Nature Coast Real Estate School: 2014

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Tips to Pass Your Florida Real Estate License Exam

The greatest source of stress for Florida Real Estate Licensing Candidates is the fear that they will not pass the State Licensing Exam. They have heard from those in the business that the exam is confusing, grueling, filled with trick questions and many anxiety raising stories of unsuccessful attempts to pass the exam.

Many students have not seen the inside of a classroom for years or even decades, which adds to the feelings of inadequacy and apprehension. If there is financial stress added to the mix of emotions it can truly heighten the pressure.

However, while a little anxiety is normal and can drive one to prepare or even overprepare, too much stress and internal pressure can be counterproductive. The toxic chemicals in the body can inhibit the rational brain's functioning and cause failure.

So how do you increase your chances of passing the exam on the first attempt? Adequate preparation, a positive attitude, rest, and common sense go a long way.

Students who take the course online are pretty much on their own, having no instructor to explain or clarify points, or give real life examples for how to apply concepts. Consequently, they tend to read everything in their text thoroughly and repeatedly. The Bureau of Education and Testing of the DBPR has begun tracking test taking results for Online versus Classroom Students and the results favored the online students in pass rates.

Do not rely on your instructor's lecture and your highlights as sole preparation for the exam. Read the text thoroughly. The Bureau of Education and Testing has a Candidates Information Booklet that was revised in August 2013 to include an Examination Content Overview and Outline (pg 3-5) that separates and gives weight to subject areas to study. Download from the DBPR website and read carefully. It gives links to the Statutes and Administrative Codes that are in the text and information and advice for passing the test (pg 9-11).

If there is an Exam Prep Course offered, usually available on weekends, attend the class but be prepared because they are fast paced and meant to be a review, not a teaching tool. Nature Coast Real Estate School uses the Florida Real Estate Exam Manual for Sales Associates and Brokers published by Dearborn for the Exam Prep Class. There are over 600 questions with answers and rationales and here is one of the greatest tools for passing....

MARK THE CORRECT ANSWER TO EACH QUESTION AS GIVEN IN THE TEXT. STUDY THE QUESTION AND THE CORRECT ANSWER ONLY. Do NOT even look at the incorrect answers to the questions in the Exam Manual because if you do you are imprinting incorrect answers in your brain. If you try to "test" yourself" you may see multiple answers that "look familiar" when you are sitting in front of the test screen at the State Exam site. Study the question and correct answer only so that when you read the question, only the correct answer comes to mind. You are then sufficiently prepared to attempt the State Exam.

Keep your test date a private matter so that you do not have to worry what others will think if you do not pass on your first attempt. Make sure you arrive early to the test site so that you have have plenty of time to get processed and REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR COURSE COMPLETION CERTIFICATE TO THE EXAM SITE. You cannot sit for the exam without it.

Take the time to go through the Tutorial when you sit down to your computer. It will not count against your time. Read through the test and only answer the questions that you feel confident answering the first time. Then go back after you have read each question once and make sure to budget your time. The adrenaline levels will be reasonable by that time and you will realize that you know more than you anticipated. You can skip questions or mark them for review. Save the math for last, since you utilize a different part of the brain for math. DO NOT second guess yourself and change answers when you are reviewing unless you are certain you misread the question the first time.

For information on obtaining a real estate license or are considering a career in Real Estate and live in the Tampa Bay area, Contact Nature Coast Real Estate School's website for our schedule of classes.

Nature Coast Real Estate School offers LIVE CLASSROOM and ONLINE INSTRUCTION for Pre and Post Licensing Classes for Sales Associates and Brokers, as well as Weekend Exam Prep Courses. We have FOUR convenient locations to serve the Real Estate Licensing needs of Pasco and Hernando Counties:

78 Commerical Way, Spring Hill

2715 Forest Rd, Spring Hill

11923 Oak Trail Way, Port Richey

2144 Seven Springs Blvd, Trinity

For more information on the location and class preparation, call Jeanne Gavish at 352-650-1029 or email me at jmgavish@aol.com.

Florida Real Estate Course Classroom vs Distance Learning

Should you take the Florida Real Estate Licensing Course Online at your pace and schedule or should you take the course with Live Classroom Instruction? Does the value of having a State Licensed Real Estate Instructor outweigh the effort involved in adjusting to a classroom schedule?

The Florida Bureau of Education and Testing for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation began tracking the pass rates for both formats in the Spring of 2013. A total of 6,422 candidates responded to the question of how they completed the required education. The results were separated into First Time Testers and Retakers of the State Exams for the period from April 1-June 4, 2013.

Of the First Time Testers who responded, 2076 received classroom instruction and 646

took the course online. The Pass Rate for classroom attendees was 35% vs the online candidates' pass rate of 51.9%.

For Retakers who responded, 2,541 received classroom instruction and 650 took the course online. The Pass Rate for Classroom Attendees was 31.7% and for Online Candidates was 40.5%.

This was shocking to the Real Estate Instructors who attended the Continuing Education Seminar where this information was released.

Some points to consider involving this information:

Not all students are suited to the online format, so those who did choose this option were comfortable with the self taught format of an online class. This may not make them representative of the overall student body polled.
Without the advantage of an instructor to lecture and explain concepts, the online candidates may have a greater tendency to read the entire text very carefully, rather than rely on the instructor for information.
There is no evidence to determine whether any additional resources were utilized, such as an Exam Preparation and Review Course for either segment.

At Nature Coast Real Estate School, I caution the students to read each chapter in advance of the class to maximize the classroom experience, to read the entire text before attempting to sit for the State Licensing Exam, and to download and read the Candidates Information Booklet for Sales Associates prepared by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Florida Real Estate Exam Manual is a great resource for Candidates for both the Sales Associate and Broker Licenses, and is the manual used for Nature Coast Real Estates Weekend Exam Prep Course.

Read my Blog Post for Tips on How to Pass Your Real Estate Exam to maximize your chances of passing the State License Exam on the first try, no matter which format you choose to do your licensing course.

Nature Coast Real Estate School offers Live Classroom Instruction for Sales Associate and Broker Courses and is conveniently located at the corner of County Line Road and US 19 to serve the Real Estate Licensing needs of Hernando and Pasco Counties. You may call me at 352.650.1029 or email me at jmgavish@aol.com for more information regarding the licensing process.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Welcome Instructor Bob Ridle to Nature Coast Real Estate School

Nature Coast Real Estate School welcomes Bob Ridle! Bob will be teaching Sales Associate Pre and Post Licensing classes for Sales Associates and Brokers in our Port Richey, Florida and Trinity Florida locations.

Bob is currently the Director Of Education with Florida Luxury Realty in Port Richey, Florida and Instructors Faculty member with Florida Realtors Association. Bob has designed, developed and instructed several courses for corporations and local board of Realtors®. Bob has participated in the Florida Realtors “Instructor Development Workshop” and has earned the privilege to teach “Working With Senior Citizens”, “Becoming Your Market Expert: An introduction to Industrial Data & Analysis” as a continuing education classes for Florida Realtors®.

Active in the West Pasco Board of Realtors®, Bob was awarded the “Rookie Of The Year

2011” award for his first year of active service, and “Outstanding Committee Chairman in 2012”. Bob has served as Education Committee Chairman (2012) for the West Pasco Board of Realtors®. Bob has served on the My Florida Regional MLS (MFR) FCAT Committee in 2012 and is on the MFR Technology Committee for 2013.

Bob is involved in his community and church. He is the liaison between Cub Scout Pack 40 and their sponsoring organization. He is also a lay reader, lay preacher and elder at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church in Hudson, Florida.

Bob is married and has two sons.

78 Commerical Way, Spring Hill

2715 Forest Rd, Spring Hill

11923 Oak Trail Way, Port Richey

2144 Seven Springs Blvd, Trinity

For more information on the location and class preparation, call Jeanne Gavish at 352-650-1029, visit Nature Coast Real Estate School website or email me at jmgavish@aol.com.

Need A Home Repair? When Do You Need A Florida Licensed Contractor?

If you just purchased a handyman special house, need some work done on your home or thinking about purchasing new appliances, be careful. The work or installation may require a licensed contractor under Florida law.

Not sure that the work needs a licensed contractor? Not sure if the person you've hired holds the required license? Is the license current and active? No matter what it says on the business card or magnetic signs on the side of that truck, verifying the professional construction license with the Florida Department of Professional Regulation (DBPR) makes good sense and may protect your home from unqualified workmanship.

Is a County or City permit required for the job? Does the individual performing the work have insurance? What about their background? Do they have a criminal history? After all, you are giving them access to your home. Hiring a licensed professional is the only way to ensure that you are complying with the regulations. If you have not hired a properly licensed professional, it may cost you money in the long run when you receive a citation for lacking the proper permitting and the job may not be up to the proper work standard required by ordinance or state law. You also run the risk of losing your money if you have an unlicensed contractor take your money and disappear before completing the work. Neither your homeowner insurance policy or the DBPR can help you if you deal with unlicensed individuals or companies.

If you have any unresolved conflicts or disputes you will have recourse if you use a properly licensed professional. The DBPR has the authority to investigate complaints and discipline the licensee if necessary. Below is a partial list of work that does or does not require a construction license.

Be smart. Be safe. Go to the DBPR's website to verify that you have a properly licensed contractor working on your home. The list below is not comprehensive and the DBPR recommends calling them if you have any concerns at 850-487-1395.

Needs a License	Does not need a license
Build a carport or sunroom for compensation.	Install a driveway or install pavers/tile walkways regardless of compensation.
Construct a roof for compensation.	Install awnings that do not become a fixed part of the structure regardless of compensation.
Install a dishwasher (requires connecting to drinking water) or replace a hot-water heater for compensation.	Add a water filter onto a faucet regardless of compensation.
Install a central air-conditioning unit for compensation (requires structural work and wiring).	Insert a plug-in A/C window unit regardless of compensation.
Clean central air and heat ducts for compensation (requires partial disassembly of the system, such as removal of air grills).	Change an A/C filter or cleaning ducts that do not require removal of the air grills regardless of compensation.
Repair or replace swimming pool pumps for compensation.	Clean swimming pools. Install an above-ground pool regardless of compensation.
Perform plumbing work or irrigation installation that requires the contractor to connect lines to potable (drinking) water for compensation.	Install or repair irrigation systems that have a backflow preventer connected to a potable (drinking) water supply regardless of compensation.
Build a barn, metal building, or detached garage for compensation.	Install prefabricated tool shed less than 250 square feet in size regardless of compensation. The shed may be up to 400 square feet if it bears the insignia of approval from the Department of Community Affairs.
Remodel a home that requires alteration or replacement of a load-bearing wall for compensation.	Paint; install cabinets, wood or tile flooring, and insulation regardless of compensation.
Installation or replacement of drywall if the contract also includes work on the load bearing part of the wall, plumbing, electrical, or air conditioning work.	Installation or replacement of drywall if the contract does not include other work on the load bearing part of the wall or any plumbing, electrical, or air conditioning work.

78 Commerical Way, Spring Hill

2715 Forest Rd, Spring Hill

11923 Oak Trail Way, Port Richey

2144 Seven Springs Blvd, Trinity

For more information on the location and class preparation, call Jeanne Gavish at 352-650-1029, visit Nature Coast Real Estate School website or email me at jmgavish@aol.com.

Looking For A Career in Real Estate in Florida? Who Are You Anyway?

This is the time to get into Real Estate! I hear it over and over from potential students requesting information on upcoming Real Estate Pre-Licensing classes in the Tampa Bay Area. Not quite the levels of the boom of 2004-2007, but interest has increased in 2014.

Many people are reinventing their careers today. The days of job security and companies rewarding loyal workers are long gone. So who is today's real estate licensee in Florida?

The Florida Realtors recently released the 2013 Profile of its members, which looks at the characteristics of today Realtors.

Here are some of the trends according to the Florida Realtors report:

Residential Realtors make up the majority of sales associates, with 77% specializing in residential sales and having 11 years of experience. This means they have seen the good times and successfully survived the tough times. 84% say they plan on remaining in the business for at least two more years.

Almost 25% of Residential Associates have had at least one Commercial Transactions in the past year. The typical sales volume was $1.7 million in 2013 working a 40 hour work week.

The median gross income in Florida was $46,400, up from $43,500 in 2012. Members with 16+ years of experience had a median gross income of $62,200

Almost 60% had a transaction regarding a foreclosure and 55% had a transaction regarding a short sale, reflecting Florida's large share of the nation's distressed property sales.

The typical Property Manager manages 75 properties, as opposed to the national statistic of 30.

In Florida, the typical Realtor is a 56 year old female who attended college and owns a home. 55% of Florida Realtors are female. Real Estate is one of the only professions where a woman can earn the same or more income as a man.

for 79%, Real Estate is their only occupation. For members with 16 or more years experience the percentage jumps to 89%.

83% of Realtors own their primary residence, despite the years of economic distress in the industry.

The full 2014 Member Profile – Florida Realtors® Report is available online. From Florida Realtors' research page go to "Other Research Reports," and click the dropdown box under "Other Resources."

78 Commerical Way, Spring Hill

2715 Forest Rd, Spring Hill

11923 Oak Trail Way, Port Richey

2144 Seven Springs Blvd, Trinity

For more information on the location and class preparation, call Jeanne Gavish at 352-650-1029 or email me at jmgavish@aol.com.