California real estate agents must take 135 hours of prelicensing education, so it’s important that you maximize your investment of time and money by choosing the right course provider. We evaluated several of the leading online real estate courses in California with specific criteria like price, course offerings, study aids, and customer support. After research,…
How to Become a Real Estate Agent in California in 9 Steps
Becoming a real estate agent in California is fairly straightforward. However, there are a number of steps you must complete before you can start earning your first commission from a real estate transaction. You’ll need a license, which involves meeting prelicensing requirements such as completing 135 hours of coursework, a passing grade on the exam,…
Best Real Estate Companies to Work for in 2021
A real estate company is a brokerage—either national or local—that employs licensed real estate agents who represent local buyers and sellers. We compared 11 national real estate brokerages and chose the top six to work for based on commissions, fees, training, brand recognition, and marketing efforts. As a result, we found the top six real…
14 Real Estate Agent Tips for 2021
Success in real estate depends on an agent’s ability to negotiate deals, manage appointments, and serve clients. You also have to stay on top of industry news and trends. However, the best real estate agent tips for success are those that help generate a constant stream of high-quality leads. The following 14 tips will help…
How to Renew Your California Real Estate License
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…
How to Become a Home Inspector in 8 Steps
Home inspectors conduct a thorough inspection of a home prior to purchase. With an average annual income of over $58,000, this career offers a solid living with a flexible schedule. However, you’ll need to get specific education and experience before you can start inspections. These are the eight steps to take to become a home…
6 Best Online Schools for California Real Estate License Renewal
California real estate license renewal courses are required every four years, and agents must take 45 hours of coursework to meet state requirements for their first-time renewal. We reviewed a dozen California real estate license renewal courses online to identify the top providers. We then compared price, course format, selection of elective courses, and customer…
6 Best Real Estate Schools in Illinois for 2021
As a single licensure state, Illinois only provides real estate broker licenses. To get a license, you must complete 75 hours of classes and pass the real estate broker exam. While there are many options to choose from to meet this requirement, we carefully selected the six best real estate schools in Illinois based on…
How Real Estate Commission Splits Work
A real estate commission split is the percentage that agents and brokers get when they help a buyer or seller close on a property. Average real estate commission splits traditionally range from 50/50 to 70/30, largely depending on the brokerage you work for and the market you are working in. This guide will help you…
Best Online Contractor License Schools for 2021
Online contractor license schools help aspiring builders meet state-specific licensing requirements with on-demand courses. We reviewed general contractor schools available nationally and chose the top three; we also included the best schools in California, Florida, and Michigan to represent major regions. All schools were reviewed based on pricing, course format, reviews, and customer support. How…
Becoming a Part-time Real Estate Agent—Can It Work for You?
A part-time real estate agent spends fewer than 40 hours per week representing buyers or sellers for property transactions. Being a part-time real estate agent can provide a flexible schedule and a five-figure income. However, being a real estate agent part-time will result in less income than full-time agents, making this best for people with…
How to Get a Commercial Real Estate License in 4 Steps
Agents with a commercial real estate license have an average income double that of residential agents, with many agents bringing home six and seven figures. This is because commercial properties tend to be priced higher and transactions are more complex. However, this specialization requires additional skills and knowledge to serve the needs of landlords and…