1031 Real Estate Exchanges

Course Description
The objective of this course is to enlighten the participant in the many important aspects of Internal Revenue Code Section 1031. The course will focus on the benefits of the §1031 exchange for the investor, licensed real estate agent/broker and other parties to the transaction. Participants will learn exactly what qualifies under Section 1031 and, furthermore, how to utilize the various types of §1031 exchange formats to enhance their clients' position in the investment real estate market. Real-life examples will be used to illustrate the important procedural issues as well as the IRS Rules and Regulations.

Home Inspection

Course Description
This course presents an overview of the home inspection business and explains how it fits into the real estate industry as a whole. In addition, the course covers the regulatory bodies and professional organizations associated with home inspection. At the conclusion of this course, the student will understand the methods used to inspect homes, will know what to look for when examining properties, both inside and out, and will understand the various types of inspection reports and the differences between them.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the development of home inspection in the inspection business
2. Appreciate an inspector's role at closing in residential sales transactions
3. Know the tools needed and conduct expected in the field
4. Distinguish various field report styles and know the benefits and drawbacks to each
5. Understand an inspector's professional liability
6. Recognize the steps in the examination process
7. Identify common misconceptions about home inspection
8. Value membership to a reputable, non-profit home inspection organization
9. Know the extent of home inspection legislation
10. Appreciate the different ways states regulate the home inspection industry

Environmental Hazards

Course Description
This course covers major environmental hazards. Licensees need to familiarize themselves with environmental issues because they have a responsibility to disclose to buyers any information that might affect their decision to buy. Environmental hazards can dramatically affect a property’s value, so buyers, sellers, lenders and licensees all can be affected by them.

Students will learn throughout this course to identify internal and external environmental issues. They will learn about health hazards, environmental legislation, liability and responsibility for cleanup and protection. They will also learn about actions they should take and how issues affect licensees and lending. Licensees are not expected to be environmental experts, but in this course students will acquire a competency with environmental issues which will help them to elucidate issues for buyers, sellers and lenders. Knowledge of environmental issues also will help protect them from charges of nondisclosure.

The conclusion of this course presents real world dilemmas and applications of the information presented. As the student completes this course, he or she should try to paint a big picture of environmental issues, which the course will address with comprehensive content questions, practices and case studies.

Learning Objectives
This course includes the following lessons:

1. The Indoor Environment
2. The External Environment
3. Legislation
4. Disclosure and Site Assessment
5. Real Estate Practice

Using the Internet to Serve Clients

Course Description
In this module students will learn about the Internet and how it has affected the real estate industry. Students will also learn about the elements of websites and how to market themselves and their sites on the Internet. The final lesson teaches students to communicate effectively over e-mail.

The conclusion of this module presents real world dilemmas and applications of the information presented. As the student completes this module, he or she should try to paint a big picture of Internet issues, which the module will address with comprehensive content questions, practices and case studies.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the effects of disintermediation on real-estate professionals
2. Be able to explain the issues that apply to Internet Data Exchange and Virtual Office Websites
3. Have increased knowledge about the basic components of and terms related to the Internet
4. Know how to generate contacts through the development of an effective website
5. Evaluate and be able to implement Internet marketing methods
6. Understand important guidelines for writing emails that will help generate effective dialogues