About

This 10-hour renewal package for Colorado is the most cost-effective way to complete your license CE requirements. It includes the current version of the CREC Annual Commission Update Course (ACU) and Commercial Real Estate Electives.

About

The 101s of Processing Short Sales
That Every Real Estate Professional Should Know

There is no doubt that short sales are an integral part of the real estate marketplace, or that there will be short sales in the future. The basic tenets of the process have been around for a while, but with the rash of foreclosures and the ever-increasing desire (not to mention political pressure) for lenders to allow modifications or short sales, it is more important than ever that the real estate professional be equipped with the knowledge necessary to assist their clients and customers through the short sale process.

Topics Covered

This course focuses on the following topics:

Lesson 01: What Is a Short Sale?
Lesson 02: Hardship
Lesson 03: Questions
Lesson 04: Putting it Together
Lesson 05: Qualifying the Buyer
Lesson 06: Title & Follow Up
Lesson 07: Closing
Lesson 08: Short Sale Reality
Lesson 09: Stepping into a Short Sale Process
Lesson 10: Government Help
Lesson 11: Stepping into a Lender’s World
Lesson 12: Legal Face of a Short Sale

 The bank is simply a secured debtor. The bank does not do the Short Sale; it approves the Short Sale and its payoff. It is the seller who deeds the home to the Short Sale buyer, which is why the seller gets to choose who buys it.

If a new buyer steps in, their offer will have to match exactly to the terms of the short sale approval letter. If the approval letter is specific to a buyer, then the Short Sale listing agent may need to request a Short Sale approval letter for the new buyer, which could restart the whole process.

No one knows for sure if a Short Sale offer will be accepted or rejected by the lender. Just because a listing is advertised as a Short Sale doesn't mean it will be a Short Sale. It means the listing agent and the seller hope it will sell as a Short Sale and that the lender will accept the offer.

It's generally not a good idea to send an offer that is considerably lower than the list price if the home has been the market for only a few days.

There's no way to avoid gathering all the required documents for a Short Sale. Find out everything you'll need before you submit, so you don't face costly delays when the bank asks you for more information.

You may also wish to consider filing a small claims court action. In small claims court, you represent yourself, and disputes of up to $10,000 are resolved quickly and inexpensively by a judge.

State laws regarding short sale and fraud vary, and a local lawyer will be best suited to helping you understand your state’s laws regarding the matter. An experienced attorney can also help you avoid short sale fraud schemes by providing you with legal advice every step of the way, as well as represent you in court, as needed.

In short, discrimination stops people from living to their full potential.

Let’s practice empathy and the results will impress you.

A HUD home is a 1- to 4-unit residential property acquired by HUD because of a foreclosure action (REO)on an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD becomes the property owner and offers it for sale to recover the loss on the foreclosure claim. This agency is responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, improve, and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws.

Appraisal Discrimination is Illegal. Federal and state civil rights laws prohibit home appraisal discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, and other protected classes. 
 The National Fair Housing Alliance has issued recommendations for the Appraisal Standards Board and Appraisal Foundation to increase equity in their policies and practices.

Simply put, CC&Rs are a description of things homeowners can and cannot do with their property on the area in which the property resides.

We introduced you to the devastating effect of biases and discrimination on our society (education, workplace, economics) and specifically on Real Estate industry. Be a part of improvement and fairness in Real Estate.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Qualify the seller to see if the seller is a candidate for doing a short sale, and knowing the right questions to ask, going in.
• Collect the appropriate documents from the seller.
• Qualify the buyer.
• Determine how the Settlement Statement should look, and how you can help a title company understand what you need.
• Follow up with the lender through the process and asking the right questions.
• Understand closing.
• Learn what it means to be a “distressed” homeowner and what a “distressed” home means.
• Understand the difference between foreclosure and a Short Sale.
• Define the most misunderstood concepts like “the parties to a Short Sale Purchase Contract” and the parties to a “Short Sale transaction”.
• Summarize the pros, the cons, and Short Sales challenges to help you handle the Short Sale transaction properly.
• Understand the real estate agent’s fiduciary duties.
• Understand the proper ways to handle the latter and discover the invaluable tips to help you work with your Short Sale buyers and sellers.
• Introduction to the lending terminology and the role of the US government in pre-foreclosure and foreclosure situations.
• Learn about the US government reaction to the Short Sale/Foreclosure disasters.
• Discover the best ways to handle multiple lien holders through understanding the Short Sale process and lender’s requirements.
• Learn about the legal and ethical aspect of a Short Sale transaction.
• Understand Predatory Short Sale fraud.

 The bank is simply a secured debtor. The bank does not do the Short Sale; it approves the Short Sale and its payoff. It is the seller who deeds the home to the Short Sale buyer, which is why the seller gets to choose who buys it.

If a new buyer steps in, their offer will have to match exactly to the terms of the short sale approval letter. If the approval letter is specific to a buyer, then the Short Sale listing agent may need to request a Short Sale approval letter for the new buyer, which could restart the whole process.

No one knows for sure if a Short Sale offer will be accepted or rejected by the lender. Just because a listing is advertised as a Short Sale doesn't mean it will be a Short Sale. It means the listing agent and the seller hope it will sell as a Short Sale and that the lender will accept the offer.

It's generally not a good idea to send an offer that is considerably lower than the list price if the home has been the market for only a few days.

There's no way to avoid gathering all the required documents for a Short Sale. Find out everything you'll need before you submit, so you don't face costly delays when the bank asks you for more information.

You may also wish to consider filing a small claims court action. In small claims court, you represent yourself, and disputes of up to $10,000 are resolved quickly and inexpensively by a judge.

State laws regarding short sale and fraud vary, and a local lawyer will be best suited to helping you understand your state’s laws regarding the matter. An experienced attorney can also help you avoid short sale fraud schemes by providing you with legal advice every step of the way, as well as represent you in court, as needed.

In short, discrimination stops people from living to their full potential.

Let’s practice empathy and the results will impress you.

A HUD home is a 1- to 4-unit residential property acquired by HUD because of a foreclosure action (REO)on an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD becomes the property owner and offers it for sale to recover the loss on the foreclosure claim. This agency is responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, improve, and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws.

Appraisal Discrimination is Illegal. Federal and state civil rights laws prohibit home appraisal discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, and other protected classes. 
 The National Fair Housing Alliance has issued recommendations for the Appraisal Standards Board and Appraisal Foundation to increase equity in their policies and practices.

Simply put, CC&Rs are a description of things homeowners can and cannot do with their property on the area in which the property resides.

We introduced you to the devastating effect of biases and discrimination on our society (education, workplace, economics) and specifically on Real Estate industry. Be a part of improvement and fairness in Real Estate.

About

The 101s of Processing Short Sales
That Every Real Estate Professional Should Know

There is no doubt that short sales are an integral part of the real estate marketplace, or that there will be short sales in the future. The basic tenets of the process have been around for a while, but with the rash of foreclosures and the ever-increasing desire (not to mention political pressure) for lenders to allow modifications or short sales, it is more important than ever that the real estate professional be equipped with the knowledge necessary to assist their clients and customers through the short sale process.

Topics Covered

This course focuses on the following topics:

Lesson 01: What Is a Short Sale?
Lesson 02: Hardship
Lesson 03: Questions
Lesson 04: Putting it Together
Lesson 05: Qualifying the Buyer
Lesson 06: Title & Follow Up
Lesson 07: Closing
Lesson 08: Short Sale Reality
Lesson 09: Stepping into a Short Sale Process
Lesson 10: Government Help
Lesson 11: Stepping into a Lender’s World
Lesson 12: Legal Face of a Short Sale

 The bank is simply a secured debtor. The bank does not do the Short Sale; it approves the Short Sale and its payoff. It is the seller who deeds the home to the Short Sale buyer, which is why the seller gets to choose who buys it.

If a new buyer steps in, their offer will have to match exactly to the terms of the short sale approval letter. If the approval letter is specific to a buyer, then the Short Sale listing agent may need to request a Short Sale approval letter for the new buyer, which could restart the whole process.

No one knows for sure if a Short Sale offer will be accepted or rejected by the lender. Just because a listing is advertised as a Short Sale doesn't mean it will be a Short Sale. It means the listing agent and the seller hope it will sell as a Short Sale and that the lender will accept the offer.

It's generally not a good idea to send an offer that is considerably lower than the list price if the home has been the market for only a few days.

There's no way to avoid gathering all the required documents for a Short Sale. Find out everything you'll need before you submit, so you don't face costly delays when the bank asks you for more information.

You may also wish to consider filing a small claims court action. In small claims court, you represent yourself, and disputes of up to $10,000 are resolved quickly and inexpensively by a judge.

State laws regarding short sale and fraud vary, and a local lawyer will be best suited to helping you understand your state’s laws regarding the matter. An experienced attorney can also help you avoid short sale fraud schemes by providing you with legal advice every step of the way, as well as represent you in court, as needed.

In short, discrimination stops people from living to their full potential.

Let’s practice empathy and the results will impress you.

A HUD home is a 1- to 4-unit residential property acquired by HUD because of a foreclosure action (REO)on an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD becomes the property owner and offers it for sale to recover the loss on the foreclosure claim. This agency is responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, improve, and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws.

Appraisal Discrimination is Illegal. Federal and state civil rights laws prohibit home appraisal discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, and other protected classes. 
 The National Fair Housing Alliance has issued recommendations for the Appraisal Standards Board and Appraisal Foundation to increase equity in their policies and practices.

Simply put, CC&Rs are a description of things homeowners can and cannot do with their property on the area in which the property resides.

We introduced you to the devastating effect of biases and discrimination on our society (education, workplace, economics) and specifically on Real Estate industry. Be a part of improvement and fairness in Real Estate.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Qualify the seller to see if the seller is a candidate for doing a short sale, and knowing the right questions to ask, going in.
• Collect the appropriate documents from the seller.
• Qualify the buyer.
• Determine how the Settlement Statement should look, and how you can help a title company understand what you need.
• Follow up with the lender through the process and asking the right questions.
• Understand closing.
• Learn what it means to be a “distressed” homeowner and what a “distressed” home means.
• Understand the difference between foreclosure and a Short Sale.
• Define the most misunderstood concepts like “the parties to a Short Sale Purchase Contract” and the parties to a “Short Sale transaction”.
• Summarize the pros, the cons, and Short Sales challenges to help you handle the Short Sale transaction properly.
• Understand the real estate agent’s fiduciary duties.
• Understand the proper ways to handle the latter and discover the invaluable tips to help you work with your Short Sale buyers and sellers.
• Introduction to the lending terminology and the role of the US government in pre-foreclosure and foreclosure situations.
• Learn about the US government reaction to the Short Sale/Foreclosure disasters.
• Discover the best ways to handle multiple lien holders through understanding the Short Sale process and lender’s requirements.
• Learn about the legal and ethical aspect of a Short Sale transaction.
• Understand Predatory Short Sale fraud.

 The bank is simply a secured debtor. The bank does not do the Short Sale; it approves the Short Sale and its payoff. It is the seller who deeds the home to the Short Sale buyer, which is why the seller gets to choose who buys it.

If a new buyer steps in, their offer will have to match exactly to the terms of the short sale approval letter. If the approval letter is specific to a buyer, then the Short Sale listing agent may need to request a Short Sale approval letter for the new buyer, which could restart the whole process.

No one knows for sure if a Short Sale offer will be accepted or rejected by the lender. Just because a listing is advertised as a Short Sale doesn't mean it will be a Short Sale. It means the listing agent and the seller hope it will sell as a Short Sale and that the lender will accept the offer.

It's generally not a good idea to send an offer that is considerably lower than the list price if the home has been the market for only a few days.

There's no way to avoid gathering all the required documents for a Short Sale. Find out everything you'll need before you submit, so you don't face costly delays when the bank asks you for more information.

You may also wish to consider filing a small claims court action. In small claims court, you represent yourself, and disputes of up to $10,000 are resolved quickly and inexpensively by a judge.

State laws regarding short sale and fraud vary, and a local lawyer will be best suited to helping you understand your state’s laws regarding the matter. An experienced attorney can also help you avoid short sale fraud schemes by providing you with legal advice every step of the way, as well as represent you in court, as needed.

In short, discrimination stops people from living to their full potential.

Let’s practice empathy and the results will impress you.

A HUD home is a 1- to 4-unit residential property acquired by HUD because of a foreclosure action (REO)on an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD becomes the property owner and offers it for sale to recover the loss on the foreclosure claim. This agency is responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, improve, and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws.

Appraisal Discrimination is Illegal. Federal and state civil rights laws prohibit home appraisal discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, and other protected classes. 
 The National Fair Housing Alliance has issued recommendations for the Appraisal Standards Board and Appraisal Foundation to increase equity in their policies and practices.

Simply put, CC&Rs are a description of things homeowners can and cannot do with their property on the area in which the property resides.

We introduced you to the devastating effect of biases and discrimination on our society (education, workplace, economics) and specifically on Real Estate industry. Be a part of improvement and fairness in Real Estate.

About

Students will gain a thorough understanding of what constitutes a §1031 exchange, the rules and regulations that must be followed to qualify a transaction for §1031 treatment, and the variations on simultaneous exchanges that are available. They will also learn the different types of property that are deemed "like kind" for the purposes of §1031 qualification, some pitfalls to be aware of in suggesting this type of transaction, and how §1031 can give you an opportunity to add clients and commissions to your real estate practice. The student should already have some degree of familiarity with income taxation, at least as it relates to real estate, before starting this course. Tax expertise is not a prerequisite, but if you have no knowledge in this area at all, you may find the course very challenging.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: The Basics

Lesson 2: Boot

Lesson 3: Issues in 1031 Exchanges

Lesson 4: Variations

Lesson 5: State Tax Issues

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

• Describe what constitutes a §1031 exchange and the rules and regulations that must be followed to qualify a transaction for §1031 treatment
• Define the advantage of using the 1031, such as tax savings, increasing the depreciable basis of the property, adding sheltered income to your clients’ investment portfolio to diversify your client’s holdings, etc.
• Explain the variations on simultaneous exchanges that are available.
• List the different types of property that are deemed "like kind" for the purposes of §1031 qualification
• Identify the pitfalls to be aware of when suggesting this type of transaction
• State how §1031 can give brokers an opportunity to add clients and commissions to their real estate practice
• Explain to your client how an exchange can make a substantial difference in his/her tax result.

About

This 8-hour license renewal package includes the most current CREC Annual Commission Update (ACU) course and elective courses focused on the daily practice of real estate professionals to help you meet your Colorado licensing requirements in 2025.

About

There is so much we as listing agents can do to serve our sellers, regardless of the state of the local real estate market and the economy. We aren't helpless. We aren’t powerless when it comes to selling houses. Even in a difficult market, we have far more power and control over whether our listings sell than we give ourselves credit for.

This course is about how to sell those listings you work so hard to get, so that you actually see a paycheck for your efforts and, of course, get yourself a delighted seller who will be happy to refer business to you for years to come. Because it doesn’t matter if you’re the best FSBO converter on the planet—or have an expired campaign to die for—if you can’t sell those listings you’re so good at getting, then what’s the point?

Topics Covered

This course focuses on the following topics:

• Lesson 1: Preparation and Pricing 1-10
• Lesson 2: Pricing, Condition and Accessibility 11-22
• Lesson 3: Challenges, Checklists and Marketing 23-45
• Lesson 4: Advertising, Inspection & Appraisal 46-64
• Lesson 5: Evaluating Your Listings 65-74

Alice was put on notice that the 2.9 acres was more than likely incorrect. Alice should have removed the MLS information or state the counties and sellers conflicting data and asked for a survey. Her actions were fraudulent.

Yes- Jacks actions were fraudulent. He remained silent when there was a duty to disclose.

If the licensee knew the lot was the wrong one he would be guilty of misrepresentation.
The licensee has a duty to know about the property he/she is showing so he was also negligent (and lazy, he didn't bother do find out).

Correct. When answering question related to real estate, Rule 6.10. will apply.

Incorrect. Rule 6.10. applies to all brokers when they are using their expertise to reply or post on any online forum. Any non-real estate forum will likely not be covered.

There are actually two issues here. The first is that no broker is listed in the advertisement.

The second issue is that if this had been the first page that the consumer had found the link to the website for the brokerage, property or licensee is not a "hot link" and is not clickable. This means the consumer can't get to the firm's disclosure.

We Disagree. The link is not active so the ad should have the brokerage firm name since it is listed under real estate by a broker.

Correct. Since the link is not active, the real estate brokerage firm name should appear in the ad.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a new rule aimed at combating gender discrimination in the provision of housing services. Among other things, Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs, Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity prohibits inquiries into the gender and sexual status of tenants by housing providers.

A church may sell to its members without being in violation of the law.

When there is a conflict between the laws, the local or state laws may supersede federal fair housing laws.

The most common question on this topic from students is What does a service animal do? Here we have included a quick list of things that a service animal might be found doing.

By the express terms of statute, the fact that a property is ‘psychologically impacted’ or stigmatized in this fashion ”shall not be a material or substantial fact that is required to be disclosed in a sale”. Accordingly, while there is no affirmative legal requirement to disclose this information, even if disclosure is not made, if an inquiry about the topic is received, of course only honest answers must be given. As a practical matter, a seller or landlord may want to consider addressing/disclosing “up-front” such matters in an “appropriate” manner. Ultimately, it is effectively an owner’s call to make, but both owner and property manager should be on the “same page” and discuss (preferably from the outset) as to what (if anything) is to be done in this regard (which may help serve to reduce potential for future disputes and liability).

REALTORS® Code of Ethics Standard of Practice 12-5, 8, 9 & 10 should all be reviewed for compliance in advertising and internet practices.

It is important to remember that where and how the listing is marketed can be determined by the seller, listing agent or brokerage policy. In other words, sellers can "opt-out" of internet advertising or information sharing services (such as a local MLS). This allows all parties to make the most appropriate choice for marketing the listing.

NAR IDX policies can be viewed online. Click to view Advertising (Print and Electronic), Section 1: Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Policy (Policy Statement 7.58) (nar.realtor)

Please note that an agreement with a buyer may include a provision that relieves the buyer agent of the responsibility to show the buyer property where a seller is not paying a commission.

Verify MLS rules in your area to determine what requirements may exist regarding input of listings. Fines may be imposed on those who fail to input a listing in a timely fashion.

Here's a reminder from the Commission: Any coming soon listing must be in agreed to in writing prior to any marketing taking place.

The Best Practice then is to make certain you explain to clients and customers how you will be marketing the property when you put a "coming soon" sign up or share the information with your brokerage firm. You may want to explain the limitations of a coming soon listing as well and get affirmative approval in writing from the seller to market the property as "coming soon".

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Understand Why the first 30 days are critical in any listing
• Explain What motivates us during the initial listing period
• Understand What information we should be gathering during this time
• Explain What happens after the first 30 days - i.e. What is at risk
• Relate the value of accessibility
• Recognize the impact of price reductions and underpricing
• Describe the importance of property condition
• Explain how to reduce the potential for hurt feelings during a transaction
• Recognize the importance for real estate professionals to do only what they are hired to do. Do not exceed your responsibilities during a transaction (i.e. acting like a home inspector)
• Discuss the need for good correspondence. Anything observed or overheard which may be of importance should be recorded.
• Identify the need to stage properties.
• Recognize the need for having the appropriate checklists to help identify areas of concern.
• Define the need for the real estate professional to ask questions about any "red flags" that they may find, see, or smell
• Define advertising, offers, inspection, appraisal and elaborate on how to handle each
• Take simple steps you can take that will ease the transaction for the most important people - your clients and customers.

Alice was put on notice that the 2.9 acres was more than likely incorrect. Alice should have removed the MLS information or state the counties and sellers conflicting data and asked for a survey. Her actions were fraudulent.

Yes- Jacks actions were fraudulent. He remained silent when there was a duty to disclose.

If the licensee knew the lot was the wrong one he would be guilty of misrepresentation.
The licensee has a duty to know about the property he/she is showing so he was also negligent (and lazy, he didn't bother do find out).

Correct. When answering question related to real estate, Rule 6.10. will apply.

Incorrect. Rule 6.10. applies to all brokers when they are using their expertise to reply or post on any online forum. Any non-real estate forum will likely not be covered.

There are actually two issues here. The first is that no broker is listed in the advertisement.

The second issue is that if this had been the first page that the consumer had found the link to the website for the brokerage, property or licensee is not a "hot link" and is not clickable. This means the consumer can't get to the firm's disclosure.

We Disagree. The link is not active so the ad should have the brokerage firm name since it is listed under real estate by a broker.

Correct. Since the link is not active, the real estate brokerage firm name should appear in the ad.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has proposed a new rule aimed at combating gender discrimination in the provision of housing services. Among other things, Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs, Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity prohibits inquiries into the gender and sexual status of tenants by housing providers.

A church may sell to its members without being in violation of the law.

When there is a conflict between the laws, the local or state laws may supersede federal fair housing laws.

The most common question on this topic from students is What does a service animal do? Here we have included a quick list of things that a service animal might be found doing.

By the express terms of statute, the fact that a property is ‘psychologically impacted’ or stigmatized in this fashion ”shall not be a material or substantial fact that is required to be disclosed in a sale”. Accordingly, while there is no affirmative legal requirement to disclose this information, even if disclosure is not made, if an inquiry about the topic is received, of course only honest answers must be given. As a practical matter, a seller or landlord may want to consider addressing/disclosing “up-front” such matters in an “appropriate” manner. Ultimately, it is effectively an owner’s call to make, but both owner and property manager should be on the “same page” and discuss (preferably from the outset) as to what (if anything) is to be done in this regard (which may help serve to reduce potential for future disputes and liability).

REALTORS® Code of Ethics Standard of Practice 12-5, 8, 9 & 10 should all be reviewed for compliance in advertising and internet practices.

It is important to remember that where and how the listing is marketed can be determined by the seller, listing agent or brokerage policy. In other words, sellers can "opt-out" of internet advertising or information sharing services (such as a local MLS). This allows all parties to make the most appropriate choice for marketing the listing.

NAR IDX policies can be viewed online. Click to view Advertising (Print and Electronic), Section 1: Internet Data Exchange (IDX) Policy (Policy Statement 7.58) (nar.realtor)

Please note that an agreement with a buyer may include a provision that relieves the buyer agent of the responsibility to show the buyer property where a seller is not paying a commission.

Verify MLS rules in your area to determine what requirements may exist regarding input of listings. Fines may be imposed on those who fail to input a listing in a timely fashion.

Here's a reminder from the Commission: Any coming soon listing must be in agreed to in writing prior to any marketing taking place.

The Best Practice then is to make certain you explain to clients and customers how you will be marketing the property when you put a "coming soon" sign up or share the information with your brokerage firm. You may want to explain the limitations of a coming soon listing as well and get affirmative approval in writing from the seller to market the property as "coming soon".

About

This contracts course was created for licensed real estate brokers in Colorado to understand the changes effective in January 2024.

In addition to the updated contracts and new forms, licensees will review concepts of contract law, brokerage relationships, permitted changes, disclosures, and closing forms and procedures. By the end of this course, licensees will demonstrate a working knowledge of the contract forms promulgated by the Colorado Real Estate Commission and will be ready to use them appropriately and effectively in practice.

Competence in preparing contracts is a fundamental skill every real estate licensee must master. The terms of the agreement have legally binding implications for both the licensee and the principal and must be prepared carefully, with diligent attention to detail, such that all duties and promises are clearly and completely defined. In so doing, licensees will be equipped to avoid the possibility of contract errors and misunderstandings, which can result in ill will, lawsuits, and disciplinary action.

Whether the learner is a seasoned real estate professional or just starting, this course will enhance their ability to execute their responsibilities as a real estate licensee. By the end of the course, licensees will be equipped to confidently navigate the real estate transaction with a renewed appreciation for their role in helping clients achieve a successful closing.

Topics Covered

In this course we will focus on the following topics:

• Review of contract law and brokerage relationships
• Commission-approved contracts
• Listing and sale contracts
• Contracts in property management and leasing
• Closing forms and procedures
• 2024 Updated redline contracts review

When determining how many days it will take to complete the inspections the licensee should work with the buyer first to determine what types of inspections are needed. If an engineer needs to inspect a large crack in the corner of the foundation, that report will likely take longer to complete than the in-home inspection.

A defect means a condition, malfunction or problem, which is not decorative, that will have a materially adverse effect on the value of a system or component.

Beer retailers are not permitted to sell beer at wholesale and cannot sell beer at any other location.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define and distinguish between different brokerage relationships along dimensions of authority, duties, contract law, and legal implications.
• Identify the significance of Conway-Bogue as a landmark case which led to the use of Commission promulgated contracts.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the contract forms promulgated by the Colorado Real estate Commission for use by licensees in real estate transactions and an understanding of the purpose and role of each of the clauses within the contract.
• Specify the permitted modifications to the Commission approved forms including which clauses can and cannot be edited and in what manner they may be modified.
• Identify the contract changes and new forms going into effect in 2024 and understand the importance and reasoning behind the new requirements for radon disclosures passed into law in 2023.

When determining how many days it will take to complete the inspections the licensee should work with the buyer first to determine what types of inspections are needed. If an engineer needs to inspect a large crack in the corner of the foundation, that report will likely take longer to complete than the in-home inspection.

A defect means a condition, malfunction or problem, which is not decorative, that will have a materially adverse effect on the value of a system or component.

Beer retailers are not permitted to sell beer at wholesale and cannot sell beer at any other location.

About

Welcome!

Americans have many ways and places to invest their money. They choose a product (whichever investment they desire) generally through analysis and comparison. Many times, however, the investor chooses a product because of the knowledge and sales ability of the salesperson. Many investors are missing the opportunity to achieve optimum diversification, enabling them to potentially increase investment returns with less risk, simply because they have not taken the time to understand real estate investing.

• This course provides an introduction to investment real estate.
• Real estate investment terminology, taxation, and principles of investing in real estate will be reviewed.
• Learners will complete and analyze cash flow and tax analysis forms, cash flows after-tax, as well as net operating income.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: Real Estate Investment

Lesson 2: Risk/Profit

Lesson 3: Analysis

Lesson 4: Exercises

Lesson 5: Loss & Transfer

Lesson 6: Workshop

Lesson 7: Investment Property & 1031 Exchange

Lesson 8: Managing Investment Real Estate

Lesson 9: Fair Housing

Lesson 10: Financing Investment Real Estate

Lesson 11: Mechanics of the 1031 Exchange

Lesson 12: Real World Practice

Lesson 13: Other Types of Exchanges

Lesson 14: Real Estate Practice

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Discuss the basics of investing in residential real estate which include the profit and risk potentials.
• Explain the overall characteristics of real estate investments.
• Elaborate on the basics of comparing investment properties which includes a detailed approach to property analysis.
• Understand the various aspects of loss and transfer and investment property requirements.
• Explain Fair Housing and how its related issues impact the overall real estate investment.
• Gain an understanding of financing investment in real estate and other types of exchanges.
• Practice through various real estate scenarios by reviewing real-world case studies and get a deeper understanding of investment property.

Understanding the unique reasons why each client is looking to invest in real estate will help agents to best serve their clients and help accomplish their investment goals.

The question then is should a buyer pay all cash, assuming they have cash, or should they leverage their money to acquire more. History will provide that answer. In an improving market, where property is appreciating, and the income will service the debt, buying more property using leverage will give the investor greater wealth accumulation. However, if the market decreases in value, the investor may be underwater where the debt exceeds the value of the property. Ultimately time will correct the problem.

But as the nation learned in the last market collapse, many people will “walk” from debt if they believe they are upside down (debt exceeds value).

The leveraged property requires less cash and earns a higher cash on cash percentage.

About

This course aims to promote safety, integrity, and trust in the real estate industry to benefit consumers and practitioners. Real estate licensees are entrusted by members of the public on a daily basis in the form of access to their homes, safeguarding their sensitive information, and counsel in matters that impact their financial and physical well-being. When a homebuyer is concerned for the safety of their family in a home with high radon levels or in close proximity to fracking, they ask their agent. As such, agency relationships are nuanced with layers of responsibility that far exceed fiduciary duties. In this course licensees will expand their awareness of their obligations to the public and their understanding of how these obligations are met.

Additionally, licensees are invited to hold one another accountable to high standards of safety in real estate practice, not limited to issues such as lockbox use and indoor air quality concerns that impact consumers, but also regarding issues that impact occupational health and wellbeing of real estate professionals including issues of discrimination and norms in the industry that perpetuate risk-taking behaviors on the job.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: Duties of Consumer Protection under License Law

Lesson 2: Best Practices for Safety and Accountability

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define competence in real estate practice and safeguarding the interests of the public throughout various stages of the transaction process.
• Expand our understanding of discrimination in the context of fair housing and real estate licensee interactions, as well as court cases related to brokerage structure considerations.
• Identify, list, and evaluate the best practices set forth by the Colorado Division of Real Estate
• Recite the policies set forth by the Division of Real Estate pertaining to lock box codes and property access.
• Identify risks to consumers in the absence of adequate security protocols.

About

With increasing concern about global warming, interest is growing among consumers about what “going green” means to them. Builders want to know technical details of what it means to “build green,” how many of these details have already been incorporated in their building practices, and what it will cost to add or change materials or practices. Due to the economic law of supply and demand, equally important in the advancement of green building and selling is how to create awareness and resulting demand for these better-designed, better-built homes. In this course, we will identify practical benefits that the “high performance home” provides and features that deliver these benefits. The biggest challenge in the green marketplace is how to communicate this value to consumers effectively enough to change buying preferences. Attracting busy consumers’ attention long enough to educate them about how to buy a home is no small task and demands the right media and message.

We’ll explore the most effective ways to utilize photographs, charts, certified green labeling, press exposure, Internet and print mailings.

When the connection is made between the value of today’s mainstream green “high performance home” and today’s energy-conscious, environmentally concerned consumers, sales of new and existing green homes will assume the commanding position in the marketplace that they deserve.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: HPH Benefits and Features
Lesson 2: Your Market Niche
Lesson 3: Market Your Expertise
Lesson 4: Green Building Principles
Lesson 5: Building Zero Energy Homes
Lesson 6: LEED (Leadership and Environmental Design)
Lesson 7: Energy Star Homes

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define green terminology and know what is included in various shades of green.
• Review the features of the high-performance home. This was covered in detail in the online course Green Building: Benefits and Features of the High-Performance Home.
• Identify the benefits that mainstream buyers will pay for.
• Explore tools and strategies with which to market to new homebuyers and establish relationships with area builders.
• Look at the enormous potential market for “greening” existing homes.
• Examine the most effective ways to market your business through press, the internet, and print.

About

This 8-hour Continuing Education Package includes the current version of the Annual Commission Update (ACU) 4-hour Mandatory course as required by the Real Estate Commission in Colorado. All licensees are required to complete this course every calendar year.

The package also includes the 4-hr NAR Mandatory Ethics Course - This review Ethics course is one of the courses used to meet the Quadrennial Ethics requirement for REALTORS®. This course also provides 4 hours of Continuing Education credit.

This Real Estate Course Program Includes:

Annual Commission Update (ACU) Course
This is the most current version of the annual mandatory course for Colorado real estate brokers. This years course covers general practice issues as well as the new eLicense system.

The Ethics of Technology: Etiquette for the Age of Engage
This course is designed to meet the REALTORS® Code of Ethics Training and also to give guidance to all real estate professionals working online and with social media..

Each course has exercises and quizzes and is completed with a multiple choice final exam.

About

The purpose of this course is to keep real estate professionals up to date with current contracts, disclosures, and forms. The goal of this Colorado Listing Contracts course is to give the student a working in-depth knowledge of the Colorado Real Estate Commission-approved contracts and those that need to be prepared by a licensed real estate attorney associated with the listing of real property.

These contract forms will affect a sale or a lease of property under the freehold and leasehold estates. As a real estate professional, you should understand that it is your responsibility to adhere to the laws and regulations pertaining to all aspects of this course and the materials presented within. You will also come to find that, at times, the policies of your brokage firm will control. Listing brokers will need to adhere to the real estate laws of contracts and agency, the Commission rules, and firm policies.

While the objective of this course is to educate the licensee on how to win listings and the knowledge it will take to converse with potential principals in either a sale or a lease transaction. However, an important aspect of any listing presentation is to know when to thank the potential client for the opportunity and walk away.

All contracts used in this course are the current Colorado Real Estate Commission approved contracts. The contracts and addenda will prepare the listing broker for conversations that could surface during a listing presentation.

Topics Covered

This lesson focuses on the following topics:

Lesson 1: Basic Principles of Contract
Lesson 2: Pre-Listing Actions
Lesson 3: Exclusive Right-To-Sell Listing Contract
Lesson 4: Real Estate Practice
Lesson 5: Exclusive Right-To-Buy Listing Contract
Lesson 6: Exclusive Right-To-Lease Listing Contract
Lesson 7: Exclusive Tenant Listing Contract
Lesson 8: Addenda, Disclosures, & Forms

Note that as of 2020, the four Listing Contracts have all been updated by the CREC.

“The warning regarding wire fraud is found in this section of the contract.
Wire and other frauds occur in real estate transactions. Any time Seller is supplying confidential information such as social security numbers or bank account numbers, Seller should provide the information in person or in another secure manner.”

The sales contracts for residential property read exactly the same so that there is no confusion for the seller concerning what stays and goes. Remember, for many sellers, when a sales contract is entered into, that they still think the listing contract is their agreement, and if the sales contract is different, then the sales contract must be incorrect.
Always sit down with the seller and compare the two contracts so that the seller (and you) can see if the sales contract varies at all from the listing contract.

The broker has the right to cancel the listing agreement.

Review: Forfeiture of Payments: Buyer Default now includes three choices:

100% will be paid to the Seller
Divided between Brokerage Firm and Seller, 1/2 to Brokerage Firm but not to exceed Firm compensation agreed herein
Other: To be determined, fill in blank

If no box is checked or selection made, option #1 (100% paid to Seller) applies.
Good practice may be to discuss this in advance with the parties in order to make certain all parties are aware and understand how this is handled in your firm.

Quick Reminder: A broker shall not establish agency with the seller or landlord and the buyer or tenant in the same transaction. This is defined as dual agency and is not allowed in Colorado.

The following Sections exist in the Exclusive Right-to-Sell Listing Contract, but do NOT exist in the Exclusive Right-to-Lease Listing contract:

Section 15: Evidence of Title
Section 16: Association Assessments
Section 20: Forfeiture of Payments
Section 22: Disclosure of Settlement Costs

Some MLS’s accept this addendum, some do not, check with yours.

(Also rarely used; consult your Managing Broker prior to attaching this Addendum).

The CREC has stated that the Sellers Property Disclosure should be no more than six months old and/or completed again at the time of contract.

The Appraisal Institute also put out a new 3 page Residential Green and Energy Efficient Addendum in 2011 for use by their appraisers.

You can enter multiple sources, from a wide range of dates. For example, if the homeowner refinanced in 2019, you can use the square footage figures from the appraisal for your listing today.

There are also Lead Based Paint Obligations of Seller and Lead Based Paint Obligations of Landlord forms available for use when representing sellers or landlords and owners in rental property management. These can be found on the DRE/CREC website when necessary.

Make the form available to the Buyer and/or Selling Broker.

The source of water has always been a concern, but in the mid-2000's a new residential development near Pueblo ran out of water. The developer had been trucking in water and storing it in a tower. When the developer went bankrupt, the water deliveries stopped. This prompted new disclosure laws to be enacted, including penalties for failure to disclose.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Determine which forms are applicable to your client and situation, and when to use them.
• Properly complete the listing agreement for different property types, as well as other related forms and addenda.
• Explain the terms and conditions of contracts and disclosures to clients and customers.

While you obviously cannot run through a checklist of federal laws every time you participate in a transaction, it is important that you remember that there are rules and regulations that impact virtually everything you do in the process of listing, selling, and participating in the purchase of real estate as an agent.

The foregoing concepts should be familiar. They are yet another way of stating the rules of the law of agency in general and according to the Texas Real Estate Commission in particular, when considering the obligations of agent to principal.

Note that the licensee/license holder can have a license suspended or revoked for 33 separate listed actions or failures to act, including disregarding or violating a provision of Chapter 1101 or chapter 1102 of TRELA. One of those possible violations is acting “negligently or incompetently.” Another violation occurs if the licensee “solicits, sells, or offers for sale real property by means of a deceptive practice.” If a licensee commits a deceptive practice under the DTPA, it will undoubtedly constitute a deceptive practice under this section. You may recall that a violation of the DTPA does not require intent. So, a broker that violates the TPA without any intention to do so is also exposed to disciplinary action under TRELA. The financial and ethical exposure is obvious and serious.

The Fraud Act uses the phrase “actual awareness” to impose an additional level of potential damage award.

While not binding on licensees that are not REALTORS®, the Code nevertheless provides a wealth of guidance as to the appropriate conduct by a real estate agent. Though not specifically adopted by TREC, these guidelines echo many of the same principles and tenets as TREC and other authorities on the subject of agency. It can be safely said that observing these rules and standards of practice, whether you have become a Realtor® or not, will be of benefit to you in establishing an ethical professional reputation and, if necessary, a defense to legal or ethical complaints.

Professional Standards Hearing panels consider three main categories of factors which influence the panel’s decision. First, how did the respondent and complainant introduce the buyer to the property? Second, did the buyer make any decision or take any action that may have affected the transaction? Third, how did the brokers perform their duties and obligations?

You will see that the author makes a couple of references to Indian law. Don’t let that be a distraction. The principles stated apply to fraud and misrepresentation regardless, and the comparison chart in the article is a good shorthand way to differentiate these concepts.

Bear in mind that the laundry list and the specific sections emphasized are intended only to provide you with some warning signs about what may or may not be a violation of the DTPA. They are not intended to be a substitute for appropriate legal counsel.