REALTOR CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES OFFERED BY WARD & TAYLOR, LLC Reporting Period 2014-2016 All courses are approved for 3.0 credit hours in DE. Many courses are also approved for elective credit in PA, and this is noted with a double asterisk (**) following the course description. MODULE 1 Agency & Fair Housing Participants will review these two important concepts: Agency includes a review of HB 122, the CIS form, and obligations & duties of a Realtor. We also review Fair Housing laws including Civil Rights, Fair Housing, Americans with Disabilities Act, Code of Ethics, Megan s Law, and more. MODULE 2 Professional Standards: ETHICS Meets NAR requirement for review of the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics. MODULE 3 Contracts: First Time Home Buyers Guiding a Buyer into a First Home Agents will learn who actually qualifies as a first time homebuyer for mortgage programs and transfer tax exemptions; how to review and address concerns with the Agreement of Sale, Sellers Disclosure form, and appraisals; and how to use non-profit housing counselors, programs, and agencies for financial education, settlement help assistance, and mortgage programs to benefit your client. Home Inspection Blessing or a Curse? We ll review the DE Home Inspector licensing law; discuss current home inspection issues such as sewer lateral failure, roof life expectancy, CSSI gas tubing, and stucco; offer contract contingency language for a successful closing; offer tips for listing and selling agents; and discuss duties, rights, and remedies related to the final walk through. Real Estate Jeopardy : - This class is modeled after a popular television game show and is designed to be lively and interactive! Class participants will be selected to compete by answering questions from categories related to contracts, disclosures, home inspections, surveys, and various sub-categories. Questions will be ranked from easiest ($100 level) to most difficult ($500 level), and explanations and discussion will follow each question. ##also approved to be offered as Module 6
Understanding the Agreement of Sale If you think you can t learn anything new about the sales agreement, don t miss this class! It is an interactive review of the contract with the objective of understanding the principles and specific provisions of the Agreement of Sale. You ll also learn how to craft contingency clauses to avoid misunderstandings later. ##also approved to offer as Module 7 MODULE 4 Office Management: Real Estate Jeopardy : This class is modeled after a popular television game show and is designed to be lively and interactive! Class participants will be selected to compete by answering questions from categories that may include broker/salesperson relationship, fair housing, multiple offers, Agency & CIS compliance, RESPA, DUCIOA, landlord tenant code, HOA s, etc. Questions will be ranked from easiest ($100 level) to most difficult ($500 level), and explanations and discussion will follow each question. ##also approved to be offered as Module 5 Risk Management - This course covers common areas of concern in today s transactions disclosures, misrepresentations, escrow obligations, negligence/duty of care, confidentiality, and Broker/Agent relationships. We ll talk about managing everyday risks in documentation, phone and email, and emotionally charged situations. MODULE 5 Legislative Issues: AGENCY LAW The Why s, How s & Wherefores HB 122 and SB 154. We review the problems and concerns with the old agency law, and cover obligations under the new law including confidentiality, inspection and disclosure, internet provisions, compensation, vicarious liability protection, and commencement and termination of duties. We ll also discuss practical tips for conducting business under the new law. DISCLOSURES This course is a detailed analysis of disclosure obligations, problems, and remedies. Discussion will cover pre- and post-settlement issues and relevant Delaware case law. Special cases will be reviewed, including how to handle stigmatized properties, sex offender situations, neighborhood nuisances, radon and lead based paint, environmental issues, and changing circumstances. Recent real life cases will be discussed. **also approved for credit in PA DUCIOA Delaware Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act (also referred to as the Condo law). We cover the history, applicability, exemptions, and impact on both new and existing projects. We ll review the Resale Certificate and discuss DUCIOA s practical application to Realtors and how to best educate your Sellers. LEGISLATIVE LANDMINES - This course is a fast-paced, interactive review of New Castle County Permits and Certificates of Awareness, new DNREC cesspool regulations and remediation, Sewer Lateral, BPO vs. appraisal requirements, state licensing requirements for
home inspectors, and home inspection contingencies, including addenda for bank owned and relocation sales. ** also approved for PA credit Real Estate Jeopardy : This class is modeled after a popular television game show and is designed to be lively and interactive! Class participants will be selected to compete by answering questions from categories that may include broker/salesperson relationship, fair housing, multiple offers, Agency & CIS compliance, RESPA, DUCIOA, landlord tenant code, HOA s, etc. Questions will be ranked from easiest ($100 level) to most difficult ($500 level), and explanations and discussion will follow each question. ##also approved to be offered as Module 4 MODULE 6 Practices of Real Estate: Nuts and Bolts of Home Inspections: - This class reviews the home inspection from the different perspectives of the Buyer, Seller, Realtor, and Home Inspector. We ll review the contract provisions, repair issues and escrows, tips for negotiations, and 203k financing as an alternative for repairs. PRACTICAL TIPS FOR LISTING AGENTS Today s market requires listing agents to do their homework. This new C.E. course will lead you to the front of the class with expert information on how to deal with estate sales, divorced or separated sellers, and guardianship situations. You will also learn how to streamline short sales, handle listings for rental properties subject to lease, and understand powers of attorney. Knowing how to professionally handle real life issues on the front end of the transaction will lead to a smoother closing and more satisfied clients! Real Estate Jeopardy : - This class is modeled after a popular television game show and is designed to be lively and interactive! Class participants will be selected to compete by answering questions from categories related to contracts, disclosures, home inspections, surveys, and various sub-categories. Questions will be ranked from easiest ($100 level) to most difficult ($500 level), and explanations and discussion will follow each question. ##also approved to be offered as Module 4 SHORT SALES & FORECLOSURES Today s market requires a thorough understanding of the short sale process. We ll define short sale and discuss obligations under new agency to determine the Seller s financial problems. You ll learn when and why to get a lien search, contact the lender, and get an appraisal. We ll review common issues involving commission, settlement help, inspections, pre-payment penalties, divorce and bankruptcy. We ll also review the legal and ethical obligations for discovering problems both before and after the listing agreement and contract are signed. ##also approved to offer as Module 7
MODULE 7 Electives: The following 8 courses meet this requirement in DE & also have PA approval. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DE & PA REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS Review of differences in contracts, including heating oil, time of essence, mortgage contingency, home and other inspections, maintenance and condo dues, and mediation. We ll also cover the practice differences of attorney vs. title company, survey, title insurance, and U&O. This is a great class for dual licensees as well as those considering taking the leap! DON T LET YOUR SALE FALL APART (and what to do if it does) Today s Buyers are more demanding and Sellers often find themselves in difficult financial situations. In this course we ll offer tips to hold your sale together and get it closed. You ll learn how to address property shortcomings, credit and appraisal problems, home inspection issues, and short sales. We ll also cover the rights and obligations of Buyers, Sellers, and Realtors when the transaction starts to fall apart. First Time Home Buyers Guiding a Buyer into a First Home Agents will learn who actually qualifies as a first time homebuyer for mortgage programs and transfer tax exemptions; how to review and address concerns with the Agreement of Sale, Sellers Disclosure form, and appraisals; and how to use non-profit housing counselors, programs, and agencies for financial education, settlement help assistance, and mortgage programs to benefit your client. ##also approved to be offered as Module 3 Home Inspection Blessing or a Curse? We ll review the DE Home Inspector licensing law; discuss current home inspection issues such as sewer lateral failure, roof life expectancy, CSSI gas tubing, and stucco; offer contract contingency language for a successful closing; offer tips for listing and selling agents; and discuss duties, rights, and remedies related to the final walk through. ##also approved to be offered as Module 3 NAVIGATING 2014 & BEYOND Bringing your transaction to the settlement table in today s real estate market requires Realtors to navigate sometimes troubled waters! This course addresses issues that arise with foreclosures and bank owned properties, short sales, investment properties, and title. We will also review compliance issues with DUCIOA and RESPA, as well as the impact of Civil Union legislation on real estate.
QUIRKS IN REAL ESTATE Practical Resolutions to Problems The goal of this course is to offer practical advice for real life situations using real life examples. You ll be exposed to contract issues, including home sale contingencies, flood and homeowner s insurance, requirements for disclosure, escalation clauses, multiple offers, and improperly completed contracts. We ll also cover survey issues, open permits, foreclosure, bankruptcy, stigmatized property, and default. Learning to resolve problems is the key to holding your transaction together! SHORT SALES & FORECLOSURES Today s market requires a thorough understanding of the short sale process. We ll define short sale and discuss obligations under new agency to determine the Seller s financial problems. You ll learn when and why to get a lien search, contact the lender, and get an appraisal. We ll review common issues involving commission, settlement help, inspections, pre-payment penalties, divorce and bankruptcy. We ll also review the legal and ethical obligations for discovering problems both before and after the listing agreement and contract are signed. **also approved for credit in PA ##also approved to offer as Module 6 Understanding the Agreement of Sale If you think you can t learn anything new about the sales agreement, don t miss this class! It is an interactive review of the contract with the objective of understanding the principles and specific provisions of the Agreement of Sale. You ll also learn how to craft contingency clauses to avoid misunderstandings later. ##also approved to offer as Module 3