5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in Michigan for 2023 (Updated!)

In my opinion, the best real estate course in Michigan is one that delivers engaging content without making you sit through boring lectures. That’s exactly what you can expect from Aceable’s course, which boasts some of the highest pass rates on the real estate exam.

While this course is not the most expensive or cheapest option out there, it provides the best value for your money, thanks to its exceptional quality and pass rates. And another big perk: there is currently a sale going on that makes this course even more affordable. All of these factors make it the best value real estate school in Michigan, bar none.

Although the cheapest package is sufficient to prepare you for the exam, I would recommend the “Deluxe” package because it will make you feel more confident and prepared for the test. The extra benefits are well worth it if you ask me.

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Convenience: 4.7 out 5. The course’s engaging content impressed me the most. With interactive games, infographics, videos, and knowledge checks, the multimedia learning experience made the 40-hour course interesting from start to finish. Unlike other leading schools in Michigan, such as The CE Shop or Colibri, Aceable is the clear winner in terms of keeping students engaged. The mobile app was also a huge plus, allowing me to study anytime, anywhere, and making my study time much more efficient. The other schools don’t even hold a candle to Aceable when it comes to convenience and course content.

Pass Rate: 4.8 out 5. Aceable has an impressive 80% pass rate among Michigan students, which sets it apart from other schools that typically have a pass rate in the range of 65%. In fact, Aceable’s pass rate is higher than that of other top real estate schools in Michigan. Choosing a school with a high pass rate is crucial as it significantly increases your chances of succeeding in the industry.

The test prep that comes with Aceable’s courses also puts it in a league of its own. The quizzes and practice tests are really helpful, and don’t feel as robotic and monotonous as other schools.

Course Duration: 4.5 out of 5. Although the Michigan real estate course only takes 40 hours to complete (WOW! definitely one of the fastest courses in the country), some people like more time in case they get busy. Aceable’s policy regarding access extensions is not as generous as some other top Michigan real estate schools like RealEstateU or Colibri Real Estate. If you do not finish the course within the allotted 12 months, you can pay an additional $49 to extend your access for another 6 months. However, it’s worth noting that the course can be completed in as little as 2 weeks if you are dedicated.

Support:4.8 out of 5. Aceable provides excellent customer support that is prompt and helpful. Their team is available through multiple channels, including chat support, which is a quick and efficient way to get your questions answered. It’s also good to know that all of their customer support staff are based in the US, which eliminates any potential language barriers. However, it’s worth noting that their technical support team is less responsive during the weekends, so if you plan on completing coursework on Saturdays or Sundays, you may need to wait until the following business day to get a response.

Refund Policy: 4.8 out of 5. While I didn’t require a refund for my Aceable course, it’s an important consideration when choosing an online real estate education provider. Aceable offers a 30-day refund policy, which is in line with industry standards and comparable to what The CE Shop and RealEstateU offer. However, Aceable steps up their game by also offering an Ace or “Don’t Pay” Guarantee. This guarantee means that if I were to take the course but fail the exam, I wouldn’t have to pay for the course again. This feature is usually an additional cost of $49 or more with other providers, so it’s a nice added value that gave me peace of mind.

Overall Value & Recommended Package: Overall, I highly recommend Aceable’s Michigan pre-licensing course. For new agents, I’d suggest taking a look at the Deluxe package. The extra perks like the 75 videos & audio lessons and PrepAgent Deluxe Exam Prep make it a good value. You don’t want to have the take the Michigan real estate exam twice, so you might as well go in with the best option in the market to really prepare you, if your budget allows it.

The CE Shop’s course has the easiest overall course in Michigan. If you’re going back and forth on which course to choose, this is the course for you because of their five-day free trial and return policy. It’s the course that gives you the best chance of getting your money back if you don’t finish, and it’s very easy to work once you get started.

As far as price is concerned, The CE Shop is pretty middle of the road – it’s not the cheapest or the most expensive. But because of the flexibility and high pass rates, it definitely makes my list as one of the best Michigan courses.

Plus, this is one of the courses available for our Tuition Reimbursement program, which is a big help. All you have to do is attend at least 1 interview with one of our recruiters (+ provide feedback) after passing the state exam & before joining another brokerage, and we’ll reimburse you for the entire cost of The CE Shop course that you purchase from us.

Similar to Aceable, the most basic package can fulfill the state requirements, however, I would suggest choosing the “Value” or “Premium” package. This is because these packages come with additional perks like Pass Guarantee and post-licensing access. Although they might cost a bit more initially, they offer the benefit of a safety net in case you don’t pass the exam.

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Convenience: 4.5 out 5. The CE Shop’s online learning platform stood out to me as its strongest feature. The platform’s design is custom-made and user-friendly, allowing easy access on tablets and phones, which made it convenient for me to study on the go. The dashboard was also helpful in tracking my progress throughout the course and going back to review past sections.

However, the course content was mostly text-heavy with some videos and quizzes, making it less engaging compared to other providers like Aceable or Colibri. I found some sections to be difficult to absorb and lengthy, which made the learning experience drag on. Nevertheless, The CE Shop’s platform and tracking features are still impressive and beneficial for students.

Pass Rate: 4.7 out 5. The CE Shop has a 92% pass rate amongst Michigan students, which is crazy high! That being said, because the course is shorter than most other places, a lot of students make the mistake of thinking it will be super easy to memorize the information and cram for the test. However, it can be trickier than you think. Luckily, The CE Shop provides unlimited practice tests that you can take in a new order every time to really help you feel prepared going in. That’s why they have the highest pass rates in the state without question.

Course Duration: 4.7 out of 5. The Michigan real estate course offered by The CE Shop is designed to be completed in just 40 hours, making it one of the shorter courses available. However, it’s still reassuring to have options available if you run into any issues or have a busy schedule to work around. The extension policy for The CE Shop can be a bit confusing, but let me try to break it down.

The course is valid for six months from the date of purchase. If you need more time to complete the course, you can request a one-month extension at no extra cost. After that, you will need to pay 20% of the current retail price of the course for each additional 30-day extension or partial 30-day extension that you need. You can request extensions for up to six months, after which the course will expire if you haven’t completed it. This policy is more generous than other schools like RealEstateU or Colibri Real Estate, so take that into consideration when making your decision.

Support: 4.6 out of 5. The CE Shop’s customer support team is available 7 days a week and is responsive to inquiries via phone, email, or live chat. I found the live chat feature to be particularly helpful when I needed technical assistance. The tech team was able to grant my extension request quickly and without charge, which was a huge plus for me. However, there is no direct access to instructors, which could be problematic if you encounter course material difficulties. The support team promises a response within two days, but that wait time may not be ideal for individuals who are stuck and need immediate help.

Refund Policy: 4.6 out of 5. While I personally didn’t require a refund, many of you ask about it. The CE Shop offers a 30-day refund policy, which is fairly standard across the industry, as long as you haven’t completed more than 50% of the course. Additionally, The CE Shop has recently introduced a 5-day free trial option, where you can sign up for the course, test it out, and cancel without penalty if you decide it’s not for you. This new feature offers added peace of mind for those who want to try out the course format before committing fully.

Overall Value & Recommended Package: Overall, I highly recommend The CE Shop’s Michigan pre-licensing course. For new agents, I’d suggest taking a look at the Premium package. The extra perks such as the Exam Prep Edge and the 18-hour MI renewal course are great. By doing it this way, you won’t have to worry about signing up and paying for more online courses after passing the real estate exam. It’s an overall stress-free process if you pay for both upfront, and you don’t want to have any unexpected costs after completing the course.

We’ve built the most affordable way for you to get your Real Estate License. All you have to do is attend at least 1 interview with one of our recruiters after passing the state exam & before joining another brokerage, and we’ll reimburse you for the entire cost of The CE Shop course that you purchase from us.

That’s right – we’ll reimburse you whether you choose to join our team or not (but we hope you do!).  About 50% of our tuition reimbursement graduates choose to work for our team after interviewing with us.  The other 50% of our tuition reimbursement students that choose to join another brokerage still get their course costs fully reimbursed.

Why are we the only real estate company that reimburses your course costs even if you don’t join our brokerage?  There are a few key reasons that we’ve decided to set our program this way:

1.   Our 50% join rate is way higher than the industry average for recruiting, and we really want agents to be excited when they join us, which only works if they love what we have to offer.  Most brokerages only want experienced agents, but we specialize in helping new agents build their real estate careers from the ground up.  We have hundreds of agent training courses that range from helping you build out your social media presence to learning the ins and outs of commercial real estate; we have mentors dedicated to new agents to help them through their first sales; we even have a dedicated coach to help with mindset and motivation; and more.  So we don’t need to force new agents to join our team to save a few bucks.
2.   If you choose to join another team, we also hope you change your mind someday and come back to join us.  Many agents reach out to us months or years after trying another brokerage first, and this gives us a chance to keep the door open for the 50% of new agents who don’t join us immediately.  If we can’t be the right brokerage for you right now, then we still hope to be the right brokerage for you some day in the future.
3.   Too many real estate organizations fail to live up to their promises.  We’re not perfect, but we really try to follow-through on every promise we make, including our tuition reimbursement promise.

At the end of the day, we’re betting on you becoming a great agent, and if we can make obtaining your real estate license more affordable, then hopefully you’ll return the favor and join us after graduation or come back to us any time you’re ready for a new brokerage.  It’s that simple, and we’re happy to invest in you.

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How does the reimbursement work?

Email us (support@agentadvice.com) once you receive confirmation from the state that you’ve passed the state exam, and one of our recruiters will reach out to you to get to know you and share any and every thing you’ll want to know to decide if our brokerage is the right fit for you.

We’ll schedule the interview at a time that works for you.  All you have to do is attend the interview and provide a little feedback to our support team, and our support team will reimburse your credit card for the amount that you’ve paid us within 2 business days.  All in, it’s about an hour commitment between the interview and feedback.  No other strings attached.

Tip:  If you’ve already started a different course at your own expense, or prefer to pick your own school at your own expense, we’d still love to interview you.  Just reach back out when you’re licensed, and we can connect you with our hiring team, however, we’re unable to reimburse your course costs at this time unless you purchase the course directly from us. 

AgentAdvice.com is not the provider of any courses, and all state certifications, ongoing support questions, etc. will be provided by and fulfilled directly through the school. 

Think you have what it takes to be a successful real estate agent?

“When I interview people who have just passed their real estate course, I’m looking for agents that meet a couple of characteristics. If you have these characteristics, it will determine who is successful and who is not in real estate.

It’s not an easy industry. If it was easy, we’d all be rich. First, I’m looking for agents that have a vision for what they want to be, people who want more than what they have. Now, I’m not talking about money, motivated people necessarily. If money motivates you that’s fine, but in most cases, money’s not the motivator.

I am looking for agents that are in touch with their motivations to grow. Is it having a house for your family? Is it providing an education for your children? Is it providing security for your future retirement? It doesn’t matter, I’m looking for agents that have a vision, and are passionate about taking care of present and future concerns, whatever they are. So that’s number one: ambition.

Number two is looking for people that have a little bit of courage. This business requires courage. In my experience, having now been in conversations with well over a thousand agents over the last 18 months, and recruited more than a hundred, there’s one characteristic successful agents have. They don’t shrink from a challenge. They don’t, they still take action even if they don’t know all of the answers to all of the questions. They know that if they get faced with a question that they don’t really answer to, they know they can find the answer.

I’m looking for people that are ambitious, are courageous, and then finally are ready to grow. I want to help give people the opportunity to be the best version of themselves.

Usually, it’s not easy, and many times there are tears, and sweat, and frustration involved, but you go through that because you are so ambitious and in love with the future you’re trying to create. That passion for your future, it gives you courage to press through the hard times. So if you’re ambitious, courageous, and you’re ready to grow, and you think being in a conversation with a guy like me might be helpful to your future then let’s get you the tuition reimbursement you deserve!”

Agent Advice Success Stories: 

Terrica C.
New Keller Williams Agent & Tuition Reimbursement Recipient

“I always wanted to become a real estate agent, and finally decided to take the next step. Getting started with my course was easy. Agent Advice just sent me a link, and I did the whole thing online. I finished the class, now I just need to get scheduled for the state test. I would definitely recommend Agent Advice to anyone looking to get their license, especially if they’re wanting to do it for free.”

Rachel K.
New Real Estate Agent & Tuition Reimbursement Recipient

“I was moving from Tennessee to Florida, so I was considering a career change. I always thought real estate might be something I’d be good at, so I connected with someone at Agent Advice and decided to take the course. It was easy to follow and understand, and the course I chose kept me interested. It didn’t take long for me to finish the class and I passed my state exam on the first try! I then reached out again to Agent Advice and set up an interview with a tuition reimbursement sponsor, and got my money back that same day. All in all, it was really simple and easy.”

Marcus W.
New Real Estate Agent & Tuition Reimbursement Recipient

“The entire process was seamless, and the communication from the very beginning was great. When I first came across Agent Advice I had lots of questions, but I was able to get in touch with someone right away who helped explain the process from start to finish. Once I completed the course and set up an interview with a brokerage, they stopped the payments immediately. I also enjoyed the subscription payment option that Agent Advice has. It gave me the flexibility and motivated me to finish the course quickly. I’m still deciding on which brokerage is the right fit for me, but I enjoyed getting to interview with someone so that I could ask questions about what the day-to-day would look like at that company.”

The refund policy offered by Colibri Real Estate’s course is unbeatable in Michigan. Their Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, course swap option, and demo of the student dashboard prior to payment are unmatched. If you’re unsure about whether real estate school is the right choice for you, then this is the course to consider. It offers the best chance of getting your money back in case of a change of mind.

Although the price is on the higher side, the course provides four package options (more than any other school), ranging from $206 to $456, giving you the flexibility to choose as many features as you need. The best part though is that there are frequently discounts and sales available, making it a better deal.

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Convenience: 4.5 out 5. No matter which package you choose with Colibri, you can expect to receive similar course content. All four packages come with study guides and coaching videos from Buffini & Company. These videos provide invaluable real-world examples of industry situations and questions, which alone have a value of $150 and serve as an excellent supplement to other course materials.

If you’re looking for top-notch test preparation, access to live Q&A sessions, or simulated exams, then upgrading to one of the more premium options may be necessary. However, if you have a different learning style, the basic package may be sufficient for you.

My personal favorite feature of Colibri is the “readiness assessment.” This assessment evaluates your readiness to take the exam and provides a score ranging from 1 to 10. It is an excellent tool to help you decide whether you need to keep studying or if you’re ready to take the plunge and enroll in the course.

Pass Rate: 4.2 out 5. Colibri’s pass rate amongst Michigan students is just slightly higher than the state average. About 68% of Colibri students go on to pass the state exam, and they’ve helped more than 520,000 aspiring agents get their real estate license in Michigan. That being said, it’s not the highest pass rate on our list of schools, so you can certainly find a school (for a cheaper price) that will prepare you for the test in a more interactive way.

Course Duration: 4.4 out of 5. While the Michigan pre-licensing course can be completed in just 40 hours, some of you guys prefer to have more time available in case your schedule gets busy. With Colibri, you have the option to purchase an extension for your course access, with 7, 30, or 60-day options available (prices increase as the duration of the extension increases). Alternatively, you can choose the “retake” option, which provides a $25 discount if you need to start the course over. Compared to other schools, Colibri’s policy is quite generous, although it’s important to note that the initial access period lasts for 6 months, after which you’ll need to consider an extension.

Support: 4.6 out of 5. Colibri is a highly trusted provider of online real estate education, and their exceptional customer support is a testament to their reputation. They offer various options to get in touch with a real person, including an enrollment phone line and a support line based on your specific needs. Additionally, they have a “live education specialist” available through live chat, who provided me with a prompt response and a comprehensive list of resources.

Colibri also actively updates their social media channels to inform students of scheduled maintenance, and their Facebook and Instagram accounts are a great way to connect with other students in your area who are taking the same course. I found it easy to engage with other learners and share insights and experiences with them. It is honestly a great tool for networking as well if you can find other’s studying in your area. It’s nice to have a friend to run through ideas with once you jump into your new career.

Refund Policy: 4.7 out of 5. Colibri is an excellent choice for those who value the option of receiving a refund. With a range of safeguards in place, students can rest assured that their investment is protected. For instance, if you sign up for self-paced online courses (which are the most popular), you can avail a 100% refund if you don’t like the course after taking it for a week. If you haven’t started the course yet, you have up to a month to request a full refund. Additionally, if you opt for the livestream package, you have the flexibility to change your mind within 24 hours or even switch to an online-only format if you prefer.

Overall Value & Recommended Package: I would recommend Colibri’s Michigan’s pre-licensing course. For aspiring agents, I’d suggest taking a look at the Ultimate Learning package. The extra perks like the career success tools, the coaching videos, and the CompuCram Exam Prep make it a great value that will help you find success long after you finish your real estate course.

RealEstateU is the cheapest course available in Michigan. It’s the only course in the state that is less than $150, and frankly, it shows. While you can save a few dollars, you also won’t get the same benefits the other courses provide. Because it’s very run of the mill, RealEstateU didn’t make our list of the best real estate schools in Michigan.

That being said, if you are on a tight budget and don’t have the extra money to spend, the course can get the job done if you put in the effort. I found the information was a little harder to retain in the text-heavy format (there are NO interactive games or quizzes AT ALL!) But, RealEstateU does makes it really easy to study at your own pace, and you can access the course on the go.

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Convenience: 4.3 out 5. OnDemand lessons are entirely online and can be taken at any time using a computer, smartphone, or tablet. The audio tutorials can be accessed on the go, and are 3-20 minutes long. You can also follow along with the transcripts of the audio recordings if you are more of a visual learner. While certain schools provide more a multimedia learning experience, that is not the case with RealEstateU. There are some infographics to help break up the text, but it’s not nearly as entertaining as other options.

However, I did enjoy the progress tracker that let me know how long each section was so that I was able to manage my time accordingly.

Pass Rate: 4.2 out 5. RealEstateU has the lowest pass rates on our list of Michigan schools. While REU’s 69% pass rate is significantly lower than Aceable’s or The CE Shop’s, it’s still higher than many other online real estate schools. The state average is ~65%, so it’s actually not a horrible pass rate all things considered. At the end of the day, while it’s not a course I would recommend they have helped more than 140,000 professionals get their real estate license in Michigan.

Course Duration: 4.1 out of 5. Many people are curious about RealEstateU’s extension policy, as they want to know upfront how much time they have to finish the course. Bottom line: You have access to the course for 12 months, and if you haven’t completed it yet, you’ll have to buy the course all over again. While there are no extension options available, 12 months is actually a longer window than many other schools. Some courses, like Colibri Real Estate, have a strict cutoff date after just 6 months. It’s also less expensive to re-purchase REU’s course than it is to pay an extension fee because the base pay is so low to begin with. The only downside to that is that you’ll lose your place and have to start over.

Support: 3.9 out of 5. RealEstateU’s customer support team is lacking…to say the least. They don’t make it easy to find a phone number or even an email address if you need to get in touch with someone. They also don’t currently have a live chat option. The only way to get help is to fill out a contact form on their website. They don’t monitor those requests often either, so it took me several days to hear back about a site maintenance issue.

Refund Policy: 4.6 out of 5. I wasn’t looking for a refund, but this is something many people are curious about, so I’ve reviewed the policy here. RealEstateU offers a 30-day refund policy for classes that are under 50% completed. Keep in mind that ~$20 may be deducted from your refund depending on the class you are enrolled in. I’ll also note that they don’t offer any money-back guarantees, pass or don’t pay policies, or free trial offers.

Overall Value: Overall, I wouldn’t suggest taking RealEstateU’s Michigan pre-licensing course, but it will get the job done if you’re looking for a cheap price. For new brokers, I’d recommend taking a look at Aceable’s basic package instead. It’s the second cheapest option, but has some added perks like the best-in-class exam prep and interactive course material that make it a better value.

The CE Shop is hands down the easiest online provider to fulfill your continuing education requirements. The state of Michigan requires all licensed agents to do 18 hours of continuing education every 3 years. Most agents are looking for a quick solution to knock these out, so CE Shop is your best bet.

The price point is slightly higher than other providers, but the convenience is what sets them apart. They also have several continuing education packages to choose from, so you can find the right mix of courses for you. For all of these reasons, The CE Shop is the best continuing education course in Michigan.

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Convenience: 4.8 out 5. The CE Shop’s continuing education courses are all online. I also really appreciate the custom-designed online learning platform that is easy to access on a tablet or phone. This allowed me to access the course material on the go, which made a huge difference in how efficient I was with my time.

Reporting is also a major thing to consider when you’re trying to finish your continuing education. Many agents wait until the last minute, so you want to find a provider that will immediately report your completed hours to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) – Board of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons. The CE Shop has a policy that they will mark your hours as complete within 24 hours. You will also immediately receive a certificate upon completion, students can access an electronic copy of the certificate for a minimum of five years.

Pass Rate: 5 out 5. Passing a final exam is not required to receive continuing education credit in Michigan, so The CE Shop system is set up so that final exams can be passed with a 0% passing score. You just need to complete the hours to receive your credit.

Course Duration: 4.7 out of 5. You must complete 18 hours every 3 years to keep your license active in the state of Michigan. Course expiration dates vary by course but are generally one year after you purchase the package or course. Each individual course will have an expiration date listed in your CE Shop account.

Support: 4.5 out of 5. I used the live chat feature, and the technical team quickly answered my questions and resolved the issue within minutes. However, it’s worth noting that direct access to instructors is not available. In the event of encountering a problem with the course materials, the support team pledges to provide a response within two days. Waiting for two days can feel like quite a stretch if you find yourself stuck in the middle of a lesson.

Refund Policy: 4.1 out of 5. The CE Shop doesn’t offer refunds for continuing education courses. Luckily, the price point is pretty low, so you won’t be out a ton of money.

Overall Value & Recommended Package: Overall, I highly recommend The CE Shop’s Michigan continuing education courses. They are very quick and convenient, and provide a lot of flexibility. Agents are required to take 6 mandatory hours mixed with 12 elective hours. That gives you the freedom to decide which courses are most important to you when picking your elective courses. You can choose courses about negotiations, fair housing, veteran housing, and financing.

PrepAgent is designed to help future agents pass the real estate exam. They offer online group webinars, online training tools, e-books, and thousands of state-specific practice questions. 

I looked at dozens of different test prep vendors, including the ones that “come with” the courses – and frankly, all fall short of PrepAgent.

They are constantly updating their content as the exams change. While the questions cannot be the exact same as the real estate exam, PrepAgent strives to keep their content as close to what the exam will provide as possible. The material in the practice exams is written to reflect what an agent would need to know to pass the actual exam. 

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Convenience: 4.8 out 5. PrepAgent offers multiple ways for the students to study. My favorite feature is that you can focus on your weaknesses with category-specific tests, or go straight for the master exam preparation. Interactive flashcards and study guides are available to quiz yourself with, as well as worksheets to help track and remember all the information that has been provided.

PrepAgent also offers explainer videos to help keep the learning process fun. If students opt for the premium package they have access to live online group webinars 7 times a week with a variety of topics that cover the real estate exam. There is a live chat as well as recorded webinars to watch in the future in case you miss one.

In addition to practice exams and up-to-date information on the real estate exam, PrepAgent also offers one-on-one tutoring for those that feel extra individualized attention may help them to better prepare. The tutors help focus on the struggles students are having with absorbing the material and helping to implement tips and study tricks to prepare for the exam. Students can schedule multiple sessions if necessary. 

Refund Policy: 4.1 out of 5. With PrepAgent, you really can’t fail. If you aren’t satisfied with PrepAgent, their packages are covered with a 100% money-back guarantee. This sets them apart from some of their competitors, who have much more restrictive refund policies.

Overall Value & Recommended Package: Overall, I highly recommend PrepAgents’s Michigan test prep. A feature I really appreciated is the ability to listen to the information in their car. I also applaud the instructors for their relatable way of teaching and how easy they made it to retain the information taught. Overall students seem very pleased with PrepAgent and their teaching methods, with many having stated they were able to pass the real estate exam on the first try using all the tools offered.