The best real estate investing courses

Real estate investing courses may be the best possible way to kickstart your journey into real estate investments.

Most universities, colleges, and organizations offer real estate investing courses online, in-person, and a combination of both. Not only that, but these courses are often tailored for specialized investing interests. You may want to learn more about investing in commercial real estate, single-family rentals, or real estate finance and development.

In other words, you have options.

In this article, we will help you narrow down these options by highlighting some of the best real estate investing courses in the USA. We will also look at what you should study to invest in real estate. We’ll also go over different, more informal ways to educate yourself on real estate investing.

Here is everything you need to know.

What are the best real estate investing courses?

The good news is that you have many options when it comes to finding great real estate investing courses. And this is true whether you are interested in learning about single-family homes, multi-family investing, wholesaling, or more broadly, real estate investment strategies.

In this section, we will look at real estate investing courses designed for both casual learning and for those who want to pursue a certificate, designation, or other formal program.

Here is a quick rundown of the top real estate investing courses in the USA.

• Roofstock Academy
• Brad Sumrok
• Certified Commercial Investment Member
• Commercial Real Estate Development Association
• University Extension Courses

Now, let’s break down the type of people, and investments, each of these courses is designed for.

Roofstock Academy

Roofstock Academy offers great real estate investing courses for those interested in purchasing single-family rentals (SFRs).

If you enroll at Roofstock Academy, you have the option for personalized 1:1 coaching, on-demand lectures, and private community access.

Beyond offering analytical and strategic information, Roofstock Academy focuses on management, scaling, and exit strategies. The aim is to create a robust plan for all stages of the real estate investment cycle.

Roofstock also boasts over $5 billion in investment property acquisitions. That means its academy offers best-in-class insights and methods.

Depending on your financial goals and your learning preferences, Roofstock Academy offers two programs:

• Workshop: This program costs $99 per month. You get online courses, 1:1 coaching, and access to Roofstock Academy’s online investor community.
• Self-study: costs $39 per month and offers everything you need to get started in real estate investing, and at your own pace. It also provides access to exclusive Roofstock Academy evenings, including members-only Q&As and a book club.

Brad Sumrok

One of the top real estate investing courses for multi-family investing is offered through Brad Sumrok-Apartment Investor Mastery. This course is for beginners and experienced investors alike. Most courses here are offered online, however there are also in-person options.

Some key features offered by Brad Sumrok include affordable courses, special events, and personal mentoring. The cost of a five-day training course is free (costs vary for other training levels).

Sumrok has a great reputation among experienced investors. He provides the basics while also offering his expertise to help you find success in your real estate investment.

Certified Commercial Investment Member

The Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Coursework and Designation is aimed at a variety of roles involved in commercial real estate investment.

Current designees include the following:

• appraisers
• asset managers
• attorneys
• bankers
• brokers
• commercial lenders
• corporate real estate executives
• developers
• institutional investors
• investment counselors
• leasing professionals
• other allied professionals
• portfolio managers (loan servicing)
• property managers

CCIM offers standalone courses and a commercial investment designation program. And because CCIM designees include investors and professional service providers, you can network while you learn.

Costs vary depending on whether you choose an online or in-class course. For members, there are significant discounts. Prices also vary depending on whether you are pursuing your full designation or are taking a few à la carte classes.

To get your full designation, you must join as a member. The current cost for an annual membership is $650. CCIM offers scholarships as well as classes through their Ward Center for Real Estate Studies. 

Commercial Real Estate Development Association

For real estate finance and development, you will want to enroll in the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (NAIOP) certificate program. You can apply for this certificate program whether you are an NAIOP member or not.

These courses offer various areas of focus. They will be useful if you want to work primarily as a private financier or as a developer. The courses are also ideal if you want to hone your skills at analyzing markets, properties, and investment opportunities.

Depending on your membership and/or student status, prices for the NAIOP certificate program vary. If you enroll in the undergraduate or graduate program at a university, you can earn educational credits through NAIOP coursework.

University Extension Courses

Various universities—including Harvard, Rice, and the University of Georgia—offer extension courses and programs focused on different aspects of real estate investment and finance. While prerequisites vary, most of the courses are open to anyone.

University programs are great if you want a combination of practical and theoretical education. Plus, most universities offer online learning, in-person classes, and a combination of both.

These programs also help with your resume and reputation. Most universities open opportunities for networking on campus or through activities and events sponsored by the university.

Depending on whether you pursue a certificate program or a standalone course, prices can vary. Some programs are an extension of the continuing education department. Others, meanwhile, are credit-earning courses that provide you academic hours toward your degree.

What should I study if I want to invest in real estate?

To become a real estate investor, there are several educational requirements. Typically, you would study business, finance, or accounting. There are other options. Additionally, 64% of real estate investors have a bachelor’s degree, while 16% have associate degrees and 9% have a masters.

If you want to invest in real estate, you should major in business. Thirty-six percent of real estate investors major in business, while other common majors include accounting and finance. This pie chart breaks down what most people study to become real estate investors:

How do I educate myself to invest in real estate?

Educating yourself to invest in real estate can feel overwhelming. There is a plethora of sources, both online and offline. In this section we are going to simplify ways to educate yourself to invest in real estate, starting with a tried-and-true method.

Read books

There are a lot of books out there on real estate investing. You can start whittling down your options by following a best books on real estate investing list, preferably from a trusted source (wink, wink).

You should be looking for books that are written by industry leaders and successful real estate investors. You can learn not only from their expertise, but also from their mistakes.

Good books on real estate investing should help you understand the following:

• how real estate transactions work
• what legal consequences to avoid when real estate investing
• where to start, i.e., the best real estate investments for beginners

Attend seminars/events

Attending real estate seminars and events will teach you about the current industry trends. Workshops and conferences enable you to learn from many real estate professionals at once. Also, exhibitions and similar events allow you to explore the latest technology in the industry and projects, among others.

Real estate seminars and events are venues to explore more real estate investments. Another bonus here is learning about how individuals and companies make profit.

Check online

There are ways to educate yourself in real estate investing online. In this section, we’re going to focus on these three:

• podcasts
• webinars
• online courses

Podcasts

Podcasts, which are available for download or streaming online, typically come as a series, with the latest issues being available to subscribers.

Because of the format—usually a long-form interview or narration—this medium allows you to listen to expert insights, success stories, and real estate investment tips.

Podcasts are usually well catalogued and can feature very specific topics, including real estate investing.

Webinars

A webinar is an event that has been recorded and posted online. Often times, companies host webinars for a select group of members. This is a great way to interact with mentors, listen to their experiences, and have your questions answered by successful real estate investors.

Live, interactive webinars ensure you are updated on the latest news and trends in the real estate investing space. By participating in real estate webinars hosted by different organizations, you can learn many aspects of real estate investing.

Online courses

As mentioned earlier in this article, online courses are possibly the best way to gain in-depth knowledge of real estate investing. These online courses can usually be taken from anywhere and are offered by many universities and colleges. In other words, you have options. Plus, you can learn at your own pace.

Most institutions, companies, and mentors organize online courses for people just like you—aspiring real estate investors. You can enroll in courses to better understand the basics and advanced concepts. There may be no better way to kickstart your journey in real estate investing.

Real estate investing starts with education

As we have seen, there are real estate investing courses that focus on all aspects of the industry, from commercial real estate to real estate finance and development. Your interests and your goals will determine the best real estate investing courses for you.

Once you’ve completed these courses, stay updated on industry news and trends. Sign up for our newsletter below to keep your finger on the pulse of the mortgage industry, with daily updates from the pros.

Do you think that any of these real estate investing courses will work for you? How have you educated yourself, either formally or informally, on real estate investing so far? Let us know in the comment section below.