Fame and fortune may be only your first sale away ... or not.

LOS ANGELES CA – OK, here’s the pitch. You’re a first-time home SELLER; that buying thing has been so-o-o-o done to death already. And you’re located in the eight-county Philadelphia area. And you want to be on television in one of those prime-time reality shows.

Here’s your chance for 15 minutes – no, wait, make that a half-hour – of fame.

HGTV – the Scripps broadcasting network known for hits like “Designers Portfolio” and “Rate My Space” – is preparing to air a new program called “My First Sale,” and says it’s “looking for fun, high-energy people who are just starting the process of selling their first place” in the “Philadelphia metro area.”

“We’ll be there to capture all the trials and tribulations, stress and success of prepping for sale, pricing, negotiating, and ultimately selling a home for the first time,” the program’s creators, High Noon Entertainment, said in a news report carried Monday (Sept. 21, 2009) by Fwix.com.

Ideal candidates, according to High Noon’s Cindy Baggish, will be “motivated, financially candid people who want to share the experience and the purchase details” with HGTV and its audience. Singles, couples and families all are welcome to apply.

Home sellers who participate in the program will receive a DVD copy of the episode in which they appear, as will real estate agents involved in the deal-making. Taping is scheduled to begin this fall and will continue through Spring 2010.

Interested? Request an application from Baggish via e-mail, or call her at 303-712-3093.

Photo from the Calgary Real Estate Blog.com

Can you spot the brokers on this beach in Fort Myers FL?

GREENSBURG PA – Where are you going to live when you retire from real estate? And, even if you’re retired, will you still keep a hand in the business? During the past decade, hundreds of Polley Associates‘ learners have been immediately able to answer both questions.

“I’m going to move south to Florida, the Sunshine State, and leave the Pennsylvania snow behind!,” they reply to the first.

To the second, they add: “Sure, I’ll still practice real estate on occasion. But this time, it’ll be as a Florida broker!”

It’s because they knew the secrets.

They knew that the Florida Real Estate Commission will allow anyone who has held only a real estate sales license in any other state for just two or more years to obtain a broker’s license in Florida. They knew that, with a week’s worth of specialized education, they could qualify to take the Florida broker’s license exam without ever leaving Pennsylvania.

And they knew that Polley makes it possible.

A schedule for the latest edition of Polley Associates’ popular Florida Broker License course, to be held Nov. 16-22 (2009) daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Four Points Sheraton Hotel at Greensburg PA – 33 miles southeast of Pittsburgh – was made available  Thursday (Sept. 24, 2009) on the school’s website. Enrollments are being accepted now. The course costs $525.

Sunset at Fort DeSoto Park.

If you’re a real estate veteran who now intends to kick back a little, this course is a good fit for you. With a broker’s license in hand, you can relax on a Florida beach somewhere and independently do a deal when the mood or opportunity strikes.

If you’re a relative newcomer to real estate, one who’s already tasted some success and is looking to expand the career horizon, this course is a good fit for you too. It allows you to hang a broker’s license on the wall. It actively puts you in a desirable and historically hot market filled with new potential clients and customers. It lets you look ahead, and plan for bigger successes to come.

Yes, the course is intense; it’s seven full days of material. Fortunately, Polley’s instructor is a long-time partner, Dan Taddeo (pronounced “Tad-E-Oh”) of the Daniel Taddeo Real Estate School in Port St. Lucie FL. Taddeo knows the business, knows the market, and knows how to communicate to a class. He regularly earns good reviews from Polley learners.

The Florida Broker Course is NOT recognized by Pennsylvania for broker licensing credit or for continuing education toward license renewal; sorry. Also, getting a Florida broker’s license is accompanied by the to-be-expected paperwork and forms, various regulations, and post-licensing education. Some added work will follow the course.

It should go quickly, though, if you think of it as preparing for retirement.

Fort Myers photo by Euku via WikiMedia Commons
Sunset photo by Christopher Hollis via WikiMedia Commons

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA – Joblessness in Pennsylvania,  according to the latest statistics (as of Aug. 21, 2009) available from the state Department of Labor and Industry,  is running at 8.5 percent. With unemployment and under-employment still high across much of the state, more people are looking at real estate sales as either a new or supplemental career.

In real estate, time really IS money.

One frequently asked question (FAQ) in phone calls to Polley Associates is, “Can I work real estate part-time?” The answer is “yes.” Lots of people work part-time in real estate, and many are successful.

One joy of a real estate career is that it allows you to be your own boss and, to a certain extent, create your own work schedule. That’s how it’s possible to pursue real estate part-time. It can “fit” into almost anyone’s daily itinerary. For employees who previously worked set hours in a specific location, a real estate career sometimes represents unprecedented freedom.

It’s important to remember, though, that success in real estate sales comes only with real effort.

As a Pennsylvania licensee, you will work as an independent contractor affiliated with one broker. What you earn in commissions will depend solely on the business you bring to the brokerage, by helping clients and customers buy and sell real property.

Business doesn’t magically appear. Sales aren’t handed to you. You must find buyers and sellers to work with, and help them close deals. That’s the nature of the job. It takes commitment, it demands patience. With both, it grows over time.

If worked properly, in fact, it grows so well that some newcomer licensees find they can make the leap from real estate part-timer to full-timer more quickly than they ever dreamed.

Are there hurdles to working part-time? The answer also is a qualified “yes.”

One problem: times when you can be available to customers and clients may not coincide when they need or want you. If buyers want you to show them a home Thursday at 3 p.m., and you need to be elsewhere at that time, you’ll have mighty unhappy (and maybe even lost) prospects. Scheduling flexibility usually solves this.

Another problem: some brokers want to affiliate only with full-timers. Why? Because what many brokers offer to newcomers – training, guidance, legal supervision, office space, marketing assistance, and the like – poses a substantial cost to the brokerage. Brokers want to ensure their investment will pay off, and their odds improve when licensees work full-time.

This doesn’t mean you can’t find a broker to affiliate with part-time. It simply means you’ll likely end up interviewing with more brokers until you find one with whom you feel comfortable and who works with part-timers. The good news is, there are still plenty out there.

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA – There’s an old proverb in education that goes: “Those who can’t do, teach.” But the phrase got tossed into the dustbin this week. Its replacement? “Those who can and do, teach at Polley.”

Polley Associates on Thursday (Sept. 10, 2009) announced the revised schedule of a broker-level course that is returning to our Newtown Square PA classrooms after an absence of several years. We’re pleased to report that “Commercial Real Estate Development,” which was last taught by the late Mark Klein in 2002, has been revived, refreshed, and will be offered beginning Nov. 6 (2009) with Charles Swope Jr., CCIM, as instructor.

Swope will be accompanied by those who, like himself, “can and do” commercial real estate.

As did his predecessor, Swope has invited experts in a variety of fields to be guest lecturers during the four-day (Nov. 6, 13, 20, and Dec. 4), 30-hour course. Learners will hear first-hand from, and be able to draw on the expertise of, Swope’s special speakers. There’s plenty of ground they can cover.

The course delves into site selection and criteria, engineering considerations, topography, and environmental issues. It looks at types of commercial development and development plans, compares preparation for small and large projects, and discusses obtaining utility access and gaining approvals from municipal zoning and planning boards.

For those who follow the money, the course covers financing in pre-construction and construction stages, pre-arranging permanent financing, and joint venture financing. It reviews how to select a general contractor, developer actions during construction and post-construction phases, and development maintenance, including warranties and covenants.

Swope has handled all types of commercial transactions during his career. He’s a member of the board of directors of the PA-NJ-DE chapter of the Commercial Investment Real Estate (CCIM) Institute, and is chairman of and broker-of-record for Swope Lees Commercial Real Estate LLC in West Chester PA. He also serves on the West Chester borough Planning Commission.

As with all 30-hour broker-level courses offered by Polley, “Commercial Real Estate Development” performs double-duty for learners. It is a Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission-developed course that provides 2 credits applicable toward broker licensing upon successful completion, and also fulfills all 14 hours of continuing education needed for real estate sales license renewal before May 31, 2010.

Ready to enroll? You can and do, here.

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA – Many of the entries made daily on Polley Associates’ Twitter account link to stories we think our readers and learners will find valuable. Here is our latest Tweet summary:

• Capmark considers selling mortgage servicing biz to Warren Buffet. From GlobeSt.com. http://is.gd/2PX8S
• Realtor Urges Expansion of Tax Credit for First-Time Home Buyers. From KYW-AM News Radio. http://is.gd/2ObFW
• A foreclosure on hold as a couple holds on. From Philadelphia Inquirer. http://is.gd/2ObEa
• Better to Buy or Rent? From the WSJournal. http://is.gd/2NMM3
• Loans That Looked Easy Pose Threats to Recovery. From The NYTimes. http://is.gd/2NMxD

We’d be honored to have you join the people who follow Polley Associates on Twitter.

Related:

• Polley Tweets Through Aug. 28, 2009
• Polley Tweets For June 21-27, 2009
• Polley Tweets For June 14-20, 2009
• Polley Tweets For June 7-13, 2009
• Polley Tweets For May 31-June 6, 2009
• Polley Tweets For May 24-30, 2009
• Polley Tweets For May 17-23, 2009

Image from Icontexto.Blogspot.com

Pencil us into your datebook.

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA – Of the several thousand people who obtained real estate sales licenses in Pennsylvania after Dec. 1, 2007, more than half live and work in the eight-county Greater Philadelphia area. All of them, each and every one, will need special continuing education to renew their licenses before May 31, 2010.

That’s a lot of licensees, and a lot of cumulative classroom hours.

Fortunately, Polley Associates has a lot of classes already scheduled.

The Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission issued new rules during October 2008 for what is known as post-licensing continuing education. It’s requiring persons who received real estate sales licenses after Dec. 1, 2007, to take two special 7-hour courses (14 hours total) to renew their licenses.

The courses are known by the titles “Required Course: General Module” and “Required Course: Residential Module” OR “Required Course: Commercial Module.” With the new courses, the Commission hopes to broaden newcomers’ knowledge of real estate, consumer service, and professional ethics.

Course content strictly adheres to Commission-developed outlines. Importantly, no other continuing or broker-level education satisfies the requirement. In short, if you’re a “new” licensee, you must take the general module – and either the residential or commercial module – to continue do business after next June 1.

Schedules for these classes through May 2010 in Eastern Pennsylvania were revised and expanded Friday (Sept. 4, 2009) on the Polley Associates website. They represent a “first wave,” meaning others could be added later. Currently, required continuing education is scheduled for:

• Sept. 10, 2009, in Newtown Square PA, Residential Module;
• Sept. 24, 2009, in Newtown Square PA, General Module;
• Oct. 1, 2009, in Newtown Square PA, Residential Module;
• Oct. 6, 2009, in Blue Bell PA, General Module;
• Oct. 13, 2009, in Blue Bell PA, Residential Module;
• Oct. 14, 2009, in Lionville PA, General Module;
• Oct. 21, 2009, in Lionville PA, Residential Module;
• Nov. 5, 2009, in Blue Bell PA, General Module;
• Nov. 6, 2009, in Southampton PA, General Module;
• Nov. 11, 2009, in Newtown Square PA, General Module;
• Nov. 12, 2009, in Blue Bell PA, Residential Module;
• Nov. 13, 2009, in Southampton PA, Residential Module;
• Nov. 17, 2009, in Newtown Square PA, Residential Module;
• Feb. 10, 2010, in Southampton PA, General Module;
• Feb. 13, 2010, in Newtown Square PA, General Module;
• Feb. 17, 2010, in Southampton PA, Residential Module;
• Feb. 20, 2010, in Newtown Square PA, Residential Module;
• March 20, 2010, in Blue Bell PA, General Module;
• March 27, 2010, in Blue Bell PA, Residential Module;
• April 10, 2010, in Southampton PA, General Module;
• April 17, 2010, in Southampton PA, Residential Module;
• May 1, 2010, in Lionville PA, General Module; and
• May 8, 2010, in Lionville PA, Residential Module.

Anyone licensed before Dec. 1, 2007, also may take the courses for continuing education credit.

Photo from Clipart.com

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA – For real estate sales persons in Western Pennsylvania who obtained their licenses after Dec. 1, 2007, there’s this important news from Polley Associates:

Your continuing education classes are scheduled.

It’s still not well known among newly licensed salespeople that the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, in October 2008, issued new requirements for what is known as post-licensing continuing education.

The Commission is requiring persons who received real estate sales licenses after Dec. 1, 2007, to take two special 7-hour courses (14 hours total) – with content that strictly adheres to Commission-developed outlines – before May 31, 2010, to renew their licenses.

The courses are known by the titles “Required Course: General Module” and “Required Course: Residential Module” OR “Required Course: Commercial Module.” No other continuing or broker-level education satisfies this requirement for new licensees.

With the new courses, the Commission hopes to broaden newcomers’ knowledge of real estate, consumer service, and professional ethics.

Polley Associates has already received Commission approvals to hold these courses live in classrooms. Schedules for these classes in Western Pennsylvania were posted Wednesday (Sept. 2, 2009) to the Polley website. They’ll be held:

• Oct. 15, 2009, in Greensburg PA, General Module;
• Oct. 22, 2009, in Greensburg PA, Residential Module;
• Jan. 12, 2010, in State College PA, General Module;
• Jan. 13, 2010, in State College PA, Residential Module;
• Feb. 9, 2010, in Cranberry PA, General Module;
• Feb. 10, 2010, in Cranberry PA, Residential Module;
• March 16, 2010, in Greensburg PA, General Module;
• March 17, 2010, in Greensburg PA, Residential Module;
• April 14, 2010, in Altoona PA, General Module;
• April 15, 2010, in Altoona PA, Residential Module;
• May 4, 2010, in Johnstown PA, General Module; and
• May 5, 2010, in Johnstown PA, Residential Module.

Although recently licensed sales persons are required to take this continuing education, anyone licensed before Dec. 1, 2007, also may take the courses for continuing education credit.

Photo from Clipart.com

HARRISBURG PA – Polley Associates was approved Wednesday (Sept. 2, 2009) by the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission to offer the second of only two online real estate pre-broker license courses available in the Commonwealth.

Its title: Commercial Real Estate Brokerage.

Until now, only one broker-level course was approved by the Commission for online delivery. That’s “Valuation of Residential Properties,” and Polley has offered it for several years.

The availability of the second course is cause for celebration on two levels. First, it expands educational choices for broker license candidates overall, and allows them to further enjoy the convenience of being online. Second, it adds to the repertoire of courses with a much-needed specific view toward the commercial side of the real estate business.

“Commercial Real Estate Brokerage” covers several topics, including:

• Principles of Commercial Real Estate,
• Commercial Leases,
• Environmental Regulations,
• the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act (ILSFDA), and
• the Brownfield Economic Redevelopment Initiative.

Commission approval of this 30-hour course means it yields 2 of 16 credits required to obtain a broker’s license. It also covers all 14 hours of continuing education needed for salesperson’s or broker real estate license renewal. Learners taking this or other broker courses consequently get twice the value for the same price.

The price, by the way, is $375. That’s competitive with other pre-broker license courses Polley offers in classroom or online, and actually is less expensive than some highly popular classroom courses of fewer hours and credits offered elsewhere.

During the years that Polley has offered courses online, many learners have described them as engaging and entertaining. Be aware, though, that taking an online course demands a relatively newer computer – nothing older than three years, with at least 1Mb of memory – and, even more importantly, a fast DSL or cable Internet connection with a compatible Web browser.

If you have questions about the new commercial brokerage course, or about taking courses online, send us an e-mail or call us in person at Polley Associates, 800-220-2789 toll-free. We’d be happy to help.

NEWTOWN SQUARE PA – Many of the entries made daily on Polley Associates’ Twitter account link to stories we think our readers and learners will find valuable. Here is our latest Tweet summary:

• Clunker-like, U.S. housing plan saps future demand. From Reuters. http://is.gd/2EoJv
• NYC to Track Its Building Inspectors With GPS. From NY Times. http://is.gd/2E9se
• US new home sales rise faster in July From Reuters. http://is.gd/2zU1q
• No happy homecoming: US Consumer Safety Agency Recalls 5.5M Window Shades. From WSJ. http://is.gd/2zTYi
• Dallas company launches real estate application for smart phones. From Dallas Biz Journal. http://is.gd/2zTVN
• While Debt Mounts, Couple Chases BofA Loan Modification. From ProPublica. http://is.gd/2qeZi
• Judges, Justice Department break from legal jargon to starkly chastise mortgage companies. From ProPublica. http://is.gd/2fhbP
• Drywall manufactured in China, used in US home construction, may be making owners ill. US Product Safety Comm. http://is.gd/2fcVa
• Luxury homebuilder Toll Brothers says preliminary 3Qtr results shows signs the housing market is starting to recover. http://is.gd/2dzd2
• Peco Energy plans to turn its power-distribution system into a smart grid to detect and correct supply problems. http://is.gd/2dz28
• Higher lending costs cut into mortgage applications. From the So. FL Business Journal. http://is.gd/2dyPb

We’d be honored to have you join the people who follow Polley Associates on Twitter.

Related:

• Polley Tweets For June 21-27, 2009
• Polley Tweets For June 14-20, 2009
• Polley Tweets For June 7-13, 2009
• Polley Tweets For May 31-June 6, 2009
• Polley Tweets For May 24-30, 2009
• Polley Tweets For May 17-23, 2009

Image from Icontexto.Blogspot.com

HARRISBURG PA – A change to the Pennsylvania Real Estate Licensing and Registration Act, signed into law last Monday (July 6, 2009) by Gov. Edward Rendell, might prevent heartache for future purchasers who find their dream home deal has fallen through.

Senate Bill 241, written by Bucks County (PA) state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson and passed unanimously by both the House and Senate, alters “the way consumers may receive escrow funds in real estate transactions,” a press release from his office reported.

Current law requires that escrow funds – monies held on deposit while a real estate deal is pending – get tied up if it isn’t completed. Unless the buyer prospects file a lawsuit to retrieve their funds – and even if they do, there’s no guarantee they’ll win – the money remains inaccessible.

When the new law takes effect, on Sept. 6, escrow funds could be released if all parties have earlier agreed in writing.

Escrows have become a much-lamented problem as, given financial difficulties presented by the current economic recession, a number of new home builders filed for bankruptcy. Several purchasers reported they had amounts of $20,000 or more tied up in escrow accounts, and they could neither close on the home they wanted or have their money returned to buy a different one.

“This legislation will provide that escrows may be released if there is a prior agreement and the parties agree to the release of some or all of the monies, or a court orders release of the monies,” Tomlinson said. “This will provide clarity and protections to a process that presently ties up money and fails to give direction on how the money is distributed.”

The change which is not retroactive.

How do you keep up with legislation affecting your real estate practice? Polley Associates‘ Real Estate Law broker course addresses what brokers must know about real estate law and its interpretation. The course is scheduled to start Aug. 17 in State College PA, Sept. 29 in Cranberry Township PA, and Oct. 8 in Newtown Square PA.