"Mini-Guide" to a Real Estate Training Online

A real estate agent can play two separate roles: one, to help clients find the right piece of property to meet their needs or objectives, or two, to help a client sell their real estate. If a client is looking to buy, the real estate agent needs to be familiar with available properties that match their criteria. Some clients are not looking for a home, but rather an investment property. In that case, a real estate agent needs to know a neighborhood's property values and estimated property taxes. Other clients are looking to move into a new area and want a home that suits their individual or family's needs. Real estate agents should be able to inform the client about the community, and be knowledgeable about local schools, places of worship, the crime rate, etc.

It is the real estate agent's duty to show clients the properties that match their search criteria. Typically it is the real estate agent that acts as a liaison between the buying party and the selling party during bidding. The agent always acts in his or her clients' best interests.

According to Century 21, a home inspector is "a paid professional — often a contractor or an engineer — who checks the safety of a home. Home inspectors search for defects or other problems that could become your worst nightmare later on. They focus particularly on the home's structure, construction, and mechanical systems."

"It is not the inspector's job to determine whether you are getting good value for your money. He does not establish value, only whether the home might collapse in a storm or if the roof might cave in. A home inspection typically takes place after a purchase contract between the buyer and seller has been signed."

The American Society of Home Inspectors estimates that 77% of homes sold in the United States and Canada today are inspected prior to purchase. This translates to considerable opportunities in a highly underserved market.

Real estate appraisers landed a spot in CNN/Money's "Interesting six-figure jobs" series. "Often referred to as 'the eyes and ears of the lender,' a real estate appraiser is the person who assesses the value of a property and highlights any defects. That way, the lender can be assured the property is worth at least as much as the loan amount.

"Appraisals also are used for tax assessment, government acquisitions of private land, property disputes, valuing estates, and proposed business mergers or closures. Though many appraisers work independently or run small firms, some hold full-time positions with banks, real estate firms, insurance companies or local governments.

"Appraisal work has been described as a combination of art and science. It draws on technical expertise as well as informed, impartial opinion and analysis."

Yes, you can take online courses to become a real estate agent, real estate broker, home appraiser or home inspector! There are also various levels of degree attainment for individuals interested in studying real estate online. Generally speaking, in order to practice and be a professional real estate agent, you must be a high school graduate, at least 18 years of age or older, and licensure is required for all 50 states and in the District of Columbia.

Because every state's licensing regulations are different, be sure to find out if your school's online real estate training will prepare you for your state's licensing exam. Overall, online real estate training programs help you: get ready for the license exam; understand the real estate industry; get the skills to anticipate the legal and financial needs of future clients.

Online real estate degrees can be completed in less than a year and non-degree programs can be completed in a matter of months. The rate at which you can complete your real estate program may depend on factors such as previously earned college credit that can be applied to your program, or even prior work experience in the real estate industry.

For online real estate training programs, students should expect to receive their study materials shortly after registering and can begin studying almost immediately. Generally, students enrolled in a degree program may have to wait until the next term begins before they can start their classes. Study materials will vary depending on the particular school or program provider, but may include textbooks, eBooks, CD-ROMs, etc.

The cost of an online real estate degree program can total US$27,000 or more, depending on the degree level (undergraduate degree vs. graduate degree), and type of institution (public or private school).

Online real estate training programs (i.e. non-degree) are very affordable and cost anywhere from US$130 to US$500. Depending on the online school or provider, there may be additional fees, such as an application or registration fee, shipping costs for books and materials, etc.

Financial aid may be available -- this is a question best answered by the online real estate schools, so don't forget to ask. If you are employed, you may also want to determine if you are eligible for any form of tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance from your employer.