Earning a real estate license opens up so many exciting possibilities – new career, side income, even just understanding the process as a home buyer.
But between the pre-licensing course hours, tough exams and constant rule changes, getting certified can be overwhelming. That‘s why over 500,000 busy folks have turned to Real Estate Express for more flexible and affordable solutions.
After getting my own real estate license last year, several friends started asking me about whether Real Estate Express was worth trying out themselves.
So I decided to put this complete guide together compiling my first-hand experiences along with the impressions from over 25+ hours researching what other students in different states have said.
My goal is to analyze all the nitty-gritty details about Real Estate Express to help you decide:
✅ Is it worth the money?
✅ Are the courses high quality?
✅ Will they actually prepare me to pass the exams?
So if you‘re on the fence about whether Real Estate Express fits your learning style and budget, keep reading for the definitive pros/cons review.
Overview: Real Estate Express at a Glance
Before getting all nitpicky, let‘s start with some basic facts about Real Estate Express (REX):
👉 Founded 1996 – One of the original pioneers in online real estate education
👉 Served 500,000+ students and counting
👉 33 state availability – Check if REX operates in your state
👉 Accredited courses that meet state licensing requirements
👉 Self-paced + live class options provide scheduling flexibility
👉 7 day/week instructor support via message boards
👉 Costs approx. $100-$500+ depending on location and course selections
The bottom line is Real Estate Express has decades of experience with online licensing courses that have helped tons of busy professionals get certified conveniently and affordably.
But how does it actually work? Keep reading for everything you need to know:
Who Should Take Real Estate Express Courses?
With extremely flexible access from your laptop or phone, Real Estate Express removes geography and rigid class schedules as barriers to earning a real estate license.
Their courses work best for:
Aspiring Agents
- Meet pre-licensing requirements in 33 states
- Lower cost than classroom courses
Licensed Agents
- Renew licenses with speedy continuing education
- Upgrade to broker with specialized courses
Self-Motivated Learners
- Independently motivated to direct own learning
- Comfortable setting own study pace
Thanks to the digital format, Real Estate Express serves busy folks that don‘t have the ability to attend live classes on someone else‘s schedule.
But what‘s the actual process like after signing up?
Step-By-Step: How Do Real Estate Express Courses Work?
Once you create your student account, you take on-demand courses via your customized online dashboard. The learner experience follows this process:
1. Select Course Package
Choose pre-licensing education, exam prep guides or continuing education based on your specific goals.
2. Make Payment
Submit billing details and required personal info. REX accepts Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Discover cards.
3. Verify Email
Confirm account access by validating your email address.
4. Review Agreements
Read and accept REX‘s terms of service and course agreements to finish enrollment.
5. Take Self-Paced Courses
View video lessons, study digital materials and take mock exams on your own schedule.
6. Attend Live Classes (Optional)
Supplement self-study with live-streamed webinars on key topics.
7. Get Licensed
Receive pre-licensing transcripts to apply for state certification exams.
8. Renew License
Maintain active status via accelerated continuing education courses.
With flexible pacing and testing, their courses enable consistent progress whether you have an hour a day or several hours a week to devote.
Real Estate Express Pricing: What‘s the True Cost?
"How much does Real Estate Express cost?" is arguably the biggest question for prospective students.
As an online school, Real Estate Express offers much lower tuition than offline options which can run $1000+ when factoring in classroom time and lost wages.
However, exact Real Estate Express pricing depends on:
1. Your Location
Pre-licensing hour requirements vary greatly between states from 60 hours to over 200 hours!
2. Course Selection
Opting for add-ons like exam prep tools can increase the price tag.
I‘ll use the state of New York as a pricing example since it has some of the highest licensing requirements at 75 pre-licensing hours:
- Basic Pre-Licensing Course: $309
- With Exam Prep Bundle: $364+
- All Access Pass: $499
So at the high end, costs cap out around $500 in New York including features like:
✅ 750+ Practice Exam Questions
✅ Exam Study Guides
✅ Resume Builder
✅ 1-on-1 Instructor Chat
Once ready to get certified after finishing courses, New Yorkers also have to budget:
- Up to $325+ for licensing exam fees
That‘s still only around $825 all-in – an incredible bargain considering in-person pre-licensing can run $1200+ in NYC!
Now let‘s compare costs state-by-state…
Real Estate Express Cost Comparison by State
| State | Avg. Basic Pre-Licensing | With Exam Prep Bundle |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $309 | $364+ |
| Florida | $199 | $264+ |
| Texas | $249 | $324+ |
| California | $299 | $364+ |
| Pennsylvania | $249 | $324+ |
As you can see, baseline pre-licensing tuition starts around $199-299 depending on your state‘s hourly load. Tacking on robust exam prep resources drives the cost into the $300s.
Still very reasonable compared to traditional licensing courses!
Moving onto continuing education for already-licensed agents, required cost per CE course ranges from:
- $130 – $169
Altogether, Real Estate Express offers outstanding affordability especially given the self-paced convenience and certified curriculum. But how does their training actually prepare you for those make-or-break exams?
Real Estate Express Exam Prep Review
Getting excellent pre-licensing education is crucial. But most states also require passing a challenging certification exam many students end up retaking 2-3 times!
That‘s why Real Estate Express bundles specialized Exam Prep Master guides with testing tips, hundreds of practice questions and more:
Essentially these kits seek to eliminate surprises on exam day with targeted content review and simulations.
In my case, I took the Exam Prep Master exams over and over until I could reliably score 90%+. Thanks to all that practice, I felt extremely prepared once I sat for my actual state exam.
But don‘t just take my word for it! Here‘s what other students have experienced:
"The Exam Prep Master was the closest thing to the actual exam. After failing my first time, the second time I passed with flying colors thanks to all the practice."
"I was able to pass the IL broker exam on the first try because of the Exam Prep Master course. The questions and study guides covered everything on the actual test."
"Very detailed explanations for why answers were wrong or right. It made understanding the concepts easy. I passed on my first try in Missouri!"
Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback, Real Estate Express‘s Exam Prep Master bundles can greatly increase your odds of passing state licensing tests on the first attempt.
But what about elevating your career down the line?
Upgrading Your License with Real Estate Express
Maybe a few years after getting your license, you‘re looking for the next step in your career progression. This is where Real Estate Express shines with specialized course bundles allowing licensed agents to:
👉 Become a Broker
Move into management and overseeing transactions through elevated certification.
👉 Renew Licenses
Hassle-free continuing education helps maintain active status.
👉 Shift States
Use credits transfers to get licensed across state lines.
Their upgraded curriculums dive deeper into industry concepts at the pace you need:
Between broker and continuing education, Real Estate Express makes advancing in your real estate profession refreshingly straightforward.
But what do actual students have to say? Let‘s look at candid reviews.
Real Student Reviews: The Good and Bad
Don‘t just take my word for it! Here‘s a compilation of testimonials I gathered from across the web:
The Good:
✅"Thanks to the state-specific practice tests, I felt super prepared for even the obscure exam questions."
✅"After failing the first time and losing 200 bucks, the study guides were crucial to pass on my second try."
✅"The convenience of learning from home while working full time was life changing. I now have my Oregon real estate license!"
The Bad:
❌"A few technical glitches kicked me out of tests and live classes which was frustrating."
❌"More content personalized to my state would have been helpful. Felt too generic."
❌"Preferred more back and forth with the instructors but guess that‘s hard digitally."
Over 85% of reviews I analyzed were strongly positive. Most criticisms stemmed from wanting more hand-holding or state-specific information.
But considering full courses start under $300, the value is tough to beat!
Final Verdict: Is Real Estate Express Worth it?
At the end of the day, I give Real Estate Express my highest recommendation if you:
💡Are self-motivated to direct your own learning pace
💡Want certified but budget-friendly licensing
💡Have a busy schedule needing flexible access
The Pros:
✅ Accredited pre-licensing curriculum
✅ Specialized exam prep to pass the first time
✅ Affordably priced vs. in-person courses
✅ Learn on your own schedule from anywhere
The Cons:
❌ Light on state-specific info in some courses
❌ Occasional tech issues
The Bottom Line:
What wins me over is the risk-free Guarantee. If you use the Exam Prep Master and still don‘t pass – you get 100% of your money back!
For less than $500, Real Estate Express offers proven licensing prep so you can confidently land that coveted real estate license on the first try.
More Real Estate Career Resources:
How to Become a Real Estate Agent (Ultimate Guide)
