About

Courses in This Program

1. EcoBroker: Current Trends in Sustainability

EcoBroker® Designees, REALTORS®, real estate licensees, and other fiduciary service professionals in the real estate industry, can take the Current Trends in Sustainability course to stay on top of your game. This EcoBroker® Trends course is open to all industry professionals who serve real estate buyers, sellers, and property owners interested in saving money, living and working more comfortably, finding healthier water, finding green financing sources, and exploring some of the subtleties of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainability solutions for real property.

2. Ethics for REALTORS® (REALTORS® Code of Ethics Training)

Effective January 1995, the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics was significantly modified to consider the development of new roles for the real estate licensee. Specifically, the ethical considerations relating to the new role of transaction broker, and for buyer agents, have mandated changes in the NAR Code of Ethics. Since 1995, the National Association of REALTORS has continued to revise and expand the Code of Ethics.

3. Florida Core Law - Avoiding the Danger Zone

Laws governing real estate are complex and varied. This course provides an advanced look into real estate law beyond the basic sales associates’ course. The material is not designed to make participants legal experts, but rather to help them identify and understand legal issues that arise. This material will also provide a "red flag notice" of when participants are potentially going into a danger zone—the unlicensed practice of law.

4. The SWS Listing Analyzer for Expired Listings

This course will highlight what areas should be reviewed and how to communicate your findings to sellers. The good news about expired listings is that another agent has already done a lot of your work for you. They've tested the market and have provided you and the seller with valuable data on what didn't work. Your job now is to 1) uncover that data and 2) analyze that data and then 3) recommend and make adjustments based on your findings that will result in a different (better) outcome for the seller.

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

Lesson 01:Preparation and Pricing 1-10
Lesson 02: Pricing, Condition and Accessibility 11-22
Lesson 03:Challenges, Checklists and Marketing 23-45
Lesson 04:Advertising, Inspection & Appraisal 46-64
Lesson 05:Evaluating Your Listings 65-74

Lead can also be found in the soil and in water sources caused by old lead pipes or lead solder.  
 

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.

Lead can also be found in the soil and in water sources caused by old lead pipes or lead solder.  
 

About

Welcome to Commercial Core Law, by Florida Realtors®. Please review the following before getting started in the course:

Antitrust Reminder

REALTORS® are competitors, and healthy competition is what allows the market to survive. Classroom and online formats should be a forum for the sharing of ideas, fostering open discussion among participants. Florida Realtors® do not in any way encourage or sanction any particular business practice.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: Commercial vs. Residential

Lesson 2: Commercial Agreements

Lesson 3: Financial

Learning Objectives

• Recognize and distinguish between a commercial transaction and a residential transaction
• Understand the basic premise of the license law as it pertains to the brokerage of commercial real estate
• Understand the contents of an industry listing agreement for either a lease or purchase
• Understand the purpose of a Letter of Intent and Confidentiality Agreements
• Understand the contents of an industry purchase contract for either a lease or purchase
• Understand why there is not an industry commercial lease form
• Understand and apply compensation contract concerns in daily practice
• Understand the disclosure requirements in a commercial transaction
• Appreciate and apply general concerns in a commercial real estate transaction that do not occur in residential transactions: ADA concerns, commercial tax concerns, long term agreements, assignments, the role of an attorney in a commercial transaction and the varied tools utilized by commercial practitioners: income/expense reports, rent rolls, sub leases.

About

Since 2001, EcoBroker Certified professionals have become the best sustainability advocates the fiduciary service professional industries have ever known. EcoBrokers protect the interests of property owners and buyers by focusing on quality due diligence, property disclosure, ethics, advocacy, and the energy and environmental opportunities available to ensure real property performs at its optimal operational and financial efficiency, as sustainably as possible. Each year EcoBrokers return to learn about the current trends and opportunities in real estate and sustainability.

The intent of this Trends Course is to help EcoBrokers stay out-in-front, as the best of the best in sustainability advocacy and the ethics of service. This course is all about the core principals, kindness, professionalism, and ethics that have distinguished EcoBrokers over the course of their service to property owners, buyers, and anyone else interested in learning about and taking advantage of sustainability technologies and services.

It's also about differentiating.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: Ethics, Advocacy, and Values

Lesson 2: Green Financing Solutions

Lesson 3: Solar Due Diligence and Solutions

Lesson 4: Water Due Diligence and Solutions

EcoBroker Background

Learning Objectives

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

• Identify the interest of owners and buyers, and ethics involved, regarding property.
• Understand the role of sustainable environment while dealing with real estate property.
• Identify potential advantages of sustainable technologies and services for real estate property.

About

For REALTORS® practicing in the State of Florida, Professional Standards and conduct have been addressed since the early 1900s by the establishment of a Code of Ethics by the National Association of REALTORS® in 1913, and by Florida statute in 1923. Both instruments serve the consumer and the real estate profession by prohibiting certain conduct and setting clear guidelines for what is and is not acceptable behavior. All real estate licensees in Florida are subject to the laws outlined in Statute 475. REALTORS® further agree to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Professional Standards of the National Association of REALTORS® as a condition of membership.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: Code of Ethics

Lesson 2: Articles 1-17

Lesson 3: Enforcement

Lesson 4: Mediation & Arbitration

Lesson 5: Procuring Cause & Pathways

Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, the learner will be able to:

• Compare and contrast usual and customary regulatory concepts with the Code of Ethics.
• Interpret key aspirational concepts found in the Preamble to the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics.
• Apply the concepts established in the Articles of The Code of Ethics.
• Evaluate given scenarios for possible Code of Ethics violations based on the concepts and Standards of Practice established in the Articles.
• Outline the primary factors considered by hearing panels in procuring cause disputes.
• Apply the Professional Standards process for enforcing the Code of Ethics, including the Duty to Arbitrate.
• Illustrate, with examples, violations of the “Pathways to Professionalism” courtesy and etiquette guidelines.

About

Welcome to Ethics & Professional Practice!

A new member who has completed the New Member Code of Ethics Orientation shall not be required to complete additional ethics training until the next three-year cycle.

• Click to view the NAR COVID-19 Resources.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: The Princess Story

Lesson 2: Definitions

Lesson 3: The Code of Ethics

Lesson 4: Antitrust

Lesson 5: Enforcement

Lesson 6: Case Studies

Lesson 7: Arbitration

Lesson 8: Scenario Exercises

Lesson 9: Pathways to Professionalism

Learning Objectives

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

• Discuss the ethical and moral obligations of acting as a real estate broker
• Explain the difference between the law and ethics
• Identify commonly used real estate terms
• Summarize the obligations that Articles 1- 17 of the Code of Ethics create
• Recognize the various state and federal acts that have been created to prohibit agreements among competitors to fix prices, rig bids, or to engage in any anti-competitive activities
• Recognize the responsibilities of both the Grievance Committee and Professional Standards Committee as part of the professional standards enforcement system
• Define the sanctions used for enforcing the Code of Ethics
• Discuss the outcome of the various scenarios provided in the course which illustrate possible ethics violations
• Explain the purpose of an arbitration hearing and the factors are taken into consideration by Arbitration Hearing Panels
• Summarize the meaning of procuring cause and it’s relevance in broker to broker disputes
• Identify correct answers to all case study exercises
• Recognize the duties and challenges imposed by The Code of Ethics and Pathways to Professionalism
  
  

About

In conjunction with local and state REALTOR® boards and associations, we are proud to present this Ethics for REALTORS® course online. This course meets the NAR Ethics renewal requirements and may be reported by students to the local and/or state association upon completion.

For more information on Fair Housing, you can view articles in HUD's library by clicking here. You may also want to watch the video on this page.

Fair housing is a right—not a privilege. Fair housing is the law—not just an idea. Each of us is a member of several protected classes. Fair housing laws apply to and protect all of us!

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.

A careful and detailed explanation of the terms of the contract which refer to the duties and obligations of the licensee is the basic risk reduction procedure. Asking for acknowledgement that the buyer or seller understands the contract language and answering all questions posed is good insurance against this type of charge.

Obviously, all licensees should advise the buyer or seller to consult an attorney before signing any real estate form, or do they?

This list of words may be incomplete. Fair Housing Laws were created to level the playing field and to punish those who have been found to discriminate.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: The Code

Lesson 2: Scenarios

Lesson 3: Enforcement

Lesson 4: Additional Issues

Learning Objectives

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

• Learn the code of ethics along with the preamble.
• Go through the core basic duties to the clients & customers, duties to the public and duties to REALTORS®. with respective articles.
• Discuss various scenarios, case studies and examples in order to master the Ethics for REALTORS®.
• Learn various enforcements and obligations predefined to be followed along with additional issues and pathways to professionalism.

About

This VanEd continuing education license renewal package provides you the easiest and most effective way to complete your Continuing Education Requirements. The package includes 14 hours of DBPR approved content including the 3-hour Core Law course that covers Commercial Real Estate Issues and the 3-hour Ethics and Business Practices course. VanEd will report your completions directly to the DBPR.

About

Welcome to an Introduction to Commercial Property!

The Commercial Real Estate Industry touches virtually every aspect of business in the United States and most of the free world. Very few companies can grow without acquiring more land or additional office space, patients can’t use the services of a hospital unless it’s constructed and consumers can’t shop at a Wal-Mart without the development of Real Property.

Commercial Real Estate encompasses all aspects of sales, leasing, management, investment in or improvement of retail property, investment property, farmland, businesses, industries, medical facilities and dozens of other types of property.

Our job in the industry is to assist in the lease, management or sales of property, and to advise our clients of their best courses of action when deciding how to invest in or improve real property or a commercial asset.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: Introduction to Commercial Property

Lesson 2: Data Gathering & Property Analysis

Lesson 3: Investment Analysis

Lesson 4: Commercial Leases

Lesson 5: Introduction to Commercial Mortgages

Appendix A

Appendix B

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Examine the diverse forms that commercial property takes, and the important terms used by those in the field to explain and understand a type of property.
• Explore the different methods of determining value in the eyes of property users, investors, real estate professionals and appraisers.
• Consider how commercial real estate can be financed and how it may be leased.
• Examine the legal documents including listing contracts, sales agreements and lease contracts.

Our careers include many specializations.

Some commercial associates specialize in particular types of property, such as office property, developable farmland or even amusement parks. Other commercial associates specialize in particular forms of consulting work for Real Estate Investment Trusts, insurance companies or utility companies. Still, others work in specialized areas such as resort management or assist government agencies with redevelopment of industrial sites or reclamation of land.

While there are many options for specialization in the commercial field, from multi-unit strip malls with pad spaces to high rise buildings, and everywhere in between, most will involve real estate professionals and in many cases attorneys who will interact throughout the transaction process.

If you are new to commercial real estate, keep an eye out through this course for areas that interest you or that you may want to find out more about later on.

While there are many options for specialization in the commercial field, from multi-unit strip malls with pad spaces to high rise buildings, and everywhere in between, most will involve real estate professionals and in many cases attorneys who will interact throughout the transaction process.

If you are new to commercial real estate, keep an eye out through this course for areas that interest you or that you may want to find out more about later on.

Our careers include many specializations.

Some commercial associates specialize in particular types of property, such as office property, developable farmland or even amusement parks. Other commercial associates specialize in particular forms of consulting work for Real Estate Investment Trusts, insurance companies or utility companies. Still, others work in specialized areas such as resort management or assist government agencies with redevelopment of industrial sites or reclamation of land.

In some specific areas, like New York City and Washington, D.C., local real estate organizations have come up with alternative plans for measuring space.

The Real Estate Board of New York has created the REBNY Standard, which is used to measure leased office space in the New York metropolitan area, including nearby parts of Connecticut and New Jersey. The GWCAR Standard is used to measure leased office space in the Washington DC metropolitan area, including nearby parts of Maryland and Virginia.

I always suggest drawing the space as you measure in order to make sure you include the entire space. Hallways, closets and bathrooms within a tenant’s private area are all part of the space the tenant is leasing.

As stated earlier, these various types of shopping centers are classified primarily by their size and their types of goods and services sold. You will find that even with these broad classifications, hybrids of various types exist and new types of shopping centers continue to be developed.

Consider mixed-use as a primary alternative where living quarters are located in the same area or even above store fronts.

Zoning codes vary widely from municipality to municipality. Don’t be fooled by the similarities in zoning code names and symbols. Each municipality’s zoning regulation or code manual lays out all the various zoning forms in that municipality and what uses are permitted in each zone.

For example, a municipality may have 5 levels of residential zoning, labeled R1 through R5. Each level may allow for a different minimum lot size, different minimum road frontage and different setbacks. R1 might allow attached townhomes on minimum lots of 6000 square feet that sit back a minimum of 25 feet from the road. R2 might allow for single family homes on minimum quarter acre lots that require a 30 foot distance from the road, while R5 requires single family homes to be on a minimum of 10 acres.

Although every possibility cannot be predicted by any realtor, engineer or developer, a basic understanding of what type of improvements may be required and what costs for improvements may be incurred by the developer is critical to pricing the property correctly.

If the market is sluggish currently, but you expect it to pull out shortly, it may be better to wait. If, on the other hand, interest rates are rising and the rental income on an investment property is not, the owner may consider pricing the property realistically so that the property sells before the property devalues.

About

This course is intended to introduce or expand participants' awareness of the many factors that must be taken into consideration when serving the real estate needs of international homebuyers or investors in the United States.

This session covers the elements of a typical international transaction, as well as ensuring that the activities of the real estate practitioner and of the international citizen are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, this course will review diversity trends in the United States population, examine the areas of fastest growth, and identify potentially sensitive subjects of communication.

Topics Covered

This course focuses on the following topics:

• Lesson 1: International Opportunity
• Lesson 2: The International Transaction
• Lesson 3: Foreign Laws and Government Regulations
• Lesson 4: Taxation

Note, however, that housing need not be made available to a person who is a direct threat to the health or safety of others or who currently uses illegal drugs.

Learning Objectives

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

• Calculate the effect currency fluctuation has on a real estate transaction.
• Illustrate the essential elements of international transactions.
• Relate the expectations of international clients, including the importance of cultural sensitivity.
• Employ skills necessary to enhance effectiveness in building cross cultural relationships.
• Apply the regulations and taxes that must be adhered to by foreign parties participating in a real estate transaction.

Note, however, that housing need not be made available to a person who is a direct threat to the health or safety of others or who currently uses illegal drugs.

About

This course will introduce how to find different sources of business to prospect, how to present yourself to those prospects and how to determine the value of the property.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: The Practice of Commercial Real Estate

Lesson 2: Prospecting

Lesson 3: The Listing Presentation

Lesson 4: Providing Marketing Services

Lesson 5: Working with Buyers

Lesson 6: The Sale

Learning Objectives

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

• Understand the process of listing and selling commercial real estate
• Understand procedures of marketing for real estate
• Understand correlation between buyers, investors and tenants

What has worked more effectively for me is to find other agents in the area who have similar properties for sale or lease and target those specific agents with the listing. I create a brochure and then attach a handwritten note to the brochure. The handwritten note would explain that I knew they had a similar property for sale or lease, and if they find buyers or tenants who weren’t satisfied with the agent’s property, would he or she mind showing mine? This personal approach seems to net more showings for many of my listings

About

In this course, learners will be introduced to various platforms and will be able to identify associated applications and services that they can use to benefit consumers. This course will also cover managing communication with consumers and staff and how the critical process of transaction management affects the outcome for all parties involved in a transaction.

We will introduce and examine tools and resources that can assist a real estate professional in helping their clients and customers while remaining compliant with law, policy, and regulation, be it tied to a rule, the law, or to the code of ethics.

Learners should be prepared to complete all required exercises, quizzes, and exams in the course. The course is completed with a comprehensive final exam.

Topics Covered

Lesson 1: Platforms

Lesson 2: Services

Lesson 3: Communication

Learning Objectives

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

• Identify tools and resources used in the real estate marketplace.
• List risk management tactics for compliance with Legal Requirements and the Code of Ethics.
• Define methods used in managing transactions and protecting client data.