PA 2205: Real Estate Law

Course Title: Real Estate Law
Course Number: PA 2205
Credits: 3 semester credits
Prerequisites: PA 1102 – Introduction to Law and Contracts (Minimum grade: 2.0 GPA Equivalent) or permission of the Paralegal Professor.
Recommendations: This course requires the knowledge of legal analysis, the ability to do light legal research based on directions provided by the instructor, and the aptitude to learn how to draft pleadings or legal documents.
Catalog Description: Provides the student with a general understanding of real property laws, the common types of real estate, and how to prepare certain routine real estate documents. The topics of mortgage foreclosure, contract for deeds, mechanics liens, title examination, and closings are also covered.
Course Objectives/ Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to:

  • Interpret, use and discuss the terminology and forms used in real estate transactions by paralegals by paralegals.
  • Explain and illustrate the concepts of title and ownership, title opinions and insurance, and how the recording system works which includes liens and financing statements.
  • Interpret and analyze the law of buying and selling real estate, mortgages, foreclosures, and other real estate actions.
  • Differentiate between the types of deeds and how to draft them.
  • Summarize and analyze the landlord/tenant relationships and eviction proceedings.
  • Conduct written legal analysis as it pertains to real estate law.
  • Review, interpret and analyze the basic rules of legal professional responsibility, ethical considerations and client confidentiality as it relates to real estate law.
Topics Covered:
  1. Introduction (1.5 Hours)
  2. Legal Descriptions (1.5 Hours)
  3. Recording Systems (3 Hours)
  4. Estates and Ownership Interests (2.25 Hour)
  5. Multi-Unit Housing (0.25 Hour)
  6. Transfer of Title (1.5 Hours)
  7. Leases (1 hour)
  8. Purchase Agreements (1 hour)
  9. Easements (.75 hour)
  10. Covenants (.25 hour)
  11. Mortgages & Foreclosures and Projects (9.25 Hours)
  12. Contracts for Deed and Cancellation (2 Hours)
  13. Judgments (.1 Hour)
  14. Tax Lien (.1 Hour)
  15. Child Support Lien (.1 Hour)
  16. Medical Assistance Liens
    (.1 Hour)
  17. Real Estate Taxes (.25 Hour)
  18. Special Assessments (.25 Hour)
  19. Mechanics Liens (3 Hours)
  20. Homestead Exemption (.1 Hour)
  21. Title Examination (and Project) (8.0 Hours)
  22. Title Insurance (.1 Hour)
  23. Closings (5.50 Hours)
  24. Ethics (2 hours)
  25. Electronic Document Assembly Training (1.0)
  26. Exam and Projects (3.18)

Total Semester Hours: 48.0 Hours
Course Focus: To provide the student with a basic understanding and general introductory background of real estate law, procedures, practice and legal analysis as it pertains to the paralegal, and drafting the appropriate documents.
Outcomes Measures: The student may take exam(s), and complete hands-on written drafting assignments such as foreclosure, deed, title and closing documents. These above measures may use electronic document software for their preparation where appropriate.

Grading of assignments and exams may be on a numerical basis. The final grade will be a full letter grade (A-F).