Contra Costa College
Course Outline
Department &Number
Course Title
Prerequisite
Co-requisite
Challenge Policy
Advisory
Real Estate 161
Legal Aspects of Real Estate
None
None
70% passing score on midterm and final examinations
None
Number of Weeks
Lecture Hours
Lab Hours
Hours By Arrangement
Activity Hours
Units
18
3
3
COURSE/CATALOG DESCRIPTION
This course presents a study of California real estate law, including rights incidental to property ownership and
management, agency contracts and application to real estate transfer, conveyances, probate proceedings, trust
deeds and foreclosure, as well as recent legislation covering real estate transactions. This course applies toward
the educational requirement for the salesperson/agent’s and broker’s examinations. Not repeatable.
COURSE OBJECTIVE
At the completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate and apply basic theory, principles, and concepts of real estate law as it relates to real estate
transactions and real estate brokerage.
2. Develop and demonstrate a knowledge of an extensive real estate law vocabulary
3. Be partially prepared to take the California Salesperson/Agent or Broker’s examination.
COURSE CONTENT: (In detail; attach additional information as needed and include percentage breakdown)
5
25
5
25
30
5
5
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
Nature of real property, constituents and land description,
Interests in real property and forms of ownership.
Capacities to deal with interests in real property, minors, incompetent persons, fiduciaries.
Relations of parties holding interests in land, methods of acquiring and transferring real estate and contracts.
Brokers and salespersons as agents or fiduciaries. Rights to commissions.
Public control of real estate, including zoning, the Subdivision Map Act and the Real Estate Act.
Taxation, State and Federal, capital grains, exchanges.
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
This course will be conducted by use of lecture, demonstration, discussion, computer software and
supplemental materials.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
Textbook Title:
Author:
Publisher:
Edition/Date:
California Real Estate Law
William H. Pivar and Robert J. Bruss
Dearborn Publishing
6th Edition, 2005
COURSE EXPECTATIONS (Use applicable expectations)
Outside of Class Weekly Assignments
Hours per week
Weekly Reading Assignments
3
Weekly Writing Assignments
2
Weekly Math Problems
Lab or Software Application Assignments
Other Performance Assignments
1
STUDENT EVALUATION: (Show percentage breakdown for evaluation instruments)
25%
25%
25%
25%
%
%
%
%
Four chapter quizzes
One midterm examination
Written assignments/homework
Final examination.
GRADING POLICY (Choose LG, CR/NC, or SC)
X
Letter Grade
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
Prepared by:
Course New/Revision Date:
Course Effective Date:
Revised 11/07
Credit / No Credit
70% and above = Credit
Below 70% = No Credit
J. Rusting / B. Williams
05/13/2008
Fall 2008
Student Choice
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
or
70% and above = Credit
Below 70% = No Credit