after two years from its expiration, the cost jumps an extra $122, to $367. What if I fail a course exam? You get two chances to take the exam for any course. If you fail the same exam twice, then you have to retake the class for it to count toward your license renewal requirements. To avoid this problem, consider taking prep tests and studying with other agents. Bottom Line To renew your real estate license in California, you have to complete 45 hours of continuing education and elective credits and submit your proof of completion to the Department of Real Estate with your application. While there is some flexibility in scheduling for the completion of required coursework, it is recommended you completed all necessary CE credits early to avoid license expiration. Renewing a real estate license in California can be a time-consuming process, requiring extensive planning to avoid extra renewal fees and additional paperwork. offers affordable online courses that save you both time and money. Find out more about their extensive CE course offerings today.

Florida real estate license renewals are due every two years for agents and brokers. First-time renewals require the completion of post-licensing courses, and all renewals require 14 hours of continuing education (CE) credits. After you choose a real estate school and complete your CE hours, you can submit your renewal application and renewal fee. These are the four steps to renew your Florida real estate license. 1. Determine Renewal Requirements After you receive your Florida real estate agent or broker license, you are required to complete a post-licensing course within 18-24 months. Additionally, all Florida real estate license renewals must be completed every two years. This means that the requirements for your first real estate license renewal will be different from the subsequent renewals. These are two different renewal requirements you may have for your Florida license renewal. First-Time Florida Real Estate License Renewals The Florida real estate license renewal deadline is every two years, and the post-licensing courses must be completed within two years of earning your license for the first time. Although the continuing education requirements for agents and brokers are always the same, the first Florida license renewal for real estate agents and brokers will have different requirements than the rest. For example, Florida real estate agents are required to take 45 hours of post-licensing education, and brokers are required to take 60 hours. The post-licensing courses can be taken online or in person, but they must be completed within 18 - 24 months of receiving your license, and before your first license renewal. Subsequent Florida Real Estate License Renewals After your first Florida real estate license renewal, your only requirement for subsequent renewals is to complete 14 hours of continuing education credits. Within these 14 hours, six hours are mandatory courses, and the remaining eight hours can be elective choices. Each Florida real estate agent and broker must take three hours of “Florida Core Law,” and three hours of “Real Estate and Business Ethics.” 2. Choose a Real Estate School There are plenty of Florida real estate schools that offer courses in a classroom setting. However, online classes are extremely popular because of the affordable cost and the convenience of completing your required credit hours on your own time. There are numerous online real estate schools that offer continuing education and post-licensing courses for Florida real estate agents and brokers. When you are purchasing courses, consider each school’s course formats, cost, student reviews, and customer support. Here are the top three online schools for Florida real estate license renewals: Colibri Real Estate: Colibri Real Estate offers two affordable post-licensing packages for Florida real estate agents, costing between $99-$129. You can find a CE course package from their partner company, McKissock Learning, for only $19. Mbition – Learn Real Estate: Mbition offers fully online classes and packages at the most affordable prices. Their Florida post-licensing course for agents is $55, and the cost for brokers is $149. The CE package for agents and brokers is only $18.99. The CE Shop: The CE Shop is a nationally recognized online real estate school. Florida real estate agents can choose from two post-licensing courses for $99 each, and the package for brokers is $135. The CE package, which can be taken by agents and brokers, is only $19. When you are looking for an online school to complete the requirements for your real estate license renewal, make sure you also look at the course topics. You will benefit the most from choosing courses that apply to your real estate business. 3. Complete Post-Licensing Courses You must complete all post-licensing and continuing education (CE) hours before the renewal deadline, therefore you will need to plan ahead. The post-licensing requirements for agents are different from the requirements for brokers. Also, there are more required hours for a first time renewal, than subsequent renewals. For example, you will only need to complete 14 hours of CE following your first real estate license renewal. These are the post-licensing requirements for first-time Florida real estate agents and brokers. Post-Licensing for Florida Real Estate Agents After you become a licensed Florida real estate agent, you must complete 45 hours of post-licensing courses within 18-24 months. There are no mandatory post-license course topics, but you must purchase them from a school that is approved by the state. Most real estate schools offer a complete 45-hour post-license package which covers many topics. For example, the post-license course package from Colibri Real Estate includes these topics: Managing Your Business and Your Time Prospecting and Listing Appointments Brokerage Relationships and Transaction Brokerage Duties The Mortgage Process This package is meant to support new agents by diving deeper into topics that will help them build a successful real estate business. If you do not want to purchase a package, some real estate schools, like the CE shop, allow you to purchase courses individually. Post-Licensing for Florida Real Estate Brokers After you pass your broker’s exam and receive your real estate broker license, you are required to complete 60 hours of post-licensing courses within 18-24 months. There are no mandatory course topics, but you will find that the approved real estate schools offer topics centered around the same concepts. For example, the post-license course package for brokers from the CE Shop covers these topics: Real Estate Finance (30 hours) Real Estate Brokerage (30 hours) The cost for this 60-hour package is $135. If you are willing to spend a little bit more money, you can buy 30-hour courses individually for $89. This would give you the option of replacing one of the above course topics with a different course option, “Real Estate Investment.” 4. Complete Continuing Education Coursework While post-licensing courses are only required in the first two years of having your license, continuing education (CE) courses are required for all Florida real estate license renewals. Whether it is your first renewal or your 10th, you must complete 14 hours of continuing education credit hours every renewal period, which is every two years. Within the 14 required hours, there will be six total hours of mandatory courses. Three hours will cover “Florida core law,” and three hours will cover “real estate and business ethics.” The remaining eight hours are elective courses, which means you can choose the topics. You can do this by purchasing courses from a real estate school individually, or finding a 14-hour package that covers elective topics applicable to your business. 5. Submit Documents and Complete License Renewal Once you have completed all your Florida real estate license renewal hours, you can submit your renewal documents. You will need your course completion documents and the renewal fee of $32 for agents and $36 for brokers. If you have not created an online services account with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), you will need to create one to submit your renewal. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How much does real estate license renewal cost in Florida? The Florida real estate license renewal fee is $32 for agents and $36 for brokers. You must pay this fee through online services on the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website. How long can a Florida real estate license be inactive? Florida real estate agents who are not actively participating in real estate transactions can have a license that is either voluntary inactive or involuntary inactive. You can maintain a voluntary inactive license indefinitely, but you must continue paying the renewal fee and completing continuing education (CE) credits every two years. Voluntary inactive real estate agents can activate their license at any time by completing a form. However, if you miss the Florida real estate renewal deadline, you automatically become involuntarily inactive. Involuntary inactive Florida real estate agents have 12 months to complete CE hours and submit their license renewal fee and late fee to become active again. If it has been more than 12 months, you will have to complete 28 hours of CE to reactivate your license. Can I renew my Florida real estate license after it expires? If your license expires, you will be ineligible for license reactivation. An expired license cannot be reinstated. In order to receive another license, you will have to complete all pre-licensing hours again and pass the real estate exam a second time. Your Florida real estate license will only expire if you do not complete your Florida post-license requirements by your first renewal. However, if you completed your post-licensing courses but did not complete the required CE hours, your license will simply be put on involuntary inactive status. You can submit your CE hours, renewal fee, and a late fee within 12 months to become active again. After 12 months of being an involuntary inactive agent, you will need to submit 28 hours of real estate education to reactivate your license. Bottom Line: Florida Real Estate License Renewal Renewing your Florida real estate license as an agent or broker is a very straightforward process. As long as you plan ahead to complete all of your post-license and CE hours, you can complete your Florida license renewal easily online. If you are looking for a high-quality online school that offers post-licensing and continuing education requirements to renew your Florida real estate license, check out Colibri Real Estate. Their online courses have been highly rated by thousands of real estate professionals, and you can pay as little as $19 for your CE credits. Click here to see more details.

Every state requires real estate agents and brokers to periodically renew their licenses. Oregon real estate license renewals are due every two years and require you to complete 30 hours of continuing education (CE) credit hours and submit a renewal fee. Since Oregon is a single-licensure state, all brokers have the same license renewal requirements. These are the four steps needed for your Oregon real estate license renewal: 1. Research Oregon’s Renewal Requirements Since Oregon is a single licensure state, you will be a real estate agent as well as a broker as soon as you receive your license for the first time. You can then decide to upgrade your license at any time to become a principal broker. When it’s time to renew either type of license, be assured that Oregon’s real estate license renewal requirements and process overall is one of the most straightforward in the whole country. The Oregon real estate license renewal requirements are 30 hours for all brokers. While there is some flexibility in what courses you take in follow-up renewals, if it is your first time renewing your Oregon real estate license, you will also be required to complete a list of mandatory topics. For example, you must take the Oregon Law and Rule Required Course (LARRC), and 27 hours of Advanced Practices Courses, which are divided into six regulation-required topics. These are the six required topics for your first time Oregon real estate license renewal: Business Ethics: This is different from the NAR-approved course, but discusses important parts of running an ethical real estate business. The Duty to Disclose: You must be familiar with Oregon’s disclosure laws in order to assist your sellers. Agency Law: This topic covers how to have an appropriate relationship with your clients and the laws relating to your contract. Real Estate Disciplinary Actions: This discusses in detail what happens when real estate transactions or professionals break laws. Economics and the Real Estate Brokerage Business: In order to understand the financial components of your brokerage, you need to know the economics. Property Management: Even if you do not participate in managing properties, it’s important to understand property management in order to assist clients. Pro Tip: If you purchase a CE package, make sure it is specifically for first-time renewals or includes “Broker Advanced Practices.” The specific courses in this package are required. For your subsequent renewals, you can purchase CE credits individually or as a package with a larger variety of course topics. 2. Choose a Real Estate School You can complete your Oregon real estate license renewal requirements online or in a classroom setting. There are plenty of brick and mortar schools in Oregon and even more online schools that offer Oregon CE classes. Many Oregon real estate brokers choose to complete their CE requirements online because of the convenience and affordability. Depending on the real estate school you choose, you can also find types of online learning. Here are the top three online schools for Oregon real estate license renewals: : Kaplan offers online CE classes for your Oregon license renewal in two different formats; online and on-demand. It also offers a full package as well as a variety of elective courses to choose from. Mbition – Learn Real Estate: Mbition offers a full package of the Oregon real estate license renewal requirements for both first-time and subsequent renewals. The packages are only $104 each, which makes it the most affordable choice. McKissock Learning: All of McKissock’s courses are offered through its online platform. It offers a 30-hour CE package, many individual elective courses, and a monthly CE membership. If you want constant access to all of McKissock’s CE courses and its many additional resources, this would be your best choice. When you are choosing your online real estate school, make sure to consider the course topics, cost, course formats, and student reviews. The Oregon continuing education requirements can be an opportunity to grow your skills and make your business more profitable. 3. Complete Continuing Education Coursework Once you choose your real estate school, you must complete all of your continuing education requirements before your renewal deadline. All Oregon real estate license renewal requirements will take around 30 hours to complete, then you will have to wait for your completion certificate. Depending on which real estate school you attend, this can take anywhere between a few days to a month to receive. If you have a real estate license in another state, you may be eligible for reciprocity agreements. Oregon currently has reciprocity agreements with Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, South Dakota, and the Canadian province of Alberta. However, Oregon does require all real estate agents and brokers from other states wishing to operate in their state to complete Oregon’s licensing steps. 4. Submit Documents & Complete Renewal You can apply for your Oregon real estate license renewal up to 30 days before your renewal deadline. After your 30 hours of CE is completed and you have your completion certificate, you can enter your course information into eLicense at any time. In order to renew your license, you simply have to fill out the renewal application through online services and pay the $300 renewal fee online. Once you submit the application and payment, you will receive an email confirmation of your payment. When your renewal is approved, you will also receive an email notification. 5. Make the Most of Your License Renewal Once you renew your Oregon real estate license, you may want to ensure that your career is set up for success. The best way to do this is to implement a marketing plan that works to bring you new business, even when you aren’t. Here are six important factors in successful real estate marketing plans: Website: This is the perfect way to make yourself easily accessible to new and existing clients. Make it easy to get new leads, new clients, and new business 24/7. Lead Generation: Lead generation is a way to attract potential clients and begin building a relationship with them. Using automated lead generation strategies means that you can be gathering new leads while you sleep. Email Marketing: Creating automated email sequences is the perfect way to nurture your new leads and stay in contact with previous clients. Social Media: Using social media platforms can help you network, show properties, and even showcase good reviews. SEO: Search engine optimization means that when clients search, Google leads them to you. You can’t get consistent business if no one knows about you. Ads: Many real estate agents and brokers utilize Facebook and Google ads to get more eyes on their website and to bring in more leads. Pro Tip: Real estate agents who’d rather spend more time closing deals than managing a suite of software should consider an all-in-one tool like InCom. InCom combines the lead management power of a CRM with online marketing, letting you grow your business with a custom-designed real estate website. It also includes social media integration and bulk email messaging. If you’re ready to double your success over the next renewal period, InCom is the perfect way to start. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How do I renew an inactive Oregon real estate license? Before you can reactivate your license, you will need to complete your continuing education hours. If those are already completed, you have to pay a $150 activation fee through online services for your license to be activated. If your license has been inactive for more than two years, you will have to take and pass the reactivation exam. You will also have a $150 activation fee. How much does it cost to renew my Oregon real estate license? The Oregon real estate license renewal fee is $300. If your license is inactive or if you submit your renewal application late, you will pay additional fees. What if I miss my Oregon real estate renewal deadline? If you miss the Oregon real estate license renewal deadline, you can still submit your completed CE credits and the renewal documents within one year. You will have to pay the $300 renewal fee and a $150 late fee. After one year passes, your license is considered lapsed. To receive a real estate license with a lapsed license, you have to then complete the same requirements as a new applicant. Bottom Line - Oregon Real Estate License Renewal Requirements Renewing your real estate license in Oregon is a simple process that can be completed online. By choosing the right real estate school, you can complete all Oregon real estate license renewal requirements and learn new skills to grow your business. If you’re looking for an online real estate school that offers a variety of elective course topics, check out Kaplan Real Estate Education. Kaplan’s instructor lead courses were written by agents for agents and, because they are offered online as well as face to face, they can be completed at a schedule that fits your schedule. Find out more about its Oregon real estate continuing education options here.