I am not saying it SLOW, but rather this down time is an opportunity to finish up my continuing education CE courses for all the states I am currently licensed in real estate. I am licensed in GA, VA, and MD. The problem is that each state has their own requirements for CE and their own renewal periods. GA is a 4 year license period while MD and VA are 2 years. Over the last year I took free or low cost classes in GA and completed all of my requirements for next years renewal already. The one thing I've noted in GA is that all of my course choices can are electives. There really are no required courses I have to take such as Fair Housing, Legislative Updates, or Ethics. That is not the case in MD or VA. I think they both have it right. Each state has core requirements based upon subject matter, and type of license you carry. Event though none of my licenses are in immediate danger of expiring, I want to take advantage of the down time to get them out of the way. My VA license expires at the end of February 2010, and I just completed the coursework yesterday on line. I am in the process of finishing my requirements for the state of MD today. My MD license does not expire until September 16, 2010. What is great about this, is that I am taking advantage of slower times to get these issues taken care of...long before they are due. I will not have to look at taking any real estate CE courses for 2 years now.
One thing I will note is that taking a CE class in person is a great networking opportunity, but there is also time lost in the day traveling to the class, and that travel time to and from the course can not be regained.. Classes do offer more interaction. However, CE online offers a great chance to really study and review a subject at your own pace without interruption. Less time is lost, and I personally believe it is a better use of my time. What are your thoughts?
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Hey Jim,
CE is every two years in Oregon. I used to struggle trying to stay on top of it as our hours are split between required and elective.
One of the title companies here put online about 1/2 of the required hours. Now if I do not have the total amount needed I simply go online and purchase the additional hours needed through one of the state certified CE companies.
Between the occassional classes offered by title companies and lenders, the Title company with the online course and the purchased hours I now am able to keep up easily.
I do much better with online courses. For people who are not truly "night" people, they won't understand when I say if I have to get up at 6 am in order to schlep somewhere up here in DC rush hour traffic, I do not sleep the night before (worried about oversleeping), I consume way too much caffeine in order to even stay awake during the class, I am too sleepy to concentrate and then I cannot get to sleep that night, either, because of the caffeine. Early morning classes are a trainwreck for me.
Online, though, I can work when I am at my mental peak, which is often 10pm at night. Fewer interruptions, better concentration. I took my initial Georgia pre licensing course online and let me tell you, when I went to the cram course before the school exam, I breezed through it all. I finished the state exam in less than 25 minutes, with a score of 94. I didn't have the benefit of a classroom instructor telling me what to study, so I studied it ALL. I truly feel better prepared that way.
Good reminder about CE...I gotta get busy on that right now!
Jim - I prefer the classes that a Title Company offers. This way you get to see who is still "Active" in our industry. This also gives me the chance to reconnect with agents that I have not seen in awhile and create opputunities for my "Listings: to sell faster or my "Buyers" offer to be accepted because the other agent has a face to add to the name.
I am a firm believer of a belly 2 belly transaction.
Hi Jim
Thanks for the reminder. Our company always have classes through out the entire month. They have given all agents the opportunity to join in on the classes too. We get to build relationships and also get a lots of information to build our business. It's good thing.
Hello Jim, I've found some real-time classes to be very helpful. However, I've renewed the past two times by using on-line services that go at a pace I'm able to handle (which can be rather fast). Washington does have a 3 hour Core requirement, with the rest electives. That has changed some as they are making us all Brokers, with a little bit more course work required to renew next time! Good going on getting ahead of the CE task! John
Hi Jim, you are definitely not a procrastinator! My license expires in June. Guess I'd better get busy and finish my continuing ed.
I take October to think about my next year. I love when people slow, I love ramping up. I'm not stopping any time soon. And yes, I'm headed for my first CRS class too.
Downtown Portland Real Estate Broker~Herb Hamilton (RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors) Herb, that is pretty much what I do here in Atlanta. Since the renewal period is 4 years I have a lot of time to look for free CE. The problem is I live in GA, and the courses in MD and VA I have to take online. I still prefer to be way ahead of the curve.
Downtown Portland Real Estate Broker~Herb Hamilton (RE/MAX Preferred Inc. Realtors) In a big city, the online is much better for all the reasons you mentioned. I cannot stand bad instructors and how painful they can be as you wait for the first coffee break! Just give me some toothpicks I can put in my eyelids to stay awake.
Laura Gray (RE/MAX Realty Group) Well locally here that is what I do for all the same reasons. I pick and choose what I like. I do not have that luxury in MD and VA. I would have to go up there for 2 weeks to get it all done.
Alexander-Slocum REMAX Team - Vancouver WA Real Estate (RE/MAX equity group, inc. - Vancouver Washington) Thanks! I finised the last of my couses this evening. I am free for a while! :)
Kay Van Kampen, CDPE, Broker, Springfield Missouri Real Estate (RE/MAX Solutions) I have a lot going on, and I thought...just get it done!
Loreena Yeo - Broker|Realtor(R) of www.Frisco-TX-Homes.com (214) 783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY) Go for it. I always revamp my business focus this time of year. So now I am free to attack all those other projects.
Jim: Great idea! ...So when does this "slow time" start?
Mirela Monte, Your Myrtle Beach Real Estate Connection In 2007! LOL!
Sounds like a good plan Jim. Often when things get slow I will also work hard on the SEO for my website. It all pays dividends.
Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty) Shhhhh Bill. Don't give away all our secrets! SEO and web work pay off big time!
I say don't wait for a license to get close to expiring before renewing it. Fortunately, we have 4 years in California, but my renewal is coming up again next year. There seems to be no good time for me to do it. If I have any down time, I do what Bill does and work on my SEO.
Elizabeth Weintraub, Sacramento Short Sale Agent, 916.233.6759, Lyon RE (Lyon Real Estate) GA is 4 years also...I just figured get it done! I also work a lot on SEO.
Jim, Virginia is pretty easy. They let you do it online. But last time I checked, Maryland wanted your bottom in a seat in a classroom somewhere. Oh well.
Jim..you can do it on line in Pa,,But I do like the interaction ..I am a very Social Person..and if I have to take these boring ..Yes you heard me ..classes like Ethics again after 26 years in the buisness..take it over and over ..at least i get to see some fresh new and old faces...I learn more on ActiveRain and ReBar Camp
Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors) Maryland allows you to take them online now. I took the courses from RECAMPUS from the Southern Maryland Board of Realtors Online Real Estate Courses. VA was great also. NVAR has a new CE online real estate vendor I thought was fabulous!
Hannah Williams (Re/Max affiliates NE) Well I also like the interaction also, but again I am limited since I am licensed in 3 states.
Jim..Three States Wow that is impressive..You must do a lot of driving around.. I do enjoy your posts..