LEGAL ASPECTS OF CALIFORNIA REAL ESTATE
El Camino College
Real Estate 12a
Spring 2016
Section 3779
MBA 310
Mondays: 6:00 pm – 9:35 pm
Michael Botello
Campus Office: MBA 453
Campus telephone: 310.660-3593 ext. 3778
Law Office telephone: 310.316-6244
Email: mbotello@elcamino.edu
Office Hours: http://www.elcamino.edu/faculty/mbotello/
The main objective of Legal Aspects of California Real Estate is to acquaint the student, who is
interested in real estate, with the facts and issues of California Real Estate Law. The course is
geared to practical aspects and not purely theory. The course touches not only on land ownership
and title problems, but also on the brokerage aspects of real estate transactions. In addition, the
course will examine financing and some tax aspects of real estate areas that have become more
important to consumers.
Mr. Botello is a member of the State Bar of California and a practicing attorney. He holds
degrees from U.C.L.A. and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He is a
professor in the Department of Law and the Department of Real Estate.
TEXTBOOK:
California Real Estate Law Privar and Bruss, Eighth Edition, ISBN: 9781427738233
Dearborn © 2012
WSJ:
Wall Street Journal (print and electronic editions) are available at a reduced price. Students will
be billed. The WSJ provides students with current information regarding law and business. For
those with smart phones there is a smart phone application. Reading the WSJ will assisted
students in their discussions and understanding of current real estate legal questions.
The cost for 15 weeks of the WSJ is $15.00. If you wish the WSJ signup in class.
Grading:
% of total grade
Three Examinations (2 best grades of the 3 examinations)
50%
Homework and other assignments (25%)
25%
Final
25%
No Makeup Examinations Are Given.
Failure to take an in-class examination will be counted as the worst grade of the best of three
examinations.
Legal Aspects of Real Estate Fall 2015
Homework:
Homework assignments will be due at the beginning of the assigned class period. Homework
multiple choice or objective assignments must be answered on a scantron answer sheet - form
882, with your name, date, and the homework assignment number. Answers to essay questions
should be typed and double-spaced. No homework assignments or take home examinations will
be accepted late.
Course Catalog Description:
This course provides instruction on buying, selling, and management of real property.
Students study California property law, community property, liens, sales contracts,
escrow, commissions, transfers, licensing regulations, and public policy.
Course Objectives:
Describe and explain the rights of a landlord and of a tenant.
Define and differentiate between various forms of holding title to real property for
ownership.
Explain and define various types of real estate contracts.
Summarize the steps in a judicial and a non-judicial foreclosure.
Assess government licensee regulations. Assemble and organize the legal rules for real
property law by category (agency, contract, license, ownership, property management,
finance, appraisal, etc.).
Evaluate legal issue considerations for creation and enforcement of security devices,
encumbrances, taxation, land use development and government regulation.
Compare and contrast real estate license laws to ethical standards of practice for real
estate appraisal, salesperson, broker and loan originator professions.
Course Student Learning Objective:
Students completing Real Estate 12a will be able to differentiate the choices for vesting and
holding title in a real estate transaction.
Students are reminded that attendance is required!
Students are responsible for their college enrollment.
A student who does not officially withdraw from the class will be assigned a grade of "F" by the
registrar.
The responsibility to withdraw from the course is that of the student.
Legal Aspects of Real Estate Fall 2015
Students Are Requested To Read The Following Textbook Chapters.
Lectures are based on the assumption that students have an initial understanding of important
terms and concepts. Lectures may not necessarily follow the reading and examination schedule.
Monday
01/18
01/25
02/01
02/08
02/15 Holiday
02/22
02/29
04/18
05/09
Topics:
Introduction to Legal Rights and courts
Origin of Ownership and Real Property
Estates and Property Rights
Land Title and Co-Ownership Issues
8
Community Property & Trusts
2&3
Real Estate Agency and Agent’s Duties
3&5
Agents and the Real Estate Contracts
Exam &
03/07
03/14 Recess
Spring break
03/21
03/28
04/04
04/11
04/25
05/02
Textbook Chapters:
1
1&7
7
8
5&6
Listing and Purchase agreements
6
Standard Forms in Use
Test 2
9 Acquisitions & Transfer of Title
14 & (7)
Escrow & Title Insurance; Recording
10 &
Trust Deeds & Foreclosures; &
11
Involuntary Liens
Test 3 &
15 Landlord- Tenant Law
15,
Landlord- Tenant Law and Taxation
12, 13
Easements & Nuisance & Zoning; Land
Use Issues & Planning
Final Exam
Students Should Schedule A Minimum Of Two Hours For Reading And Assignments For Every
One Hour Of Class.
Legal Aspects of Real Estate Fall 2015
Cheating or Plagiarism
Cheating violates Section I.B.1 of El Camino College’s Board Policy 5138, Standards of Student
Conduct. The full policy may be found on page 27 of the 2009-2010 College Catalog.
Students with disabilities who believe they may need accommodations in this class are
encouraged to contact the Special Resource Center on campus as soon as possible to better ensure
such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. As well please contact me privately
to discuss your specific needs.
Special Resource Center
The mission of the El Camino College Special Resource Center (SRC) is to facilitate
academic success for students with disabilities by providing equal access to educational
opportunities in an integrated campus setting. Students with disabilities are an integral
and vital part of the El Camino College community. The SRC provides support services,
adaptive equipment, computer technology, and specialized instruction to serve students
with verified disabilities. http://www.elcamino.edu/academics/src/
Legal Aspects of Real Estate Fall 2015