Virginia is a lucrative state for real estate professionals, with most agents earning more than their counterparts in other areas. But before you can start a real estate career and enjoy high earnings, you must first secure your license.
Fortunately, Virginia has no shortage of online real estate schools. Aspiring real estate agents can take the required courses from the comfort of their homes, which will prepare them for their licensing exams. You can go at your own pace and save on travel time and expensive textbooks.
If you’re ready to pursue a career in real estate, these top real estate schools in Virginia will set you up for success. Their courses align with the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation’s requirements. In addition, you’ll learn from experienced and knowledgeable instructors through various teaching styles and formats. These schools have excellent pass rates, so you’re in good hands.
The CE Shop
The CE Shop is the best online real estate school in Virginiabecause of the diversity and relevancy of its courses. It has something for everyone, whether you’re at the prelicensing stage or continuing your education as a professional. They also have prep courses that can give you an edge in examinations.
The CE Shop’s courses take students through interactive lessons, combining text, video, and audio features. Its proprietary platform also provides quizzes, scenario-based learning, and unlimited mock exams to help students understand concepts, retain information, and practice critical thinking. The school’s high passing rate of 88% shows how prepared students are by the end of their course.
All of the school’s courses are online and accessible 24/7 for a year. That gives you the flexibility to learn when it’s convenient for you. You can also study from any device from anywhere with an internet connection. If you have questions or are facing technical issues, the instructors and customer service staff are ready to help throughout your course. The CE Shop’s user-friendly interface is another standout feature. You can move seamlessly from one device to another, which is helpful if you like to study on the go. You also get a dashboard with a progress tracker, helping you keep motivated throughout your course.
Aceable Agent
If you’re working with a tight budget, Aceable Agent has affordable real estate courses in Virginia. The school also eliminates financial risk by offering a money-back guarantee. Students are entitled to a refund if they fail the state licensing exam after finishing the school’s prelicensing course. Only schools confident in their courses will make a money-back offer.
Despite Aceable Agent’s lower prices, you can expect outstanding education and training. Its materials are engaging and motivating, incorporating bite-size lessons, infographics, videos, and interactive games. If you’re more of an auditory learner, you can switch on the narration feature, which will guide you through your lessons.
The school also offers excellent test prep to help students ace their licensing exams. It boasts a 91% passing rate in Virginia, which is impressive considering many other schools are in the 60% to 70% range. Aceable Agent’s premium study guides and mock exams contribute significantly to its students’ success. They will prepare you for over 1,660 questions, something you can’t get at other schools.
There are also courses for those who already have careers and want to advance in the industry. Whichever course you’re taking, you can go at your own pace and study on any device. If you encounter technical issues or are confused about licensing requirements, the school’s knowledgeable staff will be ready to assist.
Colibri Real Estate
Studying online is convenient, but it can also get repetitive and boring. If you want a more immersive and interactive experience, consider Colibri Real Estate. It offers livestream courses, giving students a taste of the traditional classroom setting from the comfort of their homes. As the instructors conduct their real-time lessons, you can participate actively in discussions, ask questions, and get instant feedback.
You can choose from various real estate courses, including prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, and exam prep. The experienced instructors will provide comprehensive study materials for better information retention, including flashcards, study guides, and coaching videos.
The readiness assessment is another helpful tool, allowing students to gauge their preparedness for the exam.You’ll get a score from 1 to 10, and you can decide whether to study more or take the exam. However, students must upgrade to the premium plans to access the full suite of test prep tools.
While Colibri Real Estate isn’t the most affordable option in Virginia, the school has one of the best refund policies. Students get a “pass or don’t pay” guarantee, so you don’t have to worry about your money going down the drain. You can also demo the platform for free before paying and swap courses if needed.
If you encounter any problems during your course, there are various ways to access Colibri’s customer service. You can call their support phone lines or message their live chatbot to get a quick response.
Kaplan
Founded in 1938, Kaplan is a long-standing and trusted institution with students around the globe. It caters to aspiring professionals in various industries, including real estate. It’s an ideal option for those who want a traditional learning experience but with the convenience of studying remotely.
Kaplan offers courses for all stages of your real estate career, including prelicensing, post-licensing, and continuing education. In addition, students get a career toolbox of resources to help them throughout their careers. The articles cover various topics that can serve as trustworthy references.
The school is also well-known for its exam prep courses for brokers and salespeople. The Virginia-based packages provide question banks and study drills to prepare students for their finals. Kaplan even offers an eight-hour boot camp for those who need to fast-track their progress.
All of Kaplan’s instructors are active real estate professionals, so students get valuable and relevant insights into the industry. In addition, the courses are in an interactive study group format that lets you participate in discussions. However, the interface looks a little dated and could be more user-friendly. That’s something to consider if ease of use is high on your priority list.
RealEstateU
RealEstateU lands on our list of best real estate schools in Virginiafor its flexibility. Students can go through their course as quickly as they want, as the lessons have no time restrictions. That makes this school the fastest option for those in a time crunch. You can get your license in a few weeks if you allot several hours daily for your lessons.
Aside from being the quickest real estate school, RealEstateU is also one of the most affordable. It offers the cheapest prelicensing course and exam prep among the real estate classes online in Virginia. You won’t have to pay more than $100 to access a course. The school also offers a 30-day guarantee, so you can get your money back if you don’t think your course is a good fit.
You can access your lessons via your smartphone, laptop, or tablet wherever you are. While the user interface may not have the most premium design, it’s easy to navigate. It provides students with a step-by-step guide so you can ease yourself into the platform. You also get a progress tracker to motivate and keep you on track.
While its affordability is a huge benefit, RealEstateU has limited offerings compared to other online real estate schools. There aren’t many post-licensing or continuing education courses for those seeking to progress in their careers. Another drawback to be aware of is the school’s lack of a pass guarantee. You can’t get your investment back if you fail your exam.
PrepAgent
If your goal is to pass your real estate exam with flying colors, PrepAgent has the best exam prep among the online schools in Virginia. Many schools include an exam prep portion in their courses. However, they don’t compare to PrepAgent’s focused strategy.
It’s constantly upgrading its practice tests according to the questions in the actual exams. While the questions aren’t identical to the real thing, they’re pretty close. The instructors will expose you to different state-specific exam questions and train you to answer them correctly. That way, there are no surprises on exam day.
If you have weaknesses you want to focus on, PrepAgent offers category-specific practice exams to help you practice. Once you feel ready, you can progress to the general exam prep. In your free time, you can test yourself with PrepAgent’s study guides, worksheets, and flashcards. Aside from up-to-date mock exam questions, PrepAgent further equips its students through group webinars, e-books, and online training. In addition, it also helps that the instructors know how to engage their students. If you think you need help beyond the practice exams and group study sessions, PrepAgent also offers one-on-one tutoring.
Act Web Real Estate School
Act Web Real Estate School is for students who want Virginia-based prelicensing training. A Virginia-based real estate broker teaches all the prelicensing courses, so you’ll learn state-specific information. In partnership with The CE Shop, Act Web also offers post-licensing, exam prep, continuing education, and broker licensing.
The prelicensing courses are particularly noteworthy because of how quickly you can complete them. While students have six months to do so, you can finish in two weeks if you’re consistent with your lessons. The instructor is available to help students seven days a week, which is helpful for those who want to fast-track their progress. You can contact them through text, call, or email.
The self-paced courses and personalized support from the instructors are the top advantages of enrolling in Act Web. However, the biggest drawback is that there’s no pass guarantee. Students might find it more reassuring to invest in a school where their money is safe. Act Web’s refund policy is only valid for seven days after purchase.
Its limited offerings are another disadvantage. Only prelicensing courses are directly available from the school. However, it does provide live exam prep, giving students a glimpse of the exam-taking experience.
Northern Virginia Real Estate School
Northern Virginia Real Estate School is a leading educational institution specializing in the local real estate market. While its forte is in-person classes, it also offers online courses by collaborating with REcampus, The CE Shop, and other schools. You can take prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, and exam prep courses through the partners.
Northern Virginia stands out because of its online professional development classes. They are for experienced professionals who want to sharpen their skills and stay updated on real estate trends. These courses cover valuable, practical lessons, including hiring the best assistant and negotiating your way through complex situations. The best part is that these classes are free.
The instructors at Northern Virginia have vast experience in the industry, imparting students with in-depth knowledge. In addition, students have the option of learning from physical textbooks. That can help you focus and retain information better if studying on your smartphone or tablet is too distracting. Industry experts authored these textbooks, so you’re getting invaluable insights.
However, some students might find the lack of a mobile application inconvenient. Not everyone has the time to sit in on physical classes. The lack of a standardized refund policy is another disadvantage to consider. If you’re taking an online course via one of the partner schools, you must follow that institution’s refund policy.
However, some students might find the lack of a mobile application inconvenient. Not everyone has the time to sit in on physical classes. The lack of a standardized refund policy is another disadvantage to consider. If you’re taking an online course via one of the partner schools, you must follow that institution’s refund policy.
Get a Head Start in Your Real Estate Career With the Right School
Becoming a real estate professional in Virginia starts by choosing the right school. Your education and training will have a long-term impact on your career. Take the time to evaluate your professional needs and goals and see which school best aligns with them.
Do you need extensive exam preparation? A prelicensing course might not be enough, so choose a school specializing in exam prep. Ensure it has a consistently high pass rate, too. If your main priorities are accessibility and flexibility, choose a school with a wide selection of self-paced online courses.
Other factors to consider are accreditation, user interface, pricing, and refund policy. By making an informed decision, you can set yourself up for success and enjoy a lucrative and fulfilling career in the real estate industry.
