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Erie, PA: Online VS Live Real Estate Class???

By Mary Yonkers

Education & Training with Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate

October 23, 2013 06:14 AM

Erie, PA: Online VS Live Real Estate Class???

In this world of technology why does Erie, PA prefer a live Real Estate class VS an online class?

Mary Yonkers As a Real Estate instructor who has been teaching Real Estate classes for 20+ years I constantly hear Real Estate pre-license students say that they prefer live Real Estate classes VS an online class.

Why? One student who had attempted to take the Pennsylvania pre-license classes online, gave up in frustration and paid to attend live class. Why?

'Taking an online class was like reading a 500 page book, line by line with no explanation and no input from an instructor.'

I remember reading 500+ page books in college literature classes. Crime & Punishment was more captivating, I am sure.

Stress

No text book for review & studying is another complaint about online classes. Some online students print each computer screen & compile the pages in 3-ring binder. (How much do they spend on ink & paper?) Others take copious hand-written notes for easy access while studying.

No text

Very dry material. One online student compared the online real estate class to reading & memorizing the dictionary.

No, local information about Real Estate market. Yes, the text makes mention of PA law & practice, but PA is a very large state. The real estate market in Philadelphia & eastern Pennsylvania market is so different than western Pennsylvania, especially northwestern PA.

Erie, PA

Who do I ask? Who is available to answer my questions? Many of my students say that they prefer my 'live Real Estate' class so they can 'ASK MARY' to explain words like escheat, eminent domain and life tenant.

Live Real Estate Pre-license classes (Fundamentals & Practice) are offered in Erie, PA every month by Alan Kells School of Real Estate.

See our website for dates and registration. www.alankells.com

Cost: $178/class
Text: $49
Location: 3036 W. 12th Street Erie, PA 16505 (building behind Animal Ark Pet Hospital)

Erie, PA: Online VS Live Real Estate Class???

I would love to have you attend my next live Real Estate Pre-license class in Erie, PA. Just 'ASK MARY'

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Bruce Walter

Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Mary, I am for attending an seminar or CE class with a wonderful instructor instead of an online course. Vote Mary and not for the net to take a LIVE and in person real estate class in the Erie, PA region!

Oct 23, 2013 06:25 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Thanks Bruce! I would love to have you attend one of my classes. Wish IN was closer to PA.

Oct 23, 2013 08:56 AM

Joan Fitton

Keller Williams Southern Nevada - Mesquite, NV

CRS, ABR, RSPS, kw New Homes Ambassador

I took my class online and it was a series of videos from a local agent. When you live in a rural section if the country, live classes may not always be possible. However, i agree with the student who had t read hundreds of pages of slides! if live is not possible, shop for video! I did drive the 90 mikes for a two- day live prep course and it was a wonderful experience.

Oct 23, 2013 09:54 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Joan, yes, I can understand the benefit of online classes for people who live in remote areas like you do. Best of luck in your career.

Oct 23, 2013 10:08 AM

Suzanne Otto

Six Twenty Designs - Lansdale, PA

Your Montgomery County PA home stager

Good points for people weighing the pros and cons of online vs in person.

Personally, I like the interaction with people. And if you have a question, you can actually ask someone! Right then and there!

Oct 23, 2013 11:49 AM

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

It is hard to beat the classroom for a learning experience.

Online works well for "how to" questions.

Oct 24, 2013 02:11 AM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Hi Mary, I took an online class once, and never again. I like attending a class, having other students and a teacher for interaction and laughs...you can't get this with an online class.

Oct 24, 2013 02:19 AM

Toni Weidman

Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL

20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

In my opinion, live is so much better than on-line, Mary. Just having other people around motivates many to do better. And with a great teacher like you there too!

Oct 24, 2013 03:07 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Yes, Suzanne, the intereaction with others in class is invaluable. We can learn from each other especially real estate, a people business.

Thanks, Roy. As you said the classroom experience is part of the learning process.

Rebecca, I am glad that you mentioned humor. That is one thing missing from online classes which are much too dry. I took one online class. Ugh!

Toni, like you I value the interaction with others in the classroom. Thanks for the compliment.

Oct 24, 2013 04:42 AM

Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400

HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD

Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

And I would love to be in one of your live classes so I could Ask Mary all kinds of questions.

Oct 24, 2013 10:29 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

And Margaret, I would love to have you sitting in one of my classes.

Oct 24, 2013 11:12 AM

Endre Barath, Jr.

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA

Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Mary one of the benefits I find in "live" class room there might be questions and answers and interactions that one would not think at home....I am finding that there is trend unfortunately that we are not interacting in person or on the phone it is a shame....I am sure your classes are more entertaining too:), Endre

Oct 24, 2013 11:34 AM

Beth Atalay

Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL

Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Mary, I did my Brokers online only because I didn't have the time to physically attend a class and was not easy to concentrate at all. I certainly would not recommend an online class to those taking salesperson class. To me more than the material in the book, personal interaction has much greater value, one can't be repeated. I would love to take one of your classes.

Oct 24, 2013 12:10 PM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Thanks, Endre, I do try to make the classes entertaining as well as informative. You are right. Nothing trumps the interaction of in-person discussion. Somedays I want to toss my phone when text after text arrives. (That includes hubby, too)

Oct 24, 2013 01:10 PM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Beth, I would love to have you in class. I am sure that you would add insight to the discussion. Kudos to you for completing broker classes online. When I took online CE class I finally finished it at 6:00 AM just so I would not be interrupted. (Strong coffee, too)

Oct 24, 2013 01:16 PM

Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties

Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN

The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Mary, There is no doubt in my mind that classroom learning is more stimulating and a better learning experience. However there are situations where online works really well.

Oct 25, 2013 12:25 PM

Darwin Wall

ProSmart Realty - Chandler, AZ

Arizona Realtor

Definitely being in person is the best way to go for the license! For some CE courses, online classes are just fine! Thanks for sharing.

Oct 26, 2013 07:25 AM

Lisa Friedman

Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT

35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

Mary, I always orefer to take classes in person for the social interaction and (hopefully) lively class discussions.

Oct 26, 2013 01:11 PM