The Real Estate Finance course provides pre-license students with a foundational understanding of the financial principles and practices that support real estate transactions. This course introduces the basic concepts of money, credit, lending institutions, and mortgage markets, while examining how financing affects buyers, sellers, and real estate professionals. Students will explore the various types of real estate loans, including conventional, FHA, and VA financing, as well as loan underwriting, qualifying borrowers, and the role of government agencies and the secondary mortgage market. Emphasis is placed on understanding interest rates, loan terms, closing costs, and the practical application of financing in residential and commercial transactions. By the conclusion of this course, students will be able to identify key financial instruments, explain the mortgage process from application to closing, and apply financing concepts to assist clients in making informed real estate decisions. This knowledge prepares candidates to meet the Ohio Real Estate Commission's pre-license education requirements and to build a strong foundation for a successful real estate career.

This mandatory, 40-hour pre-licensing course provides the essential legal foundation required for safe, ethical, and professional real estate practice in Ohio. Given the high stakes of property transactions, a thorough understanding of the law is non-negotiable for all licensees. This class explores the primary sources of real estate law at the federal, state, and local levels, focusing heavily on the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Chapter 4735 and the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) which govern license law, ethical conduct, and the regulatory environment under the Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing. A critical portion of the curriculum is dedicated to the legal relationships that define a real estate professional's responsibilities. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of Agency Law, including the creation of agency, the duties owed to clients (fiduciary duties), and the proper disclosure procedures required in Ohio when representing buyers, sellers, or acting as a dual agent. The course also details the legal requirements for creating, executing, and enforcing key real estate documents, such as listing agreements, purchase contracts, deeds, and mortgages, ensuring students know how to protect their clients' interests and avoid common legal pitfalls during a transaction. Crucially, this course provides intensive instruction on Federal and Ohio Civil Rights Laws, including the Fair Housing Act and its protected classes, housing discrimination, and the professional's role in promoting equal opportunity. By successfully completing this 40-hour course, students will fulfill the state's mandatory legal education requirement, prepare to excel on the Ohio licensing exam's state-specific portion, and build the confidence necessary to conduct all future business with the highest standards of legal compliance and professional ethics.