Yes, just like all the letters you can buy, I believe a Associates in Culinary Arts or Hotelier would go far in raising the bar.

This is a question always presented by those elitist seeking to exclude others from their sand box. 

If you don't like the quality of the real estate agents around you, turn your eyes towards the BROKERS. Throw the BROKER under the bus, not the wreck the created.

Mixed feelings here. I don't beleive a degree should be required however the standards for getting into the business do need to be raised. In most instances we are helping families and individuals acquire the biggest investment of their life. This requires more that a 'quickie' course that gives one enough information to pass the current licensing exam. On the other hand, taking a repeat course on fair housing every two years has little of no value. The laws don't really change. Once we know them, we know them. As individuals most of us are going to follow them. Those who choose not to are not going to change their way of doing business by taking the same course over and over again.

I don't think requiring more education is the answer. What Realtors really need are a sophistricated set of communication skills, problem-solving skills and marketing skills. You can graduate college and still have none of the skill sets.

Yes, I think more education is necessary. Not college courses but real estate courses. In our state more education is required to become a hairdresser than a real estate agent, and I think that's crazy. 

Agents get into this business with very little time or money invested. I know - it doesn't seem like "little money" when new agents are faced with expenses they didn't anticipate - but compared to learning another business with the same income potential, it's nearly nothing. 

Before being licensed, agents should be able to demonstrate that they understand the contract forms and can fill them out correctly. They should also be able to read and comprehend a legal description. They should understand basic legal terms and know how to read and explain mortgage documents. 

I once had a 20-year agent ask me what PITI meant... 

If more education was required, it would eliminate many of those "I want to get rich quick" agents who have no interest in learning how to represent their clients competently. 

Nope.. but they should have to do a residency like a doctor or appraiser..

More education? Not necessarily, but maybe the RIGHT education. BY that I mean courses on things that agents actually have to do in the course of their jobs, like negotiation skills, writing contracts, time management, communications skills, marketing, etc. Plus, elective courses that may at least familiarize them with other skill sets they may encounter on the job, such as appraisal 101, mortgage 101, home inspection 101, etc. I think that would help an agent succeed far more than a degree in English or Sociology. Just my opinion...

Experience is the best educator not classroom work.

That being said I have heard suggested an apprenticeship type of early entry requirement. That an entering real estate agent must mentor under a well established broker/real estate agent and participate in x amount of transactions before they are released on their own.

OJT works in many fields

Yes...there should be more.  Way to many that do not know the basics.

It should take more to get the license

Every agent should be trained, coached and mentored by their Broker, which includes field activities with prospects and future clients. Brokers are totally responsible for their agents actions, so when an agent is not adequately trained, it's the Broker, IMO, who is responsible for their inefficiencies and inadequacies.

I think there should be a lot more education to get into the business and ongoing education requirements. Then there wouldn't be so many that get in and don't stick it out.

One can always use more education. In Illinois they changed the law a couple of years to eliminate the Agent category and now only have Broker and managing Broker as a choice and raised the CE very much, It was a breeze for me but let's give people who want to get in this business a little challenge to do so. Good question Spirit.

I doubt a college degree would help, Spirit.  You can't mandate smarts, no matter how much education you make people have.

In a perfect world all licensed brokers would either represent the buyer or the seller...never both.  They would need to take annual continuing education, so they understand what their duties are and how to read a contract.

The Greviance committee and Professional Standards members would need to take a test before they can sit on the panel.

Problem would be finding qualified people to teach the class.

Eve

Formal college degrees will not help cure some of he problems in the industry.  Although I sit here with eight years of college I have seen many with no degrees who are quite impressive!

I do belive we need higher standards to get into this business. The barrier to entry is low and yet we handle large sums of money.

The licensing requirements, at least in Michigan, are ridiculously low.  40 hours of class room time, and pass a test and  you get your license.  The licensing class teaches you how to pass the test, not how to practice real estate. I think all agents, new and old, should have much higher requirements for licensing.

We all need education - but what education.  Licensing is all about legal technicalities - need to know but doesn't teach you how to survive in real estate. Some franchises and offices have courses on how to sell yourself, prospect, etc. Great knowledge, but not enough. CE is usually informational. There is so little training on dealing with people, especially people in crisis, nervous people, and how to really represent our clients whole heartedly without having to destroy the other side. I seriously doubt just any college degree would have any effect of the knowledge we need.

Most of what I learned and was tested on by the state had little to do with the real world of real estate.  Education is fine and I'm a firm believer in continuing education in all aspects of our field.  However,  I also know a few so-called well educated people who have no clue when it comes to the real life transaction.  Personally, I would like to see brokers require a specific number of transactions (co-broke with broker owner) under their belt before allowing them to represent our public.  There truly is nothing like experience.  

I am fortunate in that I am a second generation Real Estate Broker and had the benefit of not only living with the broker but with my Mom who was a 18 year continuing member of the Million Dollar Club.  Education is key but there are no courses that can possibly teach everyone the miriad of complex and varied situations that we encounter in our careers.  I think the best advice is to seek advice when unsure of the best approach to a given situation.  Understand your limitations and rely on your broker and those associated professionals that can offer sound advice.

I like Annette's response - and have to agree.  The culture of a brokerage is set at the top - it is the broker/owners that set the ship's course....for better or for worse.

I think new agents should be required to apprentice with an experienced Broker for at least one year after they get their license. Just learning the required paperwork is a major undertaking. 

Yes, I believe increase the education level. To enter this business is way to low. 

No. Some of the best agents don't have any college degree and some of the worst I know have a PhD. I do think education for agents is VERY important and I'm not impressed by most of the current CE course material offered. IMO we have very few quality classes with testing that confirms material is understood/absorbed.

Spirit - I am sure it wouldn't hurt to have more education, but not sure a college degree would be the right answer.

Never too old to learn something new. 

I don't think that is necessary. However, they can certainly revamp the education process for getting a license and include more education relating to the various aspects of real estate .

Yes I feel we do. These are legally binding documents for the biggest financial decision most people will make in their life. 

Spirit Messingham Sure and at the very least, they should have to go through an apprenticeship program before being let go on the public.

every licensed real estate agent should have a specialty and an education that complements that focus....

Need specific education and training from a real estate school or academy.  Yes, that would definitely raise the bar.  Also, should be required to do 2,000 hours of apprentice work, just like appraisers in CA, prior to being able to apply for their license.  Lastly, the MLS fees should be multiplied times 10.  Instead of $500 per year, it should be $5,000 per year.  That would eliminate the license-hangers and part-timers and get-rich-quick-hopefuls.  We would be left with the serious career-minded full-time professionals.

Not really.  Much of the education mandated by the state has little to do with my business as it is.  

A college degree is so expensive anymore.  Even a cheap one from some internet school or community college will cost tens of thousands of dollars.  The government is already too big and in the way of commerce as it is.  The main reason things are so complicated is (1) the federal government and their zillions of rules, (2) all the ambulance chaser lawyers looking to sue everyone.  Throw those 2 in the garbage and real estate is fairly simple. 

I am amazed at the amount of hours needed that vary from state to state. I feel really fortunate that Texas requires the amount that they do. 180 to get your license then another 90 by the end of your first 2 years for first renewal. Texas has a lot going on in the state, just as the coastal states. There is definitely a lot of ground to cover when we have a lot of wetlands, the coastal waterways, Gulf of Mexico, working up to oil wells, large farm and ranch, mineral rights etc. to consider. Real estate agents and realtors need to be up to date on all the changes that occur everyday. It isn't just about slapping a "FOR SALE" sign on a piece of property. Serious mentoring needs to be done as soon as the licensed agent signs with an agency. It's up to the broker to mentor. If another agent allows the new agent to accompany them to an appointment with a clients permission that would be great but so many agents consider that competition/threat. A good broker would make the new agent their shadow. I've seen many realtors with many designations behind their name and that's all they are. Having all that education really should be used they way it's suppose to be. After all you paid  for it!

I think having a mentor through the first few years would be an awesome education. You can't learn everything from a book.

Absolutely!  To better assist the consumer, we must continuously educate ourselves.  The market is constantly changing.  Maybe not a college degree, but at least better courses for licensing.  Plus after licensing, require certain courses to improve ourselves.

More education.  Absolutley not.  A successful real estate person needs very little education.  They need lots and lots of sales and customer service experience.   

Not yes, but HELL YES. Not college courses but initial training and CE!

I have no issues with dual agency.  There are 4 items you can not reveal, motivation of buyer for buying, seller for selling, how high the buyer will go, how low the seller will go. Since you wouldk not likely know the part that didn't pertain to the "other" party anyway, do the deal right and dont ask the buyer how high they will go or seller how low.  All other matters are professional competence in my opinion.

I have closed over 750 transactions in my career and never had a conflict.  There were a couple times were the client stated I couldn't represent both sides, but it was their decision.  

I served 3 terms on Ethics & Professional Standards. Its the bad or greedy agents that create the issues.

I think the rule is what it is to cover all the bad agents out there

Absolutely! It is too easy to get and keep a real estate license.

I encounter inexperienced agents on a regular basis.  They are not familiar with the paperwork, process or protocal of the transaction.  Brokerages should require some type of ongoing training/monitoring for their agents, verifying that the agents are "fluent" with the real estate transaction.  Possibly, there could be some type of designation or tenure for agents who have completed a certain number of transactions much like tenure for teachers?  These agents create a challenge for the other agents and certainly do not represent their clients as professionally as they should.  

We both have 4 year degrees but not in Real Estate.  All of us undergo extensive training constantly thru our offices, our realtors board and also thru State annual meetings.  I think you owe it to yourself and your clients to get certifications.  I commpleted GRI and SFR.  My partner and husband completed his Broker classes and GRI as well.  One thing if for sure - We are Keller Williams agents and our training and education there is consistant and raiser the bar for all of us.

Agents should take more courses before getting a license and should work with a mentor for a few months after getting the license.

Yes, absolutley.

Some States require more education than others.  Indiana just  added more hours to their CE.

Spirit Messingham - I do not believe that they need to have any kind of degree as long as they understand the business and help their clients ethically.

Spirit, I think it should fall upon the brokerage to mentor the new agents a certain number of hours as it is in their interests both monetarily and for liability purposes.  The MLS Board needs to enforce the rules rigidly and drastically reform how they go about dealing with those who violate the COE.

Good idea.

In a word...YES!

Oh yes, Oh yes yes yes.  It's amazing how uneducated the agents in my area have become.  The seasoned agents do as they have always done without regard for ethics or the law and the younger ones take advice from the older ones. 

Yes.  Real estate is among the biggest invesments people and businesses make.  The financial effects of a transaction can be long lasting.  Meanwhile, the legal side of real estate law never becomes less complex (in fact, its quite the opposite with new laws, rules, statutes, commissioner rules, etc. coming out each year).  Just look at the stack of documents signed at closing.  I definitely think more education (in most professions including real estate) is a good thing.  Knowledge is power and helps an agent build value.  

YES.  After studying for a Series 7, 66, mortgage license and insurance license, obtaining a real estate license seemed like a walk in the park, truthfully, a joke.  Why, when we are handling the largest asset a person may ever own?  

This isn't to exclude anyone but to make the profession more...well...professional.  As a financial advisor, I was far more respected by the general public than as a realtor yet the job was as complex and involved sales.  It's the world of perception.  Compare a Financial Advisor to a Realtor side by side.  There's as much room for fraud in either profession but isn't there a consistency the public has come to expect with one profession it doesn't get with the other?  I think so.

One realtor's lack of professionalism makes my job that much harder.  Once, I got a hand written offer from a seasoned agent without the buyer's name on the contract with easily a dozen items on the contract that essentially made it just a piece of paper.  This should never happen along with so many other things I see that just make me cringe.

This is a multi-faceted entrepreneurial business that is not for the faint of heart, which is why every person in this industry shouldn't be shortchanging themselves by not getting educated on a constant basis.

Yes. The entry level is just too low.  More in class education is needed prior to licensure. IMO there should be a limited license issued until such time as mastery is determined by the local board or State governing body or both.

Not sure education is the only answer. It cant hurt and may even help. But perhaps two ideas might help more. Closer supervision of first year agents. Also perhaps a requirement for a minimum number of completed transactions (something simple say three a year). Finally, I think agents/brokers as a class need to be more aggressive in stepping up on discipline matters. 

Yes. I'd have no issue with this whatsoever.

No.

About 20 years ago I mentored new agents, and walked them through the buying and selling process.  The Office Manager was always there for them after they had closed 3 transactions.  I have had tranactions with Realtors/Agents who have their MBA's and they aren't great to work with.  So it's not more degrees but how to handle the transactions in a timely and professional manner.

Here's my opinion . If you work hard . Treat people fairly and honestly . Are prompt . Reliable. Detailed. Ethical. You should do well in real estate. The ones who don't should get out of the business. No need for more education just keep it simple.