Comments from recent students about their experience

Hi Jake, Lynn and Marty,

I passed the Associate Real Estate Appraiser examination on the first try, December 27th, 2005. I appreciate everything: your helpfulness and thoroughness; the friendly welcoming environment; and espeially the unique way you bring the material to life with humor and real-world anecdotes while instilling a high degree of ehtics and professionalism in your (lifelong) students.

Mike McAndrews

I am SOOOO thrilled you will be getting the additional classes! You say IL-6, any chance the other certification class will be coming soon too?

I am SOOOOO swamped with work, I need to get certified by May, so I have a few more months. Put me on your pre-list for those certification classes!

Once I'm ceritifed I'm going to have to hire some licensees. It's brutal out here in appraisal-land. Best job on the planet though. Can't complain one tiny bit.

All thanks to Jake's expertise.

Susie

Good morning!

I just felt like brightening your day! :) Thanks for being such a positive, inspiring, fun teacher! After the past four days in class with you I am actually sad there is no class today!!! I love your style of teaching. It is perfectly balanced and I really look forward to coming each day! Lynn and Marty are so lucky to have a boss that really gets it! I will feel sad when these classes are over, but also excited for the future ahead!

Teresa

I wanted to let you know that I took my test today. I passed! I don't know by how much, but I did it. I want you to know that the classes I took with you were, of course, the greatest. Your teaching style makes it easy to learn and understand. I will recommend you and your school to anyone I know who wishes to get in this field. Also, I can't imagine that I will take the continuing ed classes anywhere but with you.

Thank you for all of your help!

Dominick

Hi Lynn, Martin and Jake,

I just wanted to let you know that I passed the state exam yesterday the first try. Besides learning everything that I needed from Jake's classes, I really feel like I made some good friends. I actually did not mind giving up those wekends, and I looked forward to coming to class. Don't get me wrong. I am glad to be finished and on my way to getting appraisal work, but if you have to go to school, your school was an excellent choice. Thank you again.

Cindy

I would like to sincerely thank you for doing what no college professor could do - keep my attention! I completed your classes in December 2005 and due to scheduling I was not able to attend the review class. However, I managed to pass my exam on my second attempt. In class you made us aware of what would be important and due to the fact that I was awake the entire time, because I was so entertained, I made sure to make note of everything. That is how I passed the exam. Thanks again.

Leslie

Jake & Lynn,

Just wanted to drop you a note to let you know I passed my state exam on the first try! The test was about what I expected from my experience during your review class. There were only a few questions that I did not know outright. I want to thank you and your staff for all of the assistance they have offered during the past two months. I could not have accomplished this without you. I look forward to my future experiences in appraisal and will keep in touch.

Take Care,
Las Vegas Julie

Dear Jake,

Let me give you the scenario. Tuesday night, MAJOR storms roaring through Aurora and the southwest burbs. OK, I am studying my rear end off and the flippin' tornado warnings come on the air, a funnel cloud is spotted in Oswego, which is a block from me!! GREAT!! The sirens go off, and we end up in the lower level of my townhouse, which is garden level. OK, well to protect ourselves from tornados, we have to go in the coat closet since the lower floor has windows.

So here I am, with my notebook, calculator, and flashlight, in the closet, studying for my appraisal exam which was scheduled for today, Wed. at 9 am.

I was like, "Oh my god, it figures this would happen to me." Good grief.

Well, I am happy to tell you I PASSED!!!!

Just goes to show ya how some dedication and determination can get you a passing grade.

I have to tell you as well, that I only didn't know six of the questions. I knew everything. And the six I didn't know were definitely things we went over in the review, but I couldn't remember.

My friend Adam is signing up in about 6 months to take the course there. I told him, there is no other option, I don't care where you live, where you work, or how much time it takes, you HAVE to go to see Jake and Lynn!

The courses were spectacular, and I truly thank you for teaching me everything I need to know. I report to work tomorrow. I also bought myself a house on Monday. Boy, am I excited! I'm on cloud 9!!!

Thanks so much Jake!!!!

Susie Hohn

(PS I hope you get your CE classes up and running. I don't want to go anywhere else!)

Dear AIAREE Staff,

I passed my exam Thursday April 1, 2004. It was my first attempt. I was finished in 1 hour and 10 min. They gave us 3.5 hours to complete the test. I was answering question after question with no problem. I thought it was some kind of April fools joke. I was looking at all the other people taking the test thinking this was a joke for a TV show. Even a person who took your class with me happens to be taking his exam at the same time. So I really thought something was wrong.

During the test I was knocking down question after question. I couldn’t believe this test was so easy. All I could hear was Jake saying, “It is what it is”. I believe I only got about 3 questions wrong on the whole test. Your review session was a big help. In fact AIAREE was a big help. If someone told me a little guy that sings the Blues would change my life I would have laughed my tail off. You guys have actually had a big effect on my life. I have never met such a happy group of people. You guys made me want to be happy. I lost my job in 2002. I taught my life was over if I didn’t get another job. Well now I have a new job. It’s to enjoy life. As Jake would say, “Don’t sweat the small stuff”. That’s pretty funny coming from a small guy. He may be small but very powerful. He has the power to change peoples lives.

Thanks Again,
Carlos F. Gilyard

P.S. I have been a walking commercial for AIAREE. I have told everybody about you guys since I aced the test.

Hi Jake,

I passed! You are a wonderful instructor! I learned more from your review class then from my 2 weeks with the school I utilized. I only wish I had heard about you a long time ago. I thank you again...and maybe I will take your Broker class in the future....

Take Care,
Roberta M. Flack

Just sending a line to let you know that I passed the state exam. I finished Jake's classes about 6 weeks ago, but unfortunately, my Mother, who lives in Arizona, became ill. I went there before I could take the exam. I came back to Illinois recently and scheduled the test.

Obviously, Jake must be doing something right if a 56 year old guy, with limited time for studying, can pass a test on the first try after a 6 week layoff. My sincerest thanks to you, and especially Jake

Dennis Bemont

Hi Lynn,

Just wanted to pass on to your team and Jake that I passed the State Appraisal Exam yesterday. I appreciate the education your team provided and look forward to success in the appraisal industry. Jake kept my interest and I learned quite a bit in class. I'd recommend your school to anyone looking to get into this field. Let me know if you need a reference. I am now getting connected to folks in the industry to get started.

Thanks Again,
Mike

Hello,

In case you don't remember me, I'm Benjamin Steffen (the MBA student from Carbondale) who took IL 2 & IL 3with you.

Almost all the information you covered was on the test, and there were no suprises.

I attribute my passing to hard work and good favor from the Lord, but I would have struggled mightly during the exam if I would have taken the classes elsewhere. You are a genuine good person and good businessman, and I am going to tell every current and prospective appraiser to take your classses.

Have a great & best of luck,
J Benjamin Steffen

Jake,
I took your class in July and August. Just wanted to drop a line and let you know that I passed and am now going to work for an appraisal company. Thanks for the great instruction and I wish you continued success with your school.

Best Wishes,
Shari Volovski

Jake,

Just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I took the state test Monday and passed first time. My father had taken some classes over in Indianapolis and was not very happy with them. I have referred him to you and he will be in your course this weekend. His name is Dan Evans.

Even though I had only the Illinois II class with you, I think you prepared me the most for the state test, thanks.

Jason Evans

Jake:

I hate to send you such a formal note but before beginning Appraisal Course 3, I wanted to let you know just how much I appreciate all that you’ve done. Your school has been perfect in every way. The schedule, while intense, has been great (and making it after rush hours a real plus since I’m 53 miles away). Mostly though, it’s your skills and teaching qualities that have made the classes truly wonderful. You do the impossible by making each class “fun”… and getting us through so much content efficiently. I really “click” with how you conduct the class. Your broad experience makes you the best kind of teacher. I know I could never have gone through this schedule any other way with anyone else. You’ve made a loyal friend with me and I owe you a lot.

I’m so glad that I decided to go to AIA. Thanks also for building such a great and friendly staff.

Jeff Lieber

Jake,

I just wanted to send this email to let you know that I took and passed the state associate appraiser exam on Monday. By taking your class I was certainly well prepared to take the exam. Not only did I receive a good foundation on real estate appraising but I also feel that I received some insight on what it takes to be a good professional appraiser. I feel the 10 days taking your class was an investment well spent in getting me started in my appraising career.

Thanks again for passing on your knowledge.

Regards
Mike Sells