There are a lot of real estate schools out there, but there aren't a lot of great real estate schools out there. And when you're entrusting your real estate education with a school, you really want to make sure that you are working with pros. After all, your school is building the foundation for your career, not just for the test.

To weed out the schools that won't help you as you prepare for your dream career, we've gathered the top 5 questions you need to keep in a mind as you consider choosing a real estate school.

1. Is your school approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission?

   Ensuring that your future institution is approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission is vital to becoming a successful real estate agent. Why? Because real estate licensing happens at the state level and if your coursework is not accepted by the state, you'll have to take it all over again. Lucky for aspiring Georgia licensees, the Georgia Real Estate Commission has an approved list to get you started.

2. Are your professors accredited?

   More than double checking that your coursework is on par, you also want to make sure the instructors teaching the courses (whether they're online or in-classroom) are the best in the business. As you journey through your coursework, your instructors will be the mentors you rely on to get the help you need, so choose a school with instructors who have careers and designations you aspire to. That way, you're already one step closer to your dream career.

3. How long has your real estate school been in business?

   It's hard to argue with experience, which is why a school who's been in business for a long time is a good thing. The real estate business hasn't changed too much over the years — it's still a heavily regulated career with a focus on serving clients. Thanks to that, it helps to have a school that has a long track record in preparing students for the real estate world.

4. Does your school offer coursework flexibility and student support services?

   This question is more about how your future real estate school will fit into your preferred lifestyle than the actual coursework, but that doesn't mean it's not important when it comes to making a decision. If you prefer the interaction, firm schedule, and structure of a classroom, you're not going to want to take online classes. That's true vice-versa as well — if you crave the flexibility of an online program that allows you to study whenever, and wherever, you feel, you're going to want to look for a school that offers state-approved online programs. At Capitus we have both, that way prelicense course students can find the fit that works best for them.

5. Can your school help you with your continuing education once you're licensed?

   Real estate schooling and training isn't a one-and-done kind of deal. To ensure that the real estate agents in Georgia are properly trained and prepared to uphold the law and improve their client's experience, there are continuing education requirements to keep each agent up to date. Beyond that, there should be designation and certification courses to improve your career, and advanced training to take everything to the next level. It's important to keep these next steps in mind as you start with a school so that you don't have to repeat this process all over again when you're looking to expand your career. Pick a school that provides additional career opportunities — that way you're always prepared to take your business to the next level.

   At Capitus, we've crossed all the t's and dotted all the i's when it comes to these questions. Not only are we approved with the Georgia Real Estate Commission, we're also the oldest and most successful real estate school in Georgia. Our instructors are all approved in the State and we have more than 90 additional offerings so that you can continue your real estate career.

So when you're ready to become a real estate agent, we're ready to help you on your journey. Give us a call today to learn more about where to begin — we're happy to help as you build the career of your dreams.