VanEd Newslog

They found mold in your client's house. Can you save the deal?

Many of us have received the dreaded call - one of your listings has mold. But mold does not have to be a deal breaker. In most cases, mold problems can be effectively mitigated by professional mold remediation specialists. With the EcoBroker Certified(R) professional designation you can learn the basics on how to prevent mold from developing through moisture management techniques, and how to bring in the proper professionals when the problem already exists. By showing clients how to prevent costly damage to their property and adverse health effects to their family, you can save deals and show real value to your clients.

This information is brought to you by VanEd and EcoBroker. Click Here for more information about mold that you can share with your customers and clients. You can learn more about the EcoBroker designation by visiting www.vaned.com/EcoBroker.

Van Education Center celebrates our 10th Anniversary!

Today Van Education Center (www.vaned.com) celebrates our 10th anniversary, and we wanted to take just a moment to thank all of our students, members, association partners, affiliates and YOU! You have helped make VanEd a nationwide leader in distance education for real estate, appraisal and mortgage brokers.

VanEd opened in 1998 as the first online real estate pre-license school in Colorado, and was one of the first online real estate education providers in the country. VanEd followed by teaching Continuing Education online. The next few years saw the online Appraisal program develop and VanEd became the online home to the Colorado Association of REALTORS® GRI, Graduate REALTOR® Institute program.

Today VanEd offers courses in more than 30 states, and is a recognized leader in online education. We  are proud to have been able to serve the industry for the past decade, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead. We will continue to provide the highest quality education and service to the highest caliber students.

And from all of us who have had the privilege of assisting our students over the years, we thank you for your support and look forward to the coming decade. And remember, whether you are currently a student or are planning a career in real estate, appraisal or the mortgage industries, we want you to know that our commitment to you remains the same. As always, we are here to help!

VanEd offers three new MCE courses in Texas

Van Education Center today launched three new MCE, or Mandatory Continuing Education, courses in Texas. Two of these courses are The Fundamentals of Commercial Real Estate and Listing and Selling Commercial Real Estate. The third course now available is Real Estate & Related Investments in IRA and 401k, which qualifies for MRE, Master of Real Estate designation credit.

The new courses bring the total number of available online MCE courses to 5, which include previously available MRE designation courses Affordable Housing and Commercial Leasing.

Click Here for information on MCE in Texas or to see the available courses. If you have any questions, you may contact us at info@vaned.com.

Notes from the Field: Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy Efficient appliances can benefit each of us. There are both direct benefits to installing energy efficient appliances, such as a reduced electric bill. There are also indirect benefits such as quieter operation of devices and energy savings in general.

But what appliances are energy efficient and will save you the most money? The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has made available a Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings online that will, among other things, list the potential savings and even rebates that may be available for trading in an older appliance. You can view the guide online using the link below. EcoBroker has also published an article designed to give brokers and customers information regarding Energy-Efficient Appliances which can be viewed online by clicking here.

>>>>> Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings

This reliable green information is brought to you courtesy of the EcoBroker Certified® professional designation, currently offered by VanEd. Find out more online at www.vaned.com/ecobroker.

Registration is open for NAR Midyear Meetings

The REALTORS® Midyear meetings are scheduled for May 12-17 in Washington D.C. with the trade expo open from May 14-16.  REALTORS® can register now for the Midyear meetings online by clicking here. The Midyear meetings key component is the ability to interact with legislators and promote REALTOR® interests.

This year the trade expo will offer over 200 exhibitors and the NAR 100 year Centennial Celebration Gala black tie dinner will take place on Wednesday, May 14 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. Tony Snow, former White House Press Secretary (2006-07) will lead the Legislative and Political Forum on Tuesday May 13th.

Register now by clicking here for the NAR Midyear Meetings and Trade Expo.

VanEd Presents: Accredited Land Consultant Designation course

Van Education Center is proud to offer the RLI: Land 101 course online through our Designation Information page.  This course is the first course in the ALC, Accredited Land Consultant designation program, and is available now!

The REALTORS Land Institute (RLI) is an affiliate of NAR, and is the only branch focused on land brokerage. This includes farm and ranch, subdivision and undeveloped tracts of land.  Organized in 1944 as the Farm & Land Institute, RLI is now a nationwide organization. The ALC designation is run through the education arm of the RLI.

Visit our ALC information page online to learn more about this designation and course offering! Ready to get started today? Click Here to enroll for Land 101!

NOTE: The Land 101 course is also approved for MRE, Master of Real Estate designation credit!

VanEd Presents: Additional Texas MCE / MRE course: Affordable Housing now available

Master of Real Estate DesignationVan Education Center has begun offering an additional MCE course in Texas. Affordable Housing (course #08-00-010-6632) is now available for 8 hours of MCE credit. This course will also count for 12 hours of MRE, Master of Real Estate designation credit.

This course is designed to educate students about who is affected by the lack of affordable housing and to provide details about available resources with examples of how some communities around the country have patched together unique solutions to local housing issues.

To learn more, visit our Texas MCE program online today!

VanEd Presents: e-PRO, the only internet certification for REALTORS® endorsed by NAR

In today's ever changing real estate markets, REALTORS® need to ensure that they are ahead of the competition, differentiating themselves through education and training. To help our students VanEd offers access to the e-PRO certification program online. e-PRO is the only Internet certification program endorsed by NAR, and is designed to enhance the students knowledge of online marketing and resources. Students are able to register for the program directly from either the VanEd Designations page or the e-PRO information page.

Enter Trainer Coupon Code 59003 in the space provided on the registration page to receive a $25 discount on the price of the e-PRO certification course. Click Here for more information on e-PRO!

Texas enacts fingerprinting law for licensees

Under a new law that went into effect January 1st, real estate licensees in Texas will now be required to submit their fingerprints for an FBI criminal background check upon making application for license or renewal. As has been the case in other states, such as Colorado, this is a one time process. Once the fingerprints are on file with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) licensees will not need to submit them upon future application.

All fingerprints must be submitted using the FAST Print Pass form in order to be fingerprinted at a PSI location. This form may be obtained from the Texas Real Estate Commission by clicking here or following the link provided below. Applicants will need to first obtain the form and then schedule a fingerprint appointment online or by telephone. There are 70 locations statewide and fingerprinting services should be available at the PSI locations in February of 2008.

Click Here to view the TREC Fingerprinting information page online.

Click Here to go directly to the FAST Print Pass order form page.

VanEd Presents: Our best wishes for a successful 2008

From all of us at VanEd, we wish you and yours all the best in 2008. As a reminder, we will be closing our offices at 2:00pm MDT on December 31st and will re-open on January 2nd. Instructors will still be available online for student support via email, student forums and our Q & A's.

2007 was an exciting and challenging year. As we move into 2008, all of us at VanEd are excited about the new opportunities that are in front of us, and we look forward to continuing our mission of creating and delivering quality education and training for real estate, appraisal and mortgage brokers.

There is still time to complete your Continuing Education online with VanEd

Real Estate Licensees still have 5 days to complete their mandatory continuing education online, and VanEd has the courses necessary to meet those requirements. Online courses may be completed at any time, night or day, right up to the end of the year. Also, the VanEd offices will be open so that we can answer any questions you may have about your education profile.

As the end of the year approaches, we are offering new and required courses in many states. For information on Continuing Education, click the appropriate state link below;

     >>> Colorado          >>> Nebraska          >>> Texas          >>> Oregon

VanEd offers sign up bonus for Real Estate and Appraisal Pre-License students

Van Education Center announced this week that they are offering an additional book, The Language of Real Estate, by John Reilly,  Free with their Pre-License or Qualifying Education programs. This is the desk reference of real estate terms used by successful real estate and appraisal professionals, and pre-license students who begin a VanEd pre-license program will receive a copy of this valuable desk reference included for Free.

Holiday Special!          Enroll for a package in December and receive a free copy of the Language of Real Estate, a comprehensive dictionary of real estate terms designed for real estate professionals.

VanEd continues to lead the way in online pre-license education. Enroll today for a 5-day free trail, but don't wait to get started! The Language of Real Estate books are in short supply, so this offer is a limited time offer only! When we run out of books, the offer ends!

   >>> click here for Real Estate Pre-License Education Programs

   >>> click here for Appraisal Pre-License Education Programs

All the hot water you want for less money!

Who hasn't run out of hot water at just the worst time? Thanks to greatly improved "on demand" or instantaneous water heaters, those days are over. These great new models deliver unlimited hot water while they save money and space in your home. Tell your sphere or contacts how to take advantage of this convenience by directing them to EcoBroker's article on the subject.

   >>> Water Heating - instantaneous water heaters

This reliable green information is brought to you courtesy of the EcoBroker Certified professional designation, currently being offered online by Van Education Center. To learn more or to sign up for the EcoBroker courses online, visit http://www.vaned.com/ecobroker/ today!

VanEd Presents: Texas MCE now available online!

Van Education Center Director Vann Hilty announced that VanEd has been approved as a Texas MCE, Mandatory Continuing Education provider and has begun offering online MCE courses.  The first course, Commercial Leasing (course #06-00-089-6375) is available now. This first course is also approved for credit towards the MRE, Master of Real Estate designation!

VanEd has long been a Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) approved provider of Pre-License and Core Courses. With the addition of MCE, VanEd is working to meet the needs of our past and future students.

This also marks the first MRE online course approved for MCE credit in Texas. MRE Candidates will now be able to complete both designation and educational requirements at the same time. For information on the MRE program, click here.