Today we are profiling Antoinette Nicchia, who, along with Liz Koplitz, is a new member of the LarsonEd team.
Where are you from, Antoinette?
I was born in Louisiana, then I lived in New York, and now I’m here in Fort Myers. I’ve been here the majority of my life. I came down here after my sister moved down here. I love southwest Florida.
What’s the most interesting thing about you?
I actually care about people; lots of people don’t care. I care about helping people. I volunteer a lot in community.
What is your new job with LarsonEd?
I’m the customer experience manager, which means I’ll be interacting with students, making sure that they’re having a good experience with LarsonEd. In some ways I’ll be the new face of the company.
What’s your favorite hobby?
My fiancé is a firefighter and a paramedic. We also have 3 dogs that we love to spend time with. I love the beach, yoga, and meditation. I love to travel, I like volunteering, dancing, and I also worked as a real estate agent.
What’s your personal motto?
Treat others as you would like to be treated. If you give someone respect they will respect you back.
Given the choice of anyone in the world, who would you want as a dinner guest?
My grandparents. I would love to learn about my family and learn about where I came from.
Anything else you want the students to know about you?
I want our students to know that I’m here to help with any question they might have. There is no stupid question. It’s a confusing process, and they can ask me anything and I will help you figure it out.
Getting your Florida real estate license doesn’t have to be a painful process. With Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services, we make it simple with these 5 steps to getting your license.
63 Hour Sales Associate Pre-License Course – $359 tuition includes your course materials and a 1-year enrollment term in the classroom course. $245 tuition for the online course.
72 Hour Broker Pre-License Course – $459 tuition includes your course
materials and a 1-year enrollment term in the classroom course. $275 tuition for the online course.
**NOTE: Mutual Recognition is available in Florida if you are CURRENTLY licensed in 1 of the 8 recognized states.**
**NOTE: We recommend completing these steps BEFORE you start your class to expedite the approval process.**
a. Submit a license application to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. On the application you will share information about yourself and include a fee of $89 ($97 for broker applicants) payable to the DBPR. You can apply online or print a paper application.
NOTE: If you are not a Florida resident, you are required to submit a paper application.
b. Register for electronic fingerprinting
Florida requires electronic fingerprints be taken in order to run a criminal background check. To make a reservation contact the PearsonVUE customer support center at 1.877.238.8232 to select a date and time that is convenient for you. Cost of fingerprinting is $53.50.
If you are asked for the “ORI” number at any time during the fingerprint process, use “FL920010Z“. This is how the fingerprinting company knows your fingerprints are for the Florida Real Estate License.
NOTE: PearsonVUE will notify you by mail when your application has been approved (generally 10-30 days). This approval allows you to schedule the state exam – view Step 4 below for how to schedule.
A passing score of 70% is required on the school final exam. All applicants are required to satisfactorily complete this course prior to taking the state examination. Your Course Completion Certificate is valid for two (2) years from the date of issuance. Larson Educational Services is a Florida approved Real Estate School (License #ZH1002299).
Once approved for the state exam, you will be notified via email that you are able to schedule with PearsonVUE. Scheduling can be completed by calling 1.888.204.6289 or visiting PearsonVUE.com. When making a phone reservation, use Pass Code “2262”.
When making an online reservation, you must first select your testing program, which is Florida Real Estate & Appraisers, then either Create a New Account or login into your account if you already have one. View the PearsonVue Exam Scheduling Steps for more details and screenshots on how to schedule your exam.
We highly recommend taking one of our License Exam Preparation Courses AFTER you have attended the required Pre-Licensing Course. CLICK HERE for more information.
Your exam approval status is valid for two (2) years from the approval date. A passing score is 75 out of 100 questions answered correctly. The state exam fee is $31.50.
Florida real estate school Larson Educational Services
You must activate your real estate license through a Florida licensed real estate broker or owner/developer. The broker can go to www.myfloridalicense.com on the sole proprietor personal account, or the corporate account, whichever applies, OR print and submit the DBPR RE 11 form. Your license will remain inactive until it is activated by a real estate broker.
Are you interested in learning about real estate brokers who are hiring in SW Florida? Check out our Broker Connection Page for more information about brokers looking for newly licensed real estate professionals.
If you’re still unsure if a career in Florida real estate is for you, you may want to join us for one of our Real Estate Career Nights in Fort Myers and Naples to learn more.
At family-owned real estate school, Larson Educational Services (License #ZH1002299), you can complete the steps necessary to obtain your Florida Real Estate License in as little as 30 days. Because our course has a modular format, you can actually mix-and-match dates and locations if you need flexible scheduling. Just contact us and we’ll help you put a schedule together. We have real estate courses in Ft. Myers and Naples starting soon, or you can complete the course online. WEEKDAY and WEEKEND class times are 8:30am – 4:30pm. EVENING class times are 6:15pm – 9:45pm.
To register, please call a friendly Larson representative at (239) 344-7510 or REGISTER ONLINE. You can even register for the class today and pay for it later. We take registrations all the way up to the first day of class.
This week we will be profiling the two newest members of the LarsonEd team: Liz Koplitz and Antoinette Nicchia.
First, we have Liz Koplitz.
Where are you from, Liz?
I was born and raised in Long Island–Brooklyn specifically–but my husband and I said that once there’s another hurricane we’re moving. That came in October of 2013. I miss the city and my family and things like Christmas at Rockefeller plaza, but I don’t miss the cold.
What’s the most interesting thing about you?
People think I’m totally a business person, but I also have a creative side. I like tackling things that are challenging. I used to have a stained glass business and I like to quilt. I used to do hours of computer work, and that got tiresome, but when you’re cutting stained glass, you have to only do that. You can only focus on the glass. I took more classes, had some internships, and eventually I became a glass master.
What is your new job with LarsonEd?
I’m the operations manager. I make sure that we’re in compliance with Florida laws and that our records are up to date. I’ll be doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work.
What is your favorite hobby?
Quilting, definitely. I also enjoy spending time with my friends on the water. And of course spending time with my family and children.
Do you have a personal motto?
Each day is a blessing. Every day that we have health and family is a great thing. I’m always grateful to have what I have.
Given the choice of anyone in the world, who would you want as a dinner guest?
You’re going to make fun of me for this, but I have to say Barbara Streisand. She’s from Brooklyn, she’s crazy, and she’s the best business woman in the entertainment industry. I would love to sit down with her and find out how she does what she does.
Anything else you want our students to know about you?
We want students to enjoy their time while they’re with us. Everyone is trying to streamline the process to make it seamless for them, and make them as comfortable as possible. That way they can focus on class. What we bring to table as an educational facility is giving people the ability to learn in a way that they will understand.
Check back on Thursday for our profile of our other new team member: Antoinette Nicchia.
Although the state says you have up to 2 years to complete this course after obtaining your Florida Sales Associate license, we recommend attending this course within the first 2 months of being licensed. Why? Because this course lays the foundation for you to conduct the practical side of the business –finding sellers, properly pricing, marketing, finding buyers, negotiating and more!
In the Florida 45 Hour Sales Associate Post-License Course at Larson Educational Services, you’ll sharpen your skills in every aspect of listing and selling. You’ll learn how to professionally prepare and present a comparative market analysis that separates you from the competition. You’ll discover techniques to increase your percentage of listings sold. You’ll learn strategies to demonstrate and reinforce pricing decisions. And you’ll learn all about marketing, real estate technology and building an internet presence that gets you found online!
Topics Include:
Career development
Discrimination laws
Prospecting for listings
The listing presentation
Working with buyers
Writing and presenting offers
Financing the purchase
Investment property
Risk management
Business planning
Proper pricing
Listing contracts
Sales contracts
Mortgage alternatives
Closing the transaction
Property management
Not ready to pay for your course, but want to hold your seat?
That’s ok! We accept unpaid registrations online or by phone.
Your tuition will be due on the first day of class.
If you are unsure about whether or not a career in real estate is right for you, this is your chance to get more information prior to spending money on our classes or before submitting an application to the state. It’s also a chance for you to learn more about the Real Estate industry and current market from Larson Educational Services, a family owned company with 30 years of real estate education experience.
This 1-hour informational session is provided free of charge in our clean, comfortable and professional classroom environment and is instructed by members of the Larson family. There is no obligation if you attend. Information available includes:
Education and examination requirements
Florida Licensing fees
Traits and skills that lead to success in the industry
Local Real Estate companies looking to hire newly Licensed real estate professionals
Also, you will get the opportunity to participate in a free drawing to win a $150 scholarship toward our Real Estate Licensing education!
To register simply click a date below, enter your information, and click “Checkout”. You may also call us at (239) 344-7510 to register. There is no cost to attend.
Upcoming Career Night Dates
Evening Session: Tuesday evening from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Weekend Session: Saturday morning from 10:30am-11:30am
If you are unsure about whether or not a career in real estate is right for you, this is your chance to get more information prior to spending money on our classes or before submitting an application to the state. It’s also a chance for you to learn more about the Real Estate industry and current market from Larson Educational Services, a family owned company with 30 years of real estate education experience.
This 1-hour informational session is provided free of charge in our clean, comfortable and professional classroom environment and is instructed by members of the Larson family. There is no obligation if you attend. Information available includes:
Education and examination requirements
Florida Licensing fees
Traits and skills that lead to success in the industry
Local Real Estate companies looking to hire newly Licensed real estate professionals
Also, you will get the opportunity to participate in a free drawing to win a $150 scholarship toward our Real Estate Licensing education!
To register simply click a date below, enter your information, and click “Checkout”. You may also call us at (239) 344-7510 to register. There is no cost to attend.
Upcoming Career Night Dates
Evening Session: Tuesday evening from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Weekend Session: Saturday morning from 10:30am-11:30am
Ever since Thomas Edison first visited Southwest Florida in the late 1800s, Fort Myers has been a winter destination that rivals any other in the country. And with booming cultural and sports scenes we are a great place to spend your days no matter what time of year it is.
Here are 6 BIG reasons to love Fort Myers:
1. Baseball Enthusiasts Unite
Jet Blue stadium is like a miniature Fenway.
Fort Myers is home to both the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins spring training complexes. And with the Fort Myers Miracle (Class A) playing from April to September, you can get your fill of baseball almost all year round.
2. Our Beaches
Beautiful white beaches that are often free of crowds.
We absolutely dare you to find more pristine beaches that are clean and free of crowds. On our south side is Barefoot beach, which is often ranked as one of the top ten beaches in America (by Forbes, for example). And for what it’s worth, Sanibel Island has some of the best shelling beaches in the world.
3. The Edison & Ford Winter Estates
If it was good enough for Ford and Edison, then why not you?
Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were two of the most innovative minds our country has ever seen, and they called Fort Myers their home for the winter months. Who are we to argue against them? Not to mention their Estate has a killer museum and lights up for a beautiful display every Christmas season.
4. The Barbara B. Mann Performance Arts Hall
The Barbara Mann Performance Arts Hall hosts broadway productions like Phantom of the Opera, Wicked, and Book of Mormon.
What used to be Edison State College is now Florida SouthWestern State College, a state college located in Fort Myers. On campus is the Barbara B. Mann Performance Arts Hall, a 900-seat theater that hosts a broadway series of performances.
5. Sunsets Over the Gulf
Our romantic sunsets cannot be beat.
Words and pictures cannot do justice to the golds and pastels of a sunset on the gulf. You must experience these to truly understand the beauty of a Fort Myers sunset.
6. Golf Heaven
Fort Myers has more challenging and fun golf courses than you can play in a short vacation.
It seems like there’s a golf course on every street corner in southwest Florida, and for those of you who like to swing the sticks on a regular basis, Fort Myers is as close to heaven as you are likely to find. And for those of you who don’t like golf? Then don’t play!
Of course there are more reasons to love Fort Myers, but these 6 are pretty hard to beat. Whether you want to make Southwest Florida your permanent home or just plan on visiting for a winter vacation, Fort Myers is a great place to spend your time.
(Oh yeah, the weather’s pretty nice too.)
This is the country’s weather from late January in 2014. Notice our little slice of heaven down there in Florida?
