Selecting the right course for you really depends on the form and style of education you prefer. While there are a number of pros and cons for each delivery method, it's a decision that is generally based on time and money. Within the real estate education industry today there are basically three methods of course delivery, each of which may have several variations depending upon the course provider: Home Study, Classroom and Online.

Home Study

Home study courses provide a wealth of information for the student to review and study at their own pace. The format can be in book form or in a downloaded format from the Internet. Some courses contain audio supplements but the majority of courses are designed for the student to read the course and complete exercises or quizzes in a student workbook.

• Advantages
• Generally lower cost
• Provides for student to establish their own schedule
• Courses generally provide for detailed explanations of the subject matter
• Disadvantages
• There is no instructor available although some courses offer instructor response by email.
• There is no interaction with the course
• It requires discipline on the part of the student to complete the course

Classroom

Short-Sale courses delivered in the classroom combine live instruction with class interaction. This format also may incorporate the use of multi-media material in the delivery of the course.

• Advantages
• Live format with instructor
• Classroom interaction
• Hands-on exercises
• Disadvantages
• Generally expensive
• Only given on dates, times
• Often requires travel and time away from business

Online

Online study today has come a long way from its infancy a number of years ago. Today the online delivery format is highly interactive, utilizing an entire array of multi-media software to make the course both more enjoyable and user friendly. Many online courses offer interaction with an instructor via email. Online work sessions are now more readily adapted to the online student and incorporate much of the classroom breakaway sessions.

• Advantages
• Generally less expensive
• Can be taken anytime/anywhere at the student's discretion
• Are now highly interactive in format
• Disadvantages
• Requires discipline on the part of the student
• No live interaction with the instructor and other students