Getting into the real estate business in Baltimore can be an enticing opportunity. Whether you’re just beginning to think about the possibility, or have been considering it for some time, there’s some basic information you should know before really diving into your real estate journey. We’ve thoroughly researched the necessary steps to becoming a real estate agent in Baltimore, Maryland, and have compiled this list guide for your viewing pleasure. Read on to learn everything you need to know about real estate.
To become a real estate agent in Maryland, you must complete the following:
- Complete sixty hours of official pre-licensing classes
- These classes will cover a large variety of subjects, from licensing law to mortgages, deeds, titles, and more. In the following section, we’ve assembled a list of recommended locations to take your official real estate pre-licensing classes in Baltimore
- Pass the Maryland real estate exam. The Maryland real estate exam consists of 110 multiple choice questions to be completed within 120 minutes. You must earn a minimum of 70% to pass the exam. Less than 50% of test-takers pass the exam.
- Choose a broker to sponsor you. To obtain your real estate license in Maryland, a licensed broker must verify that you are affiliated with their brokerage, and assist you in finishing your license application.
- Apply for a Maryland real estate license.
As you can see, there are quite a few hoops to jump through to get your real estate license and start working in Maryland. The high score required to pass the Maryland real estate exam, and the low pass rate, should be a clear indication that studying for the exam is a top priority for any prospective real estate agent. Where you take your official pre-licensing classes can have a significant effect on your likelihood to pass. Read on to see our list of recommended real estate classes in Baltimore, Maryland.
Real Estate Classes in Baltimore, MD
Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors (GBBR) School of Real Estate
If you’re looking for a real estate school with a long, reputable history, look no further. The Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors was founded in 1858 as the nation’s first real estate association. For over 157 years, GBBR has been exemplifying real estate excellence. They serve over 3,700 members in the Greater Baltimore area and provide mediation and arbitration services in addition to their official classes and workshops.
The GBBR School of Real Estate opened its doors in 1990 to begin offering official pre-licensing classes to the general public. The courses are all taught by real estate professionals with extensive experience in the field. LT Realty, Coldwell Banker, and Re/Max Acclaimed Realty are just a few of the brokerage firms that staff is affiliated with.
The GBBR School of Real Estate offers either a biweekly course, with classes in the evenings on Mondays and Thursdays, or a weekend course, with classes on Saturdays from morning to late afternoon. The classes run for about seven weeks. The cost of tuition for real estate classes with the GBBR School of Real Estate is $200, and the coursebooks will cost you an additional $60. You can find the GBBR School of Real Estate website here.
Community College of Baltimore County
The Community College of Baltimore County, or CCBC, offers a Continuing Education Certificate program which meets the requirements for official pre-licensing real estate classes. The CCBC has several campuses throughout Baltimore county, and as such, you are sure to be able to find one convenient to your location. Additionally, the CCBC is a respected community education institution in Baltimore County and will be well prepared to sit for the Maryland real estate exam after completion of the course.
The course is taught by rotating professors of business and related departments. The course runs from 3-5 months in length, beginning in September or January at the Catonsville campus, and in March, June, and October at the Hunt Valley and Owing Mills campuses. The total costs for this course are $529: $169 for tuition, and $360 for fees. The price includes the fee for taking the Maryland real estate exam. Also, the cost of textbooks is estimated to average about $90.
Taking your real estate classes at the CCBC has several advantages; you’ll have access to the greater network of professionals and experts on real estate specifically, and business generally, in Baltimore county. Also, there are several scheduling options to choose from, making it easier to find a class that fits your life. You can find the CCBC real estate classes online here.
Maryland Real Estate Academy
The Maryland Real Estate Academy is another excellent choice for any prospective real estate agent in Baltimore. The academy is run by three real estate professionals with a lot of experience. Some of the organizations the instructors are affiliated with include the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors, the Howard County Board of Realtors, the Coastal Association of Realtors, the Arbutus Business & Professional Association, the Catonsville Chamber of Commerce, and RE/MAX New Beginnings.
The classes are offered Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00-9:00 pm, totaling six hours a week for ten weeks to meet the 60-hour requirement to be an official pre-licensing class. Attendance at every class is mandatory to meet the hour requirement. The total cost for this program is $375, composed of $255 for tuition, an administrative fee of $25, and a book and supply fee of $95.
In addition to offering excellent lecture courses, the Maryland Real Estate Academy is also notable for offering online classes. This option can be very appealing for those who don’t have time to attend the in-person courses, or who may wish to take the courses on their own time for some other reason. The cost of the online classes is $249. You can find the Maryland Real Estate Academy website here.
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage School of Real Estate
There might be no more obvious place to take your real estate classes than with an actual real estate brokerage company. The Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage School of Real Estate offers courses throughout the eastern United States, and specifically at several locations in Baltimore. Taking your classes with Coldwell Banker does not automatically grant you an official affiliation with the company. Still, it can help you meet the right people, and get a foot in the door if they are the brokerage company you hope to be sponsored by.
The Coldwell Banker School of Real Estate courses is taught by real estate professionals employed or otherwise affiliated with Coldwell Banker. By taking classes directly with a brokerage company, you can be sure you’ll be getting some of the best education and exam prep available. The cost of tuition is $199.
While this real estate school does offer the typical 7-8 week course schedule, they also provide an intensive program that you can complete in under a month. This course consists of daily classes Monday through Friday from 9:30 am-4:00 pm. While not everyone can make time for this program, for those who are unemployed or otherwise available, this can be a great way to jump quickly into the world of real estate. You can find the Coldwell Banker School of Real Estate website here.
Century 21 New Millennium
Another great option for where to take your real estate classes in Baltimore is with Century 21 New Millennium. Century 21 New Millennium is an officially licensed brokerage firm, and as such, taking courses with them has all the benefits of learning from the professionals.
To offer these courses, Century 21 has partnered with The CE Shop, an online academy of continuing education courses for real estate professionals. The CE Shop is noted for having one of the highest pass rates in the industry, and like other online courses, it can be completed as fast or as slow as you have time for. If you were to treat it like a full-time job, the course could be completed in as little as two weeks. You can find the Century 21 New Millennium website here.
Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate
Long & Foster is another highly regarded brokerage firm that offers classes through an affiliated educational institution. Long & Foster, regarded as the nation’s top real estate firm, has been in the business since 1968. With such a long history and a highly regarded reputation, taking courses at their Institute of Real Estate is sure to prepare you adequately for the real estate exam, and your subsequent career as a real estate agent.
Long & Foster’s real estate classes are taught by industry professionals who are either employed by or affiliated with the brokerage firm. While there is certainly a lot of networking that could be done by meeting industry leaders, completing their course does not directly result in affiliation with or sponsorship by Long & Foster. The cost of tuition and books in Maryland is $199. Classes are offered on varying schedules, and a course can run as long as two months or as short as two weeks. Additionally, the Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate also offers an online program. You can find the Long & Foster Institute of Real Estate Website here.
Now that you’ve read our extensive guide on real estate classes in Baltimore, Maryland, you’re sure to have a good idea of how to get into the real estate business, and most importantly, where to take your classes. If you’re wondering about becoming a real estate agent in other states, look no further than our article about how much real estate licenses cost on average, and a more specific article on how to become a real estate agent in Florida.