VanEd - Real Estate School News

You Have Many Options With A Real Estate License

Starting a Real Estate Career

Obtaining a real estate license does not obligate you to sell residential real estate only.  A real estate license offers an array of great career opportunities.  The key to success is finding your niche.  This can be selling waterfront condominiums, golf courses homes, commercial warehouses, and new construction communities.  Or you can lease and manage property; annual rentals, vacation homes, or commercial office space. 

Commercial Brokers

Commercial brokers assist with the sale, leasing, and management of commercial real estate. Commercial broker careers include many specializations. A broker may specialize in retail property, investment property, farmland, businesses, industrial or medical facilities and dozens of other types of property.  Some commercial brokers specialize in resort management or assist government agencies with redevelopment of industrial sites or reclamation of land.

Property Management

Once an investment property is purchased or developed, it needs to be managed. The property manager handles the day-to-day operations of a property which includes staffing, contracting for services, repairs, maintenance and leasing.  Often property management is a salaried position.

Professional Training

It’s not only required, but it’s important to take continuing education courses for additional professional training to advance to more lucrative real estate career opportunities. Advanced real estate designations include the GRI designation.  Earning the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation is a way to stand out to prospective buyers and sellers as a REALTOR® who has gained in-depth knowledge on specific areas of real estate.  The GRI symbol is the mark of a real estate professional that has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional services by securing a strong educational foundation. 

Real Estate Professional Organizations

The GRI is a National Association of REALTORS® designation.  Real estate trade associations and professional organizations provide a wealth of information about specific alternative real estate careers, including training, legislative updates, and industry news.  The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and the National Property Management Association (NPMA) are invaluable resources for property managers.

“We’re already right in the thick of the most frenzied spring home-buying season on record,” says Javier Vivas, manager of economic research at realtor.com®. The demand for jobs in the real estate business grows daily and there is always a need, especially in growing communities where people are constantly searching for new homes and properties.  An alternative real estate career can offer personal and professional rewards.

A real estate license gives you the opportunity for career growth, flexibility, and high earning potential.  VanEd provides all of the required coursework and exam prep that you need in order to become a licensed real estate salesperson or broker and continuing education courses in property management, commercial leasing and selling, and the GRI designation. 

Authored by Barb Westfall and Renee Macdonald

Barb has been a practicing Broker in Colorado for over 18 years and has been teaching Colorado real estate for 13 years for VanEd.  Barb holds a teaching degree and Real Estate Education Certifications. She is a REEA Member.

Renee is a Florida native that made her way to the Rockies.  After 25 years as a licensed real estate agent, Renee now is Director of Affiliate Sales for Van Education Center.

New HUD Study Shows Why All Public Housing Should Be Smoke-Free

Last year, as part of our ongoing commitment, HUD announced a new rule that requires every public housing agency (PHA) in the United States to ensure their residents can live in a smoke-free environment.  This rule can help protect more than 910,000 households living in public housing, including more than 760,000 children and 500,000 elderly Americans.

The dangers of smoking are well documented.  According to the U.S. Surgeon General, smoking kills approximately 480,000 people each year.  The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also estimates that smoking inflicts nearly $153 million in annual damages upon PHAs in the form of health care costs, annual repairs to units where smoking has occurred, and preventable fires.

Now, a pioneering study from experts at HUD and the CDC paints an even clearer picture on the harmful health effects that smoking causes for people who live in public housing.

The paper, which is now available for free online, is the first to examine the prevalence and negative impact of cigarette smoking among adult residents of public housing.  Some of its key findings include:

• One-third of adults living in public housing surveyed between 2006 and 2012 identified themselves as cigarette smokers — approximately double the rate of smoking among all adults in the United States.

• Among adult residents in public housing, smokers were more likely than nonsmokers to suffer from conditions such as chronic lung disease, asthma, physical disabilities, and serious psychological distress.

• Adult smokers in public housing were more likely than nonsmokers to visit the emergency room and to miss time from work.

Fortunately, the study also highlights the opportunity for HUD and its partners to play an important role in addressing these challenges.

More than half of the HUD-assisted smokers who were surveyed expressed an interest in kicking their addiction.  And the paper notes that housing assistance programs can act as a crucial platform for improving quality of life for residents by connecting them with resources for quitting smoking, and by introducing steps that protect children and other vulnerable Americans from exposure to secondhand smoke.

This study is a powerful reminder of why efforts like our smoke-free housing rule are so important.  And I want to thank authors Veronica E. Helms, Brian A. King, and Peter J. Ashley for their outstanding efforts.

HUD is committed to working with PHAs and public health professionals across the nation to give every resident of public housing the chance to live in a home that’s safe from the dangers of tobacco smoke.  And in the years ahead, we’ll keep striving to help improve the health and wellbeing of every person we serve — one family, one neighborhood, and one community at a time.

Jon L. Gant is the Director of the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes.

April is Fair Housing Month

Each April we come together as a community and a nation to celebrate the anniversary of the passing of the Fair Housing Act and recommit to that goal which inspired us in the aftermath of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination in 1968: to eliminate housing discrimination and create equal opportunity in every community.

Fundamentally, fair housing means that every person can live free. This means that our communities are open and welcoming, free from housing discrimination and hostility. But this also means that each one of us, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability, has access to neighborhoods of opportunity, where our children can attend quality schools, our environment allows us to be healthy, and economic opportunities and self-sufficiency can grow.

Our commitment to fair housing is a living commitment, one that reflects the needs of America today and prepares us for a future of true integration.

 

 

Discrimination in housing and lending comes in all types of forms and does not require someone blatantly slamming a door or making a disparaging remark. In fact, many renters and homeowners may not recognize they are being discriminated against if their experience lacks blatant prejudice. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), two million instances of housing discrimination are estimated to take place each year across the nation. Despite this, less than two percent of those instances are reported as many renters and homebuyers do not fully understand what activities are illegal under the Fair Housing Act.

Examples of discrimination under the Fair Housing Act include:

• Refusal to rent or sell housing
• Refusal to negotiate for housing
• Making housing unavailable
• Setting different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a property
• Providing different housing services or facilities
• Falsely denying housing is available for inspection, sale or rental of a property
• Persuading owners to sell or rent their home for profit
• Denying access to or membership in a facility or service related to the sale of housing
• Advertising or making any statement that indicates a limitation or preference based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status or handicap. This prohibition applies to single-family and owner-occupied housing that is otherwise exempt from the Fair Housing Act.

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OFFICE OF FAIR HOUSING AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) is tasked with administering and enforcing federal laws and policies to ensure all Americans have equal access to housing.

To learn more about the office and Fair Housing rights or to file a Fair Housing violation complaint, visit http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp. You may also contact the Housing Discrimination Hotline via email at [email protected] or at 1-800-669-9777 (Voice) or 1-800-927-9275 (TTY).

A Real Estate Reminder: President's Day does not count as a business day under TRID Rules

If you are near the end of a transaction, please remember that the timing for the delivery of the Loan Estimate or the initial Closing Disclosure (1026.19(e)(1)(iii)(B) or 1026.19(f)(1)(ii) below) is based on the definition of business day (1026.2(a)(6) below) which indicates for these two specific sections of Regulation Z, the definition of business day means all calendar days except Sundays and the legal public holidays, of which Monday, Washington’s Birthday, is a legal public holiday.

Business day means a day on which the creditor's offices are open to the public for carrying on substantially all of its business functions.

However, for purposes of rescission under §§ 1026.15 and 1026.23, and for purposes of §§1026.19(a)(1)(ii), 1026.19(a)(2), 1026.19(e)(1)(iii)(B), 1026.19(e)(1)(iv), 1026.19(e)(2)(i)(A), 1026.19(e)(4)(ii), 1026.19(f)(1)(ii), 1026.19(f)(1)(iii), 1026.20(e)(5), 1026.31, and 1026.46(d)(4), the term means all calendar days except Sundays and the legal public holidays specified in 5 U.S.C. 6103(a), such as New Year's Day, the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington's Birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

For Washington's Birthday, the legal public holiday is defined as the third Monday in February and as such, Monday cannot be a business day in counting the three- or seven-day waiting periods.

Fun Fact: Washington's Actual Birthday is February 22nd, but the 1971 Uniform Monday Holiday Act cemented the observance to the third Monday in February, even though it had unofficially been celebrated on that day for some time.

Apply by December 5th to take part in the 2017 CAR Leadership Academy

Applications for the CAR Leadership Academy will be accepted until December 5th, 2016 for the 2017 year.  CAR Leadership Academy is an exclusive four-month training and development program designed to nurture future association leaders. It is focused on developing participants’ industry and association knowledge.

As a member of the Leadership Academy, you will experience:

• Small group meetings with past and current CAR leadership to give you inside knowledge of the organization’s vision and the challenges of leadership
• Cultivate relationships with new colleagues, strengthen your personal relationships and broaden your referral network
• Refine your presentation skills and gain media training
• Broaden your understanding of federal policy initiatives that strengthen the ability of Americans to own, buy and sell real estate
• Develop leadership skills to be applied at the Association level and in your career

By becoming a member of the CAR Leadership Academy, you will gain the skills to transform connections into involvement and action. REALTOR® members who would like to strengthen their leadership abilities and who are passionate about the industry are encouraged to apply.

Learn More online and apply online by visiting the Colorado Association of REALTORS® Leadership Academy web page at http://www.coloradorealtors.com/leadership-academy/.

Boulder Valley Real Estate Conference Scheduled for November 15th

Join BizWest for the annual Boulder Valley Real Estate Conference, covering the ever-changing and growing real estate landscape in the Boulder Valley. Expert panels make up this conference, with development officials from Boulder and Broomfield counties joining us to provide a look at significant developments in these communities.

Van Ed will be at the event providing Continuing Education credits for those interested. The cost for 6 credits is $15, payable beforehand and/or at the event, although it is encouraged to sign-up and pay prior to the event. Please click here if you are interested in purchasing Continuing Education credits for this event.

When:

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Where:

CU Stadium Club, Boulder, Colorado 

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Thomas Thibodeau CU Real Estate Center Academic Director and Global Real Estate Capital Markets Professor John Covert Regional Director, Colorado/New Mexico Metrostudy

 Other Speakers Include:

-Roger Caruso, Economic Specialist, City of Lafayette
-Aaron DeJong, economic development director, City of Louisville
-Charles Ferro, development review manager for planning, City of Boulder
-Clint Folsom, Mayor, Town of Superior
-Paula Mehle, economic-development coordinator, Town of Erie
-Dave Shinneman, acting community development director, City and County of Broomfield
-David Starnes, redevelopment & revitalization manager, City of Longmont

And many industry speakers, including;

-Bill Reynolds, W.W. Reynolds Cos.

-Lou Barnes, mortgage banker, Premier Mortgage Group

-Leslie Durgin, strategic policy adviser, Boulder Housing Partners

Seperate registration is required for Continuing Education. Information and Registration for CE is online at: http://VanEd.com/BVREC.  To register for the event, please visit http://fallrealestateconference.com/ 

Finance Friday: Is it Trick or Treat for the Housing Markets?

If you were to take a poll we think many real estate professionals would likely say that this year has been ok and they project fair sales in their markets to continue through year-end, based largely on overall sales, low rates and the Federal Reserve's unwillingness to raise their benchmark interest rates (citing concerns about international markets).

But some would say that the lack of listings is causing prices to climb too fast, and some experts are even more cautious (or even downright scared) of the current situation. That sentiment does not jive with the percentage of income current required to buy a median home. The following from this CNBC Article shows us why:

""If you look at the percent of the median income required to buy the median household, we're at 21 percent, which is very healthy," said Ben Graboske, senior vice president of data and analytics for Black Knight. "In the bubble years it was 36 percent. Rates are super low, and that is a big impact on affordability.""

So the next question would be "is the current political climate a boon or the bane of the overall housing markets"? Probably neither.

If lenders continue to slowly open up the mortgage product lines, then the housing markets could struggle to keep up with demand, pushing up a bubble.  If the lenders remain cautious in what they offer to consumers, and remain especially cautious in what consumers they offer those products to, then the markets should be able to handle any price adjustments.

The key indicators of housing (housing starts, pending home sales of new and existing homes) should be monitored closely by real estate professionals. These numbers can give context to local analyses that show either an upward or downward trend on local communities, and can help validate absorption rate and investment yield for potential investors. 

As the traditionally slower time of the real estate year approaches, any changes made by the Fed should also be monitored. Real Estate professionals should also be in contact with local lenders or mortgage brokers (can you spell Credit Unions?) to see what loan products are currently available - and to find out what might become available after the first of the year.

By identifying which way the National or International markets might be moving, local pros can drive marketing materials that indicate how that should affect the local market - thereby making themselves the information resource for clients and customers. Keeping customers informed about current conditions can help them decide to use you when they plan their next move.

And remember, it's always better to get a Treat this time of year than a Trick. 

And also remember - always go to the house that gives the full size candy. We love them. Happy Halloween everybody!

VanEd Presents: EcoBroker®: Current Trends in Sustainability course ~ now available Online!

The new EcoBroker®: Current Trends in Sustainability course is now available online!

Since 2001, EcoBroker Certified professionals have become the best sustainability advocates the fiduciary service professional industries have ever known. EcoBrokers protect the interests of property owners and buyers by focusing on quality due diligence, property disclosure, ethics, advocacy, and the energy and environmental opportunities available to ensure real property performs at its optimal operational and financial efficiency, as sustainability as possible.

Today VanEd is proud to partner with EcoBroker to delivery this timely, quality content to all EcoBrokers as well as those interested in real estate trends surrounding green real estate.

The Trends course also introduces a first-of-its-kind business building approach employing: kindness, ethics, due diligence, and what EcoBroker® fondly calls the Liability Reduction Paradigm.

The intent of this Trends Course is to help EcoBrokers stay out-in-front, as the best of the best in sustainability advocacy and the ethics of service. This course is all about the core principals, kindness, professionalism, and ethics that have distinguished EcoBrokers over the course of their service to property owners, buyers, and anyone else interested in learning about and take advantage of sustainability technologies and services.

This course is available for CE Credit for real estate licensees in some states. Learn more about this new course online by clicking here!

 

Texas Broker Responsibility Continuing Education Course receives ARELLO Education Award

The most recent TREC Advisor newsletter included the following announcement. You can find all of the TREC Advisor Newsletters online at the TREC Website.

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is pleased to announce it has received a 2016 Education Award by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) for the agency’s “Broker Responsibility” course. ARELLO is an international organization of real estate licensing agencies and individuals involved with regulation of the real estate industry.

The “Broker Responsibility” course is a mandatory continuing education course required for brokers and agents with supervisory responsibilities. Since 2011, the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M, TREC staff and a committee of volunteer brokers has worked closely to improve the course every two years. The purpose of this course is to address the management, operation and supervision of a real estate brokerage firm in Texas. The course provides an understanding and working knowledge of the laws of agency, planning and organization of business entities, requirements for written policies and procedures, records retention and control, advertising, recruitment and training of agents, and the anatomy of a complaint filed with TREC.

The most recent improvements included scenario-based discussions of requirements and best practices. The ARELLO Education award is a great honor. TREC was also recognized by ARELLO in 2012 when the course was first introduced.

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VanEd is proud to offer the Broker Responsibility course for CE Credit for Texas Licensees. You can find all of VanEd TREC Approved Texas Continuing Education courses online by clicking here.

Ten Tips to Being a Good Refer-ee (one who receives referrals from other real estate agents)

I’ve been doing a lot of referring these days. Both of my own leads to other Denver-area agents, and also coordinating agent-to-agent referrals around the country (see below if you wanna play, too!).

I’m seeing some distinct differences in how my referrals are handled by the refer-ee, and I tell ya, the ones who handle them better are far more likely to see more from me than those who don’t!

Remember that the referring agent probably has some concerns about you. He’s worried that you’ll forget you owe him a referral fee. That you’ll make him look bad by treating the client poorly. That you’ll drop the ball with the client and cost the refer-er his referral fee. That you’ll resent paying the referral fee when all is said and done. Stuff like that. Reasonable? Maybe not, but I promise you, it’s going thru his head.

So, if you’d like to ensure that your first referral from an agent isn’t your last – here are some tips…

1. Be appreciative! I mean, sincerely, enthusiastically, over-the-top appreciative. As if this referral is the most generous thing anyone’s ever done for you.
2. On the other hand, if you aren’t the right (wo)man for the job, disclose that upfront, and offer the name of someone who is. Your helpfulness will be remembered.
3. Contact the client right away – duh!
4. LET THE REFER-ER KNOW YOU CONTACTED THE CLIENT (right away) and share all the juicy details of the conversation (within proper privacy limits, of course).
5. Tell the refer-er how much you enjoyed talking with the client and thank him or her again for the referral.
6. Keep the refer-er updated on your activities with the client. Let him know when your listing appointment is scheduled or your first showing takes place. As you make progress toward the closing table, let the refer-er know. Be sure to contact the refer-er as soon as the transaction closes.
7. DO NOT complain about the client or imply in any way that you’re working harder than you usually do for her (which might be interpreted as the beginnings of referral-fee-resentment).
8. If it turns out the the client isn’t ready to buy or sell right now, don’t fuss about wasting your time and stay in touch with her, and the refer-ee.
9. Sign and return the referral agreement immediately. No excuses.
10. And of course, knock yourself out impressing the sox off this referred client. Not only will this bring you future business and referrals from the client, but also from the refer-er.

Speaking of referrals, I just fired up my SWS Referral Network, which is an agent-to-agent referral resource for those who have
bought into the Sell with Soul philosophies. It’s been live for a few weeks now and we’ve already placed a dozen or so referrals.

Want to learn more? Visit http://www.sellwithsoul.com/sws-referral-network.html

 

Guest Author Jennifer Allan-Hagedorn has authored seven books and multiple courses designed to teach agents her Sell with Soul philosophy that centers on four interrelated principles: Respect, Competence, Confidence and Enthusiasm. You can also visit her online at www.sellwithsoul.com or attend one of her free teleseminars on a variety of topics of interest to the real estate community.