Demetree School Archives - Demetree School of Real Estate

Which Florida Real Estate Schools Are Not Teaching Florida Material?

Many Florida schools don’t know what is happening in Florida. How can you tell? Like any scam, there are many red flags. Some of those red flags are…

The “teacher” on the video doesn’t have a Florida real estate instructor license. If they are teaching you how to pass a Florida exam and they haven’t passed that exam themselves, they are a paid actor. If you want to learn how to act, watch these videos. If you want to pass the real estate exam, be sure the person has a Florida real estate license. You can look up any Florida licensee here.
Money-back guarantees. If the school offers a money-back guarantee or a no-pass, no-pay policy, they are not familiar with Florida laws. Florida schools are not allowed to offer money-back guarantees based on passing. One of these curriculum providers sent me sample material to see if I wanted to use it. I looked at the material. Several of the “Florida” practice questions were incorrect. I later found out, it was correct information for Tennessee law, but not Florida. Obviously, I don’t use that material in my classes.
Offering too many states. The phrase “jack of all trades but master of none” comes to mind. If you have to choose your state on their website, they are likely not familiar with how Florida works. For example, the Florida test is application based, which means you have to be able to apply the knowledge. That is not true in many states. Some of the schools that cover all 50 states offer practice questions that are much easier than our Florida real estate exam. You will feel confident going into the exam because you did well on the easy practice questions, but you will be dumbfounded when you see how difficult the Florida real estate exam is.
The school does not have a physical Florida address. There are many schools that operate primarily in the cloud. That works for some people. However, Florida rule requires that these schools have a physical address and phone number that students can access. If they don’t have that, they don’t know Florida law. If their address is not in Florida, they likely know more about their home state than Florida.

None of these are actually indicators that a school is a rip-off or doesn’t understand Florida law. They are just indicators that it might be. Much like a bunch of typos in an email does not guarantee that it is a scam. It’s just one of the indicators. But just like those emails, the best thing to do is to err on the side of caution.

Demetree School of Real Estate is a Florida-based school. In fact, we are home grown. If you are trying to get a Florida real estate license, check out our real estate prelicensing class schedule.

Please note that neither I nor anyone in the Climer family has any relation to Climer School of Real Estate. My father, Ron Climer, sold the school in 2014. It has since been sold to a large corporate conglomerate based in Minnesota. If you are looking for Karen Climer, you will find me at Demetree School of Real Estate in Orlando, Florida.

By Karen Climer|2023-05-18T13:04:56-04:00May 18th, 2023|

Karen Climer Receives Proclamation From Secretary of DBPR

Melanie Griffin, Secretary of the DBPR, issued a congratulatory proclamation to Karen Climer honoring her 20 years of real estate licensure. The proclamation mentioned that Karen has taught thousands of students, many who have gone on to become leaders in the industry. It also mentioned that she now owns and operates Demetree School of Real Estate in Orlando.

Melanie Griffin, DBPR Secretary; Giuvanna Corona, FREC Executive Director; Chris Willenbring, Deputy Director, Division of Real Estate were involved in the presentation.

“I love teaching real estate and helping people begin their new career. I appreciate the recognition from the Department for my efforts,” said Karen Climer.

The proclamation was given to Karen at the Florida Realtors Convention. Other honorees include Dick Fryer, Guy Sanchez Jr, and Katherine Figueroa – all from Central Florida.

By Karen Climer|2022-12-12T17:06:54-05:00August 30th, 2022|

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Jackie Unterreiner at Keller Williams at the Parks in Orlando, Florida

It is fun to keep up with past students to hear how their real estate careers are doing. Recently, I talked to Jackie Unterreiner. She went to Florida real estate school at Demetree School of Real Estate, then I sponsored her to join Keller Williams. She has been doing very well there since she started. Here is our interview…

Tell us about you.

Although it feels like I’ve been doing real estate forever, it’s only been a short time. After leaving the corporate world to be a stay-at-home mom for three years I was ready to start something new. I’ve always had a passion for real estate and wanted to pursue a flexible career with the ability to be my own boss. I have fallen in love with this industry, the buyers and sellers I serve, and the connections I have made in Orlando. I’m mom to a 3 year old son & feisty chihuahua, lover of nature, fancy desserts, beach getaways, yoga and reading.

What was most important to you when choosing a broker? Why Keller Williams?

It was important to me to join a brokerage that had top level training programs, resources and office support. I was extremely impressed with the resources, technology, network, and brand recognition that Keller Williams offers. Joining KW At The Parks was an easy choice. The leadership team and support staff are not only invested in the achievements of the brokerage but also play a huge role in my individual success.

How were you able to find success in your first year?

It’s important to start off with a strong foundation. Demetree School of Real Estate grounded me with the essentials and the Ignite training program (new agent training) at Keller Williams taught me the day-to-day knowledge, insights & skills I would use to land clients, negotiate offers, write contracts, and get deals done. It’s also important to surround yourself with others who are on the path you want to achieve. Through my brokerage, I have met incredible mentors, colleagues and friends.

Has your previous experience helped you in the real estate industry?

All of my past professions have served me in this industry. As a former healthcare data analyst, I am able to review comparable sales and translate market data in an understandable way to homeowners. I also worked many years in the spa industry and ran my own massage practice. This gave me the tools to manage my own business & schedule. My experience working in Las Vegas as a high limit blackjack dealer reminds me to always make work fun!

What is your favorite aspect of selling real estate?

I literally love everything about the real estate industry! Touring homes, helping sellers get top dollar for their property, helping buyers land their dream home, the investment opportunities in Orlando, staying on top of industry trends – even all the contracts and paperwork – I love it all!

Where do you find your clients? What has been your favorite sale so far?

In addition to referrals from family, friends, and social media, my niche is working with homeowners who were unable to accomplish their goal selling “For Sale by Owner.” I have helped several FSBO homeowners get top dollar for their houses by helping them revamp the curb appeal, bringing in my staging accessories, and using high-end marketing approach & tactics. I recently transformed a vacant house that sat unsold for over a month to a beautiful home that sold over asking price in under a week. It went from being the worst house on the street to the highest comp to date in the entire neighborhood!

What advice would you give someone thinking of joining Keller Williams?

Keller Williams operates on the highest level of industry standards and ethics. The education and technology they provide to new agents is cutting edge, sophisticated & progressive.

I would remind you when choosing a broker “all that glitters is not gold.” I considered other brokers that had shiny promises, however I realized they fell flat in education, networking, and comradery.

Joining Keller Williams was the best decision I could have made entering the real estate industry. The backing and support I received from KW allowed me to find success as a new agent in my very first year.

If someone wants to join Keller Williams, how can they contact you?

If you are interested in learning more about joining Keller Williams, I would love to speak with you! Email me at BusinesstoBLISSness@gmail.com

You can follow me on Instagram or Facebook.

Please note that neither I nor anyone in the Climer family has any affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate. Ron Climer, my father, sold this school in 2014. It is now owned by a large corporation. If you are looking for me, I own and teach at Demetree School of Real Estate in Orlando.

By Karen Climer|2022-12-28T12:01:37-05:00February 3rd, 2022|

Best Textbook For Florida Real Estate Exam

In Florida, a real estate school can use any textbook they choose, as long as they get it approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission. Some schools, like Demetree School of Real Estate, choose to purchase a textbook that someone else wrote. Other schools write their own books.

For all of my classes, I use the books that are published by Dearborn Real Estate Education. The sales associate textbook is called Florida Real Estate Principles, Practices, and Law by Linda Crawford.

The textbook makes a big difference. At Demetree School of Real Estate, we use Florida Real Estate Principles, Practices, and Law.

I have looked at nearly every Florida real estate textbook that’s out there. In fact, I have most of them on my bookshelf because companies send them to me hoping I will use them. I use the Dearborn textbook because it is by far the best one out there. The second best isn’t even close.

There are a few reasons that I use it…

The authors keep current on the Florida real estate exam

The authors, Linda Crawford and Denise Johnson, are regular attendees at the Florida Real Estate Commission meetings. I see them there almost every month. They know the law. They study the law. They solicit feedback from instructors. If something isn’t working for instructors, they change it in the next edition.

The verbiage the book uses is similar to the Florida real estate exam

The language in the book is the language of the law, which is the language on the Florida real estate exam. For example, the Dearborn book defines false advertising as advertising in a fraudulent, false, deceptive, or misleading way. They could have said it’s advertising that isn’t true. But the state exam questions often use the exact language from the statute, so their book uses the exact language from the statute. Students often say that state exam questions are worded in a difficult manner. If you’ve been reading the Dearborn book, you won’t think it’s difficult – you will be used to that wording.

The book only covers what is on the sales associate exam, not extra material

The book covers what is on the exam and only what is on the exam. Some Florida textbooks cover what they think is important not what is actually on the state exam for Florida. I know of one sales associate textbook that covers material that is on the broker’s exam. The instructors at the school are required to teach it in their sales associate classes. They just think that students should know it. If the Florida Real Estate Commission says you don’t need to know about equity dividend ratios until you get to the broker class, I won’t teach it in my sales associate class. Some books include this in their sales associate class. I even know of one school that requires their sales associate student to learn how to fill out a closing disclosure. That is waaaay beyond the scope of what is necessary.

At Demetree School of Real Estate, we teach you what you need to know to pass the exam, not random things from more advanced classes.

The books is written for the Florida syllabus

FREC publishes a syllabus that says what is going to be on the Florida real estate exam. This textbook was originally written for Florida real estate. It is not a national book that is trying to fit into Florida. There are some textbooks that are designed to be used in multiple states, so they use vocabulary that is on other states’ exams. They have to include certain words that might be on the Georgia test because they are selling the same textbook for Georgia schools.

Before you register for a real estate class in Florida, whether in person or online, ask them what curriculum they use. If they aren’t using Florida Principles, Practices, and Law by Linda Crawford, I’d keep looking.

Please note that neither I, nor anyone in the Climer family has any affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate. My father, Ron Climer, sold the school in 2014. Today, it is owned by a large national company.

By Karen Climer|2022-02-01T12:34:34-05:00January 26th, 2022|

Demetree School of Real Estate Success Story: Rafi Pinsky at Keller Williams Aventura

It is fun to keep up with past students to hear how their real estate careers are doing. Recently, I talked to Rafi Pinsky in South Florida. He attended a class at Demetree School of Real Estate, then I sponsored him to join Keller Williams. He has been doing very well there since he started, just about a year and a half ago. Here is our interview…

Tell us briefly about you.

I was raised by my grandmother (my mother’s mother) at 18 months old. During the first 18 months, my grandmother and mother were in a custody battle as my mother wanted to raise me but was unfit due to alcohol and habits which deemed her unfit to raise a child. I was in foster care during that period and thankfully I was placed in full custody with my grandmother. I never met either of my parents and unfortunately was informed of the passing of my homeless mother about a year ago. I didn’t grow up with any luxuries or any siblings but I was blessed to have all that I needed and all in all, I had a great childhood and a loving parent. I went through middle school, high school, and three years of undergrad where I worked as a waiter part time before deciding to join the Israeli military. I served in an infantry unit in the West Bank before returning to New York to finish my last year of school. After obtaining my Bachelor’s in business, I started working with a friend selling different kinds of loans to small businesses. When COVID hit, I decided to become a real estate agent with Keller Williams. I started a podcast at the same time as my real estate career and I’m proud of my accomplishments. Karen has helped me ace the exam. I will always recommend her to anyone looking to take the exam and ace it (10/10 would recommend).

How long have you been in real estate and how long with Keller Williams?

I’ve been in Real Estate since August of 2020 and have been with Keller Williams from the beginning.

Why did you choose Keller Williams?

I initially interviewed with Douglas Elliman but found their rules on social media posts too restrictive for me. I interviewed next with Keller Williams and was much happier with the energy there.

What do you like most about selling real estate?

I love networking, solving problems and negotiating. I can’t say either of them are more enjoyable than the other.

What do you like least about selling real estate?

I dislike when clients aren’t truly willing to proceed and just want to waste my time looking around. Prospecting can be a drag when not knowing when your next client will come but the early stages of any business are difficult so I’m ok with it.

Where do you find your clients?

I find most of my clients through cold calls.

Tell us a story about one particular sale. Maybe one that was challenging or particularly interesting or anything that made it memorable to you.

I had a listing (seller representation) where the seller received an offer around $50,000 over appraised value and we still had difficult closing. Post inspection, the buyer asked for everything to be credited and that was where the war started. Thankfully, the other agent and I worked well together to close the transaction and after numerous, and I mean numerous back and forth negotiations, almost killing the transaction. We were able to close by giving part of our commissions as a seller credit to the buyer. I also spent an entire day physically helping them move out since the movers came late and they were short on time.

How important to your success was joining Keller Williams?

The Keller Williams office in Aventura has a wonderful atmosphere with people who are always happy to help one another. Keller Williams as a whole, is an incredible company for new agents who need guidance and hands on coaching to succeed in a business like Real Estate. I don’t know what the future holds but I don’t have a reason to go elsewhere and I highly recommend KW to anyone who’s about to be licensed anywhere in the country and in any country that has a KW office for that matter.

This is Karen again. If you are a real estate agent or aspiring agent who is looking for a great place to work (even if it’s not in South Florida), give me a call.

Please note that neither Karen Climer nor Demetree School of Real Estate have any affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate. My father, Ron Climer, started Climer School of Real Estate. He sold it in 2014. It was recently acquired by a large national corporation.

By Karen Climer|2023-02-09T14:41:06-05:00January 21st, 2022|