As the inventory of available homes continues to shrink with the reduction in the number foreclosures and distressed properties in South Florida real estate market, contractors and other real estate related professionals are preparing for the busy days ahead.  It’s no secret that houses have been selling rapidly with the influx of foreign investors sweeping up properties on cash deals.  With houses continuing to appreciate at 11% annually, real estate is continuing to improve as an attractive segment of our economy.

With the increase in the number of real estate transactions, the demand for related services follows suit.  Appraisers, Mortgage Loan Originators, and Construction professionals are once again busy assessing values, working with underwriters, and preparing bids. 

A reduction in inventory coupled with an increase in demand is driving rising property values, and means great news for South Florida’s economy.  You have probably noticed the increase in the number of construction projects resuming all around you.  It appears that the best is yet to come as the real estate market is showing strong signs of continued growth in the coming years. 

Gold Coast Schools is looking forward to an exciting new year as 2012 comes to an end and January 2013 is well within reach.  Highlights from 2012 are centered around the recovering real estate market that is fueling growth and demand for services in all the related industries. 

As the housing market picks up, the need for Florida real estate agents increases.  Other industries that are codependent on the real estate market include mortgage loan origination, construction, and appraisal which are all seeing an increase in activity over the previous years.

As houses continue to sell throughout South Florida, some real estate agents are reporting that these are the busiest they have been in the last five years.  New construction throughout the area has also been switched back on creating a demand for contractor services.  With existing houses being sold and new houses being built, the need to appraisers and mortgage loan originators to play their crucial role in the transaction process has increased as well.

Gold Coast Schools has taken these factors into consideration while carefully planning classes for 2013 and has recently released a convenient a flexible schedule for anyone looking to pursue careers in real estate, insurance, mortgage, construction, and much more.  If you are considering starting a career in any of these industries, now is the time to do so.  Career Counselors are standing by at each of Gold Coast’s five South Florida locations to answer any questions that you may have regarding these careers.  To reach them, call 1-800-732-9140 or visit online at www.goldcoastschools.com .  

A recent article published by the Palm Beach Post further supports the trends that are being seen throughout the South Florida real estate market. As the inventory of single family homes continues to drop compared to previous years’ levels, signs of a strengthening market emerge. As indicated in the article, many of the transactions being processed are fueled by cash buyers making strategic investments through leveraging the deals that currently exist primarily in the foreclosure niche. To read the complete article, Click Here!

So what does this mean for Florida real estate agents and brokers? Houses are selling and money is continuously circulating through Florida’s real estate economy. Agents who have weathered the storm of the infamous housing bubble burst are now recognizing and benefiting from the income opportunities that exist. If you are considering starting your career in real estate, you can be licensed and on your way to a new career in approximately 1 month.

To learn more about how to get your Florida real estate license, contact Gold Coast School of Real Estate at 1-800-732-9140 or online at www.goldcoastschools.com . With flexible classroom schedules as well as online courses available, Gold Coast will quickly show you why so many former students support our motto, “The Proof is in the Passing!”

Florida Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) must complete 8 hours of continuing education before December 31st, 2012. This is a Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) requirement that is applicable to all MLOs required to renew this year.

As a mortgage loan originator, you are required to complete your continuing education in 2012 if:

• You held a license in 2011

• You completed your qualifying 20 hour pre-license education in 2011

Gold Coast Schools offers the required continuing education course in a convenient one day format held at all five South Florida locations. These classes tend to fill up quickly as the December deadline approaches so it is recommended that you reserve your seat in advance. Contact Gold Coast Schools at 1-800-732-9140, or Click Here! to register for your continuing education course.

To learn the complete details about your continuing education requirement directly from the NMLS, visit their website: http://mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org

Florida Mortgage Loan Originators are required to complete 8 hours of NMLS approved continuing education prior to the December 31st, 2012 renewal deadline.  Gold Coast Schools, Florida’s leader in professional education offers the required CE course needed to keep your license active.

Concerned as to whether or not you need to complete your continuing education?  You must renew your license by December 31, 2012 if:

• You held a Mortgage Loan Origination license in 2011
• You are a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator and completed your pre-license education course in 2011

*There is no grace period for late renewals.  If you are required to renew this cycle, you must complete your continuing education or face losing your license.

Gold Coast Schools is offering the approved course you need to keep your license active.  For a course schedule, Click Here! or contact our Career Counselors at 1-800-732-9140.  They are available to answer any questions that you may have.

Courses will be offered in:

• Doral
• North Miami
• Broward County
• Boca Raton
• West Palm Beach

Because these classes fill up fast, we recommend that you reserve your seat well in advance.   

Gold Coast School of Real Estate is pleased to announce that the REO Institute is coming to South Florida August 27-30th, 2012 and offering real estate professionals the opportunity to earn two highly sought after certifications. The REO Certified and Short Sale Certified courses will focus on developing the skills that today’s real estate agents and brokers must have to be competitive in Florida’s real estate market.

As foreclosures and short sale properties continue to hold a strong share of Florida’s real estate market, agents are faced with the decision to either run from these types of transactions, or acquire the skills needed to leverage this unique market opportunity.

The REO Certified course held at Gold Coast’s Lantana, Broward, and Doral locations will focus on teaching agents how to perform Broker’s Price Opinions (BPOs), and get REO listings from banks. The income opportunity for South Florida real estate agents who perform BPOs and increase their number of listings with REOs is attractive to all.

Agents will also learn how to shortcut the short sale process with the Short Sale Certified course being offered in Tamarac on August 29th, 2012. Knowing how to properly qualify short sale listings and move them through the process efficiently is the key to getting to closing quickly and collecting the commission.

Learn more by contacting Gold Coast Schools at 1-800-732-9140, or by visiting www.goldcoastschools.com

Gold Coast School’s new Online 14 hour Continuing Education course makes renewing your Florida Real Estate License easier than ever.  Simply purchase your course and you will be given immediate access to the individual modules, as well as the end of course exam.  You have the option to complete this course any way that you see fit.

Some prefer to work through each module before attempting the final exam, while others prefer to print the exam and answer the questions as they browse through the easy-to-follow material.  Either way, upon submitting your answers you will receive instant results.  In the event that you do not receive a passing score, a new exam will automatically be granted for you to attempt.  Upon passing your final exam, your completion records will be submitted by our staff.  It’s that easy!

We also offer our 14 Hour Continuing Education course in a classroom format, as well as through our correspondence textbook program.  To learn more, Click Here! or contact our helpful Career Counselors at 1-800-732-9140.

At Gold Coast Schools we stand behind our motto, “The Proof is in the Passing!” ensuring that we will help you to be successful in your career.

FARMING AND PROSPECTING FOR THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL.

Gold Coast Schools is excited to give you more detail about another one of our “Foundations for Success” courses. The Farming and Prospecting for the Real Estate Professional course consists of a detailed look at different methods of prospecting for sellers. It gives a step by step approach to building various prospecting data bases, selecting and building a farm area, direct mail, writing advertising copy and the use of color in marketing and prospecting – all central topics to the core curriculum.  The use of social media and its various aspects in prospecting are also covered along with motivational concepts for the real estate professional.

Topics covered in this course include:

• It’s Your Business
• Technology
• Ways to Develop a Positive Attitude
• The three keys to prospecting success
• Sphere of Influence including Social Media
• Expired Listings
• FSBO’S
• Farm Area
• Past Clients
• Working With Sellers
• Prospecting For Sellers
• There are basically five sources of listing prospects
• Prospecting Concepts to Consider
• PUSH MARKETING
• PULL MARKETING
• Prospecting Tips and Facts
• Social Media to consider
• Start a Real Estate Blog
• Marketing the Property on the Internet
• Some Seller and Buyer Facts To Consider
• Internet Facts to Consider In Florida
• Basic Prospecting Tips
• Color in Prospecting and Marketing
• Things to Start Doing Today
• To-Do List Everyday
• To-Do List Weekly
• To-Do List Monthly
• 10 Common Mistakes Agents Make
• 10 Rules for Success

By the end of this course, the student will have a clear understanding of various prospecting concepts including how to get started along with a detailed outline of what to do every day, every week and every month to build a successful real estate business.

The class takes place at our Broward campus on June 18th, 2012 9am to 4 pm and is only $69!

Call our career counselors at 1-800-732-9140 for more information or to enroll now. Or you can click here to enroll online.

Mrs. Marie S., Gold Coast student, recently entered a raffle for two Neil Diamond tickets and was excited to learn that she was the lucky winner who will be attending the concert held on June 1^st, 2012 at the Bank Atlantic Center in Sunrise, FL.  Not only will she be attending  a great show, but she will doing so in the ADT Club where she will be enjoying complimentary food, drinks, and dessert throughout the entire night.

The tickets were donated by James and John Greer, owners of Gold Coast Schools and longtime supporters of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  The money raised went directly towards Gold Coast’s goal of raising $40,000 for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS) and the school’s participation in their annual Light The Night Walk.  Gold Coast Schools has supported the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and their mission to find a cure for all forms of blood cancer for the past four years, and continues to raise funds to support this great cause.

“Cancer is a disease that has significantly impacted the lives of many of our staff and students, and their commitment to put a stop to it once and for all is what makes our fundraising efforts so successful,” said John Greer. 

Gold Coast raises funds by raffling off items such as concert tickets, classes, and bookstore items throughout the year.  If you are interested in learning more about the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, you can do so by visiting their website at www.lls.org .   To join Gold Coasts Light the Night Team and walk on November 3^rd, 2012 in Fort Lauderdale, Click Here!

A recent article published in the Sun Sentinel on May 6th, 2012 delivers great news for real estate agents who have been long awaiting a turnaround in the housing market.  Citing Zillow, a real estate website often relied upon for comparing and tracking property values throughout the country, the article indicates that with prices on the rise after hitting rock bottom, we are seeing strong indications that we are on the road to recovery.

Agents in the industry are excited about the demand increases from both buyers and investors who are looking to sweep up houses before the deals are gone.  Even with a built up inventory of bank owned properties that will hit the market in the future, the forward momentum fueled by buyers demand will likely continue to push South Florida’s real estate market in the upward direction.

If you have been thinking about getting your real estate license, now is the time!  Give our Career Counselors a call at 1-800-732-9140 to learn more.  Broker’s are always looking to hire new agents to handle listings and sell properties, and turn to Gold Coast for help with their recruiting.  Visit our Career Opportunities section to see a list of brokers looking to hire you upon getting your license.

To read the full article on the Sun Sentinel’s website: Click Here!

Visit us online at www.goldcoastschools.com for a list of available courses.