12-Hr. MA CE Package for REALTORS

If a buyer who's not paying cash can't obtain financing, the transaction will fail. To provide the best service to consumers,it helps to have a clear understanding of the financing process, from loan application through funding. This course provides you with the must-know financing facts to enable you to better serve your  clients who require financing.

Course highlights:

• Key players in financing
• The loan application package and process  
• Consumer options for loan packages and types
• The government’s role in real estate financing
• Loan terminology
• Activities and scenarios to reinforce key concepts

Environmental issues for properties can derail a transaction, cause safety issues for the occupants, hinder certain uses of a property, and leave licensees open for litigation for failure to disclose, negligent representation, and anything else the lawyers can dream up. 

This three-hour course helps licensees take a proactive approach to understanding what environmental issues may need to be addressed, such as testing and remediation. It also covers compliance requirements that may impact a property’s sale and subsequent use.

The course meets Massachusett’s continuing education requirement for real estate licensees to increase their knowledge and understanding of environmental issues in real estate.

This course covers:

• The relationship between caveat emptor and required disclosures
• Circumstances by which certain disclosures must be made
• Environmental hazards impacting the interior of a property
• Environmental hazards on property grounds and surrounds
• Laws and regulations related to environmental issues.

Successful advertising in real estate is more than just posting a property on the MLS or promoting your services on a bus bench. State and federal laws apply. 

In this course, we'll look at how to create compelling and compliant advertisements that adhere to federal and state standards, attract consumers, and serve your clients’ best interests.

Course highlights:

• Federal fair housing guidelines and how they influence your advertisements
• Tips for writing engaging listing descriptions
• Regulation Z and its trigger terms
• Advertising guidelines for apartment rentals, out-of-state properties, and inducements
• Sample advertisements
• Activities and scenarios to reinforce key concepts

To close successfully, the subject property must have a clear and marketable title. 

This course focuses on property ownership and titles.  With a full understanding of titles, title defects, and title issue resolution methods, real estate professionals can usher more transactions through the closing process.

Course highlights include:

• Property ownership types and how titles, deeds, and land records affect ownership
• What to look for in title reports and how to resolve title defects
• Methods for supporting your seller and your buyer clients when title issues are uncovered
• Activities and scenarios to reinforce key concepts

Open houses have been a standard practice in seller representation for decades, but they're not always productive or successful. By carefully selecting which listings are suitable for an open house, then preparing the sellers for the event, licensees are far more likely to have an effective open house.

During an open house, licensees are responsible for the security of the seller’s property, as well as the safety of the visitors and themselves. But open houses aren't the only safety risk to real estate professionals. Due to the nature of the business, licensees face more risks than the average professional. Staying Safe in Real Estate: Best Practices Including Open Houses & Digital Safety will help licensees take the necessary steps to protect themselves, their clients, and their clients’ possessions before, during, and after holding open houses and throughout their real estate activities.

This two-hour course goes through the steps involved in planning for and hosting a successful open house, including safety aspects to consider. The second half of this course takes a broader look at safety concerns for real estate professionals.

Course highlights include:

• Evaluating when to choose an open house and when to choose a virtual tour instead
• Preparing properties and sellers for an open house
• Establishing guidelines for a successful and safe open house
• Developing an overall safety plan that includes marketing materials, client relationships, and home and office settings
• Protecting personal safety through everyday actions

This two-hour course helps licensees assist sellers in setting a realistic price range based on the current market. The course is an elective to supplement core course study.         

Course highlights include:

• Comparative market analysis vs. an appraisal
• Three approaches to value: sales comparison, cost, and income
• Selection of comparable properties
• The principle of substitution
• Uses of a CMA
• Massachusetts appraisal licenses and qualifications
• Activities and scenarios to reinforce key concepts

Aligned to the requirements of the current NAR cycle, this 2.5 hour course provides a careful review of the National Association of REALTORS®’ Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The code outlines the ethical duties all REALTORS® agree to follow as part of the membership. NAR says these duties “provide a high level of service and professionalism to clients/customers and are the key factor separating REALTORS® from all other real estate practitioners.”

Beyond reviewing all parts of the code, you’ll also take a close look at recent revisions and real-life examples relating to various articles, and we’ll examine the benefits of mediation over arbitration. This version of the course has NOT been approved for CE credit. Also, in order to provide information to your local REALTOR® Association and facilitate reporting of the NAR Ethics requirement, please enter your NRDS ID (NAR membership ID) on the course affidavit upon completion of this course.

Course highlights include:

• The overall vision and goals of the Code of Ethics
• Specific ways real estate professionals put clients’ interests first
• The ethical duties licensees owe to the public
• Best practices when dealing with other REALTORS®’ clients
• The dispute resolution process for REALTORS® as specified in Article 17 of the NAR Code of Ethics
• The benefits of mediation, how to file an ethics complaint, and the complaint resolution process

*This course meets the REALTORS® Code of Ethics Training Requirement. You will need to confirm with your local REALTOR® association if they will accept it.

Fair housing law stands as a cornerstone of civil rights legislation, aiming to eliminate discrimination in housing markets and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, or any other protected characteristic. By understanding the importance of fair housing law, licensees recognize its pivotal role in fostering inclusive communities and combating systemic inequalities. This course explores the historical context, key provisions, and practical applications of fair housing law, equipping licensees with the knowledge and tools necessary to uphold these principles in their professional endeavors.

Real estate licensees play a vital role in upholding fair housing principles and safeguarding the rights of all individuals in the housing market. As gatekeepers of property transactions, licensees must stay abreast of fair housing laws and practices to ensure ethical and nondiscriminatory conduct. Beyond legal compliance, embracing fair housing principles fosters trust, promotes diversity, and enhances business success in an increasingly diverse marketplace. This course will empower licensees to navigate complex fair housing issues with confidence, fostering a culture of inclusivity and advancing the vision of fair and equitable housing for all.

This course was designed to meet the REALTOR® Fair Housing Training Requirement. Please confirm that your local association, who administers the Fair Housing training, will accept this course.