When you think about real estate investment, your mind probably goes straight to buying a house.
However, real estate investment refers to the practice of acquiring, owning, and managing properties. And with so many property types, ownership styles and investment strategies, it’s a field far broader than simply buying a house. It can be a lucrative career, an opportunity to diversify your income or put you on the path to financial freedom.
With an array of online real estate investment courses available, each promising to impart the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate this complex industry, finding the right course can be a daunting task.
Whether you're a seasoned investor looking to refine your strategies or a newcomer eager to embark on a rewarding journey, the courses on this list will show you the ropes so you can start investing.
What is the best real estate investment course? Why?
- Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments (Udemy)
- Commercial Real Estate Investing 101 (Udemy)
- Real Estate Investing…Without Owning Real Estate Property! (Udemy)
- Pre-investing: Before Investing in Real Estate (LinkedIn Learning)
- Sophisticated Real Estate Investing: The Core Strategies, Tools & Mindset (Skillshare)
- Excel in Real Estate Investing! Learn to Fix & Flip, Step by Step! (Skillshare)
- The Advanced Real Estate Equity Waterfall Modelling Class (Udemy)
- Intro to Real Estate Development (Udemy)
- Free Real Estate Investing Course (YouTube)
- Multifamily Real Estate Investing Rules (Udemy)
My top pick is Udemy’s ‘Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments’. This is due to its detailed coverage of core real estate concepts. It offers a great starting point for newbies and beginners. But also builds up to advanced investment strategies and practical advice on listing your property effectively.
The end of chapter quizzes, due diligence checklist, and PDF summary at the end sets this course apart from the rest, and you’ll come away able to confidently evaluate investment opportunities.
My favorite focussed course is ‘Real Estate Investing…Without Owning Real Estate Property’, and it’s ideal for those wanting to dip their toe into investing but aren’t ready to commit to buying a full property. Broken down into 9 logically structured sections of 50 minutes, and summarized neatly at the end of each section, it’s an enjoyable watch with a mix of theoretical and practical real estate investment content.
Best free online course
- Excel in Real Estate Investing! Learn to Fix & Flip, Step by Step! (Skillshare)
- Free Real Estate Investing Course (YouTube)
While not completely free, Skillshare’s fix & flip investment course is only an hour so can easily be completed within the free trial period.
Best real estate investment course reviews
1. Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Symon He | Course length: 152 video lessons totaling 18 hours 43 minutes
From fix-and-flips to commercial and residential rental properties, this course offers a detailed exploration of core real estate concepts. Illustrated through several case studies, you’ll come away able to confidently evaluate real estate opportunities, as well as the best ways to list your properties online and guarantee occupancy.
You’ll learn:
- Real estate cycles
- The 3 primary investment strategies
- How to evaluable fix and flips, commercial properties, and rental income properties
- Key investment considerations
- Airbnb hosting, considerations, and best practices
- To calculate the return potential of real estate opportunities
Pros
- Covers core concepts comprehensively
- Summary videos and section quizzes to consolidate knowledge
- Several case studies including rental income property, multifamily investment, and commercial real estate
- PDF summary of the investment process
- Comprehensive due diligence checklist lectures
- Bonus lectures on listing rooms on Airbnb for greater revenue
Cons
- Less suited to intermediate and advanced level
Who’s it for: This course is ideal for beginners who want to establish a strong foundational knowledge of core real estate investment concepts.
Overall: Symon He delivers a comprehensive introduction to key concepts in real estate investment. With beginners in mind, the basics of evaluating properties, investment strategies, and calculating potential returns are covered from the start to finish, while its case studies, summary videos and supplementary resources mean the content is sure to stick.
2. Commercial Real Estate Investing 101 (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Justin Kivel | Course length: 84 video lessons totaling 3 hours 52 minutes
Justin Kivel is an experienced real estate investor, working on over $1.5 billion of real estate acquisition from retail to office properties throughout his career. Under his guidance, you’ll come away able to identify and analyze potential opportunities, as well as how to acquire them on your own.
You’ll learn:
- The Cash-on-Cash return
- Retail, office, multifamily, industrial, hotel and specialty property types
- The Pro Rata Share calculation
- All there is to know about commercial real estate interest rates
- The difference between physical and economic vacancy
Pros
- Key terms clearly defined
- Concise lecture videos under 6 minutes
- Practical exercises with solution lectures
- Course logically broken down into 14 sections under 45 minutes
- Content is updated regularly
Cons
- Basic understanding of Excel required
- Would benefit from a PDF workbook
Who’s it for: Beginners who are new to the field, seeking a solid foundational knowledge of core concepts
Overall: The course's emphasis on defining key terms, practical exercises, and logical organization makes it an ideal starting point for beginners. Justin explains concepts concisely but also provides context so you can apply them in the real world. While some Excel experience is beneficial, there are some demonstrations throughout as well
3. Real Estate Investing…Without Owning Real Estate Property! (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Steve Ballinger | Course length: 33 video lessons totaling 3 hours 29 minutes
A unique approach to real estate investment, focusing on avenues beyond traditional property ownership. It explores various platforms and investment vehicles such as crowdsourcing, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), mutual funds, Peer-to-Peer lending, and Master Limited Partnerships (MLPs).
You’ll learn:
- Different real estate crowdsourcing platforms
- What Real Estate Investment Trusts (REIT) are and key factors when selecting which to invest in
- The difference between active and passive mutual funds
- How you can benefit from Peer-to-Peer lending, and the right platform for you
- What Master Limited Partnerships are, and how to invest in them
Pros
- End of section summary lecture to reinforce content
- Comprehensive examples throughout
- Beginner friendly
- 9 distinct sections under 50 minutes
- Recommendations of how to continue learning once the program is completed
- Covers the real estate sharing economy including Airbnb
Cons
- Limited coverage of advanced topics
- Would benefit from a PDF summary of each section
Who’s it for: This program is well suited to those who are interested in expanding their knowledge beyond property ownership and seeking a beginner-friendly introduction to various investment avenues
Overall: This class offers a unique and non-traditional approach to getting your foot on the property ladder. The course's comprehensive examples, accessible structure, and coverage of relevant investment platforms make it suitable for beginners seeking to broaden their investment horizons. The end of section summary lecture sets this course apart, ensuring the content sticks once the course is over.
4. Pre-investing: Before Investing in Real Estate (LinkedIn Learning)

Platform: LinkedIn Learning | Teacher: Symon He | Course length: 46 video lessons totaling 5 hours 9 minutes
Symon He is a big name in real estate and online courses, having taught over 280,000 students and authoring 3 books on the subject. In this course he’ll familiarize you with core investment strategies and all you need to consider before investing. After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up somewhere else.
You’ll learn:
- Strategies for first-time investors
- Different real estate asset types
- The components of debt
- Real estate market cycles
- How to value a property
- To understand your market through regional, neighborhood and competitive analysis
Pros
- Beginner friendly introduction to core concepts in real estate investing
- Uses case studies and detailed examples
- Well-paced, clear instructor
- Notebook feature in LinkedIn Learning allows you to take notes as you go and export as a PDF
- Transcript and closed captions available
Cons
- Limited coverage of advanced topics
- Would benefit from an update following COVID-19
Who’s it for: While ideally suited to complete beginners, it would of benefit to intermediate real estate investors looking for a refresher and some tips from an experienced instructor
Overall: Like a well-charted map, this course will set you on the right path for long-term real estate investment success. It can be tempting to dive right into investing, but the case studies throughout the course highlight common pitfalls while Symon’s expertise shines through in his actionable advice.
5. Sophisticated Real Estate Investing: The Core Strategies, Tools & Mindset (Skillshare)

Platform: Skillshare | Teacher: Alex Kouramanis | Course length: 27 video lessons totaling 5 hours 41 minutes
Focussing on investment strategies, market analysis, and property management, this program offers a deep dive into advanced real estate investment. You’ll learn all there is to know about purchasing and renovating and come away with practical negotiation techniques.
You’ll learn:
- The 5 main real estate investment strategies
- How to pick the right market to invest in
- Tools for analyzing the market and properties
- How to buy, flip and sell properties
- The art of negotiation
Pros
- On-screen demonstrations and examples throughout
- Engaging instructor
- Includes a fix and flip, and lease option spreadsheet for personal use
- High-quality PDF resources including an RTO spreadsheet and checklist to keep after the course is completed
- Unique coverage of negotiation strategies
Cons
- Inactive discussion forum
Who’s it for: It’s ideal for those wanting to explore diverse investment strategies, refine their market analysis capabilities, and master the art of negotiation
Overall: A comprehensive and enjoyable program with an engaging instructor. The blend of on-screen demonstrations, actionable advice and spreadsheet resources sets this course apart from the rest as the mixed learning format makes for a better study session. The checklist is high-quality as well, and would be helpful to those preparing to invest in their first property
6. Excel in Real Estate Investing! Learn to Fix & Flip, Step by Step! (Skillshare)

Platform: Skillshare | Teacher: Khari Parker | Course length: 20 video lessons totaling 1 hours 24 minutes
This short class is designed for aspiring fix-and-flip real estate investors and will walk you through from start to finish. Packed full of visual examples and a handy glossary, it offers practical guidance on property evaluation, financial considerations, and project management.
You’ll learn:
- How to make a strong offer on a property
- To navigate loans from different lenders
- How to build relationships with contractors who oversee repairs on investment properties
- Different sources of property – real estate agent vs wholesaler
- Which criteria to use when evaluating a property
- How to best utilize your real estate agent so your property sells quickly
Pros
- Example before and after pictures from past projects
- More focus on the practical and renovation side of real estate investments
- PDF glossary and summary notes available
- On-screen walkthroughs
- Concise lectures without sacrificing content quality
- Includes wider sources to find low-cost real estate investments
Cons
- Lecture slides are slightly dated
Who’s it for: This course is ideal for beginners new to the world of property evaluation and project management
Overall: Combining the glossary and summary notes, this concise course offers a strong foundational knowledge of key fix-and-flip investment components. Due to the practical nature of the class, it’s especially suited to those who prefer hands-on learning as there is a strong focus on renovation aspects. While the lecture slides are slightly dated, the content is just as applicable.
7. The Advanced Real Estate Equity Waterfall Modelling Class (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Justin Kivel | Course length: 85 video lessons totaling 5 hours 35 minutes
A focussed course catering to those seeking an in-depth understanding of complex financial structures in real estate investments. This course delves into the intricacies of equity waterfall modeling, equipping you with the skills necessary to navigate advanced investment distributions.
You’ll learn:
- The Cash-on-Cash Waterfall Model
- To model waterfall structures with an LP clawback clause
- The GP Catch-Up Waterfall Model
- How to model equity percentages, cash flow from operations and net sale proceeds
- American vs. European style waterfalls
- The Dual Preferred Return Hurdle Waterfall Model
Pros
- On-screen demonstrations
- Bite-sized lectures under 8 minutes
- Clear and concise instructor
- Lectures are logically structured and build upon the previous section
- End of section check-in to ensure understanding
Cons
- Would benefit from a lecture on the sample fund models
Who’s it for: Covering advanced real estate investing concepts, this course is ideal for those with prior experience wanting to push themselves or in need of a refresher
Overall: With its hands-on demonstrations, structured lectures, and comprehensive content, the course ticks all the boxes of a top online course. Although aimed at intermediate to advanced real estate investors, Justin builds on the previous lectures and explains core concepts clearly and concisely, so you aren’t thrown straight in at the deep end.
8. Intro to Real Estate Development (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Brandon Young | Course length: 37 video lessons totaling 4 hours 41 minutes
With a Bachelor's in Management and a Master’s degree in Real Estate Finance and Development, you’re in good hands with Brandon Young. During this course, designed with complete beginners in mind, key terms will be broken down clearly and core formulae will be explained before being summarized concisely at the end of the section.
You’ll learn:
- How to calculate the internal rate of return (IRR) to evaluate real estate development opportunities
- The difference between hard and soft costs
- How to determine market risk
- Real estate cycles
- What tenant reimbursements are and how they are calculated
Pros
- Beginner-friendly introduction to core real estate investing concepts
- Clear lecture slides ideal to take notes from
- Case study walkthroughs with follow up solutions lectures
- Use of examples throughout really enforces learning
- End of section quizzes and short summary video
Cons
- Slightly repetitive but this can reinforce learning
- Would benefit from a PDF glossary
Who’s it for: Newbies to the world of real estate development
Overall: With its beginner-friendly approach, practical case studies, and extensive use of examples, the course effectively conveys the more complex concepts in real estate investment. While there is minor repetition, this can help enforce learning and with a 30-day money back guarantee, what do you have to lose?
9. Free Real Estate Investing Course (YouTube)

Platform: YouTube | Teacher: Connected Investors | Course length: 1 video lessons totaling 2 hours 10 minutes
This course, provided by Connected Investors, covers a range of topics, from effective networking strategies to understanding foreclosures and leveraging opportunities in various real estate domains. While YouTube courses lack practice assignments, the interactive videos are enjoyable and there’s an active comment section to discuss course content.
You’ll learn:
- How to network effectively to leverage more opportunities
- Everything there is to know about foreclosures
- How to find a good deal on defaulted properties, foreclosures, courthouse auctions and bank owned REO’s
- The role of direct mail in real estate investment
- How to use craigslist to your advantage
Pros
- Interactive video lectures, ideal for visual learners
- Suitable to a range of experience levels
- Free PDF workbooks to keep you on track
- Comment section allows you to discuss with other learners
- Caption includes time stamps for key topics
Cons
- Ideally would be broken down into separate videos
Who’s it for: The course caters to a wide range of experience levels, making it accessible for both beginners and those with some prior exposure to real estate investment.
Overall: Whether you are a beginner or intermediate investor, this course offers insights and strategies that will aid you in your real estate investment journey. While not quite as polished as some other course providers, the inclusion of time stamps in captions means easy navigation to key topics within the video, streamlining the learning experience and the interactive nature of the video lectures is especially beneficial for visual learners, enhancing understanding.
10. Multifamily Real Estate Investing Rules (Udemy)

Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Jake Stenziano and Gino Barbaro | Course length: 25 video lessons totaling 1 hours 41 minutes
Jake and Gino control over $250 million in property assets combined, so they know a thing or two about real estate investment. They’ll run you through the different potential property investment types, as well as teach you how to qualify for a loan when you’re ready to invest.
You’ll learn:
- The 4 different property classes, and the advantages and disadvantages of each
- What cap rates are and how to measure the rate of return on your investment
- The Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) and how to best qualify for loan approval
- What management companies charge, and whether you are better or not doing it yourself
- How to use the Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) when investing
- The best type of insurance for your investments
Pros
- Benefit from the experience of two instructors
- Includes a due diligence checklist
- Clear, actionable advice
- Strong focus on the US real estate market
- Included in Udemy personal plan
Cons
- Lectures look dated but are high-quality
- Instructor speaks quickly so less suited to non-native English speakers
Who’s it for: Those who are new to multifamily investing in the US or are hoping to strengthen their foundational knowledge of property classes, financial metrics, management options, and insurance selection.
Overall: A short but informative course, where you will benefit from the experience of two expert instructors. It contains clear, actionable advice throughout, ensuring you gain practical knowledge applicable to real-world investment scenarios. The due diligence checklist is a nice bonus and will guide you through the critical steps of property evaluation, taking the guesswork out.
What are the advantages of taking an online real estate investment course?
- Invest in a future career – investing in real estate personally or professionally can be a lucrative career if you find the right property. Many courses also teach transferable skills such as spreadsheets and data analysis which can be used in other careers as well.
- It is cost-effective – while some choose to outsource their real estate investment and pay commission instead, many prefer to do it themselves. Taking an online real estate investment course can give you the skills to invest in a variety of property types yourself, but also a deeper understanding of how your investor uses your money if you choose to outsource.
- Give yourself some confidence – The skills covered in an online real estate investment class will help you gain confidence that you’re identifying promising opportunities, evaluating investments soundly, and some pointers to make sure you’re avoiding common pitfalls.
Buyer’s guide: what to look out for?
- The instructor's qualifications – anyone can get into real estate investing but that doesn’t mean all instructors are created equally. Look out for experienced investors or those with a background in project management
- The topics covered – real estate is more than just buying a property, and skills such as data analysis or negotiation are just as important. If you are interested in a niche, it may be worth searching for a specific course in advance, so the content is relevant to you.
- The additional resources – some courses on this list include spreadsheets, glossaries, and downloadable PDF summaries so you don’t have to make your own. Look out for these as you can refer to them and refresh your memory instead of retaking the course.
How much does it cost?
Some courses included on this list are free of charge without a certificate and some can be accessed using a subscription. Paid courses range from $19.99 to $59.99.
Skillshare offers a subscription starting from $32/month. It includes 2 classes on this list, with nearly 30,000 additional courses and can be trialed free for one month.
Udemy offers a personal plan for $30/month, which would give you access to 1 of the courses on this list. They offer a 1-month free trial and there are over 8,000 other courses included as well.
LinkedIn Learning subscriptions start from $24.99 and would give you access to one of my top picks. You’ll receive a certificate of completion that can be conveniently added to your LinkedIn profile and access to over 5,000 courses. They also offer a 1-month free trial.
How long does it take to learn real estate investment?
The courses on this list range from 1.5 to 19 hours. Most focused courses are between 1.5 and 3 hours, while more comprehensive programs are between 3.5 and 18 hours. While real estate investment is a broad subject, the majority of core concepts can be covered in good detail in under 3 hours.
It is important to mention that the advantage of taking an online course is you can work at your own pace. If you are interested in a specific skill this can be achieved in less time by choosing a focused course or skimming through more comprehensive courses, which will drastically reduce the time needed to complete the class.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking to dip your toe into real estate investment, or are already building up a portfolio, the online courses listed in this article can teach you the practical skills needed, and offer advice on how to take your investments to the next level.
My favorite real estate investment course is Udemy’s ‘Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments’ due to its detailed coverage of core concepts in the field. The end of chapter quizzes, due diligence checklist, and PDF summary at the end sets this course apart from the rest, and you’ll come away able to confidently evaluate investment opportunities.
‘Real Estate Investing…Without Owning Real Estate Property’ by Udemy is ideal for those wanting to dip their toe into investing but aren’t ready to commit to buying a full property. Broken down into 9 logically structured sections of 50 minutes, and summarized neatly at the end of each section, it’s an enjoyable watch with a mix of theoretical and practical real estate investment content.
Related article: Best online Revit course, Best online freight broker course
Frequently asked questions
My favorite real estate investment course is Udemy’s ‘Fundamentals of Analyzing Real Estate Investments’ due to its detailed coverage of core concepts in the field, as well as the end of chapter quizzes, due diligence checklist, and PDF summary at the end.
Some courses included on this list are free of charge without a certificate and some can be accessed using a subscription. Paid courses range from $19.99 to $59.99.
The courses on this list range from 1.5 to 19 hours. Most focused courses are between 1.5 and 3 hours, while more comprehensive programs are between 3.5 and 18 hours.

Holly is a student reading geography at King’s College London. In her free time she enjoys cooking, travelling and photography. She loves to learn new things particularly in the mental health and medicine field.