Despite limited resources and the potential for violent conflict, nature evolved powerful strategies that resulted in a progression of increasingly complex and productive communities. Those principles, applied to the real estate industry, mandate a system of ethics that results in greater and more sustained professional productivity and significantly improves quality of life in our work environment, homes and communities. This course is designed to inform practicing and prospective real estate professionals about the tested and proven ethical strategies, applied to the real estate professional community, that make communities increasingly industrious and fruitful. This course also helps students understand ‘productivity’ in a human community, as well as the principle to advance and sustain such productiveness. These strategies lead to a system of ethical principles that will improve the quality and prolificacy of one’s professional practice and personal life.

This course explores the duties and responsibilities of an ethical broker, beginning with the characteristics of a good broker and avoiding conflicts of interest. The student will learn about gifts and kickbacks, the provisions of RESPA, handling escrow, earnest money, and when error and omissions insurance is needed. This course provides valuable information to aid the ethical broker in creating a policy manual, avoiding lender fraud, and following legal advertising practices. The course ends with an overview of the history of the MLS and the importance of agency disclosure.

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 propertys value, so buyers, sellers, lenders and licensees all can be affected by them. This course includes the following lessons:The Indoor Environment The External Environment Legislation Disclosure and Site Assessment Real Estate PracticeStudents 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.

Methamphetamine use has become a fast growing problem with meth labs springing up all across America, leaving a menacing wake in its path. Not only is this substance highly addictive, it’s inexpensive to produce and easy to use, but the chemicals used in processing this drug are volatile with very toxic by-products. This course is designed to heighten the knowledge and awareness of the imminent dangers, not only to the populace, but to the environment and its effects on consumers, clients, real property ownership, and the real estate practitioner. Students will learn about the history of meth, its composition, how to recognize a meth lab, the cost and time involved in remediation of a meth lab, and where to obtain additional, updated information so they may stay apprised of new laws, polices and the latest methods for meth lab detection.

Approved for Appraiser Continuing Education
Dual credit for Real Estate MCE: 3 hours of MCE credit with 0 hrs. in legal.

Approved Course Number(s):
04-00-102-17472

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This module 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 module 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 module 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 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 environmental issues, which the module will address with comprehensive content questions, practices and case studies.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Identify recent laws that have an impact on environmental issues, including lead-based paint disclosure laws
• Know the procedures used to locate toxic waste sites, the responsibilities for cleanup and steps that may be taken to minimize future liabilities
• Understand the nature of major air pollutants and the remedies that may be applied to minimize their effects
• Be able to list at least three sources of human exposure to PCBs and at least two effects of this PCB exposure on humans
• Understand landowners’ responsibility for the protection of wetlands areas on their property
• Identify the issues landowners and developers face regarding endangered-species protection
• Comprehend the nature of electromagnetic forces and the possible need for testing
• Be able to describe at least two major provisions of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act
• Know the current status of environmental laws and their effect on property insurance and mortgage lending

TOPICS COVERED:

• INTRODUCTION
• Lesson 1: The Indoor Environment
• Lesson 2: The External Environment
• Lesson 3: Legislation
• Lesson 4: Disclosure and Site Assessment
• Lesson 5: Real-Estate Practice

REGULATORY REQUIREMENT:
Please see the state/regulatory requirement from the course catalog page.

SEAT TIME:
This course has been approved for 3 hours.

COURSE PRE-REQUISITE:
N/A

TESTING:
Quizzes – All quizzes must be taken to proceed forward to the next lesson.
Final Exam – You will be required to take a final exam.

COURSE COMPLETION:
Print course completion and keep until requested by TALCB.

ABOUT THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT:
Lynn Smith began her real estate career in 1981 and achieved her broker’s license in 1984 in Houston, Texas. She has worked in residential sales, commercial sales, leasing, and new home sales. She began developing courses as a Director of Training for Coldwell Banker from 1986-1989. In 1990, she was responsible for getting the first five Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE) Courses approved in the State of Texas. As Director of Education for the Texas Association of REALTORS® she developed numerous courses in real estate finance, law, contracts, and marketing. She also developed a course to teach instructors how to utilize interactive teaching methods. She believes that the secret to success in real estate is to take good care of clients and customers.

Gregg Driscoll is a 1997 graduate of Linguistics from the University of Montana and an active real estate licensee in Austin, TX. He has created and facilitated training documents for start-up companies and established corporations regarding customer service and sales techniques. Mr. Driscoll has also headed training initiatives for software implementations and upgrades. Additionally, he has worked with independent Real Estate Brokerages to create new agent training programs. Mr. Driscoll joins 360Training as a subject matter expert in the field of real estate and ensures that the information delivered is accurate and current. Furthermore, he draws from experience as an agent to deliver real estate concepts in a thoughtful and relevant manner.

Home Inspection

Approved Course Number(s):
03-00-053-18146

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to residential real estate finance, including information on how to underwrite FHA, VA, FNMA and FHLMC loans. Understanding this information will help the student assist his or her buyer- and seller-clients from the initial meeting, through the closing proceedings with basic financing and loan-qualification questions.

In accordance with TREC rules Sections 535.71 and 535.72D, in this course, you will learn the basics of the different types of loans available, loan applications, appraisals, escrow, titles and credit reports, including qualifying for loan amounts and verifying income and assets.

Upon completion of this module, the student will know how to calculate loan amounts, estimate monthly payments, property taxes, hazard and mortgage insurance (for conventional, FHA and VA) and qualifying ratios and income.

Learning Objectives

Upon Completion of this course, the student will:

• Understand the basic concepts of real estate financing, and the key terms involved
• Know how to qualify a buyer for the most common types of loans
• Be familiar with the use and function of escrow accounts
• Know what a Mortgage Insurance Premium is
• Know the underwriting guidelines and process
• Be familiar with the three most common types of loans: Conventional, FHA and VA
• Know the advantages and disadvantages of conventional loans
• Know how to use conventional qualifying ratios
• Know the advantages and disadvantages of FHA loans
• Know about the differing FHA qualification ratios
• Know the advantages and disadvantages of VA loans
• Be familiar with VA eligibility and qualification periods
• Be able to calculate the amount of VA entitlement used
• Be able to calculate VA loan amounts and required down payments
• Know the process and qualifications for assuming VA and FHA loans
• Be familiar with other types of loans available
• Know how to underwrite and close loans

Regulatory Requirement

Our staff works diligently to provide you with an analysis of current mandates and legislation that affects you the licensee. All information pertaining to the Mandatory Continuing Education requirements can be found on the State Requirements page. You can find the link to this page on the upper Navbar on the Course Catalog.

Course Completion

Affidavits can be found by clicking the Help link in the navigation bar on the Course Catalog. The affidavit will also be available to print upon course completion.

Testing

Quizzes – There is a quiz at the end of each lesson to test comprehension of the subject matter.

Final Exam – Passing Grade 70%. You can take the final three times.

About The Subject Matter Expert

Course designed, written and maintained by 360Training. Course material questions can be directed to our Instructor of Record at Instructor.RE@360Training.com. Instructional support questions are returned within 24 business hours with answers provided by a qualified professional in your field through our network of subject matter experts.

Support

If you have any requests for technical support please contact the 360Training Support Department located in the HELP section of your account profile. Technical support inquiries are handled immediately.

Students will be introduced to the concepts, types, and approaches to value. They will learn about market value; selecting the best comparables when estimating real property value; and accurately determining square footage. This course addresses how to correctly make adjustments to value, market timing, and the reasoning and strategies as to why property sells.

Methamphetamine use has become a fast growing problem with meth labs springing up all across America, leaving a menacing wake in its path. Not only is this substance highly addictive, it’s inexpensive to produce and easy to use, but the chemicals used in processing this drug are volatile with very toxic by-products. This course is designed to heighten the knowledge and awareness of the imminent dangers, not only to the populace, but to the environment and its effects on consumers, clients, real property ownership, and the real estate practitioner. Students will learn about the history of meth, its composition, how to recognize a meth lab, the cost and time involved in remediation of a meth lab, and where to obtain additional, updated information so they may stay apprised of new laws, polices and the latest methods for meth lab detection.

Despite limited resources and the potential for violent conflict, nature evolved powerful strategies that resulted in a progression of increasingly complex and productive communities. Those principles, applied to the real estate industry, mandate a system of ethics that results in greater and more sustained professional productivity and significantly improves quality of life in our work environment, homes and communities. This course is designed to inform practicing and prospective real estate professionals about the tested and proven ethical strategies, applied to the real estate professional community, that make communities increasingly industrious and fruitful. This course also helps students understand ‘productivity’ in a human community, as well as the principle to advance and sustain such productiveness. These strategies lead to a system of ethical principles that will improve the quality and prolificacy of one’s professional practice and personal life.

Provider Approval #0238 / Course Approval #03-00-053-18144

Asset Management is the term used for the decision-making process involved in maximizing returns on real property investments. This process includes such decisions as whether or not to renew a lease for a tenant, purchase or lease more assets, improve, sell or rent ones current assets, etc. The asset manager must be aware of market trends and indicators and must be able to accurately predict the cash inflows and outflows of his or her own holdings. This course provides an introduction to the basics of asset management. It introduces the student to the key ideas and concepts of management as well as the techniques a manager will use to evaluate the market and evaluate the financial impact of alternatives in order to make properly informed decisions. The student will learn how to handle distressed properties and how to successfully market a revenue-increasing strategy. The course ends with case studies and real world practice, which will aid the student in becoming confident and familiar with the various aspects of asset management.

This course covers broad issues on fair housing laws. Specifically, the student will learn: what fair housing laws exist, what classes of individuals are covered under these laws, how discrimination is defined in real estate, how can one avoid discriminating practices, and what the consequences are for non-compliance with fair housing laws.

If you are located in Texas please note the following information:

Texas Provider Approval #0238 / Course Approval #04-00-104-24750

Provider Approval #0238 / Course Approval #03-00-053-18146

This course provides an introduction to residential real estate finance, including information on the underwriting process for FHA, VA, FNMA and FHLMC loans. It includes the following lessons:Introduction to Loans Conventional Loans FHA Loans VA Loans The Basics of Real Estate Financing Real Estate PracticeIn this course the student will learn the basics of the different types of loans available and the advantages and disadvantages of each; loan applications; appraisals; escrow; titles; and credit reports, including qualifying for loan amounts and verifying income and assets.The student will also learn how to calculate loan amounts, estimate monthly payments from property taxes, hazard and mortgage insurance, qualifying ratios and income.