The first step to becoming a licensed real estate agent is to go back to school, but as a quick internet search will show, with hundreds of pre-licensing training schools available, it can be difficult to know which ones are legitimate and reputable.
That's why Fortune magazine set out to compile a list of the best real estate schools to help the next generation of agents get the training they need to help their clients buy, sell, and rent properties. After an exhaustive search, AceableAgent was named “Best Overall” for 2024.
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AceableAgent, which entered the real estate industry around 2018, differentiates itself by catering to the “modern student.” And it’s no joke: Just look at their website and user experience, which includes a sleek website, popular mobile apps, and even an AI-powered virtual instructor.
“I think the unique curriculum, mix of different activities, and the fact that it can be taken with you anywhere, anytime, on any device, is what makes it stand out for many people,” says Matt Hernandez, senior product manager at AceableAgent and a former commercial real estate agent.
If you’re interested in the real estate industry and considering joining AceableAgent’s training program, Fortune has some details you should know.
AceableAgent Program Overview
AceableAgent offers pre-licensing training for those seeking a real estate license in 13 states, including 8 of the 10 most populous states. The most basic package varies in price by state, but programs include a minimum of one hour of state-certified training, 1,000 practice exam questions, and instructor support. More advanced offerings include access to an exam prep package consisting of private instruction, live webinars, Q&As, and even more practice exam questions.
AceableAgent's services by state:
Pre-licensure training: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington Continuing education: Georgia, New York, Texas Post-licensure training: Florida, Georgia, Texas AceableAgent Price $149–$779 Offered in 13 states Format Online Pass rate 91% (nationwide) Pros & Cons
Strong Points
Financing options Pass guarantee Mobile app Pass rate transparency Stated to offer unique pre-licensure training
yes
Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington
no
AK, AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, RI, SD, UT, VA, VI, VT, WI, WV, WY Learn more
AceableAgent's curriculum and instructors
All real estate schools must more or less align their content and curriculum with standards set by each state, which often leads to complaints that real estate schools don't teach real estate agents everything they need to know and do in their day-to-day work.
But Hernandez said Aceable Agent's pre-licensing course seeks to help agents succeed through real-life training.
“Without adding more time to the course than it's worth to the student, we try to incorporate some of the requirements to be a successful agent that may not be requirements of the pre-licensure curriculum, so that students can start to develop those skills while they're in the pre-licensure course,” he says.
AceableAgent's pre-licensing training combines state-mandated curriculum with real-world real estate skills.
Examples include contract walk-throughs, sales skills, negotiation tactics, etc.
Hernandez acknowledges that the course's instructional writers don't have backgrounds in real estate, but they work closely with Aceable Agent's instructional designers, who have subject matter expertise — Hernandez himself has been in the latter group for a while.
“We have a great team of instructional writers who create content in a way that's more informal in tone and doesn't feel like a boring textbook,” Hernandez says, “so we do a lot of work to make the information more understandable and more approachable.”
AceableAgent Transparency
Aceable Agent is one of the most transparent of the major online real estate schools, as evidenced by the pass rates they voluntarily publish online. The national average pass rate is 91%. While state-level data isn't available for all states (only Florida, Georgia, Michigan, New York, and Texas), Hernandez says, “We have nothing to hide or be embarrassed about when it comes to our pass rates.”
Looking at Texas, one of the few states that publishes exam pass rates for all real estate education providers, AceableAgent boasts the highest sales representative exam pass rate (68.7%) among its major competitors, which is 11.5% higher than the state average.
The company has a “pass or don't pay” guarantee, meaning anyone who completes the full pre-licensure course hours, takes the exam within 90 days of completion, and purchased the course directly from Aceable can request a refund. Additionally, those who fail can retake the exam or review the material before taking it again at no additional cost.
Aceable is also very upfront about pricing and support: Students can contact the company via phone, text, or email, and can also chat with a 24/7 virtual assistant.
AceableAgent Student Experiences and Outcomes
Imad Alyafi recently completed AceableAgent's pre-licensing course, and he says he was initially attracted to the school based on the course content and its guarantee of a full refund if he did not pass the final licensing exam.
“The program gave me a clear background in real estate, what it takes to be a successful real estate agent, and a better understanding of the law and the real estate industry as a whole. I learned a lot from the course and feel it has given me the foundation to be a successful real estate agent,” he told Fortune.
Alyafi adds that he would like to see AceableAgent expand on the state-by-state information in its courses to help students better understand the laws and practices of their specific states, but overall, he encourages anyone interested in real estate school to research their options and find what works best for their schedule.
Beyond the skills, I think information about ethics, advertising, and fair housing rules is extremely helpful. These are things that someone who isn't familiar with real estate would never know and they have a pretty big impact.
Andrew Baker similarly recently completed pre-licensure training and said he found the detailed information in the AceableAgent course on topics such as ethics, advertising and fair housing law extremely helpful.
“The course content was conversational and sometimes comedic, yet still provided all the information you needed,” Baker told Fortune. “Participation is crucial in online education. I have taken many online courses, and in my opinion, few are as relatable while maintaining the academic integrity of this course.”
He added that the content was “really good,” but that some of the features were a bit over the top and that he wished the transition to taking the required exams was a little smoother.
Baker said he was initially drawn to the program because it was reasonably priced compared to other in-person and online courses, plus it was highly rated by real estate agents and on real estate-related subreddits.
“This is a serious commitment. It's not a hobby. It's a competitive sales job, just like any other job or career. If you're going to do it, take it seriously,” Baker says.
Is AceableAgent Real Estate School Worth It?
If you live in one of the 13 states where pre-licensure training is available and you want to thrive in a modern, online learning environment, AceableAgent is a safe choice. The company is so committed to student success that it offers extensive refund and retake policies, making it almost certain that students who are truly committed to obtaining licensure will achieve it. Plus, through their innovative mobile app, students can learn from virtually anywhere.
There are also several ways for students to receive additional exam prep support, including practice questions, tutoring, and live sessions. Cost-wise, the program is relatively affordable, and financing options are available. All of this combines to help AceableAgent bring online real estate education into the modern era.
AceableAgent FAQ
What happens if I fail the AceableAgent exam?
If you fail the final exam as part of your AceableAgent pre-licensing training, you can retake it or contact the AceableAgent team for additional support. Support may vary by state. If you fail your state licensing exam, AceableAgency also has a policy where you can request a refund or retake the exam at no additional cost.
How long does it take to complete AceableAgent Texas?
In Texas, you must complete a minimum of 180 hours of courses to take the Texas sales agent exam, and Aceable Agent breaks their courses down into six 30-hour online courses, focusing on topics such as real estate finance, promulgated contracts, and agency law.
What is AceableAgent Texas's passing rate?
AceableAgent's Texas sales agent exam pass rate is 68.7%, about 11.2% higher than the statewide pass rate. Between early June 2022 and the end of May 2024, approximately 9,000 people took the Texas exam through AceableAgent, and approximately 6,200 passed.
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