
About Course
Course Description:
This comprehensive 63-hour FREC-approved course prepares students for the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate licensing exam and a successful career in real estate. It provides an in-depth understanding of real estate principles, practices, and laws governing property ownership, transfer, financing, and brokerage operations.
Students will explore key topics such as real property rights, agency relationships, contracts, ethics, fair housing, and real estate mathematics. Through interactive lessons, case studies, and exam-style practice questions, participants gain the knowledge and confidence needed to meet state requirements and excel in the real estate profession.
Course Objectives:
– Understand Florida real estate law and licensing requirements.
– Apply professional and ethical standards in real estate transactions.
– Demonstrate proficiency in basic real estate math and calculations.
– Prepare effectively for the Florida Sales Associate licensing exam.
Who Should Enroll:
Anyone seeking to become a licensed real estate sales associate in Florida or learn the foundations of the state’s real estate industry.
Course Content
Course Resources Syllabus, manuals, and any other relevant course resources.
Syllabus
Sales Associate Manual
Application
Acknowledgement
Unit 1: Course Overview: The Real Estate Business In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Describe the various activities of real estate brokerage
- Distinguish among the five major sales specialties
- Identify the role of property managers
- Describe activities that require appraiser services and distinguish among CMA, BPO,
and appraisal
- Understand the mortgage process and the role of mortgage loan originator
- Explain the three phases of development and construction
- Distinguish among the three categories of residential construction
Unit 1: Study Slides
00:00Unit 1: Key Terms
Unit 1: Introduction to and Scope of Real Estate Industry
Unit 1: Introduction Real Estate History: Regulations, and Economy
Unit 1: Introduction to Career Pathways and Professional Organizations
Lesson 1: Real Estate Brokerage Activities
Lesson 2: Five Major Sales Specialties
Lesson 3: Property Manager Roles
Lesson 4: Appraiser Services (CMA, BPO, and appraisal)
Lesson 5: Mortgage Process
Lesson 6: Three Phases of Development and Construction and Government Roles
Lesson 7: Three Categories of Residential Construction
Unit 1 Summary
Additional Readings and Resources
Unit 1 Quiz 1
Unit 1 Quiz 2
Unit 1 Quiz 3
Unit 2: Real Estate License Law And Qualifications For Licensure In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Identify the qualifications for a sales associate's license
- Describe the application requirements for licensure including nonresident application
requirements
- Explain the importance of responding accurately and completely to the background
information questions on the licensure application
- Illustrate the background check procedure conducted by the DBPR
- Describe the education requirement for pre- and post-license education and continuing
education
- Distinguish among the various license categories
- Identify services of real estate where licensure is required
- Recognize actions that constitute unlicensed activity
- Recognize exemptions from real estate licensure
- Distinguish between registration and licensure
- Explain mutual recognition agreements
Unit 2: Study Slides
Unit 2: Key Terms
Unit 2 Introduction: History and Purpose of Real Estate
Lesson 1: Sales Associate License Qualifications
Lesson 2: Licensure Application Requirements
Lesson 3: Background Information Questions
Lesson 4: DBPR Background Check Procedure
Lesson 5: Education Requirements and Continuing Education
Lesson 6: License Categories
Lesson 7: Real Estate Services Requiring Licensure
Lesson 8: Unlicensed Activity and Actions
Lesson 9: Real Estate Licensure Exemptions
Lesson 10: Registration vs Licensure
Lesson 11: Mutual Recognition Agreements
Unit 2 Summary
Additional Readings and Resources
Unit 2 Quiz 1
Unit 3: Real Estate License Law And Commission Rules In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Describe the composition, appointment and member qualifications of the Florida Real
Estate Commission
- Define the powers and duties of the Commission
- Describe the scope and function of the DBPR and the DRE
- Explain the different licensure statuses
- Distinguish between active and inactive license status
- Describe the regulations regarding involuntarily inactive status
- Distinguish between multiple and group licenses
Unit 3: Study Slides
Unit 3: Key Terms
Unit 3: Introduction Organizational Structure
Lesson 1: FREC Composition, Appointment, and Member Qualifications
Lesson 2: Commission Powers and Duties
Lesson 3: DBPR and DRE Scope and Function
Lesson 4: Licensure Statuses
Lesson 5: Active and Inactive License Status
Lesson 6: Involuntarily Inactive Status Regulations
Lesson 7: Multiple and Group Licenses
Unit 3 Summary
Additional Readings and Resources
Unit 3 Quiz
Unit 4: Authorized Relationships, Duties And Disclosure In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Describe which provisions of the Brokerage Relationship Disclosure Act apply only to
residential real estate sales and list types of real estate activities that are exempt from the
disclosure requirements
- Define residential transaction
- Distinguish among nonrepresentation, single agent and transaction broker
- List and describe the duties owed in the various authorized relationships
- Compare and contrast the fiduciary duties owed in a single agent relationship and the
duties owed in a transaction broker relationship
- Describe the disclosure procedures for the various authorized relationships
- Describe the required content and format of the various disclosure forms
- Explain the procedure for transition from a single agent to a transaction broker
- Describe the disclosure requirements for non-residential transactions where the buyer
and seller have assets of $1 million or more
- List the events that will cause an authorized relationship to be terminated
Unit 4: Study Slides
Unit 4: Key Terms
Unit 4: Introduction The Law of Agency
Lesson 1: Brokerage Relationship Disclosure Act and Exemptions
Lesson 2: Residential Transaction
Lesson 3: Non-Representation, Single-Agent, and Transaction Broker
Lesson 4: Authorized Relationships and Duties Owed
Lesson 5: Fiduciary Duties Owed in Single-Agent vs Transaction Broker Relationship
Lesson 6: Disclosure Procedures
Lesson 7: Disclosure Forms Required Content and Format
Lesson 8: Transitioning from Single-Agent to Transaction Broker
Lesson 9: Disclosure Requirements for Assets of $1 mil or more
Lesson 10: Events that Terminate an Authorized Relationship
Unit 4 Summary
Additional Readings and Resources
Unit 4 Quiz 1
Unit 5: Real Estate Brokerage Activities And Procedures In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Identify the requirements for real estate brokerage office(s) and the types of business
entities that may register
- Explain what determines whether a temporary shelter must be registered as a branch
office
- List the requirements related to sign regulation
- List the requirements related to the regulation of advertising by real estate brokers
- Explain the term immediately as it applies to earnest money deposits
- Describe the four settlement procedures available to a broker who has received
conflicting demands or who has a good-faith doubt as to who is entitled to disputed funds
- Describe the obligations placed on a sales associate who changes employers and/or
address
- Describe the regulations regarding lien rights for unpaid sales commission
- Contrast the features and requirements of the various types of business
organizations
Unit 5: Study Slides
Unit 5: Key Terms
Lesson 1: Real Estate Brokerage Office Requirements
Lesson 2: Temporary Shelter Rules
Lesson 3: Sign Regulation Requirements
Lesson 4: Advertising Regulations
Lesson 5: Earnest Money Deposits and Escrow or Trust Accounts
Lesson 6: Four Settlement Procedures for Disputed Funds
Lesson 7: Sales Associates’ Obligations for Changing Employers or Addresses
Lesson 8: Lien Rights for Unpaid Sales Commission
Lesson 9: Business Organization Types: Features and Requirements
Unit 5 Summary
Additional Readings and Resources
Unit 5 Quiz 1
Unit 6: Violations Of License Law, Penalties And Procedures In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Explain the procedures involved in the reporting of violations, the investigation of complaints and the conduct of hearings
- Define the elements of a valid complaint
- Discuss the composition of the probable-cause panel
- Recognize events that would cause a license application to be denied
- Distinguish actions that would cause a license to be subject to suspension or revocation
- Identify individuals who would be eligible and the procedure to seek reimbursement from the Real Estate Recovery Fund
- Identify individuals who are not qualified to make a claim from the Real Estate Recovery Fund
- Describe the monetary limits imposed by law on the Real Estate Recovery Fund
- Distinguish among the various penalties that may be issued by a court of law
Unit 6: Study Slides
Unit 6: Key Terms
Lesson 1: Reporting Violations and the Investigative Process
Lesson 2: Elements of a Valid Complaint
Lesson 3: Probable-cause Panel Composition
Lesson 4: License Application Denials
Lesson 5: License Suspension or Revocation
Lesson 6: Real Estate Recovery Fund Reimbursements
Lesson 7: Real Estate Recovery Fund Disqualifications
Lesson 8: Real Estate Recovery Fund Monetary Limits
Lesson 9: Penalties
Unit 6 Summary
Additional Readings and Resources
Unit 6 Quiz 6
Unit 7: Federal And State Laws Pertaining To Real Estate In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Explain the significance of the Jones vs. Mayer court case
- List the real estate included under the different fair housing acts
- Recognize the groups protected under the 1968 Fair Housing Act
- List the property exempt from the 1968 Fair Housing Act and the protected classes
- List the two protected classed added to the 1988 Fair Housing Amendment
- Describe the types of discriminatory acts that are prohibited under the 1968 Fair Housing Act
- Describe the HUD process for handling a complaint under the 1968 Fair Housing Act
- Describe the objectives and major provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Describe the major provisions of the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
- Describe the major provisions of the Interstate Land Sales Disclosure Act
Unit 7: Study Slides
Unit 7: Key Terms
Lesson 1: Jones vs. Mayer Court Case
Lesson 2: Fair Housing Acts
Lesson 3: 1968 Fair Housing Act Protected Groups
Lesson 4: 1968 Fair Housing Act Property Exemptions
Lesson 5: 1988 Fair Housing Amendment Protected Classes
Lesson 6: 1968 Fair Housing Act Prohibited Discriminatory Acts
Lesson 7: HUD Process for Complaints
Lesson 8: Americans with Disabilities Act
Lesson 9: Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act
Lesson 10: Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act
Unit 7 Summary
Unit 7 Quiz 1
Unit 8: Property Rights: Estates And Tenancies; Condominiums, Cooperatives, Community Development Districts, Homeowner Associations, And Time-Sharing In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Define real property based on the definition in Chapter 475, F.S.
- List and explain the physical components of real property
- Explain the four tests courts use to determine if an item is a fixture
- Distinguish between real and personal property
- Describe the bundle of rights associated with real property ownership
- List the principal types of estates (tenancies) and describe their characteristics
- Describe the features associated with the Florida homestead law
- Distinguish between cooperatives, condominiums and time-shares and describe the four main documents associated with condominiums
Unit 8: Study Slides
Unit 8: Key Terms
Lesson 1: Real Property Definition
Lesson 2: Real Property Physical Components
Lesson 3: Fixture Test Courts
Lesson 4: Real vs. Personal Property
Lesson 5: Real Property Rights
Lesson 6: Types of Estates
Lesson 7: Florida Homestead Law
Lesson 8: Cooperatives, condominiums, and time-shares
Unit 8 Summary
Additional Readings and Resources
Unit 8 Quiz 1
Unit 9: Title, Deeds, and Ownership Restrictions In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Differentiate between voluntary and involuntary alienation
- Explain the various methods of acquiring title to real property and describe the conditions necessary to acquire real property by adverse possession
- Distinguish between actual notice and constructive notice
- Distinguish between an abstract of title and a chain of title
- Explain the different types of title insurance
- Describe the parts of a deed and the requirements of a valid deed
- List and describe the four types of statutory deeds and the legal requirements for deeds
- List and describe the various types of governmental and private restrictions on ownership of real property
- Distinguish among the various types of leases and liens
Unit 9: Study Slides
Unit 9: Key Terms
Unit 9: Introduction to Titles
Lesson 1: Voluntary and Involuntary Alienation
Lesson 2: Title Acquisition and Adverse Possession Acquisition
Lesson 3: Actual Notice and Constructive Notice
Lesson 4: Abstract of Title and Chain of Title
Lesson 5: Title Insurance. Types
Lesson 6: Parts of a Deed and Valid Deed Requirements
Lesson 7: Statutory Deed Types and Legal Requirements
Lesson 8: Ownership Restrictions for Real Property
Lesson 9: Lease and Lien Types
Unit 9 Summary
Additional Readings and Resources
Unit 9 Quiz 1
Unit 10: Legal Descriptions In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Describe the purpose for legal descriptions
- Understand the licensee’s role and responsibilities as it pertains to legal descriptions
- Explain and distinguish among the three types of legal descriptions
- Describe the process of creating a legal description using the metes-and-bounds method
- Locate a township by township line and range
- Locate a particular section within a township
- Understand how to subdivide a section
- Calculate the number of acres in a parcel based on the legal description, and convert to square feet
- Explain the use of assessor's parcel numbers
- Apply the measurements associated with checks, townships and sections
Unit 10: Study Slides
Unit 10: Key Terms
Lesson 1: Legal Descriptions Purpose
Lesson 2: Licensee’s Role and Responsibilities with Legal Descriptions
Lesson 3: Legal Description Types
Lesson 4: Metes and Bounds Method
Lesson 5: Locating Townships
Lesson 6: Locating Township Sections
Lesson 7: Subdividing Sections
Lesson 8: Calculating Parcel Acres
Lesson 9: Assessor’s Parcel Numbers
Lesson 10: Apply Measurements (Checks, Townships, Sections)
Unit 10 Summary
Unit 10 Quiz 1
Unit 11: Real Estate Contracts In this unit, you will learn the following:
- List and describe the essentials of a contract
- Distinguish among formal, parol, bilateral, unilateral, implied, express, executory and executed contracts
- Describe the various ways in which an offer is terminated
- Describe the various methods of terminating a contract
- Explain the remedies for breach of a contract
- Describe the effect of the Statute of Frauds and the Statute of Limitations
- Describe the elements of an option
- Differentiate among the various types of listings
- Explain and describe the various disclosures required in a real estate contract
- Recognize what constitutes fraud
- Recognize what constitutes culpable negligence
Unit 11: Study Slides
Unit 11: Key Terms
Lesson 1: Contract Essentials
Lesson 2: Contract Types
Lesson 3: Offer Termination Methods
Lesson 4: Contract Termination Methods
Lesson 5: Contract Breach Remedies
Lesson 6: Statute of Frauds and the Statute of Limitations
Lesson 7: Elements of an Option
Lesson 8: Listing Agreements
Lesson 9: Required Disclosures
Lesson 10: Fraud
Lesson 11: Culpable Negligence
Unit 11: Summary
Unit 11 Quiz 1
Unit 12: Residential Mortgages In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Distinguish between title theory and lien theory
- Describe the essential elements of the mortgage instrument and the note
- Describe the various features of a mortgage including down payment, loan-to-value ratio, equity, interest, loan servicing, escrow account, PITI, discount points and loan origination fee
- Explain assignment of a mortgage and the purpose of an estoppel certificate
- Explain the foreclosure process and distinguish between judicial and nonjudicial foreclosure
- Describe the mortgagor’s and mortgagee’s rights in a foreclosure
- Calculate loan-to-value ratio
- Explain the use of discount points and calculate approximate yield on a loan
- Distinguish among the various methods of purchasing mortgaged property
Unit 12: Study Slides
Unit 12: Key Terms
Lesson 1: Title Theory and Lien Theory
Lesson 2: Mortgage Instrument and Note
Lesson 3: Mortgage Features
Lesson 4: Mortgage Assignment and Estoppel Certificate
Lesson 5: Foreclosure Process
Lesson 6: Mortgagor’s and Mortgagee Rights
Lesson 7: Loan-to-Value Ratio and Discount Points
Lesson 8: Purchasing Methods
Unit 12: Summary
Unit 12 Quiz 1
Unit 13: Types of Mortgages and Sources of Financing In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Understand the mechanics and components of adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs)
- Describe features of amortized mortgages and use an amortization table
- Distinguish among conventional, FHA, VA, and custom mortgage types
- Calculate loan qualifying ratios and identify loan features
- Explain the roles of primary and secondary mortgage markets
- Recognize and prevent mortgage fraud
- Understand federal lending regulations including ECOA, TILA, RESPA, and TRID
Unit 13: Study Slides
Unit 13: Key Terms
Unit 13: Introduction to Loans
Lesson 1: Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs)
Lesson 2: Amortized mortgages and Amortization table
Lesson 3: Mortgage Types
Lesson 4: Calculating Loan Qualifying Ratios (IP)
Lesson 5: Explain the roles of primary and secondary mortgage markets
Lesson 6: Mortgage Fraud
Lesson 7: Federal Lending Regulations
Unit 13: Summary
Unit 13 Quiz 1
Unit 14: Real Estate Computations and Closing of Transactions In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Compute real estate sales commissions
- Calculate percent of profit or loss
- Understand title closing and settlement procedures
- Perform prorations for taxes, interest, and rent
- Calculate Florida transfer taxes on deeds, mortgages, and notes
- Assign debits and credits correctly on a Closing Disclosure
- Read and evaluate a Closing Disclosure for errors
Unit 14: Study Slides
Lesson 1: Sales Commissions
Lesson 2: Calculate Percent of Profit or Loss
Lesson 3: Title Closing and Settlement Procedures
Lesson 4: Perform Prorations
Lesson 5: Calculate Florida Transfer Taxes
Lesson 6: Closing Disclosure
Unit 14: Summary
Unit 14: Quiz 1
Unit 15: Real Estate Markets and Analysis In this unit, you will learn the following:
- Describe the physical and economic characteristics of real estate.
- Explain the key factors influencing supply and demand.
- Interpret basic market conditions using key market indicators.
- Distinguish between a buyer’s market and a seller’s market.
- Apply real-world knowledge to assess vacancy rates, sales volume, and permit activity.
Unit 15: Study Slides
Lesson 1: Real Estate Physical and Economic Characteristics
Lesson 2: Supply and Demand Influences
Lesson 3: Market Indicators and Market Conditions
Lesson 4: Buyers vs Sellers Market
Lesson 5: Vacancy Rates, Sales Volume, and Permit Activity
Unit 15: Summary
Unit 15: Quiz 1
Unit 16: Real Estate Appraisal In this section, you will learn the following:
- Describe federal and state regulations pertaining to appraising
- Identify the appraisers fiduciary relationship
- Identify the economic and physical characteristics of real estate that affect market value
- Explain what the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) is and how it affects the appraisal process of real property
- Distinguish among the various types of value
- Define market value and describe its underlying assumptions
- Distinguish among value, price and cost
- Describe the four characteristics of value
- Distinguish among the principles of value
- Differentiate among the three approaches to estimating the value of real property
- Estimate value of subject property using Comparable Sales Approach
- Estimate value of subject property using Cost Approach
- Estimate value of subject property using Income Approach
- Reconcile three approaches to establish final value estimate
- Calculate value using gross multiplier analysis
- Explain how to prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), comparing and contrasting with sales comparison approach
Unit 16: Study Slides
Unit 16: Key Terms
Lesson 1: Appraising Federal & State Regulations
Lesson 2: Appraisers Fiduciary Relationship
Lesson 3: Market Value Influences
Lesson 4: Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP)
Lesson 5: Value Types
Lesson 6: Value, Price and Cost
Lesson 7: Four Characteristics of Value
Lesson 8: Principles of Value
Lesson 9: Estimating the Value of Real Property
Lesson 10: Three Approaches to Value – Comparable Sales Approach
Lesson 11: Three Approaches to Value – Cost Approach
Lesson 12: Three Approaches to Value – Income Approach
Lesson 13: Reconciliation – Final Value Estimate
Lesson 14: Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM) and Gross Income Multiplier (GIM)
Lesson 15: Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
Unit 16: Summary
Unit 16 Quiz 1
Unit 17: Real Estate Investments And Business Opportunity Brokerage In this section, you will learn the following:
- Distinguish among the different types of real estate investments
- Identify the advantages and disadvantages of investing in real estate
- Distinguish among the various types of risk
- Explain the importance of investment analysis
- Describe the similarities and differences between real estate brokerage and business brokerage
- Describe the types of expertise required in business brokerage
- Distinguish among the methods of appraising businesses
- Describe the steps in the sale of a business
Unit 17: Study Slides
Unit 17: Key Terms
Lesson 1: Types of Real Estate Investments
Lesson 2: Investing in Real Estate
Lesson 3: Types of Risk
Lesson 4: Investment Analysis
Lesson 5: Brokerage and Business Brokerage
Lesson 6: Business Brokerage Expertise
Lesson 7: Appraising Businesses
Lesson 8: Sale of Business Steps
Unit 17: Summary
Unit 17: Quiz 1
Unit 18: Taxes Affecting Real Estate In this section, you will learn the following:
- Distinguish among immune, exempt and partially exempt property
- Describe the various personal exemptions available to qualified owners of homestead property
- Compute the property tax on a specific parcel, given the current tax rate, assessed value, eligible exemptions and transfer of assessment limitation difference (save our homes portability) if applicable
- List the steps involved in the tax appeal procedure
- Describe the purpose of Florida’s Green Belt Law
- Calculate the cost of a special assessment, given the conditions and amounts involved
- Describe the tax advantages of home ownership
- Explain how to determine taxable income of investment real estate
- Distinguish between installment sales and like-kind exchange
Unit 18: Study Slides
Unit 18: Key Terms
Unit 18: Introduction to Property Taxes
Lesson 1: Immune, Exempt and Partially Exempt Property
Lesson 2: Personal Exemptions for Homestead Properties
Lesson 3: Computing Property Tax
Lesson 4: Tax Appeal Procedure Steps
Lesson 5: Florida’s Green Belt Law
Lesson 6: Calculate Cost of Special Assessment
Lesson 7: Tax Advantages of Home Ownership
Lesson 8: Determine Taxable Income of Investment Properties
Lesson 9: Installment Sales and like-kind Exchange
Unit 18: Summary
Unit 18: Quiz 1
Section 19: Planning, Zoning, and Environmental Hazards In this section, you will learn the following:
- Describe the composition and authority of the local planning agency
- Explain the purpose of land-use controls and the role of zoning ordinances
- Identify the provisions of Florida’s comprehensive plan and the Growth Management Act
- Distinguish among the five general zoning classifications
- Distinguish among zoning ordinances, building codes and health ordinances
- Explain the purpose of a variance, special exception and a nonconforming use
- Calculate the number of lots available for development, given the total number of acres contained in a parcel, the percentage of land reserved for streets and other facilities and the minimum number of square feet per lot
- Describe the characteristics of a planned unit development
- Understand the basic provisions of the national flood insurance program
- Describe the impact Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- Explain the various environmental hazards associated with real estate
Unit 19: Study Slides
Unit 19: Key Terms
Unit 19: Introduction to Planning and Zoning
Lesson 1: Local Planning Agency
Lesson 2: Land-use Controls & Zoning Ordinances
Lesson 3: Florida’s Comprehensive Plan & Growth Management Act
Lesson 4: Five General Zoning Classifications
Lesson 5: Zoning Ordinances, Building Codes and Health Ordinances
Lesson 6: Variance, Special Exception, and a Nonconforming use
Lesson 7: Calculate Available Lots
Lesson 8: Planned Unit Development Characteristics
Lesson 9: National Flood Insurance Program
Lesson 10: Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)
Lesson 11: Real Estate Environmental Hazards
Unit 19: Summary
Unit 19: Quiz 1