Software, Online Course Covers Real Estate Exam

While searching bookstore shelves, Tom Taulli and Matt Harris found many bound volumes written as study aids for budding real estate agents. But the two entrepreneurs found a dearth of software training tools on the subject.

So Harris and Taulli, co-founders of Exam Web in Newport Beach, released a software program in December that helps candidates prepare for the California Real Estate Salesperson Exam. But recently, the duo went a step further: they designed a complete online course as well.

Now, students can use a computer with Internet access to tap into a Web site testing their knowledge of real estate. For $79.95, pupils receive a 90-day pass into the online tutorial, answering an unlimited number of simulated tests.

The Web site scores their exams, highlighting strengths and weaknesses, and contains tutorials letting students brush up in areas that graded lowest. It also tracks the time taken to complete practice exams.

“We’re using technology to help people train to become real estate agents,” Harris said. His company offers similar cyber courses for those who want to practice patent law or become a certified financial analyst. “You can be in your bathrobe in Eureka, drinking coffee and studying at 2 a.m.”

So far, Harris said, several hundred people have signed up for the online classroom. But there are still plenty of potential students to reach, since there are 26,000 students taking the state’s real estate exam every year. Still, the response has been strong enough for the company to consider offering similar training programs in other large states, such as Florida, Texas, New York and Pennsylvania.

The software and online tutorials have their share of converts. At First Team Real Estate Inc., one of the largest brokerages in Orange County, the computer courses have been used since January as a supplement to the company’s training program for agents.

About 1,200 students complete a course at the Costa Mesa-based company each year, passing the exam at a 98% rate, said Rich Rector, the firm’s director of career development. To become certified, students must answer 105 of 150 questions correctly within three hours.

“The students with computers love the program,” Rector said. “We’re continuing to use it.”