This is a very common conversation I have….
Caller: I went to a real estate school where my teacher wasn’t very good. I saw your YouTube videos about passing the state exam and I was wondering if you can help me.
Karen: Yes. I have a three-day state exam review at Demetree School of Real Estate coming up. Would you like to register for that?
Caller: I already paid for a review class at this other school. I bought a package from them. I wish I hadn’t bought it.
Karen: Well, you can ask the school for a refund for the review class portion of the package.
Caller: They don’t give refunds after the first day of class, even though the review class hasn’t started.
Karen: Well, I guess you saved a few bucks in tuition, but ultimately you got the short end of that stick.
Many schools offer packages for the students. The package might include the pre-licensing class plus a review class. Or maybe they throw in an extra book or software program. I’ve even heard of packages that include the pre-licensing class and the post-licensing class, which you don’t need for another year or two.
The packages might save the students about $30-$50, but more often than not they benefit the school, not the student. Once you have paid for the two classes, the school doesn’t have as much motivation to serve you. They already have your money for two classes. Or maybe they are selling you more than you need before you realize you don’t need it.
If you don’t buy a package, then the school has to impress you enough to make you want to sign up for another class with them. Many Orlando real estate schools do not have that level of confidence in their instructors, hence the need for packages. I think everyone has had the experience of registering for a class, then not clicking with the instructor. The instructor might even be considered a good instructor, but he’s not a good instructor for you. It’s too bad you’ve already paid for so much time with this person.
Another reason I don’t recommend you purchase a package is that when you first register for class, you don’t really know what you need. Not everyone takes a review class. I took the 63-hour pre-licensing class, studied like crazy, then passed on the first try. I didn’t take a state exam review. Is that the best way to do it? Probably not, but it worked for me. Maybe you want a book instead of a software program. Maybe you want an audio program, but not a book.
When you walk into the registration office, you don’t know yet if you need a review class or an extra math book or a subscription to a review service. Wait until you take the class and have a better feel for what is going on. If it turns out you need supplemental material, buy it then. If you don’t need it, you can use that extra money for something else.
Even when I do private tutoring, I book one session at a time. Sometimes someone will call and tell me that they are going to need A LOT of tutoring. I always say, “Let’s schedule one session to start. When that is finished, you will know if you need more.” That way, if the person doesn’t like me (very rare!) or decides they don’t need any more tutoring, they haven’t already paid for anymore sessions.
In my next post, I’ll tell you what to do if you’ve already purchased a package somewhere and wish you hadn’t.
Please note that I, Karen Climer, have no affiliation with Climer School of Real Estate. My father, Ron Climer, sold that school in 2014. Since that time, I have had no affiliation with that school. If you are looking for me, you will find me at Demetree School of Real Estate.