Colibri Real Estate is a market leader in online real estate education. It continues to pave the way for quality content and offers courses in every state. But is Colibri (formerly Real Estate Express) the best real estate education company in the business? In this review, I’ll break it all down for you. I’ve spent hundreds of hours evaluating its platform, weighing its pros and cons, researching course features and pricing, and considering others’ Colibri Real Estate reviews.
The Close Score: Colibri Real Estate
My Verdict on Colibri Real Estate & Why You Should Trust It
As one of The Close’s real estate staff writers, I regularly research dozens of real estate schools and other tools that help agents thrive in the business. I have tested online real estate education platforms, evaluated pricing and course features, and read thousands of student feedback. Rest assured, my Colibri Real Estate reviews are based on firsthand experience and thorough analysis.
Colibri Real Estate stands out regarding user experience and exam preparation materials. Of all the top online real estate schools, it has the best interface—smooth, easy to navigate, and free of annoying glitches. Students always know where they are in their course progression, and moving between course topics is seamless.
However, like any other education provider, Colibri has room for improvement. Its livestream course options are limited to just a handful of states, which isn’t ideal for students who prefer live interaction. In addition, some of its basic course packages don’t include test prep materials, which could be a downside for budget-conscious students. A provider like RealEstateU might be a better fit if you’re just looking for the basics.
Colibri Real Estate Course Availability
Below are the types of real estate courses Colibri offers and the states in which they are currently available. Note that some states listed only offer classes through Colibri’s partner schools, such as Arizona (Arizona School of Real Estate and Business), Florida (Gold Coast Schools), Nevada (Key Realty School), North Carolina (Superior School of Real Estate), Ohio (Hondros College), and Washington (Rockwell Institute).
Prelicensing
Colibri offers three to four prelicensing course packages per state. Some already include test prep materials, while some include the required post-licensing hours. Currently, Colibri Real Estate’s prelicensing courses are available in 40 states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Exam Prep
Colibri Real Estate offers standalone exam prep packages for students who want a more focused approach in all 50 states.
Post-licensing
After getting your real estate license, you must take your state’s required post-licensing courses to renew and keep it active. As of writing, Colibri only offers post-licensing courses in 20 states:
- Alabama
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
Continuing Education
Colibri offers continuing education courses in all 50 states. Some states will direct you to its partner school’s website, McKissock Learning.
Broker Prelicensing
If you’re considering upgrading your license and advancing your career via Colibri Real Estate, the school offers state-approved broker courses in 13 states:
- Arizona
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Massachusetts
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Texas
- Washington
Colibri Real Estate Pricing
Paying for an online real estate education is an investment in your future career, so knowing what you’re getting for your money is important. Colibri Real Estate offers multiple packages at various price points, each with its features.
While pricing depends on the number of hours of education your state requires and other variables, here’s a breakdown of Colibri’s packages:
Colibri Real Estate Alternatives
While Colibri deserves all the recognition for being a top real estate education provider, it might not be the best fit for everyone. Its text-heavy content can feel overwhelming for students who prefer an in-person learning experience. And, if you like to study on the go, you might find it frustrating that Colibri doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app.
In this section of my Colibri reviews, I give you three alternative schools you might want to check out:
School | Why It’s a Great Alternative | Reviews | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|
| The CE Shop review | ||
| Kaplan review | ||
| AceableAgent review |
Key Features of Colibri Real Estate
In this section of my Colibri Real Estate school reviews, I’ll list its standout features and what makes it an excellent education provider.
Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee
Not all real estate schools have this feature, but Colibri Real Estate stands by its Pass or Don’t Pay guarantee. You’re eligible for a pass guarantee when you purchase a prelicensing course with exam prep or a standalone exam prep package. However, some states—like Florida, Michigan, and New Jersey—don’t recognize pass guarantees due to state laws. This means that students won’t qualify for a refund if they don’t pass the licensing exam on the first try.
CompuCram Exam Prep
Another feature that sets Colibri apart is its exam prep from CompuCram. The basic exam prep package includes simulated exams, a readiness assessment, flashcards, and audio review guides. If students prefer a more interactive approach, the Exam Prep Live package consists of the Exam Crammer webinar series and a live instructor Q&A session.
YouTube Video Library
Colibri Real Estate’s YouTube video library gives students access to real estate experts who share their insights on everything from exam-day tips to real-world industry experiences. These videos are an excellent way to supplement your course materials.
Career Hub
Like Colibri’s YouTube video library, its Career Hub offers equally valuable resources to aspiring and seasoned agents. It covers topics such as becoming an agent, real estate salary, market trends, and growing a real estate career.
Methodology
In terms of our methodology at The Close, our licensed real estate professionals, writers, researchers, and editors created a weighted rubric for this Colibri Real Estate review. Our experts have done hours of research to analyze key features, pricing, course offerings, Colibri Real Estate reviews, and more. All the features we explored are essential for students to become successful agents and brokers in the real estate industry.
- Course Features 25%
- This comprises items that assist agents and brokers in completing their education, like pass and refund guarantees, career and instructor support, coaching, training, interactive study groups, and course extensions.
- Value 20%
- Pricing and availability of coursework is an essential factor to assess. This accounts for real estate school offerings in prelicensing, post-licensing, continuing education, broker prelicensing, and exam prep.
- Learning Format & Accessibility 20%
- Real estate professionals must consider the best format for their learning, which includes self-paced, on-demand video, live stream, and in-person classes. Also, accessibility via multiple devices, like computers, tablets, and mobile devices, determines the convenience for users.
- Expert Score 15%
- The Close closely reviews each course for stand-out features, details, ease of use, and the value for money spent from a real estate expert’s perspective.
- Help & Support 10%
- If students need additional support, they must know the customer service options available through phone, email, live chat, and the ticket system.
- Reputation 10%
- This examines the reputation of each real estate school through the lens of current and past students, reviewing each provider’s customer reviews and popularity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to get a real estate license?
The cost of getting a real estate license varies by state, the number of prelicensing hours you need, and your preferred course delivery method. Most prospective agents spend around $1,000, which covers everything from prelicensing courses, exam prep materials, exam fees, fingerprinting, and license application fees.
What state has the hardest real estate exam?
While there’s no ranking of which state has the most challenging real estate exam, some states—like California, Colorado, North Carolina, and Texas—are known for more complex state-specific questions and testing standards. Of course, it all boils down to how much you’ve studied for the test. So, investing in an exam prep course from Colibri Real Estate can make you feel more confident on exam day.
Can I get my real estate license online?
It depends on your state, but most states allow applicants to submit their license applications online. While you can take your prelicensing education online, most states require applicants to take the licensing exam in person at testing centers.
The Bottom Line: Is Colibri Real Estate Worth Your Money?
Yes, Colibri Real Estate is definitely worth your money. While it’s not the basement-level budget option like RealEstateU or the go-to for live online classes like Kaplan, it strikes an outstanding balance between affordability and quality. Plus, its interface outshines its closest competitor, The CE Shop.
If you’re looking for a solid real estate school, my Colibri Real Estate review confirms it’s one of the best in the industry.
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