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Real Estate Classes

The real estate profession is catching the attention of many talented and ambitious young people interested in pursuing a career as an associate or broker of real estate. There are many types of real estates courses and curriculum leading to a variety of real estate broker and associate programs, certifications and licensing such as becoming an accredited buyers representative, real estate professional assistant, accredited land consultant, property inspector and appraisal management.

There are many more types of real estate classes and course programs available and it will depend on the person’s specific real estate career objectives. Most begin with becoming an associate or agent by taking the required core courses and by passing the states real estate exam. Upon successfully completing the course work and passing the real estate exam the state will issue you a license to legally represent buyers and sellers of real estate.

Those who have already earned an associate’s real estate license are still required to attend higher-level real estate classes in furtherance of the industries continuing education requirements of their members. These continuing education classes, also called CE courses, are intended to keep the real estate professional current on new developments in the practice of real estate and the changing state laws that govern the profession.

There are many real estate speculators and private investors who are individual buyers that take real estate classes in order to have a better grasp of the laws and real estate practices for purposes of buying and selling properties on their own. These speculators usually take classes focused how to buy properties that are in foreclosure or through the short-sale process.

Real Estate Education And Career Services

Almost all real estate schools provide some level of career training and counseling. It is in these services that students decide what type of real estate professional they wish to become. The most common choices include real estate salesperson or broker, residential real property inspector, real property appraiser, mortgage broker/loan officer or property manager.

If attending classes would present a burden on the student, there are online real estate classes which one can attend from the comfort of ones own home. In fact, there is a growing trend favoring taking online courses even though such classes do not provide the dynamic classroom environment of a live lecture and class participation. You will also need to make sure that the real estate program you choose is duly accredited by the state.

Tuition fees for real estate classes vary and some real estate schools provide access to financial aid and will assist you in applying for state and federally sponsored student loans. Most require the student first attend and complete at least 75 hours of class time in order to be eligible to take the agents exam. Lawyers, because of their extensive training in the area of property law are exempt from having to take classes in order to take the real estate exam.

The types of required real estate classes you can choose from usually include:

Principles of Real Estate

This class is primarily an overview of the basic real estate principles with special attention on foreclosure laws, short sale transactions, legal ethics, title and conveyance of real estate, legal descriptions, deeds, encumbrances and liens, appraisal, finance and regulations, closing procedures, local laws relating to housing discrimination and local community reinvestment.

Law of Agency

This class focuses on understanding the laws of agency such as principal-agent and master- servant relationships, agent and broker authority, termination of authority, agent and brokers fiduciary duties and disclosure of agency.

Contract Law

This class reviews the basics of contract law including offer and acceptance, statute of frauds and limitations, injunctive relief and contract remedies for breach of contract. There is also extensive information on fraud and concealment in real estate sales transactions.

Property Appraisal

This class includes learning the main purposes and functions of an appraisal, determinant of value, appraisal, market data and value income approaches to real estate estimates, correlations, and reporting of appraisal.

Real Estate Finance

This class includes primary and secondary money markets, sources of loans, federal lending programs, loan applications, processes and procedures, closing costs, alternative financial instruments and state housing finance practices.

Real Estate Math

This class provides the student with basic math skills and review of how to calculate sales commission percentages, finance charges and interest, time-valued money, depreciation, amortization, and closing statements.

Property Management

This class covers the role of property manager, landlord, leases, lease terms and negotiation, property management risk management, tenant rights, duty of repair and property maintenance and the Fair Housing Act.

To learn more about foreclosure laws, short sales and real estate finance click here.