Connecticut Real Estate Online Courses

SAVE with this complete 12 hour package which meets all of the requirements for brokers and sales licensees renewing a two year license for the renewal cycle of 2010-2012 ONLY. The package includes the required 3 hour mandatory course for the 2010-2012 renewal cycle for a total of 3 hours of mandatory + 9 hours of Elective topics. See these individual courses for complete overviews:

• (RE CEO - On-Line) Connecticut Real Estate Agent Fiduciary Duties Review & Law Update V.1.1 - 3 mandatory hours
• Cracking the Code of Ethics - Elective - 3 hours + meets NAR Quadrennial Requirement!
• Going Green: The Environmental Movement to Success - Elective - 3 hours
• Keeping it Honest: Understanding Real Estate & Mortgage Fraud - Elective - 3 hours

*Please note this package is ONLY good for the 2010-2012 license renewal cycle!

SAVE with this complete 12 hour package which meets all of the requirements for brokers and sales licensees renewing a two year license for the renewal cycle of 2010-2012 ONLY. The package includes the required 3 hour mandatory course for the 2010-2012 renewal cycle for a total of 3 hours of mandatory + 9 hours of Elective topics. See these individual courses for complete overviews:

• (RE CEO On-Line) Connecticut Real Estate Agent Fiduciary Duties Review & Law Update V.1.1 - 3 mandatory hours
• Diversity: Your Kaleidoscope of Clients - Elective - 3 hours
• Title & Escrow: Two Families, One Transaction - Elective - 3 hours
• Uncle Sam has Homes for Sale: Listing and Selling HUD Homes - Elective - 3 hours

*Please note this package is ONLY good for the 2010-2012 license renewal cycle!

This only contains the 2010-2012 mandatory 3 hour course*: RE CEO - On-Line CT Real Estate Agent Fiduciary Duties Review & Law Update V.1. Summary below:

It is widely known that government exists due to the taxation of you and your client's income and property. Your clients should be aware that tax consequences occur as a result of each real estate transaction. Although as a real estate professional you should not provide tax or legal advice, you can identify the potential income and other tax affects for your sellers and buyers, and advise them to seek appropriate legal and tax counsel.

Course highlights include:

• Details outlining in-home office deduction requirements, and an explanation of how to calculate these deductions
• A clear definition of qualified residences
• Details about loans that commonly qualify for interest deductions
• Instructions on calculating an adjusted basis, a capital gain/loss, a net selling price, and a gain or loss on the sale of assets
• An overview of commercial real estate 1031 Like-Kind Exchange requirements

Each one of us has had someone treat us unfairly due to a judgement they’ve made about us. Within your real estate business, it is crucial that you understand the principles of practicing fair housing so that you are able to run a fair and honest business.

Course highlights include:

• Video skits depicting real fair housing cases, submitted by the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission
• Instructions on creating advertisements that comply with fair housing laws
• Details about federally protected classes, as outlined by the Fair Housing Act
• An explanation of how practicing fair housing will benefit your real estate business
• A list of red flags of discrimination for listing agents, selling agents, and brokers
• A video Public Service Announcement from the Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding fair housing

Ethical real estate professionals who adhere to a high set of standards are the foundation for restoring confidence and stability in an unsure marketplace.  The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) relies on its Code of Ethics to ensure that real estate professionals are conducting business in an honest manner and with the highest degree of integrity. 

This course reviews the Code of Ethics in spirit and language. Recent updates are highlighted and case studies clarify how the code translates into your everyday dealings. 

Ethics principles are a standard component of continuing education. In addition, this course fulfills the ethics training mandated by the National Association of REALTORS® for its members.

Course Highlights

• Review of the 17 articles in the NAR’s Code of Ethics
• Spotlight on new and amended Articles and Standards of Practice
• Activities crafted from Case Interpretations

*This course meets the NAR QUADRENNIAL requirement

BEST VALUE

This package contains all 12 CE hours required for brokers and sales licensees REINSTATING a two-year license.

Courses included in this package:

• CT Buyer Agency: Mandatory Course for 2010 CE Cycle (3 Mandatory Hours 2008-2010)
• CT Disclosure, RESPA, and Law Update: Mandatory Course for 2010 CE Cycle (3 Mandatory Hours 2008-2010)
• Foreclosures Demystified (3 Elective Hours)
• Going Green: The Environmental Movement in Real Estate (3 Elective Hours)

*Please note this package is ONLY good for the 2008-2010 license renewal cycle for those reinstating their license; it will NOT meet your CE requirements for the 2010-2012 license renewal!

Since changes in the disclosure laws in the 1990's, many residential real estate agents have entered into contractual relationships with potential buyers, thereby becoming true "buyers's agents." This course will walk you through those rights and responsibilities as a buyer's agent, a dual agent, and a designated agent. 

*Please note this mandatory course is ONLY good for the 2008-2010 license renewal cycle for those reinstating their license; it will NOT meet your mandatory requirements for the 2010-2012 license renewal cycle!

As the real estate industry changes, so do the legal and regulatory requirements that control and monitor the real estate business. In 2009, the Connecticut legislature passed a series of regulatory laws that will continue to affect how you do business.

Course highlights include:

• Property disclosures
• RESPA and kickbacks
• Appraisal education requirements
• Mortgage-related licensing and the SAFE Act of 2008
• Conveyance tax
• Disclosure of gun and hunting clubs
• Eminent domain limitations
• Electronic recording

*Please note this mandatory course is ONLY good for the 2008-2010 license renewal cycle for those reinstating their license; it will NOT meet your mandatory requirements for the 2010-2012 license renewal cycle!

The real estate market reflects the diverse population that is present in the United States today with individuals of different races, ethnicities, lifestyles, and cultures. The interests and goals of individuals within diverse populations influence their decision making process within the purchase of real estate. It is critical that the successful real estate professional understands and adapts to others’ lifestyles.

Course highlights include:

• Resources that will help you identify the diversity of the population living in your area
• Numerous examples of characteristics and beliefs that can be present in a diverse population
• Statistics from the National Association of REALTORS® relating to diversity
• A summary of requirements outlined in various fair housing laws and details about federally protected classes
• Suggestions that will help you in your efforts working with a diverse group of clients

In today`s real estate marketplace, foreclosures and short sales are a part of the landscape. This course will help you to gain a clear understanding of the steps of the foreclosure process.

Course highlights include:

• Details about legislation that has been enacted to assist distressed homeowners
• Rebuilding steps for homeowners who are recovering from foreclosure
• An explanation of the differences between judicial foreclosure and trust deed non-judicial foreclosure processes
• Foreclosure avoidance tips and ideas
• Details outlining the foreclosure process

The financing of a home is as integral to real estate transactions as finding the home itself, and it is beneficial for you to have a clear understanding of the entire financing process. This course will help you to gain a better understanding of the changes the mortgage market has experienced over the years.

Course highlights include:

• Details outlining the history and purpose of real estate financing
• Explanation of the roles and regulations of FNMA, GNMA, FHLMC, FHA, and VA
• Video outlining the rise and fall of the mortgage market and global economy
• Information about HAFA and Making Home Affordable
• Statistics from the Center for Responsible Lending and the Federal Reserve
• Affordability Worksheet, to assist clients in calculating their maximum affordable purchase price
• Homebuyer Do's and Dont's flier with tips for your clients
• Instructions on calculating LTV, front-end and back-end ratios, and monthly mortgage payments
• Details and qualification requirements for several popular financing options

From the time your buyers sign their purchase agreements, to the time they finally get the keys to their new home, the mortgage process can be filled with anxiety, frustration, and uncertainty. Through your understanding of the process, you will be able to provide your clients with a road map through the maze.

Course highlights include:

• Video outlining the mortgage process
• Tips on helping your clients avoid predatory lending
• Updated statistics from the Center for Responsible Lending
• Current lender disclosure requirements
• 2010 updates to 1003 loan application
• Homebuyer Do's and Don'ts flier that agents can pass on to their clients
• Tips on compiling and managing your short list of reputable lenders
• Current loan documentation rules
• Details regarding closing and closing documents

In this course, we will discuss the runaway trend in the real estate market to go "green." As more and more clients search exclusively for green homes, it is more important than ever to understand what "green" means and how you can utilize knowledge of "green" living in your efforts marketing and searching for properties.

Course highlights include:

• Tools that can be shared with your clients so they can measure the impact their lifestyles could leave on the environment, along with helpful tips for reducing their negative impact.
• Descriptions and videos about popular "green" building, design, and landscaping materials, which will help you identify "green"; features during showings.
• Videos and Internet resources providing details on programs such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), and ENERGY STAR®, and details about "green" property requirements, as outlined by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
• Recommendations that you can share with your seller clients on how they can make inexpensive, effective "green" changes to their homes that appeal to eco-conscious buyers.
• Suggestions on ways you can "go green" in your real estate business, and details about going paperless.

Real estate fraud, along with the recent increase in identity theft, has become a major issue in the industry. This course identifies several types of real estate fraud schemes, both minor and major, and helps you, as a real estate professional, understand how you can protect and educate your clients on this growing problem.

Course highlights include:

• Details about property disclosures that are required in real estate transactions
• Statistics regarding fraud cases and the top 10 states with significant mortgage fraud problems
• An explanation of sub-prime lending and how it impacts mortgage fraud
• A summary of the steps of a purchase process that will help you identify where major buyer misrepresentation can occur
• A handout from the Federal Bureau of Investigation that will help you understand how "house stealing" can occur

Infinite prospecting and advertising opportunities are available to real estate professionals through social media, blogging, property listing website, and email resources. Whether you’re an experienced Internet-savvy professional or have yet to create a Facebook profile, this course will help you gain an understanding of the legal, regulatory, ethical, and professional issues that should shape your online content and conduct.

This exciting new course features:

• Resources to help you in developing your online presence through personal websites, blogs, social media profiles, email campaigns, etc.
• Tech tips from Amy Chorew that will assist you in protecting your online image
• Details on reducing legal, ethical, regulatory, and practical risk you face through your online real estate activities
• Checklists with website best practices and email etiquette tips that can be used in your online marketing activities
• A handout with tips on avoiding E&O insurance claims stemming from your online real estate activities

It is estimated that approximately $300 billion in real estate is transacted by investors each year. Grab your piece of the pie by understanding the driving forces in the dynamic residential real estate investment market. Possessing knowledge of the strategies and mindsets of investors will help you serve your valuable investor clients effectively, responsibly, and ethically. Through this course, you will learn the impact of real estate investment in the United States, the opportunities that exist for investors, and your role in representing the residential real estate investor.

Course highlights include:

• Resources from Keller Williams Publishing, National Real Estate Investors Association, OwnAmerica, and the National Association of REALTORS® that will help you serve your investor clients
• A Criteria Worksheet handout that can be utilized in your efforts finding properties for your clients
• Insights from The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine, and Crash Boom! that will help you understand the mindset and strategies of investors
• Details about real estate market conditions and the impact of investors on the market over time
• Tips for acting ethically, providing a high level of service, and avoiding liability issues while working with investors

In your role as a real estate professional, there are certain fiduciary duties that you owe to your buyer and seller clients.  This course is a review of the various relationships found in real estate transactions and the duties owed within these relationships.  In this course, you will also learn proper and improper ways to act within your fiduciary duties through case studies and interactive examples.  Additionally, this course outlines recent law updates at the national and state levels.

Course highlights include:

• Definitions and examples of the various relationships present within real estate transactions
• Details regarding the fiduciary duties a real estate professional owes to their clients
• Case studies and examples of fiduciary duty violations
• Information about areas that are often confusing and misunderstood by real estate professionals — topics include broker price opinions (BPOs), Internet advertising, legal entity licensing, and lapsed licenses
• A summary of recent law updates that impact your real estate activity

In a race, you don't finish unless you cross the finish line. A real estate transaction can be similar. All the hard work, the showings, the negotiations, the contracts, and the communications are all part of the race. The final step, finish line, comes at the closing. The signing of all the documents and transferring of ownership from one person to another comes at the finish line.

Course highlights include:

• Details that will help you protect ownership rights and understand liens, encumbrances, and title insurance
• A list of the four basic rights of owning and possessing property and explanations of how these rights impact property owners
• Characteristics of a valid deed, and descriptions of grant deeds, warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, tax deeds, gift deeds, and deeds in lieu of foreclosure
• Items included on a full title report, an ownership and encumbrance property report, a legal and vesting report, and a land title report
• Details about items covered by the lender's title insurance policy and those covered by the borrower's policy
• An explanation of the contents of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is the most powerful tool that you, as a real estate professional, have at your disposal.  Potential buyers, in addition to other real estate professionals, can view your listings through a multitude of websites. How you use the MLS communicates your level of professionalism and attracts people to your properties. 

This course provides common sense theories and best practices from industry experts.  Harness the full power of the MLS, starting with a full understanding of how data flow in and out of the MLS.  Apply the practical concepts from this course to:

• Write exceptional listing descriptions
• Prepare listings that receive the attention they deserve
• Remain in compliance with fair housing, advertising, ethics, and anti-trust regulations

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) acquires thousands of homes every year through foreclosure on properties that had Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgages. This course explains the processes and procedures involved in listing and selling HUD homes, including how the properties are awarded to individual brokers for listing, how brokers and agents are compensated for these sales, and how they are listed and marketed.

Course highlights include:

• Overview of increased commission opportunities
• Explanation of FHA financing, and the FHA foreclosure process
• A summary of the roles created through HUD's Management and Marketing III program, and details regarding the duties associated with each role
• A description of the documents involved in the sale of a HUD home
• Rules outlining the advertisement of HUD homes
• Details about the HUD home bidding process