CA Realty Training

There are many different options when it comes to taking the courses required to take the California real estate exam. Many people do it online, but those people are missing out on learning real life lessons from super stars like Mahogany Rhodes. Mahogany teaches the T-​Th course in Brentwood, which I chose because it takes place in the afternoon while my son is in school. From the first day to the last, her classes were packed with energy, humor and invaluable information about the way the business works. And I think what makes Mahogany special is that she offers this up with a sincere affection and respect for her students, and that makes all the difference. For me, the choice to get into real estate is one that I have been thinking about for a very long time, so to be received so warmly was a very pleasant surprise. She likes to say that anyone could get a real estate license, but she wants to help her students to take it to the next level and be the type of real estate professional with whom she’d like work. Her classes are an inspiration!

If you’re looking for fully immersive real estate courses with layers of depth that go well beyond the textbooks, look no further than the CA Realty training of Mahogany Rhodes at Keller Williams Brentwood. I recently finished up all three courses (Tuesday and Thursday from 1 – 3) under Mahogany’s tutelage, and I can honestly say that not only am I sufficiently equipped to pass the State Exam, but I’m inspired and excited to launch my career in real estate in a way that I never could have anticipated before enrolling.
Mahogany made it very clear that she wasn’t just training us to obtain a license, but rather preparing us to become professional real estate agents with thriving careers. Motivating from the start! She is incredibly impassioned and knowledgeable about all things real estate, and she infused her unique energy into our lessons, which made trudging through sometimes stodgy material a far more valuable experience than it would have been otherwise. Along with covering the required info, she peppered our courses with numerous tales of «real life» experiences, and encouraged students to share their own adventures in real estate so that we might all learn from each other. Because the books just cover what’s on the State Exam, moments like these were invaluable, as they gave students an inside glimpse of the industry and its practices, and taught us to be prepared for a multitude of unpredictable scenarios. Mahogany never failed to bring humor, insight, enthusiasm, and encouragement to class, which goes a looooong way when you’re trying to wrap your head around daunting things like finance, history and the law.
As for the course material, it is definitely sufficient. The books are thick — well over 400 pages each — but I was pleasantly surprised that some subjects overlapped, which provided a bit of study relief. I was a little jarred by some of the typos in the textbooks, but hopefully future revisions will work this out. CA Realty provided slides highlighting the most important information for in class learning, as well as an online glossary of real estate terms, which is definitely helpful. I found that there was more than enough time provided to complete the online finals after each course, and even though they’re open book you still definitely have to know the material. I’m currently studying for the State Exam and CA Realty offers simulated exams online, which are pretty invaluable. CA Realty also walks you through the RE exam application process once you’ve finished all three required courses.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend training with CA Realty, and I can’t imagine having done it with anyone other than Mahogany. I had originally tried to get into classes in Studio City but they were all full. When I called CA Realty they recommended the Brentwood location specifically because of Mahogany’s great reputation. I wasn’t crazy about the drive at first, but I quickly began looking forward to it once I realized how great and empowering Mahogany is! Can’t wait to pass the exam and launch my new career!

NO REGRETS AMAZING 3 MONTH COURSE EXPERIENCE @ KW Santa Monica. High energy Robert Rico was the Instructor and each week we learned more while being retrained of the info we had been taught in previous weeks. I passed all 3 course exams by attending all weekly classes (I did the Saturdays classes 10−2pm), repetitively taking the chapter quizzes, reviewing the power points for each course, and listening and participating in the class. I took the exams with in 2 weeks of finishing the courses. You need to be organized and assertive. Its a self starting deal, but if you want it there are tons of resources available from KW, like Career Night and Ignite which are all open to students.

I was thinking to get online classes for real estate, but after auditing a class with Kathryn Shafer (Keller Williams-​Beverly Hills /​Saturday Classes), I made my mind up cause I couldn’t loose that kind of high energetic class! From the 1^st day of our class, Kathryn throw us to The Real Estate World, we started prospecting, also making connections, creating our own business from very beginning. And most importantly we learned a lot from Kathryn’s endless experience. It is the ultimate way to be a successful realtor. I am really grateful to CA Realty Training and of course to Kathryn Schafer!

After being told for years that I should get into real estate by friends I’d helped find apts in NYC, I moved to LA and finally decided to take some classes — if nothing else I’d learn something new. I found CA Realty Training online and signed up, as the classes were at Keller Williams (well-​respected, to say the least) just minutes from my apt.
Rico filled in for the first «audit» class and gave an overview of the instructors, their styles and personalities. Kathryn Shafer sounded right up my alley: down to earth, lots of great experiences to share, and guest speakers to learn from and bring the material to life. And, she taught on Saturday, which was a must with my full-​time job.
The material is dry — lots of rote memorization and facts, however, Kathryn’s Saturday classes were invigorating. What a great body of experience she has to call on — and man does she tell a good story! Her real life examples are not only a hoot, but they bring to life the material in ways that make it easy to remember. Kathryn’s guest speakers (at least one per class) are also a nice touch, breaking up the 3 – 4 hour class, and allowing us all to ask experts to clear up any confusions we might have on the reading/​slides. Also, each expert also makes themselves available beyond the class, which is a HUGE advantage.
Beyond class, Kathryn is as generous with her own time as she is with her stories, making herself available to students at any time over coffee or a drink to talk further. I also really like her ethical standards — Kathryn not only relays the ethics the book talks about, but consistently reminds us not to do things we aren’t comfortable, if it feels icky it probably is, and to never risk a friendship or your own morals for a buck.
Kathryn took me from someone who was curious to learn more, to someone who is now excited to start his career in real estate. I feel empowered and supported in that decision, fully knowing Kathryn is always just a phone call or a margarita away.

I heartily recommend attending Kathryn Shafer’s (Keller Williams — Beverly Hills) Saturday morning class. Working Monday-​Friday regular attendance at weekday evening classes would have been tough for my schedule. The ability to attend Saturdays from 10−1was ideal! Kathryn is not only an energetic and knowledgeable speaker, after 25 years of Real Estate experience in Los Angeles she has an incredible understanding of the business. Kathryn not only shares practical knowledge, she lays out every step that students need to take to launch a successful career for themselves.
During each class my notes included much more than just the weekly chapter review. I found myself adding a list of «Today’s Tips» each week. The «tips» listed were all of the additional information that Kathryn shared from her own practice as a successful realtor.
Kathryn makes the process of learning a tremendous amount of material much less intimidating. Kathryn also empowers each student to succeed.

If you are looking for your first stop on your Real Estate journey, look no further. This is your destination. CA Realty School at the Keller Williams office in Brentwood is where you need to be. My experience with them has been exceptional. Mahogany is awesome. Her success in the industry and her personal experience brings an invaluable perspective to the class. Thank you very much.

Audrey and Vicky are fantastic instructors! I am getting ready to take my exam and they have prepared me very well! This class is very helpful

I took my classes at CA Realty School a few months ago in Westwood location, and I’m so glad that I found this school! Robert Rico is so professional and knowledgable! He is a great great teacher! I love his energy and motivation he gives to his students!
I also met Carolee Rico. She was so nice, and helped me with application process.
I just passed the State Exam on my first try! So excited!
Thanks LA Realty training !!

Rico is the Best! Great education, Great stories, Great Experience! Only way to pass the test is to know ur material! Keep up the Positive Attitude and training!! A+ thanks Rico!

I took the classes at CA Realty Training over the summer of 2015. I had a great experiences with Kathryn Shafer at Beverly Hills and Delaina Gallardo at Los Feliz. Both instructors had years of experience as realtors and provide me with real world examples that is not covered in my textbooks. It was wonderful to learn from to different perspectives of the Los Angeles real estate market. Kathryn Shafer has over 20 years of experience in residential real estate in the Beverly Hills area. Delaina Gallardo specializes in working with investors in the Los Feliz area. Kathryn Shafer and Delaina Gallardo are always available to students if they have need help or have questions. They not only want their students the test but succeed as realtors as well.

I took my classes with Robert Rico at the Westwood KW location. He is absolutely matchless! What a blessing to be in his class. If you are thinking of a career in Real Estate and want to be in a classroom setting definitely check out this school. I am now licensed and I owe many thanks to CA Realty Training: D

It was such a pleasure learning under Robert Rico’s guidance (Keller Williams — Santa Monica). I am one who values first impressions and upon sitting in his first class I knew that I was in for worthwhile experience. A few great things to share… he offers such a vast amount of practical knowledge and strategies that will aid you in your career (PRICELESS!), he genuinely has the entire class best interest at heart, and he wants to see you excel beyond what you may think you are capable of.
Each of his classes are enjoyable and progressive, and he does an amazing job simplifying the overwhelming amount of terminology and information. That alone, I am highly thankful.
I wholeheartedly recommend Rico to anyone wishing to «properly» prepare for the state exam, and wanting to be ready to agent immediately after passing.

I am on my second week of class and I am learning some quality material for use in my career. The online tools are very useful and in class we find insider information which the book doesn’t teach. I would recommend coming here. Not only is it good teaching, they seem to be straight up and honest about real estate and the different choices you have of brokers. Joe Solamany is a great teacher and has a lot of knowledge about the business. He also is a mentor and is the teacher for the classes I am attending.

I already wrote a 5 star review based on my first two months of courses at the Santa Monica Keller Williams office (Jason Gervais). When Jason moved on to hotter pastures (literally: he’s team leader in Covina, though I’m not sure Sherman Oaks is all that cooler), I was stranded.
There was *no* way I was driving from WLA to Covina, no matter how nice the Redlands noodle house is another 25 or so minutes east en route to Scottsdale. I also like the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Co and it’s in the same mall. But even a white chocolate apple won’t induce me to drive to or past Covina.
Then my father died (March, 2015). Then I was in Seattle (April) and New York (May). By the time I was ready to complete Finance, the third and last month of the course, the course materials had changed from Allied to Licensing Solutions.
I taught English three years at University of California, Santa Barbara, and I’m a Ph.D. candidate in English. People paid me to evaluate writing, so I will be blunt: the lady who wrote the Practices and Principles we used in the fall of 2014 cannot write.
I don’t mean that these books aren’t page turners. The whole course is filled with stupefyingly dull material no sentient being could find anything other than sheer drudgery. I mean that she can’t write. Like not at all. Her prose turns dull material into material which induces a desire to bash your head against a pure granite wall simply to deliver you from the boredom.
The Licensing Solutions screen shots are better than the Allied materials, and I think CA Realty Training was smart to make the switch. Change is always annoying and during my hiatus from class, I’m told many were disgruntled. But it was a good choice.
Chase Milner was more than patient and generous with me and my strange, bicoastal three-​city schedule. He recommended Kelly Aluise in Beverly Hills and she was spectacular. We always finished early and like Jason, she injected her personal experience over the past 12 or so years selling real estate.
Kelly knows her stuff but doesn’t take herself too seriously, nor does she engage in that «hard sell» thing which makes sales in general so off-​putting to those of us with academic or other professional backgrounds. None of that «Always Be Closing» Glengarry Glen Ross attitude (with or without the psychosis).
Kelly is straightforward, honest, and extremely affable. She wants to make money, but her manner is pleasant and low-​key. Real estate is not neurosurgery. Little would have irritated me more than a teacher who treated real estate as something other than a glorified form of hustling with a potentially altruistic twist. Kelly is an obviously good person who wants to her clients to be happy and her students to succeed.
With the possible exception of Grapes of Wrath, I don’t think I’ve ever read or studied material deadlier than the books in this course. But unlike GOW, these books aren’t painful.
If you’re going to get a real estate license, CA Realty Training is the course to take. I had drinks and appetizers at Wolfgang’s every night before or after class. Wally’s (the new wine bar connected to the famous old store on Westwood Blvd) is spectacular. And you’ve also got Nic’s, which has a great happy hour (4−7PM). Parking 5 bucks a block away.
In sum, for something as mind-​numbingly dull as a real estate licensing course, this was not bad at all.

Joe Solemany Training mentor with formally known as LA Realty is by far one of the most applicable and revived educators to the industry for the those who speak a completely different language of field work, such as myself.
Not only am I now informed presently. I am as motivated and confident as the next lead realtor in Westwood.

If you are searching for real estate training, i can say for sure that you are never going to find something better. They are going to give you not only knowledge, but they are going to encourage and inspire to do your best. My teacher was Rico, i was lucky to be in his class, i don’t think you can find any person who can make a bad review for him. His is not only professional, he also has wonderful personally, and he is really care about his students! Rico you are the best!
From Russia with love:)

LA Realty Training is the best!
Im so happy I made the decision to join this program/​course.
Sharing experiences, ambitions and goals with future colleagues and current professional is the best way to get your foot in the door and get a head start after you pass the exam.
I decided in September to sign up an passed the star exam this past February.
Sign up. You won’t regret it.
Great Job Rico for an inspiring 3 months.
Also thanks to Carolee for all your assistance with the exam prep!
You are such an great power couple.

I was beyond impressed with LA Realty Training. Robert Rico is a dynamic, engaging and effective teacher who gives his all to ensure that his students have the best chance at succeeding.
If you want to pass the state exam and get your real estate license, you should (1) take this course and (2) do what «Rico» tells you to do. It’s really that simple.
The icing on the cake is that the classes are actually interesting and fun! You’ll be learning what you need while being engaged and interested at the same time. This course is definitely a goldmine.
After you finish the course, Carolee will help you fill out your application for the state exam. Wow, you could not ask for a sweeter and more helpful person. Carolee and Rico are the true dream team!
A+!!!

Cannot say enough good things about my experience with this course/​class. It’s extremely well organized in the way the course guides you to navigate through the mandatory real estate license training material in a quick way.
Robert (Rico) the teacher/​owner of the school is super friendly and awesome. He’s clearly passionate about what he does. Two classes a week, two hours each and three months just flew by! If you’re interested in learning about real estate and/​or getting your license, do not hesitate and sign up for this course. You will learn a lot in a very short time and best of all, it doesn’t break the bank!