Completing your continuing education by your renewal deadline has never been easier. We have compiled the best courses for Massachusetts Real Estate agents to help you not only renew your license but to learn the latest in real estate market trends so you can be successful.
12 Hours
This package includes the total 12 module hours required for Broker and Sales active real estate license renewals.
Courses included in this package:
A Brief Introduction to Real Estate Finance (2 mandatory module hours)
MA - Anatomy of Commercial Building (2 mandatory module hours)
Commercial Real Estate Basics (2 mandatory module hours)
Conducting Open Houses and Developing a Safety Plan (2 mandatory module hours)
Fair Housing in Massachusetts (2 mandatory module hours)
Understanding Title and Title Issues (2 mandatory module hours)
Code of Ethics 2016 (not for CE)*
*This course meets the REALTORS® Code of Ethics Training (formerly known as NAR QUADRENNIAL) Requirement. You will need to confirm with your local REALTOR association if they will accept it. This course is optional, not approved for CE credit in Massachusetts, and is provided free of charge in this package.
2 Hours
When licensees represent clients in a commercial transaction, whether marketing the building or assisting in the purchase, knowledge of the building’s structure and systems is vital. A building is comprised of its architectural features and its MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) systems. In this course you’ll learn about:
Highlights of this course include:
A foundational understanding of … foundations! Includes footings and how they work with foundations to form a system, design concerns of foundations including soil conditions, water tables and live and dead loads
Design considerations for roofs, walls, windows and doors
An overview of HVAC types and considerations, including cost, efficiency and varying tenant needs
A look at electrical, lighting, controls and fire and security alarms, and how they differ by building use and tenant need
How external conditions can impact building design, occupancy and parking, including zoning and code location, topography, environmental factors
2 Hours
Real estate professionals have a responsibility to know and understand the applicable fair housing and civil rights laws governing their workplace as well as their personal conduct. The public expects and deserves competent actions based upon thorough knowledge. However, federal definitions of “protected classes” expand and change. As licensees learn about and review protected classes and fair housing laws throughout this course, they will become better equipped to act with honesty, competence, and intelligence in serving their clients and customers. In this course, we discuss the protections provided by the Fair Housing Act and Massachusetts fair housing law, and how licensees can best protect clients and their firms from discrimination.
Course highlights include:
An analysis of the benefits of fair housing principles in real estate.
A discussion of how attitudes and laws have changed to support a fair housing mindset
A description of regulatory changes relating to fair housing
A discussion of fair housing law in Massachusetts, including protected classes in the commonwealth that expand the classes covered by federal fair housing law
A primer on how to write nondiscriminatory advertising
An analysis of what to do when faced with “red flags” that may indicate a violation of fair housing law
2 Hours
To close successfully, the property must have a clear and marketable title. Without it, the transaction comes to a halt. This course focuses on property ownership and titles. With a full understanding of titles, title defects, and resolution methods, real estate professionals can usher more transactions through the closing process. The title search is not just one more step in the transaction; it’s a crucial piece that can be successfully navigated even when title clouds appear. We’ll look at proactive steps sellers can take to ensure they are on solid ground prior to closing, action plans for clearing up title clouds, and recommendations for buyer clients when title defects crop up during a transaction.
Course highlights include:
Review of 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
2 Hours
Most buyers of real estate will require a loan. In fact, the financing of a home is as integral to real estate transactions as finding the home itself; if the buyer cannot obtain financing, the transaction will ultimately fail. To provide the best service to consumers, it is essential for licensees to have a clear understanding of the financing process, from initial loan application through funding at closing. The Financing course provides licensees with the must-know financing issues to enable them to better serve their clients who require financing for real estate purchases.
Course Highlights
An analysis of the key players in financing, including primary and secondary markets
A detailed look at a loan application package and the process of applying for and obtaining a loan
An evaluation of consumer options for loan packages and types
A discussion of the government’s role in real estate financing
A primer in interpreting loan terminology
An overview of the importance of the loan source and provisions as part of the closing process
2 Hours
Open houses have been a standard practice in seller representation for decades; however, not all open houses are successful. By carefully selecting which listings are suitable for an open house, then preparing the sellers for the event, you set yourself up for a productive afternoon. This course walks you through the steps involved in planning for and hosting a successful open house. Open houses pose some security risks, but they are not the only safety threat that real estate professionals face. The second half of this course looks at safety from multiple angles, and offers practical ways to protect yourself while working with clients, at the office, and when you are at home.
Course highlights include:
Evaluating when to choose a virtual tour instead of an open house
Preparing your seller for an open house
Conducting a successful and safe open house
Protecting your personal safety through your everyday actions
2 Hours
Commercial Real Estate Basics provides a solid foundation for your understanding of commercial real estate. If you're an experienced residential licensee, a few of the fundamentals of commercial real estate will be familiar to you—the importance of location, for example. In many other regards, commercial differs sharply from residential real estate. You'll be working with executives, investors, and business owners in commercial real estate, individuals whose focus is squarely on the bottom line.
The course covers the need-to-know information on a broad range of commercial topics, and it includes a review of Massachusetts-specific laws and regulations. Equipped with this knowledge, you'll be well-prepared to grasp the more complex aspects of commercial real estate as you gain more experience in the industry.
Course highlights include:
Definitions of key terms and concepts that apply to commercial real estate.
A detailed explanation of how to identify and meet the various needs of your commercial real estate clients.
An analysis of the main differences between commercial and residential real estate sales.
An overview of the most common valuation methods for real estate and businesses.
Tips on gathering the demographic and location-related details that clients need to make well-informed decisions.