This pre-license course begins by introducing the student to various types of real estate careers, activities, companies, and governmental agencies that regulate the industry. Then the course explores property rights, forms of ownership, property restrictions, and zoning. Students will learn the mathematical calculations and formulas commonly used in the real estate industry. The course provides an overview of agency relationships, contract law, property transfers, listing agreements, and deeds as well as environmental issues that licensees may encounter. The general pre-license section ends with an exploration of loans and the loan process, leasing, appraisal methods, and fair housing laws.
The student will then examine Georgia Real Estate License Law governing the licensing and conduct of real estate professionals, the structure and duties of the Georgia Real Estate Commission, and the requirements for the licensure for both salesperson and broker. The steps required for setting up and maintaining escrow/trust accounts and actions that are not in compliance with Georgia real estate license law are covered as well as the Real Estate Education, Research and Recovery Fund. Students will explore the unfair trade practices that licensees are prohibited from engaging in, the Commission's complaint process, the activities that require a real estate license, and how the Criminal Code of Georgia relates to real estate licensees. This course also covers the requirements for obtaining and renewing a real estate license. The responsibilities of brokers, advertising requirements, and agency relationships are discussed. Students will learn about mortgage fraud, Georgia's Fair Housing Law, and the Brokerage Relationship in Real Estate Transaction (BRRETA).