Virtual classes for pre-license training to become a Realtor in Rhode Island have played a major role in increasing participa- tion among would-be real estate agents in the state

FOCUS | EDUCATION

Online Realtor training helps fuel rush of students

BY MARC LAROCQUE | Larocque@PBN.com

A COMBINATION OF A RED-HOT

residential real estate market, the rising popularity of house-flipping reality shows, the “great resignation” and the convenience of Zoom-based education are unleashing a flood of people who are looking for training to become real estate agents, according to local industry leaders.

“It’s kind of an alignment of a lot of factors,” said Ann Enos, professional development director for the Rhode Island Association of Realtors. “A lot of people got laid off. A lot of people don’t want to go back to the office anymore. They don’t like being in a 9-to-5 job. They like having their professional and personal lives work well together.”

At the start of 2022, there were 6,153 Realtors in Rhode Island, and the state association says it experienced a 10% growth membership between 2020 and 2021, exceeding the growth rate in prior years.

There are now more than 9,956 people who are licensed as real estate salespeople and real estate brokers in the state, including those who are not members of the organization, said Enos, referring to figures from the R.I. Department of Business Regulation.

Before COVID-19 struck, anyone going through the required 45 hours of pre-license training had to do so in person, but in March 2020 members of the state’s real estate industry lobbied the DBR to allow virtual remote learning classes. The state quickly granted a temporary emergency authorization to accommodate, Enos said.

Then, as of May 1, 2021, the DBR made interactive, livestreamed classes an option on a permanent basis for pre-license training. While other states offer self-paced, online video courses for pre-license training, Rhode Island does not, as a consumer protection measure, Enos said.

Enos said the virtual classroom has played a major role in increasing participation among would-be Realtors in Rhode Island.

“It’s definitely opened the door to more people,” she said. “Everyone had the time to make the effort when we were on lockdown. You can only binge TV so much. For people who were laid off or working remotely 9 to 5, they’re now able to log in at 6 p.m. and take the course. Travel is no longer an issue. Inclement weather is no longer an issue. It has made our industry more and more desirable to get into.”

It was a quick pivot for pre-license training, said Enos, noting that in 2020 the state initially put rules in place that required all classes to be recorded for regulatory review, although that’s no longer the case for the 60 certified real estate education schools throughout Rhode Island.

Enos said the Realtors association must, however, make information available proving that students participated in the 45 hours of virtual courses, and the organization also uses staff to monitor the classes to make sure everyone is paying attention.

“We can be audited at any time to show Zoom reports on when someone signs in or signs out,” Enos said.

The group had to purchase some more laptops for instructors, professional information technology support and a Zoom videoconference software subscription, she said. But it has paid off for the association, said Enos, who credited two instructors, “Many television programs glamorized real Denise Mancini and Kevin Dumont, for leading the estate for younger demographics, and enticed them charge, which was supported by Pamela Hanson- to enter the field,” Del Borgo said. “It’s becoming Carbone and Andy Goulet. more high-tech oriented, too, which also appeals

“All of this technology now has really changed to younger demographics. In some cases, folks are the dynamic,” Enos said. “It has not depleted the turning hobbies into careers.” quality of lectures. There were a whole bunch of Del Borgo also agrees that the lifestyle of a real guidelines we’ve had to follow during the Zoom estate agent, and being able to work an accomclasses.” modating schedule, has been attractive to people

Agueda Del Borgo, a longtime real estate profes- looking for a new job. sional in Rhode Island and the recently appointed “As folks were furloughed, I think that real president of the association, says the COVID-19 estate has been seen as a great second career for pandemic came with in- many people,” Del Borgo creased demand for homes said. “I think a big draw amid a shrinking supply of is it’s a flexible career. new housing, while buyers People like the idea of being looked for houses in the independent contractors, suburbs and others sought and their own bosses. One more-affordable housing doesn’t necessarily have to options. This all amounts to work from an office. I have more work becoming avail- an office but have always able for real estate agents, predominantly worked she said. from home for many

“COVID drove the years.” demand for homes,” Del While virtual education Borgo said. “With housing for pre-license training being so tight, it was just is here to stay in Rhode magnified.” Island, Enos says, in-person

Del Borgo says she be- education courses will lieves the increased popu- return eventually for those larity of TV shows about who prefer face-to-face infixing up homes and flip- teraction with instructors. ping them for more money “In-person will come has inspired interest in back as soon as it’s safe and the real estate industry – comfortable,” Enos said. “A especially among younger lot of people in our industry people. really miss it.” n

‘All of this technology now has really changed the dynamic.’ ANN ENOS, Rhode Island Association of Realtors professional development director

APPEALING BENEFIT: Agueda Del Borgo, left, president of the Rhode Island Association of Realtors, and Ann Enos, professional development director for the association, agree that the lifestyle of a real estate agent, and being able to work an accommodating schedule, has been attractive to people looking for a new job.