MT Real Estate Agent Pre-License Education – 62 hours, 8 days
This 60 hour course meets all of the requirements of the Montana Board of Realty Regulation for pre-license education. In addition, you will learn what you need to start off on the right foot in your new real estate career. With a comprehensive text and Montana-specific agency, law and regulation section you will be well prepared to pass your real estate license exam. Other courses offered in the state are out-of-date and leave you unprepared for your first day as a real estate salesperson. This course is geared towards both passing the exam and preparing you for an easy entry into this challenging and rewarding field.
For details on Pre-license Education in Montana, click here
Do you know why you can’t tell a prospect what sorts of people live in the neighborhood? Why is sending a handwritten thank-you card to one client and not to another potentially risky? In this course, you will learn how the federal, state and local fair housing laws effect all aspects of the real estate community from Realtors, mortgage consultants, property managers and more. Fair Housing is becoming all the more important as Montana continues to grow and the marketplace continues to diversify. The same old tactics don't always work. Being aware of the complexities of the law eliminates your risk of being sued. This course has real-world examples of how fair housing regulations have impacted real estate professionals and offers ways to avoid these issues. You’ll hear common-sense procedures to put in place to protect yourself and serve your customers better at the same time. At the end, we break into job-specific groups to tackle common problems and how to resolve them without violating the spirit of the law. You’ll leave with tips and policies that will keep you out of trouble and free of unnecessary legal headaches. (3 Mandatory CE credits, 3 hour course.)
As a member of the National Association of Realtors, members are required to abide by and understand the NAR code of ethics. This three-hour course meets the requirement for NAR and MAR members to understand the code of ethics and how it impacts the business of real estate sales and marketing. The course covers reasons why real estate professionals should develop their ethical decision making skills. Additional topics include General Business Ethics, the public perception of the real estate industry's honesty and integrity, research studies on the ethical maturity of real estate professionals, purposes and impact of codes of ethics on American businesses, characteristics of a profession, the organization of the NAR® Code of Ethics as a model for ethical decision making skills, the critical concepts in the Preamble to the NAR® Code of Ethics, the Articles of the NAR® Code which are mentioned most frequently in complaints and discuss the reasons why those Articles are cited, the professional standards enforcement process of the board or association, case studies and periodic exercises for review purposes, and a discussion of models for ethical decision making. (3 Mandatory CE Credits, 3 hour course.)
- Basics of Property Management
This course is designed to cover the fundamental principles involved in the management of real property. Topics to be covered include the role of an effective managing agent, accounting systems and financial controls, human relations in property management, leases, marketing, developing management checklists and developing effective service techniques. This course serves as a prerequisite for future work a student may contemplate relative to professional property management. This course may be taken for preparation for the professional property manager certification exam, personal interest, and/or continuing education credit. (Pending approval from the Board of Realty Regulation for 3 Mandatory CE Credits, 3 hour course.)
- Montana Landlord/Tenant Law
This course is an introduction into the unique relationship between landlords and tenants in the state of Montana. We examine the array of legal issues that face landlords, agents, property managers, and real estate attorneys. This course gives the participant an overview of the most common rights and obligations of both the tenant and landlord in the following situations: rental and lease agreements, deposits, cleaning fees, housing code requirements, rent increases, access, roommates, pets,; fair housing--federal, state, and local Montana anti-discrimination laws, the rights of the disabled to modifications and reasonable accommodations, and laws prohibiting harassment and retaliation; summary nonpayment proceedings. Also rent demands, nonpayment petitions, tenant defenses, rent deposits, and settlement stipulations; summary holdover proceedings, grounds for termination of the tenancy, remedies for unlawful evictions, and illegal lockouts required notices, holdover petitions, tenant defenses, repairs/maintenance, right to privacy, subleasing, breaking the lease agreement, non-payment of rent, damage to property, moving out and abandonment. We also cover basic procedures involved in an unlawful detainer action (eviction) from both the landlord and tenant perspective. (Pending approval from the Board of Realty Regulation for 3 Mandatory CE credits, 3 hour course.)
Pro-rate, square feet, sixth of an acre – the math used in real estate is unique, but easy tto understand with the right foundation. This course is a review of basic arithmetic principles that are used in the daily business of real estate. A general mathematics course designed to assist the student who wishes to pass the State exam and the student who wants to be more proficient and knowledgeable in the real estate profession. Decimals, percentages, fractions, prorating, tax rate, interest, discount and depreciation are included. An understanding of real estate math is essential to being a successful real estate agent. This comprehensive class will improve your math skills and prepare students for actual real estate practice. Mathematical calculations required of the real estate professional will be covered in this class. Fractions, percentages, decimals, list and sales price and net price, appreciation and depreciation, compensation, Ad Valorem taxes, property and transfer taxes, legal descriptions, area and volume, interest, mathematics of real estate finance, appraisal methods, investment analysis, pro-rations, and other real estate math applications will be covered in this class. (Pending approval from the Board of Realty Regulation for 2 Mandatory CE credits, 2 hour course.)
- Land Use, Zoning & Deed Restrictions
This course is an introduction into what city planners, developers and real estate professionals use to determine land use control, zoning restrictions, highest and best use, feasibility and economic utilization. We explore the major American legal tools for public regulation of land uses and land development. We will begin the background of nuisance law and eminent domain, and then turn to one of the fundamental devices for land use regulation, zoning, along with some variations on zoning (variances, special use permits, planned unit developments, etc.). We discuss the kinds of challenges that neighbors and developers make to zoning, including claims of special hardships, vested rights, property takings, "spot zoning," etc. Then we will turn to more advanced topics: Various forms of aesthetic regulation, along with their First Amendment implications; subdivision regulation and its use for financing urban infrastructure; reform proposals for better planning and for the management of regional social needs. Finally, time permitting, the influence of environmental regulation on land use controls in such areas as smart growth, impact analysis, and special regulation for environmentally sensitive areas. (Pending approval from the Board of Realty Regulation for 3 Mandatory CE credits, 3 hour course.)
- Real Estate Law & Conveyance
This is an in-depth course in law as it applies to real property. It includes contracts, agency, deeds, easements, estates in land, financing, tenancy, foreclosures, leases, transfer of title and negotiable instruments. It does not include license law. Case studies are also discussed.This course is a comprehensive survey of real estate law in laymen’s terms. The course will cover latest legal trends, and topics relating to the residential and commercial real estate market, such as land, water, and air rights; landlord-tenant relationships; fraud and deceit; fair housing; land use and Montana related laws from Montana Code Annotated Statutes. (Pending approval from the Board of Realty Regulation for 3 Mandatory CE credits, 3 hour course.)
- Get Your Feet Wet (Real Estate Investment Intro)
Investing in rental property makes a lot of sense, but just what do you look for? What sorts of things can you do to a rental to increase it’s value? How do you determine whether a home should be a rental property or a flip? This seminar is an introduction for people who are interested in taking advantage of the growing market for rental property. We discuss how to identify homes that will be good candidates, how to market your rental, how to assess value and determine the right rent to charge, ways to add value, policies to put in place and much more. Designed for real estate professionals and their clients with an interest in becoming real estate investors. Open to real estate professionals and the general public. (Pending approval from the Board of Realty Regulation for 2 Elective CE credits, 2 hour course.)
- Fair Housing for Small Prop Owners
This course breaks down the key points of Federal and Local fair housing laws and explains how they impact you and how you market, show and sell your property. Many owners of investment property still feel they can choose who to rent to with impunity. While the restrictions are a bit different, the law still applies. This course is a practical, real-world introduction to the concept of fair housing law and how it effects the small property owner. From policies to put in place to ways to protect yourself and your assets, this course makes you better prepared to operate your rental property with less risk. Did you know you can get sued for discrimination for failing to ask where a prospect works? Fair Housing law doesn’t just impact Realtors and large apartment complexes - it effects the small property owner with one rental or twenty. (Pending approval from the Board of Realty Regulation for 2 elective CE credits, 2 hour course)
- Maximizing Real Estate Value
An introduction to the concepts of staging, upgrading and rehabbing to achieve maximum value for sale or rental property. For our clients, the home represents the largest portion of their assets. Trying to sell a house or apartment or condo in today's fast paced market, quickly and profitably, has the potential for turning anyone's world upside down. Knowing what is important so you can meet your buyer's expectations is a necessity. As a real estate agent or seller, you will want to get the most value out of the home in the shortest time possible. This course will help the seller or agent create an individualized house preparation timeline, outline simple steps to eliminate potential problems, give ideas about de-cluttering, cleaning, repairing, and show you how to stage a house for a successful Open House. The instructor will also offer personal assistance with student's unique selling problems. Whether you plan on putting your own house up for sale or are a real estate agent looking to increase the success of your listings, this course can help you maximize your profit and reduce your stress! This course may be taken for personal interest, and/or continuing education credit. Pending approval from the Board of Realty Regulation for 2 Elective CE credits, 2 hour course.
- Real Estate Financing and Insurance
This course includes an overview of real estate financing and types of loans, formulas, payment methods, lenders, qualifying requirements, FHA, VA, conventional and interim financing, loan costs and the secondary mortgage market. It also covers notes, deeds of trust and foreclosure procedures. This class will use a blend of theory and practice as related to how residential and commercial real estate financial markets work. Financial principles will be used to explain how real estate financial institutions developed, how they function, and the legislation that impacts real estate finance and investments. This course leads to a better understanding of the real estate lending environment, introduces the nature of real estate borrowing and lending and explains the organizational structure of the mortgage lending market. (Pending approval from the Board of Realty Regulation for 2 Elective CE credits, 2 hour course.)
- Montana Test Cram Session (not for credit) – 5 hours
In this intensive test preparation session, you will work on practice real estate license exams on the computer and in writing and will focus on areas where you may have trouble or need additional instruction. The cram session includes a flashcard pack, audio text review and many other proven test preparation techniques to help you pass the exam on your first try.
More Information coming soon:
Introduction to Real Estate Appraisal (Pending: 2 Elective CE credits, 2 hr course)
- Business Planning for Real Estate Agents (Pending: 2 Elective CE credits, 2 hr course)
- Success as a New Real Estate Agent (Not for credit)
- Real Estate Advertising & Marketing (Not for credit)
- Introduction to Home Staging (Credits pending approval)
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