Frederick Community College

LA230-Law for the Real Estate Business

January Term 2009

Instructor Information:

Name: Dr. Tracy Parker	Office: B200
E-mail: tparker@frederick.edu	Phone Number: 301-624-2819
Office Hours: by appointment	Campus Mail Box Number: 106

Course Information:

Credits:3	Last Day to Drop: Jan. 13, 2009
Prerequisites: LA100	Co-requisites:
Meeting Day(s): Online	Meeting Time(s):

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:

Lecture

Group Discussion

Demonstration

Practice by Doing

Text(s) for Course:

Real Estate Law, 7^th Edition, Siedel and Aalberts

Evaluation Methods: <The following sample is provided for instructor’s convenience.>

Tests / Papers / Projects	Point Value	Final Grade Scale
Mid-Term Exam	100 points	A= 90-100%
Final Exam (Including Practical Assignment: Court Proceeding Observations or Interview(s) with professional(s) involved with the Real Estate Transaction	100 points	B= 89-90%
Ethical Conversations on Discussion Board	10 points each	C= 70-79%
		D= 60-69%
Professionalism (includes, but is not limited to following directions, course participation, meeting deadlines, and communication (written/oral)	25 points	F= 59% or below

Progress Report: <Instructors: students should receive some form of written assessment of their 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.

Students with Disabilities:

FCC provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified students with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) and amendments. Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations must contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408 (A Building, Room 106A) in order to request and apply for services. The SSD office will require appropriate documentation of a disability. Questions related to accommodations or services can be directed to the SSD office. Additional information related to services can be viewed at the following FCC web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.
If you currently receive services from the SSD office, please submit your Student Success Plan to me and make an appointment with me to discuss your accommodations and needs in class. I will hold any information you share with me in strict confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise.

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Class Date Subject Content

Week #1

The Legal System and the Nature of Real Property

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 and Submit Mid-term Exam #1

Week #2

The Real Estate Transaction

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