Washington Real Estate Online Courses

SAVE with this 24 hour package which meets all of the elective requirements for active broker (previously salesperson) licensees (licensed before July 1, 2010*)renewing a two year active license for the first time after July 1, 2010. The package DOES NOT include the 3 required core hours, the newly required 3 hour transition course, or the 30 hour real estate practices course and is designed for active broker licensees which have already taken those courses.

Courses included in this package:

• Diversity: Your Kaleidoscope of Clients (3 elective hours)
• From Contract to Keys, the Mortgage Process (6 elective hours)
• Foundations of Real Estate Finance (6 elective hours)
• Going Green: The Environmental Movement in Real Estate (3 elective hours)
• Real Estate Technology: The Professional`s Guide to Success (3 elective hours)
• Roadmap to Success: Business Planning for Real Estate Professionals (3 elective hours)

*Active broker (licensed after July 1, 2010) licensees in their first active renewal after July 1, 2010 are required to take 3 required core hours, 27 hours of electives, the 30 hour advanced practices course, and the 30 hour real estate law course.

SAVE with this 24 hour package which meets all of the elective requirements for managing broker (previous associate broker, branch manager, and designated broker) active licensees (licensed prior to July 1, 2010) renewing an active two year license for the first time after July 1, 2010. The package DOES NOT include the 3 required core hours or the newly required 3 hour transition course and is designed for managing broker active licensees which have already taken those 2 courses.

Courses included in this package:

• From Contract to Keys, the Mortgage Process (6 elective hours)
• Foundations of Real Estate Finance (6 elective hours)
• Cracking the Code of Ethics (3 elective hours*)
• Foreclosures Demystified (3 elective hours)
• Going Green: The Environmental Movement in Real Estate (3 elective hours)
• Roadmap to Success: Business Planning for Real Estate Professionals (3 elective hours)

*Meets NAR QUADRENNIAL requirement

SAVE NOW with this 30 hour package which meets 30 of the total 60-90 hours of the requirements for brokers (previously salesperson) active licensees (licensed before July 1, 2010*) renewing an active two year license for the first time after July 1, 2010. The package includes the 3 required core hours, the required 3 hour transition course, and 24 hours of electives. The package does NOT include the required 30 hour real estate practices course and is designed for active broker licensees (licensed before July 1, 2010) which have already taken that course.

Courses included in this package:

• Current Issues in WA Residential Real Estate (2012-2013) (3 core hours)
• Washington Transition Course (3 transition hours)
• Basics of Real Estate Taxation (6 elective hours)
• Foundations of Real Estate Finance (6 elective hours)
• From Contract to Keys: The Mortgage Process (6 elective hours)
• Real Estate Technology: The Professional's Guide to Success (3 elective hours)
• Short Sale and Foreclosure Risk Management (3 elective hours)

*If you are a broker licensed after July 1, 2010 you will need to complete the 3 required core hours, 27 hours of electives, the 30 hour advanced practices course, and the 30 hour real estate law course.

SAVE NOW with this complete 30 hour package which meets all of the requirements for managing broker (previous associate broker, branch manager, and designated broker) active licensees (licensed before July 1, 2010) for their first active renewal after July 1, 2010. The package includes the 3 required core hours + the newly required 3 hour transition course + 24 hours of Elective topics.

Courses included in this package:

• Current Issues in WA Residential Real Estate (2012-2013) (3 core hours)
• Washington Transition Course (3 transition hours)
• Cracking the Code of Ethics (3 elective hours*)
• Foundations of Real Estate Finance (6 elective hours)
• From Contract to Keys: the Mortgage Process (6 elective hours)
• Foreclosures Demystified (3 elective hours)
• Going Green: The Environmental Movement in Real Estate (3 elective hours)
• Roadmap to Success: Business Planning for Real Estate Professionals (3 elective hours)

*Also meets NAR QUADRENNIAL requirement

SAVE NOW with this complete 30 hour package which meets all of the requirements for managing broker (previous associate broker, branch manager, and designated broker) active licensees (licensed AFTER July 1, 2010) for their first active renewal as well as for both active managing brokers and brokers renewing in subsequent license renewal periods after the transition license renewal cycle. The package includes the 3 required core hours + 27 hours of elective topics.

Courses included in this package:

• Current Issues in WA Residential Real Estate (2012-2013) (3 core hours)
• Cracking the Code of Ethics (3 elective hours*)
• Foreclosures Demystified (3 elective hours)
• Foundations of Real Estate Finance (6 elective hours)
• From Contract to Keys: the Mortgage Process (6 elective hours)
• Selling to Your Sphere of Influence (3 elective hours)
• Today's MLS: New Paradigms, Better Results (3 elective hours)
• Uncle Sam has Homes for Sale: Listing and Selling HUD Homes (3 elective hours)

*Also meets NAR QUADRENNIAL requirement

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

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

This course reviews the Code of Ethics in spirit and language. Recent updates are highlighted and case studies clarify how the code translates into your everyday dealings. 

Ethics principles are a standard component of continuing education. In addition, this course fulfills the ethics training mandated by the National Association of REALTORS® for its members.

Course Highlights

• Review of the 17 articles in the NAR’s Code of Ethics
• Spotlight on new and amended Articles and Standards of Practice
• Activities crafted from Case Interpretations

*This course meets the NAR QUADRENNIAL requirement

The 2011 Legislative session brought many changes for real estate professionals across the country and Washington is no exception. Private transfer fees are on the way out and tenant rights are strengthened.  Foreclosures are slowed down to accommodate the time needed for borrowers to respond. Borrowers have additional resources to work with, including housing counselors and mediators. Lenders are required to communicate with borrowers more clearly and in person. In addition to new legislation, new practices in real estate are also considered. Blogs, Facebook, and Twitter are common marketing tools. Their rise in popularity kicks off a fresh look at the guidelines for advertising online. Alternative methods for making money in real estate, from third-party listings to third-party referrals, are also discussed. This three-hour course meets the 2012-2013 objectives defined by the Washington Real Estate Commission for mandatory topics in residential CE. 

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

The financing of a home is as integral to real estate transactions as finding the home itself, and it is beneficial for you to have a clear understanding of the entire financing process. This course will help you to gain a better understanding of the changes the mortgage market has experienced over the years.

Course highlights include:

• Details outlining the history and purpose of real estate financing
• Explanation of the roles and regulations of FNMA, GNMA, FHLMC, FHA, and VA
• Video outlining the rise and fall of the mortgage market and global economy
• Information about HAFA and Making Home Affordable
• Statistics from the Center for Responsible Lending and the Federal Reserve
• Affordability Worksheet, to assist clients in calculating their maximum affordable purchase price
• Homebuyer Do's and Dont's flier with tips for your clients
• Instructions on calculating LTV, front-end and back-end ratios, and monthly mortgage payments
• Details and qualification requirements for several popular financing options

From the time your buyers sign their purchase agreements, to the time they finally get the keys to their new home, the mortgage process can be filled with anxiety, frustration, and uncertainty. Through your understanding of the process, you will be able to provide your clients with a road map through the maze.

Course highlights include:

• Video outlining the mortgage process
• Tips on helping your clients avoid predatory lending
• Updated statistics from the Center for Responsible Lending
• Current lender disclosure requirements
• 2010 updates to 1003 loan application
• Homebuyer Do's and Don'ts flier that agents can pass on to their clients
• Tips on compiling and managing your short list of reputable lenders
• Current loan documentation rules
• Details regarding closing and closing documents

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

Infinite prospecting and advertising opportunities are available to real estate professionals through social media, blogging, property listing website, and email resources. Whether you’re an experienced Internet-savvy professional or have yet to create a Facebook profile, this course will help you gain an understanding of the legal, regulatory, ethical, and professional issues that should shape your online content and conduct.

This exciting new course features:

• Resources to help you in developing your online presence through personal websites, blogs, social media profiles, email campaigns, etc.
• Tech tips from Amy Chorew that will assist you in protecting your online image
• Details on reducing legal, ethical, regulatory, and practical risk you face through your online real estate activities
• Checklists with website best practices and email etiquette tips that can be used in your online marketing activities
• A handout with tips on avoiding E&O insurance claims stemming from your online real estate activities

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

First and foremost, you, as a real estate professional, are an entrepreneur. This course guides you through proven methods to assist you in developing a successful, workable business plan. You will learn about creating a vision for your business and the tools necessary to achieve that vision.

Course highlights include:

• A Business Plan Worksheet that will help you reflect on your accomplishments and focus on your goals for the future
• Helpful ideas for defining your real estate business, vision statement and mission statement
• Details about identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and setting realistic, attainable goals
• A Business Plan Template that you can edit to create your business plan
• Instructions on analyzing your sphere of influence and tips for adding contacts to your sphere
• Tips on calculating the levels of productivity you will need to meet in order to achieve your income and profitability goals

While most real estate agents agree referrals are fundamental to success, the majority of agents are still beating the streets in hopes of attracting business from strangers. The Sphere of Influence approach to building your real estate business is based on nurturing relationships within your circle of friends, family, past clients, neighbors and acquaintances.  This course helps you turn your acquaintances into your biggest advocates through respectful, non-intrusive methods. 

Course highlights include:

• 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
• Strategies on building and maintaining a contact database
• Ideas you can use in writing effective reconnection letters
• Things to keep in mind when pursuing and accepting referrals from family and friends

Short sale and foreclosure transactions have likely made up a large percentage of your business in the past few years as the real estate market and the rest of the economy has been volatile. It is important that you possess an understanding of the risks inherent in these types of situations and transactions.

Course highlights include:

• Detailed explanations of the causes and steps of foreclosure and short sale transactions
• Short sale, foreclosure, and lending resources that can be passed on to your clients
• Tips for navigating short sale or foreclosure negotiations
• A list of ways to avoid risk in working with clients who are facing short sale or foreclosure transactions
• Resources from the National Association of REALTORS® that will help you and your clients gain a better understanding of short sale and foreclosures
• A list of questions that you can ask short sale buyers to help prepare them for the process

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

In 2010, the State of Washington is dramatically changing its real estate license law. This course has been designed in accordance with the Washington Real Estate Commission to educate real estate licensees on the new requirements. This course includes new license classifications, registrations, and endorsements; the new mandatory requirements for fingerprint cards and background checks; and the new education requirements for real estate licensees.

This course is required for all real estate licensees seeking license renewal after July 1, 2010.