Real Estate

The IVC Real Estate program includes courses in business, real estate, and finance. Students learn the principles, techniques, and problem related to the transfer of real property, personal property, businesses, and franchises. Methods of appraising and financing these properties are discussed in depth.

Courses are offered primarily during evening and weekend hours to allow individuals with family and employment commitments the opportunity to study for a new or re-entry career.

  Real Estate Certificate Course Guide

  Real Estate Certificate Program Guide

COURSE GUIDE
Real Estate (RE) Certificate
Real Estate

Real Estate Certificate of Achievement

Requirements: Certificates of Achievement are granted for the completion of a specified program, or specified courses, whose total requirement is 18 units or more.  These state-approved certificates acknowledge workplace competencies and job readiness. The courses that comprise the Real Estate Certificate of Achievement program are the same as those that comprise the major requirements for the Real Estate Associate in Science degree.

Students must complete all courses in the certificate program with a grade of “A,” “B,” “C,” “CR,” or “P.”  A minimum of 12 units in the certificate program must be completed at Irvine Valley College.

Waiver of Certificate Requirements:  Students with previous educational or vocational experience who wish to waive a required course in a certificate program will be expected to verify equivalency by examination.  Petitions for course waivers or substitutions are available in the Counseling Center.

Application for Evaluation:  Certificates are not awarded automatically.  Students who expect to earn a certificate from the college must file an application for evaluation with the Office of Admission and Records.  Responsibility for filing this application rests with the student, and transcripts for all college work attempted must be on file for the application to be considered.  Filing deadlines for each semester are posted in the IVC catalog and class schedule.

PROGRAM GUIDE
Real Estate (RE) Certificate
Real Estate – 24-25 units

Description: The IVC Real Estate Certificate of Achievement program includes courses in business, real estate and finance.  Students learn the principles, techniques and problems related to the transfer of real property, personal property, businesses and franchises, including appraising and financing.  Students who complete the core curriculum are equipped with not only immediately marketable skills but also the coursework necessary to sit for the California Real Estate Broker’s Examination.  They also earn transferable lower-division credit that may be applied toward a baccalaureate degree in business-related areas.  Courses are offered primarily in the evening and on weekends so that those with family and work commitments have an opportunity to prepare for a new career or reenter the job market. 

Prerequisites/Preparation: Be 18 years of age and honest and truthful (no felony conviction) to apply for the real estate salesperson’s and broker’s license.

Preparation for Career Related Exams/Certification: As of October 1, 2007, there is no longer a conditional license.  Therefore, students must take Real Estate Principles (RE 170), Real Estate Practice (RE 172), and one other certificate approved course prior to taking the real estate salesperson’s license exam. 

To sit for the broker’s license exam, students must take the 8 courses required for the certificate and have previous experience.  This includes two years of full-time work (104 40-hour weeks) as a salesperson or any equivalent amount of part-time salesperson’s work.  Such experience must have been completed within the five years immediately preceding the date of application.  If the individual has a four-year college degree, he/she is exempt from the two-year requirement.  If the individual has a two-year degree (associate degree), he/she needs only one year of experience.

Affiliation With Professional/Community Organizations: The real estate certificate program at IVC satisfies the course content required by the National Association of Realtors for real estate salesperson licensing and broker licensing.

Associate of Science Degree: A student may earn an A.S. degree in Real Estate from IVC if, in addition to certificate requirements; he/she also meets general education requirements posted in the IVC catalog, class schedule, or www.ivc.edu.  See a counselor for more information.

*Four Year Institutions Offering Degrees/Programs in This Field:

• California State Polytechnic University, Pomona – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance/Real Estate & Law Concentration
• California State University, Fresno – Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Real Estate and Urban Land Economics option
• California State University, Fullerton, Extension - Certificates in Community Management and Real Estate Appraisal

*See counselor or transfer center for specific transfer requirements

Scholarships/Financial Aid: Maximum scholarships of $400 per semester, not to exceed $800 per year are available to full and part-time students in the real estate program through the California Community Colleges Real Estate Endowment Fund.  Awards may be given to part-time and full-time students who have completed at least one college-level real estate course with a grade of C (2.0) or better prior to applying for the scholarship. The campus Financial Aid Director is responsible for determining student eligibility for the scholarships and will initiate funding of the award upon the submission of the Real Estate Scholarship Application by the student.  Students may contact the IVC Financial Aid office for more information and additional opportunities.

Work Experience/Internships: Larger real estate companies do recruit students from the IVC real estate program either through the department or through our Job Placement office.  In addition, a student may take the real estate salesperson’s exam, become licensed, and immediately apply for employment.  Some larger companies have excellent training programs for entry-level real estate salespersons.

Career Options:

• Real Estate Salesperson/Sales Agent
• Real Estate Broker
• Property, Real Estate, or Community Association Manager

Job Description: Real estate agents usually are independent sales workers who provide their services to a licensed real estate broker on a contract basis.  In return, the broker pays the agent a portion of the commission earned from the agent’s sale of the property.  Brokers are independent business people who sell real estate owned by others; they also may rent and manage properties for a fee.  There is more to an agent’s or broker’s job than making sales. They must have properties to sell.  Consequently, they spend a significant amount of time obtaining listings – owner agreements to place properties for sale with the firm.  Agents and brokers often work more than a standard 40-hour week.  They often work evenings and weekends, and are always on call to suit the needs of the client.  Although the hours are long and often irregular, most agents and brokers also have the freedom to determine their own schedule.  Consequently, they can arrange their work so they can have time off when they want it.

Property and real estate managers oversee the performance of income-producing commercial or residential properties and ensure that real estate investments achieve their expected revenues. Community association managers manage the common property and services of condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities through their homeowner or community associations.

Employment Opportunities:The field of real estate is ideal for men and women who need a flexible schedule due to family, school, or part-time employment obligations.  However, it is not recommended for those employed full time in another field.  Also, if you are available to work full time as a real estate agent, you will be more attractive to potential employers.  Some of the larger real estate companies in Orange County who hire IVC students include Prudential, Century 21, Tarbell, and First Team. 

Occupational Outlook for Orange County, CA:Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents is expected to grow 11 percent during the 2006-16 projection decade—about as fast as the average for all occupations.  Locally, broker positions will grow by 8%.  Employment of real estate brokers and sales agents often is sensitive to swings in the economy, especially interest rates.  While opportunities will change with time, those who remain in real estate for the long term will be most likely to succeed.

Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers will see a 15% increase in employment.  Particularly good opportunities are expected for those with experience managing housing for older people or with experience running a health unit. (Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/oco )

Salary Range/Median for Orange County, CA:
In real estate sales, wages are earned solely through commission.  The saying “20% of the people make 80% of the money” applies here as it is a very competitive field. 

(Source:  California Occupational Guides, www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/occguides )

Job Related Skills Emphasized in Coursework:The curriculum is designed to help students understand concepts which will enable them to pass the Real Estate Salesperson’s and Broker’s exams.  The courses focus on day-to-day operations, laws and principles, financing, appraisal, economics, property management, and escrow.

Personal Traits Desired for This Field: 

• Dedication
• Patience
• Aggressive
• Professional telephone and in-person sales demeanor
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Good at preparing and arranging contracts
• Enjoy working independently
• Honest and truthful
• Self-disciplined
• Perseverance
• Willing to take rejection

Professional Organizations/Websites/Publications in Field:
California Association of Realtors:  www.car.org
Department of Real Estate:  www.dre.ca.gov 
National Association of Realtors:  www.realtor.com       
Orange County Association of Realtors:  www.ocar.org
California Community Colleges Real Estate Endowment Fund:
www.ccsf.edu/Resources/Real_Estate_Education_Center/

IVC Contacts:

Real Estate Certificate - Program Questions:

Professor Frank Pangborn
Business Sciences                             
949/451-5288                                                 
fpangborn@ivc.edu                                       

Certificates - General Questions:

 
Heather Whitecotton
Sr. Admin. Assistant
Career Technical Education & Workforce Development
949/282-2724
hwhitecotton@ivc.edu

Kate Alder
CTE Grant Projects Director & IVC Contact for WIB/One-Stop Centers
Career Technical Education & Workforce Development
949/451-5603
kalder@ivc.edu

This IVC Technical Education Program Guide was made possible by funds from the Carl D. Perkins Career Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006, awarded to Irvine Valley College by the Chancellor’s Office, California Community Colleges.

Updated 7/17/09 CTE&WD-mhm
10/13/09 CTE&WD-smk

For more information, see the Real Estate web page (School of Business Sciences).