Online and Live Course Descriptions


ONLINE COURSES 
FOR REAL ESTATE LICENSEES
"LIVE" CLASSROOM COURSES 
FOR REAL ESTATE LICENSEES
Course 2489:  Intro to Commercial Real Estate Sales. NEW  1.  NC Mandatory Update 
Course 2485:  Red Flags. 2.  Broker-in-Charge Annual Review (BICAR)
3.  NEW Elective:  International Real Estate:  A Primer
Course 2487:  Property Management and Managing Risk. NEW 4.  Elective:  Money Talks
Course 2495:  Buyer Representation. 5.  Elective:  Investment FUNdamentals 
Course 2486:  Real Estate and Taxes. 6.  Elective:  E-Commerce Issues and Internet Resources 
Course 2766:  Reverse Mortgages. 7.  Elective:  For Your Own Good:  REALTOR Ethics 
Course 2764:  Property Disclosure; Reducing Risk. 8.  Elective:  Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?  Demographics and Their Impact on the R.E. Market
Course 2673:  For Your Own Good: Ethics for Real Estate Professionals. 9.  Elective:  Mold, Moisture, and Mildew, Oh My!
10.  Elective:   Healthy, Affordable and Accessible Homes

 

PROGRAMS FOR INSTRUCTORS, REGULATORS, 
AND OTHER LICENSED PROFESSIONALS
Doing the Right Thing/What’s My Ethical IQ?
Keynote Address:  Ethics Education:  What Difference Does It Make?
Deb on the Web: A Workshop for Real Estate Teachers
The Struggle for Character: A Workshop for Real Estate Teachers Interested in Teaching Ethics
Lights, Camera, Action!  Movies and TV Clips in the Real Estate Classroom
Instructor Development Workshop
Course Development Workshop



ONLINE COURSES

Course 2489:  Intro to Commercial Real Estate Sales.  Intermediate course.
NOTE:  This course routinely takes no more than 4 hours to complete.
(click here for enrollment information)

This course discusses the categories of commercial property and the financial elements involved in real estate investments.

Course objectives:

 •       Describe the advantages and disadvantages of investments in real estate
 •       Identify the four main categories of investment property and list the significant characteristics of each
 •       Define basic key terms and concepts in real estate investments
 •       Calculate rent per square foot and rent due on percentage leases
 •       Understand and explain the basic financial elements involved in a real estate investment
 •       Define key terms in income and expense analysis
 •       Use your learned skills to perform a basic financial analysis of a real estate investment
 •       Identify the elements of value in a real estate investment
 •       Define key terms involved in the valuation process
 •       Perform the analysis necessary to establish an investment's value
 •       Perform the analysis necessary to determine return on investment
•       Describe the types of listings and compensation arrangements relevant to real estate investment transactions
•       Define the key concepts and terms involved in marketing a real estate investment opportunity
•       Identify marketing opportunities and develop a marketing plan for a real estate investment
 •       Describe and apply the skills required for closing an investment transaction



Course 2485:  Red Flags. Intermediate course.
(click here for enrollment information)
Written by an engineer, this course will help real estate agents become more aware of "red flag" conditions on property.  The course will help agents become aware of the most common condition that cause red flags and who to contact for advice when they become concerned about property condition.  The author of the course, James C. Prendergast, is a licensed civil engineer, geologist, and engineering geologist. He earned his B.S. in geology from the University of California, Riverside, and a M.S. in civil engineering--with a specialty in geotechnical engineering--at San Jose State University in California.

Course objectives:



Course 2487:  Property Management and Managing Risk. Intermediate course.
(click here for enrollment information)

This practical approach to property management explores the major functions of properyt magingers and helps them juggle management and sales while managing liability.  Written by Robert Kyle and Floyd M. Baird, RPA/SMA.

Course content:



Course 2495:  Buyer Representation. Intermediate course.
(click here for enrollment information)
This course discusses the advantages and dangers of being a buyer’s agent. Included are a review of agency and disclosure as it relates in a buyer’s agent. Buyer brokerage contracts and commission payment methods are also discussed.  The authors of this course, Dianna Brouthers and Roger Turcotte,  are both Distinguished Real Estate Instructors (DREIs).

Course objectives:

  • examines a wide spectrum of buyer  agency foundations and issues, including how changes in the real estate industry affect the real estate consumer;
  • which elements of the agency relationship are established by law;
  • what types of buyers should or must be represented by a buyer’s agent.
  • explains the differences between  the customer and client relationship; statutory changes that relate to real estate;
  • how to present the concept of buyer agency;
  • how to be prepared for questions regarding buyer agency.



  • Course 2486:  Real Estate and Taxes.  Advanced course.
    NOTE:  This course routinely takes more than 4 hours to complete
    while the other online courses tend to take no more than 4 hours.
    (click here for enrollment information)
    Vern Hoven, the author of this course, combines the real-life experience of a practicing CPA and EA with essential down-to-earth tax materials.  Vern is a nationally recognized tax lecturer and has a Master's Degree in Taxation from the University of Denver's School of Law. Vern Hoven's powerful seminars on numerous tax topics enable participants to quickly grasp recent tax changes found in our new tax legislation.

    Real Estate and Taxes is an  complete update on the tax consequences of selling, owning, and investing in real estate. The course includes illustrative stories and sample situations and includes warnings about items that might have significant tax consequences if not handled properly. The course is not designed to be a substitute for professional tax advice.

    WARNING:  This course routinely takes more than 4 hours to complete while the other online courses tend to take no more than 4 hours.



    Course 2766:  Reverse Mortgages. Intermediate course.
    (click here for enrollment information )
       Course Objectives Course 2764:  Property Disclosure; Reducing Risk.  Intermediate course.
    (click here for enrollment information )
       Course Objectives:

    Course 2673:  For Your Own Good: Ethics for Real Estate Professionals. Intermediate course.
    The Online Ethics Course for Real Estate Professionals
    (click here for enrollment information)

    This ethics course meets the National Association of REALTOR® requirement for quadrennial ethics training. This four-hour ethics course covers the following topics and exercises:

    • reasons why real estate professionals should develop their ethical decision making skills.
    • the public perception of the real estate industry’s honesty and integrity.
    • the research studies on the ethical maturity of real estate professionals.
    • The purposes and impact of codes of ethics on American businesses.
    • the characteristics of a profession.
    • the organization of the NAR Code of Ethics as a model for ethical decision making skills.
    • The critical concepts in the Preamble to the NAR® Code of Ethics.
    • the Articles of the NAR® Code which are mentioned most frequently in complaints and discuss the reasons why those Articles are cited.
    • the professional standards enforcement process of the board or association.
    • case studies and periodic exercises for review purposes.
    • a discussion of  models for ethical decision making.


    LIVE/ CLASSROOM PROGRAMS


    ETHICS PROGRAMS for LICENSED PROFESSIONALS

    Course 2420: For Your Own Good:  The REALTOR Code (classroom version)
    This program meets the NAR requirement for 2.5 hours of ethics training for all REALTORS as well as state license renewal credit.  If needed for REALTOR membership renewal, this course must be completed by Dec. 31, 2008.  This program deals with: This course was recognized as North Carolina's Program of the Year in 2004 by the North Carolina Real Estate Educators Association.
    To see where and when this class is offered next, go to  Schedule of Classes.

    Doing the Right Thing/What’s My Ethical IQ?

    Are real estate agents ethical?  What about the ethical IQ of attorneys, politicians, and labor union leaders? Find out what the public thinks about the integrity of licensed professionals and what you can do about it. Join veteran educator/author Deborah Long in a provocative discussion about the her controversial study on the ethical judgment of real estate agents and the moral reasoning skills of professionals. 2 to 7 hour programs available.

    Keynote Address:  Ethics Education:  What Difference Does It Make?

    Ethics educator Deborah Long, DREI, addresses a compelling question about real estate ethics education.  Can character education for licensed professionals agents really make a difference?  45 minutes to 1.5 hours long.


    OTHER COURSES FOR LICENSED PROFESSIONALS


    E-Commerce Issues and Internet Resources
    NC Course 2626
    SC CEE 190004

    This is a course for computer-literate real estate professionals.  Participants will learn how to:

    To see where and when this class is offered next, go to  Schedule of Classes.

    Mold, Moisture and Mildew–Oh My!

    Did you know the Irish fled to America because of the potato famine?  It was caused by mold!   Several of the plagues that Moses "visited" on the Pharaoh involved mold, including the Nile River red.  Mold-induced poisoning probably caused the strange behavior of the girls involved in the Salem witch trials.  The curse of the tomb raiders?  You guessed it--mold.

    Mold is a natural part of the environment, but the dramatic increase in recent lawsuits and insurance claims have made mold an occupational hazards for real estate agents.  This three or four-hour course on the latest environmental and health issue facing real estate professionals will help agents:
     


    Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?
    Changing  Demographics and Their Impact on the Real Estate Market
    SC CEC 190001

            Among the topics covered in this workshop are:
     



    Investment FUN-damentals
    (or How My Clients Invested $1000 and Became Wealthy Over Time )
    NC Course 2498

    This course is designed for active real estate practitioners, appraisers, and investor-wannabes who want to understand more about how to value investment real estate.  Students must bring a calculator to class but it can be a simple, hand-held calculator.

    At the end of a four-hour workshop, participants will be able to:

    • Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of real estate as an investment;
    • Compare and contrast various measures of return;
    • Apply concepts of present value, before- and after-tax cash flow, after-tax proceeds, financial management rate of return; and
    • Perform a market/financial analysis of income/rental property.

    To see where and when this class is offered next, go to  Schedule of Classes.



    Healthy, Accessible and Affordable Homes
    (aka Home and Community Design Issues for Real Estate Professionals)
    NC Course 2747
    SC CEE 190005

    This course was written to respond to four critical areas of community and housing design:  universal design issues; affordable housing; transit-oriented design; and healthy homes.

    Each one of these design issues focuses on consumers who have special needs:  e.g., universal design affects people with disabilities and seniors; affordable housing design affects working Americans who cannot participate in the American Dream because they do not earn enough income; transit-oriented design responds to those affected by increasing energy costs; and healthy home design involves homeowners who have environmental sensitivities or who wish to build homes with healthier materials.

    Real estate licensees are in the unique position of influencing home and community design because of their direct contact with consumers, architects, building and city planners, and politicians.    Licensees are likely to have familiarity with related issues (for example, they may be aware of ADA regulations but not about universal design; they are aware of the rise in median sales prices of homes but not about the affordable housing crisis; they are aware of mold and radon, but not about other hazards in building materials; they know the price of gas is going up but not how it is affecting suburban property value).  However, real estate professionals may need the information from this course to make use of their influence to bring about these necessary changes and to protect and educate consumers regarding housing choices.

    This continuing education program hopes to accomplish two major goals:

    · one, to familiarize real estate licensees with critical issues in universal design issues; affordable housing; transit-oriented design; and healthy homes, and

    · two, to familiarize real estate licensees with resources about universal design, affordable housing,  transit-oriented design; and healthy homes.

    To see where and when this class is offered next, go to  Schedule of Classes.



    International Real Estate:  A Primer
    NC Course 2887

    This four-hour course covers the following topics:


     


    To see where and when this class is offered next, go to  Schedule of Classes.


    Money Talks:  Compensation Issues
    NC Course 2804
    SC CEC 190006

    A Course on Lawfully Collecting and Providing Referral Fees, Answering Questions about Your
    Fees and Services as well as Minimum Services Companies, and Anti-Trust Issues

    The subject of commissions and other fees generates a lot of confusion.   Real estate licensees face increasingly more difficult questions from consumers requiring them to defend their fees and to contrast them with other firms who advertise their commissions in the marketplace. “Minimum services companies” and virtual office websites (VOWs) have entered the  market in increasing numbers, and they typically charge non-traditional professional fees, such as hourly compensation or menu-driven fees. Inappropriate answers by licensees regarding fees could lead to price-fixing and antitrust violations.

    Licensees are also confused about paying and receiving referral fees and rebates. Whether the payment or receipt of fees is lawful depends on a myriad of state and federal laws and rules as well as ethics. Some states permit referral fees to non-licensees; most states do not. Some states have attempted to regulate minimum services companies but have incurred the wrath of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission for doing so.

    It is the intent of this course to familiarize real estate licensees with these complex regulations and issues and to provide them with the information to respond appropriately to consumer questions about their compensation.

    By the end of this four-hour program, participants will be able to describe and comply with federal and state laws & rules regarding:

    • Vendors’ kickbacks or rebates
    • Referral fees
    • Minimum/discount brokers
    • Competitor’s fees

    Students will be able to define, characterize and discuss concepts such as minimum services broker, virtual office websites, andantitrust.

    To see where and when this class is offered next, go to  Schedule of Classes.



    North Carolina Mandatory Update for 2007-08 (this course expires June 10, 2008)
    NC Course 9908

    Real estate licensees who wish to maintain active licensure must participate in a 4 hour Mandatory Update Course developed by the North Carolina Real Estate
    Commission. The topics are:

    To see where and when this class is offered next, go to  Schedule of Classes.


    North Carolina Broker In Charge (BIC)  Annual Review Course for 2007-2008 (this course expires June 10, 2008)

    Virtually all brokers-in-charge (BIC) who wish to maintain their BIC status must take this course (plus the Mandatory Update--see above) every year.  This is a new licensing requirement as of July 1, 2006.  This year's course content is about agency relationships.

    To see where and when this class is offered next, go to  Schedule of Classes.



    Deb on the WebA Workshop for Real Estate Teachers

    Enjoy surfing the Internet with Deborah Long as she provides a cyber field trip to her favorite website for real estate teachers.  Learn how to more efficiently search the Internet for information that will liven your course presentation and add depth to course information. You will also learn the many nuances of search engines, particularly Altavista and Google.

    The Struggle for Character: A Workshop for Real Estate Teachers Interested in Teaching Ethics
    Join veteran educator and ethics specialist Deborah Long, DREI, in a provocative discussion about real estate agents and their ethical maturity.  You will learn how to identify and enhance the ethical reasoning skills of your students as well as appropriate teaching strategies, such as thought-provoking cases, research studies and psychological theories of moral development. 3 hours to 7 hours.
     

    Lights, Camera, Action!  Movies and TV Clips in the Real Estate Classroom

    Join former cinema teacher Deborah Long, DREI, in a fun-filled matinee’ performance about visual learners and how they love to learn.  Deborah will bring clips from her favorite movies and discuss their appropriate and lawful use in the real estate classroom. 2-3 hours long.

    Instructor Development Workshop

    This six-to-eight hour program takes beginning instructors through the steps of becoming an excellent presenter and educator.

    The following topics are covered in the workshop:

    Course Development Workshop

    Participants in this six-to-eight hour program will develop a lesson plan for real estate course meeting or exceeding standards for adult education established by the Real Estate Educators Association (referred to as “GAPE”—Generally Accepted Principles of Education.   Topics include:
     


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