Registration Open
Courses Offered
Infrared Thermography and the Home Inspection (2 Credits)
Infrared thermography has been around a long time, but has fairly recently started being offered as part of the home inspection. Many realtors and their clients do not fully understand what the benefits are, as well as the limitations to completing Infrared thermography as part of the inspection. This course is designed for real estate agents who want to better understand infrared thermography and advocate for their clients by being better equipped to communicate the advantages of infrared thermography as part of the home inspection process.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the basic science behind thermal radiation imaging
- Identify what the benefits are for completing thermal imaging during a home inspection
- Better identify what a thermal image picture is showing
- Understand what the limitations are when thermal imaging is completed
Mold and the Residential Inspection (2 Credits)
The presence of mold can derail the home buying process. Participants of this course will learn common causes of mold and how they can be addressed in order to diminish the impact of mold when buying and selling a property.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define mold and explain its common causes
- Describe health effects of mold
- Provide answers to buyers’ commonly asked questions regarding mold
- Describe the impact of mold on the real estate transaction
Home Inspections and the Realtor (3 Credits)
The home inspection is one of the most crucial parts of the home buying process. Offers are finalized or revoked as a result of a home inspector’s report. A home inspection can be a source of anxiety for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents. However, real estate agents can ease some of their clients’ anxieties by helping them to be better educated and prepared for the home inspection process. A good home inspection should be thorough so that all parties have confidence when completing the home buying process.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Direct their clients to the best inspectors
- Better equip the buyer for the home inspection
- Advise and prepare the seller
- Anticipate frequently asked home inspector questions
Radon Testing and Mitiagtion Best Practices (1 Credit)
Any home, regardless of when it was built, its location, or the materials used to build the home, can expose its residents to radon. Many states require that a home’s radon history be disclosed to potential buyers. As a result, radon testing may play an important role in the real estate transaction process. Real estate agents that are better informed on the potential hazards associated with radon as well as mitigation techniques will be able to better guide their clients through the real estate transaction process.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify risks associated with long-term radon exposure.
- Describe ways that radon can infiltrate a house.
- Explain testing measures that can be used to identify the presence of radon in a home.
- Describe the benefits of radon mitigation systems.
- Guide their clients through the real estate transaction process with particular sensitivity to radon.
Key Areas to Observe When Showing Houses (2 Credits)
It is common for buyers to get to the home inspection and be totally surprised or overwhelmed with some of the concerns the inspector brings up. This can cause significant stress and issues during the resolution period and can cause buyers to terminate a contract. Imagine the benefit to the buyer, as well as added confidence in the Realtor, if some of the issues brought up during the inspection could have been easily seen during the showing process. This course is designed for real estate agents who want to better advocate for clients by being better equipped to identify some key potential concerns while showing a property.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Determine how the age of a property can influence potential concerns
- Identify some key areas within the house that can be costly for potential buyers
- Look beyond the cosmetics of a house to possibly identify bigger issues the potential buyer should consider before making an offer
Primary Structural Concerns (2 Credits)
The overall structure of a home is essentially the backbone that holds everything in place. For many, the structural integrity of a home is often viewed as the most crucial part of the home-buying process. By being able to observe and report on these critical matters during the structural portion of a home inspection, real estate agents are in a unique position to offer expertise and peace of mind to all parties involved in the home-buying process.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Define terms commonly used during the structural portion of the home inspection process.
- Understand common causes of structural damage.
- Understand risks associated with inspecting structural components during a home inspection.
- Define what to consider during structural portion of the home inspection, including attics, basements, crawlspaces, floors, ceilings, windows, and doors.
- Define common concerns related to the inspection of the exterior structure and related components, including property lots, decks, porches and foundations.
- List examples of limitations that should be noted in a report of the structural inspection.
Home Energy and the Real Estate Transaction(2 Credits)
Buying a home is one of the most important decisions in a person’s life. A buyer should have all the information about a home before making the decision to purchase. Information provided by a home energy audit can answer a buyer’s questions regarding the efficiency of the home’s heating system and what can be done to improve a home’s energy efficiency. Real estate agents with a general understanding of home energy efficiency can serve as a better resource for their clients during the home buying process.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify the types of energy systems available in homes.
- Describe types of heating systems.
- Identify common sources of energy inefficiency in homes.
- Create strategies to improve energy efficiency in homes.
How to Improve the Home Inspection Process (2 Credits)
The home inspection is one of the most crucial parts of the home buying process. Offers are finalized or revoked as a result of a home inspector’s report. A home inspection can be a source of anxiety for buyers, sellers, and real estate agents. However, real estate agents can ease some of their clients’ anxieties by helping them to be better educated and prepared for the home inspection process. Many aggravations can be avoided if the real estate agent prepares the buyer and seller before the inspection takes place.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Set expectations for the buyer
- Explain common components of an inspection agreement
- Avoid aggravations by preparing the seller
- Avoid aggravations by preparing the buyer