Have you noticed how real estate investing always gets more challenging with new laws, rules, and regulations? So, education is crucial for your success before you drop money down on properties. Have no fear; online courses allow you to conveniently access valuable resources and information to help you achieve your investing goals. I’ve poured over a ridiculous amount of courses to bring you the best real estate investing classes online that are cost-effective and flexible enough to fit your busy schedule. 

The Best Real Estate Investing Courses: Online Factors to Consider

Weigh these factors before selecting your ideal real estate investment online course. Evaluate the content to ensure it aligns with your investing goals. For example, you don’t want to choose a fix-and-flip course if you intend to buy and hold rentals.

 Here are some fundamental factors to consider when picking the best real estate investment courses online:

  • Instructor expertise and credibility are vital for learning. You will benefit significantly from seasoned professionals with practical experience.
  • Customer reviews offer valuable insights into the course’s effectiveness and the satisfaction of past participants. 
  • What are your learning needs and commitment to show up and do the work?
  • The course’s length allows you to plan and manage your time effectively, ensuring a fruitful learning experience.

Without further ado, check out these fabulous courses for every stage of your real estate investing career. For additional topics included in these courses, click on the course link. 

1. Beginner’s REI Fundamentals

Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments

Course Details: 



  • Offered by: Udemy

  • Instructor: Symon He

  • Who it's best for: New and aspiring investors

  • Online course rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $124.99

  • Duration: 18.5 hours

  • Format: On-demand video

  • Requirements: MS Excel 11 or higher

What You’ll Learn

Learn why you should invest in real estate. Confidently evaluate and distinguish between “good” and “bad” deals. Plus, you’ll learn investment models to assess rental income properties, fix-and-flips, commercial properties, and vacation rentals. You will also gain the expertise to implement innovative investment deal structures and apply real estate investment strategies and techniques for success.

Free preview of the investment property analysis
Free preview of the investment property analysis (Source: Udemy)

Course Features

  • 18.5 hours of on-demand videos, 20 articles, and 69 downloadable resources
  • Accessible from mobile devices, computers, television, and a convenient mobile app
  • When you finish the course, you receive a certificate of completion
  • Available in 12 different languages

2. Buy-and-hold Real Estate Investing

BUY & HOLD: How To Buy, Fix, Tenant, & Manage Rentals

Course Details: 



  • Offered by: Udemy

  • Instructor: Ben Clardy

  • Who it's best for: New investors who want to own property for the long haul

  • Online course rating: 4.8 out of 5

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $64.99

  • Duration: 5.5 hours

  • Format: On-demand video

  • Requirements: None

What You’ll Learn

Discover comprehensive real estate investment guidance, such as assessing buy-and-hold properties and local vs remote investing. You’ll learn how to master negotiations, contracts, and property processes whether you buy a duplex, triplex, quadplex, or apartment buildings. When you complete the course, you will know how to grasp cash flow, return on investment (ROI), and metrics through practical exercises to avoid costly Fair House Act penalties.

Course preview
Course preview (Source: Udemy)

Course Features

  • 5.5 hours on-demand video
  • Four downloadable resources
  • Access on mobile and TV
  • Full lifetime access
  • Certificate of completion
  • Discounts are often available

3. Fix-and-flip Investing

The Complete Real Estate Investing: Learn to Fix & Flip, Step-by-Step Bundle

Course Details: 



  • Offered by: The Entrepreneur Store

  • Instructor(s): Khari Parker, Adrian Gray, Symon He, and Starweaver

  • Who it's best for: New and experienced investors who want to fix and flip properties

  • Online course rating: 4.6 out of 5

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $39.99 ($1,800 value)

  • Duration: 30 hours and lifetime access

  • Format: On-demand video

  • Requirements: Computer and internet access

What You’ll Learn

Discover the fix-and-flip process, covering sourcing, funding, fix-and-flip analysis, renovation, and sales. Gain insights via walkthroughs and lessons on property rehab. A 10-lesson module covers agent roles, valuation, negotiation, and real estate tech. You’ll also learn about mortgage underwriting, analysis, loan management, and securitization. It also includes some education in commercial real estate deals, property valuation, market assessment, and leveraging for preinvesting.

Flipping course preview
Flipping course preview (Source: StackSkills)

Course Features

  • Once enrolled, students gain lifetime access to the course
  • On-demand videos allow learners to fit their education into their busy schedules
  • Certificates of completion for each course
  • The bundle includes nine courses with over 30 hours of comprehensive education

4. Commercial Real Estate Investing

Commercial Real Estate Investment Certificate

Course Details: 



  • Offered by: eCornell

  • Instructor(s): Brad Wellstead, Jeannie Varney, and Jan deRoos

  • Who it's best for: Investors who want a deep dive into CRE or who need continuing education credits

  • Online school rating: 4.2 out of 5

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: Call for latest pricing

  • Duration: 30 hours and lifetime access

  • Format: Livestream, instructor-led

  • Requirements: Computer and internet access. Ability to attend all live sessions

What You’ll Learn

Earn a Commercial Real Estate (CRE) certificate online through the esteemed Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. This comprehensive program equips you with in-depth knowledge and skills in the commercial real estate domain, enhancing your professional growth and expertise in the field. It adds a wide array of topics, such as planning a financially feasible development project using the real estate development process, creating a real estate development project schedule, budget, and method for managing resources and risks, structuring private equity and debt financing to maximize returns on real estate investment deals, and much more.

Intro to the CRE certificate course (Source: eCornell)

Course Features

  • Small class sizes of under 35 students
  • It is entirely online with instructor-led classes, so you can ask in-depth questions.
  • Offers 60 professional development hours (equivalent to 6.0 CEUs) for CRE professionals and contributes 60 credits towards the BOMI Continuing Professional Development Program (CPD)
  • Two weeks long, with the entire program duration of three months

Did you know?

Other investment strategies exist besides buy-and-hold, fix-and-flip, and commercial real estate investment. These include short-term and vacation rentals, wholesaling, tax lien investing, buying preforeclosure and foreclosure properties, crowdfunding, and real estate investment trusts (REITs).

5. Real Estate Business Development & Entrepreneurship

US Small Business Administration (SBA) Learning Center

Course Details:



  • Offered by: SBA

  • Instructor: Various

  • Who it's best for: Beginners and anyone needing basic business skills

  • Online course rating: Not available

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: Free

  • Duration: Course duration varies

  • Format: On-demand video

  • Requirements: Internet and computer access

What You’ll Learn

The US Small Business Administration Online Learning Center content is not directly for real estate investing. However, many would-be successful investors spend a lot of time analyzing deals but don’t develop the necessary skills to start, manage, and grow a business. These courses have hundreds of on-demand videos covering writing a business plan, balance sheets, financing, pricing, technology, and tons more. Did I mention they’re all free? 

You’ll also learn marketing and market research, business legal requirements, buying a business, and starting a holding company.

A sample from one of the SBA courses
A sample from one of the SBA courses (Source: SBA.gov)

Course Features

  • Short, interactive videos with transcripts and resources
  • Simple, user-friendly platform to study at your own pace
  • Courses are downloadable in .mp4 format
  • The platform tracks and saves your progress
  • No sign-up is required. Simply go to the site and learn.
Tenant mobile payments on the app
Tenant mobile payments on the app (Source: Baselane)

You’ll need a plan to manage your business and profits when generating revenue from your investment properties. Whether you own one unit or building or want to scale your business to the next level, Baselane can help. Baselane is a new banking platform built specifically for independent landlords. It offers free banking, free rent collection, and free bookkeeping and reporting tools from one simple-to-use platform.

6. Property Management

Property Management Certificate

Course Details:



  • Offered by: Penn Foster

  • Instructor: Various faculty

  • Who it's best for: Beginner property managers and those needing continuing education credits

  • Online course rating: Not available

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $579

  • Duration: 10 to 13 months

  • Format: Self-paced online

  • Requirements: Reliable internet

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you will develop and sustain positive tenant relationships by mastering communication and empathizing with tenant needs. You’ll learn effective management techniques for diverse rental categories, including commercial, multifamily, and single-family units. Understanding advertising vacancies, tenant screening, credit assessment, and optimizing turnover schedules can help reduce vacancy periods.

You’ll also gain knowledge of property risk assessment and liability transfer to external entities. The program deepens comprehension and adherence to Fair Housing statutes and regulations, ensuring a lawful and ethical property management approach. Lastly, you’ll cover Managing Building Maintenance and Tenant Relations, Financial Accounting and Property Valuation, Real Estate Law, Risk Management, and Fair Housing.

An overview of the Penn Foster experience (Source: Penn Foster)

Course Features

  • Digital study guides, self-check quizzes, simulations, and videos
  • 24/7 access to online resources and Student Portal Help Center
  • Online student community
  • Licensed property managers receive 56.7 continuing education credits to maintain their licenses.
Customization dashboard
Customization dashboard (Source: Tenant Cloud)

For a well-organized real estate investment journey, TenantCloud is invaluable. This cloud-based property management software simplifies tasks like tenant screening, lease management, and communication. It offers fair pricing, comprehensive features, and the ability to list and manage numerous properties, making it ideal for independent landlords and property managers seeking efficiency and ease in handling rental processes.

7. Real Estate Finance & Investment Analysis

Real Estate Financial Modeling

Course Details:



  • Offered by: Wall Street Prep

  • Instructor: Varies

  • Who it's best for: Investors with basic accounting skills who want to understand how to analyze and finance deals

  • Online course rating: 5 out of 5

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $499

  • Duration: 20 hours

  • Format: On-demand video

  • Requirements: Basic introductory accounting knowledge (e.g., the interaction of balance sheet, cash flow, and income statement) and proficiency in MS Excel

What You’ll Learn

This course lays the groundwork in real estate finance and Excel techniques, gradually advancing in complexity. Participants will adeptly construct comprehensive, industry-standard models for multifamily, office, retail, and industrial properties by the program’s conclusion. This course thoroughly explores revenue, operational costs, capital enhancements, debt structuring, and collaborative venture distributions.

Some additional critical topics covered entail: 

  • Learning optimal methodologies for real estate financial modeling
  • Theories underpinning real estate investment and development
  • Harnessing historical financial data for multifamily acquisition modeling
  • Employing Argus outputs for commercial acquisition modeling
  • Crafting real estate development models
  • Formulating precise debt schedules
  • Executing intricate joint venture waterfall modeling
Multifamily revenue build: historical financials preview
Multifamily revenue build: historical financials preview (Source: Wall Street Prep)

Course Features

  • Videos, Excel model templates, and financial reports to help learners grasp complex subject matter
  • The student support center provides free and unlimited access to answer questions, download resources, and get updates
  • Live video-chat tutoring with experienced real estate professionals for an additional cost
  • The program includes nine courses with over 20 hours of instruction

8. Real Estate Deal Negotiating Skills

Online Negotiation Training Courses Led By Experts

Course Details:



  • Offered by: The Black Swan Group

  • Instructors: Chris Voss and the Black Swan Group team

  • Who it's best for: Real estate investors and other professionals

  • Online course rating: 4.9 out of 5

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $59 to $4,599

  • Duration: 30 minutes to ongoing subscription

  • Formats: livestream and online self-paced

  • Requirements: Reliable computer and internet

What You’ll Learn

Chris Voss, a former FBI international hostage negotiator and founder of the Black Swan Group, provides various online negotiation training courses. In his classes, you’ll learn his “tactical empathy” strategy, which teaches you how using empathy in your communications will take you further than bullish negotiation tactics. There’s also a course on using your tone of voice to build rapport and get what you want. 

There are negotiation courses for real estate agents, company leaders, and anyone who wants to develop the art of negotiation. There is also a subscription that provides a one-year on-demand video subscription to the teachings in the chapters of Never Split the Difference and an advanced livestream Zoom course in advanced tactical empathy.

The “Negotiation 9” course intro
The “Negotiation 9” course intro (Source: Black Swan Group)

Course Features

  • Livestream, self-study online, and live training course formats
  • Most courses have six months of access outside the subscription model and advanced training
  • Learn how to negotiate from an international hostage negotiator
  • There are tons of free resources in its Education Center

9. Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Analyzing Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

Course Details:



  • Offered by: New York University (NYU)

  • Instructor: Varies

  • Who it's best for: Real estate investors of any level

  • Online course rating: 4.4 out of 5 (for the School of Professional Studies)

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $877

  • Duration: 6 weeks

  • Format: Self-paced online

  • Requirements: Reliable computer and internet access

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you will gain expertise in evaluating the financial performance of publicly traded REITs and making informed investment decisions. The curriculum encompasses qualitative and quantitative analysis, teaching you to define strategies and interpret portfolio statistics. It also teaches you to comprehend income statements and the REIT-specific metric funds from operation (FFO). 

Additional learning includes assessing balance sheet strength, evaluating dividend-paying capacity, and scrutinizing management teams through publicly available documents.

Real Estate Investing certificate electives with the REIT course
Real Estate Investing certificate electives with the REIT course (Source: NYU)

Course Features

  • It can be completed as a standalone course or as part of NYU’s Certificate in Real Estate Investment
  • Upon completion, learners receive two continuing education credits, which they can apply to the certificate program
  • The course is offered in semesters that align with the school’s academic calendar so learners can plan ahead

10. Real Estate Portfolio & Asset Management

Real Estate Asset Management 101

Course Details:



  • Offered by: Udemy

  • Instructor: Justin Kivel

  • Who it's best for: Investors, property managers, and landlords

  • Online course rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $99.99

  • Duration: 2 hours, 50 minutes

  • Format: On-demand videos

  • Requirements: Access to Microsoft Excel for PC or Mac

What You’ll Learn

In this course, you will learn how to analyze and maximize deals in your portfolio and how to achieve goals in asset management. Additionally, the course teaches you how to create quarterly and annual reports, key projections, and a budget. Lastly, you’ll learn how to negotiate leases. 

Some key outcomes and takeaways include:

  • Managing real estate acquisitions successfully as an asset manager
  • Conducting asset management financial analysis, including lease, hold/sell, scenario, and next-buyer analysis
  • Creating budgets and essential projections
  • Maximizing property value through asset management during the sale process
  • Real estate exit strategies
A sample from the re-leasing analysis in Excel
A sample from the re-leasing analysis in Excel (Source: Udemy)

Course Features

  • Three hours of on-demand video, three articles, and eleven downloadable resources
  • Access the program on mobile and TV
  • Full lifetime access
  • Certificate of completion
The portfolio management dashboard
The portfolio management dashboard (Source: DoorLoop)

If you’re looking for a robust program to easily manage and grow your portfolio from anywhere, check out DooLoop. The online platform will handle portfolios of any size and property type. It provides accounting for nonaccounts, rent collection, and marketing vacancies, and you can fully automate your property management processes.

11. Social Impact & Sustainable Real Estate Investing

Sustainable Real Estate: Creating a Better Built Environment

Course Details:


Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $2,946

  • Duration: 8 weeks

  • Format: Self-paced online course

  • Requirements: Computer, tablet, mobile device

What You’ll Learn

The course explores real estate’s ecological, social, and governance dimensions, including trends, risks, and opportunities. It emphasizes sustainable practices to enhance community resilience and contribute to a sustainable future.

Over eight weeks, you’ll devise a customized action plan to address sustainability challenges and identify opportunities for positive impact. By implementing these strategies, individuals and organizations can foster a more sustainable real estate industry and create positive change in supply chains and communities.

Some course takeaways:

  • Understanding key sustainability issues in real estate and their solutions
  • Insight into connecting communities and delivering social and business value through sustainable measures, using systems thinking skills
  • Developing a strategy to drive sustainability in your organization or spheres of influence
Sustainable real estate course trailer (Source: University of Cambridge)

Course Features

  • Unrestricted access to edX’s Career Engagement Network
  • Exclusive resources and events to assist you in your professional journey and career advancement
  • Some GetSmarter with edX real estate investment classes are available on its mobile app

12: Real Estate Crowdfunding & Syndication

Syndication & Crowdfunding Workshop

Course Details:


Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $229 nonmember, $209 Realtor, $189 CCIM members

  • Duration: Contact CCIM

  • Format: Online or in person

  • Requirements: None specified

What You’ll Learn

This advanced training teaches you how to use crowdfunding and real estate syndication to gather money from investors to fund your commercial real estate ventures. You will learn how to raise capital from private sources while adhering to securities regulations. You’ll also learn how to structure your agreements, which legal entities to use, and other effective methods for raising large sums of money.

Some course highlights include:

  • Many forms of ownership, including tenancy in common, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies, generally used in syndication
  • Plans for paying investors cash distributions and sponsor compensation
  • How lenders look at financing real estate owned by syndication
One of many CCIM free video workshops
One of many CCIM free video workshops (Source: CCIM Institute via YouTube)

Course Features

  • Offered online and in-person
  • CCIM has over 60 online real estate investment courses in commercial real estate from which to choose
  • CCIM offers continuing education classes for real estate agents and brokers
  • Free resources through its podcasts, blog articles, YouTube videos, and Commercial Real Estate Insights series

13. International Real Estate Investing

Learn International Real Estate Investing in the US

Course Details:



  • Offered by: Udemy

  • Instructor: Ebonie Caldwell

  • Who it's best for: International investors who want to invest in US real estate

  • Online course rating: 4.3 out of 5

Pricing & Structure:



  • Cost: $34.99

  • Duration: 2 hours

  • Format: On-demand video

  • Requirements: Computer and internet access

What You’ll Learn

Foreign nationals interested in real estate investment will be guided through a comprehensive step-by-step process on effectively investing in the US. They will acquire the knowledge and skills required to establish and manage their real estate ventures within the country. 

Participants will learn how to build strong relationships with hard money lenders, understand the necessary steps and criteria, and successfully identify suitable properties. They will also learn to comprehend market dynamics while operating abroad. Furthermore, participants will gain proficiency in using essential tools crucial for achieving success in REI. 

Some course sections cover:

  • How to build a real estate investing business worldwide
  • Business entities for foreign nationals
  • Real estate investment trusts (REITs)
  • Understanding FIRPTA and the PATH Act
Free preview on incorporating your business in the US
Free preview on incorporating your business in the US (Source: Udemy)

Course Features

  • One article plus seven downloadable resources
  • Accessible from a computer, mobile device, and TV
  • Full lifetime access
  • Certificate of completion

Pros & Cons of Online Investing Courses

Online real estate investing courses present a convenient pathway to gaining expertise in property investment. They offer accessible access to industry insights and trends, enabling flexible learning. However, these courses come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Explore the pros and cons to make an informed decision about investing in online real estate education.

Pros
Cons
  • Convenience and flexibility: Online courses allow you to learn at your own pace and schedule.
  • Technical challenges: Reliable internet and basic computer skills are necessary; technical issues can disrupt progress.
  • Cost-effective: It can be more affordable than in-person classes, saving tuition and commuting expenses.
  • Variable quality: The quality of online courses can vary, with some needing more up-to-date information or credible instructors.
  • Diverse learning materials: Courses typically include videos, readings, quizzes, and interactive elements catering to various learning styles.
  • Self-motivation: Staying motivated and disciplined can be challenging, leading to incomplete courses.
  • Global reach: You can enroll in courses from anywhere, accessing content and networking opportunities that might not be available locally.
  • Potential lack of interaction: Online courses might offer less interaction with instructors and peers, impacting discussion and networking opportunities.
  • Access to experts: These courses often feature experienced instructors and industry professionals who provide valuable insights and practical knowledge.
  • Limited hands-on opportunities: Online courses may need more practical, hands-on experience than in-person classes or workshops can provide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)




Bringing It All Together 

Choosing quality real estate investment courses is essential for success. Pick a course that aligns with your goals and preferences, and embrace continuous learning to thrive in the real estate market. By equipping yourself with valuable knowledge and skills, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the complexities of real estate investing. Remember, continuous learning is the key to staying ahead and achieving long-term financial prosperity. 

Have you taken real estate investing classes online? Tell us more in the comments below!