The National Association of Realtors predicts that 2006 will be the third best year on record for housing sales. It's a bit slower than the previous year, but there is still plenty of room for those with the right career training and real estate school qualifications.

A slowdown in sales doesn't sound all that great but prices are still rising: in an industry where you earn commissions, that's a good thing. The right career training, such as real estate school, possibly by distance learning, will help you compete whatever happens to the market itself.

Real Estate School: Is It Necessary?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) real estate brokers and agents have to take a written exam in all states. In almost all of them, sales agents must have had more than 30 hours of classroom instruction and brokers as much as 90. There are more than 1,000 real estate schools across the country, including colleges that offer a major in the subject. Many of them also run distance learning programs. So the answer is yes--almost everywhere career training at a real estate school, whether on campus or by distance learning, is necessary.

Career Training or Distance Learning: Is It Worth It?

Everybody needs somewhere to live so the need for realtors isn't going to go away. The BLS says that the housing needs of a growing population will keep jobs in the sector growing. That means career training, on campus or by distance learning through a real estate school, could be worth it. As the BLS reports, average earnings for those in real estate in 2004 were $35,670 and the top 10% made more than $92,770, making it a good way to make a great living.