Frederick Community College

LA230-Law for the Real Estate Business

January Term 2011

 

Instructor Information:

 

Name:  Dr. Tracy Parker

Office:   H229

E-mail:  tparker@frederick.edu 

(Email is the preferred method of communication.)

Phone Number:  301-624-2819

Office Hours:  by appointment

Campus Mail Box Number:  290

 

Course Information:

 

Credits:3

Last Day to Drop:  Jan. 11, 2011

Prerequisites: LA100

Co-requisites:

Meeting Day(s): Online

Meeting Time(s):  There are no specific meeting times for this course.  Weekly assignments will be posted on Tuesdays by noon.

 

Course Description:

         

Reviews the essentials of real estate law and the process and procedures for which the paralegal is responsible, including discussion of landlord/tenant matters; easements and covenants; analysis of real estate contracts; types and sources of mortgage documents; settlement statements; closing and coordination of closing.

 

 

Core Learning Outcomes:

 

By the completion of the course students will:

1.    Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of real property

2.    Evaluate the real estate transaction

3.    Analyze land use and regulation

4.    Observe the application of real estate law

5.    Evaluate ethical and professional issue in the area of real estate law

 

Instructional Methods:

 

Group Discussion

Guided Readings

Inquiry Based Activity

 

 

 How is this course organized:

 

LA104-Contracts online is not a self-paced course.  Assignments are posted on Mondays by 5pm.  Each assignment week begins on Monday at 5pm and ends the following Monday at 4:30pm.  You are responsible for checking your class located on the Blackboard site and your email regularly (at least a few times a week).  If you have questions regarding the organization of the course, you are responsible for contacting the instructor. 

 

 

Text(s) for Course:

 

Real Estate Law, 6th or 7th Edition, Siedel and Aalberts

 

 

Evaluation Methods: 

 

Tests / Papers / Projects

Point Value

Final Grade Scale

 

Mid-Term Exam

     100 points

A= 90-100%

Final Exam (Includes: Field Activity and Written Assignment)

     100 points

B= 89-90%

Ethical Conversations on Discussion Board

10 points each

C= 70-79%

 

 

D= 60-69%

 

 

F= 59% or below

 

 

Progress Report:    You will receive some form of written assessment of your progress in the course no later than the first week of the course.

 

Attendance Policy:  

Students are expected to view Assignment Folders in Blackboard as directed.  Announcements and e-mail should be viewed everyday if possible.  All graded course work will be assigned several days before the due date.  Late or missed work will only be considered in cases of serious illness, emergency, religious holidays, or mandatory participation in official College functions.  In order for late or missed work to be considered, the student must provide detailed written notice and verification in a timely fashion, no later than one day after the assignment.  For example, if you have a serious illness, you must submit documentation from your physician.  It is in the instructor’s discretion to credit late or missed work (with or without a grade deduction).  There will be no make-ups for missed discussion boards.

 

 

Student Services

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.





 Participation Policy:

You are required to login as directed and check the weekly assignment folders.  This course requires students’ participation in all learning activities. 

 

All evaluated work is due on the dates specified.  A late assignment will be penalized by 10% of the total possible points for each calendar day the assignment is late.  The instructor will allow a make-up exam if the exam is missed due to a serious illness, emergency, religious holiday, or participation in an official college function.  A make-up exam must be taken within 7 calendar days.  Failure to meet the make-up exam deadline will result in a 0% on the exam.

 

 

 

 

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Class      Date                  Subject                                  Content   

1

Week #1

The Legal System and the Nature of Real Property

 

 

Suggestion:

 

Schedule/Identify Field Activity 

Chapter 1:  Introduction to the Legal System (Read only as background information.  You will not be tested on the material from chapter 1.)

 

Chapter 2:  The Nature of Property; Distinguish Real and Personal Property including sources of law and forms of transfer; Fixtures

 

Chapter 3:  Scope of Real Property; Rights to the Sky; Rights to the Depths; Water Rights

 

Chapter 4:  Rights in Land of Others; Easements; Profits; Licenses

 

Go to the Discussion Board for Ethical Conversations

 

Take Mid-term Exam #1

2

Week #2

The Real Estate Transaction

 

 

 

Suggestion: Participate in Field Activity

Chapter 5:  Types of Ownership; Estates in Land; Concurrent Ownership; Forms of Ownership for Investment Purposes

 

Chapter 6:  The Search for Real Estate; The Real Estate Agent; Listing Agreements; Duties of the Broker; Discrimination in Selling

 

Chapter 7:  The Real Estate Contract; Legal Requirements; Additional Contract Provisions; Contractual Remedies; Avoiding the Contract

 

Chapter 8:  Title and Insurance; Title; Property and Liability Insurance

 

Chapter 9:  Financing the Real Estate Purchase; Federal Regulations; Loan Application; Mortgage Documents; Rights and Duties After Closing; Mortgage Installment Contracts; Statutory Liens

 

Chapter 10:  Closing; Deeds Closing Process

 

Chapter 11:  Landlord and Tenant; Leasehold Estates and Licenses; Lease Contract; Provisions; Remedies; Tort Liability

 

Go to the Discussion Board for Ethical Conversations

 

3

Week #3

Prepare and Submit Written Final Exam

Final Exam #2  (submit written assignment)