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Table of Contents
What are the Independent Study Course Prerequisites?
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What are the approximate costs involved in obtaining a Hawaii Real Estate License? 60-Hour Salesperson Course:
80-Hour Broker Course:
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What are the licensing requirements in Hawaii?[No individual shall be eligible for the licensing examination unless the individual is a United States citizen, a United States national, or an alien authorized to work in the United States, and of the age of majority (18), and has satisfactorily completed a commission-approved prelicensing course for real estate salesperson or broker, or its equivalent as determined by the commission. You must also take and pass the State licensing exam; make written application for your license; and pay the appropriate fees. As a "Salesperson" you must "hang" your license with an existing brokerage company and conduct your real estate activities under the supervision of the firm's Principal Broker. Or, you may apply for your license and place it directly on an "inactive" status. Back to Top
The Hawaii Real Estate Commission is experiencing an increase in the number of real estate applicants who answer "yes" to questions on the application related to past convictions, disciplinary actions, pending law suits, unpaid judgments, outstanding tax obligations, complaints filed with a licensing agency. A number of the applicants for licensure are denied a real estate license after spending monies, time, and effort in taking and passing a prelicensing course and the exam due to a questionable background issue. Prior to submitting to prelicensing education or examination requirements, an individual candidate may request that the real estate commission consider a preliminary decision as to whether the individual candidate for a real estate license will be denied a real estate license. The Request for Preliminary Decision application is available online at the real estate commission's website, www.hawaii.gov/hirec. There is a $25.00 non-refundable application fee. All documentation related to the questionable activity should be obtained and submitted with the application, along with letters of reference, a resume of activities, and a brief written explanation of the questionable circumstances.] Back to Top
What are the educational requirements to obtain a real estate license in Hawaii?[Salesperson: The education requirement for the salesperson license examination shall be satisfied by successful completion of a curriculum in real estate at an accredited institution, consisting of a minimum of sixty class hours and conforming to the approved curriculum for salesperson adopted by the commission or such equivalent education or experience as shall be determined by the commission. Broker: The education requirement for the broker license examination shall be satisfied by successful completion of a curriculum in real estate at an accredited institution, consisting of a minimum of eighty class hours and conforming to the approved curriculum for brokers adopted by the commission or equivalent education or experience as shall be determined by the commission. A "class hour" as used in this section means sixty minutes of classroom instruction.]Back to Top
Is it possible to apply for an educational equivalency?[The real estate commission may grant an equivalency to the respective education requirements for applicants for the salesperson and broker license examinations for:
All requests for equivalency to the educational requirements shall be submitted in writing, together with all supporting documents of an official nature to the Hawaii Real Estate Commission, 335 Merchant Street #333, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 for its review, prior to filing the application for examination.] Back to Top
How do I register for the Independent Study Course? [Please register online at www.rickseiler.com using our secure order site and a credit card or debit card. Do not mail your credit card information. We do not accept payment by cash, check or money order.] Back to Top
I'm in a hurry, may I stop by your office to register and pick up my materials?[This is not practical since we are seldom in our office. Please register online at www.rickseiler.com using our secure order site and a credit card or debit card. If you are in a hurry, after you place your order for the course, click on the separate button for FEDEX shipping; $35. additional charge and receive delivery within 2-business days to most U.S. addresses] Back to Top
What are the Hawaii Department of Taxation Requirements?[Anyone considering applying for a real estate license should resolve all outstanding tax obligations with the Hawaii Department of Taxation prior to submission of an application and preferably prior to taking the prelicensing course and licensing examination.] Back to Top
What is the process for completing the Seiler School of Real Estate Independent Study Course?[In order to receive a course completion certificate from Seiler School of Real Estate, students will be required to:
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What is the course content?[Overview of the real estate business; History and development of Hawaii real property; Land, land elements and waters; Personal property and fixtures; Estates and interests in real property; Easements, restrictions, and adverse possession; Methods of ownership, HRS 467, real estate brokers and salespersons; Federal fair housing and Hawaii discrimination law; Agency and ethics; Listing contracts; Sales contracts; Hawaii standard form documents; Escrow and evidence of title; Transfer of titles, wills, descent, and deeds; Acknowledgments, recording, and constructive notice; Settlement statements; Financing and mortgages; Liens and foreclosure; Truth in lending and real estate settlement procedures act; Property management and leasing; Land description; Appraising; Government land use controls, planning, zoning, building ordinances, and environmental disclosures; Real property tax and tax aspects of real estate ownership, Condominium, Cooperative, Time Sharing, Planned Development Housing, and Subdivision.] Back to Top
How long will it take me to complete the Independent Study Course? [Students complete the course at their own pace; provided the course must be completed within one year of registration; no extension of time past one year. A student on Kauai recently finished the course in ten days. That is extraordinary. Depending on a student's urgency, and their other time commitments to family and employment, completion time varies widely. Typical is 45-90 days.] Back to Top
What is the minimum passing score on the tests? [The minimum passing grade on each Module Test and each section of the 2-part Course Final is 70% for Sales Candidates. The minimum passing grade on each Module Test and each section of the 2-part Course Final is 75% for Broker Candidates. We recommend that the student set a goal of obtaining scores in the 80% range on each of the Module Tests. They can then rest assured that they will be well prepared for the Course Finals and the Hawaii Real Estate Exam.] Back to Top
What happens if I don't pass an online Module Test? [It usually indicates that the student needs to invest more reading and study time before they attempt a Module Test:
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Is there an additional expense to repeat a failed test?
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What is the process involved to take the Independent Study Course Final Exams? [The student will first need to find a test proctor, (someone not related) that will be present during the online testing. The test proctor must sign an affidavit verifying the identity of the student and the validity of the testing process. A friend, business associate, real estate broker, title or escrow officer etc. The online course finals include two sections that are graded independently. Minimum passing score on each section is 70% for Sales candidates and 75% for Broker candidates. The Uniform Portion includes 100 questions about real estate in general throughout the United States; and the State Portion includes 100 specific questions relating to Hawaii rules and regulations. You are allowed 2 1/2 hours to complete each section and may elect to take them on separate days. If a student is not successful, the cost to repeat either section of the Course Finals is $50.00] Back to Top
How long will it take to receive a Certificate of Completion from Seiler School of Real Estate? [Please allow one week processing time from the date you successfully pass the course finals, and have emailed Seiler School with the requested information, to receive the Course Completion Certificate from Seiler School of Real Estate. You need to take the original Course Completion Certificate with you to the State Exam Test Site.] Back to Top
How long does a student have to take the real estate exam after receiving the Course Completion Certificate from Seiler School of Real Estate?[We suggest you schedule the state real estate exam soon after completion of our course; however, the certificate from Seiler School of Real Estate is effective for a period of two years from the date of issue, allowing you to take the licensing exam any time during that period.] Back to Top
What is the process for taking the Hawaii real estate exam? [The State Real Estate Licensing Examination program is administered by Pearson VUE, under contract with the Hawaii State Real Estate Commission. Click here to review the Real Estate Candidate Handbook. Please contact Pearson VUE 1-800-274-7301 to verify the current testing schedule and location most convenient for you. Big Island of Hawaii:
Kauai:
Maui:
Oahu:
The exam has two parts; the "Uniform" portion covering general real estate principles and practices, and the "State Law" section dealing with specific Hawaii statutes. Each section of the exam is graded separately and requires a passing score of 70% for Salespersons. Candidates failing either portion of the exam must retake that portion of the test, and pay an additional testing fee. The exam consists of multiple choice questions only. Test reservations need to be arranged with Pearson VUE at least four business days prior to your preferred testing date. Phone reservations are accepted at 800-274-7301 or click here to go their website Pearson VUE. The cost of taking the exam is currently $68.00 On the neighbor islands the test site is sometimes fully booked weeks in advance, so plan accordingly. You may consider scheduling a test date on Oahu if the neighbor island test sites are fully booked. Please allow one week processing time from the date you successfully pass the course finals to receive the Course Completion Certificate from Seiler School of Real Estate. You need to take the original certificate with you to the State Exam Test Site to gain entrance to the exam.] Back to Top
May the Hawaii real estate exam be taken on the mainland? [Hawaii real estate candidates may now test at any Pearson VUE test center in the United States at no additional charge. There are currently more than 200 test sites available. Interested candidates may make a reservation at 800-274-7301 or go to the HOT LINKS page of my website; in the right hand column, under the Pearson VUE heading, click on Locate a Test Site. If candidates are interested in the test site locations, they may log on to www.promissor.com Under "Find Test Information" click on "State Regulatory Exams - Real Estate/Appraiser exams." From the drop-down menu, click on "Hawaii Real Estate," and under "Testing Services" click on "Locate Test Center.] Back to Top
How soon after the state exam do I have to activate my real estate license?[Anyone who successfully passes the Salesperson exam must apply for their license in writing within two years of the exam date, or their test scores will be declared invalid, and they must retake the test. It is possible to apply for a license and have it placed directly on "inactive" status, but the same licensing fees are required.] Back to Top
What important information should I know about obtaining my real estate license in 2008?[If you apply for a new salesperson or broker license before the end of 2008, you will have to pay license fees twice in 2008. In addition to the fees you pay for your new license, you will have to pay renewal fees to renew your license by November 30, 2008 for the licensing period from 2009 to 2010. The law does not allow for proration of the fees. To avoid paying the fees twice, some of our graduates have opted to do the following:
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How long will it take to receive my real estate license from the State of Hawaii?[Please allow at least 2 to 3 weeks from the date you submit your completed application, along with the appropriate fees to the Hawaii Real Estate Commission.] Back to Top
What is the policy on attendance and grades?[The State requires a student to reasonably expend 60 hours in completing the course for salesperson certification; and 80 hours for Broker certification. Students must also pass the class final exam to be certified. Minimum passing grade for Sales candidates is 70%; Minimum passing grade for Broker candidates is 75%] Back to Top
What is the policy on refunds, substitutions, transfers and withdrawals?[Independent Study Course (Home Study): No refunds or withdrawals once the materials have been shipped from our office. No substitution of students. No extension of time past one year from your registration date.] Back to Top
Why do the questions on the online Test Modules seem more difficult than those in the textbook? [The online Test Modules include a variety of question formats: True & False; Multiple Choice; Matching; Fill in the Blank; Multiple Select; and Drop Down Select. Some of these formats, especially the Multiple Select, can be challenging. They are designed to insure that the student has a thorough understanding of the reading material in the textbook before they move on to the next Module. As a result, many of our graduates email us to let us know that they appreciate the fact that they were "well prepared" to pass the State Exam on their first attempt. Review the "COMMENTS" page of our website] Back to Top
Why is it that some of the questions in the online Test Modules are not specifically covered in the textbook? [ Questions on the state exam are not limited to information in any one textbook; it comes from many sources. To prepare students for that reality, we include questions in our online tests that contain information from a variety of resources. It is important that students follow the detailed Study Assignment, including the links to additional study resources, for each Module at the Study Hall page of the Student Center in order to maximize their chances of passing the Module Tests.] Back to Top
How quickly can I expect a response to my email? [The instructor attempts to respond to email within 24 hours. However, if the email is received after business hours, on weekends or holidays it may take a bit longer. If you do not receive a response to your email in 24-36 hours, kindly call 1-800-647-7425 and leave a voice message. It has become necessary to filter our incoming email to eliminate the hundreds of SPAM messages we were receiving on a daily basis. The filter has dramatically reduced the SPAM but it sometimes filters email from students. If you do not receive a reply to your email, it may be due to the filter. Please phone and leave a message as suggested above. We appreciate your understanding.] Back to Top
Author: Ricardo D. Seiler.
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