Real Estate -- General FAQs 

Q:  What can I do with my real estate training?

A:  The career opportunities are many and varied.  The most common path is to become a real estate salesperson or broker and sell houses.  Other careers include property manager, real estate investor, commercial property sales, real estate appraiser, title company officer, escrow officer, and property acquisition specialist for a large corporation or institution.

Q:  How many courses do I have to take to get started in my career in real estate sales?

A:  One Course.  Once you have completed the Real Estate Principles (BUSR 50) class with a grade of C or better, you will be eligible to take the Department of Real Estate (DRE) salesperson license exam.  A grade of 70 percent or more on the 150-question DRE exam is a passing score. When you receive notification from the DRE that you have passed the salesperson exam you can submit your application for the real estate salesperson license.  The provisional license is valid for 18 months during which time you must complete a college level course in Real Estate Practice (BUSR 52 at Mt. SAC) and one additional approved college course in real estate.  When you complete the two additional courses, the expiration date for your license will be extended to four years from the date that you were originally licensed.  These additional courses are offered at Mt. SAC.

Q:  Who can I talk with about the real estate program?

A:  The most accessible person is Glenn Vice, the only  full-time faculty member in real estate.  Glenn Vice can be reached at 909 594-5611 x3139, via e-mail at [email protected], or in person in building 20B, room 5.  In addition, any of the real estate faculty will be happy to answer your questions or will be able to refer you to the person who can answer your questions.

Q:  How do I find out about what is happening with the real estate program?

A:  A brand new glass-enclosed bulletin board has been installed on the exterior wall of building 18 near room 17 and the Accounting Department bulletin board.  Notices of Real Estate Club meetings, guest speakers, and other items of interest to real estate students are posted this board.

Q:  Which class should I take first?

A:  Real Estate Principles (BUSR 50).  This course is a prerequisite for virtually all of the other courses offered in the real estate program which includes real estate, appraisal, and escrow management.  This course is important because in this course you will learn the basic vocabulary of real estate that is needed for the advanced courses and you will learn about the various documents, laws, and regulations that apply to real estate.  Multiple sections of Real Estate Principles are offered during the fall and spring semesters and during at least one of the two summer sessions.  Typically, one section is offered during the day, several 18-week sessions are offered during the evenings, one 9-week accelerated session is offered in the evening, and one section is offered on the Internet.  The 18-week classes meet one evening each week from 7 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.  The 9-week sections meet twice each week, typically Friday evening and Saturday morning.  The Online class (Internet) requires attendance at an orientation meeting at the beginning of the semester and the student comes on campus to take the midterm exam and the final exam.  Typically, the exams can be taken anytime during a four- or five-day period that will be specified on the course syllabus.  The remainder of the work for the online class would be done online and via e-mail.

Q:  What skills or characteristics are important for a successful career in real estate?

A:  Be a self-starter.  Be goal oriented.  Be genuinely interested in helping people and willing to work hard.

Q:  Do I need to know anything about computers?

A:  YES.  The field of real estate, like practically every other profession, is becoming increasingly dependent on the ability to use a computer and the Internet.  Some of the necessary computer skills can be learned in the real estate classes, but additional skills are highly desirable so all of the degree and certificate programs require a computer applications course.

Q:  How much money can I make in real estate?

A:  The answer to this really depends on you and which area of real estate you choose.  Typically, those who work in sales have the potential for making the most money. Some real estate agents/brokers make more than $1 million per year; however, the average income is much, much lower because some agents work part-time, some are just starting their careers, and some either do not work or do not work efficiently.  Salaried positions in escrow, loan processing, as real estate assistants and similar types of support activities tend to have lower, but much more stable incomes.

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