Real Estate Express Review: Is It the Best Online Real Estate Course in 2022?
Gina is a licensed real estate salesperson, experienced trainer, and former high school educator of 1,000+ learners. She writes for Fit Small Business with a focus on real estate content.
This article is part of a larger series on How to Become a Real Estate Agent.
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What We Recommend Real Estate Express For
Real Estate Express is best for its flexibility and interactive online elements. They provide self-paced courses and livestream options (depending on the state) to allow for interaction between students and instructors.
Even though there are no in-person courses, the school’s technology, interactive elements, multiple format options, and enrollment support help to ensure student success throughout the licensing process. In addition to pre- and post-licensing education, Real Estate Express provides career-building resources and access to a roster of experienced instructors, live question and answer (Q&A) sessions, and Exam Prep Master program.
Who Real Estate Express Is Good For
- Agents needing career assistance post-licensing: Once you’ve passed the necessary exams and you’re ready to start practicing real estate, Real Estate Express provides a career hub to help guide you through the process of activating or renewing your license along with tips on how to grow your career.
- Students wanting multiple real estate course package options to choose from: Students can choose from four tiered course packages to gain access to the features and tools that best reflect their learning style and the amount of extra support needed to pass the exams. For this reason, it is one of the top accredited online real estate schools.
- Students needing additional exam prep materials: Although exam preparation is included in some of its bundled course packages, Real Estate Exam Prep Master is a separate course ensuring students pass on the first try with a “Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee.” The study guides and prep tests are specific to your state with inside knowledge of what the exams cover. That’s why Real Estate Express is a great prelicensing option for those wanting to get a real estate license.
Real Estate Express Is Not a Good Fit For
- Learners needing in-person courses for learning format or accountability: Real Estate Express does not offer in-person learning, and some find it easier to grasp real estate concepts within an in-classroom environment. In that case, choose a school like Kaplan, which provides livestream classes, or search Fit Small Business for a list of the best real estate schools in your state to find one that offers live format options.
- Students who need more than six months to complete their license: Access to the course through Real Estate Express is available for up to six months, although there is an option to extend based on if your state allows. If you know you want or will need additional time to finish, consider taking a course with up to 12 months of access, like Aceable Agent’s prelicensing courses.
- Prelicensing in CT, DE, ID, NH, NM, NC, ND, OR, RI, or SD: Real Estate Express does not provide prelicensing courses for these states. Students from these states who are looking to get licensed should consider The CE Shop for their prelicensing courses.
Real Estate Express Overview
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Pass or Don't Pay money-back guarantee | Provides only 6 months to complete courses |
| Instructors are active professionals in the industry | No in-person class option |
| ARELLO* and IDECC** accredited | With so many states listed, the website feels cluttered |
| One-to-one access to instructors for questions | No physical school to visit for support |
| Classes available on phone, tablet, or desktop | Printed course material not included in every package |
*Association of Real Estate License Law Officials
**International Distance Education Certification Center
Real Estate Express Pricing
Real Estate Express pricing varies by state, mainly because courses offered depend on the required class topics and number of education hours mandated by each state. Prelicensing courses tend to be the most expensive as they require the highest amount of hours to initially become a real estate agent.
Other courses can be purchased individually or in bundles to tailor the course to your needs and interests. Bundled courses have tiered pricing and include additional resources like live Q&A sessions, additional instructor support, real estate dictionary, the inclusion of required post-licensing courses, and more. This gives real estate agents the ability to pick the most affordable and appropriate packages for their needs.
Types of Education Plans | Prelicensing | Post-licensing | Broker Prelicensing | Continuing Education* | Exam Prep Master |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Who Plan Is Best For | Aspiring agents getting a real estate license for the first time | Agents looking to fulfill additional prelicensing requirements | Agents wanting to further their career by getting a broker license | Agents who need to renew their real estate license | Students who need extra study, tools, and preparation time to pass exams |
Annual Pricing (Range $/User/Month) | From $119 to $600 | From $85 to $329 | From $199 to $888 | From $10.95 to $399.95 | From $99 to $99.99 |
Livestream Course Format | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
Exam Prep Materials | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Online Textbook Course Format | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Instructor Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
E-books | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Customer Service Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
*Offered by partner company McKissock Learning
Type of Education Available
Prelicensing
Real Estate Express students have the option of self-paced online or livestream prelicensing class formats (if livestream is offered in their state) that are accredited by ARELLO and IDECC. Self-paced, text-based online courses give students the flexibility to complete their education from home on their own schedule. In states where it is offered, the livestream courses are perfect for students who prefer to learn with an instructor in real time or want to interact with other students.
Below you can see what’s included within the four available state-specific prelicensing package tiers with Real Estate Express:
The Basics | Exam Preparation | Exam Preparation Plus | Ultimate Learning |
|---|---|---|---|
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If you’re looking for additional education such as post-licensing, continuing education, exam prep, or broker’s licensing, Real Estate Express can be an option for you. Page through the below images and descriptions to see if Real Estate Express offers the required education in your state.
Post-licensing Courses
Real Estate Express provides post-licensing education for agents in states that require further education for new agents. The courses are accredited by ARELLO and IDECC and include state-approved instructor support. Selected post-licensing courses include discussion boards, education concierge, and printed textbooks.
Post-licensing courses are available from Real Estate Express in the following states:
- Alabama
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Virginia
Exam Prep Master
Real Estate Express offers a “Pass or Don’t Pay” money-back guarantee for students who do not pass their exams that is included in most, but not all, packages. Some online real estate schools do not provide a refund at all. Although some exam prep is included in most Real Estate Express packages, students who want extra exam prep should definitely consider enrolling in an additional course to help them pass their exam on the first try.
The Exam Prep Master program ensures you won't encounter unwelcome surprises on exam day. They do this through study guides, exam prep courses, and prep tests specific to your state. The material included in this package is in addition to any exam preparation included in your online course packages.
Continuing Education (CE)
Real Estate Express' continuing education courses are available through their partner company, McKissock Learning. McKissock Learning has online self-paced courses or paper-based correspondence courses created by real estate industry experts.
CE classes can be purchased as preset course bundles or individually, letting agents choose relevant topics that best fit their needs. The state-approved CE courses can be accessed on the school’s easy-to-navigate platform 24/7, with printable chapters and exclusive content specific to McKissock Learning.
Broker Prelicensing
Similar to the salesperson prelicensing, the broker prelicensing courses from Real Estate Express are taught by industry experts in a self-paced environment. Most broker packages provide a Principles of Real Estate Practice e-book and Real Estate Math e-book to coincide with the required online learning hours. Some packages also include a discussion board for open communication and state-approved instructors for support where students may call or email instructors with questions.
Broker prelicensing is available for the following states:
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- New York
- Texas
Real Estate Express Features
Real Estate Express has been helping aspiring and current real estate agents navigate licensing and launching a successful real estate career for more than 25 years. The online real estate school’s features ensure students have adequate instructor support, customer support, and educational materials to receive the best return on their investment.
Key Real Estate Express features that ensure students pass their state exams are:
General Features
- Easy-to-navigate dashboard
- Interactive elements
- Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee
- Multiple course formats
Real Estate Express interface
Real Estate Express makes it easy to understand what is necessary within your state to make sure you can apply for your license once passing all required exams. The self-paced or (where available) livestream classes are designed to ensure students can absorb and retain the course information. The Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee shows that while the school is confident in their learning material and teaching styles, they believe that students who aren’t successful should receive a refund.
Learning Management System (LMS)
- Easy to navigate
- Progress tracker
- Note-taking tools
LMS dashboard
Real Estate Express’ unique Learning Management System (LMS) platform provides students with some aspects of an in-person classroom by creating an interactive environment. For example, students can ask questions in the available student forum and read other questions and answers to gain additional insights from industry pros.
The dashboard manager and goal tracker ensure students are completing courses within the allotted time frame and track the student’s progress throughout each course. The platform also allows academic advisers to provide personal assistance to help with the licensing process. In addition, its LMS platform provides online note taking and free downloads to prepare for the exams.
Smart Bites
- Increased retention
- Knowledge reinforcement
- Exam preparation
Smart Bites are Real Estate Express’ proprietary teaching methodology to help students retain more of the information provided through the courses. It takes the vast amount of knowledge required to succeed and divides it into smaller, more digestible bits of information.
Along with retention, Real Estate Express reinforces knowledge by providing information reviews to ensure students understand the concepts being taught. This methodology is proven to assist with memorization, success in passing the exams, and understanding real estate concepts for a successful career.
Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee
- Full refund
- Confident success rate
- Not valid in FL, NJ, and TN
The high-quality teaching and extra preparation materials provided by Real Estate Express increase the success rate of students passing the state exams. If students do not pass the state exam, they may submit their score to Real Estate Express for a refund of the purchased package. Unfortunately, Florida, New Jersey, and Tennessee do not allow the Pass of Don’t Pay Guarantee.
Multiple Learning Environments
- Accessible on all devices
- Self-paced learning
- Livestream learning options in certain states
An example of state-specific course format options from Real Estate Express
The Real Estate Express prelicensing course provides two options for course completion: self-paced online or livestream. In the 36 states that Real Estate Express caters to, all have the option of self-paced online learning, which includes required learning material, course flexibility, and six months to complete all hours.
In states where students have the option of enrolling in livestream courses, the class will be instructed in real time on specific dates and times. There are classes available during the day, early evening, and weekends to accommodate schedules. Classes are available online on any device with an internet connection. Students will need a webcam, speakers, and microphone to attend the livestream classes.
Real Estate Experts
- Real-life scenarios
- State-specific education
- Access to support
Real Estate Express’ livestream classes, live Q&A sessions, and state-approved instructor support give students access to practicing real estate experts in your specific state. Their expertise can provide deeper engagement within their session to further support your real estate journey. In addition to offering real-life examples from their own experiences, they can more fully understand a student’s struggles with the state’s licensing process to provide the support needed.
Course Extension
- Extend access to course materials
- Available for some states
- More time for studying and preparation for exam
If you are unable to complete your course within the allotted six-month time period, Real Estate Express provides the option to extend your course access at a cost for seven, 30, or up to 60 days. Once you confirm your extension, you will have access to an internal dashboard that identifies your class expiration date. However, if your state doesn’t allow for extensions, the offer to extend access won’t be available.
Customer Service Support
- Guided support
- Phone, email, and live chat
- Satisfaction guarantee
Before enrollment, customer support will help you navigate which courses you need to attend depending on your state. Due to the online nature of the coursework at Real Estate Express, having support through email, phone, and live chat ensures you can address questions if they arise. Plus, there is a robust frequently asked questions (FAQs) section to answer common questions regarding the program if you can’t reach a representative outside business operating hours.
The school’s satisfaction guarantee reinforces its commitment to a student’s success in the program. If enrolled in online self-paced courses, students may request a refund within the first week, whereas those taking livestream classes must request a refund by the second day of classes.
Exam Prep
- Included with most packages
- Flashcards
- Practice exams
Example practice exam from Real Estate Express
Exam prep is available with all Real Estate Express prelicensing packages, except for the Basic package. The exam prep consists of dozens of practice exams and flashcards. For students who want or need extra exam prep, the Exam Prep Master course provides study guides, additional practice exams, and exam prep courses. This type of additional exam prep and practice is the best way to improve your ability to pass your state’s real estate exam.
Ease of Use
It’s simple to get started with course packages through Real Estate Express, and the platform is very straightforward. They list the program category and each state they support so you can easily find out your state’s education requirements and available course packages. If you have questions, customer support is available to assist in enrollment, choosing the right package, and throughout the entire educational process.
The site lays out exactly what is included within each package and its corresponding pricing. Selecting a package for purchase and the checkout process are as simple as any online purchase using your debit or credit card.
Once enrolled, you will be set up with access to the account dashboard, where your courses can be accessed easily on a menu tab. The platform automatically saves the progress when you begin a section so you can return to the correct area. With access to the LMS dashboard, you have a guided path to help you navigate completing the course on time with pacing prompts and academic adviser assistance.
Real Estate Express Alternatives
 |  |  |
Best For: Self-paced online curriculum for all stages of your real estate career | Best For: Course affordability for aspiring or experienced agents | Best For: New or experienced agents who require a variety of course formats |
Price Range: $19 to $799* | Price range: $29 to $677* | Price Range: $19.95 to $449* |
Key Features:
| Key Features:
| Key Features:
|
Visit The CE Shop Use Promo Code: FSB30 for 30% off | Visit Aceable Agent 25% off no promo code required | Visit Kaplan Use Promo Code: Kapre5 for 5% off |
*Pricing here is for comparable options; exact price range depends on course selection and format.
What Users Say in Real Estate Express Reviews
Students leaving Real Estate Express reviews mentioned they had adequate access to instructors for questions and had few technological difficulties with their learning platform. Students found the courses to be convenient and that the user-friendly content contributed to their preparedness for their real estate exams. One student mentioned the ability to complete the course at their own pace was beneficial to them.
- Indeed: 4.3 out of 5 with 220 reviews
- Agent Advice: 3.73 out of 5 with 90 reviews
In less favorable Real Estate Express reviews, one student was disappointed in not having the ability to reverse the flashcards for further learning. Another student mentioned they would have liked more interaction within the courses, instead of just reading and trying to comprehend the materials themselves. Students looking for more interaction should consider a livestream course like Kaplan’s live online instruction course format.
Bottom Line
If completing or continuing your real estate education is on the top of your to-do list, Real Estate Express reviews show that its self-paced online learning classes are a great option. Access to instructors, live Q&A, exam prep, and the platform’s Smart Bites and student dashboard will ensure you’ll feel confident when taking your exam. Real Estate Express provides all the education needed for success in your real estate career, including a career hub to help guide you through the licensing process.