Our staff often hear from aspiring agents ready to launch careers in the robust Georgia real estate market. But they are debating whether to complete the pre-licensing course online. They usually ask us how effective the online class is, how long it takes, and what it’s like.
 
We’re delighted to help by offering expert insight gained from long-standing experience providing real estate education.  And we describe what they can expect when taking the class through the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate.

That got us thinking it would be helpful to share this info with others who wonder the same things.

​So, here goes:
 
1 – You won't sacrifice the quality of your pre-licensing education.
​
Think about it this way: It's the delivery format that differs from classroom courses, not the content quality. You'll get the flexibility to study at your own speed, whenever you like, and even on the go. And you'll also have the benefit of learning timely material that more than meets the state's requirement for pre-licensing education. Our online course is 100-percent state-approved by the  Georgia Real Estate Commission.

​2 – The content helps you pass the exam.
At the end of the day, if you don't pass the exam, you won't get your real estate license. And you must have gained the relevant knowledge to succeed on the test. You can gauge the effectiveness of a pre-licensing course by how well its students do on the exam. And we're exceptionally proud to say that our students rank among those in Georgia with an above average pass rate.

3 – The course format makes it easy to learn.
It can really be helpful to see and hear information as well as read it. And this course delivers the content in a format that keeps you engaged. There's a mix of text and videos. Also, the material is presented in bite-size chunks, which makes it easier to digest and remember. There are short paragraphs and then multiple choice questions throughout the course.

4 – The intuitive delivery platform helps with memorization and recall.
A big part of studying to become a real estate agent involves memorizing material, especially key vocabulary words. You get help there from the learning platform, which keeps track of areas you need to work on and prompts you through strategic repetition. For example, if you miss questions in a quiz, that information is automatically repeated later in a different way to help you retain it. We like to say " It kind of drills it in your head what you need to know."

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​6 – You have access to a strong support system.
You won't have to fend for yourself should questions or issues arise. You'll have instructor support on the course content. Unlimited support is available for any technical issues. And of course, our school is a big part of your support system. We couple exceptional customer service with our in-depth real estate knowledge and are readily available online and by phone.

7 – You can finish the course in relatively short order.
Our students tell us that the sweet spot for completing the course and having a quality learning experience is 10-12 weeks. That's long enough to study at a manageable pace, yet short enough that the material is still fresh in your mind. But if you can't finish in that time frame, no worries. You have six months to complete the course if you need it.

Have other questions? Don’t hesitate to contact us. Ready to enroll? It’s quick and easy to do so. And we would love to welcome you as a student and be a part of preparing you for your new career. And right now is an excellent time to launch it!

Virtual property tours were already relatively popular — particularly with high-end homes — before the coronavirus pandemic hit. Then, restrictions and social distancing practices lingered longer than anyone expected and pumped up the demand for virtual home tours.
 
That demand is still strong even as restrictions are being lifted. And it’s becoming increasingly clear that virtual tours will be a mainstay for most real estate listings from now on. So, chances are you have already taken the leap into interactive 3D virtual tours, or you’ve picked the tech tools you’ll use and are ready to get started.
 
So, how can you make your DIY 3D virtual home tours stand out? Here are five things you can do:

Yes, it looks like virtual home tours are here to stay. And, we hope that these tips will help you create immersive, effective interactive 3D tours. We pride ourselves on providing practical information in our blog that will keep you informed on real-estate-related matters whether you’re looking to get into the profession, just getting started, or are an old-hand in the business.

So, bookmark our blog, and visit often. And we appreciate your adding our online course catalog to your favorites too.

Setting and Achieving Goals: Tips for Doing It Well
 
As a real estate agent — an entrepreneur — goal setting is a critical part of your business planning. If you are looking to grow your business, you’ll need to clearly define goals and a plan of attack to move the needle on your success.
 
And while the process of setting and reaching goals isn’t rocket science, it is easier said than done. Here are some simple yet powerful tips to help you figure out what you want to achieve and how.
 

​It is a well-known fact that some agents become wildly successful in the real estate business and others not so much. Why might that be?
 
While there is no foolproof formula for success, hard work and in-depth expertise play a part for sure. So do skill sets like negotiation and communication and attributes like persistence, resourcefulness, and drive – to name just a few.
 
But there is also something else that plays a role – the adoption of good habits.
 
These six habits are ones that agents at the top of their game have in common and ones that can help you kickstart and sustain your success.

​When the global pandemic took hold in early 2020, the customary way of doing real estate business
wasn’t an option anymore. And so, agents had to pivot almost overnight to adapt to the changes.
At first, the hope was that this was temporary. But it has since become apparent that this “new
normal” will stick around for a while. And if you are – or plan to become – an agent, you may be
wondering what you can do to thrive in this current reality and beyond.
Below, we share our expert take on ways to navigate being an agent in the wake of COVID-19.

Enhancing your capabilities is another way to stay ahead of today’s challenges. And thanks to an abundance of online opportunities, you can sharpen current knowledge or learn something new (or both) in the midst of ongoing restrictions.
For example, you can attend online webinars or take CE courses if you need continuing education hours. Or consider pursuing a certification or a broker’s license. We offer the broker pre-licensing course online, and our blog “Considering Making the Move From Agent to Broker?” provides a wealth of info on upgrading your license. We also offer an array of online CE courses covering knowledge areas that are critical to your success. Enroll today to continue growing your expertise.

Whether you have been a real estate agent for a short or long time, the idea of getting a broker’s license has probably crossed your mind.
 
Perhaps it’s the reason you got into the business in the first place. Or maybe the notion emerged over time as a natural next step in your career. Either way, upgrading your license is a move that can open new doors of opportunity.
 
It’s a big step, though. So, as you consider it, here are some things to know and keep in mind.
 
Benefits and challenges like these come with the role:




​A broker’s license gives you built-in bragging rights.
You may not have thought about it in quite this way. But the broker title commands a high degree of automatic respect as people know that earning it requires expertise well beyond the agent level and a certain amount of experience. It shows commitment to your career and supports your standing as an industry expert. And you can leverage that to up your marketability.
                                                                                                                                                              

You get more say-so over your career.
One of the biggest draws to becoming a broker, of course, is the autonomy you gain. You get to decide what type of broker you will be. Open your own firm if you like and hire a team of agents. Or be a sole proprietor and operate a firm of one.
 
But don’t forget about other options that you have too. You can be a managing broker and oversee operations of an existing firm or branch office. Or work as an associate broker – a great next step if you like sales but want broker status and more leverage to negotiate a higher commission.

You can earn more, but running an office costs more.
As you are sure to agree, keeping all (or more) of your commission (plus a portion of your agents’ commission) is a top benefit of being a broker. But if you are going out on your own, plan to take a long, hard look at profit potential, not just earning potential. You will be paying for most everything. And you may need to cover those expenses while your business gets off the ground.

As the boss, the buck stops with you.
With autonomy comes greater responsibility. As well as more administrative/managerial duties, you will also have more legal obligations. Even if you go solo, you are financially and legally responsible for your transactions. If you sponsor agents, you are legally accountable for their actions too. It is up to you to ensure they comply with all real estate laws, and you can be liable if they don’t.

You must meet the state’s eligibility and educational requirements.
To be licensed as a broker in the state of Georgia, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old (you can take the exam at age 20).
• Be a high school graduate or have an equivalent certificate.
• Pass a background check (it’s wise to get your background clearance early on).
• Have been licensed on active status for a minimum of three of the prior five years.

You are also required to do pre-licensing education.  Before you can take the broker exam, you have to meet the educational requirement. One way to do that is to complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. A key thing to remember here is that choosing the right school is key to your success.
 
As you compare schools, we invite you to consider the long-standing track record of the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate, as well as our exceptional student support, high-quality course content, and convenient class formats. All these factors can set you up for success, plus our broker pre-licensing course is available online to start today. We would be delighted to welcome you to the class.

​Did you press the pause button on getting a salesperson license because of the uncertainty created by COVID-19? Are you still thinking of waiting it out to see what the future will bring? As you debate whether to go for it or to continue to hold off, consider these five reasons why now can be an opportune time to become a real estate agent.

​Before the coronavirus hit, many buyers and sellers were comfortable with the process and, for the most part, knew what to expect. Now that the pandemic has fundamentally shifted how real estate business is done, that has changed. Unsure of what’s different in the new normal, people have more questions and concerns than in the past. And real estate professionals will be in even higher demand to guide them through that.

​Like many people, you are likely staying home more as social distancing continues. And so, you have more time on your hands than usual. Taking the 75-hour sales pre-license course is a great use of that time. Keep in mind that we make it easy for you to do that at the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate. Our Silver and Platinum online course packages have everything you need to fulfill Georgia’s education requirement. And you can do so in the comfort (and safety) of your own home.

​While real estate is a competitive business in general, the competition varies based on what’s happening in the industry. In environments like now, for instance, when it’s difficult to predict what things might look like in the coming months or further down the road, the agent dropout rate rises. Some put their real estate career on hold. Others call it quits. This reduces the competition and presents opportunity for those who enter the business and rise to the challenge.

​You will have to learn the ropes of the business no matter what market conditions are when you become an agent. When you do so in a shifting environment, though, you hone/gain skills that better position you to successfully handle whatever comes your way in the future. Rather than preparing for ambiguity and adversity, you are working through both at the start of your career. So, when the next big change or downturn comes along, you can call on the skill set to handle it.  

​It’s a fact that the housing market is not what it was a short time ago. Nonetheless, it continues to weather the effects of the pandemic. Buyers are still looking. Deals are still closing. Mortgage rates are at near all-time lows too, and that’s a motivator for purchasers to buy sooner rather than later. Then too, with remote work becoming a long-term trend, there will likely be more prospects looking to move to meet work-from-home needs. All of this is business waiting to be had.

Final Thoughts: The sooner you take steps to get your license, the sooner you can launch your career as a real estate agent. So, ask yourself if you’re ready to be at the forefront of a changing market. If the answer is yes, let the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate help you complete your pre-license education as planned. Our online class is available today, and enrollment is just a click away.

​Even though you have the freedom to work in PJs all day, don’t. The simple act of getting dressed can put you in a productive mindset. You don’t have to put on business professional attire unless you want to or need to dress the part for a video call. Go for a casual, comfortable outfit if that works better for you. The key is to feel presentable. When you do, your mind shifts into work mode.

​Given, when you work from home, you have greater flexibility. And while you may be accustomed to a flexible schedule as an agent and consider it a perk, resist the urge to slack up too much when it comes to daily structure. Reinvent your routine for the new norm, and stick to it to help set the tone for the day and keep you focused and on track.

​Even with a routine, it’s unrealistic to think that you won’t indulge in activities that compromise your productivity even if your workspace is distraction-free. So, rather than setting expectations you can’t meet, schedule time on your calendar to surf the web, check personal messages, do housework, watch TV, and the like. This helps you to stay focused during the rest of your day

​Another good way to stay on task is to set goals and priorities and then use them to chart your progress. Make a daily to-do list and have weekly milestones. As you might expect, there are apps for that. Of course, you can always go old-school if you like and use pen and paper to make your list. Or write your goals on a sticky note and post it where you will see it every day.

Staying accountable to your goals increases your productivity, and you can hold yourself to task with commitment and an honest review of your performance. Sometimes it helps, though, to call in ​reinforcements. Whether you partner with one person or a group, knowing you have someone that you’ll be checking in (and celebrating successes) with can give you the extra push to follow through.

A surefire way to enhance your productivity is to boost your knowledge. Take advantage of virtual opportunities like real estate events, webinars, podcasts, and blogs. Also, consider taking an online class or two. For industry courses, we invite you to browse the comprehensive line of continuing education and broker pre-licensing courses offered by the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate. 

Also, thanks to technology, there are more ways than ever to stay in contact with others. It’s a given that you will check in on current and potential clients. But also make it a point to routinely keep in touch with fellow agents, team members, vendors, and others in your professional network. Doing so will keep you engaged and help you to keep business momentum going.

​Whatever else you do to positively impact your productivity, make a conscious effort to avoid burnout from working all the time. As an agent, it’s common to feel pressure to always be available, whether there is a crisis or not. But keep this top of mind: a commitment to unplugging from work and taking time for self-care is good for you, your productivity, and ultimately your business

​The impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold daily across the globe, and we must all adapt to the change it brings. Stay-at-home orders and social distancing are the new normal as the battle to defeat COVID-19 goes on. Yet while the changing landscape affects the way that work gets done, professionals in every industry are still moving forward thanks to technology. 
 
The real estate industry already had a bit of a head start when it comes to tech before all of this began. And now, real estate professionals are leaning into those tech tools even more to conduct business. As that trend accelerates, consider the following tips on how you can adapt to the reality at hand and prepare for the “new” future.

​With social distancing and limited face-to-face interactions, many people are spending more time on social media than usual. So, the time is right to spruce up your social media game. Polish up your profiles, set yourself up on platforms where you don’t have a presence, and make it a point to actively post. For the latter, do so with a service versus a sales mindset. Also, keep an eye out for questions on local social media channels where you can showcase your neighborhood and real estate expertise. This is the time to shine as a trusted advisor and expert.

Now is also a good time to expand your knowledge and further boost your reputation as a go-to resource. Even if you’ve already completed the required continuing education, there’s nothing that says you can’t get ahead and position yourself for even greater success. And if you need to catch up on CE hours or want to start your licensing course, carving out some of your downtime to do so is a good idea too. In all these instances, the Ben Farmer School of Real Estate is here to help. Our online courses can be taken anytime, anywhere. Just click to browse and sign up.

It’s during times like these that your online presence matters more than ever. To be sure that your website is doing its job in light of the COVID-19 environment, consider pivoting your messaging to be more empathetic, current, and relevant. Improve user engagement if needed through chat, video, or other tools. Post regularly to your blog (or start one) and include resources and tips to help clients and prospects better understand how to navigate these fluid times and how you can help. Use your website to promote content that you provide through other platforms too.

Another tech tool that is good to revisit about now is your customer relationship management software. Be sure to use it to its fullest extent. Let it do the heavy lifting when it comes to reaching out to current and past clients to see how they are doing, to open a dialogue, and to offer to help if they need anything (real estate related or not). If you have not gotten around to integrating your CRM with your website, social media, and the like, do that now. Not using a CRM? What better time than now to research options (also check out our blog “What’s CRM and How It Help Me?”).

​Chances are, you already offer some type of digital home tour as part of your marketing efforts. If you’ve not made the leap to 3D or virtual reality tours, though, why not give them a look-see. Also, think about conducting a live-stream open house when it is a workable alternative to a traditional one. Take full advantage of video conferencing tools to stay connected with prospects and clients. And consider doing something fun like hosting virtual coffee hours to help people feel less isolated during the pandemic. The gesture is likely to be remembered well into the future.