Real Estate Law for Non-Lawyers

Future dates TBA, Fall 2024
Every Wednesday
6 - 8 p.m. MST

Do you wish you had a better grasp of real estate legal issues? Do you need a better understanding and appreciation of the laws and regulations that govern the U.S. real estate industry? Do you need tools to enhance your relationship with the lawyers who work on behalf of your company? The University of Colorado Real Estate Center, along with the University of Colorado Law School, is offering a new, seven-week, 14-hour online evening course, “Real Estate Law for Non-Lawyers”, that will demystify law for the real estate professional or the student who wishes to become one. Taught by members of the faculty of the University of Colorado Law School and legal professionals in the field who can explain in practical terms the issues facing people who work in or with real estate, from developers and landlords to listing agents and insurers.
 
Those who should attend include students seeking a real estate concentration, real estate professionals already in the field, paralegals who work with lawyers on real estate matters, and anyone considering a career in real estate. 

Module Schedule:

Wednesday, October 25 | 6 - 8:30 p.m. MST | Introduction to U.S. Law
Taught by Gabrielle Marks Stafford

*Please note that this class session will run from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. MST* 

In order to understand many of the legal doctrines to come, it helps to have an overview of the basic principles of the U.S. legal system, from the structure of our courts and adversarial legal system to the roles and responsibilities of local, municipal, state, and federal laws and regulations that play a role in real estate.

Wednesday, November 1 | 6 - 8 p.m. MST | Contract Law

Taught by Rabea Benhalim

This module will cover the fundamentals of contract law most relevant to real estate professionals, including offers, counteroffers, and acceptance; leases; mortgages; contract breaches; and remedies for breaches. Participants will walk away with an understanding of the core issues that can arise in the real estate context relating to contracts.

Wednesday, November 8 | 6 - 8 p.m. MST | Property Law 

Taught by Michael Pappas

This module will cover the fundamentals of property law most relevant to real estate professionals, including property servitudes (easements and covenants), adverse possession, co-ops, and condominiums.

Wednesday, November 15 | 6 - 7 p.m. MST | Insurance Law (Part I of II)
Taught by Nick Budor

(Nearly) everyone has some type of experience with Insurance. But insurance is only one part of a complete risk management strategy. By having a basic risk management framework to work with, real estate professionals can set themselves apart as trusted advisors to their clients. This course is intended to lay the foundation for risk management thinking with real examples focusing on insurance.

Wednesday, November 15 | 7 - 8 p.m. MST | Title and Closings (Part II of II)
Taught by Rabea Benhalim

This module will cover the more technical details of how rights to property can transfer between parties, including the legal documents of a closing (what they and why they’re necessary); the effect and importance of deeds/mortgages; quiet title actions (when they are necessary, what they look like, and why); and more.

Wednesday, November 22: No class due to the Thanksgiving Holiday break

Tuesday*, November 28 | 6 - 8 p.m. MST | Construction law *Note: This class only will be held on Tuesday.
Taught by Henry Bangert

Construction involves almost every major area of the law, from contracting around construction risks, to negligence and insurance coverage, to statutes and regulations, to liens on real property, and to dispute resolution. This class focuses on the legal principles applicable to projects in the built environment and will give you an overview of the ways in which construction law interacts with the principles you have learned in your other classes.

Wednesday, December 6 | 6 - 8 p.m. MST | Real Estate Tax Law
Taught by Sloan Speck

Taxes play a crucial role in structuring real estate deals. This course unpacks tax considerations over the life cycle of real estate investments, from acquisitions to operations to exits. A particular emphasis is given to financing considerations, the 20% pass-through deduction, and transactions involving real estate investment trusts (REITs).

Wednesday, December 13 | 6 - 8 p.m. MST | Negotiations and Mediation
Taught by Jennifer Sullivan

Sometimes, conflicts occur in real estate: a buyer backs out of a contract; a contractor performs a poor job; an insurance company refuses to pay after a disaster destroys a property. This course will help lay out the various options that exist to resolve (or even avoid) these disputes, from the interpersonal and the informal up through mediations and court proceedings.

Key Takeaways from the course:

  • Gain a general understanding of key legal concepts in real estate
  • Understand key legal issues that give a clearer picture of rights of both tenants and landlords
  • Analyze details of a contract or leads with more precision and awareness of key provisions
  • Learn about key U.S. court cases and the implications it has on commercial real estate

Are you ready to register? Sign up now!