The Business Real Estate Program is designed to provide the student with the comprehensive knowledge needed to enter or invest in the real estate industry. A progressively challenging course curriculum begins with learning the vocabulary terms in both the principles and practices courses. Completing both of these state-mandated courses will help prepare students for real estate salesperson and broker license exams.
Students seeking to progress to a real estate broker’s license can select from an array of robust Real Estate electives at Victor Valley College, include Finance, Law, Appraisal, Economics, Marketing, Office Administration, and Property Management courses. Prospective real estate investors, community members, and those desiring career employment in various real estate professions are welcome to enroll in one or more courses to supplement their career path.
Victor Valley College offers an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Business Real Estate. Also, the two certificate programs provide structured approaches to the coursework. The 9-unit Certificate includes the three courses and electives necessary to take the state’s Real Estate Salesperson’s examination, while the 18-unit Certificate is designed to lead to the complementary A.S. degree. Courses are offered in convenient formats, including an evening schedule for face-to-face classes, online, and remote learning.
Real estate professionals fulfill needed services in the local community and can take advantage of many career benefits. Students may choose sales careers because of the time freedom, flexible schedule, and unlimited earning potential. The real estate industry contributes positively to the U.S. economy and offers many income opportunities for professionals. Besides sales, real estate agents and brokers can also manage or develop a property, working in either the residential or commercial property sectors. Victor Valley courses help prepare students to meet the career demand in the local marketplace.
While land ownership is a tenet of the American Dream, a home fulfills the basic need for shelter, and homeownership can help families build generational wealth. The sale or purchase of a home (or other real property) is often the single largest business transaction for most people. Consequently, they often seek the professional opinions and assistance of real estate salespersons, brokers, and appraisers. These professionals are familiar with the various forms of financing available in any given market. Real estate professionals keep abreast of their county or city planners' actions and become familiar with the zoning laws, tax laws, and real estate contract laws to serve their clients better.
Opportunities abound in the finance, real estate, insurance, rental, and leasing industry, which added the most value to the gross domestic product (GDP) in the U.S economy. (Reference: statista). The Occupational Outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts strong future demand for real estate agents and brokers based on market trends. (Reference: US Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Career Opportunities:
Real Estate Careers that require formal education and/or licensing include: Real Estate salesperson/broker (residential), real estate salesperson/broker (commercial), real estate brokerage owner, the property manager (residential), asset manager/leasing agent (commercial), real estate assistant, transaction coordinator (TC), mortgage lender/loan broker, appraiser, and HOA community manager.
Other real estate professional careers include corporate employee, escrow officer/rep, home inspector, inside sales agent (ISA), investor, mortgage lender (mortgage banker or mortgage broker), natural hazard disclosure rep, property tax assessor (county), settlement agent, title officer/rep, and resident manager.
Real estate related industries include: Attorney (specializing in real estate), marketing / social media, photography / aerial drones, construction / building & repairs, staging / interior design, architecture / building design, urban planning & design and property cleaning/maintenance.
Faculty
Pierce Brown, Regina
Transfer
Not usually a transfer major. Many Business Escrow and Business Real Estate courses transfer as electives or fulfill subject credit requirements. Students in this program often choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. See Business Administration 2.0, AS-T for transfer requirements.
Business Real Estate and Escrow, AS
State Control Number: 10788
Program Code: BRE.AS
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
The Business Real Estate and Escrow major requires 18 units from any of the certificates or from any Business Escrow or Business Real Estate coursework. BESC 138 Cooperative Educaction Business Real Estate and Escrow and BRE 138 Cooperative Education Business Real Estate may be used as elective credit, but may not be used to fulfill major requirements.
To earn this degree, complete the major coursework with “C” grades or better and all of the following graduation requirements: 60 minimum degree-applicable units (including a maximum 4 units of activity); 2.0 minimum overall GPA; 12 degree-applicable units through VVC; Information Competency; Global Citizenship; Kinesiology, and the VVC General Education pattern. Courses may count in one area only, either in the major or in a general education category. Courses counted in one AA/AS major may not be used in another AA/AS major.
Business Real Estate Apprentice Certificate of Career Preparation
State Control Number: N/A
Program Code: BREAPP.CERT
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: No
To participate (sit) for the real estate salesperson’s exam, California Real Estate Law requires that prospective real estate licensees complete college-level courses in Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practices, and one additional elective from the Group II list. This certificate program provides students with courses they need to comply with that law. This certificate, along with the successful completion of the California Real Estate Salesperson’s exam, enables students to obtain employment as a real estate licensee within the state of California.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Complete all of the following with a C or better | ||
| BRE 100 | Real Estate Principles | 3.0 |
| BRE 101 | Real Estate Practices | 3.0 |
| Complete one course from the following: | 3.0 | |
| Legal Aspects of Real Estate I | ||
| Real Estate Appraisal | ||
| Real Estate Finance | ||
| Real Estate Office Administration | ||
| Real Estate Economics | ||
| Real Property Management | ||
| Total Units | 9 | |
Basic Business Real Estate Certificate of Achievement
State Control Number: 04942
Program Code: BBRES.CERT
Approved for Federal Financial Aid: Yes
This certificate program thoroughly prepares the student to become a professional real estate salesperson in the state of California.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| BRE 100 | Real Estate Principles | 3.0 |
| BRE 101 | Real Estate Practices | 3.0 |
| or BADM 103 | Financial Accounting Fundamentals | |
| BRE 110 | Legal Aspects of Real Estate I | 3.0 |
| BRE 120 | Real Estate Appraisal | 3.0 |
| BRE 126 | Real Estate Finance | 3.0 |
| BRE 142 | Real Estate Marketing | 3.0 |
| Total Units | 18 | |
Business Real Estate Courses
This course is designed for students who are cross-training at their current worksite for upward mobility or possible career changes, as well as those looking for entry-level occupational training through work-based learning experiences. Students must have a co-op approved worksite to enroll in this class and establish new learning objectives.
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Introduction to Real Estate Careers is the first course in the real estate series and designed for real estate students new to the program. Topics covered include: 21 different real estate careers (residential, commercial, public), goal setting for success, academic path and expectation, modern job skills required, equity in housing, ethics and legal compliance, résumé preparation, and interview readiness. Students will complete the class with a finished résumé and a personal career goal report. Course is open to anyone considering about a part-time or full-time real estate career in sales, mortgage financing, appraisal, escrow, tax assessor, investment, or corporate real estate. No Acceptable for elective credit by Department of Real Estate (DRE) for salesperson license.
Recommended Preparation: ENGL 101.0
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Not transferable
Introductory course stressing the study of basic information of fundamental subjects in the field of real estate. Topics include legal aspects, property descriptions, encumbrances, financing, escrow, contracts, taxation, subdivisions and zoning, appraisal, landlord/tenant relations, and arithmetic. Required course before testing for the California Department of Real Estate Salesman's license. Elective for the Real Estate Broker's license.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Working practices in listings and sales methods leading to competence. General basic course leading toward professionalism in real estate practice. Advanced topics involve prospecting and listing techniques, real estate agency and disclosure, selling and marketing techniques, advertising, office operations, finance, property management and real estate investment. This course meets the educational requirements and is required by the California Department of Real Estate for both the California Real Estate Salesperson's license and the California Real Estate Broker's license.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
A practical, applied study of California Real Estate law which will help avoid legal difficulties arising from real estate transactions, instruments, zoning and planning. This class is required for the Real Estate Broker's license and meets an elective educational requirement for the California Real Estate Salesperson's license.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course examines narrative appraisal reports, theories of valuation, studies in specific properties, neighborhood data, market research, cost analysis, causes of depreciation and how to treat the misplaced valuation of residential properties. Required course for the Real Estate Brokers license. Meets the educational requirements as an elective for the California Real Estate Salespersons's license.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Special emphasis given to income properties, how to obtain significant data and relate to the subject property, the importance of thorough research, and the introduction of capitalization methods. This class is an elective for California Real Estate Broker's license.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Real Estate Investing is an introductory course for the novice investor. Students will learn four investment phases of a selected property: evaluation/selection; acquisition/financing; stabilization/profitability; and disposition/reinvestment. Students will exercise logic skills to calculate mathematical formulas on financial worksheets such as purchase budget, income statement, and investment return metrics. A comprehensive report will be prepared which includes detailing the phases and correct worksheet calculations. This course is designed for the aspiring real estate investor who has the time available, capital (or resources), and commitment to secure their first transaction, structure their passive income stream, and begin building their wealth portfolio successfully. No Acceptable for elective credit by Department of Real Estate (DRE) for license.
Recommended Preparation: MATH 10 and ENGL 101.0
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course offers a practical, applied study and analysis of money markets, interest rates, and real estate financing with actual case illustrations. Cases explain lending policies, problems, and rules involved in financial commercial and special purpose properties. This course is required for the Real Estate Broker's license and meets educational requirements for the California Real Estate Salesman's license.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
A practical approach to real estate office management. Explores the factors for the successful operation of a real estate brokerage. Emphasizes marketing, office location, office organization, accounting and finance, professional relations and more. Elective for the Real Estate Broker's license.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Cooperative Education is a key element of Victor Valley College's comprehensive approach to career development. Cooperative Education is a 16-, 12-, or 8-week course that enables students to receive college credit for paid or unpaid work opportunities. This course helps students gain valuable on-the-job work experience while providing practical education, best practices in professional development, and academic guidance through the course of their work opportunity. The combination of practical experience and curricular development empowers students to be more competitive, efficient and valuable employees upon completion of this program and/or their academic program trajectory. The course is ideal for students who are cross-training at their current worksite for upward mobility or seeking career changes, as well as those looking for entry-level occupational training through work-based learning experiences such as through an internship. Cooperative Education transforms community businesses, industries, and public agencies into expanded educational training laboratories. Credit is awarded on the basis of learning objectives completed and the number of hours the student trains. Students must create/complete new learning objectives each semester they enroll. Students may utilize their present work sites. More details are available in the Cooperative Education Office, (760) 245-4271, ext. 2281. The office, located in the Academic Commons, is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., 2:00-6:00 p.m., and by appointment.
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
This course offers a study of the economic aspects that impact real estate values and land use. Included is the government's role in the economy, money and credit, community growth patterns, land use controls, and the economic principles of capitalism. This course is required for the Real Estate Broker's license and meets the educational requirements for the California Real Estate Salesperson's license.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Professional approach to the principles and practices of managing income properties. Topics discussed include leases, rent schedules, collections, evictions, budgets, purchasing, market economics, taxation, maintenance, and record keeping. Elective for the Real Estate Broker's license. Meets the educational requirements for the California Real Estate Salesman's license.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
A study of principles and processes involved in professionally marketing real estate. Course content includes: communication and marketing skills as practiced within the real estate industry, real estate advertising, target marketing, development of a marketing plan, product knowledge, people knowledge, qualifying both the buyer and the seller, negotiating and financing skills, and closing the escrow. Development of marketing tools including signs, maps, mail-outs and brochures, referrals, forms and media campaigns will also be covered.
Lecture Hours: 54.0
Transfer: Transfers to CSU only
Program Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are statements of the kind of learning a program hopes a student will achieve. The PLOs describe the knowledge, skills, problem-solving, communication and values that apply to all certificates and/or degrees within that program.
Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:
- Effectively communicate real estate concepts with their peers and with those in the real estate industry.
- Express and demonstrate a breadth of knowledge that deal with the principles of real estate, its laws, financing structures, valuation concepts, and marketing principles.