Curriculum of License Courses

SALES ASSOCIATE LICENSE COURSE

The Sales Associate License Course is the first step one takes to get their real estate career started.

The course is a 60 hour program with a 3 hour exam. The student needs to complete the program by passing the end of course exam (100 multiple choice question exam) with a 70% passing mark. The student can not miss more than 8 hours of this course. The student must also pass a State Exam.

The State Exam is given by PROMISSOR ASI SYSTEMS locally in many areas of Florida and the USA. Here is a link: Promissor ASI Systems Inc. The student needs to obtain a 75% on the State Exam.

This course covers the basic principles and practices of real estate and Florida license law.  Supplemental study material is included.  Copies of Chapter 475 Florida Statute, Chapter 455 Florida Statute and Rule 61J2.  Also the book Florida Real Estate Principles, Practices & Law by Linda Crawford is included.

The course has 20 topics that it covers. Here are the topics:

• Chapter 1 - The Real Estate Business
• Chapter 2 - License Law and Qualifications for Licensure.
• Chapter 3 - License Law and Administration
• Chapter 4 - Brokerage Relationships and Ethics
• Chapter 5 - Real Estate Brokerage Operations
• Chapter 6 - Complaints, Violations, and Penalties
• Chapter 7 - Federal and State Housing Laws
• Chapter 8 - Property Rights: Estates, Tenancies, and Multiple Ownership Interest
• Chapter 9 - Titles, Deeds, and Ownership Restrictions
• Chapter 10 - Legal Descriptions
• Chapter 11 - Real Estate Contracts
• Chapter 12 - Real Estate Finance
• Chapter 13 - The Mortgage Market
• Chapter 14 - Computations and Title Closing
• Chapter 15 - Estimating Real Property Values
• Chapter 16 - Product Knowledge
• Chapter 17 - Real Estate Investment Analysis and Business Opportunity Brokerage
• Chapter 18 - Taxes Affecting Real Estate
• Chapter 19 - The Real Estate Market
• Chapter 20 - Planning and Zoning

Cooke provides the course to many locations throughout Florida by video conference. This is a live "face to face" presentation, actually not a lot different than in the classroom with the instructor, except you can't shake hands.

Cooke has recorded previous classes and has a live stream on the current on-going class so students can review the course from their home or office.  An excellent method to prepare for the difficult state exam.

If you have decided to take the course, Cooke recommends that make application to the state, so when you finish the course you will be able to take the state exam.  Here is a link to the application process information. 

If you do this first, you will be able to take the State Exam sometime after you complete the course, not weeks or months later. This process takes about six weeks. So start your application process now so you will be able to take the State Exam soon after you complete the course.

TUITION FEE IN-CLASS SALES ASSOCIATE LICENSE COURSE - $295

TUITION FEE ON-LINE OR CD-ROM VERSION LICENSE COURSE - $295

45 HOUR POST LICENSE COURSE FOR SALES ASSOCIATE

This course is required to be taken by all Florida salesperson before their first license renewal on subjects approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission.

This course is intended to provide licensees an opportunity to build on the principles and practices learned in the prelicensing course and to present new, hands-on-training in many important subject areas.

Because many licensees work in residential real estate, the topics covered in this course focus primarily on that part of the real estate industry. However, many of the principles and practices described in this course also apply to the commercial and investment sectors.

The textbook that mirrors the course is Post-Licensing Education for Real Estate Sales Associates by Edward J. O'Donnell.  The On-Line or CD-Rom courses do not include this textbook but student can purchase it on the Cooke Bookstore .  It is item number FL004.

The course is divided into seven sections.

1. Legal Issues in Real Estate Practice - helps the licensee understand the many complex and important laws that regulate the licensee's daily activities. A complete understanding of these laws, from brokerage relationships to fair housing to lead-paint disclosures, helps the licensee provide fair and honest service to consumers and reduce exposure to disciplinary action or civil damages.
2. Professionalism in Real Estate - focuses on the primary blocks of a successful career, such as ways to become more professional through ethics, education, and planning. It also covers the changing world of information resources on the Internet, as well as technology.
3. Valuation and Listing - helps the licensee understand the process of listing real property. Preparing a comparative market analysis is covered in detail because of the importance of helping a seller establish market value for a property. The student will learn how to prepare a seller's net proceeds statement as well as explain important parts of the listing agreement.
4. Selling Real Property - shows the licensee how to work with buyers effectively. From the initial contact with a buyer to analysis of the buyer's needs and the ability to purchase to showing the property, this is a real world discussion of selling real estate. A detailed section on sales and option contracts is included.
5. Financing Real Property - concentrates on a key ingredient to a successful sale financing. The coverage starts with an evaluation of current lending practices and programs, then continues with a step-by-step discussion of how a loan is processed after a contract is written.
6. Closing the Transaction - provides the licensee with a step-by-step guide to getting the contract to closing. Responsibilities of each cooperating salesperson are covered in detail. The section ends with complete coverage of closing statements.
7. Commercial and Residential Investment Property - is an overview of investment in real estate, covering advantages and disadvantages of each property type. The student will have an opportunity to practice financial analysis techniques. The final chapter covers the management of investment property.
   

TUITION FEE FOR 45 HR. IN-CLASS POST LICENSE COURSE- $145

TUITION FEE FOR 45 HR. POST ON-LINE OR CD-ROM VERSION - $115

BROKER 72 HOUR LICENSE COURSE

This course follows the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) Course II syllabus and meets the Florida's requirements for the 72-hour broker prelicense course. The course is designed to build on the knowledge licensees have obtained in education courses taken during their careers as salespersons.

Supplemental study material is included to help you pass the Broker State Exam.  Cooke provides all students with copies of Chapter 475 Florida Statute, Chapter 455 Florida Statute, Rule 61J2 and Florida Real Estate Broker's Guide.

Additional study material can be purchase at the Cooke Bookstore . 

If you have decided to take the course, Cooke recommends that make application to the state, so when you finish the course you will be able to take the state exam.  Here is a link to the application process information. 

If you do this first, you will be able to take the State Exam sometime after you complete the course, not weeks or months later. This process takes about six weeks. So start your application process now so you will be able to take the State Exam soon after you complete the course.

The course is divided into four major sections.

1. "Getting Started in the Real Estate Brokerage Business," focuses on the important laws that regulate a broker's daily activities. Knowledge of these laws helps the licensee provide fair and honest service to consumers and reduces exposure to disciplinary action or civil damages. The material covers requirements of obtaining and maintaining a Florida real estate broker's license, as well as the advantages and the disadvantages of the different business entities that may be registered as brokerage firms. Escrow account management, which is extremely important to brokers, is covered in detail. Another subject important to brokers is office inspection and discipline. A chapter on owning and operating a brokerage firm covers budgeting, accounting, tax requirements, and recruiting and training salespersons.
2. "Valuing Real Property," describes the process appraisers use to estimate a property's value. While brokers usually do not prepare appraisals in the normal course of their business, understanding the valuation process is critical in listing, marketing and selling real property. Licensees who list and sell real property must understand the steps involved in preparing a comparative market analysis, a subject covered in detail. Estimating the value of business also is included in the course.
3. "Listing and Selling Real Property, " begins with a discussion of brokerage relationships with customers and principals. Contract law is described as it relates to a broker's listing and sales agreements. Because financing is the key to nearly every sale, licensees must understand the law as it relates to notes and mortgages, the differents types of loan programs and the qualification process. Every licensee must have a strong grasp of the duties required to close a transaction, as covered in course. While licensees do not actually prepare closing statements, the course describes the process so that broker can ensure that the statements a closing agent prepares are correct.
4. "Specialties," provides an overview of several important subjects. The investment real estate portion of the course details the advantages and disadvantages of different types of income properties and provides you with an opportunity to practice financial analysis techniques. Brokers also must understand the laws regulating land planning and the comprehensive plan, as well as environmental issues affecting real estate transactions. Managing investment property is another important brokerage specialty discussed in the course.

TUITION FOR BROKER 72 HOUR COURSE - $395

BROKER 60 HOUR POST LICENSE COURSE

This 60 Hour required coure is divided into two courses .  A 30 Hour - Essentials of Real Estate Investment Course and a 30 Hour - Real Estate Brokerage - A Managment Guide Course.

Essential of Real Estate Investment:

This course will examine the current real estate market and describe the various opportunities for real estate investors.  Real estate may provide a profitable alternative for an investor's portfolio with much of the income sheltered by deductions for operational costs, interest expense, and depreciation.

This course is divided into two major sections:

• Section A:  Principles of Real Estate Investments
• Section B: Practices of Real Estate Investments

Understanding the principles and practices of is an important part of the real estate business.  This course is excellent for not only the broker but the investor.

Real Estate Brokerage - A Management Guide

This course helps the student to take business management principles for running a business and supervising people and helps the student to understand the science of managment and developing the art of applying those principles in ways that suite the individual circumstances.  But most important it takes those principles and strives to apply them to the operation of a real estate business.

This course is most important for the individual taking part in managment of a brokerage firm, whether it is at the office manager position or the broker, owner position.  This course is essential to running an effective real estate firm.

TUITION FEE FOR 30 HR. POST ON-LINE OR CD-ROM COURSE REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE COURSE - $130

TUITION FEE FOR 30 HR. POST ON-LINE OR CD-ROM COURSE ESSENTIALS OF REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT - $130

REGISTERED TRAINEE APPRAISER LICENSE COURSE

Important Appraisal Information

This course is the first program a candidate needs to take for the Registered Trainee Real Estate Appraiser (ABI) license. This course is a 100 hour (50 minute hour) program.

The student must complete an end of course examination with a grade of 75% or better. To be a Registered Triaiee Appraiser, a student does NOT have to take a State Exam.

The Registered Trainee Appraiser Course (ABI) contains information to help an individual, going into the appraisal field, to become familar with the appraisal process. The course covers such topics as:

1. The Appraisal Profession - a) The Appraiser's Work. b) Licensing and  Certification c) FIRREA d )Other Federal  Regulations e) Professional Societies f) The Modern Appraisal Office
2. Real Estate and its Appraisal - a) Basic Concepts  b) Legal Descriptions of Land  c) Legal Rights and Interests d) Forms of Property Ownership e) Transfer of Title
3. The Real Estate Marketplace - a) The Market for Real Estate b) Basic Value Principles
4. The Appraisal Process - a) Steps in the Appraisal Process b) Beginning the Appraisal Process c) Valuation Approaches d) Relationship of Approaches
5. Building Construction and the Environment a) Planning and Design b) Construction Details
6. Data Collection a) The Data Source List  b) Data Forms c) Data for Sales Comparison Approach
7. Site Valuation a) Separate Site Valuations b) Site Data c) Environmental Concerns d)Methods of Site Valuation
8. The Cost Approach a) Cost Approach Formula b) Reproduction Cost versus Replacement Cost
9. The Cost Approach a) Accrued Depreciation
10. The Sales Comparison Approach a) Gather, Record and Verify the Necessary Data b) Determine Highest and Best Use c) Estimate Land Value e) Estimate Value by Sales Comparison f) Application of Sales Comparison Approach
11. The Income Capitalization Approach a) The Income-Based Approaches to Appraisal Income Capitization and the Principle of Anticipation b) Potential Gross Income c) Effective Gross Income e) Effective Gross Income f) Net Operating Income
12. Direct and Yield Capitalization a) Direct Capitalization Formula b) Capitalization Rate c) Band of Investment method d) Capitalization Techniques Using Residual Income e) Yield Capitalization f) Value of One Dollar g) Annuity Method of Capitalization h) Recapture Rate I) Ellwood Tables
13. Reconciliation and Appraisal Report a) Definition of Reconciliation b) Reconiliation is Not...c) Types of Appraisals d) Types of Appraisal Reports f) Styles of Written Appraisal Reports g) Sample Appraisal Report
14. Appraisal Partial Interests a) Types of Partial Interests b) Appraisal Lease Interests c) Leased Fee and Leasehold Valuations
15. Appraisal Math and Statistics a) Calculators b) Percents c) Interest d) Area and Volume e) Statistics

Cooke Instructors for these courses are highly qualified licensed Appraisal Instructors. They have the ability to instruct in a comprehensive concise manner that makes the course challenging and enjoyable.

Two textbooks are included in the course. The first textbook is: Fundamentals of Real Estate Appraisal 8th Edition by William L. Ventolo and Martha R. Williams.

The application to the state must be completed (SEE: Registered Trainee Appraiser Application ) and mailed to the State of Florida along with a check for $269.00, a fingerprint card (call the school at 1/800/943-9993) and the completion certificate from the school to obtain your license.

TUITION FEE FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSISTANT APPRAISAL ABI - $795

Pre-Certified Residential Appraisal License Course & Post Certification Appraisal License Course

Important Appraisal Information

This course is required to be taken to sit for the Certified Residential Appraisal State Exam.  Appraisers completing this course will also have completed the Post Certification Appraisal Course which is required to be completed by all Trainee Appraisers who have decided not to be certified by November 30, 2006.  ALSO Appraisers completing this course may also apply 20 hours of special credit (in the renewal cycle in which the course is completed) towards the continuing education requirements of Rule 61J1-4.003 (F.A.C.)

The course extends the knowledge of one learning the profession and prepares one to take the State Exam for State Certified Appraisal License

The course covers many topics of the residential appraisal field such as:

1. The Appraisal Profession
2. Real Estate and Its Appraisal
3. The Real Estate Marketplace
4. The Appraisal Process
5. Building, Construction and the Environment
6. Data Collection
7. Site Valuation
8. The Cost Approach - Reproduction/Replacement Cost
9. The Cost Approach - Depreciation
10. The Sales Comparison Approach
11. The Income Capitalization Approach
12. Direct and Yield Capitalization
13. Reconciliation and the Appraisal Report
14. Appraisal Partial Interests
15. Appraisal Math and Statistics

The textbook is included in the tuition fee along with a CD of the text. The textbook is Fundamentals of Real Estate Appraisal,   8th Edition by William L. Ventolo, Jr. and Martha R. Williams.

TUITION FOR PRE-CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL APPRAISAL LICENSE COURSE & POST CERTIFICATION LICENSE COURSE - $395.00

HOME INSPECTION COURSE

The Home Inspection profession is one of the fastest growing real estate related businesses in the United States. According to the American Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI), 12 years ago real estate inspectors inspected approximately 10% of the homes sold. Today, they inspect more than 50% and that percentage is expected to increase another 30% to 40% over the next five years. In fact, there aren't enough home inspectors available to handle this workload, so now is the perfect time to consider a new or parallel career!

A full-time home inspector can make more than $50,000 per year, and just inspecting part-time on weekends can add a substantial amount to your income.

All existing home sales transactions, which involve FHA mortgage insurance, are required to contain the new FHA Home Inspection Notice Form. The new form informs buyers of the importance of home inspections and further explains the difference between an appraisal and a home inspection.

Cooke provides both a 40+ Hour Fundamental of Home Inspection course and a 100+ Hour Principles of Home Inspection.  Both courses have been developed by Carson and Dunlap.

The Course Covers:

• Heating and Ventilation
• Air Conditioning
• Swimming Pools and Spas
• Termites and Wood Destgroying Insects
• Environmental Considerations
• ASHI Standards of Practice/Code of Ethics
• NAHI Standards of Practice/Code of Ethics
• Establishing a Business
• Inspection Report
• Soil and Foundation
• Wood and Construction
• Roofing
• Plumbing
• Electricity

There is currently NO State of Florida license associated with this program. In fact, the State of Florida does not license Home Inspectors. An inspector does NOT have to belong to any society or association to be a competent inspector; however, he or she should be be mechanically inclined and familiar with construction.

TUITION FEE ON-LINE 40+ HOUR FUNDAMENTALS OF HOME INSPECTION COURSE -$650

TUITION FEE ON-LINE 100+ HOUR PRINCIPLES OF HOME INSPECTION COURSE- $950

14 HOUR CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR SALES ASSOCIATES AND BROKERS

The 14 Hour Course for Salesperson and Brokers Tuition is only $19.95 . This is the least inexpensive 14 Hour Course in the State of Florida (that we know of). Cooke does not do a mailing to agents renewing their license, so we pass the saving on to the student.

This course platform comes in two different formats:  Correspondence or On-Line.

This course is for all Florida Real Estate Licensees to renew their real estate license, which needs to be done every two years.

These two methods of license renewals are the easiest methods to renew ones real estate license. PLUS, the course brings the student all of the most current changes in principles and practices of real estate and the most updated new laws effecting the Florida real estate agent.

The textbook for the correspondence course is Florida Continuing Education for Real Estate Professionals 6th Edition by Edward J. O'Donnell.

The On-Line platform is based on the same material as the correspondence course version.

The 14 Hour Course covers the following topic:

• Chapter 1 - Real Estate License Law Update
• Chapter 2 - Escrow Accounts and Disciplinary Action
• Chapter 3 - Other State and Federal Laws Affecting Real Estate
• Chapter 4 - Real Estate Brokerage Relationships
• Chapter 5 - Property Condition and Inspections
• Chapter 6 - Fair Housing and the American with Disabilities Act
• Chapter 7 - Real Estate Finance - Laws and Trends
• Chapter 8 - Contracts and Closing

15 Hour National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice Course

This course is good for both Pre and Post Licensure

Important Appraisal Information

The National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Course, 15-Hour Course (hereafter referred to as the National USPAP Course, 15-Hour) of The Appraisal Foundation is now a required course to be completed before a student can become State Certified.  Appraisers completing this course may apply 15 hours of USPAP credit and use this course to fulfill the USPAP update continuing education requirements (in the renewal cycle in which the course is completed) of Rule 61J1-4.003 (F.A.C). 

Trainee Appraisers, who are not planning on becoming certified by November 2006, can take this 15 Hour National USPAP and it can apply towards the Post License requirement and, of course, the Pre-certification requirement.  

This course focuses on requirements for ethical behavior and competent performance by appraisers that are set forth in the Uniform Standard of Professional Appraisal Practice  (USPAP) .  This course is unique in that it was developed in 1998 and is revised annually for The Appraisal Foundation with assistance from Education Council of Appraisal Foundation Sponsors (ECAFS).

The tuition fee includes a copy of the current Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice , which provides the framework for the course and is referred to throughout the course.

The course material emphasizes the role of the appraiser and the impartiality associated with this role.  The special responsibilities of the appraiser with regard to impartiality are explored in detail. 

This course is designed to aid appraisers in all areas of appraisal practice seeking competency in USPAP, including those subject to state licensing or certification and continuing education requirement imposed by professional organization, client group, or employers.

The Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice have been endorsed and adopted by major appraisal organizations of the United States and Canada.  As required by federal law, USPAP must be used by states in the real estate appraiser certification programs.

This course provides at least 15 hours (50 minute/hour) of instruction in USPAP and allows for a one-hour exam period.

This 15 hour course may also be used as a substitute for the 7 Hour USPAP Update Coursethat is now required continuing education for all appraisers.

The textbook National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Course - Student Manual - 15 Hour Course - 2005 is included in the tuition fee.

TUITION FEE FOR THE 15 HOUR NATIONAL UNIFORM STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL APPRAISAL PRACTICE COURSE - $295