The Texas real estate industry is currently experiencing tremendous growth. If you’re interested in starting a career in real estate, you need to find the best online real estate school and courses in Texas to learn the ropes and get your license.
We’re here to help you find the best online real estate school for you in Texas to kick-start your new career or fulfill your license renewal requirements. Read on to find the right school for you.
5 Top Online Real Estate Courses & Schools in Texas For 2020
| Online Real Estate School | Our Top Pick For: |
|---|---|
| Real Estate Express | (Best Overall) Best value pre-licensing packages |
| Kaplan | Interactive, live instruction |
| OnCourse Learning | Math prep for real estate career |
| Aceable Agent | Simple, affordable no-fuss pre-licensing classes |
| Champions School of Real Estate | Ability to switch among instruction options |
What You Need to Know Before Enrolling in a Real Estate School
According to the Texas Real Estate Commission, you have to complete 180 classroom hours of real estate courses before you can sit for the licensing exam. This is the breakdown of the courses:
• Principles of Real Estate I (30 classroom hours)
• Principles of Real Estate II (30 classroom hours)
• Law of Agency (30 classroom hours)
• Law of Contracts (30 classroom hours)
• Promulgated Contract Forms (30 classroom hours)
• Real Estate Finance (30 classroom hours)
After becoming licensed, you have two years to complete the next phase in your education. You need to complete 90 additional hours of Sales Apprentice Education (SAE) coursework plus eight hours of the Texas Real Estate Commission Legal Updates. Continuing Education courses do not count for this first-time renewal.
After completing your first licensing requirements and then the SAE coursework, you need to complete 18 hours of Continuing Education courses every two years to maintain your license. Eight hours of the courses must cover the Texas Real Estate Commission Legal Updates, and the other 10 hours may be electives.
Now that you know the basic requirements, let’s take a closer look at each real estate school:
Best Online Real Estate School For Texas Pre-Licensing: Real Estate Express
There are many reasons that we chose Real Estate Express as the best online real estate school for those wanting to become a real estate agent in Texas.
First off, Real Estate Express is very user friendly. You can take electronic notes on the material and attach them to the appropriate chapter. This makes studying for your pre-licensing exam a breeze. All you have to do is go back and look at your notes.
The instructors for Real Estate Express’ classes care about your education. If you don’t understand a concept, you can send a quick message to an instructor asking for clarification. You can see why they stand behind their content. Most of its packages come with a “Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee.”
Real Estate Express also offers a unique 90-Day Boot Camp with some of its packages. This helpful set of videos advises how to make an income during your first three months as an agent.
Real Estate Express Pricing
Real Estate Express offers four pre-licensing coursework bundles, starting at $507.
The Basic Package at $507 is the perfect choice for someone who catches on to new concepts quickly or has some real estate experience. Real Estate Express does not include exam preparation materials with this bundle.
The Exam Preparation Package includes all the benefits of the Basic Package, but also includes the “Pass or Don’t Pay” Guarantee as well as the 90-Day Boot Camp. This package is $597.
Exam Preparation Plus includes everything in the previous packages. It also includes the 90 hours of additional coursework you need to take the first time you renew your license. This is an excellent value for only $697.
Real Estate Express’ Ultimate Learning Package will allow you to purchase more than the first-time renewal courses at a discount. You will also have access to continuing education courses through partner company McKissock for one year. You can take all 18 hours of continuing education within that year. This means that by paying $797, you won’t have any additional licensing expenses for at least four years. 
Real Estate Express: Our Favorite Features
Our other favorite feature is that Real Estate Express allows you to reach out to industry experts any time you have a question. It’s effortless to do. In fact, you can do it right from your class dashboard. This feature is available with even the least expensive package.
We also like that by purchasing the top-tier package, agents will not only be able to have access to the 90 additional hours of Sales Apprentice Education coursework. You will also have access to continuing education courses for one year after you recertify the first time. You won’t have to spend another dime on real estate education for the next four years.
Most Useful Real Estate Continuing Education Course
McKissock, a partner company of Real Estate Express, offers Texas Continuing Education Courses. Although many are highly rated, one course, in particular, stands out from their offerings. Almost 30,000 users gave almost perfect ratings to “The Day in the Life of a Buyer Agent.” Take this three-hour course as an elective for license renewal, and you will also learn how to distinguish between a customer and a client and what that means for you.
Where Real Estate Express Could Improve
We are so impressed with Real Estate Express that it is difficult to find too much wrong with the program. Some reviewers were frustrated that a printed course textbook only came with the highest-priced package, but aren’t we all used to reading on screens? If a printed book is crucial to you, you may want to look at OnCourse Learning.
Try Real Estate Express
Don’t take our word for it. Read the reviews for Real Estate Express. The packages are affordable, and you have easy access to helpful instructors, even from the privacy of your own home.
Best Texas Real Estate School For Live Instruction: Kaplan
Kaplan certainly has the benefit of having a recognizable name. You or your children may have used Kaplan’s programs for college-entrance test prep, and the company has undoubtedly made a name for itself in the testing industry. Of course, a well-known name only gets you so far in 2020. Competition for online real estate schools in Texas is fierce.
But Kaplan maintains its position in the industry by offering a wide variety of instruction options, including on-site classes. You can choose among home study, on demand, live online, or live class options.
Besides offering pre-licensing programs, it also offers SAE (Sales Apprentice Education) and CE (Continuing Education) bundles as well.
Kaplan Real Estate Pricing
Home Study Solution is Kaplan’s least expensive package, comes with 180 credit hours of coursework and costs $389. Kaplan presents the material through PDF textbooks, but you will also have access to online learning activities and quizzes.
OnDemand Solution allows students to watch and listen to videos of instructors going over the course materials. The entry-level online video package starts at $429. You can also purchase the Career Launcher OnDemand package for another $200 and receive practical instruction on the day-to-day operations of a real estate agent.
Live Online Solution allows you to interact with a live pre-license class from the comfort of your own home. Day and evening classes are available. Of course, this may not be the best option if you have a slow internet connection or like being able to rewind and re-read material. You are also committed to a specific class day and time, but you can change your class schedule as you progress through the program.
Live Class Solution is the priciest option through Kaplan. The 180 hours of instruction costs a whopping $989, which is the most expensive pre-licensing course option by far. Like the Live Online Solution, you schedule each class independently, so you can change your class schedule as you go. Live classes for this expensive option are available in either Dallas or Houston.
Kaplan Real Estate Education: Our Favorite Feature
Kaplan offers courses for every learning style. They know that everyone learns differently. That’s why its four different learning options is our favorite feature. Whether you learn best with a real-life instructor standing in front of you or by listening to the material as you navigate through Texas traffic, Kaplan has the right option for you.
Kaplan also recognizes that there is more to being a real estate agent than passing a test. Because of this, you can upgrade your package to receive the Career Launcher Live option. This 16-hour course will teach you real-world skills you would use in your day-to-day life as an agent. In addition, you’ll receive four weeks of professional coaching to assist you with a successful career launch.
Kaplan: Most Useful Real Estate Continuing Education Course
The most useful course Kaplan offers real estate students is “Liars, Cheaters, and Thieves: Averting Client Catastrophe.” Even though Kaplan does not allow their students to rate individual courses online, we thought this class looked interesting. This on-demand, four-hour course costs $24, and you’ll sharpen your understanding of what happens when a client makes a Breach of Contract claim. You will also learn how to avoid misleading statements that can have disastrous ramifications for your career.
Just as Kaplan allows you to choose the class format that works best for you for the pre-licensing courses, it also allows you to select among live, online, or on demand courses for continuing education.
Where Kaplan Texas Real Estate Education Could Improve
One major disadvantage of Kaplan’s live courses is that they are only in Dallas and Houston. Since it takes 13 hours to drive across the State of Texas, this option is only feasible for those living in only two cities. And Texas traffic makes it impossible to get to some sections of Dallas within a reasonable time frame.
If you’re looking for live classes in areas other than Dallas or Houston, try Champions School of Real Estate.
Try Kaplan
If you’re looking for a well-respected name with a variety of packages, check out Kaplan. The reviews are good, and customers say the instructors offer valuable information to help you pass the Texas real estate exam.
Best School For Additional Help With Math Prep: OnCourse Learning
OnCourse Learning is another national online real estate school that offers online real estate courses for Texans. Although they may not be a household name like Kaplan, they’ve been around for 50 years.
Two options make OnCourse Learning stand out from their competitors. First, OnCourse allows anyone to purchase Texas-specific textbooks to help you study for the classes and licensing exams. There aren’t very many schools that offer printed materials for their students, so if this is important to you, take a close look at its packages.
Second, OnCourse also offers a feature called Mathmaster. For those who want a little more math support, OnCourse provides specific instructions on how to complete computations you need to know in your career as a real estate agent.
OnCourse Real Estate Pricing
Texas Real Estate Pre-licensing Silver Solution costs $489 and comes with 180 hours of text-based instruction. Even this most basic package comes with Mathmaster.
Texas Real Estate Pre-licensing Gold Solution comes with test prep materials and costs $549.
Texas Real Estate Pre-licensing Platinum Solution costs $599 and comes with printed materials and flashcards.
Texas Real Estate Pre-licensing Platinum Plus Solution includes the pre-licensing coursework. It also includes the 90 hours of SAE coursework you are required to finish within two years of receiving your preliminary license.
OnCourse Learning: Our Favorite Feature
We love the Mathmaster feature that OnCourse provides. This is a unique offering, and we like that it comes in even the most basic package.
We also like that OnCourse allows anyone to purchase printed materials that are specific to Texas real estate. Sometimes it’s nice to have a book instead of reading all the content online.
OnCourse: Most Useful Real Estate Continuing Education Course
OnCourse does not allow its students to rate its continuing education courses, so it’s a little challenging to pick the most useful class. Regardless, we think that “Green Home Construction” looks particularly timely. Your future clients will want to find out about green strategies to cool their Texas homes. Be ready to answer their questions by taking this class.
Where OnCourse Learning Could Improve
OnCourse Learning’s most basic package is a bit pricier than some of the other options on our list. The $489 bundle comes with only the course material and math assistance. If you want help to prepare for the exam, you’re going to have to pay extra for test prep materials.
For about the same amount of money, you would receive the course materials plus test prep help from Aceable Agent.
Try OnCourse Learning
OnCourse Learning has a modern, attractive website that is easy to use. The ability to purchase printed textbooks is a nice perk as well. Check Oncourse Learning out to see if they’re right for you.
Best School For Basic Instruction: Aceable Agent
Sometimes too many options is a bad thing. If you’re struggling to pick out an online real estate school because there are too many companies with too many package options, you may want to look at Aceable Agent. The only decision you have to make regarding its program is whether or not you wish to become a real estate agent in Texas or not. If you decide to become an agent, you click on “Get My License” and begin.
Aceable Agent Real Estate Pricing
The All-Inclusive 180-Hour Pre-License Bundle costs $677. It includes an exam prep guide, access to a mobile app, instructor support via email, and an Ace the Test guarantee. If you don’t pass the Texas state licensing exam in three tries, you get your money back.
Aceable Agent: Our Favorite Feature
Our favorite feature of Aceable Agent is that it is a no-frills pre-licensing option for busy individuals. The app allows you to complete coursework from anywhere.
The online reviews of Aceable Agent praise the comedic interludes within the instruction even though some users thought the attempts at humor to be corny at best.
Aceable Agent: Most Useful Real Estate Continuing Education Course
Aceable Agent does offer continuing education bundles for those ready for the 18-hour relicensing requirement. Those looking for SAE coursework will have to find another option as Aceable Agent doesn’t provide those.
Aceable Agent has 11 individual continuing education course options. Although most of the courses seemed standard fare, we did notice that there was a class called “Be the Neighborhood Expert: A Video Course with Jason Edwards.” This class will teach you how to become the go-to agent in a specific neighborhood.
Where Aceable Agent Could Improve
Aceable Agent stands out as being a no-frills option. While we appreciate that, it would be nice if it at least offered Sales Apprentice Education options for those who are working on their first recertification.
Real Estate Express and all the other online real estate schools listed in this article offer those required courses.
Try Aceable Agent
Aceable Agent’s clear, attractive website is easy to use. Even though it offers few bells and whistles, sometimes the essential information is all you need.
Best for Having the Most Versatile Program: Champions School of Real Estate
Champions School of Real Estate is similar to Kaplan. It offers a wide variety of programs for people of all learning styles. Not only are you able to study the material from your mobile device or laptop with the self-paced online option, but you can also attend live courses from home as well.
Similar to Kaplan, Champions also offers live, traditional classes. Thankfully, these courses are offered in more locations than the two cities Kaplan serves.
Although there is a lot of versatility built into Champions’ program, it’s a rather pricey option.
Champions School of Real Estate Pricing
Champions’ pricing structure is rather difficult to maneuver through online. Here’s an overview of its main offerings:
The 6-Course Program Plus Prep includes 180 hours of pre-licensing courses. You can complete this coursework in almost any way you wish except for a live-class option. You can even complete the material through the mail. This least expensive option is $1,110.
The 11-Course Career Success Licensing Program allows you to mix up how you would like the material presented. You can even attend a live class. This package also comes with the 90 hours of coursework you need to complete the first time you re-license. You will also receive a coaching package called “30 Days to Success in Real Estate” and access to a Business Etiquette program. This course is $1,964.
Champions School of Real Estate: Our Favorite Feature
Our favorite feature is that you don’t have to decide on how you would like to receive the materials when you first start the program. Maybe you think you would learn the best in a traditional classroom setting, but you have a hard time getting off work in time to attend the classes. When you purchase a Champions Advantage program, you can also watch the livestreaming class or read the material through your laptop. This flexibility comes at a high cost.
If you know you prefer to learn from online courses that allow you to go at your own speed, you can save money and purchase that program from the start.
We also like that the on-site courses are held all over the state. Whether you live in San Antonio or Dallas, you can have access to on-site instruction.
Champions School of Real Estate: Most Useful Real Estate Continuing Education Course
Champions offers many packages that allow you to purchase continuing education classes in bundles. While these are the most economical options, the special course topics got our attention.
Champions offers a 16-hour course on “Drone Pilot Roof Inspections.” This on-site course will allow you to learn how to use a drone to make sure a structure’s roof is in as good of a condition as the seller claims it is.
Where Champions School of Real Estate Could Improve
Versatility comes at a cost. The Champions programs are quite a bit more expensive than even Kaplan. And that’s saying something. We found that Real Estate Express offers the most bang for your buck if you’re looking for value.
Try The Champions School of Real Estate
Champions School of Real Estate’s website has a ton of information to digest. Read about the various package options and discover when the nearest on-site class starts.
Visit Champions School of Real Estate
Final Thoughts
Good luck as you begin your courses to become a licensed real estate agent in Texas. Hopefully, this buyers’ guide will help you pick the online real estate school that is right for you. If you’re looking for a great place to start, check out our best overall option: Real Estate Express.
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