Frequently Asked Questions

What makes your school different from the others?

What sets our school apart is the quality of our classes. Lane Community College is an institution you can trust, not just a fly-by-night school. Lane Real Estate classes are directed by, Bob Nelson, CCIM, who has been teaching real estate for over 30 years, he and the other instructors continue to improve our classes and keeps us on the cutting edge of emerging industry issues. Unlike other commercially offered real estate education sources, you will not be handed a CD and a workbook then left on your own to get what you can out of the class. When you take a real estate class at Lane, you will receive the very best live instruction available. When you successfully complete our classes, you will not only have all the knowledge you need to pass the state examination, you will have the tools you need to launch a successful career or take you to the next level in your real estate investment plan for financial independence!

What are the requirements for obtaining a Real Estate Associate Broker's License?

You must be at least 18 years of age. To receive your Real Estate Associate Broker License you must successfully pass a 150-hour Real Estate Associate Broker classes. The final grade must be at least a 75% correct score and you must attend at least 90% of all scheduled classes. Upon completion of the classes, you must then apply to take the state examination. Minimum passing score is 75%.  After passing the state exam, and assuming there are no problems with your background check, you will be awarded your license.  For a more complete and detailed review of requirements, please visit the Oregon Real Estate Agency (www.rea.state.or.us ) website and get all the details.

How much does it cost?

The Real Estate Associate Broker License requires 150 classroom hours. The cost of the program excluding textbooks is $1,075.

The Real Estate Property Management License requires 60 classroom hours. The cost of the program excluding textbooks is $430 .

How do I know what classes to take?

The Real Estate Classes at Lane Community College satisfy Oregon educational prerequisites for obtaining your Real Estate Associate Broker License, Property Management License. See Classes and Seminars for the classes required for each license and a projected schedule of classes.

Where can I find a schedule of classes?

The Lane Community College Class Schedule is mailed to Lane County households about 45 days before the start of each term. Save it for planning your schedule.

You can access the Class Schedule ( www.lanecc.edu/schedule/index.htm ) online or you can get a copy of the Class Schedule at the following locations:

• Main Campus at 4000 East 30th Avenue Eugene
• Downtown Center at 1059 Willamette Street Eugene

Do I have to take the classes in sequence?

Most real estate classes may be taken in any sequence. Several courses have " beginning " and " advanced " levels and are marked with a " I " level and a " II " level in their title. It is suggested that you take these courses in sequence.

How many classes should I take each term?

Enroll in as many courses as you think you can handle well. These are college-level courses, and typically have reading assignments. One evening class is pretty easy, even if you have a full-time job.

Two evening classes may be a challenge, but very possible for the serious student. Taking three to four evening classes is only recommended for very good students with good study skills who are willing to make the sacrifice to get what they want in a short period of time!

Does Lane offered online real estate classes?

Beginning Summer term 2007, Lane will be offering online classes for the summer term only. 

I am currently employed, can I still take real estate classes?

All pre-license real estate classes are offered in the evening from 6 pm to 9 pm. Some Wealth Building Seminars are offered on Saturdays.

Lane Community College pre-license real estate classes are approved by the state licensing agencies. Real Estate Associate Broker and Property Manager programs are approved by the Oregon Real Estate Agency ( www.rea.state.or.us ) .

I am ready to start real estate classes at Lane, how do I enroll?

Students new to Lane Community College will need to go through an admissions process and acquire an “L” number, our student identification:

• Lane uses a web-based student system, and for your protection, does not use social security numbers for identification. You will instead be assigned a 9 digit “L” number user ID. You will need to provide your date of birth and are still asked to voluntarily provide your SSN for our records, to fulfill the federal government's tax requirements.
• You may obtain an L number by contacting the Community Education Department located at the Downtown Center campus (1059 Willamette St., Eugene, OR 97401) at (541) 463-5252 or by contacting Enrollment Services located in the Student Services Building, Building #1 on main campus at 463-3100 or online at http://www.lanecc.edu/stuser/admis.htm .

If you have been a student or employee of Lane Community College or do have an “L” number, you may register for classes by mail, fax, phone, on-line, or in person :

• Mail : Mail the completed registration form available in the Class Schedule to Continuing Education Registration, 1059 Willamette St., Eugene, OR 97401.
• Fax : Fax the completed registration form available in the Class Schedule to (541) 463-3984
• Phone : Call the Community Education Department located at the Downtown Center at (541) 463-5252.
• Web : If you have previously attended Lane, you may register and pay for classes using ExpressLane.
• In-person : You can register in-person at the Downtown Center, 1059 Willamette Street in Eugene.

How do I apply for the state exam?

Once you have passed the prerequisite classes for a license, order a Grade Transcript from Lane Community College and then send it to the state licensing agency that will issue your license. Your Lane Community College grade transcript will serve as proof that you completed the license renewal education .

Send in your application form together with the finger print cards at least two months before you wish to sit for the exam. Prior to being issued any Oregon real estate license, your background will be carefully checked by the FBI and the Oregon State Police.

To apply for an Oregon Real Estate License, contact the:

Oregon Real Estate Agency 1177 Center St. NE
Salem , OR 97310-2503
(503) 378-4170

The Oregon Real Estate Agency web site ( www.rea.state.or.us ) contains current information concerning the state exam.

When is the state exam offered and in what format?

The Oregon Real Estate Exam is currently offered on the third Saturday of each month in Salem . Soon you will be able to take the exam at a local exam-giving center using a computer-linked system. Check the Oregon Real Estate Agency ( www.rea.state.or.us ) website for updates. It is a written exam offered in English. You will have five hours to complete it. Most will only need about two hours. The exam has two parts. The national portion has 150 questions and the Oregon portion has 50 questions. To pass the state exam, you must score 75% on each portion.

What if I fail the exam?

It is best to prepare to succeed. Don't rely on luck; it is not an easy exam. If you attend each class, read your assignments, and study the quizzes/exams in the text, then you will do just fine

If you fail one part, and pass the other, you may pay the exam registration fee and re-take the portion of the state exam you failed within one year.

If I pass the exam, what happens next?

Once you have passed the exam and the  background check , then you will have  one year to find a Principal Real Estate Broker to whom your license will be issued.

Is there financial assistance available?

Lane's Real Estate classes are non-credit classes and does not qualify for federal student financial aid. Students who register online,in person or over the phone are billed by the college and are given the remainder of the current term to pay their bill in full (1% finance charge is assessed on the balance after the first billing month)

Following are two of a number of private lenders who finance continuing education:

• Sallie Mae - Continuing Education Loan - http://www.salliemae.com/apply/borrowing/continuinged.html

Are scholarships available?

The Continuing Education Department has a small scholarship program. Currently, $1,500 is available each year and may be awarded to multiple students. Scholarships are awarded in the spring term. The typical scholarship amount awarded is $250. Applications are available at the Downtown Center. Contact the program coordinator for more information.

Information about other organizations that offer scholarships can be obtained from scholarship search sites such as www.fastweb.com.

How long will it take before I start making money in real estate?

Beginning a career in real estate sales is more like opening your own business than starting a job. It will take time for you to begin generating the income you desire, and everyone's timetable will be different. In the long run, though, financial gain is usually only limited by an agent's willingness to work and desire to succeed.