Saturday, January 2, 2010

Licensing Process

In Wisconsin, a real estate salesperson or real estate broker license is required to practice real estate. This includes selling houses to buyers, listing properties for sale, regularly selling your own real estate and selling commercial real estate, land and businesses. Another activity that requires a real estate license is taking care of a property owner’s rental units. This is property management and can include not only residential real estate but also offices and shopping centers.
 
The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services issues Wisconsin Real Estate Salesperson and Broker licenses. Education is required prior to taking a Wisconsin state administered exam that must be passed before an application for a real estate license is submitted to the Department. The real estate salesperson licensing class is taken before the real estate brokers licensing class. It is not necessary to become a real estate broker to work in the real estate industry but a real estate salesperson cannot work independently and must be employed by a licensed real estate broker. Many students choose to obtain a real estate brokers license right away. When doing this, the best way is to take both classes, then both tests and in that way you will not have to obtain a real estate saleperson license but rather just your real estate brokers license.
 
All real estate licenses are issued or renewed for the remainder of a two-year licensing period that ends on December 14th of even-numbered years. Approval of an application will include a review of criminal convictions or actions against any other license held by the applicant and confirmation of the completion of the appropriate education and exam requirements. If you have questions as to how prior criminal convictions or actions are factored into the licensing process, contact the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services at (608) 266-2112.
 
If you are an out-of-state resident who has had an active real estate salesperson's license in the last 2 years, you most likely will need to attend only 13 hours of the pre-license real estate salesperson licensing class. If you are a resident of Illinois or Indiana who has had an active real estate salesperson license in the last 2 years, you are not required to obtain any pre-license real estate education. However, please be aware that you still need to take and pass the entire state exam of 140 questions. Many students have attended the entire prelicense real estate class, even though they didn't need the hours, to prepare themselves for the exam and learn the forms that are required in Wisconsin. You do not need to provide proof of your state's license to take the class, however, you will need to provide a copy with your application for a license.

If you wish to obtain a Wisconsin real estate broker's license and you have an active real estate broker's license in another state within the last 2 years, you will be required to attend only 3 hours of the Broker pre-license real estate class. If you do not hold a Wisconsin Salesperson license, you will need to attend 13 hours of the Salesperson real estate class. If you live in Illinois or Indiana, you will not have to attend class but you need to have been licensed in real estate for 2 years prior to taking the exam. Please be aware that in both situations, you will need to take and pass the entire 140 question WI real estate salesperson licensing exam and the 100 question WI real estate broker exam.
 
If you have questions, please email me at LaurelStoneSchoolofRealEstate@gmail.com or call and leave a message at 920-428-0146.
 
 

Directions

303 South Bluemound Dr.  Appleton, WI 54914
Please park behind the building to the south along the back of that building or the edge of the parking lot.  Please do NOT park in the middle of the lot.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Where DO Students Come From?



Algoma Wisconsin Little Chute
Amherst Wisconsin 
Antigo Wisconsin 
Appleton Wisconsin
Arbor Vitae
Ashland Wisconsin
Ashwaubenon Wisconsin
Baileys Harbor Wisconsin
Bayfield Wisconsin
Beaver Dam Wisconsin Berlin
Black Creek Wisconsin
Black River Falls Wisconsin
Bonduel Wisconsin
Boulder Junction Wisconsin 
Bowler Wisconsin
Brillion Wisconsin
Brookfield Wisconsin
Cable Wisconsin
Campbellsport Wisconsin
Chilton Wisconsin
Chippewa Falls Wisconsin
Cleveland Wisconsin
Clintonville Wisconsin
Coleman Wisconsin IMG_3690
Coloma Wisconsin
Cottage Grove Wisconsin
Crandon Wisconsin
Crivitz Wisconsin
De Pere Wisconsin
Denmark Wisconsin
Eagle River Wisconsin
Ellison Bay Wisconsin
Ephraim Wisconsin
Fish Creek Wisconsin
Fond du Lac Wisconsin 
Fremont Wisconsin DSC08775_demo
Gills Rock Wisconsin
Green Bay Wisconsin
Green Lake Wisconsin
Greenleaf Wisconsin
Greenville Wisconsin
Hazelhurst Wisconsin
Hortonville Wisconsin
Kaukauna Wisconsin
Keshena Wisconsin   
Kewaskum Wisconsin
Kewaunee Wisconsin Winneconne
Kiel Wisconsin
Kimberly Wisconsin
Kohler Wisconsin
La Crosse Wisconsin
Lake Geneva Wisconsin
Land O'Lakes Wisconsin
Lomira Wisconsin
Luxemburg Wisconsin
Madison Wisconsin
Manawa Wisconsin
Manitowoc Wisconsin
Marinette Wisconsin
Marion Wisconsin
Marquette Sturgeon SpawningWisconsin
Marshfield Wisconsin
Mayville Wisconsin
Medina Wisconsin
Menasha Wisconsin
Menomonie Wisconsin
Merrill Wisconsin
Milwaukee Wisconsin
Minocqua Wisconsin  
Mishicot Wisconsin
Monticello Wisconsin
Muskego Wisconsin 100_0677
Necedah Wisconsin
Neenah Wisconsin
Neillsville Wisconsin
Nekoosa Wisconsin
Neshkoro Wisconsin
New Franken Wisconsin
New Holstein Wisconsin
New London Wisconsin
Oconomowoc Wisconsin
Oconto Wisconsin
Oconto Falls Wisconsin Stephensville
Ogdensburg Wisconsin  
Omro Wisconsin
Oneida Wisconsin
Oshkosh Wisconsin
Oxford Wisconsin
Palmyra Wisconsin
Park Falls Wisconsin
Pembine Wisconsin
Peshtigo Wisconsin IMG_4384
Plover Wisconsin
Plymouth Wisconsin
Poy Sippi Wisconsin
Princeton Wisconsin 
Pulaski Wisconsin
Redgranite Wisconsin
Rhinelander Wisconsin
Rice Lake Wisconsin
Ripon Wisconsin
Shawano Wisconsin
Sheboygan Wisconsin
Sheboygan Falls Wisconsin
Sherwood Wisconsin
Shiocton WiDSC06726sconsin
Sister Bay Wisconsin
St. Germain Wisconsin
Stevens Point Wisconsin
Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin  
Suamico Wisconsin
Sun Prairie Wisconsin
Suring Wisconsin
Theresa Wisconsin
Tilleda Wisconsin
Two Rivers Wisconsin
Valders Wisconsin
Van Dyne Wisconsin 2008.8.16 Dawns Party-48
Wabeno Wisconsin
Washington Island Wisconsin
Watertown Wisconsin  
Waukesha Wisconsin
Waupaca Wisconsin
Waupun Wisconsin
Wausau Wisconsin
Wausaukee Wisconsin
Wautoma Wisconsin
West Bend Wisconsin
Westfield Wisconsin
Weyauwega Wisconsin
Wild Rose Wisconsin
Winchester Wisconsin
Winneconne Wisconsin
Wisconsin Rapids Wisconsin


Photography by Laurel Stone - Click here to see more.

Letters to Laurel

.....The internet course was a great option since it allowed me to work at my own pace and avoid taking two weeks off of work.  However, I would definitely recommend that anyone taking the internet course take you up on the offer to sit in on the review day of your classroom session.  The ability to get a review from a live person, ask questions and get advice on taking the test was well worth taking the day off to attend.  ......Gary Hermsen, Cornerstone Business Services, Green Bay

.....I want to thank you for being a wonderful teacher!  You made the class fun and instead of just reading from the book, you gave lots of examples and stories.  For someone knowing nothing about real estate, I came a long way in a short period of time.  You are definately doing your job right!  :)  It was nice getting to know you!  You rock Laurel!  I love your personality and will recommend you to anyone interested in taking the course!!   .....Erin Gauthier, Worthington Realty, Manitowoc

......I just wanted to say “thank you” again for a great class. I passed the test and am thrilled. It had been a goal of mine to take the class and pass the test and you made it all possible! ......Lisa Darr, REMAX Universal Realty, Plymouth

......You have a special gift for teaching. I enjoyed being your student and having the opportunity to learn from your experiences. .....Mary Pat O’Connor, O’Connor Sales and Realty, Clintonville

......I was ready to put off my dreams of becoming a Realtor because doing the on-line course and trying to study at home just was not working. Then after running into an old friend who is in Real Estate, I was told about your course and I can't thank you enough for all you did. Your classes are packed with all the legal terms and regulations we need to know but you make it fun! You inspired me by the second day of class to not only become a Realtor, but I passed my Brokers exam a week after passing my Real Estate exam! Laurel you are the best! .....Amy Gutschow, Shorewest United Realtors, Sheboygan 

......As you know, Real Estate is a second and totally different career. You have helped me to learn the ins and outs of sales and the knowledge to be a broker. You know the subject matter very well and have the experience and skill to make the subject matter interesting and fun. Without you, I could never have passed my tests for sales and to be a broker. .....Reg Gobin, Broker Associate, Prudential Preferred Properties, Appleton 

......It’s been a long time since you taught and coached me about the Real Estate industry and I am so glad you did. I have to tell you that you are the foundation to my success and I want to sincerely thank you for all the wonderful knowledge and the excitement you brought to the class in order to keep me attentive and inquisitive. I truly thank you. .....Michael James Wochos ABR, Century 21 "Acre Realty", Appleton 

......Thanks for the great educational and real world hands on experience that you were able to bring to the class. After making one of the biggest career moves, the last thing that I needed to worry about was getting my real estate license. Your class was quick and thorough enough to get me into real world situations and understand what was happening throughout the acquisition. Thanks again for all your help and I will see you in April for your broker class. .....Joshua Pierre, Petroleum Division of Cornerstone Business Services, Inc., Green Bay


 

What People Are Saying!

In the past I had bought and sold numerous homes and I thought I had a pretty good understanding of how real estate worked. I choose to attend Laurel's class because I heard she had a unique way of teaching and that her class was enjoyable. When I attended the class I found out that despite the fact I had bought and sold homes I knew very little about real estate. Laurel incorporates real life stories into the course material which helps make learning easy and the class fun. After attending the live class the test was not a problem and more importantly I learned a great deal. I would recommend the class to anyone choosing real estate as a career or anyone who is looking to buy or sell real estate for themselves. For someone who is looking to get their real estate license Laurel has and almost 100% pass rate for the exam and someone looking to buy or sell a home the class is an inexpensive way to ensure that you are getting the most out of your real estate transaction.
......Rich Van Sistine, The Werth Team, RE/MAX Valley Realtors

"The knowledge I gained from Laurel's class has been invaluable to me. I did not get a license but an extremely glad I attended the class and would recommend it to anyone who wants to understand what to expect when buying or selling real estate."
………Larry Carey

Laurel Stone made studying for the Real Estate exam fun and interesting. With her insightful lesson plans I was fully prepared to test for my agents exam and passed the first time with ease. I would highly recommend to anyone interested in taking an agent or broker course call Laurel and take her course.
......Rob Moxon, Coldwell Banker Door County Horizons

It's been 10 years since I took my prelicense sales and broker class from Laurel Stone and from time to time I am reminded of things I learned there. Laurel teaches what might otherwise be tedious information with illustrative anecdotes from her own experience, as well as the experiences of other real estate professionals in her network of friends, colleagues and former students. It's a testament to the style and substance Laurel brings to her class that such a high percentage go on to pass the licensing exam.

Laurel's class was fun and engaging, and I made friends there that I stay in touch with to this day! When anyone asks me where to take a real estate class, without hesitation I tell them their first call should be to Laurel.
.....Laura Ann Day, Broker/Associate, Adashun Jones Real Estate, Oshkosh

Laurel teaches with an excellent style of communication in her classes. She treats every question and concern on an individual basis and really gets to know her students. She keeps her class sizes small and personal and focuses attention on helping her students pass the real estate exam. I took her pre-license class eleven years ago and came back for the Brokers class. She hasn’t changed a bit. She still offers a quality educational experience that is affordable and timely. Thank you Laurel!
......Kevin Nordahl, True North Real Estate, Door County

If you are wondering if Laurel Stone’s School of Real Estate is worth the money, take it from me! YES, more than you’ll ever know. After doing the video tapes and taking the test for the second time, I called Laurel in tears and asked her if I could come to her class. Not only did I pass the exam with true confidence and knowledge, I went back a few years later and took her Broker’s class and passed the exam on the first try. It’s not just passing the exam which I want you to understand. A lot of people just aren’t test takers. The most important reason that I would recommend Laurel to you is that you walk away truly understanding what she has taught you. Once you have the license, you really need the knowledge for your success in your business, not to just pass the exam. Thanks Laurel!!! You are a huge part of my success!
....Sue Shortall, Door Real Estate, LLC, Sturgeon Bay

When Laurel’s students begin working with Century 21 Acre Realty we have not found it necessary to review the material that is covered in Laurel’s pre-license class. It is very unusual for one of Laurel’s students to fail the real estate exam the first time. I know many successful real estate agents in the area who have fond memories of starting their real estate career in Laurel’s class.
....Jack Drzewiecki, Co-owner, Century 21 Acre Realty, Appleton

I took both Salesman and Broker classes through Laurel Stone School of Real Estate. Her ease of teaching, knowledge of the subject, and real life experiences, made the course both educational and fun. The state exams were a breeze because of her. I highly recommend her school to anyone pursuing a career in real estate.
....Tom McCrory; McCrory Properties L.L.C., Oshkosh

I have invested in real estate for a long time and done OK. However, once I took Laurel's training I realized how much money I had left on the table over the years! Laurel's training is invaluable to the home buyer, investor or anyone interested in a new career. Her training is fun, informative and timely. Thank-you Laurel.
.....Noel Marshall, REMAX

Testing Information

Click the following links for information

School code to register is 0009

You do not need to register prior to class.  The exam is discussed the first morning.  Please familiarize yourself with the links above.