Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA) – Legal Update  NEW!

(2 hours Legal or Regular CE credits)

Foreclosure and Short Sales A-Z – Legal Update  NEW!

(4 hours LEGAL or Regular CE Credit)

(Constantly updated to reflect changing market conditions).

Basic fundamentals of real estate sales have changed forever. Short Sales are the new norm of real estate transactions for years to come. Covered in this course is what FHA-HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac are doing through HARP, HAMP, HAFA under the umbrella of Making Home Affordable initiative launched last year by the Feds. With options for loan modifications, refinance and short sales, including new Michigan laws imposed on lenders to protect borrowers in trouble. Since 1/3 of all short sale listings are doomed to failure, this course includes all the right procedures and specific checklists that agents can use separately to interview Sellers, Buyer, and Banks for commitment and cooperation that increase the chances of Short Sale closings and protect your commission. This class comes complete with a book of approximately 50 pages loaded with information, forms and addendums.

Legal Update 2010  NEW!

(6 hours LEGAL or Regular CE credit)

Excellent for Risk Management!               

Topics include: Representation in short sales; New laws and MLS rules that will affect how the fundamentals of selling real estate are changing; New laws in Michigan regarding foreclosures, short sales, and mortgage fraud; Legal updates include new guidelines regarding FHA, Freddie Mae backed or owned mortgages; New mortgage qualifications; Facts about the Making Home Affordable program launched by the government; New Risk Reduction Issues; New safety issues and concerns.

Land Contracts - Legal Update

(2 hours Legal or Regular CE credit)

This class will cover all the details and considerations that go into land contracts. Be the confident professional and make the transaction complete and a pleasant experience for everyone leading to more business and referrals. Also included is a checklist so nothing is missing and also all the necessary forms and addendums for consideration are reviewed.

Lease with Options – Legal Update

(4 hours Legal or Regular CE credit)

Lets iron out all the confusion and zero in on the details of what is really necessary when leasing residential property in Michigan including laws and rights of landlords and tenants. All necessary forms and checklists are included and discussed so you can provide a complete package whether a current listed seller wants to suddenly lease, or you are only leasing an owner’s home.

Purchase Money Mortgages – Legal Update NEW!

(2 hours Legal or Regular CE credit) 

Students will explore a thorough understanding of Purchase Money Mortgages including risks to investors, sellers, buyers, and how to help clients avoid the pitfalls associated with them and allowing clients to make informed decisions based on information you can provide. Forms are included for broker review and implementation. Be an excellent resource for clients and help refer them to the right legal professionals for advice.

IRS 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges – Legal Update NEW!

(2 hours Legal or Regular CE credit) 

An IRS 1031 exchange provides investors with one of the best tax strategies for preserving the value of an investment portfolio. By using an exchange, the investor is able to defer the recognition of capital gain taxes that would otherwise be incurred on the sale of investment property. The investor can then use the entire amount of the equity to purchase substantially more replacement property. Students will explore possibilities for their clients and become an excellent resource.

Agency Relationships – Legal Update 

(2 hours LEGAL or Regular CE credit)           

Excellent for Risk Management!               

Still the most confusing concept in Real Estate today! Understand all forms of Agency: Traditional, Single, Designated, Dual, and Transactional Coordinator according to Michigan laws and rules. Fiduciary responsibilities as a handout for Buyers is covered. What considerations are needed in a good risk management buyer contract to protect yourself, your broker, and yet provide really great service.  Present agency in practical, understandable terms and promote confidence that you are the best choice of hire.

Fair Housing – Legal Update 

(2 hours of Legal or Regular CE credit)

The sale and purchase of a home is one of the most significant events that any person will experience in his or her lifetime. It is more that the simple purchase of housing, for it includes the hopes, dreams, aspirations, and economic destiny of those involved. The Fair Housing Act declares a national policy of fair housing throughout the United States. Michigan adds more protection in addition to the National protected classes. Students will explore risk management and how to provide real estate services without any form of discrimination making land sales an equal opportunity for all.

Quadrennial Code of Ethics  - Part I and Part II  NEW!

(Taken together, Part I provides 2 hours Regular CE credit; Part II provides 2 Hours Legal CE credit)

For continuing REALTOR® members; effective January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2004, and for successive four (4) year periods thereafter, REALTORS® are required to complete an update on Code of Ethics. The current cycle is January 1, 2009 – December 31, 2012. These training requirements, approved by the NAR Board of Directors at the 1999 Annual Convention, are designed: 1) to make all members familiar with the key tenets of the Code of Ethics; 2) to create an awareness and appreciation for the role the Code can and should play in their professional lives; 3) as a means of enhancing professionalism and competency; and 4) to encourage REALTORS® to view the Code as a living, viable guide in their daily dealings with clients, customers, and the public.

Personality Traits Management

(2 hours CE credit)                                           

Ever just not click with someone? People like to work with people they understand. Learn how to instantly recognize the four different personality traits when approaching people. Quickly adapt to their style in order to build the relationship, gain their trust and their business. Clues to physical characteristics of the client's home and lifestyle are explored and analyzed. A very fun class with personality quiz.

Cross Cultural Competence 

(4 hours Regular CE Credit)

Learn about the cultural values, expectations, needs, communication styles, and home buying priorities of the various ethnic groups in our communities. Learn how to recognize and react to non-verbal and verbal cues. Learn culturally specific skills and strategies to assist you in encouraging feedback, gaining trust and acquiring referrals. 

Staged to Sell  

(2 hours Regular CE Credit)                                                                 

Staged homes sell faster and for more money. Win sellers and edge out the competition by knowing how to help sellers stage a home for the market using proven guidelines, tips and strategies. Staged homes not only look better in virtual tours and ads, but also show better to appraisers and home inspectors.

Comments regarding Short Sales and Foreclosure Classes:

Best short sale class I’ve had, knowledgeable presenter

– David Novak, Ann Arbor

Best course, information and delivery, I’ve taken in years

– David Wood, Battle Creek

Exceeded the NAR class in Vegas and RE/MAX Statewide classes combined

– C. Jewell, Battle Creek.

Exceeded my expectations

–  Linda Tenny, Flint

Instructors are really engaged and understand the procedures

– Carol Brock, Kalamazoo

Love attending their classes. Lively, educational and well organized

– Adrienne Bryant, Troy.

Informative! Presenters were skilled and interesting

– Meridith Hawes, Traverse City.

Appreciate your time, efforts. Very relative material to our times

– Mary DeWitt, Traverse City.

A stellar class! Thank you!

– Chuck Gollay, Traverse City.

I appreciate the sample letters and documents. Great examples

– Karen Stahl, Traverse City.

Good program, very informative

– Jacob Sherman, Big Rapids.

Great class! timely and informative. I highly recommend

– Mary Mackercher, Grand Rapids.

Very knowledgeable and Excellent instructors  

– Maryellen Hopkins, Houghton Lake

Any Michigan agent serious about Real Estate should be required to take this

– Chip Issette II, Gladwin

Rick does an excellent job! I would take more of his classes.  

– W. William Smith, Petoskey

_______________________________________________________________

Designation and Certification Courses

Rick is also approved for the following REBAC and NAR certification and designation courses:

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) Designation 

(13 hrs CE credit, 2 of which are Legal)

Excellent for Risk Management!

Show the value of your services and earn more commissions by providing superior buyer representation services. The goal of the Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Designation course is to prepare real estate professionals to represent buyer–clients in real estate transactions and provide the quality of service and degree of fidelity to buyers that sellers have customarily enjoyed. Also you will learn how to offer ideas and methods for building a buyer representation business. Upon completion of the two–day course and successfully passing the exam, you will have achieved ABR® candidate status, a three–year period during which you must fulfill the educational and experiential requirements to earn the ABR® designation awarded by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council, Inc. (REBAC). Topics include: Understanding and Creating Agency Relationships; Client and Customer Relationships; Buyer Services; The Buyer Counseling Session; Offers and Negotiations; and Building Your Buyer Representative Business.

GREEN Designation – By REBAC and NAR

(15 Regular CE credits)

The two-day course highlighted what makes a property green and energy efficient, strategies for educating clients about green features, financial incentives and rebates available, and how to market yourself as a green real estate specialist once you obtain the GREEN designation. To obtain the GREEN designation, attendees must complete the core GREEN course, as well as at least one elective on residential, commercial, or property management. The GREEN designation was created by NAR’s Green Resource Council. Added Value: The online residential elective is also approved for 7 Regular CE credits.

Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource (SFR) Certification – by REBAC and NAR)

(6 hours Regular and 2 Hours Legal CE credits)

For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” real estate transaction. Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities are not merely good skills to have in today’s market—they are critical. This course covers what is currently going on with FHA, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and New Michigan laws regarding mortgagors in trouble (HAMP, HARP, HAFA & HUD). This course requires completion of three 1-hour Webinars to become a certified Short Sale and Foreclosure Resource sales agent.  Added Value: 8 total hours of CE credit. Also, the core course for this certification is REBAC’s Short Sales and Foreclosures course which is an elective for the ABR designation.