The Hidden Risk in Choosing a Real Estate School

You’ve decided to pursue a real estate career in California. The dream is clear: earning your real estate license, passing the real estate exam, and stepping into a career with unlimited potential.

But here’s the truth most students don’t realize: your choice of real estate school can make or break that journey. Pick the wrong school, and you risk being stranded mid-course, with your investment gone and your momentum lost.

This is why stability matters. And in a market where schools come and go with every housing cycle, choosing the right partner is your first big career decision.

The Risk of Fly-By-Night Schools

The real estate education market is volatile, and many schools that launched during the COVID boom have already collapsed. With the housing slowdown and new regulations like SB1495’s Interactive Impact Bias requirement taking effect in 2024, countless websites have vanished overnight.

And when a school disappears, it’s not just their problem — it’s yours.

• Students could be stranded mid-course with no way to finish.
• Hard-earned credits don’t transfer to another provider.
• Tuition money is gone — and so is your time.
• Worst of all, your momentum toward a license and career vanishes in an instant.

The Market Context: How Real Estate Schools Rise and Fall

The business of real estate education has always mirrored the housing market itself. When homes are selling quickly and prices are climbing, interest in becoming an agent naturally spikes. That was true in the mid-1990s boom leading up to 2006, when real estate schools were filled with new students eager to ride the wave. But when the 2008 financial crisis hit and the market collapsed, many of those same schools shuttered their doors almost overnight.

We saw a similar pattern during the COVID-19 surge in 2020–2021. With people stuck at home and rethinking their careers, thousands rushed to get a real estate license. It felt like new schools were appearing online almost weekly, many with flashy websites and big promises. The barrier to entry was relatively low, and in a hot market, making quick money seemed easy.

But downturns always test the foundation of a school. When the 2023 market cooled and enrollments slowed, newer operators discovered what ADHI has known for decades: running a compliant, high-quality real estate school requires deep infrastructure, experienced staff, and the strength to withstand lean years.

Without that, thin margins and mounting compliance costs quickly push pop-up schools out of business — leaving students caught in the middle.

The Pillars of Our Resilience

At ADHI Schools, we’ve proven again and again that we’re built to last. Since 2003, we’ve not only survived market turbulence — we’ve helped thousands of students thrive through it.

Here are the pillars of our resilience:

• Experience Through Every Cycle: From the Great Recession (2008–2012) to the 2023 slowdown, we’ve guided students through the toughest housing markets.
• Regulatory Strength: We adapt promptly to new regulations, such as SB1495. Compliance is never an afterthought — it’s part of our DNA.
• Full-Journey Support: From enrollment to exam day, our infrastructure ensures you’re supported at every step.
• Proven Longevity: With nearly 25 years in business, we’re not here to make a quick profit. We’re here to launch real careers.
• A Trusted Community: Thousands of working agents in California today started right where you are — with ADHI Schools.

This is the stability every aspiring real estate professional deserves.

A Safer Next Step

Your real estate career is too meaningful to gamble on a school that may not be here tomorrow. Choosing ADHI Schools means choosing security, expertise, and a clear path to your license.