Academy to train real estate agents

     By Chris Jones
     View staff writer
      With Clark County's population projected to approach 2.7 million by the year 2018, there's going to be a lot of people looking for homes in Southern Nevada.
      Fortunately, a new school in southeast Las Vegas is preparing for the boom by training a new crop of real estate agents who will likely be selling homes to many of the valley's new residents in the near future.
      The Las Vegas Real Estate Academy recently opened its 2,450-square-foot facility in two suites at 3300 E. Flamingo Road. The school can handle up to 60 pre-licensing students, as well as an additional 40 students seeking continuing education in the real estate field.
      "Five years from now, I'll be disappointed if we're not known as the premier real estate school in Las Vegas," said director of education Duane Shaw. "We're looking at not only getting people licensed, but serving them after they've moved on with sales training and possibly the mortgage arena, as well."
      Classes at the school began on March 1, and two courses will initially be offered. A "Real Estate Principles, Practices and Law" class that will satisfy the state's required 90 hours of instruction for pre-licensing costs $325.
      A second, 18-hour course is available for those who have satisfied their educational course work in other states but need additional instruction on Nevada's real estate laws. That class is available for $125, and both prices include the required textbooks.
      The school was opened by Bette and Desiree Leal, a mother-daughter duo that also owns Century 21 Consolidated Realty at 2820 E. Flamingo Road. Desiree Leal will combine with Shaw to offer instruction at the academy.
      "When we first bought Century 21 Consolidated about five years ago, we found that a lot of Realtors we'd recruit wouldn't pass their (licensing) tests on the first go around," Leal said. "Since then, we've wanted to open a real estate school, but it wasn't until we met Duane that it became possible."
      Leal said Shaw has the ability, motivation and teaching background to make the new school a success.
      "We knew we couldn't go wrong with Duane," Leal said.
      Shaw, 54, has worked in the real estate and mortgage business since 1973 and said he has always enjoyed teaching the subject.
      "I started teaching classes about eight years ago, and the more I taught the better I liked it," Shaw said. "Now I'm a committed teacher; it's the best thing I do and I have the most enjoyment while doing it."
      His full-time commitment to teaching began at a meeting with Leal in July 1998.
      "I actually interviewed with Desiree about becoming a recruiter at Century 21," Shaw said. "When she saw my background and asked if I wanted to teach full-time, it took me about two seconds to say yes."
      Although there are already a handful of real estate schools available locally, Leal said the competing Southern Nevada School of Real Estate, with locations at 3411 W. Sahara Avenue and 7380 S. Eastern Avenue, currently has most of the valley's students. Because much of their clientele comes from the city's west side, Leal doesn't foresee a head-to-head duel for prospective students.
      "The demand for real estate agents is there," Leal said. "Once (people) understand how simple it is to actually get a license and the potential for income, there won't be a shortage of people signing up. There's room for another school."
      The courses at the Las Vegas Real Estate Academy can be completed in as little as four weeks, allowing those with both a partial and dedicated interest in the business to obtain a license a minimal time investment.
      Daytime classes at the Las Vegas Real Estate Academy are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Evening classes are Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
      "There are a lot of people who want to get their license for knowledge to invest," Leal said. "Not everyone who comes here plans to make it a full-time career, but a total investment of under $2,000 (for classes and license activation with the Board of Realtors) and two months of your time for the opportunity to make an unlimited amount of money is incredible."