The purpose of the Alabama Real Estate Consumers and Agency Disclosure Act is to address buyers’ confusion about agency representation. This course clarifies the duties of brokers and licensees, the differences between a client and a customer, required disclosures, and agency representation. Students will also learn about the Minimum Services Law. RECAD is put to the test of everyday situations through a series of questions and answers

Bad Loans will delve into predatory lending practices and common mortgage fraud schemes. Students will learn to identify and avoid predatory lenders’ and fraud perpetrators’ tactics. The course examines the lines on mortgage forms, good faith estimates, fees, discounts, prepayment penalties, and how these items are used by predatory lenders. This course also features valuable information about dealing with issues such as late charges, tax reserves, property insurance, foreclosures, and note modification. Then students will explore popular mortgage fraud schemes and examples from real cases. Fraud tools such as flipping, straw sellers and buyers, “No Doc” loans, silent second mortgages, and false money will also be discussed.

The basics of contracts and contract law and how contracts are used in the real estate industry are addressed in this course. Students will learn the differences between express and implied contracts and bilateral and unilateral contracts as well as how to classify a contract as being executed or executory. This course also explores the legal effects of a contract, the essential elements of a valid contract, how a contract can be discharged or terminated, and the various contracts used in real estate.

Human land use is one in a series of courses covering the many areas of Human Ecology. The emphasis here is to impart knowledge and understanding of the history of land use, ownership, controls, zoning, boundaries, viewshed analysis, geology, land use conflicts, court decisions affecting land use, and the relationship between human quality of life and land ownership.

It is not always obvious, especially to the first-time home buyer, the reasoning and importance of the home inspection. Therefore, the real estate licensee must know and understand the basic requirements of the property inspection and the responsibilities of the licensed inspectors. Some of the areas discussed are the basic fundamentals of the exterior components of real property as well as the interior housing construction; the procedure for inspecting heating and cooling systems; and warning signs of potential problem areas including mold and other environmental hazards.

This property management course focuses on the operational aspects of running a property management firm. Students will learn how to analyze and manage liability risks and insurance and the security and safety responsibilities of a property manager. The course discusses the pros and cons of private maintenance companies, setting up a maintenance system, evaluating a property’s maintenance needs, and common maintenance problems. Proper recordkeeping, promotion, and advertising are also covered. This course teaches students how to handle problem tenants, complaints, waiting lists, late rent, evictions, fair housing issues, and owner relations. The course also contains valuable information about the organization of a property management office, creating policy manuals, management costs and fees, the hiring process, employee management and evaluation, and what it takes to open and maintain a successful property management firm.

This course will give the student a broad overview of homeowner’s association management. It starts by showing the manager how to set up a non-profit association and the legal documents required. The board of directors and their role in running the association, drawing up bylaws, and how the board operates are covered thoroughly. The course also covers CC&Rs and other restrictions and laws that all managers need to know. A discussion of dispute resolution through litigation and non-litigious means rounds out the course.

Students will be introduced to laws governing the licensing and conduct of real estate professionals, as well as the organization and duties of the Real Estate Commission for the state of Alabama. They will learn about the requirements for securing and maintaining a license, real estate related activities that require a license, and the qualifications and responsibilities of the broker. This course also provides an overview of the Alabama Real Estate Consumers Agency and Disclosure Act (RECAD), the Real Estate Recovery Fund, and a discussion on the appropriate handling of trust funds. The final lesson provides the student with essential information regarding violations of the Alabama License Law and Commission Rules, the disciplinary action process, and the designated penalties for those violations.

This course explores the roles and practices of underwriters and appraisers as they qualify borrowers and properties for loans. Other requirements for loans, leases, and titles will also be discussed. The student will examine loan settlement procedures, the role of the Truth-in-Lending Act, and the effects of the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Water Resources is one in a series of courses involving human ecology. Special attention is given to global water systems, water usage, the effect on the world’s population, pollution, water quality standards, wetland protection, and the importance of conservation with the strategies for achieving these goals.

This course covers the National Association of Realtors’® Code of Ethics. The course begins with an overview of ethics in business and continues with NAR’s full Code of Ethics. This code specifies Standards of Practices for Realtors® and is divided into three parts: Duties to Clients and Customers, Duties to the Public, and Duties to Realtors®. The course then outlines the procedures by which NAR enforces the Code. Finally, the course also covers common illegal and unethical practices that the real estate professional might face in their daily practice.