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Now that all the holiday trimmings are packed away, it’s like a breath of fresh air. This is the perfect time to around at your home and get a little picky. Every January I love to walk around my spaces and ask myself: what am I loving? What am I just sick of? What could I do to give this room a facelift? Thankfully, you don’t have to completely ditch everything you already have or bring in all new furniture to make a room feel fresh. Simply focusing on a few small details can make a really big difference.

Case in point: a bookshelf. A bookshelf is the perfect place to express your current design personality in a snap. Think of it like your hairstyle – you can continually switch it up depending on your mood. After the holiday hustle, I really wanted to create a calming zen-like feel with the built-ins in my living room. To ease visual clutter, I decided to stick with a singular color palette; black, white and warm wood tones. But now that we’re getting settled into our house, I also wanted to get some family photos out and about. I am a mom after all. But of course, I also refused to compromise my design. To keep my look consistent I turned to Mpix for help.

Mpix is an online photography printing service that lets you create your own cards, gifts, photobooks and framed wall art. I simply went onto the Mpix website and uploaded a collection of professional photos of my kiddo that we’ve had taken since he was born. There, I was able to turn all the images black and white to make them consistent with my bookcase color scheme. I choose different sizes for the images ranging from 4″x 4″ to as big as 16″x 20″, but for consistency I framed them all in a timeless silver metal. As I discussed in the reveal of my dining room, I’m obsessed with the informal look of leaning art, and layering an abstract piece  with a large scale photo softens the look even more. It also helps keep a toddler out of my unfinished fireplace. Bonus.

I was so impressed with how the frame pictures turned out. First of all, they arrived in what was nearly fortress-like packaging. I think this is the first time I’ve received mail-order framed prints with zero scratching, cracking or any gaps in the frame. The quality is truly exceptional. The photos also printed extremely crisp, printed on high quality black & white photo paper. I also selected a non-glare glass which really elevates the look.

With the fabulous framed photos in hand, I could then get down to it. When it came to styling these shelves, I wanted to take as minimalist of an approach as I can muster. I do like my collections – ask my husband. But everything in life feels so crowded these days, I really like my house to feel open. I’ve been working very hard to purge and pare down and I think this endeavor was successful. I limited the amount of things on each shelf, allowing for a lot of spacing between groupings. I finally had a spot to put my Kinfolk Magazine collection on display, which also helped me stick with my monochromatic look. A few special pieces, my trio of Gerhard Ceramics bud vases, a few vintage treasures and gifts from friends (or gifts to myself!) add texture. A brass jack paperweight adds a warm metallic touch – always nice.

While there’s no one-size-fits-all formula for perfecting your bookshelf look, compiling a collection of curated items requires a little patience and perhaps a little practice. But no matter where you are in your shelfie game, remember these three rules and you’ll have a perfectly styled bookshelf every time.

#1: Horizontal x Vertical Books. Shelves should start with books, but mix up the way you display them. Try piling them horizontally or flipping the spines to face inward as well as keeping some standing vertical.

#2: Remember the 1:1 Ratio. For every stack of books, add an object. It could be anything: a candle, brass box, pretty collection of rocks, that awesome “thing” you couldn’t not buy at last month’s flea market. This is the best way to break up the ‘boxy library look’

#3: Vary Your Heights. You want to keep the eye traveling all the up your shelving, so vary the heights of your groupings, be it of your book-stacks or your objects.

SHOP THE POST Mpix wall art / bookend / marbleized vases / vintage wood bowls / brass jack paperweight / candle sticks / bud vases / wood beads / white books

original photography for apartment 34 by michelle drewes

This is post is in partnership with Mpix. all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own. thanks for supporting collaborations we’re excited about and that have kept apartment34’s doors open. 

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Source: apartment34.com

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Posted on: May 9, 2022

The average rate on 30-year loans hit 5.11% last week — that’s 200 basis points (2%) higher than at the start of 2022 and the highest rate in over a decade.

Though the jump has made refinancing a costly choice for some homeowners, many — believe it or not — still stand to gain from today’s interest rates.

It’s true: According to data firm Black Knight, about 1.15 million homeowners could still shave a good amount off their monthly payment by refinancing today (and about 160,000 could save serious cash). This is particularly true for VA eligible borrowers who can access VA rates, which are typically lower than the rates available to conventional or FHA borrowers.

Did you put off refinancing your mortgage loan? Here’s what to know about refinancing at today’s rates.

Click here to see whether you could save with a VA refinance (Apr 26th, 2023)

1 million-plus homeowners can still save $300 per month

Black Knight’s data shows that around 1.15 million homeowners could refinance at 5.11% and still reduce their current interest rate by at least 75 basis points. 

That translates to around $316 in monthly savings per borrower, around $358 million in national aggregate monthly savings, and nearly $4,000 in annual savings per loan. 

Just under 160,000 borrowers could save $500 or more per month — or around $6,000 annually.

Should you refinance at today’s rates?

Because refinancing comes with closing costs (not to mention a little hassle), most experts recommend only refinancing if you can reduce your rate by at least 75 basis points. To achieve this at an average rate of 5.11%, you’d need to have a current rate of 5.76% or higher. 

Rates of that caliber haven’t been seen since late 2008, so if you haven’t refinanced your loan since that point, it might be worth considering a refinance.

You should also take into account your credit score and loan-to-value ratio — or how much mortgage debt you have compared to your home’s value. Black Knight’s data only looks at prime borrowing candidates — those with an LTV of 80% or less and credit scores of 720 or higher. 

If you don’t meet these descriptions, the above data won’t include you — though it’s entirely possible you could still benefit from a refinance. You’d likely see a smaller rate reduction, but if you’re struggling to make payments or you need to free up monthly cash flow, refinancing could be a meaningful financial move.

It’s also important to remember that refinancing doesn’t just help you reduce your rate. You can also refinance into a longer-term loan, which lowers your monthly payments, or you could switch loan types (to remove mortgage insurance, for example). Both of these options come with financial benefits as well.

What does this mean for VA-eligible borrowers?

When compared to other loan types — conventional and FHA, for example — VA home loans offer consistently lower rates than those available for the average consumer.

If you’re VA eligible but do not currently have a VA loan, you may be able to reduce your current mortgage interest rate by an even greater margin.

[copy VA rate chart from this page: https://www.militaryvaloan.com/blog/current-va-refinance-rates/]

Here’s a more in-depth explanation of whether a VA refinance can help you save.

What now?

Every situation is different, but if you want to reduce your rate or monthly payment, reach out to a mortgage professional and get a quote ASAP. 

With another Federal Reserve meeting on the books for next week, it’s likely mortgage rates will rise in the near term. It’s important to lock in your rate soon to ensure maximum savings.

Click here to see whether you could save with a VA refinance (Apr 26th, 2023)

Source: militaryvaloan.com

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Dollar Bank is a regional bank with over 60 offices in three U.S. states. Founded in 1855 as “Pittsburgh Dollar Savings Institution,” it didn’t shorten its name to Dollar Bank until 1986.

At this time, they began offering an increased amount of services, including credit cards, lines of credit, and term loans. As of March 2016, Dollar Bank is the largest independent mutual bank in the U.S.

Key Points of Dollar Bank 

  • Founded in 1855, but did not become a lender until 1986
  • Currently the largest independent mutual bank in the U.S. as of early 2016
  • Offers a variety of mortgage products, from traditional fixed-rate loans to no closing cost refinance loans
  • A large variety of educational resources to help borrowers in the process of taking out a mortgage, as well as refinancing and buying a home
  • Only have 12 complaints on the Better Business Bureau site, despite being established since 1855
  • Bank’s headquarters is a Pittsburgh landmark and is on the U.S. Register of Historic Places

Overall Review of Dollar Bank 

Even though Dollar Bank is only available in three U.S. states, it offers a wide variety of financial services to its customers. It has served primarily as a bank for over 150 years, but it has grown in recognition in the mortgage lender and credit industries.

Dollar Bank offers plenty of different types of mortgage lending products, such as fixed rate, adjustable rate, VA, and FHA loans. No matter what kind of loan is right for you, you can rest easy knowing that Dollar Bank’s customer support can help you at every stage of the borrowing process.

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Dollar Bank Loan Specifics

Dollar Bank’s mortgages are mostly comparable to other offerings in the industry. Their home loan options include:

Fixed Rate Loans 

Fixed rate loans from Dollar Bank are meant for homebuyers who plan on living in the space for an extended period. These types of mortgages typically have higher initial interest rates than adjustable rate mortgages.

However, many buyers like the security of a fixed payment and interest rate, as it gives them a predictable number to budget. Dollar Bank offers fixed-rate loans in 30-year, 20-year, and 15-year increments of time, as well as in the form of Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans.

Adjustable Rate Loans

Adjustable rate mortgages are best for homebuyers who plan on moving or refinancing in the next five or so years. These loans come with lower monthly principal and interest payments. It’s worth being aware of the fact that adjustable rate mortgages have a fixed rate for only a specific amount of years.

After that time, rates adjust with industry standards. Adjustable rate loans with Dollar Bank have a rate cap, which keeps the costs from rising too high. There are plenty of choices you can make when choosing what type of ARM you’d like, including:

  • 7-year ARM
  • 5-year ARM
  • 3-year ARM
  • Construction mortgage
  • FHA 5-year ARM

VA Loans

The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs helps veterans, current members of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their spouses get affordable mortgages. Qualified individuals may be able to get a loan worth 100 percent of the home’s purchase price.

However, this program has a maximum limit of $203,000 for no money down loans. If you choose not to put a down payment on the home, you will typically have a higher than average interest rate to make up for these costs.

CRA Loans

Dollar Bank offers plenty of mortgages through the Community Reinvestment Act. This option allows buyers to pay as little as 3 percent down on the home and even gives grants to first-time buyers. CRA mortgages make it easier to buy a house for qualifying homebuyers.

No Closing Cost Refinance Mortgages

With these loans, Dollar Bank will pay your closing costs, which can save you hundreds of dollars. You can qualify for terms up to 30 years with fixed rate security for 15, five, or three years.

Interest Only ARMs

Dollar Bank offers mortgages with much lower monthly payments than other types of loans, which puts more cash back into your hand. You can get a five-year or three-year interest only ARM with Dollar Bank.

Dollar Bank Mortgage Customer Experience

Dollar Bank operates in only three U.S. states but has plenty of online resources that allow potential borrowers to do some research before getting a mortgage. Dollar Bank makes it easy and convenient to find mortgage rates online with the following materials:

  • Mortgage calculators that help you estimate how much you would pay for certain types of loans to see how much you can afford on a home

  • Helpful videos that walk you through the mortgage process and answer any overarching questions you have about buying and refinancing a home
  • An online tool that allows you to get a free quote online after filling out a short form, without having to input your Social Security Number
  • A resource center with articles describing different types of loans, which can help you gain insight into the mortgage market as a whole and the benefits of working with Dollar Bank

If you are interested in a loan with Dollar Bank, you can fill out the online application or contact a mortgage sales representative directly over the phone.

Customer reviews on WalletHub and Bankrate seem to be mostly positive about Dollar Bank. However, these reviews do not only reflect the mortgage offerings.

Many reviews are about the banking and credit services the bank provides. J.D. Power does not include information for Dollar Bank on its Primary Mortgage Originator Rankings, and the CFPB does not have consumer complaint information for this bank.

Dollar Bank Lender Reputation

Dollar Bank has been around for about a century and a half, meaning it has garnered a plethora of both positive and negative reactions.

However, the bank has only offered mortgages for about 20 years, so it seems that a majority of its reputation comes from its other financial services.

The CFPB has never filed a complaint against Dollar Bank. The bank has 12 complaints on the BBB, although it is not currently accredited.

Dollar Bank Mortgage Qualifications

Qualification requirements for Dollar Bank are standard in comparison to other mortgage lenders. It does not mention their income requirements for borrowers or their credit score requirements. However, when applying for a mortgage with the bank, they request that borrowers have the following information available to see what they can afford:

  • Current monthly mortgage payment (if applicable)
  • Total annual income
  • Current monthly debt, excluding existing mortgage, insurance, and utility costs
  • An estimate of monthly insurance and tax costs for the new home
Income Requirements Down Payment Requirements Credit Score Requirements
None specified 0-20%, based on loan type None specific; credit score will affect monthly costs
  • Homepage URL: https://www.dollar.bank/Personal
    • Company Phone: 1-800-828-5527
    • Headquarters Address: 340 Fourth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

  • States Serviced:
    • Ohio
    • Pennsylvania
    • Virginia

Source: goodfinancialcents.com

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By Peter Anderson 19 Comments – The content of this website often contains affiliate links and I may be compensated if you buy through those links (at no cost to you!). Learn more about how we make money. Last edited February 10, 2020.

My wife and I have been using Netflix for many years now, and for the most part we love it.

When we started subscribing to Netflix we weren’t paying for any premium TV packages, but we still wanted to have plenty of entertainment options available to us.  Netflix was a part of our reduced cost TV watching plan.

We’re both movie lovers, and if we have some down time, we love to just pop in a movie and watch.  On average we will usually watch 1-2 movies a week.  Or at least I think we do.

Within the past couple of weeks I’ve discovered a site (that apparently has been around for a while) that allows you to see if you’ve been getting the most out of your Netflix account.  It tells you how much Netflix costs per movie – and will tell you just how many movies you’ve been watching. But before we get to that, let’s look at how Netflix is priced.

How Much Does Netflix Cost?

At our house we have found Netflix to be a great value, with all of it’s movie and TV watching options that it has available.  They have a variety of packages that you can sign up for.

Depending upon which one you sign up for, you can get anything from limited 1-4 streams at a time on streaming only packages, or you can sign up separately for DVD packages that allow 1-2 DVD or Blu-ray out at a time. DVD and streaming plan prices current as of  January 2019.

Netflix Streaming Plans

  • Basic – Streaming video only – 1 screen at a time: $8.99
  • Standard – Streaming video only – 2 screens at a time + HD: $12.99
  • Premium – Streaming video only – 4 screens at a time + Ultra HD: $15.99

Netflix DVD Plans

When it comes to DVD, it’s now split out from streaming, and they have two levels of service:

  • Standard – 1 DVD at a time: $7.99
  • Premier – 2 DVD at a time: $11.99
  • Standard – 1 HD Blu-ray at a time: $9.99
  • Premier – 2 HD Blu-ray at a time: $14.99

For us we found the best value to be the streaming video package that cost $8.99   While we wouldn’t mind doing the streaming only package for only $11.99 so that we could add an extra screen, we found that we really hardly ever watched Netflix on more than one screen at a time.

Something else to keep in mind – you can now get a 1 month free trial and try the service out for free!

Figuring Out Per Movie Cost For Netflix?

If you want to figure out if you’re getting the most out of your Netflix account, how can you figure out what kind of cost you’re paying for the rentals?   As mentioned above I discovered a cool site called FeedFliks that will give you all kinds of statistics about your account – and help you to figure out if you’ve maximized your return on your monthly fee (or maybe if you’re watching too many movies and TV shows!).

UPDATE: Feedfliks is no longer available, the service shut down after Netflix closed down their API to third party developers.

To figure out what kind of a return you’re getting you just go to FeedFliks and link your Netflix account with their site.  Once you’ve logged in they’ll pull all of your DVD and streaming video watching habits, and give you some numbers that you can use to calculate your return.  Above are some of the graphs that we were shown once we signed in.  Among the things we found based on our last  6 months of viewing behavior:

  • We watch on average 7.6 movies per month.
  • Our cost based on the DVDs we’ve watched is $3.17 per DVD.
  • When instant watch streaming is taken into account, we’re paying $1.17 per movie.
  • We’re still paying more per movie than 81% of people who use FeedFliks – so there’s room for improvement.
  • We’re keeping each Netflix movie for quite a long time – 9 days.  We may want to try and watch those DVDs faster.

Based upon your viewing behavior, FeedFliks will also give you recommendations on how to improve your return on your entertainment dollars – and tell you where you’re doing well already.

  • It will tell you if you’re holding onto your movies longer than other users.
  • Tell you if movies in your DVD queue are available for instant watching.
  • Tell you if movies in your instant watch queue are expiring.
  • You can sign up for alerts to remind you to watch or return DVD movies.

FeedFliks also has a premium service for $8.99/year that will allow you to do more with your account including sync with your Netflix account more often, manage your queues, get email and twitter alerts and more.  For me I’m not going to sign up right now as I think I get enough information just by using the service every once in a while for free.

Put Your Netflix Membership On Hold

If you’ve found that maybe you’re not currently getting the  most out of your Netflix account (perhaps you’re busy – or going on vacation), you can suspend your Netflix account for 7 to 90 days at a time.  Just go to [Main Page->Your Account -> Put membership on hold].

There are no charges for the time your membership is on hold. You have to return the movies you have and you can’t watch online/streaming, but everything else is the same – and you can save some money if you know you wont’ be watching much.  Something to consider.

Other Video Streaming Sites To Think About

There are a ton of other streaming video services to consider besides Netflix. With many you might even get a better value for your hard earned cash.

Some of the others may be more of a replacement for your cable TV package, but at a lower price than cable (they’ll cost more than Netflix).

  • Amazon Video On Demand – $119.00/yr: Amazon has a video streaming service and it’s free for all Amazon Prime members.  So if you’re already a member of Amazon Prime’s unlimited free or reduced price shipping on the site, you’ll get the video streaming service for free. The cost?  $119/year for Amazon Prime, and the video streaming service is free.  Consider pairing their streaming service with the Playon setup I’ve written about before.  (Note: Free student and Amazon Mom Prime accounts do not get free streaming)
  • Redbox Kiosks & On Demand – $1.75-$2/rental: Redbox offers kiosks in various retail locations where you can rent movies for only $1.75-$2 a night. We love Redbox, and when we want to get a movie right away, we usually head to the Redbox at the corner gas station. Redbox also now has an on demand option where you can rent and purchase movies online for $3.99-4.99 for a rental.  It’s still relatively new, but worth a try.
  • Philo – $16.00/month: Philo is quickly becoming the go to option for people who don’t want to pay a lot and don’t care about sports (they don’t carry sports networks, making it cheaper). They are only $16/month for their basic package, with 40 channels from Discovery, TLC and History to HGTV.  Add 9 more channels for only $20! Read the full Philo review here.
  • Sling TV – $25/month: Sling TV is an online streaming TV offering from Dish Network that costs only $25/month and gives you premium live TV channels from the likes of ESPN, AMC (The Walking Dead anyone?), HGTV, CNN, Cartoon Network, Disney and more.  For a limited time you can also get $50 off of a Roku Ultra or AirTV Player, or receive a free Roku Stick with 2 months prepaid!  This is one of the few ways you’re going to get ESPN or some of these other channels without paying for cable! They also now have a cloud DVR! Ready my full Sling TV Review here.
  • AT&T TV Now – $40.00/month: Just launched at the end of 2016, this service is similar to Sling and Vue, and gives you 100+ channels for $40/mo for a limited time. You can also add on HBO or Cinemax for $5/month!
  • Fubo TV – $34.99/month: Fubo TV is a relatively new streaming service that has a ton of live TV stations, and specializes in sports content – including a lot of soccer. They currently advertise 73 channels of content, starting at $19.99/month for 2 months, then back to the regular $34.99 price. Read a full FuboTV review here.
  • YouTube TV – $40.00/month: YouTube launched their own live TV service that starts at $40/month and includes sports channels, and live local channels in many markets.  7 day free trial is available.
  • HBO Now – $14.99/month: HBO programming has only been available via a cable TV package for the longest time.  Since 2015 HBO Now has provided HBO programming outside of a cable package. If you’re a fan of certain HBO shows this makes cutting the cord much more possible.
  • Hulu.com – $7.99/month: If you want to get TV shows and movies that you may not have been taped over-the-air, you can usually find them here the day after they air on TV.  They also have a free version, although that version only allows viewing on a computer web browser, usually for a limited number of episodes per series.
  • Google Play Store: My wife and I tend to rent first run movies here and there from the Google Play store because it’s easy and convenient to stream the movies from our tablets to the Google Chromecast.  If we’re getting a first run movie, however, we usually go to the Redbox for their $1 rentals.
  • CBS All Access – $5.99/month: CBS doesn’t allow streaming of their shows through some of the other streaming services because they have their own over-the-top streaming service. They do have some good shows, however and are worth checking out.
  • Pluto TV – FREE:  Pluto TV has an app for most streaming devices that allow you to watch a 100+ channels of free video entertainment from movies and music to TV shows. Pluto is the free TV streaming service.

Are You Getting Your Best Value?

So the question now is, are you getting your money’s worth when using Netflix?  At what point and at what cost do you consider it a good value?  For us I think having anywhere from a $1-2 per movie cost for Netflix means we’re getting a good value.

While our cost per movie is pretty high if you only figure in DVDs at $3.17 per movie, when you also take into account instant watch movies we are paying a paltry $1.17 per movie cost.   That’s not half bad, and about what we would pay even for a movie at the local Redbox.

What is your cost for your Netflix account, and are you getting your money’s worth?  Are you considering subscribing to Netflix or another video streaming service?   At what cost would you consider the service worthwhile?  Tell us about it in the comments.

Get a 1 month no obligation free trial with Netflix

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Source: biblemoneymatters.com

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Last Updated on November 10, 2021 by Mark Ferguson

One of the hardest parts of getting your real estate license is completing the education needed for the licensing requirements. In most states, you can take online real estate classes or classes in a classroom with a real teacher. There are many pros and cons to both options, and the better option will depend on your goals and plans as a real estate agent. I obtained my real estate license in 2002, and have run a team that has sold over 200 homes in a year. Now I own a real estate brokerage and focus on real estate investing. I was able to get my license online and so have many of my agents, but my wife got hers in a classroom. This article will discuss whether it is better to take real estate classes online or in person.

Do different states have different requirements?

Every state has different rules and regulations for real estate agent licensing. Most rates require a certain amount of classes to get your real estate license before you can take the licensing exam. In Colorado you have to take 162 hours of education; other states are more and some much less. Some states are even thinking about making it a requirement that all real estate agents have at least a bachelor’s degree to get a real estate license.

Once you take the education portion of the real estate classes, you must also pass a test, take a background check, and then find a broker to work for. Taking classes is only a small portion of the process of becoming an agent, but it is important.

Which option takes less time?

One of the pros of taking classes online is you may be able to finish the classes sooner than the actual hourly requirement. Each class is given a certain amount of hourly credits and once you pass the class you get credit for those hours. It may take someone 2 hours instead of 4 hours to finish a section online if they are fast learners or readers. If you take classes in person, you have to be in a classroom for very close to the full hourly requirement. You also will have a set schedule with in-person classes, where online classes let you work whenever you have time.

I am able to breeze through my update classes which are supposed to take 4 hours in well less than an hour. It is important that you understand the material though. If you breeze through the material without absorbing it, it will be very tough to pass the test.

Which option is more exciting?

The downfall of taking real estate classes online is that they are extremely boring. It is tough for many people to stare at a computer screen for hours and absorb information. No matter how hard you try, it is really hard to make real estate license material exciting. You must have a very good attention span to spend the time it takes to study material online, learn it, and then be able to pass the exam. If you take real estate classes in person they will be much more exciting. You won’t be staring at a computer screen, you will be listening to a teacher, reading books and listening to guest speakers.

If you take real estate classes online you also have to be self-motivated. You have to find the time to sit down and put those hours in. In a classroom, you will have a set schedule and someone telling you when you need to be there. If you have a job and/or a family, then it makes it even tougher to find time to take online classes.

How important is a live teacher?

Taking real estate education in a classroom involves real people teaching you and learning with you. You will most likely learn much more from a real classroom because the teacher can explain many more things than a computer can. That teacher also should have some real-world experience in selling real estate and may even have connections in the real estate world.

When you become a real estate agent, one of the most important things is meeting people and networking. The sooner you can start networking, the better off you will be. Your teacher or teachers may have connections to help you find a broker, have insights on the best way to pass the test, and help you get started selling houses! Real estate classes don’t teach you how to sell, they teach you the laws, how not to get sued, and how to abide by the ethics standards.

Where will you learn more?

The in-person real estate classes are much more interesting than staring at a computer screen all day, but there are other advantages. I am a HUD broker and I taught one of my HUD classes to a local community college that offered a real estate licensing program. I taught aspiring agents all about HUD homes, things to watch out for, and how to make money selling them. An online class will not be teaching students about the best ways to sell HUD homes and will not have guest speakers.

The classroom may also bring in guest speakers and other agents who have succeeded in the business. An online class will not expose you to real estate agents making it in your area.

The teacher in a real class will be able to tell stories and relate the law and rules to real-world examples. Online classes may be able to give some real-world examples, but it is always better to hear stories straight from the people who experienced them.

Which option is easier to complete?

A downfall to a real estate class is finding a schedule that fits you. With an online class, you can take classes when you have time, but when you take in-person classes, you have to make their schedule work. If you already have a job that may be difficult to do, but I have found many schools offer night classes to help work around students’ schedules.

It is often easier for most people to make the online classes fit their schedules better. The online classes can be easier to complete as well because they may not take as much time. Remember, that easier is not always better.

How long it takes to complete real estate classes will depend on the student. If you are an extremely motivated individual who can handle hours at a time staring into a computer, then you might be able to finish online courses faster. If you are not motivated to take those online classes, it may be faster to take the in-person classes that have a set schedule. My wife went to school full-time for her license and finished up in about 6 weeks. One of my team members took his classes online and it took him about 6 months, but he also had a full-time job and a family. If you want to get your license quickly, taking classes in a classroom is most likely the fastest way to go.

What is your goal as an agent?

I mentioned early in this article that an agent’s goals will determine the best route for getting a license. If you want to make a career of real estate and jump in with both feet, take an in-person class. The exposure to people in the business will be worth it. You may even have a better chance of finding the right broker once you get your license.

If you want to be a part-time agent that only uses their license for their own investments, then it makes sense to take online classes. You may not need the connections and the personal help a real teacher will provide. However, don’t expect to be given guidance on how to get deals from a real estate class online. Real estate classes teach almost nothing about investing.

What are some online schools?

If you decide you want to take your real estate classes online, I know a couple of schools that offer licensing. My assistant took his classes at Real Estate Express, which also offers continuing education classes. Real Estate Express offers very affordable classes and great customer support.

Once you get your real estate license, there is much more you must do to become a successful real estate agent. In fact, before you even get your license you should be working on your business.

Conclusion

It is not easy to get a real estate license. The classes are long and boring, and the test is not a piece of cake. Once you get your license you must work hard to succeed as an agent. Choosing the right method of taking classes can help you succeed or fail as an agent.

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Categories Real Estate Agent

Source: investfourmore.com

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Last Updated on November 10, 2021 by Mark Ferguson

One of the hardest parts of getting your real estate license is completing the education needed for the licensing requirements. In most states, you can take online real estate classes or classes in a classroom with a real teacher. There are many pros and cons to both options, and the better option will depend on your goals and plans as a real estate agent. I obtained my real estate license in 2002, and have run a team that has sold over 200 homes in a year. Now I own a real estate brokerage and focus on real estate investing. I was able to get my license online and so have many of my agents, but my wife got hers in a classroom. This article will discuss whether it is better to take real estate classes online or in person.

Do different states have different requirements?

Every state has different rules and regulations for real estate agent licensing. Most rates require a certain amount of classes to get your real estate license before you can take the licensing exam. In Colorado you have to take 162 hours of education; other states are more and some much less. Some states are even thinking about making it a requirement that all real estate agents have at least a bachelor’s degree to get a real estate license.

Once you take the education portion of the real estate classes, you must also pass a test, take a background check, and then find a broker to work for. Taking classes is only a small portion of the process of becoming an agent, but it is important.

Which option takes less time?

One of the pros of taking classes online is you may be able to finish the classes sooner than the actual hourly requirement. Each class is given a certain amount of hourly credits and once you pass the class you get credit for those hours. It may take someone 2 hours instead of 4 hours to finish a section online if they are fast learners or readers. If you take classes in person, you have to be in a classroom for very close to the full hourly requirement. You also will have a set schedule with in-person classes, where online classes let you work whenever you have time.

I am able to breeze through my update classes which are supposed to take 4 hours in well less than an hour. It is important that you understand the material though. If you breeze through the material without absorbing it, it will be very tough to pass the test.

Which option is more exciting?

The downfall of taking real estate classes online is that they are extremely boring. It is tough for many people to stare at a computer screen for hours and absorb information. No matter how hard you try, it is really hard to make real estate license material exciting. You must have a very good attention span to spend the time it takes to study material online, learn it, and then be able to pass the exam. If you take real estate classes in person they will be much more exciting. You won’t be staring at a computer screen, you will be listening to a teacher, reading books and listening to guest speakers.

If you take real estate classes online you also have to be self-motivated. You have to find the time to sit down and put those hours in. In a classroom, you will have a set schedule and someone telling you when you need to be there. If you have a job and/or a family, then it makes it even tougher to find time to take online classes.

How important is a live teacher?

Taking real estate education in a classroom involves real people teaching you and learning with you. You will most likely learn much more from a real classroom because the teacher can explain many more things than a computer can. That teacher also should have some real-world experience in selling real estate and may even have connections in the real estate world.

When you become a real estate agent, one of the most important things is meeting people and networking. The sooner you can start networking, the better off you will be. Your teacher or teachers may have connections to help you find a broker, have insights on the best way to pass the test, and help you get started selling houses! Real estate classes don’t teach you how to sell, they teach you the laws, how not to get sued, and how to abide by the ethics standards.

Where will you learn more?

The in-person real estate classes are much more interesting than staring at a computer screen all day, but there are other advantages. I am a HUD broker and I taught one of my HUD classes to a local community college that offered a real estate licensing program. I taught aspiring agents all about HUD homes, things to watch out for, and how to make money selling them. An online class will not be teaching students about the best ways to sell HUD homes and will not have guest speakers.

The classroom may also bring in guest speakers and other agents who have succeeded in the business. An online class will not expose you to real estate agents making it in your area.

The teacher in a real class will be able to tell stories and relate the law and rules to real-world examples. Online classes may be able to give some real-world examples, but it is always better to hear stories straight from the people who experienced them.

Which option is easier to complete?

A downfall to a real estate class is finding a schedule that fits you. With an online class, you can take classes when you have time, but when you take in-person classes, you have to make their schedule work. If you already have a job that may be difficult to do, but I have found many schools offer night classes to help work around students’ schedules.

It is often easier for most people to make the online classes fit their schedules better. The online classes can be easier to complete as well because they may not take as much time. Remember, that easier is not always better.

How long it takes to complete real estate classes will depend on the student. If you are an extremely motivated individual who can handle hours at a time staring into a computer, then you might be able to finish online courses faster. If you are not motivated to take those online classes, it may be faster to take the in-person classes that have a set schedule. My wife went to school full-time for her license and finished up in about 6 weeks. One of my team members took his classes online and it took him about 6 months, but he also had a full-time job and a family. If you want to get your license quickly, taking classes in a classroom is most likely the fastest way to go.

What is your goal as an agent?

I mentioned early in this article that an agent’s goals will determine the best route for getting a license. If you want to make a career of real estate and jump in with both feet, take an in-person class. The exposure to people in the business will be worth it. You may even have a better chance of finding the right broker once you get your license.

If you want to be a part-time agent that only uses their license for their own investments, then it makes sense to take online classes. You may not need the connections and the personal help a real teacher will provide. However, don’t expect to be given guidance on how to get deals from a real estate class online. Real estate classes teach almost nothing about investing.

What are some online schools?

If you decide you want to take your real estate classes online, I know a couple of schools that offer licensing. My assistant took his classes at Real Estate Express, which also offers continuing education classes. Real Estate Express offers very affordable classes and great customer support.

Once you get your real estate license, there is much more you must do to become a successful real estate agent. In fact, before you even get your license you should be working on your business.

Conclusion

It is not easy to get a real estate license. The classes are long and boring, and the test is not a piece of cake. Once you get your license you must work hard to succeed as an agent. Choosing the right method of taking classes can help you succeed or fail as an agent.

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Source: investfourmore.com