Continuning Education Programs

Authored and Instructed by Ed Smith

All Courses are approved in New York State for Continuing Education Credits

The Evolution of Green Commercial Buildings
Approval for 7.5 hours of NYS continuing education credit.

This comprehensive course explains how the green movement developed, where it is today and what the future may hold. Topics include:

• Earth issues and their effect on real estate
• Features of green buildings
• Green rating systems: Energy Star, Green Globes and LEED
• The economics, costs and paybacks
• Understanding the new green leases
• Future trends and smart growth

Green Commercial Buildings: Issues, Systems and Solutions
3 hours NYS continuing education credit.

Learn all about Green concepts and construction.

• Why greening buildings is so important
• The Real Estate Professionals role
• Building rating systems, Energy Star, Green Globes and LEED
• Specific issues and solutions
• The economics, Return on Investments

Selling Investment and Commercial Properties: Issues, Money and Laws
7.5 hours of NYS continuing education credit. This course also satisfies the NYS requirement for 3 hours of Fair Housing and /or Discrimination training for license renewals.  

This course explores important considerations in brokering real estate including:

• Building issues such as environmental concerns, fair housing and ADA laws and compliance
• Methods of determining property values
• Financing – mortgages, loan-to-value, debt service ratio
• Cash flows and the impact of taxes
• Sale of property – capital gains taxes, 1031 Exchanges
• Discrimination laws, types of bias, inadvertent discrimination

• American Disability Act (ADA) laws and compliance
• Fair Housing laws
• Discrimination laws
• Types of bias
• Inadvertent discrimination

The below courses are each approved for 7.5 hours NYS continuing education credit.

Introduction to Commercial Real Estate: Tools of the Trade - An introductory level course that teaches how to gather the basic information your customers will want to know about the different types of properties. How to market this information and get paid! The course focuses on:

- Understanding Different Types of Properties
- Information gathering - Listing Checklists are Provided
- Listing Agreements and Commercial Clauses
- Commercial Marketing Practices

Introduction to Commercial & Investment Real Estate: Concepts and Terms - An introductory level course that offers a logical progression to learn Commercial and Investment real estate concepts and terminology through practical examples. Course highlights include:

- Learn the "Jargon" of Commercial Realtors
- Understand Investment Principals
- "User" vs. "Investor" Needs
- Basic Investment Analysis
- Spread Sheet Cash Flow Forecasting
- Learn Investment Formulas

Basic mathematical skills and the ability to use a calculator is required. Students must bring their own calculator to class.

Real Estate Formulas and Calculations - This course is designed to provide an understanding of the various formulas used in real estate brokerage. Learn to use the Hewlett Packer HP10BII Financial Calculator to perform calculations used in residential, commercial and investment real estate. New and experienced agents will learn through practical examples the basic keys, memory functions, and formula adaptations.

- Understand Various Forms of Commission Calculations
- Learn to Determine Market Value of Investment Properties
- Calculate Mortgage Payments
- Learn about Amortization and Balloon Mortgages
- Internal Rate of Return
- Understand Cash Flows and Net Present Value

Students are required to bring a Hewlet Packer HP 10BII calculator to class.

All About Leases - Explore the many different types of commercial property leases and the various issues that they need to cover. In this course you will learn the terminology and key clauses found in most leases and examine the entire leasing process.

- Understand Space Definition from Everyone's Perspective
- Learn all of the Monetary Issues in Lease Negotiations
- Identify the Broker's Key Issues in Leasing
- Explore the "Standard" Lease
- Letters of Intent and Requests for Proposal
- Understand the Steps From Listing to Lease Signing

Ed Smith is a Certified Instructor for the following course 

NAR GREEN Designation
Commercial Elective Course - Gain a comprehensive understanding of commercial green building principles, products and practices. This coures will cover: motivation and trends in sustainable commercial property; the brokers role; certifications; LEED; and advanced practices and systems. This course is approved for 6 hours of CE credit in NYS

This is part of the Realtors Green Designation program, to obtain the designation a two day Green Core Course must also be taken. You may take the elective first.

Distance Learning

Two of Ed's textbooks (see below) have been modified for distance learning and are available in Online and CD - Rom versions. They are approved in New York for 3 3/4 hours of Continuing Education credits.

Commercial Real Estate: Listing Properties

Commercial Real Estate: Understanding Investments

Ed Smith may be contacted at: CRETeach@comcast.net