SFR course Details: Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales and foreclosures, as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities are not merely good, but critical, skills to have in today’s market. While short sales and foreclosures are not for the faint of heart, agents with the proper tools and training can use these specialty areas to build their business for the long term.

As many agents can attest, your ability to close short sales and foreclosures depends partly on your confidence in seeing these transactions through.

Designed for real estate professionals at all experience levels, the Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR®) course offers information to direct distressed sellers to finance, tax, and legal professionals; qualify sellers for short sales, develop a short-sale package, negotiate with lenders, tap into buyer demand, safeguard your commission, limit risk, and protect buyers.

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

All Pennsylvania real estate licensees – salespersons, associate brokers, and brokers – must renew their licenses every two years. The current renewal period will end on May 31, 2024. In order to renew their licenses, real estate licensees (including brokers and associate brokers) must complete 14 hours of education during the renewal period. This MUST include at least 3 hours of training on the Required Topic: Broker Supervisory Duties, Policies & Risk Management, the remaining elective hours can be any topics approved by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission, with the following exceptions:

• Recent Licensees: Agents taking PA real estate continuing education for the first time must complete 14 hours of mandatory CE, with the General Module (7 hours) being a requisite. Students can choose their additional 7 hours from either the Residential Module or the Commercial Module, culminating in a total of 14 CE hours. It’s important to note this is the educational requirement for renewal the first time completing.
• New or reactivated Pennsylvania Licensees: Licensees who receive their first license within the last six months of the 2022-2024 renewal period (December 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024) are not required to complete continuing education. However, to renew their license, they must submit the renewal application and pay the relevant fees to the Real Estate Commission.

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The two-day SRS® Designation Course provides a comprehensive foundation of skill development, training, and resources to help real estate professionals represent the interests of sellers in today’s marketplace.

Students learn to:

• Increase listings and grow their business;
• Demonstrate and communicate their value package to seller clients;
• Understand and apply the Code of Ethics & Standards of Practice;
• Understand and comply with state license laws when representing sellers; and
• Understand and apply methods, tools, and techniques to provide the support and services that sellers want and need.

SRS® is the premiere seller agency designation to recognize real estate professionals who have completed special education in seller representation. It was created in 2006 by three recipients of the National Association of REALTORS® Distinguished Service Award: Bruce Aydt, Adorna O. Carroll, and Steve Casper.

On January 2, 2014, the designation became a wholly-owned division of the Chicago-based Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers, a not-for-profit affiliate of the NAR®. The council in May 2015 was renamed the Real Estate Business Institute®. The SRS® is recognized by NAR® as an official designation.

Course Information

• This is a two-day, 15-hour course.
• It is categorized as Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission-approved for use in PA Broker Licensing. See the Polley Associates free Pennsylvania Broker Guide for more information.
• It is worth one credit toward earning a Pennsylvania real estate broker license.
• Depending on Commission requirements issued during any renewal cycle, it has the potential to fulfill up to 14 hours of mandatory continuing education for salesperson’s or broker’s license renewal.

Student Material: This course may be accompanied by in-class materials distributed by Polley Associates.

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The overall goals of the ABR® Designation Course are to 1) prepare real estate professionals to thoroughly represent buyer-clients in real estate transactions, and provide the quality of service and degree of fidelity to buyers that sellers have customarily enjoyed; 2) offer ideas and methods for building a buyer-representation business; and 3) develop a self-customized tool for conducting a buyer counseling session.

Students learn to:

• Win the buyer as a client;
• Form a buyer relationship;
• Put buyer representation into action;
• Make offers, counter offers, and engage in negotiations;
• Bring transactions to a successful close; and
• Win repeat business and referrals.

The Real Estate Buyer’s Agents Council® (REBAC®) was founded in 1988, in part to promote exclusive buyer agency. Over several years it redefined its mission to endorse buyer representation in all its legally-recognized forms, altered its direction and strategy, and expanded its sphere of operation. REBAC® membership grew significantly, along with public interest in buyer representation.

That resulted in changes to state real estate regulations, away from sub-agency – especially undisclosed dual agency – and toward direct representation of buyers. NAR® purchased REBAC® in November 1996, and the council has continued to oversee the ABR® Designation course and others.

Course Information

• This is a two-day, 15-hour course.
• It is categorized as Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission-approved for use in PA Broker Licensing. See the Polley Associates free Pennsylvania Broker Guide for more information.
• It is worth one credit toward earning a Pennsylvania real estate broker license.
• Depending on Commission requirements issued during any renewal cycle, it has the potential to fulfill up to 14 hours of mandatory continuing education for salesperson’s or broker’s license renewal.

Student Material: This course may be accompanied by in-class materials distributed by Polley Associates.

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A New Jersey Star-Ledger editorial published Sunday (June 25, 2018) cites continued global warming predictions as a concern for the real estate market along the Jersey shore. “If you have just acquired a 30-year mortgage for a beachfront property in Lavallette, Long Beach, Little Egg Harbor or a few dozen other New Jersey towns,” it wrote, “that house is likely to be underwater by the time you pay it off.”

Its intended meaning was literal, and not just a reference to home value. “Your seaside citadel is likely to be uninhabitable by 2045 because many waterfront communities along New Jersey’s 130 miles of coastline will require that you wade from your driveway to your front door,” the newspaper opinion added.

It quoted a Union of Concerned Scientists’ study which “determined that accelerating sea-level rise – driven primarily by climate change – will put more than 62,000 residential properties in (New Jersey) at risk of chronic flooding over the next 30 years, a collective loss cost of $26.8 billion.”

Only Florida will face more destruction, according to the scientists’ group.

The editorial suggested Americans “respect the science” and take greater interest in United States’ participation in international climate control agreements.

“Adaptation and shore replenishment will always be necessary,” the editorial concluded. “But if we continue to make bad choices – in lifestyle, energy options, and at the ballot box – we cannot be surprised if New Jersey’s treasured coastal real estate market washes away in our time.”

Free video stock footage from Videezy;
production by Polley Associates

The post Will Rising Seas Eat Away At Jersey’s Shore? appeared first on Polley Associates School of Real Estate.

Pennsylvania agents can do business in New Jersey, but they must be dual licensees; in other words, they must have a PA license and a New Jersey real estate license as well. Dual licensees must be supervised by a broker who also holds a license in PA and NJ.

The New Jersey State Real Estate Commission has demonstrated its willingness to issue New Jersey real estate licenses to Pennsylvania residents who want to work on both sides of the river. The Commission has very specific requirements, however, that must be met before licensure is granted. They’re explained on a page in the Polley website’s Learning and Resource Center, here.

To qualify, New Jersey requires Pennsylvania licensees to take a 15-hour broker course approved by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission. (See Item 1 under the “Second Option” heading on the Learning and Resource Center page). Polley Associates regularly offers 15-hour broker courses that can be used for this purpose, available in both classrooms or via Livestream.

There are other requirements, too. And, yes, prospective New Jersey licensees must take a test; there is no reciprocity with Pennsylvania. Read the details on the page.

If you’re a Pennsylvania-licensed broker who wants to obtain a New Jersey broker license, that’s also possible. Those details are found on a separate page, here.

Polley Associates is Pennsylvania’s oldest and largest “approved provider” school for real estate career professionals. It also meets the needs of licensees in New Jersey and partners with the Center for Specialized Real Estate Education to bring designation and certification courses to REALTORS® across the country.

Last updated 2022.06.14

The post Yes, Pennsylvania Licensees Can Obtain A New Jersey Real Estate License. Learn How appeared first on Polley Associates School of Real Estate.

Old-school real estate marketing is lame, so ‘90s, and so ineffective … but there’s an alternative! Gain a working knowledge of social marketing tools and tactics in Polley’s “Real Estate Marketing Reboot” course.

Want to succeed in new and emerging real estate markets? Then you must be where consumers are, and reach them in ways they want and need.

Polley Associates’ course, “Real Estate Marketing Reboot,” was created by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council. During the first part of its day, learners evaluate marketing strategies and analyze buyer profiles

In the remainder, the course helps agents understand and maximize their marketing use of social and interactive media like Facebook, Twitter, Linked-In, texting, blogs, e-mail, and consumer forums. It inspires novel approaches that help you create a “personal brand” for your real estate practice, and encourages you to look everywhere for differentiating marketing opportunities that grab consumers’ attention

Course State Approval: Continuing education for Pennsylvania real estate broker and salesperson license renewal.

This is a one-day, 7-hour, live classroom course. No post-course exam is given (except when used for designation; see below). It is approved by, and meets 7 hours of continuing education requirements set by, the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission. It can be combined with other courses to fulfill all 14 hours of continuing education required by the Commission for a real estate salesperson’s or broker’s biennial license renewal during the 2014-2016 cycle that ends at midnight on May 31, 2016.

Designation Approval: Accredited Buyer Representation

This also is approved by the Real Estate Buyer Agents Council® (REBAC®) division of the National Association of REALTORS® as an elective to accompany its Accredited Buyer Representative® designation course. If used for designation purposes, passing an exam is required.

Price: $95

Student Material: This course may be accompanied by in-class materials distributed by Polley Associates.

Related:

• PA Continuing Education: What’s That Course About?
• PA Continuing Education: Live Course Attendance
• PA Continuing Education: License Renewal And Reactivation
• PA Continuing Education: License Renewal Online
• PA Continuing Education: First-Timer Requirements
• PA Continuing Education: Re-Activate A License In Escrow

Find Courses For:

• Pennsylvania Real Estate Salespersons and Brokers CE
• Pennsylvania Real Estate Salespersons’ First-Timer CE
• CE For Pennsylvania Commercial Real Estate Practitioners

The post Polley Courses: ‘Real Estate Marketing Reboot’ appeared first on Polley Associates School of Real Estate.

At any given time, today’s real estate professionals may be working with four generations of real estate buyers: Millennials, Generation X, the Baby Boomers, and Matures. This one-day course examines the home buying characteristics of these generations and evaluates their expectations (of agents and of the transaction) as well as communication preferences.

As a turnkey resource, participants receive generation-specific marketing tools, networking tips, scripts, and counseling strategies to help formalize agency relationships.

Course State Approval: Continuing education for Pennsylvania real estate broker and salesperson license renewal.

This is a one-day, 7-hour, live classroom course. No post-course exam is given (except when used for designation; see below). It is approved by, and meets 7 hours of continuing education requirements set by, the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission. It can be combined with other courses to fulfill all 14 hours of continuing education required by the Commission for a real estate salesperson’s or broker’s biennial license renewal during the 2014-2016 cycle that ends at midnight on May 31, 2016.

Designation Approval: Accredited Buyer Representation®

This also is approved by the Real Estate Buyer Agents Council® (REBAC®) division of the National Association of REALTORS® as an elective to accompany its Accredited Buyer Representative® designation course. If used for designation purposes, passing an exam is required.

Price: $95

Student Material: This course may be accompanied by in-class materials distributed by Polley Associates.

Related:

• PA Continuing Education: What’s That Course About?
• PA Continuing Education: Live Course Attendance
• PA Continuing Education: License Renewal And Reactivation
• PA Continuing Education: License Renewal Online
• PA Continuing Education: First-Timer Requirements
• PA Continuing Education: Re-Activate A License In Escrow

Find Courses For:

• Pennsylvania Real Estate Salespersons and Brokers CE
• Pennsylvania Real Estate Salespersons’ First-Timer CE
• CE For Pennsylvania Commercial Real Estate Practitioners

The post Polley Courses: ‘Generation Buy’ appeared first on Polley Associates School of Real Estate.

If you or a loved one is a Baby Boomer, the institute offers advice on how to avoid some of the pitfalls that could prevent those in the group from enjoying a happy retirement.

Be Realistic

Fitness is a high priority for boomers, so it’s not surprising that their average life span continues to lengthen. According to the Social Security Administration, the average 65-year-old man today can expect to live until age 84; a woman until age 86.

One of every four 65-year-olds today will live past 90, and one of every 10 will live until at least 95. That means it’s important to have a solid plan for funding your retirement years. If you don’t think you have enough for 20 or 30 years, it may be necessary to step up your savings or consider postponing your Social Security payments so you receive a higher monthly amount later on.

Know What You Need

You will need about 80 percent of your pre-retirement income to cover your expenses in retirement, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. Many people who thought they were on their way to a well-funded retirement saw their investments reduced by the recent recession. The Retirement Pension Planner on the American Institute of CPAs 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy site can help you get a sense of how much you might need, and provide an estimate of when your retirement savings will run out.

Simplify

If you want to have more money for retirement, start changing your spending habits now.

Living within your means can help you stretch your money now and in retirement. A common change in retirement is downsizing from a larger home to a smaller one. You’ll want to talk with a trusted area real estate agent about how to approach that, and ways to maximize your profits from a sale.

Additionally, as you discard or give away things collected over the years, consider how many new things you’ll actually need to purchase during retirement. You may find yourself better able to enjoy what you already have.

Focus On Priorities

Saving for a second home or for a child’s or grandchild’s education are worthwhile goals, but be sure to put your retirement needs first. Remember, it’s always possible to use student loans to pay for college tuition, but there won’t be similar financing available to cover retirement expenses if your savings run out.

Don’t Give Up

If you’re near retirement, it’s not too late to create or enhance your retirement account. Remember, your money can grow tax-deferred in an IRA, 401(k), or annuity, so it’s possible to do some catching up. Many members of the ever-adventurous Baby Boomer generation are also working past the traditional retirement age, so consider your options for continuing with your current job or launching a new career.

Consult A CPA

No matter how close you are to retirement, a CPA can answer your questions and help you create a plan that addresses your short- and long-term needs. To find a CPA in Pennsylvania by location or area of expertise, see the institute’s website here.

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