2010-2012 MANDATORY COURSE

For Vermont Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons

SUBTITLE:  SITUATIONS WHICH MAY CONSTITUTE UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course has been approved by the Education Subcommittee of the Vermont Real Estate Commission for four (4) clock hours for activating or renewing a real estate license in Vermont.  This course satisfies the Mandatory Course requirement for renewal of Vermont real estate licenses in 2012.  Level of Study: Intermediate, appropriate for Brokers and Salespersons.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• To review basic RESPA provisions and their applicability to real estate agents 
• To identify and review certain situations which may give rise to "unprofessional conduct" within the meaning of applicable disciplinary provisions
• To provide a forum for discussion of proper agent conduct through use of hypothetical examples and other resources

METHODS OF INSTRUCTION

Lectures review and provide a forum for discussion of various selected situations which may give rise to findings of “unprofessional conduct” as defined by Vermont license and professional regulation law.  

Various methods are employed to promote discussion and analysis from participants including use of hypotheticals and class discussion topics in multiple formats (true/false discussions, example analysis, ideas from other resources and practice notes).  

The unusual format of the outline divides the subject matter into ten separate units, each starting with suggestions of conduct which would fall within the category of “unprofessional conduct” followed by over twenty text boxes containing subject matter review mixed with even more text boxes employing the discussion and analysis tools above mentioned. These features combined are designed to promote inquiry, comment, and active discussion from participants.  

This Course is the mandatory course for Vermont real estate agents planning to renew or reactivate a license in 2012.  The course is therefore equally appropriate for the beginner as well as the experienced licensee.  This Course is suited for private offerings to small groups and single firms, as well as larger groups. In the smaller offerings, classroom style instruction will be in roundtable format.  Audio/Visual Aids not used. 

COURSE CONTENT

1st Hour:  Introduction; RESPA and Other Federal Compliance; 

2nd Hour:  Advertising Issues; Material Facts Disclosure; 

3rd Hour: Conflicts of Interest; Registering Your Brokerage Firm; Mandatory Disclosure; 

4th Hour: Sign Laws; Trust Accounts; Record Keeping; Service Agreement Issues; Conclusion.
 

COURSE MATERIALS

Participants receive a comprehensive twenty-six (26) page course outline with additional handout pages including a HUD article More Information about RESPA, a copy of the 2010 version of the Mandatory Disclosure Form, and an Index of Vermont Real Estate Commission Newsletters from September 2006 through May 2010.  The outline also includes web site references.  There is no separate textbook.
 

INSTRUCTOR  

Instructor: Randall F. Mayhew, Vermont Attorney, Adjunct Professor of Law at Vermont Law School, longtime instructor of real estate professionals and law students regarding real estate transactions, practicing attorney dealing with real estate transactions.  

At some locations (generally in the Burlington area) Mr. Mayhew is joined by Liz Merrill for the instruction of this course. See brief biography under About Us.

FEES

General classroom offering: $80. Provider reserves right to cancel classes with fewer than ten persons pre-enrolled. For private offerings the fee is negotiable depending upon number of participants, whether outside participants are allowed, timing, and provision of classroom space.

DATES, TIMES and LOCATIONS OFFERED:

This course will be offered on an ongoing basis throughout the state and, in special instances, in other states.  Dates, times, and locations will be posted on the website when possible and may also be obtained by email or phone request.  Information will also be made available in targeted mailings to licensees.