What Is a Notary?

A notary public is an individual appointed by the government to verify the identity of parties during the signature of important documents, like legal contracts, wills, car title transfers, or home loans. Notaries are official representatives of the state where they operate. Becoming a notary is a relatively straightforward and affordable process that allows professionals in various industries to make additional income. 

How Much Do Notaries Earn? 

Public notaries earn an average salary of approximately $61,000 per year. However, the potential income of being a notary public depends on your state and the type of notary position you choose. Stationary notaries provide services to customers as needed, while mobile notaries travel to locations that require a witness.

Mobile notaries can travel for the following industries that commonly use notaries for witnessing such transactions:

• Real estate: Uses notaries in real estate closings to witness signatures on a promissory note, deed of trust or mortgage, closing disclosure, or closing statement.
• Insurance: Documents like insurance claim forms, beneficiary request forms, and change of ownership documents need notarizing.
• Title companies: Title companies facilitate the signature on a property for sale. Usually, an 80- to 125-page document is generated by a lender in such transactions, requiring a notary to be present.
• Financial services: Banks have a variety of documents that need to be notarized. They may require a notary on claims, new policies, or transfer of assets.
• Attorneys: Certain legal documents like prenuptial agreements, articles of incorporation, or legal affidavits require a notary signature.

Becoming a notary is a great strategy to earn additional income without choosing a new career. Learn about other great options to earn money or change your career in our guide: 15 Real Estate Jobs Without a License and 13 Jobs You Can Get With a Real Estate License.

Step 1: Confirm Your State’s Requirements

To learn how to start a notary business from home or what it takes to be a notary, check your state’s requirements. Although each state is different, most states require you to be at least 18 years of age, be a legal resident in the state you are applying for, and have no fraudulent or felony charges on your record. Some states also require you to be able to read and write in English.

For example, Louisiana and Georgia have a few of the same qualifications; however, their education, background, and other requirements differ. Check it out:

For more details on how to start a notary business and how to become a US notary, click on your state on the map below to review the specific requirements to qualify.

Step 2: Complete Your Education & Training

Obtaining your public notary license is similar to becoming a real estate agent, which requires state-specific prelicensing education. The training to become a notary is shorter than that for real estate agents, with educational hours required varying between two and six hours. Some states have no education requirements. You must understand Notary Public License Law if your state doesn’t specify prelicensing hours. For instance, New York and Utah don’t require an education course, but you must pass the state exam on the law.

Here are the states that require education:

• California
• Oregon
• Nevada
• Montana
• Wyoming
• Colorado
• New Mexico
• Missouri
• Wisconsin
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Vermont
• Maryland
• District of Columbia
• North Carolina
• Florida

Since learning how to start a notary business differs in each state, the cost of becoming a notary also varies. For example, the Secretary of State of Colorado provides a free education course for becoming a notary online. However, paid notary courses start at around $40.

Step 3: Pass the Notary Exam

When learning how to become a notary, look into your state’s exam procedures and scheduling. Details are on your state’s Secretary of State website or the National Notary Association’s state-specific guide. Not all states require you to pass an exam to be a notary public. However, tests can be offered online or proctored in person in states that provide them. Most notary tests consist of multiple-choice and true/false questions, with states implementing a minimum passing score requirement.

Step 4: Get a Surety Bond (if Required)

Surety bonds are required in many states to ensure that notaries perform their duties according to the law, protecting the public from potential damages or financial harm. These bonds are easy to obtain and typically only require basic information from the notary for the application. While the notary is responsible for paying any claims made against the bond, it’s recommended that they also have errors and omissions insurance.

Some states require a bond amount of as little as $500, like Wisconsin and Wyoming, or it can be as high as $50,000 in Alabama. The cost of the bond does not correlate with the bond amounts. For example, Surety Bonds Direct offers Alabama Surety bonds for only $100 for a $50,000 bond amount, yet Louisiana has a $10,000 bond requirement, and the cost is $110. 

Here are the states that require a safety bond:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Montana
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Washington
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Step 5: Submit a Notary Application

Once you’ve learned how to start your own notary business, get certified as a notary public, and complete your requirements, it’s time to submit the paperwork. Make sure to double-check the application procedures for your state, as some applications are submitted online and some are mailed to different state entities. Your application usually requires a filing fee ranging from $25 to $50.

Along with the application, some states will require you to submit documents like proof of education training and state exam scores, proof of bond, fingerprints, and background checks. When your application is approved, you’re officially a notary business and should receive your certificate. However, a few states, like Connecticut, require you to file your certificate, take the oath of office, and pay a recording fee of $10.

Step 6: Buy Your Notary Supplies

To start learning how to be a notary public, make sure you have the appropriate supplies. You can purchase these tools on websites like the American Association of Notaries or All State Notary Supplies. The important tools you’ll need as a notary are as follows:

Supply	Notary Stamp	Metal Embosser Seal	Notary Journal	Extra Notary Certificates	Inkless Thumb Printer
Description	This self-inking stamp contains your current notary commission information. It will be stamped on every document you notarize.	This raised seal stamp creates an impression on documents with notary information. This is required on certain documents.	Use this book to keep a record of your notary activities and the fees charged for service.	Keep multiple copies of notary certificates on hand to attach to a document that lacks notary language or if the document lacks ample room for a notary seal.	Notaries may want to have an inkless thumb printer to obtain the signer's fingerprint for the record.
Starting Price	$22.99	$29.95	$14.99	$14.99	$14.99

In addition, creating a “fee chart” that displays the fees for your notary services is best. This can be emailed to your customers and displayed in your office. Use a professional graphic design service like 99designs to help you create and design a flyer, printed document, or poster starting at just $169. Simply submit a quick brief describing your design needs, and the platform will connect you with its community of graphic designers to either hire one or create a contest for the best custom design.

Step 7: Advertise Your Services & Start Your Notary Career

The overhead cost of becoming a notary is relatively low compared with launching other businesses, but your success depends on the effort you put into it. To grow your notary public business, you must promote your services and have a system to capture leads and communicate with customers. 

Like real estate agents, notaries must use lead generation tactics to gain clients for their notary business. There are an endless number of local marketing ideas, which may include the following:

• Direct mail
• Email marketing
• Social media marketing
• Website and content marketing
• Advertising

Consider starting with a comprehensive marketing tool like Market Leader that includes a variety of marketing platforms, like email marketing, print marketing, and a complete branding and design suite. Market Leader makes it easy to create a beautiful and professional website and manage leads with the built-in customer relationship manager (CRM).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does it take to become a notary?

How much does it cost to become a notary?

What is the hardest state to become a notary?

Bringing It All Together 

Figuring out what you have to do to become a notary can be challenging since each state has different requirements. However, starting a notary business is possible for anyone willing to put in the time and effort. To learn how to become a notary, follow the steps above, and enjoy benefits like a flexible work schedule and multiple income opportunities.

The post How to Become a Notary & Own a Notary Business in All States appeared first on The Close.

What Is a Real Estate Mastermind Group?

A real estate mastermind group is peer-to-peer mentoring among agents and investors looking to share knowledge, strategies, and support. These mastermind agent groups of realtors and investors meet in person or online at specific periods to review trends, fix problems, or simply set goals. The synergy of the group, through their composite expertise and experience, maximizes both individual and group potential.

Mastermind groups are resourceful and different from the usual networking groups where members only exchange business cards and socialize. In a mastermind group, members commit to each other’s success by offering constructive feedback and sharing resources. Such synergy created in these groups can provide a breakthrough, which one would not get by working alone.

Be it increasing the knowledge base, solving specific problems, or seeking motivational fuel, real estate mastermind groups are game-changers for real estate careers.

How to Join Real Estate Mastermind Groups

A mastermind real estate group could be a giant step toward developing your professionalism and network. You can find real estate investing mastermind groups by doing a simple search on Google (or continue reading this article, which will give you a bunch of excellent mastermind group choices!) Find those of interest and research them the same way you would any other critical decision. 

The steps to joining a real estate mastermind include the following: 

• Research: Identify groups that align with your professional goals and interests. Look for groups with people who have similar levels of experience and expertise. 
• Apply: Most groups have an application process to ensure a good fit between the group’s objectives and your goals. This application process may be done by filling out a form, participating in an interview, or attending a trial meeting. Most online Facebook groups are free to join but may need group administrator approval before having access. 
• Attend: If accepted, regularly attend meetings or real estate conferences. The more active you are with the group, the more you gain from it. Some groups may have attendance policies.
• Contribute: Offer your knowledge and experience to others within the group to derive value from. The more you contribute, the more you will benefit from the members’ collective wisdom.

How Much Do Real Estate Masterminds Cost?

All the mastermind groups I have shortlisted are free and online via Facebook. Such groups will help agents get important resources and provide the ability to connect with others to share information from expert practitioners at no cost. 

Some other paid mastermind groups can grant advanced features, such as personal coaching and special member-only resources. However, free online groups will still deliver some of the value and support that help agents move their careers forward. The minimum cost for these free groups is your time and involvement, which are returned to you through knowledge networking and professional growth.

Benefits of Joining a Real Estate Mastermind Group

Joining a real estate masterminds group will enhance your career with a bundle of different benefits best suited for your professional growth and success. You’ll share a collaborative environment and have the opportunity to leverage the collective intelligence of participants in the groups. The key benefits of a real estate mastermind group are as follows: 

• Networking opportunities: Connect with like-minded professionals and expand your business network.
• Knowledge sharing: Gain insights and learn from the experiences of others in the industry.
• Accountability: Stay focused on your goals with the support and encouragement of group members.
• Motivation: Be inspired by the successes and strategies of your peers.
• Problem-solving: Find solutions to challenges through collective brainstorming and advice.
• Personal and professional growth: Continuously improve your skills and knowledge.
• Market insights: Stay updated on the latest industry trends and developments.
• Supportive community: Benefit from the encouragement and camaraderie from professionals who understand your challenges

The Close’s Favorite Mastermind Groups

The right mastermind realtor group is key to real estate professionals seeking valuable insight, support, and good networking. With so many options available, finding one that aligns with your goals and professional level is imperative. Therefore, we’ve pulled out a list of the top 10 masterminds real estate groups for you to start with. No two groups are alike, each having varying benefits and focus, so no matter what an agent is looking for to move their career forward, there will be at least one.

1. Real Estate Rockstar Agents

Year Founded: 2014
Group Membership: 47,246
Monthly Posts: Around 200
Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? No
Real Estate Agents Only? Yes

Real Estate Rockstar Agents is a dynamic community built for high-performance agents wanting to move their careers to the next level. The group shares advanced strategies, industry secrets, and innovative techniques on how to be the best within a particular market. Its culture of excellence and ambition makes it a perfect fit for those looking to learn from the best and constantly challenging themselves to improve their skill base.

2. Real Estate Memes & Videos

Year Founded: 2016
Group Membership: 52,077
Monthly Posts: Around 150
Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? No
Real Estate Agents Only? Yes

A unique mastermind group with an extremely unique blend of humor and education that refreshes your professional network is Real Estate Memes & Videos. The content provided is the most entertaining way to draw on industry trends, common challenges, and real estate tips. This group is an excellent place to keep yourself light-hearted while still learning from fellow agents.

3. LabCoat Agents

Year Founded: 2014
Group Membership: 165,704
Monthly Posts: Around 2,000
Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? On approval of admins
Real Estate Agents Only? No

As one of the largest and most active real estate communities, LabCoat Agents offers a wealth of resources for agents at all levels. It’s known for highly detailed content regarding real estate matters, from marketing and technology to lead generation and personal development. With regular webinars, expert interviews, and collaborative discussions, LabCoat Agents is a must-join for those serious about excelling in real estate.

4. Empowering Women in Real Estate

Year Founded: 2014
Group Membership: 38,235
Monthly Posts: Around 170
Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? No
Real Estate Agents Only? No, lenders, title companies, and real estate support teams, too!

Founded by agent Karen W. Cooper, the mission of Empowering Women in Real Estate is to help and encourage women in real estate. This mastermind real estate group provides a safe space where women can empower each other through sharing experiences, struggles, and triumphs. By focusing on mentorship, networking, and personal development, the idea is to allow women to reach their potential within the real estate industry.

5. New Real Estate Agents Facebook Group

Year Founded: 2017
Group Membership: 76,655
Monthly Posts: Around 200
Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? No
Real Estate Agents Only? No, mortgage brokers, too!

The New Real Estate Agents Facebook Group is a great forum and support group for those entering the business. You can ask questions, ask for advice, or share personal experiences regarding entering the real estate business. This group would be a good fit for any new agent looking for mentorship, real-life practice tips, and motivation from people who recently walked a similar path.

6. Real Estate Mastermind

Year Founded: 2016
Group Membership: 304,243
Monthly Posts: Around 3,500
Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? No
Real Estate Agents Only? Yes

Join Real Estate Mastermind if you are seeking a high-level, peer-to-peer group. It’s the perfect group if you’re an experienced agent or industry leader ready to dive into advanced strategies and insights. This mastermind group consists of people who like to get things done, keep their members responsible, collaborate, and help set real estate goals. It is excellent for learning subtle skills and keeping updated on market trends.

7. Real Estate Happy Hour

Year Founded: 2015
Group Membership: 15,578Monthly Posts: Around 50
Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? No
Real Estate Agents Only? No, lenders can join, too.

The Real Estate Happy Hour mastermind group brings professional development into a social setting, allowing agents to network and discuss ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. Though it’s not the most active group on our list, it provides an opportunity for its membership base to discuss industry topics and best practices and offers relevant networking. It’s great for those looking to mix business with a sprinkle of humor while growing a professional network.

8. Facebook Ad Support Group for New Real Estate Agents

Year Founded: 2018
Group Membership: 30,419Monthly Posts: Around 10
Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? No
Real Estate Agents Only? Yes

While not a group you might actively participate in, The New Real Estate Agent Facebook Support Group is a place to become proficient in online ads. The group shares real and practical tips and advice on troubleshooting and success stories related to running Facebook ads. These resources are invaluable for agents leveraging social media marketing to generate leads and grow their businesses.

9. Real Estate Agents Referral Group

Year Founded: 2000
Group Membership: 11,062
Monthly Posts: Around 10Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? No
Real Estate Agents Only? Yes

The Real Estate Agents Referral Group is a forum for exchanging referrals among agents nationwide. Members can grow their businesses through this group by networking with fellow agents around various other demographic areas. This forum is suitable for finding someone to partner with, sharing leads, and giving your clients superior service with a network of trusted professionals who can help take your business to the next level.

10. The Close Real Estate Community

Year Founded: 2019
Group Membership: 8,979Monthly Posts: 15
Private or Public: Private
Self-promotion Allowed? No
Real Estate Agents Only? No, it is open to other industry professionals, too.

The Close Real Estate Community is our specially curated group with top-level access to real estate industry insights, practical advice, and highly attainable community members. We bring forward collaboration in this environment that empowers members to share their experiences or ask for guidance from our team. Be it a seasoned agent or a new entry into the business, The Close Real Estate Community is equipped with the tools and support needed for agents to be successful in their chosen careers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why join a real estate mastermind group?

How can I identify the right mastermind group that fits all my needs in real estate?

What do I get from participating in the mastermind group within Real Estate?

Bringing It All Together

The real estate mastermind groups are valuable because they provide a robust platform where agents can establish a faster and more tangible pace of personal and professional growth. Agents will access a helpful and friendly network of similar-minded career professionals who can offer valuable industry insights and actionable strategies to apply directly to their businesses. These groups present opportunities for continual learning, accountability, and motivation.

Do you belong to a mastermind group? Tell us which one and how it has helped you!

The post 10 Real Estate Mastermind Groups Every Agent Should Join Today appeared first on The Close.

We evaluated these online real estate schools based on pricing, course offerings, teaching styles, user experience, and exam success rates and came up with our top five. Need a little more information about what it actually takes to get a real estate license? Start with our comprehensive guide on how to get a real estate license.

5 Best Online Real Estate Schools

We chose the front-runners for our list of the best online real estate schools across several categories and narrowed it down to our five favorites.

Featured Partner

Colibri Real Estate has paid for this placement. However, our team of experts approved Colibri Real Estate as an appropriate product and our content remains editorially independent.

Use Our Code “TheClose30” to Get 30% Off on All Colibri Real Estate Prelicensing Courses.

• Pre-Licensing & Exam Prep: State-required courses and exam preparation with practice tests and study guides.
• Continuing Education: Courses to maintain licenses and improve skills in real estate.
• Flexible Online Learning: Self-paced, interactive online courses with videos and quizzes.

Visit Colibri Real Estate

What’s the Best School in My State?

Since each state determines local licensing rules and accredited providers, our advice may differ depending on where you’re looking to practice real estate. For tailored suggestions and resources, select your state below. 

Best Overall Online Real Estate School: Colibri Real Estate

• Accreditation: ARELLO, IDECC

Pros

• Lots of package options in states across the country
• Great customer service
• Live Q&A with expert instructors

Cons

• Courses require a lot of independent reading
• Limited options for broker license classes
• Text-heavy courses

The Close Score

4.7

Value

5.0

Customer service

3.8

Student experience

4.5

Features

4.0

Reputation

5.0

Online experience

5.0

out
of

5

The prelicensing courses that Colibri Real Estate offers are designed for students with little or no business experience. Its program includes material that sets them up for a smooth transition into real estate. Some of Colibri’s package options also include exam prep courses and continuing education (in partnership with McKissock Learning). The added assurance of Colibri’s Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee is also helpful, but it’s not available in all states or all class tiers.

Can I Take Colibri Real Estate Courses in My State?

Colibri Real Estate offers prelicensing courses in most states, exam preparation in all 50, plus continuing education and broker licensing courses in selected states. The company is continuously expanding its coverage, so we’ll make sure to update this page regularly.

Colibri Real Estate Pricing

In each school review, we priced out four of the most populous states in different areas of the country to give you an idea of what the program might cost you. As with other institutions below, Colibri usually has many package options with different offerings—basic to premium—so we’re providing you the price ranges for the programs in each of these four states. Make sure to check with Colibri Real Estate for the exact pricing in your state, as well as any discounts or promotions currently available.

Colibri Real Estate Pricing Summary

*CE courses offered by McKissock Learning

Favorite Colibri Real Estate Feature: Live Q&A

We really appreciate the live chat Q&A available with some of Colibri’s real estate prelicensing packages. Students can join sessions with licensed real estate agents and brokers to ask questions about their material or the upcoming exam. This also provides valuable information about how to apply what they’re learning in the real world.

Room to Improve

The Colibri Real Estate courses are definitely text-heavy and a lot of reading is involved. Students who need a more interactive experience might prefer a school such as Kaplan. 

We also feel that Colibri Real Estate could improve its mobile interface. As mobile learning edges closer to the norm, students are looking for easy, streamlined offerings on their phones. While you can take their courses on a phone or tablet, Colibri Real Estate recommends using Google Chrome as your browser, and you must take final exams and unit quizzes on your desktop computer or laptop for optimal functionality.

Bottom Line on Colibri Real Estate

Colibri Real Estate’s premium courses offer not only everything soon-to-be real estate professionals need to launch their careers, but they have also expanded their offerings of broker courses, in case you’re already looking to further your real estate career. They’re now available in nine states, including New York, Illinois, California, Texas, and Georgia. 

If you want to learn more about what Colibri Real Estate has to offer, check out our full review of their platform, including a behind-the-scenes video walk-through. Visit their website to find out about course availability and pricing in your state.

Enroll Now at Colibri Real Estate

Best All-in-One Online Real Estate School: The CE Shop

• Accreditation: ARELLO

Pros

• Expertly designed curriculum
• Best continuing education options
• At least some classes available in all 50 states

Cons

• No access to instructors
• No live instruction
• Text-heavy content

The Close Score

4.5

Value

5.0

Customer Experience

5.0

Student experience

3.5

Features

4.0

Reputation

5.0

Online experience

5.0

out
of

5

The CE Shop offers a wide variety of courses and packages for real estate professionals, including prelicensing courses, exam prep, and post-licensing requirements. Also, with its custom Leap 2.0 system, The CE Shop optimizes your real estate courses for delivery on just about any platform, so you can knock out education requirements on the go.

Can I Take The CE Shop Courses in My State?

The CE Shop offers prelicensing courses directly in many states (see below). But also, they partner with other schools to provide at least some form of real estate education in all 50 states. Even Maine students, for example, can take their exam prep courses through the company.

The CE Shop Pricing

The CE Shop may be best known for its continuing education courses (hence the name), but they also offer excellent real estate prelicensing courses in many states. Here are four states and examples of the pricing in each one.

The CE Shop Pricing Summary

Favorite The CE Shop Feature: Continuing Education

The CE Shop offers some outstanding continuing education courses in unique niches. Assistance Animals in Fair Housing, Marijuana Laws in Real Estate, and Land Contract Details are just some of the topics you can learn about while fulfilling your continuing education requirements.

Every three years, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) requires its members to take a refresher course in the NAR Code of Ethics. The CE Shop offers a great course that fulfills this requirement called Code of Ethics: Good for Your Clients and Your Business.

Room to Improve

The CE Shop’s courses are all online and the interface can feel a little clunky. It can be hard to navigate backward and forward within the courses. We would really like to see The CE Shop put more effort into embedding videos and links as well. The material can be dry and text-heavy.

Bottom Line on The CE Shop

We’re impressed with The CE Shop’s affordable and comprehensive prelicensing packages. But what really makes it stand out is the library of interesting CE courses that will fulfill your state’s requirements year after year.

Best Online Real Estate School for Mobile Experience: Aceable Agent

• Accreditation: Varies by state

Pros

• Superior format and written content
• Affordable price point
• High pass rates

Cons

• Not available in many states
• Continuing education only offered in three states
• Limited package add-ons

The Close Score

3.8

Value

5.0

Customer service

3.8

Student experience

3.0

Features

2.0

Reputation

5.0

Online experience

5.0

out
of

5

Students looking for flexible options for completing their real estate prelicensing education should definitely consider Aceable Agent. Their mobile-first online platform is ideal for students fitting in classes between other priorities. Their PDF-based, long-form course is also an excellent choice if you learn best by reading.

Can I Take Aceable Agent Courses in My State?

Aceable Agent offers real estate prelicensing in the teal-colored states in the image below. They also offer continuing education in New York, Texas, and Georgia, and post-licensing education in Texas.

Aceable Agent Pricing

In the pricing table below, you’ll see a range for each of the featured states. That’s because Aceable Agent, like many others on this list, offers different packages depending on students’ needs—its two top-tier options include thorough exam preparation, for example. 

We’ve provided current pricing for courses in some of the most populous states in the country, including Texas, California, New York, and Florida. Visit the Aceable Agent website to determine pricing in your state, and use the coupon code below, exclusively for readers of The Close.

Aceable Agent Pricing Summary

Favorite Aceable Agent Feature: Sleek, Easy-to-Use Interface

Aceable Agent’s platform was developed for a digitally savvy audience. Its clean, modern interface is easy to navigate and makes working and learning on the go a real possibility. So if you want to complete your classes online (either from a computer, tablet, or phone), you can.

But you can also work from well-written PDFs. You decide day-to-day how you want to consume the content. These methods clearly work for students who choose Aceable, as the school advertises an outstanding national pass rate of 91%.

Room to Improve

We commend Aceable Agent for their singular approach and focus on excellence in mobile prelicensing courses, but we know that budding real estate professionals have to think about more than just prelicensing. The company’s exam prep packages and continuing education have very limited availability, and they offer no broker preparation whatsoever.

Bottom Line on Aceable Agent

If it’s time to take the next step in your career and add “real estate professional” to your business card, we recommend Aceable Agent as it’s easy to fit their mobile courses into your schedule. They’re an ideal provider if you’re looking for an affordable, flexible course that makes it easy to balance other priorities.

Best Online Real Estate School for Interactive, Live Instruction: Kaplan

• Accreditation: Varies by state

Pros

• Great professional development tools
• Basic packages include lots of bonus materials
• Excellent textbook and class materials

Cons

• Interface is a little dated
• Difficult to take classes on a mobile device
• Live online classes are pricey

The Close Score

4.6

Value

5.0

Customer service

3.8

Student experience

4.0

Features

5.0

Reputation

5.0

Online experience

4.0

out
of

5

If you’re looking for a company that is synonymous with quality instruction, look no further than Kaplan. The company has a long track record of preparing students for standardized tests across a variety of industries. It’s also a long-time provider of prelicensing courses for students fulfilling their state requirements and preparing for their real estate license exam.

Can I Take Kaplan Courses in My State?

Kaplan either offers prelicensing courses or partners with local schools in the states below. They also offer continuing education, broker licensing, and exam prep courses in some states.

Kaplan Pricing

Because Kaplan’s offerings are so diverse in terms of format and interaction, its pricing varies widely. The company’s completely self-paced options start as low as $149. But when it comes to live online instruction with an experienced educator and practicing real estate agent, it can quickly run you more than $1,000.

Below you’ll find sample Kaplan pricing in four states. Note that Florida real estate courses are offered by Kaplan partner Bob Hogue School of Real Estate. Make sure to check with Kaplan for course availability and pricing in your state.

Kaplan Pricing Summary

Favorite Kaplan Real Estate Education Feature: Live Online Instruction

Kaplan‘s best feature is its ability to cater to a variety of learning styles. In most states, you can choose from three different online formats: Home Study, OnDemand, and Live Online.

• The Home Study method is a text-based learning program centered on an e-book, and is completely self-paced. It’s ideal for students who learn best by reading quietly.
• OnDemand takes your nose out of the book with prerecorded video lessons from instructors in live classrooms, teaching the material while you follow along in your textbook. Jot down your questions, email your instructors, and get clarification about whatever you need.
• Live Online is a virtual classroom with a live instructor. Ask questions and interact with your fellow students in real time—this format is similar to the best webinar you’ve ever attended.

Another feature we love is Kaplan’s Real Estate Accelerator. It’s a professional development course led by a highly qualified real estate agent with a ton of experience and knowledge to share. This accelerator program isn’t part of the required prelicensing course hours, but it can help you jump-start your business plan and marketing strategy.

Room to Improve

Kaplan’s interface for their OnDemand and Live Online formats is a little dated compared to what you’ll find at other online schools we’ve reviewed. Students reported having trouble running Kaplan’s programs on various web browsers, so a little bit of technology troubleshooting might be necessary.

Bottom Line on Kaplan Real Estate Education

If a live, instructor-led online experience is what you’re looking for, Kaplan is often your best option. Visit their website today to find out which courses are available in your area.

Enroll Now at Kaplan Real Estate

Best Online Real Estate School on a Budget: RealEstateU

• Accreditation: Accrediting bodies for each RealEstateU school vary by state

Pros

• Very affordable
• 30-day money-back guarantee
• Access content anytime, anywhere

Cons

• Experience varies state by state
• Exam prep and textbooks not included
• No live instruction
• No CE or broker courses

The Close Score

3.5

Value

4.5

Customer service

2.8

Student experience

3.0

Features

2.0

Reputation

5.0

Online experience

5.0

out
of

5

RealEstateU launched in 2013 in New York and has since expanded to 14 states, including Texas, California, Florida, Washington, the Carolinas, and Michigan. Designed for budget-conscious consumers, this is one of the least expensive programs on the market. If you put in your time and the format works for your learning style, it’s an excellent, affordable option.

Can I Take RealEstateU Courses in My State?

RealEstateU offers prelicensing courses in the following states:

RealEstateU Pricing

Overall, RealEstateU is consistently one of the most affordable options on the market. Pricing varies by state, ranging from $99 to $500 for prelicensing, which is a real bargain compared to other providers. Exam prep is an additional cost of about $125. Make sure to check with RealEstateU for the exact pricing in your state, as well as what current discount promotions are available.

RealEstateU Pricing Summary

Favorite RealEstateU Feature: Support at Every Step

RealEstateU’s greatest strength is in the support it provides students. While most online schools just focus on helping you pass the exam, RealEstateU offers plenty of resources to assist you before you start and after you’ve passed.

For example, they have an excellent and regularly updated blog, plus their FAQ section for each state is one of the most comprehensive we’ve seen. RealEstateU also offers some amazing investment courses such as Real Estate Accounting for Beginners, Motivation From a Proven Investor, and a free nine-chapter course called How to Be a Successful Real Estate Agent.

Room to Improve

We hope that RealEstateU will incorporate more inventive and innovative approaches to teaching that work for a wider range of learning styles. Currently, they offer mostly audio classes, which may work for some students, but not others. If interactive courses with a live instructor are important to you, consider Kaplan.

Bottom Line on RealEstateU

There’s really no downside to trying RealEstateU if they have courses in your state. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee* so you can try it out and decide if it’s the right format for you. If it is, you’re getting your courses at a real bargain!

Enroll at RealEstateU

*Some states, such as Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Tennessee, prohibit guarantees on passing the licensure exam. Students will still be able to pick and enroll in their desired course, but the money-back guarantee won’t be honored by real estate providers from the aforementioned states.

How to Choose the Best Online Real Estate School

It might seem like a simple decision—choosing the best school—but there are many factors to consider for your real estate education.

• Cost: Is the course package of your choice within your budget?
• Accreditation: It’s vital that your chosen school is recognized by the state you want to work in, otherwise you won’t qualify to take the license exam. But also, many schools are accredited by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO), the International Distance Education Certification Center (IDECC), or both. These organizations develop and apply learning standards to evaluate how well the schools deliver educational courses.
• Class format: Do you prefer a traditional classroom setting where you can easily approach your instructors and peers during classes? Or an online live stream class where you don’t have to commute but still have easy access to instructor support? You may also opt for pure online classes where you can go through the coursework at your own pace.
• Pass rates: Does the average student of your chosen school pass the state licensing exam on their first try? Some states publish pass rates for each school, which are definitely worth looking at. In other states, you might want to compare pass rates published by the schools themselves, although the data might not always be the most accurate or up to date. Some course packages include a pass guarantee, offering money back or free catch-up courses and study materials to students who don’t pass the exam on the first try.
• Refund policy: Some schools, on the other hand, provide a refund option for students who are not satisfied with their courses. Make sure you’re aware of your chosen school’s refund policy—if there is one.

How to Sign Up for an Online Real Estate School

Signing up for an online real estate school is as easy as creating an account when you’re shopping online. Selecting the courses you need to take is just like adding items to your cart. Of course, the number one step is to check that you’ve selected the right state when signing up. From there, you will only need to provide your personal information, email address, and payment details.

The registration terms vary per school, so make sure that you’re 100% decided on where you want to enroll. If not, then make sure that you’ve read your chosen school’s refund policy.

Comparing Prices for the Best Online Real Estate Schools

(Prelicensing packages as of August 2023)

How We Selected the Best Online Real Estate Schools

This list did not just appear overnight. At The Close, we have a team of licensed real estate professionals, writers, and editors who research and score the best real estate schools using a weighted rubric according to the following criteria:

• Course offerings
• Instructor support
• Customer service
• Web and mobile interface
• Accreditation
• Student reviews

Read more about our review methodology here.

Best Online Real Estate Schools: FAQs

If you’re still not sure about the path forward, check out our interactive map for specific advice based on your state. Or check out our answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about online real estate schools below.

Do I need a real estate school if I already have a license from another state?

Which is better: online or in-person real estate classes?

I’ve never attended an online class before. Is it hard?

How many Realtors are there in the U.S.?

How much do real estate agents make?

What are average home prices in the U.S.?

Bringing It All Together

Picking a real estate school is just the first step in your journey to a new career. We stand behind all the schools on this list and hope we’ve helped you find the best online real estate school to meet your state’s requirements, budget, and learning style. Have you taken courses with these schools or others? Do you have any advice for prospective students? Please leave a comment below and let us know.

The post 5 Best Online Real Estate Schools appeared first on The Close.

1. Home Stager

• Average salary: $70,266 per year
• Required skills: Art, strong aesthetics, decorating, design, technology, and software

As a home stager, your primary role is to make homes appealing to potential buyers. But you can serve a wide array of clients, from homeowners and real estate professionals to TV and movie sets. You can rent or buy decor to stage vacant homes or stage using the homeowner’s existing furnishings. If you’re creative and have strong aesthetics, knowing how to choose complementary colors and arrange furnishings around a focal point, you’ll have fun working in this real estate job without a license. 

In addition, modern virtual staging software is available as an alternative, creating realistic and style-matched room layouts. If you’re tech-savvy and artistic, searching for roles at virtual staging companies is an option, too. Many in this field pursue formal home staging or interior design education, but natural talent coupled with an apprenticeship can lead to a successful home staging career.

2. Title Examiner

• Average salary: $51,098 per year
• Required skills: Detail-oriented, meticulous research, strong communicator, problem-solver, real estate deed laws

Title examination is an excellent job in real estate that doesn’t require a license for history buffs and would-be archeologists who love digging into historical property records and examining past property transfers, deeds, liens, and boundaries. Uncover historical ownership disputes, encumbrances, incorrect deed recordings, and anything preventing real estate transfers to new owners. 

You’ll need keen attention to detail and proficient research skills to excel in this career. Knowing the title insurance requirements for your home state is also essential. After unearthing title histories, you will report your findings to the lenders, home buyers, sellers, real estate agents, and attorneys involved in the home sale. After the closing, you head over to the local registry of deeds and record the new deed. 

3. Real Estate Investor

• Average salary: $86,796 per year
• Required skills: Strong knowledge of real estate, finance, business development, property valuation, negotiating, property management, landlord-tenant laws, local, state, and federal housing laws

To generate income, a real estate investor must locate and evaluate income-producing properties to buy. You must understand real estate financing, calculations, and market trends, and depending on the type of investing you choose, you will also need to be familiar with contractors, property managers, attorneys, real estate agents, etc. 

Excelling in this real estate job that doesn’t require a license does, however, require real estate knowledge about the market and how to assess income-generating properties. Negotiation skills, familiarity with housing laws, and financial metrics (e.g., cap rate, gross rent multiplier, and return on investment) are essential to sidestep costly errors. Additionally, knowledge of real estate financing acumen—from hard money loans to conventional loans—is key. Getting started is challenging, but it is definitely a lucrative career if you stick to it. 

4. Real Estate Appraiser

• Average salary: $91,772 per year
• Required skills: Math, detail-oriented, research, and analytical thinking

Your role as a real estate appraiser is to gather property data and create comprehensive reports for homebuyers. These reports will determine the property’s fair market value for new mortgages and refinancing. It’s similar but more in-depth than a comparative market analysis (CMA). 

As an appraiser, you’ll assess property values for lenders, banks, government agencies, and property owners independently or with an appraisal company. The job involves comparing the subject property with similar ones in the area and adjusting the value based on differences to determine its fair market value. It is suited for those with strong analytical skills. It’s one of the excellent real estate career paths without a license if you prefer a flexible job with fieldwork and office work.

5. Real Estate Assistant

• Average salary: $48,610 per year (entry-level)
• Required skills: Office administration, technology, real estate knowledge, basic math, communication, and multitasking

This real estate job without a license requires computer and technology skills, scheduling, lead generation, marketing, and organization. As a real estate assistant, you can find work with brokerages, teams, or real estate agents. Since you would talk to customers directly, being friendly and communicating well is important.  

Confidentiality is also key because of the nature of the documents handled. If you’ve worked as an administrative assistant before, that’s a plus. This real estate career is great for people who like a busy office and are good at multitasking.

6. General Contractor

• Average salary: $69,730 per year
• Required skills: Time and project management, math, reading blueprints, carpentry, supervisory, and people skills

As a general contractor, you’ll coordinate and oversee large and small construction projects, from kitchen renovations to entire residential and commercial subdivisions. It involves coordinating the delivery of building materials, estimating project scope and costs, and supervising a crew of subcontractors and employees. 

This career in real estate is perfect if you are organized, detail-focused, and have strong communication and leadership skills. In some places, passing a licensing exam is required. Experience and a license are vital because you work with critical systems like electricity and plumbing, ensuring safety and avoiding damage. Building permits and compliance with laws and codes are necessary before starting projects. You’ll work with architects, create invoices, and collect payments, often using software to plan projects and streamline work.

7. Architect

• Average salary: $128,756 per year
• Required skills: Technical design, computer-aided design (CAD), math, creating and reading blueprints, building and construction, math, legal, problem-solving, communication, and drawing

Architecture is a front-facing role where you will meet with customers, prepare scaled drawings, draft structures and specs, and manage and oversee projects like homes, buildings, and structures. It involves using computer-aided design (CAD) software to create your blueprints and designs based on input from your clients. In addition to computer-drawn designs, you will need to draft by hand during the conceptual stages of your design.

Being an architect does not require a real estate license, but it does require proficiency in geometry, algebra, and trigonometry to create designs and use software. You need to be detail-oriented to ensure designs are safe and stable. It’s a long journey, taking around 10 to 11 years, starting with a five-year bachelor’s degree in architecture, followed by up to five years of a master’s degree, and including a three-year internship. To officially become an architect, you must pass the Architect Registration Examination. If you’re a person who loves school, this could be the right job for you. 

8. Real Estate Photographer

• Average salary: $62,338 per year
• Required skills: Technology, photography, design, camera equipment

In this career, you will take pictures to capture properties’ interior and exterior aesthetics in your photos or videos and virtual tours. To make the images pop, use photographic equipment and strategic lighting to highlight the home’s best features. Filters and photo editing software are needed to adjust images during and after your photo shoot. Your real estate agent clients want excellent images and quick turnaround, so they can get them uploaded to their online real estate listings and the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). 

This could be a great choice if you enjoy photography, interior design, and browsing real estate listings. It’s a unique role in real estate that lets you work with homeowners and tour homes. Good photos are key to selling properties online, so practicing your photography skills is important. This real estate career path offers a flexible schedule and work environment, mixing field and office work.

9. Land Developer

• Average salary: $84,748 per year
• Required skills: Finance, accounting, real estate, people and project, management, building and construction, zoning laws

This career in real estate seeks people who can start with raw land and plan what will be built on it. You will design and arrange where utilities will go and add streets, building lots, and sidewalks to your designs. You’ll also work with general contractors and oversee commercial, residential, and industrial project constructions. When projects are complete, you list and sell them or hire a real estate agent.

You need strong people management, financial, business, and analytical skills to succeed in this real estate career. You’ll work closely with architects and builders to bring the project to fruition, so it requires being a team player. While there’s no set educational path for real estate developers, many have civil engineering, real estate, or business degrees. Some also have a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and a real estate license may be required in some states.

10. Real Estate Attorney

• Average salary: $140,845 per year
• Required skills: Critical thinking, negotiation, writing, complex problem solving, extensive reading, research, analytical, detail-oriented, persuasive communication

Suppose you want a career as a real estate attorney. In that case, your job is to prepare and record deeds, perform title searches, arrange real estate closing documents, settle real estate disputes, write leases and eviction notices, and represent your clients in court. You’ll advise homebuyers, sellers, and businesses and work for banks, lenders, insurance companies, and sometimes real estate agents. 

This career requires a lot of research and knowledge of real estate and local, state, and federal laws. You can work independently or with a firm. This role involves drafting documents for property transactions and teaching law. Starting this career takes about seven years of education: four years for a bachelor’s degree and three years for a law degree (J.D.). Afterward, you need to pass the bar exam. This real estate career path is a good fit if you enjoy extensive education and have strong analytical and negotiation skills.

11. Home Inspector

• Average salary:
• Required skills: Communication, ability to meet deadlines, and having worked in trades helps

If you’re exploring careers in real estate besides sales and understand a home’s mechanical functions, a career as a home inspector might be a good fit for you. Home inspectors are hired to inspect properties for home buyers as part of a real estate purchase agreement. Homeowners occasionally hire inspectors to fix any deferred maintenance before selling their houses. 

In your home inspector career, you’ll inspect properties from top to bottom, identifying any mechanical or structural issues that need repair. After the inspection, you’ll prepare a report for your clients, including safety issues and general repairs, and answer any questions homeowners may have about the report. 

Training involves 60 to 150 hours of education and an apprenticeship required by your state. This real estate job that requires no license is well-suited for those with a background in trades like carpentry or electrical work, and it’s ideal for detail-oriented individuals who like working with people and identifying repair needs.

12. Mortgage Broker or Loan Officer

• Average salary: $87,416 per year
• Required skills: Problem-solving, interpersonal, critical thinking, understanding laws and regulations

Mortgage brokers and loan officers are mortgage loan originators (MLO) who gather information and guide buyers and investors through getting a mortgage to purchase properties. Loan originators are bank or lender employees, and a mortgage broker works independently or for a mortgage brokerage. Both assist consumers with completing a loan application, securing financing, and closing on their properties. 

As a loan officer or mortgage broker, you help clients find the best mortgage rates and programs by comparing rates from various lenders. Mortgage brokers earn commission from closings, while loan officers receive a salary from their institutions. This role demands knowledge of real estate finance and lending laws, and involves evaluating financial backgrounds and property values. This career requires meticulous attention to detail and staying informed about loan options to recommend the ideal mortgage solutions.

13. Real Estate Marketing Manager

• Average salary: $83,488 per year
• Required skills: Attention to detail, creativity, graphic design, wordsmith, technology, data analysis and analytics, project management, communication, curiosity

Real estate marketing managers plan and execute projects to generate buyer and seller leads and promote real estate agents, teams, and brokerage brands. In this real estate career, you’ll create and design promotional campaigns and decide on ad placements, such as social media, e-mail, agent websites, television, radio, billboards, and print materials. 

As a marketing manager, you’ll work independently or have a team to delegate the project’s tasks. This role is a good fit for creative individuals skilled in communicating and understanding consumer behavior. You’ll often rely on technology, graphic design, and data analysis to create the best marketing message for your agents.

14. Notary Public

• Average salary: $64,777 per year
• Required skills: Understand deeds and legal documents, computer literacy, people skills

A notary public, or notary, is an official who is an impartial witness to clients signing essential documents like leases, mortgage documents, and deeds. You are responsible for verifying their identification, witnessing their signatures on the documents, and guaranteeing they are not fraudulent. 

This role suits those seeking flexible work, a side hustle, or a full-time real estate job without a license, especially if they are organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to understand legal documents. Notaries can work independently or for real estate agencies, financial institutions, or government agencies. In some states, becoming a notary requires completing a course, passing an exam, filing state paperwork, and obtaining a notary stamp and journal to record notarial acts. 

15. Land Surveyor

• Average salary: $74,746 per year
• Required skills: Detail-oriented, communication, physical stamina, visualization, problem-solving, communication

Land surveyors determine property lines and mark their boundaries. They use tools to measure angles and distances between the land’s surface and above and below. They provide data on the contours and shapes of the land for real estate construction projects. Real estate boundaries are recorded in deeds and other documents that can be used in property dispute court cases.

Becoming a land surveyor involves outdoor work in various weather conditions and terrain. It requires stamina, attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to visualize future structures on empty land. Before getting licensed, most states require a four-year apprenticeship with a licensed surveyor, licensing education that differs by state, passing two exams, and meeting continuing education requirements for license renewal. Surveyors are crucial for locating land boundaries and overseeing construction and resource extraction sites. 

Bringing It All Together

When most people think, “I want to go into real estate,” they think real estate agent. But as you can see, there are lots of real estate jobs you can get without a license. Think about your skills and what role can complement your specific skills. Then send out those applications! We’re wishing you luck!

The post 15 Real Estate Jobs Without a License appeared first on The Close.

• Kiavi: Best for rapid financing for quick property flips
• RCN Capital: Best for investors requiring large loan amounts 
• Lima One Capital: Best for loan products for every type of investment strategy 
• Groundfloor: Best for new investors with crowdsourced loan opportunities
• The Investor’s Edge: Best for personalized investment strategies through one-on-one consultations
• New Silver: Best for tech-savvy investors seeking fast, data-driven loan approvals

Type of Software	Best for	Available markets	Learn More
	Obtaining quick financing for your projects	32 states plus Washington, D.C.	Kiavi ↓
	Investors needing large loan amounts	All states except AK, NV, ND, SD, and VT	RCN Capital ↓
	Loan products for every type of investment strategy	46 states plus Washington, D.C.	Lima One Capital ↓
	New investors with crowdsourced loan opportunities	Nationwide	Groundfloor ↓
	Investors that need 1-on-1 assistance with their projects	39 states	The Investor’s Edge ↓
	Investors needing instant loan approvals	39 states	New Silver ↓

Type of Software	Best for	Available markets	Learn More
	Obtaining quick financing for your projects	32 states plus Washington, D.C.	Kiavi ↓
	Investors needing large loan amounts	All states except AK, NV, ND, SD, and VT	RCN Capital ↓
	Loan products for every type of investment strategy	46 states plus Washington, D.C.	Lima One Capital ↓
	New investors with crowdsourced loan opportunities	Nationwide	Groundfloor ↓
	Investors that need 1-on-1 assistance with their projects	39 states	The Investor’s Edge ↓
	Investors needing instant loan approvals	39 states	New Silver ↓

Kiavi: Best for Rapid Financing for Quick Property Flips

Pros Has no application fees Can close in as little as 7 days Offers experienced customer support Lends to business entities	Kiavi Rates & Terms Interest rate: 9.25% to 12% interest only Loan-to-value ratio (LTV): 95% LTC (loan-to-cost), up to 100% of rehab costs, 80% ARV (after-repair value) Upfront fees: No upfront fees; 2% to 3% origination fee Term: 12 to 24 months Credit requirement: 650 FICO score, no hard credit pull Min and max loan amount: $75,000 to $3 million Prepayment penalty: Yes Property types: Single-family homes, attached and detached planned unit developments (PUDs), and 2-4 unit rentals
Cons Is not available in all states Requires appraisal for rental loans Cannot get long-term financing as a prepayment penalty

Why I Chose Kiavi 

I chose Kiavi as one of the best hard money lenders for rapid financing for quick property flips because of their efficient loan processing. They specifically offer fix and flip loans with rates as low as 9.25%. Because of their swift financing process, inventors can compete with all-cash buyers on new purchases. Their application process bypasses tedious paperwork like pay stubs and W-2s, as their technology can cut through the clutter and get you approved quickly.

Additional Features

• Prequalification: With just a soft credit pull, real estate investors can prepare to make quick offers on any opportunities that arise. 
• Flexible loan amounts: With loans up to $3 million, Kiavi can accommodate small renovations and large-scale projects.

RCN Capital: Best for Investors Requiring Large Loan Amounts

Pros Can close in as little as 10 days Has in-house loan approvals Has dedicated customer service Has funding for new construction projects	RCN Capital Rates & Terms Interest rate: 9.99%% to 12%, interest only; varying based on investing experience Loan-to-value ratio: Up to 90% of the purchase price, 100% of renovation cost (not to exceed 75% of ARV) Term: 12 to 18 months Upfront fees: No upfront fees. 1% to 5% origination fee Credit requirement: 660 minimum credit score Maximum loan amount: $2 million generally, up to $2.5 million for properties with 5+ units Prepayment penalty: None Property types: Condo, townhouse, single-family, duplex, multiunit, mixed-use; not for owner-occupied properties
Cons Has no nationwide coverage Requires appraisal for all loans Has a minimum loan amount that may be high for new investors Has no funding for owner-occupied residential properties

Why I Chose RCN Capital

I selected RCN Capital because it’s one of the hard money lenders for real estate that offers loans up to $2.5 million. This amount is significantly higher than many other hard money loan lenders, making it ideal for investors handling large-scale developments or multiple rental properties. RCN determines the maximum loan value based on the loan program and the value of the real estate asset as collateral. Unlike more tech-forward lenders, RCN requires a typical application process to include credit reports, background checks, bank statements, property appraisals, etc.

Additional Features

• Rehab budget builder: This tool is available to help investors analyze their investments to understand cost, risk, ROI, etc.
• Video Library: It includes up-to-date videos that offer market updates, investment tips, and motivational content.

Lima One Capital: Best for Loan Products for Every Type of Investment Strategy

Pros Has clearly outlined loan terms Approves loan in under ten days Has a simple renewal process once approved Has an established investor referral program	Lima One Capital Rates & Terms Interest rate: 9.6% to 12% interest only Loan-to-value ratio: 92.5% of LTC, 75% ARV Term: 13 to 24 months Upfront fees: 1% to 2.25% of the loan amount Credit requirement: 620 minimum credit score, 660 for inexperienced borrowers, options for nonrecourse and soft credit pulls available Maximum loan amount: $3 million Prepayment penalty: None Property types: Townhouse, single-family, multiunit up to 4; not for owner-occupied properties
Cons Has limited coverage in certain states Might require personal guarantees Requires high credit scores for some programs May not be a good option for new investors

Why I Chose Lima One Capital

Lima One Capital’s extensive range of loan products makes it the best hard money lender for supporting every type of investment strategy. Even within each loan product, like fix and flip loans, there are multiple financing options for flipping, fix-to-rent, and bridge loans. They also provide loans for rentals, new construction, multifamily properties, and short-term rentals. In addition, they offer investors a variety of loan terms and structure options like loans from 13-24 months, nonrecourse, single loans, and portfolios. Best of all, investors only have to pay interest on what they draw and not on unused funds.

Additional Features

• Case studies: Detailed case studies on their website illustrate the strategies, financial figures, challenges, and outcomes of real-world property investments.
• Podcast: A podcast covers various topics relevant to real estate investing and provides ongoing education and industry insights in an easily accessible audio format.

Groundfloor: Best for New Investors With Crowdsourced Loan Opportunities

Pros Has no hard credit pulls Has deferred payments available Has minimum loan amount of $50,000 Has no minimum transaction experience	Groundfloor Rates & Terms Interest rate: Starting at 7.5% Loan-to-value ratio: 80% to 100% of LTC, 70% of ARV Upfront fees: $495 evaluation fee, 2.75% to 4% origination fee (can be financed), $1,200 doc prep fee Credit requirement: 650 minimum credit score Maximum loan amount: $75,000 to $750,000 Prepayment penalty: None after three months Property types: New construction, condo, townhome, single-family, multiunits up to four
Cons Requires a higher minimum credit score Has a minimum interest requirement for prepayment Has a longer application closing timeline Has high closing fees

Why I Chose Groundfloor

Groundfloor is ideal for new investors because of the lack of transaction experience required. They are one of the national hard money lenders that allows investors to start with smaller amounts and gain experience in real estate financing. The trade-off for a lack of investor experience is that Groundfloor will require a higher credit score. They provide a comprehensive education hub for investors to access videos on growing wealth and budgeting their finances. I also found that their crowdfunding investment options offer a great opportunity for new investors to invest in real estate without taking on the purchasing burden.

Additional Features

• Blog: A regularly updated blog provides insights, updates, and educational content related to real estate investing and personal finance.
• Debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) loans: Long-term loans are available based on cash flow generated by the property instead of loan approvals based on the investor’s income. 

The Investor’s Edge: Best for Personalized Investment Strategies through 1:1 Consultations

Pros Has 100% funding options available Is ideal for new investors Offers free lending consultation Has available funding for multiple properties	The Investor’s Edge Rates & Terms Interest rate: 12% to 18% interest only, with the option to roll monthly interest payments into the final payoff statement. Loan-to-value ratio: 80 to 100% of LTC, 75% of ARV Upfront fees: $495 evaluation fee, 3% to 5% origination fee (can be financed), $1,200 doc prep fee Credit requirement: No minimum credit score Maximum loan amount: $250,000 for 100% loans, $1 million for all others Prepayment penalty: None Property types: New construction, condo, townhome, single-family, multiunits up to 4
Cons Has higher interest rates compared with competitors’ Can take up to 12 days to approve loans Has website information that can be overwhelming to new investors Does not clearly list loan details

Why I Chose The Investor’s Edge

I am a fan of The Investor’s Edge as the best for personalized investment strategies due to their focus on partnering with investors and their projects. They offer free one-on-one consultations to help investors identify which investment strategies will help them reach their financial goals. Beyond the consultations, the team at The Investor’s Edge team will help investors identify, fund, and sell their properties. I also appreciate the availability of informative courses tailored to home and land flipping for new investors.

Additional Features

• Gap financing: It is a type of short-term loan available to investors that covers the difference between the total funding needed for a project and the principal amount already secured. 
• The Investor’s Edge Software: It is a comprehensive tool designed for investors to efficiently perform real estate market analysis, property valuation, and investment strategy planning. 

New Silver: Best for Tech-savvy Investors Seeking Fast, Data-driven Loan Approvals

Pros Provides instant proof of funds documents Has no hard credit pulls Offers repeat borrower discounts Offers immediate online approval	New Silver Rates & Terms Interest rate: 10% to 12.75% interest only Loan-to-value ratio: 90% of LTC, 80% of ARV Term: Up to 24 months Upfront fees: 1.875% to 3% origination fee ($3,500 minimum, can be financed), $759 underwriting fee, $1,250 legal fee, $350 doc prep fee Credit requirement: 650 minimum credit score; no hard credit pull Maximum loan amount: $100,000 to $5 million Prepayment penalty: None Property types: Residential 1 to 12 units, including single-family, condo, and townhomes; multifamily up to 50 units
Cons Has fees for appraisals Has no closing cost credits Limits the maximum size to 5 acres for fix and flip loans Only offers loans for residential properties with 1 to 50 units

Why I Chose New Silver

New Silver is one of the hard money loan lenders ideal for tech-savvy investors because of its efficient, AI-driven loan approval processes. Investors can get instant online approval in just five minutes and close in as little as five days. Loans secured through real estate collateral only require a soft credit pull in addition to the property’s value. They do not need income verification for loan approval. I appreciate the platform’s focus on streamlining the lending process, which minimizes paperwork and accelerates the timeline from application to funding.

Additional Features

• Advantage program: It has enhanced loan terms and rates to repeat borrowers who have successfully completed previous projects with New Silver. 
• Fintech scholarship: It has an initiative to support students pursuing studies in financial technology-related fields. 

What Is a Hard Money Lender? 

Hard money lending companies provide specialized financing where real estate property is pledged as collateral. They are much different from a traditional lender, such as a bank, which first and foremost bases its decisions on a borrower’s credit history and income when deciding whether to approve a loan. 

Hard money lenders focus primarily on the property’s value and potential. This focus on asset value, not creditworthiness, makes hard money loan lenders quite applicable in real estate ventures where time is of the essence to maximize new investment opportunities. 

Pros & Cons of Hard Money Loans 

Hard money loans are one of the most popular financing options for real estate investors because they provide quick turnaround on projects where traditional funding may not be possible. The table below identifies all the pros and cons related to hard money loans that investors should be aware of when considering this financing option:

How to Know if You Need a Hard Money Lender

Knowing whether a hard money lender is the proper fit for your real estate financing involves many considerations. Most hard money loans are designed for unique situations or circumstances that traditional funding just can’t handle. The following is a closer look at situations where you should consider a hard money lender:

• Quick funds are needed: You require quick financing to secure a real estate deal before potential competitors.
• Credit issues: Traditional financing isn’t an option due to credit issues or unconventional income that doesn’t satisfy typical bank requirements.
• Short-term financing: For projects like fix-and-flips or bridge loans, you need short-term financing.
• Investment opportunities: You encounter a real estate investment opportunity that requires immediate action that conventional funding sources cannot meet.
• Renovation projects: You need financing for purchasing properties that require significant repairs that traditional banks may not finance because of their condition.

How to Choose the Best Hard Money Lenders

The right lender can make or break your investment. Keeping these factors in mind will put you in a better position to know when you really need a hard money lender and how to be sure you are selecting an appropriate one for your specific financial and project goals. This evaluation allows you to work with the best lender possible for the most optimal terms possible for your investment strategy. Here is how to choose the right hard money lender:

1. Evaluate lender reputation: Research the lender’s track record, customer reviews, and industry reputation to ensure they are reliable and fair.
2. Understand the terms: Fully comprehend all loan terms, including interest rates, fees, loan-to-value ratio, and repayment schedule.
3. Assess the speed of funding: Since time is often critical, assess how quickly the lender can process and fund the loan.
4. Professional advice: Consider consulting with a financial advisor or real estate professional to help navigate the process and select the best lender for your specific needs.
5. Compare multiple offers: Don’t settle for the first lender you meet. Compare different offers to find the best terms and rates.
6. Check for transparency: Ensure the lender is transparent about all costs, fees, and any penalties associated with the loans. 

Methodology: How I Chose the Best Hard Money Lenders 

To find the best hard money lenders of 2024, I devised a rigorous methodology focused on the most critical factors to create an unbiased review. I reviewed various lenders against multiple key factors to ensure I viewed them through the lens of what would be most important to a real estate investor. The detailed analysis then isolated lenders that support good, solid financial solutions and blend well with various investment strategies and goals. 

Here are the key factors considered:

• Interest rates and loan terms: Assessed the competitiveness and flexibility of each lender’s offerings.
• Speed of loan processing and funding: Evaluated how quickly each lender processes and disburses funds, a crucial factor for time-sensitive investments.
• Lender reputation: Examined customer reviews and industry feedback to gauge each lender’s reliability and overall customer satisfaction
• Transparency: Focused on how openly each lender communicates fee structures and loan conditions, ensuring no hidden costs exist.
• Geographical coverage: Considered the availability of services across different regions to accommodate investors in various locations
• Target audience suitability: Analyzed which types of real estate investors (e.g., fix-and-flippers, buy-and-hold investors, and commercial developers) each lender best caters to based on their product offerings and specialty areas

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the typical interest rates for hard money loans?

How quickly can I receive funding from a hard money loan?

What are the typical financing terms of a hard money loan?

Your Take

Investors should look for the best hard money loans that fit the needs of your project and financial goals. Consider a lender that offers flexible terms of the deal, transparent structures of the fees charged to the investor, and competitive rates of interest. Additionally, the lender should have an impressive, reputable status in the industry, characterized by positive testimonials from clients, with reliable transactions that give value to the money. The right hard money lender will do more than just finance an investment. They will also support the investor’s overall strategy and want to contribute to their success.

The post The Best Hard Money Lenders of 2024 (Interest Rates, Fees & More) appeared first on The Close.

As a former real estate agent, host of the National Association of REALTORS(R) “Drive With NAR: The Safety Series” podcast, national speaker, and real estate safety expert for over 29 years, I’ve seen many ugly real estate scams. I’ll review the seven most common real estate agent scams and provide actionable tips on how to show your value and help consumers detect and avoid these issues. 

1. Wire Fraud & Financial Scams

Agents must be aware of numerous wire and financial real estate frauds and scams. But let’s first look at the data.

The numbers: 

• In 2022, Business Email Compromise (BEC) reported there were 2,284 reported attacks totaling $446.1 million in losses in the real estate industry. 
• Over 71% of consumers surveyed in the 2024 State of Wire Fraud Report by CertifID, a wire fraud protection company, stated they weren’t warned about the potential for wire fraud. 
• Approximately 25% of all real estate transactions involve some kind of fraud.

Cybercriminals use AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot, Midjourney, etc., to write fake phishing emails, texts, videos, photos, and voice impersonations. These criminals also create phony websites to steal information and trick targets into making payments on non-existent properties and sharing their financial data.

Over 60% of consumers state that their real estate agent didn’t discuss the possibility of wire fraud during the transaction. With the growing popularity of generative AI, cybercriminals can now write grammatically correct and persuasive fraudulent wire change emails. In the past, real estate scam emails were easy to spot, poorly written, and in broken English.

Warning Signs

Cybercriminals use generative AI tools in real estate fraud to create realistic-looking deepfake images of people or properties that do not exist in real life. They can utilize tools like Google Lens to do image searches.

Phishing emails from lenders seeking financial or personal data could be infected with malware and ransomware links.

How to Avoid Wire Fraud & Financial Real Estate Scams

• Encourage clients to independently confirm all transaction details, property information, and identities through official sources and your counsel. 
• Advise clients to refrain from responding to wire change instructions or requests for financial information emails that could be written with AI tools. 
• Establish code words for each client to confirm whether transactions and requests are legitimate.
• Protect your clients from AI home buying scams by implementing rigorous security measures and providing confirmed authentic contact details for all real estate professionals involved in the transaction, including the lender, inspector, etc.
• The National Association of REALTORS(R) provides an email template with a wire fraud warning that should be added to all outgoing email signatures. This can be used by agents to show their value and expertise while protecting consumers from housing scams.

2. Disaster Contractor Scams

If you have listings or work in an area that experienced a weather-related disaster, you must inform your homeowner clients about contractor real estate scams.

The numbers:

• In 2023 $9.3 billion was lost to post-disaster fraud.
• Last year set a record for billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in the US With 28 separate events, each costing at least $1 billion, the total catastrophic losses exceeded $93 billion.

Real estate scam artist contractors target neighborhoods with storm damage. They go door to door and offer to help homeowners work with their insurance agent to file a claim to cover the damage. Their next step is to convince the consumer to let them negotiate on their behalf and receive payments for the work to be done. Or they convince the owner to pay upfront. Once they start the work, they abandon the job, leaving victims in unsafe and unrepaired homes. In addition, some criminals also collect donations for fake charities for disaster relief. 

Warning Signs

Dishonest contractors demand upfront fees for repairs 

Beware if the contractor cannot show proof of insurance, bonding, a business license, verifiable credentials, and legitimate past clients

Aggressive sales tactics, unclear or evasive responses, and hesitation to provide written estimates or contracts

How to Avoid Disaster Contractor Scams

• Offer to assist homeowners by vetting contractors, confirming business locations, checking licenses, insurance, and reviews. 
• Advise them never to pay the total for repairs upfront; establish a payment schedule tied to completed work.
• Homeowners should get at least 3 professional quotes.

To help disaster victims, consider donating to credible organizations like the National Association of REALTORS(R) REALTORS(R) Relief Foundation. The Foundation provides housing assistance to those impacted by disasters.

Coni Meyers, president of Crisis Knowledge Management & Preparedness Foundation, advises agents to express their value proposition by guiding their clients in the aftermath of disasters. She offered tips for agents to serve the consumer during her guest appearance on “Drive With NAR: The Safety Series,” the safety podcast for the National Association of REALTORS(R).

3. Rental, Airbnb & Craigslist Scams

Short-term rental and other house-buying scams are on the rise. Check out these real estate statistics on tenant and rental scams.

The numbers:

• There were almost $400 million in losses due to short-term rental scams in 2022.
• In 2022, 12,000 people fell victim to real estate scams, including short-term rental schemes.

Cybercriminals create pictures of properties that don’t exist. These real estate scammers favorably manipulate property images designed to deceive visitors into paying to reserve the unit. Tenants seeking to rent are also targeted through platforms like Craig’s List. The goal is to facilitate wire fraud by requesting electronic payments and deposits through phishing emails and texts. Cybercriminals are making scam phone calls and videos created with deepfake impersonated voices.

Warning Signs

Criminals can create and manipulate pictures of properties that fool the unaware eye. ChatGPT, CoPilot, Midjourney, Canva, and other AI tools allow realistic images and photos to be easily created in seconds. 

Avoid requests to pay off the platform. Criminals will offer discounts and try to entice visitors to pay them directly. The official platforms provide protection and security measures.

Beware of videos depicting people saying things, text from people writing things that sound too good to be true, or requesting personal or financial information.

How to Avoid Rental, Airbnb & Craigslist Scams

• Before acting, advise clients to verify identities and information through secure channels and official platforms.
• Use encrypted communication channels and watermarked documents
• Encourage strict payment procedures only on the platform while warning clients about wire fraud risks
• Stay updated on deepfake technology and provide cybersecurity training.
• Scrutinize photos, videos, and written requests for data. 

4. Real Estate Land Scams

Land scams can be difficult to identify because they involve no inhabitants and locked doors, as is typical when selling a building.

The numbers: 

• According to the FBI, real estate and rental scams continue to rise, with more than $396 million lost in 2022.
• 77% of surveyed real estate professionals reported a rise in seller impersonation fraud attempts.

Scammers pose as out-of-state property owners selling land they don’t own, aiming to list and sell it illegitimately. Brandie Kittle, broker-owner of Trailhead Realty Group, thought she was dealing with a legitimate owner who had the deed to land because they knew the neighbors and didn’t seem rushed. However, she couldn’t get them to provide identification when asked. After listing the property, she learned it was a scam.

Warning Signs

The “seller” refuses to provide ID or evades questions.

If the seller can’t answer detailed questions about the property or location.

If the seller claims to be out of town or out of the country and unable to meet at the site.

How to Avoid Real Estate Land Scams, Protect Buyers & Sellers

• Verify ownership and identities through official records and documentation— test sellers’ property knowledge. 
• Use real estate safety apps like Forewarn to confirm identities, check for criminal convictions, and verify financial records.

• Trust your instinct: If something feels wrong about the land or seller, walk away or investigate further.
• Request identification from the seller.
• Do not allow them to use their notary. Require the seller to notarize the listing agreement using a remote online notary service, which includes multi-factor identification.
• Mail a short note to the owner on record at the address listed on the property tax records. Call them if a phone number is provided on the property tax card.
• Always use a reputable title company for the closing process.

5. Real Estate Social Media & Online Scams

Social media is an excellent way for real estate agents to promote their businesses. However, it is also like the Wild West, providing ripe opportunities for scammers to exploit people.

The numbers:

• Losses to scams on social media were $2.7 billion from the 1 in 4 people who lost money to scammers
• The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) registered more than 880,000 complaints of online fraud in 2023

Cybercriminals use social engineering to steal identities and hijack social media account access, allowing them to post damaging content or erase data and hijack social media accounts. Most dollar losses are to scams that use social media to promote fake investment opportunities. These include real estate investment deals, fraudulent business pages, and hijacking a real estate agent’s profile. 

Warning Signs

You may have been hacked if you cannot log into your social media accounts. 

If your followers and friends message you and tell you they received inappropriate messages or requests, check your account.

Real estate scammers create ads or post salacious content. 

How to Avoid Real Estate Social Media Scams

• Implement robust cybersecurity protocols, including passphrases and two-factor authentication.
• If you’re a broker or manager, provide real estate agent tips and regular training for your agents and teams. 
• Do not click on links or download from sites or people you do not know
• Avoid connecting with strangers on social media without vetting. Cybercriminals can impersonate users and scam contacts, friends, and family. 
• Investigate tools such as Forewarn to confirm the identities of new clients, check criminal backgrounds, and verify financial status.

6. Moving Scams

Another one of the biggest real estate frauds is when people need to hire a mover. Check out these stats.

The numbers:

• A four-state operation in 2023 discovered more than 1,000 violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. 
• Consumers lost an average of $836 to moving scams in 2023, 7% more than in 2022

Dishonest movers lure clients with lowball estimates, then demand inflated prices once belongings are loaded, creating a “hostage situation.” “The mover will lowball the price and, upon pick up and delivery, request that the shipper pay more, or they will not pick up or deliver. Both are now illegal to do,” said Anthony Booker, a moving consultant for Nationwide USA Movers.

Warning Signs

Lack of proper licensing and insurance

Extremely low estimates compared to market rates

Offering quotes sight unseen without an in-home inspection

Multiple negative reviews or history of complaints

Demanding large cash deposits upfront

Using rental trucks or lacking company logos/branding

No physical business address listed

Refusing to provide written estimates or contracts

How to Avoid Moving Scams

• Successful agents will advise clients to obtain binding quotes in writing, beware of fake reviews, and verify movers through the FMCSA website. 
• Report any problems to the appropriate authorities.
• Protect your clients from moving scams by guiding them through vetting and recommending movers with good reputations.
• Participate in NAR’s annual Realtor Safety Month to stay informed about the latest real estate scams.

7. We Buy Ugly Houses Scams

The numbers: 

• 22.6% of property fraud risks occur when the property is undervalued and its value misrepresented.
• According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, real estate fraud resulted in nearly $400 million in victim losses in 2022.

Buyers target desperate homeowners, often facing foreclosure or financial issues, with lowball cash offers below market value. They use high-pressure tactics or false promises to purchase and resell for profit. They can also target desirable neighborhoods and flood them with postcards and letters with cash offers. 

Warning Signs

Extremely low offers compared to market value.

Requests for large upfront payments.

Lack of company website/address.

Failure to provide required legal disclosures.

How to Avoid:

• Advise sellers to research the company’s reputation, online presence, and licensing
• Do not pay upfront fees before the sale finalizes
• Beware of high-pressure tactics
• Insist on a written contract detailing all terms, costs, obligations
• Encourage homeowners to work with a licensed and knowledgeable real estate agent
• Offer a comparative market analysis (CMA) or encourage homeowners to get an appraisal to determine the home’s value, even if you don’t get the listing. You can charge a nominal fee for CMAs, saving the seller tens of thousands!
• Trust instincts; walk away if something seems off or the investor is overeager

Bringing It All Together

Safety sells in today’s real estate market. In the aftermath of the massive $418M commission lawsuit, prioritizing client safety is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for survival and thriving and the perfect way to establish your value proposition. Agents can add robust safety practices woven into their business model. Build trust, credibility, and loyalty that keeps clients coming back. Clients who feel secure working with you will be loyal, increasing your earnings.

Your Turn

What real estate scams are you or your clients encountering? Let us know below!

The post 7 Real Estate Scams & Ways Agents Can Protect Their Clients appeared first on The Close.

Curious to see the other cities we evaluated and if one of them is yours? Click here to jump down to our methodology section to see the complete list of cities ranked and the methodology behind how we came up with rankings.

Best 10 Cities for Real Estate Agents

1. Las Vegas, NV

Beyond the glitz, glitter, and glamour of the Las Vegas Strip is a sprawling city of almost three million people. This desert oasis is no longer just blackjack tables and star-studded shows—it’s a fantastic hub for real estate and number one on our list of best places to be a real estate agent. 

Many factors have to come together to create this perfect locale for the real estate industry, including plenty of brokerages that are hiring, median house prices well over $400,000, and take-home pay of $79,770 (ranking eighth). But what really sets Las Vegas apart is that just about everyone is moving there. The population, which has grown by over 6% since 2021, is supported by a healthy job market (3.8% increase in 2023). It’s also boosted by a rock-star construction sector churning out new builds ready to sell. 

Just as locals know that the best Elvis is Big Elvis at Harrah’s, they also know that Vegas is a safe bet. Sure, it’s hot in the summer (like use-an-oven-mitt-to-touch-your-steering-wheel hot) and full of tourists screaming, “What happens in Vegas….” but the numbers don’t lie. Real estate agents looking for a hot spot to start their businesses should absolutely consider Sin City. 

2. Los Angeles, CA

Las Vegas isn’t the country’s only western, desert-like real estate hot spot. The City of Angels comes in at number two on our best places for real estate list, and it’s well-deserved. Beyond the film sets, NFL teams, NBA teams, MLB teams, clogged freeways, and tar pits, it is a bustling metropolis with chic homes and super-star agents. This mecca is where Josh Flagg and the Altman Brothers lob sarcasm at each other and where the cast of Selling Sunset show properties in sky-high heels. 

According to our extensive calculations, it ranks third for agent opportunity and third for house median price (a whopping $1,200,000). Perhaps even more impressively, it ranks as number one for overall real estate commission opportunities. Los Angeles has higher prices than most other cities and more homes for sale (10,044 units, which puts them ninth in inventory). This market means agents who work hard have greater earning potential. 

Those ‘in the know’ don’t drive from Santa Monica to Pasadena, but they do make the drive to El Sauz in Glendale for the city’s best burrito. They also know how to wheel, deal, and make the most of one of the best cities for real estate agents.  

3. Boston, MA

Boston has so much going for it: beautiful parks, hundreds of years of history, plenty of sports teams, and a great sense of humor. It also has an excellent market for real estate agents; for that, Boston is number three on our list of top cities for real estate. 

We’ll start with the low rates of competition. For every 1,000 people, we find only 0.4 of an agent, which is better than every other city we analyzed except for two. Boston ranked third for location quotient (a measure of the prevalence of an occupation in an area relative to the US average). These stats helped Boston reach second place for agent employment opportunities. High rents allow it to rank second, and median housing prices (almost $1 million) put Beantown in fifth place, a solid number for commission-based agents.

The only place Boston fell short was in pro-team season records. No, no, I kid. Boston didn’t fare as well in terms of growth opportunities. The stats show that Boston is growing (0.53%), but not at the Los Angeles and Las Vegas rates. Still, if you love to laugh and don’t like Bill Belichick, now is the time to move to Boston and take advantage of all that the Boston real estate industry offers. 

4. Charlotte, NC

Charlotte’s tagline is “Charlotte’s got a lot,” which is charmingly unassuming. Got a lot of what? Mosquitoes? Traffic? Midwestern transplants? It turns out that Charlotte has a lot of opportunities for success in real estate. It comes in fourth on our list of the best cities to be a real estate agent, and it’s clear why: everyone wants to be there. Seriously, it had the second highest population growth rate of all 64 cities (2.38%), and the job market is keeping pace, with a healthy 2.5% growth. 

Add to this that Charlotte ranks eighth for new build permits, and it’s clearly one of the best cities to be a real estate agent. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s all easy success for agents in the Queen City (I was serious about the traffic). Some stats need further consideration. For example, Charlotte comes in 15th for employment opportunity, which indicates more competition (about one agent per 1,000 people) and a lower average take-home pay ($56,760, ranking 42nd). 

But don’t let those stats scare you away from all the things that Charlotte has. The statistical trends are clear: Charlotte is growing by leaps and bounds, and smart agents are there, carving out their niches, ready to sell to the next frozen Midwesterner looking for a warmer life down south. 

5. Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital is a city of opposites: it’s full of Southern efficiency and Northern charm; it’s the seat of government but has no voting representation in Congress. It is beautiful yet built on a swamp; it’s a transient community with steadfast loyalty from true Washingtonians. In keeping with that trend, Washington ranks highly on employment opportunity (fifth) and commission opportunity (fifth) but not well on growth opportunity (25th). But it still ranks highly enough that it’s our fifth best place to be a realtor. 

Let’s start with the good news: it has low competition and high wages ($74,930). Also, because median housing prices are relatively high ($615,000), rent is high, and houses get snapped up pretty quickly (median days on market is 50), which bodes well for real estate professionals and home sellers. 

Washington, D.C., falls a little short in population growth, trending upward but not nearly at the pace of our number four spot, Charlotte. The job market is also growing, but not at the pace we see in other cities. Washington, D.C., currently ranks 40th for percentage of job growth (1.4%). But, despite the slower growth, new building permits are soaring in this city of contradictions. 

6. Dallas, TX

Everything is bigger in Texas, including the real estate opportunities. Take a peek at the real estate news from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW). It’s all massive development deals and multi-million dollar sales because, again, everything is bigger in Texas. But that’s precisely why it’s one of the best places to be a real estate agent. 

The data is a bit of a mixed bag, but some numbers might prove enticing to real estate agents. The most promising is the average take-home pay, which is $79,210 and ranks 10th out of 64 cities. The availability of brokerages is also high, meaning it’s less challenging to find employment. However, competition is high, with almost 2.5 agents for every 1,000 people. I find this surprising as getting your Texas real estate license is especially time-consuming, and they have pretty much zero reciprocity with other states. 

The median housing prices are in the middle of the stack of cities ($439,000, 28th), as are the days on the market data point (58 days, ranking 34th). However, Dallas shines with its above-average inventory, ranking fourth. Plus, inventory will improve as builders complete the properties for the 66,557 permits pulled (ranking second). All in all, DFW has fine art, wonderful restaurants, a bustling economy, a strong distaste for Houston, a polarizing NFL team, and, most importantly for us, a robust real estate industry.

7. New York, NY

I bet you were wondering when this little hamlet would show up on our list of the best places to be a real estate agent. New York, the Big Apple, New Amsterdam, the city that never sleeps, is number seven, and that’s because if you can make it here…

New York comes in at number one for average annual salary: $97,780, which is a pretty compelling number for any real estate agent. Plus, New York has 7,161 real estate establishments. I bet that’s more than Starbucks. It’s also (shockingly) not competitive (regarding the number of agents. We should clarify that the world of New York real estate is extremely competitive). New York ranks sixth for agents per 1000 people (only about half of one agent). New York offers the very best employment opportunity of any city we analyzed. 

It also does well in terms of commission opportunity: properties are expensive (the median housing price is $799,000, and rent is $3,400). Plus, we see better-than-average inventory. All of this, plus the fact that New York is the de facto capital of everything au courant in art, fashion, food, and finance, puts New York in the top 10 of the best place to be a real estate agent. 

8. Nashville, TN

Nashville is another southern town attracting people (and bachelorette parties) from around the country. Its strong local economy and new-build rush make it one of our top picks for best places to be a real estate agent. While it might sometimes feel too full of transplants, country music stars, and bad drivers, Music City still has a way to charm you, especially when you consider that it ranks fourth in commission opportunity. 

Housing prices are pretty strong (with a median house price at $575,000 and rent circling $2,145), and it’s a white-hot market that ranks fourth for fewest days on the market (44 days). Nashville is also a city that’s getting bigger, with a steady population growth rate and an economy to match. While pretty unexceptional right now, inventory is sure to improve, as Nashville ranks 11th in new residential construction permits. 

But Nashville offers room for improvement with very few brokerages (only 594, ranking 42nd). But worse than that, Nashville ranks dead last for annual wages—64th for salary, coming in at $39,550. Tennessee, we can do better! Maybe that’s the biggest enticement of all to move to Nashville. Not that you might see Taylor Swift at a cupcake shop, but that you see so much opportunity in the future of Nashville real estate and want to up that wage average! It has to happen, and you’re the agent to do it. Please say hi to Taylor for us. 

9. Austin, TX

People who live in Austin know three certainties: it’s a fire-hot real estate market, the city is constantly changing, and you should get your green chile pork missionary style at Torchy’s. While most strive to keep Austin weird, tech industry transplants continue to have an impact, driving up housing costs (and adding to the traffic). However, periods of change and growth mean real opportunities, especially for enterprising real estate agents. And that’s precisely why Austin landed on our list of top cities for real estate agents. 

Let’s start with how much agents generally make: $82,170. That puts Austin as the sixth-best city for wages. Austin also has pretty exceptional commission opportunities: the median housing price sits at $630,000 (ranking 14th), an average monthly rent ranks 14th, and a steady inventory (also 14th). But Austin really shines with its growth potential: it ranks second out of all the cities, bested only by Raleigh, NC. Austin’s population growth rate is 2.06%, and the job growth rate is keeping pace at 2.8%. Perhaps most excitingly, for agents, almost 40,000 new build construction permits are ready to go.

Austin looks like a great place for real estate agents, right? Many people have thought the same thing, which is why competition is stiff. Austin ranks near the bottom per capita agents, placing 48th overall. It also ranks really low (51st) in terms of location quotient. The takeaway here is that the opportunities exist. Still, you might have to elbow your way in. 

10. Atlanta, GA

Maybe it’s because Atlanta has so many real estate influencers, but when I think real estate, I think Atlanta. I would argue that not only is Atlanta one of the best cities to be a real estate agent, but Georgia is one of the best places to get a real estate license. It’s relatively quick and affordable, and the upside potential is unlimited. 

Let’s break down the numbers. Atlanta scored well in growth (sixth) and commission opportunity (10th). Properties in Atlanta don’t have the highest median prices ($410,000, which ranks 31st), but the inventory is strong. The metro area is also booming, which is clear from the population growth percentage (ranks in the top ten) and job market (ranks 14th). Agents will also love that Atlanta ranks sixth for the number of building permits that have been pulled. So, like many cities on our list, we see tremendous potential for real estate agents to be wildly successful. 

Of course, there’s always a caveat. For as well as Atlanta did in some areas, the agent opportunity ranking (40th) is sad. The data shows a lot of competition (~2.7 agents per 1,000 people) and low average wages ($58,250). However, agents who value hard work and have a burning desire to succeed will face no real limitations. After all, if the guy who started a University-of-Georgia-themed restaurant right across the street from Georgia Tech can be successful, you can too.

Worst Five Cities for Real Estate Agents

First, we are not making a value judgment on these beautiful metropolises—we’re just reporting the numbers. Regarding this specific data set, the worst five cities for real estate agents are Charleston, WV; Jackson, MS; Milwaukee, WI; and Bridgeport, CT. At the bottom of the list of 64 is Bozeman, MT. 

60. Charleston, WV

• Employment Opportunity: ranks 58th
• Commission Opportunity: ranks 64th
• Growth Opportunity: ranks 22

With only 34 real estate establishments (ranks 64th) and 1.8 agents per 1,000 people (42nd), competition makes Charleston tough for agents. Add to that low listing prices ($173,800, ranks 60th) and ranking 53rd for median days on market (64 days)—it’s just not looking good for our West Virginian agents.

61. Jackson, MS

• Employment Opportunity: ranks 28th
• Commission Opportunity: ranks 62nd
• Growth Opportunity: ranks 57th

Jackson is interesting because its population is growing (1.15%, ranking 15th), but the job growth is in negative numbers (which puts it at the bottom, 64th place). With housing prices sitting at $107,000 (ranks 63rd), the opportunity for higher commissions sinks lower.

62. Milwaukee, WI

• Employment Opportunity: ranks 42nd
• Commission Opportunity: ranks 48th
• Growth Opportunity: ranks 61st

It’s not easy for Milwaukee agents to make much, considering that home prices rank 61st ($170,000) and wages rank 56th ($49,920). That, plus low population growth (ranking 53rd) and slow job growth (ranking 60th), means the future might not be much brighter, at least in the short term. 

63. Bridgeport, CT

• Employment Opportunity: ranks 39th
• Commission Opportunity: ranks 54th
• Growth Opportunity: ranks 58th

Salaries soar to $83,850 in Bridgeport, which puts this seaside community in fourth place. But everything else is bad news, from the competition (2.45 agents per 1,000 people) to the extra median days on the market (ranks 47th). Throw in that the population growth is just above stagnant (ranks 52nd), and it might be better to set your GPS for New York, just an hour or two down the road.

64. Bozeman, MT

• Employment Opportunity: ranks 59th
• Commission Opportunity: ranks 39th
• Growth Opportunity: ranks 55th

Bozeman is one of America’s coolest cities, but with few brokerages (only 276) and 2.6 agents per 1,000 people (ranking 53rd), employment is hard to come by, and competition is fierce. While home prices are high ($850,000, ranking seventh), available inventory is awful (ranks 58th). Properties seem to languish on the market; the median is 94 days, putting Bozeman at 63rd. When you pair those rankings with slower population (.88%) and job (1.6%) growth, Bozeman is dead last in our top cities for our real estate agents data dive. My guess? They don’t mind this ranking one bit; keep Bozeman as “big sky country.” 

Full Data & Methodology for Best Cities for Real Estate Agents Data

The full data can be viewed by clicking here, but read our breakdown and methodology below.

Our proprietary tool collated and analyzed data sets from numerous verified sources, ranking each city. We started by dividing all of the data into three categories and then gave each category an equal weight of 33.3%: 

• Agent Employment Opportunity 
• Agent Commission Opportunity
• Location Growth Opportunity

Our ranking system ensured objectivity and resulted in a score for each city. We first chose cities based on those with more than 1,000 establishments. For states whose cities did not have over 1,000 establishments, we used the city with the highest number of real estate establishments, so we had one city from each state that had below 1,000 establishments. 

All the data collected comes from verified sources: the US Census Bureau, Census Business Builder, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Realtor.com, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Zillow.com, and Macrotrends. 

Click the tabs below to dive into the individual data and sites:

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Bringing It All Together

Undoubtedly, a lot goes into what makes the best real estate cities. But for this study, we let the numbers do the talking. While we think there’s a lot of room for improvement (Nashville, get those wages up!), we’re really encouraged by the positive signs of growth and potential in these markets overall. 

Now, get in whatever city best suits you and your business, and do what you do. We’re here to support you every step of the way.

The post The 10 Best Cities for Real Estate Agents (+5 Worst) in 2024 appeared first on The Close.

1. Real Estate Agent

• Average salary: $90,506 per year
• Required skills: Communication, negotiation, persuasion, and market knowledge

Whenever you ask, “What can you do with a real estate license?” the most common career path is to become a real estate agent. You can do this full-time or as a part-time real estate agent. In this role, you’ll represent buyers and sellers as they navigate the real estate transaction process. 

• Buyer’s Agent: Accompany buyers on showings and provide counsel and advice through the property search, selection, negotiation, and contract process. You’ll also connect homebuyers with the necessary area professionals (like mortgage brokers, inspectors, appraisers, and more) to help them reach the finish line.
• Seller’s Agent: Offer counsel to sellers regarding the estimated value of their homes. You’ll also provide a listing strategy, including price, marketing, open houses, etc., and you’ll help them negotiate in the offer process—ultimately getting them at the closing table.

The requirements to become a real estate agent vary per state. Some states only require 40 hours of prelicensing education, while some need more than a hundred hours. Still unsure whether you want to help clients close deals? Read our article on the pros and cons of being a real estate agent.

2. Real Estate Managing Broker

• Average salary: $104,418 per year
• Required skills: Leadership, management, mentoring, knowledge of real estate laws and regulations

Real estate managing brokers wear many hats, but generally, they’re responsible for managing real estate agents. In this role, managing brokers advise agents and provide them with mentorship and professional development. Depending on the structure of a brokerage, they’re also responsible for various elements of office management.

To become a real estate broker, you must complete additional education requirements set by your state in addition to your prelicensing education. You’ll also need some experience and pass the broker’s licensing exam. Do you have what it takes to be a real estate managing broker? Do you want a leadership role at a brokerage? Read our article on the difference between an agent and a broker.

3. Real Estate Instructor

• Average salary: $63,144 per year
• Required skills: Communication, passion for teaching, in-depth knowledge of real estate principles and practices

Besides being an agent or broker, one of the jobs with a real estate license is as an instructor. Real estate instructors teach aspiring and seasoned agents prelicensing and continuing education courses. They cover real estate laws, transaction processes, and ethics to help students obtain and maintain their licenses. If you’re passionate about teaching and want to impart knowledge to aspiring real estate professionals, this job is for you.

Instructors use various teaching methods, including classroom lectures and interactive online discussions. Additionally, instructors must stay updated on real estate laws and market trends and quickly adapt to new real estate developments.

4. Real Estate Analyst

• Average salary: $86,818 per year
• Required skills: Market research, analytical, and data analysis

One technical job with a real estate license is as an analyst. Real estate analysts examine trends and interpret data to provide insights and recommendations for property investments, developments, and other transactions. In addition to observing market trends, they analyze property values and evaluate potential risks. They use all their findings to help clients make informed decisions about leasing, buying, selling, or developing properties.

If you love finance and economics and want to work as a real estate analyst, you must gain relevant experience in real estate firms or financial institutions. Staying informed about market trends and the economic climate would be best. 

5. Real Estate Writer

• Average salary: $81,001 per year
• Required skills: Excellent research, writing, search engine optimization (SEO) and keywords, and creativity

What can you do with a realtor license, you ask? Writing might be the right path if you want to create informative real estate pieces. Real estate writers produce many types of content, such as articles, market reports, strategy guides, copy, and property listing descriptions. If you want to be a real estate writer, prepare to write for various audiences, including home buyers, sellers, and other industry professionals. Some real estate writers can work freelance for brokerages, media organizations, or online real estate publications (like The Close!).

To succeed in this role, you must understand real estate terms and market trends to provide accurate information. Writers must also be adept at SEO techniques to boost their content’s readership and reach a broader audience.

6. Property Manager

• Average salary: $59,796 per year
• Required skills: Communication, financial management, problem-solving, and knowledge of landlord-tenant laws

Property managers handle the daily operations of various properties for owners. You can work for landlords, investors, or building owners by screening tenants, preparing lease agreements, showing properties, and collecting rent. As a property manager, you’ll ensure properties are well-maintained, meet safety standards, and address tenant concerns.

Property managers are also in charge of the financial aspects of these properties. They create budgets, set rental fees, monitor expenses, and report finances to owners. To become a property manager, you must have relevant experience in property management assistance or tenant relations. Some states require certifications like Certified Property Manager, Certified Apartment Leasing Professional, and Master Property Manager will boost your credentials.

For property managers seeking an efficient tool to help manage properties’ finances seamlessly, try TenantCloud. It provides features like online rent collection, tenant screening, and maintenance tracking.

7. Real Estate Coach

• Average salary: $40,970 per year
• Required skills: Leadership, communication, coaching, mentoring, motivational, and industry knowledge

Some other jobs that require a real estate license are as coaches and trainers. Real estate coaches mentor industry professionals to enhance their skills and grow their businesses. Coaches empower agents, brokers, and other real estate professionals by boosting their confidence and promoting career growth. They pinpoint areas where their clients need to improve, conduct one-on-one sessions and workshops, and give continuous feedback. 

Want to coach your fellow industry members? Start by developing your communication skills, managing clients, and producing training materials. Then, work towards marketing yourself, coaching a few clients, and staying updated on training techniques.

Once you work as a real estate coach, you can also be one of the best motivational speakers at industry events. Sharing your insights and success stories can inspire others and establish you as a thought leader in the industry. You may also write a book and create courses to reach a bigger audience and expand your network.

8. Real Estate Attorney

• Average salary: $140,845 per year
• Required skills: Real estate law expertise, legal research, analytical, attention to detail, logical reasoning, and problem-solving

A real estate lawyer manages the legal aspects of property transactions, helping clients navigate the complexities of leasing, buying, and selling. They prepare papers like leasing agreements, eviction notices, title documents, and mortgage contracts and perform title searches to confirm property ownership. Real estate attorneys address all legal concerns while representing tenants, buyers, and sellers.

If you want to be a real estate attorney, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in pre-law, complete law school and earn a Juris Doctor degree, then pass your state’s bar exam. Lawyers can skip prelicensing education in some states to earn a real estate license. 

9. Home Inspector

• Average salary: $60,383 per year
• Required skills: Knowledge of building codes and attention to detail

Home inspectors assess properties to ensure they meet safety standards before the home sells. They thoroughly inspect a home’s structural elements, electrical systems, plumbing, and roofing, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Home inspectors are detail-oriented as they identify faulty wiring, water leaks, or structural damages.

To become a home inspector, search for your state’s specific requirements. Typically, these include completing certain training hours and passing a certification exam. Additionally, joining organizations like the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors can offer more networking opportunities and continuing education.

10. Real Estate Investor

• Average salary: $86,796 per year
• Required skills: Market research and risk assessment

Real estate investors buy and sell properties to generate income. The process typically involves buying properties to rent out or renovating homes to sell at a higher price (aka flipping houses). Some investors also purchase land for future development. It takes so much courage to be a real estate investor. While the risk is very high, the potential rewards can be as significant. Always be prepared for market fluctuations, unexpected expenses, and property vacancies.

You may think you don’t need a real estate license to be an investor. While that may technically be true, you should still get a license to make real money doing it. When you’re an investor with a real estate license, you can represent yourself in the sale of your properties, saving you upward of 6% (the typical commission for residential real estate sales). In addition, you can also represent yourself in the purchase of real estate, allowing you to either pocket the commission or negotiate it off the top of the sales price.

Want to start learning about real estate investing? Read Kiavi’s insightful eBook on Flipping Houses 101:

11. Real Estate Appraiser

• Average salary: $61,060 per year
• Required skills: Market research, analytical, and knowledge of appraisal techniques

Real estate appraisers evaluate properties and assess their values before they are insured, mortgaged, or sold. They look into all variables that may impact a property’s value, such as past homeownership, renovations, and developments. If you’re considering working as an appraiser, you must know about local market trends and conditions to succeed. In addition to appraising properties, appraisers also update public records. They note any changes that may impact properties’ values.

To become an appraiser, you must complete real estate appraiser courses, work as a trainee, find a mentor to supervise you, and then pass your state’s appraiser licensing exam.

12. Real Estate Assistant

• Average salary: $45,545 per year
• Required skills: Administrative, communication, and organizational

Another answer to your “What can you do with a real estate license” question is to assist agents and brokers. Real estate assistants help manage the day-to-day operations of brokerages. They receive visitors at a brokerage, respond to emails, answer the phone, schedule appointments, and organize paperwork. If you want to work as an assistant for an agent or broker, your responsibilities will include coordinating property showings, handling client inquiries, and creating property listings. You’ll nail this role if you’re good at juggling multiple responsibilities.

13. Real Estate Content Creator

• Average salary: $47,000-$90,000 per year
• Required skills: Creativity, storytelling, social media, and video editing

Working as a content creator can be fun if you love creating various types of content and actively engaging with your audience. As a real estate content creator, you’ll produce high-quality social media content to attract new clients and retain existing ones. You’ll share your real estate insights, property listings, virtual house tours, and other relevant topics on your Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

You can start by gathering social media post ideas for your platforms. Learn about the latest digital marketing strategies and analytics tools to know which types of content work best for your target audience. You can also partner with other real estate brands, software, or platforms and promote them on your page to earn extra income.

FAQs: What Can You Do With a Real Estate License

What skills are necessary to succeed in the real estate industry?

Is it possible to have side hustles in real estate?

What are the challenges of a career in real estate?

Which states do real estate agents make the most money in?

Bringing It All Together

You’re still probably asking, “What can I do with my real estate license?” Choosing the right real estate career takes many considerations. Assessing your skills, interests, and long-term goals is essential in finding a path that suits you best. I’m sure there are more jobs you can get with a real estate license besides the ones listed above. What did I miss? Please share them in the comments below!

The post 13 Jobs You Can Get With a Real Estate License appeared first on The Close.

What Is Realtor Safety Month?

Realtor Safety Month is an annual event in September created by the NAR in 2003 to educate Realtors and reduce incidents within the industry. Realtor member associations, brokerages, agents, and teams can access resources to promote safety awareness. Although September is Realtor Safety Month, you can implement the strategies year-round. Learn to develop your resiliency and communication skills to handle a crisis, should it occur, by understanding how to implement safety.

Realtor Safety Month Resources

Awareness is essential. So, I’ve compiled a list of Realtor Safety Month resources to use as a quick guide and learn more about staying safe. These resources provide education for Realtor associations, brokerages, teams, and agents. In addition to the month-long Realtor Safety events, NAR has provided a 30-day plan with materials that local Realtor associations can use to mitigate risks. 

The NAR 30-day plan includes the following:

• Social media Realtor safety tips on how and what to post throughout Safety Month
• Member email to keep their members informed with engaging and timely information
• A 30-day calendar with essential best practices for each day of the month
• A two-part Realtor safety webinar to understand risks and warning signs and avoid victimization

Here are some additional real estate agent safety resources:

• Use a real estate safety app for safe showings, lockboxes, sharing location information, and quickly finding your car.
• Learn how to protect yourself and your clients from common real estate scams.
• Check out The Close contributor, Tracey “The Safety Lady” Hawkins. Her website is chock full of safety information, tools, and resources to help you plan.
• Use this wire fraud email template from NAR.

The Importance of Realtor Safety Month + Stats to Prove It

Realtor safety is important—and we can prove it! Here are some interesting realtor safety statistics illuminating the enormity of real estate agents’ risks and challenges. Use these to begin your education on real estate agent safety.

Real Estate Agent Showings

Real estate agents must plan to stay safe in open houses and showings. Check out some of these realtor safety statistics for showings and open houses. 

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), real estate agents’ work schedules often include evenings and weekends. 
• NAR reports that 35% of Realtors who were surveyed met a new or prospective buyer or seller alone at a secluded location or property.
• In 2023, 85% showed a house alone, compared to 42% in 2022.
• NAR commercial real estate safety statistics show that the typical commercial real estate professional meets prospective clients whom they’ve never met before 59% of the time, either at their office or in a neutral location. 
• Also, 18% of commercial agents surveyed said they felt unsafe hosting a showing alone.

Realtor Cyberattacks & Deepfakes With AI

Deepfakes are when a perpetrator uses artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate someone’s appearance or voice. They’ve been used in real estate to impersonate buyers, sellers, and agents to sell a house and pocket the money without the knowledge of the party who they’re impersonating.

Real estate agents deal with sensitive information regarding people’s finances, contracts, and legal matters. Due diligence is necessary when dealing with cyberattacks, identity theft, and deepfakes using AI to trick agents and consumers. Check out some of these realtor safety statistics on deepfakes and cybersafety. 

• In August 2023, MLS system provider Rapattoni was a victim of a cyberattack, causing outages across the US. Rapattoni covers 5% of real estate associations in the US, particularly those with under 10,000 members.
• There were 5.5 million reports to the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2023 for identity theft, imposter scams, and credit bureau info furnishers and report users. $10.3 billion was lost to fraud.
• According to the Identity Fraud Report from Sumsub, deepfakes increased tenfold across all industries from 2022 to 2023, including a whopping surge of 1,740% in North America.
• According to Statista, phishing scams and personal data breaches were among the most reported cybercrimes in 2022. Over 300,000 people fell victim to phishing attacks. Data breaches were another area of fraud, costing US organizations over $9 million on average as of January 2023.

Construction & Renovation Sites

Realtors must be diligent when visiting construction sites and renovation projects since injuries can occur from falling objects or slipping. Check out these construction site stats.

• The BLS reports 1,069 fatal injuries at construction sites in 2022 and 598 in the business and professional services sectors. 
• Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) reports that real estate agents face significant risks when touring construction sites or renovation projects, like injuries from slips, machinery, or falling objects. 

Car Accidents

Real estate agents spend a lot of time in their cars, so they must also be mindful of road safety when driving to appointments. Avoid talking on the phone and texting while driving. Also, pay attention. Distracted driving can happen when you are lost in thought. 

• In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 3,308 people were killed and around 289,310 people were injured in automobile crashes involving distracted drivers.
• According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 28% of distracted driver fatalities were between the ages of 21 and 64, so it is not just teenagers who can become distracted. However, it is more prevalent among younger people. 

Men Are Vulnerable Too

While most Realtors are women (66% according to NAR), men are also at risk of assault and other dangers in the field.

• The NAR Member Safety Residential Report showed that 14% of male real estate agents said they had an encounter in which they felt threatened and unsafe.
• Residential NAR members said that they follow personal safety plans with all clients. The planning is more common among females, with 73% reporting, but 59% of males also have a safety plan that they use with their clients.

Real Estate Safety Tips

Here are some real estate agent safety tips related to the above topics that you can immediately implement.

Safety Tips for Showings & Open Houses

• Take extra precautions in locations with fewer places. Also, don’t go alone into places that are dark and vacant.
• Park on the street instead of in the driveway, where someone else’s car can block yours and prevent your escape
• Swap your favorite high heels for flats, and wear practical clothing that will make fleeing danger easier.
• Don’t enter a home’s smallest spaces, such as basements and walk-in closets, which don’t have an egress point. Instead, let your clients explore these on their own. 

Cyberattacks & Deepfakes

• Use watermarks on documents and materials to guarantee authenticity.
• Use encrypted email and messaging accounts for secure messaging.
• Ask your brokerage to provide cybersecurity training.
• Trust but verify callers. Never share personal information over the phone, text, or email.

Construction Site Safety

• Wear a hard hat, safety goggles, and a reflective vest at construction sites.
• Dress for safety when showing a fixer-upper or new construction. This attire includes appropriate shoes, long pants, and nothing that could get caught onto something.
• Instruct buyers to dress appropriately when touring these sites.
• When showing raw land, wear long pants, and don’t wander off into unmarked areas. Pay attention to weather conditions before touring large parcels.
• Watch out for slick sidewalks and steps, and follow any posted warning signs.

Car Accident Safety Tips

• Set your phone to Do Not Disturb while driving. If you must take a call, find a safe place to pull over.
• Keep using hands-free or talk-to-text phone features to a minimum since it’s still easy to get distracted.
• Preview your route before traveling to a new location. Check for road work, inclement weather, and delays.
• Keep up with auto maintenance. You don’t want to get stranded!

Bringing It All Together

September is NAR Realtor Safety Awareness Month, but you should practice real estate agent safety throughout your career. Stay alert, be diligent, and use our articles and guides to stay safe. Do you have any unique strategies you’ve used to keep safe? Share in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!

The post Realtor Safety Month: Resources for Agents & Teams appeared first on The Close.

Best Books for New Real Estate Agents

As real estate agents, you’ll want to kick-start your careers on the right foot and set the most ambitious goals. Building a solid network and lasting relationships with clients might be one of the things you should be proficient in, but there’s more to it than that. Here are some books that can lay the groundwork for a successful real estate career:

Best Real Estate Sales & Marketing Books for Agents

No matter how successful you think you are at selling properties, there’s always room for growth. These real estate marketing books will teach you lead generation strategies, continuously refine your skills, and help you stand out from the competition.

Best Professional Development Books for Realtors

Never-ending learning for personal and professional growth is essential to be successful in the industry. In this section, I’ll outline the best books for real estate agents on improving your time management, communication and negotiation skills, maintaining focus, and more. Even if you decide to switch careers in the future, these books will still apply to you.

Best Books for Realtors About Growing Your Business

Growing your business ten years ago isn’t the same as growing it now. You probably have more competitors today compared to five or ten years ago. Building and expanding your business requires strategic planning, innovation, and focus. And with that, here are some of the top real estate books offering actionable advice, proven strategies, and inspiration for scaling your business.

Best Real Estate Investing Books

Diving into investing is a powerful way to build long-term wealth and diversify your income. You can use your industry knowledge and network to identify profitable investment opportunities. If you want to be on the other side of real estate, here are some of the best investing books that offer expert advice and proven techniques to help you succeed.

FAQs: Best Books for Real Estate Agents

Can you suggest books for realtors looking to specialize in a particular niche?

Which books can keep agents informed about the latest real estate market trends?

Which books focus on communication skills for agents?

Bringing It All Together

From books on how to be a real estate agent to books about investing, there’s no limit to the amount of information and skills you can gain from reading. Have you read any books from our list? What are your top books for real estate agents? Recommend your favorites to us in the comments!

The post The 25 Best Books for Real Estate Agents in 2024 appeared first on The Close.