14-Hr. PA 2024-2026 CE Package

The law of agency exists to ensure agents are held accountable for their actions when working on behalf of others in real estate transactions along with other unethical practices. The law requires that agents disclose their agency relationship with all parties involved, make sure all paperwork is accurate, and act in the best interest of their clients and fairly towards customers. By having these regulations in place, it ensures that the real estate industry remains competitive and fair for everyone involved.

By now, you've probably heard of the Sitzer-Burnett case. This federal class-action lawsuit out of Missouri revolved around residential real estate commission rates, which the plaintiffs alleged led to unacceptably high payouts for buyer brokers at the expense of home sellers. In 2023, the court agreed. The following year, the plaintiffs, the National Association of REALTORS®, and other parties in the case reached settlement terms that will have significant effects on the ways real estate professionals across the country do their jobs.

This three-hour mandatory course meets the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission's requirements for the 2024-2026 Core course on Agency Relationships.

Course highlights include:

• Legal and ethical responsibilities of listing agents, buyer's agents, rental listing agents, and leasing agents
• Commonly used contracts and agreements, including listing agreements and buyer/broker agreements
• Dual agency, designated dual agency¸ and the differences between the two
• Delivering Consumer Notice and course of action when it’s refused
• Pre-qualification of buyers
• Terms of the settlement in the Sitzer-Burnett class-action case.
• Practice changes affecting seller and buyer agreements following the NAR Settlement.
• Negotiating broker compensation following the NAR Settlement.
• Activities and examples to seal in the new information and frame it in everyday context

Fair housing law stands as a cornerstone of civil rights legislation, aiming to eliminate discrimination in housing markets and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, or any other protected characteristic. By understanding the importance of fair housing law, licensees recognize its pivotal role in fostering inclusive communities and combating systemic inequalities. This course explores the historical context, key provisions, and practical applications of fair housing law, equipping licensees with the knowledge and tools necessary to uphold these principles in their professional endeavors.

Real estate licensees play a vital role in upholding fair housing principles and safeguarding the rights of all individuals in the housing market. As gatekeepers of property transactions, licensees must stay abreast of fair housing laws and practices to ensure ethical and nondiscriminatory conduct. Beyond legal compliance, embracing fair housing principles fosters trust, promotes diversity, and enhances business success in an increasingly diverse marketplace. This course will empower licensees to navigate complex fair housing issues with confidence, fostering a culture of inclusivity and advancing the vision of fair and equitable housing for all.

This course was designed to meet the REALTOR® Fair Housing Training Requirement. Please confirm that your local association, who administers the Fair Housing training, will accept this course.

Whether you want to develop a niche business working with first-time homebuyers or simply increaseyour overall knowledge so you can better help inexperienced first-time homebuyers, this course willprovide you with the necessary foundation to serve this unique population.First-time homebuyers often rely heavily on agents’ expertise, and many feel overwhelmed, intimidated,and fearful of the prospect of buying a home. Your knowledge and calm influence can lead them towardtheir goal of homeownership, step by step.In this three-hour course we’ll explore the key characteristics of this niche market, how to cultivaterelationships with these buyers, and how to prepare them for the transaction ahead.

Course highlights include:

• First-time homebuyer market stats
• Pros and cons unique to working with this market
• Housing affordability’s impact on new buyers
• Targeted marketing approaches and conveying homeowner benefits
• Providing value to first-time homebuyer clients
• Walking clients through each step of the transaction
• Financing, loans, offers, negotiations, and closing

The internet is full of promotional opportunities. Whether it’s a post on Facebook or a tweet linking to your new listing, a status update on LinkedIn, a virtual home tour on YouTube, or photo collage on Pinterest, you can easily promote your professionalism, highlight your expertise, increase your connections, and showcase your listings. Or you can fall flat on your face.

This course shows how to use the unique advertising and marketing opportunities available online to better serve your clients and customers, and further promote your own brand.

Course highlights include:

• How consumers—and agents and agencies—are using social media and how this is impacting the real estate industry
• How to use various social media platforms—including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest—to promote your business and better serve your clients and customers
• How various social media platforms differ and how to select the ones that are best for you and your needs
• Tips for creating an online marketing strategy
• Legal and ethical issues surrounding online marketing
• Copyright law, trademarks, and public domain content
• Tips for avoiding common social media missteps.
• Activities and scenarios to provide real-world context for course content

The inspection period is a big hurdle to jump over on the way to closing. The inspector’s job is to call out defects. The buyer agent’s job is to negotiate repairs. The seller agent’s job is to mitigate damage. It can sometimes be hard to hold a deal together.

Protecting your buyer as a buyer’s agent means understanding the importance of the home inspection contingency and its deadlines, and identifying the need for specialized inspections.

Protecting your seller as the listing agent means helping the seller understand disclosure obligations, prepare for the inspection, and respond to a buyer’s reasonable repair requests.

Course highlights:

• The importance of the inspection contingency
• The licensee’s role in the inspection process
• Licensee and seller disclosure obligations
• Red flags related to common structural, plumbing, and electrical issues
• Specialized inspection types addressing radon, asbestos, sewer lines, septic tanks, mold, lead, and wells
• Interactive activities and scenarios