Continuing Education Department of Professional Education & Workforce Development

Anyone interested in earning a Texas Real Estate License.

Note: PEWD program participants should be 18 years or older.

No prerequisites required.

NOTICE: Any students who enroll in our Real Estate Certificate Program may be prevented from obtaining a professional real estate license if they possess a criminal history. Potential students may request a criminal history evaluation prior to enrolling in these course modules or applying for a real estate, inspector, or appraiser license by submitting a completed Moral Character Determination Form to the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC).

For more information regarding criminal history eligibility guidelines, please visit the Texas Occupations Code §53.025 and TREC Rule 541.1. Learn more about Texas Real Estate State Requirements for salespersons and brokers.

For more information for the licensing exam and TREC guidelines, please follow the link below.
TREC.texas.gov

Please note that books are NOT included in the cost of the course. Books are sold separately.

Real Estate Principles I & II (Module 1 & 2):
Modern Real Estate Practice in Texas, 18th Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1475463767
ISBN-10: 1475463766

Law of Agency (Module 3):
Texas Real Estate Agency, 9th Edition
ISBN-13: 9781475458145
ISBN-10: 1475458142

Law of Contracts (Module 4):
Texas Law of Contracts, 4th Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1078825092
ISBN-10: 1078825092

Promulgated Contract Forms (Module 5):
Texas Promulgated Forms, 5th Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1078837033
ISBN-10: 1078837031

Real Estate Finance Essentials (Module 6):
Essentials of Real Estate Finance, 16th Edition
ISBN-13: 978-1078832328
ISBN-10: 1078832323

Mr. Rodolfo Ramirez

Rodolfo “Rudy” Ramirez currently serves as the Executive Director for the McAllen Housing Authority (MHA), the public housing agency for the city of McAllen. He is the owner of a thriving real estate business and the managing broker for multiple real estate entities affiliated with Affordable Homes of South Texas, Inc. He is currently a licensed Texas Real Estate Broker and has taught continuing education classes in real estate at South Texas College and The University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley.

Focus: Principles I provides the basic knowledge of real estate laws, practices, and terminology is essential for anyone desiring to enter the field. This course covers all the topics required by the Texas Real Estate License Act to be included in a principles core course, with both national and state-specific content, and it illustrates the real-life applications of the concepts learned. Specifically, this course introduces students to real estate as an industry and as a profession and it examines the nature and characteristics of real estate; distinctions between real and personal property; physical and economic characteristics of real estate; the influence of supply and demand on real estate; the types of housing available and things to consider in the purchase of real estate, including tax benefits and insurance; legal relationships between buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals; a real estate professional’s role in fair housing; provisions of the Texas Real Estate License Act; interests in real estate and how they affect ownership and use; forms of real estate ownership available to individuals and business entities; how land is identified and measured; the forms of legal description used in the United States; liens and how they affect homeowners; legal principles governing contracts; and contracts used in real estate; This course also discusses the types of listing agreements, as well as factors a broker or salesperson must consider when “taking a listing,” allowing them to make decisions that respectful of the needs/wants of clients/customers.

Focus: Like Principles I, Principles II provides the basic knowledge of real estate laws, practices, and terminology that is essential for anyone desiring to enter the field. This course covers all the topics required by the Texas Real Estate License Act to be included in a principles core course, with both national and state-specific content, and it illustrates the real-life applications of the concepts learned. Specifically, this course examines the value and discusses appraisal methods; the principles of mortgage financing; alternative types of financing and payment plans; government involvement in real estate financing; methods of transferring title; conveyance documents; public records; mathematical formulas used in real estate transactions; the licensee’s role in real estate closings; leasehold estates and specific provisions of lease agreements; the responsibilities and laws regarding property management; public and private land-use controls; and a basic introduction to real estate investment. This course also provides an overview of some of the many ways individuals can specialize in specific areas of real estate, allowing them to cater both to their interests and to the needs of their customers.

Focus: Texas Real Estate Agency covers essential relationships, legal, and business relationships that are established during real estate transactions. As required by The Real Estate License Act, this course includes a discussion of the principal-agent relationship, the authority of an agent, the termination of an agent's authority, the fiduciary and other duties of an agent, employment law, deceptive trade practices, listing or buying representation procedures, and the disclosure of agency. More specifically, this course explores the relationship between principals and agents through examples, and all necessary disclosures, duties to the client, and duties and disclosures to third parties. Also covered are seller agency, buyer agency, and intermediary brokerage. It discusses the creation and termination of agency and the means for clarifying agency relationships. It also discusses employment issues within a brokerage as well as the relationship between agency, ethics, and the law. Finally, this course discusses the Deceptive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act and offers a practical guide to implementation and presentation.

Focus: Texas Law of Contracts covers the use and application of basic real estate law and promulgated contracts during real estate transactions. This course includes a discussion of TRELA and basic real estate law, types of contracts, and how those contracts are used in a real estate transaction. More specifically, this course explores interests in real estate, homestead issues, the various addenda and amendments that may be necessary, financing issues, and how title is conveyed.
This course discusses the intricacies of leasing real estate and how to complete a sales contract. It includes a detailed walkthrough of closing, including the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) considerations and title work. Finally, this course discusses common contract mistakes, complete with examples and solutions.

Focus: Texas Promulgated Forms covers selecting the correct form or forms that are appropriate to define the agreement of the parties to a real estate transaction; completing promulgated forms and addenda to accurately set forth the wishes and intents of the parties; business details covered in the contract; how and when to use an amendment or an addendum; identifying notices and their roles; the unauthorized practice of law and how to avoid it; potential legal problems; and parties’ options under the contract.

Focus: Love makes the world go around, but money pays for the ride! Over 70% of all real estate transactions are financed, and the days of “easy” money and loose qualifying standards are gone. What used to be a slam dunk is now often a quagmire of complexity. This course gives you the foundation to understand the true nature and cycle of real estate finance, where the money comes from, and how your clients can access it. Speaking the language of finance can be half the battle. In this course, you will not only learn the terms and instruments of finance, but also understand the basics of real estate finance programs such as FHA, VA, and nonconventional loans and their available options. Explore what role you, the mortgage originator, the appraiser, and other interested parties play in your client’s finance dance through examples and engaging activities. You will learn how your client’s loan is processed, prepared for closing, and successfully closed. In addition, loan default and mortgage foreclosure are discussed.