Alabama Real Estate Online Courses

BEST VALUE!

This package includes 12 elective CE hours required for broker and sales license renewals.

Courses included in this package:

• Diversity: Your Kaleidoscope of Clients (3 elective hours)
• Foreclosures Demystified (3 elective hours)
• Going Green: The Environmental Movement in Real Estate (3 elective hours)
• Today`s MLS: New Paradigms, Better Results (3 elective hours)

BEST VALUE!

This package includes 12 elective CE hours required for broker and sales license renewal.

Courses included in this package:

• Cracking the Code of Ethics (4 elective hours*)
• Real Estate Technology: The Professional`s Guide to Success (4 elective hours)
• Title and Escrow: Two Families, One Transaction (4 elective hours)

*Also meets NAR QUADRENNIAL requirement

BEST VALUE!

This complete package includes all 15 hours of CE required for broker and sales license renewals.

Courses included in this package:

• Alabama Risk Management Core (3 required core hours)
• Diversity: Your Kaleidoscope of Clients (3 elective hours)
• Foreclosures Demystified (3 elective hours)
• Going Green: The Environmental Movement in Real Estate (3 elective hours)
• Today`s MLS: New Paradigms, Better Results (3 elective hours)

BEST VALUE!

This complete package includes all 15 hours of CE required for broker and sales license renewals.

Courses included in this package:

• Alabama Risk Management Core (3 required core hours)
• Cracking the Code of Ethics (4 elective hours*)
• Real Estate Technology: The Professional`s Guide to Success (4 elective hours)
• Title and Escrow: Two Families, One Transaction (4 elective hours)

*Also meets the NAR QUADRENNIAL requirement

The balance of risk and profitability is central to every real estate professional. This course discusses risk as it relates to the real estate business and the potential for loss.It also covers risk in six key areas: property disclosure, license law, agency law, contracts, anti-trust and fair housing. The more knowledge licensees have regarding the risks within the business give them greater ability to effectively manage those risks and minimize exposure.

It is widely known that government exists due to the taxation of you and your client's income and property. Your clients should be aware that tax consequences occur as a result of each real estate transaction. Although as a real estate professional you should not provide tax or legal advice, you can identify the potential income and other tax affects for your sellers and buyers, and advise them to seek appropriate legal and tax counsel.

Course highlights include:

• Details outlining in-home office deduction requirements, and an explanation of how to calculate these deductions
• A clear definition of qualified residences
• Details about loans that commonly qualify for interest deductions
• Instructions on calculating an adjusted basis, a capital gain/loss, a net selling price, and a gain or loss on the sale of assets
• An overview of commercial real estate 1031 Like-Kind Exchange requirements

Each one of us has had someone treat us unfairly due to a judgement they’ve made about us. Within your real estate business, it is crucial that you understand the principles of practicing fair housing so that you are able to run a fair and honest business.

Course highlights include:

• Video skits depicting real fair housing cases, submitted by the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission
• Instructions on creating advertisements that comply with fair housing laws
• Details about federally protected classes, as outlined by the Fair Housing Act
• An explanation of how practicing fair housing will benefit your real estate business
• A list of red flags of discrimination for listing agents, selling agents, and brokers
• A video Public Service Announcement from the Department of Housing and Urban Development regarding fair housing

Today's real estate marketplace is in greater turmoil than ever. Ethical real estate professionals who adhere to a high set of standards will be the foundation for restoring confidence and stability in an already unsure marketplace. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) relies on its Code of Ethics to ensure that all REALTORS® are conducting business in an honest manner and with the highest degree of integrity. 

Course highlights include:

• Videos produced by the NAR that provide insights into the Code of Ethics
• Case studies and real world examples of Code of Ethics violations
• A link that will allow you to access the Code of Ethics and save a copy for your reference
• Details about the Standards of Practice and Case Interpretations of the Code of Ethics
• A summary of the various roles present in real estate transactions and the duties associated with each role

*This course meets the NAR QUADRENNIAL requirement

The real estate market reflects the diverse population that is present in the United States today with individuals of different races, ethnicities, lifestyles, and cultures. The interests and goals of individuals within diverse populations influence their decision making process within the purchase of real estate. It is critical that the successful real estate professional understands and adapts to others’ lifestyles.

Course highlights include:

• Resources that will help you identify the diversity of the population living in your area
• Numerous examples of characteristics and beliefs that can be present in a diverse population
• Statistics from the National Association of REALTORS® relating to diversity
• A summary of requirements outlined in various fair housing laws and details about federally protected classes
• Suggestions that will help you in your efforts working with a diverse group of clients

In today`s real estate marketplace, foreclosures and short sales are a part of the landscape. This course will help you to gain a clear understanding of the steps of the foreclosure process.

Course highlights include:

• Details about legislation that has been enacted to assist distressed homeowners
• Rebuilding steps for homeowners who are recovering from foreclosure
• An explanation of the differences between judicial foreclosure and trust deed non-judicial foreclosure processes
• Foreclosure avoidance tips and ideas
• Details outlining the foreclosure process

In this course, we will discuss the runaway trend in the real estate market to go "green." As more and more clients search exclusively for green homes, it is more important than ever to understand what "green" means and how you can utilize knowledge of "green" living in your efforts marketing and searching for properties.

Course highlights include:

• Tools that can be shared with your clients so they can measure the impact their lifestyles could leave on the environment, along with helpful tips for reducing their negative impact.
• Descriptions and videos about popular "green" building, design, and landscaping materials, which will help you identify "green"; features during showings.
• Videos and Internet resources providing details on programs such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), The Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH), and ENERGY STAR®, and details about "green" property requirements, as outlined by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
• Recommendations that you can share with your seller clients on how they can make inexpensive, effective "green" changes to their homes that appeal to eco-conscious buyers.
• Suggestions on ways you can "go green" in your real estate business, and details about going paperless.

Real estate fraud, along with the recent increase in identity theft, has become a major issue in the industry. This course identifies several types of real estate fraud schemes, both minor and major, and helps you, as a real estate professional, understand how you can protect and educate your clients on this growing problem.

Course highlights include:

• Details about property disclosures that are required in real estate transactions
• Statistics regarding fraud cases and the top 10 states with significant mortgage fraud problems
• An explanation of sub-prime lending and how it impacts mortgage fraud
• A summary of the steps of a purchase process that will help you identify where major buyer misrepresentation can occur
• A handout from the Federal Bureau of Investigation that will help you understand how "house stealing" can occur

It is estimated that approximately $300 billion in real estate is transacted by investors each year. Grab your piece of the pie by understanding the driving forces in the dynamic residential real estate investment market. Possessing knowledge of the strategies and mindsets of investors will help you serve your valuable investor clients effectively, responsibly, and ethically. Through this course, you will learn the impact of real estate investment in the United States, the opportunities that exist for investors, and your role in representing the residential real estate investor.

Course highlights include:

• Resources from Keller Williams Publishing, National Real Estate Investors Association, OwnAmerica, and the National Association of REALTORS® that will help you serve your investor clients
• A Criteria Worksheet handout that can be utilized in your efforts finding properties for your clients
• Insights from The Millionaire Real Estate Investor, Personal Real Estate Investor Magazine, and Crash Boom! that will help you understand the mindset and strategies of investors
• Details about real estate market conditions and the impact of investors on the market over time
• Tips for acting ethically, providing a high level of service, and avoiding liability issues while working with investors

With all of the things real estate professionals use on a daily basis, it seems as though one might need a wheelbarrow in which to cart everything. Good news - this isn't the case! Throughout this course, you will learn some of the best ways in which technology can improve your business and make transactions smoother and more efficient, and how to efficiently complete projects that previously weighed you down.

Course highlights include:

• Basic information explaining technology trends including smartphones, tablet PCs, Bluetooth, GPS, and agent and property listing websites
• A step-by-step guide to help you set up a YouTube, Facebook, blog, and webcast account and basics on how to utilize these platforms in your marketing efforts
• Tips on going paperless and utilizing an iPad or other tablet PC in your various real estate activities
• Ideas for enhancing your blog through the use of video content and a guide to help ensure that your video content and property tours are polished, professional looking, and effective
• Facebook lead generation strategies
• Details on QR codes and ideas for using them in your advertising efforts
• Search engine optimization (SEO) tricks that will help get your website noticed

While most real estate agents agree that a strong Sphere of Influence (SOI) is fundamental to success, the majority of agents are still beating the streets in hopes of attracting business from strangers. This course will teach you how to respectfully generate business and referrals from an SOI, without annoying anybody.

Course highlights include:

• Strategies on building and maintaining a contact database
• Tips to ensure you are presenting a professional, enthusiastic image to your Sphere of Influence contacts
• Suggestions on planning and implementing an ongoing SOI strategy
• Ideas you can use in writing effective reconnection letters
• A list of things to keep in mind when pursuing and accepting referrals from family and friends

In a race, you don't finish unless you cross the finish line. A real estate transaction can be similar. All the hard work, the showings, the negotiations, the contracts, and the communications are all part of the race. The final step, finish line, comes at the closing. The signing of all the documents and transferring of ownership from one person to another comes at the finish line.

Course highlights include:

• Details that will help you protect ownership rights and understand liens, encumbrances, and title insurance
• A list of the four basic rights of owning and possessing property and explanations of how these rights impact property owners
• Characteristics of a valid deed, and descriptions of grant deeds, warranty deeds, quitclaim deeds, tax deeds, gift deeds, and deeds in lieu of foreclosure
• Items included on a full title report, an ownership and encumbrance property report, a legal and vesting report, and a land title report
• Details about items covered by the lender's title insurance policy and those covered by the borrower's policy
• An explanation of the contents of the HUD-1 Settlement Statement

The Multiple Listing Service (MLS) is the most powerful tool that you, as a real estate professional, have at your disposal.  Potential buyers, in addition to other real estate professionals, can view your listings through a multitude of websites. How you use the MLS communicates your level of professionalism and attracts people to your properties. 

This course provides common sense theories and best practices from industry experts.  Harness the full power of the MLS, starting with a full understanding of how data flow in and out of the MLS.  Apply the practical concepts from this course to:

• Write exceptional listing descriptions
• Prepare listings that receive the attention they deserve
• Remain in compliance with fair housing, advertising, ethics, and anti-trust regulations

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) acquires thousands of homes every year through foreclosure on properties that had Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insured mortgages. This course explains the processes and procedures involved in listing and selling HUD homes, including how the properties are awarded to individual brokers for listing, how brokers and agents are compensated for these sales, and how they are listed and marketed.

Course highlights include:

• Overview of increased commission opportunities
• Explanation of FHA financing, and the FHA foreclosure process
• A summary of the roles created through HUD's Management and Marketing III program, and details regarding the duties associated with each role
• A description of the documents involved in the sale of a HUD home
• Rules outlining the advertisement of HUD homes
• Details about the HUD home bidding process