Spring is here, opening day for the Dodger’s is tomorrow. You may be surprised to learn that real estate played an important role in the Dodger’s move to LA. How? If you’ve studied real estate at all, you might be familiar with the term, eminent domain, which is how Dodger stadium came to be.

Here’s the story:

Chavez Ravine was named for Julian Chavez, by Los Angeles County Supervisors in the 1800s. It was home to generations of Mexican Americans. In 1950, the city of Los Angeles used the power of eminent domain to purchase the property in Chavez Ravine with the goal of building public housing on the land. The power of eminent domain allows the government to purchase property from private individuals in order to construct projects for the public good. The city planned to use the land to build 10,000 units of public housing and by August 1952, the residents were gone, and Chavez Ravine was a ghost town.

For a variety of reasons, in 1953 the LA City Council decided the housing project was not feasible. At the same time, the city desperately wanted its own major league team. With a promise of Chavez Ravine as the site of a new stadium, the city struck a deal with Walter O’Malley to move the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. City officials deemed a baseball stadium as serving the public good, and the rest is history.

Real estate plays a key role in much of our lives, from where you live, to your favorite sport. Have you ever thought about a career in real estate? If so, take a look around my website for information on how to start, or advance your real estate career.

Looking for a real estate course that meets your new “clean living” lifestyle? Well, look no more. Other schools may use additives that bloat their course offerings but at the Real Estate Centre, we provide you with the information you need to pass your licensing exam, pure and simple. Check out our online video prep, we guarantee that there are no additives or artificial sweeteners. And, just in case you’re wondering, we’re also non-GMO. Seriously, who could ask for more (or, in this case, less)?

Paleo? Keto? Gluten free? No problem. We have plenty of pared down options available — our online tests and audio download focus on the basics with no added frills. Or, maybe you chose a Mediterranean diet to help you live long and prosper (in real estate, of course)? With our exam prep options, you can tailor a program to meet your unique needs.

So, enroll in our online video course with confidence, binge on our online practice tests, and fall asleep with our audio program as the soundtrack of your dreams. No need to feel queasy about passing your real estate salesperson or broker exam when you use the Real Estate Centre’s prep materials. Go forth and pass. We’ve got your back.

According to the DRE website, all testing sites are reopening tomorrow after more than a month-long shut down. Not much information is available but here’s what we know:

• All sites are reopening, except for Oakland
• Cancelled exams will be rescheduled first

The scheduling page currently does not reflect the opening, we’re hoping the page updated soon so you can jump on and grab a date. Check out space availability at this link on the DRE website: https://www.dre.ca.gov/  — if you’re serious about taking a licensing exam, be sure to check all locations.

In the meantime, stay tuned, and keep studying.

With the governor’s new stay at home order, all DRE testing centers are closed from December 7 through December 26, 2020 (and possibly longer). You can find the announcement and more details on the DRE website (www.dre.ca.gov).

As disappointing as this is, don’t let it deter you from continuing to prepare for your licensing exam. As with the last stay-at-home, testing will resume, so be ready to jump on a date as soon as the testing centers open up.

Have questions, or feedback? E-mail me at john@realc.biz.

The holidays are almost here. And, you know what that means, it’s almost the NEW YEAR. Time to say good-bye to the horror that is 2020, and hello to a hopeful 2021.

Hopefully in the New Year…

• we can put COVID behind us.
• we can get back to being a real community.
• we can all get back to work.
• we can realize our dreams.

If one of your dreams is to start or advance your career in real estate, have I got a deal for you! If you’re looking for the best, most up to date real estate exam prep, you’ve come to the right place. Between now and New Year’s, I’m offering a $10 discount on any online orders. Seriously. Everything is discounted, from the smallest stocking stuffer (audio downloads), to the gift that won’t fit under the tree (online video prep), it’s all on sale. Use the following coupon code to unlock your savings: bye2020

As life gets back to normal, let’s not forget that 2020 taught us to appreciate simple things – home, family, friends, and (most of all) health. We found strength in those close to us and a new compassion for those less fortunate. Let’s vow to hold onto our new-found strength and compassion as we move forward into the New Year.

Have questions, or feedback? E-mail me at john@realc.biz.

Are we crazy? Are we giving away the store and heading to a secret hideout in Belize?

Seriously, you may be wondering – what’s with the massive discounts (50%) on our online products? If you live in California, you know that times are tough, and there is no end in sight. Many people have already lost their jobs, and many fear they might be next. We also know that many of our students are looking to better themselves with a career in real estate. Toward that end, we are doing what we can to help.

If you’re stuck at home and the future looks bleak, don’t lose sight of your goal – take advantage of our online video prep course so you’ll be ready when the DRE opens its doors to testing. If the video isn’t for you, check out our audio downloads and online practice tests. Again, all online products are discounted by 50%! (Please note, we are unable to offer this discount on any product that includes John’s book due to printing and shipping costs.)

So, to answer the questions at the beginning of this post – no, we are not crazy (yet) and no, we are not bailing for Belize (yet). We’re just trying to be nice.

Whatever your real estate exam prep needs are, we’re here for you.

It’s the Real Estate Centre’s end of year BLOW OUT SALE. To show our appreciation to our loyal fans, we’re offering a $20 discount on all online enrollments placed between December 21, 2019 and January 1, 2020 (yes, 2020). Enroll in one of our online video exam prep courses (sales or broker) and enter “YAY2020” when you’re prompted for a coupon code and save $20. It’s that easy!

Looking for a last minute Christmas or Chanukah gift? Remember, real estate exam courses also make great gifts —  a successful career is the best thing you can give to a friend or loved one. Shop now, and shop often.

Questions? Concerns? Give us a call (310-410-9718) or e-mail (411@realestatecentre.biz) and we’ll do our best to give you the service you deserve.

Say good-bye to 2019, and hello to the new year with your friends at the Real Estate Centre!

Waiting until black Friday to find a great deal? Don’t wait – the Real Estate Centre’s exam prep video sale starts today. We’re offering a $20 discount on all online enrollments placed between November 5, and December 1, 2019. It’s easy. Enroll in one of our online video exam prep courses (sales or broker) and enter “BLACK” when you’re prompted for a coupon code and save $20. It’s that easy!

Remember, real estate exam courses also make great gifts. So, if you’re at a loss for gifts for Christmas, Chanukah, or Kwanzaa, remember a successful career is the best thing you can give to a friend or loved one. Shop now, and shop often.

Questions? Concerns? Give us a call (310-410-9718) or e-mail (411@realestatecentre.biz) and we’ll do our best to give you the service you deserve.

Happy Holidays from your friends at the Real Estate Centre!

How successful would you be? As a real estate professional, it’s likely that your success is measured by dollars and sales. Do you consider yourself successful? Do you consider yourself successful enough?

I recently read an article about how that question is often used to help people remove limitations and move ahead. It’s a good tool to use when you’re feeling stuck. Author, Warren Berger (“A More Beautiful Question”) has a different take on the question. He sees the question as proposing a fantasy scenario and sees a more realistic question being, “When I fail, how will I recover?” For those of us working in real estate, there are always deals that don’t go through, and opportunities missed. So, how do you recover from these failures? And do you see them as failures? Personally, I try to spread my energies over a number of projects so if one starts to look not-so-promising, I have others I can shift my energy to. But does that hold me back from going for the one REALLY BIG thing? It’s a good question and one that I’m not always sure I can answer.

How about you? When you reflect on your success, are you there yet? Will you ever be?