GREC REnews, Vol. 6, Issue 1 (Jan. 2010)

January 2010 Volume 6 Issue 1

GREC RENews Monthly Newsletter
of the Georgia Real Estate Commission

Calendar
January 27, 2010 GREC Brokerage Course Dekalb Association
January 28, 2010 GREC Trust Account Class Dekalb Association
February 24, 2010 GREC Brokerage Course Rabun County Board 706-782-7751
February 25, 2010 GREC Trust Account Class Rabun County Board 706-782-7751
April 29-30, 2010 Georgia Instructor Training Workshop GIT Atlanta http://www.grecgit.com/
Click here to see the latest GREC
Disciplinary Sanctions
Georgia Real Estate Commission
Suite 1000 International Tower 229 Peachtree Street NE Atlanta, GA 30303-1605 Phone 404-656-3916

This Issue: Managing Your CE P.1 Repeat Buyers Tax Credit P.2 Focus on Terminology P.2

Managing Your Continuing Education

Continuing Education is an For example, if a licensee completes a

integral part of holding a real estate Broker Prelicense course, those hours

license. It serves several purposes:

meet the 24 hour requirement for that

Meets license law requirements

renewal period. In addition, if a

Provides needed education on licensee takes a course in another

updates in the law

state to meet that state's CE

Provides opportunities to train in new requirements, that course could count specialties, such as commercial real for Georgia credit in most cases.

estate

Although hours earned

Provides opportunities to learn how to handle

Licensees on

over the 24 hour minimum cannot be carried over to

market driven services, inactive status

the next renewal period, a

such as foreclosures and

short sales

should take CE as

large number of licensees obtain well over the

Provides a review of if they were

minimum requirement of



license law, rules and

regulations

actively licensed.

24 hours because they have classes they want to

Provides opportunities for networking and career enrichment

attend.
If a licensee is on inactive status,

Currently every licensee must he/she should continue to take CE

obtain 6 hours of Continuing Education courses as if he/she were actively

credit for each year of licensure and licensed. Otherwise, the licensee

the basic license renewal period is must obtain all the CE hours that

every 4 years. Therefore 24 hours of accumulated during the inactive time

CE is required to maintain and renew a period before the licensee can

license.

activate the license. For example, a

The license law does not currently licensee that stays inactive for 5

require that the licensee take any years would have to have 30 hours of

specific courses or subjects as long as CE credit before being able to

the course and school are both activate his/her license and practice

authorized by the Georgia Real Estate real estate. A real estate license is an

Commission to issue credit.

earned privilege that must be

There are several ways to obtain managed and maintained.

continuing education credits.

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GREC RENews January 2010, Volume 6 Issue 1
The Home Buyer Tax Credit Can Apply to Repeat or Move-Up Home Buyers as Well as
First-time Home Buyers
There is still time to take advantage of the tax credit opportunities in residential real estate. In fact, there is also a credit that extends to existing home owners. Most of the focus has been on new/first-time homebuyers, but a repeat homebuyer can take advantage of a related tax credit as well. Because values are still favorable for buyers, it may be an opportunity for existing homeowners.
"The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has established a tax credit of up to $6,500 for qualified move-up/repeat home buyers (existing home owners) purchasing a principal residence after November 6, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010 (or purchased by June 30, 2010 with a binding sales contract signed by April 30, 2010)."
The definition of a move-up or repeat home buyer is someone who has owned and resided in a home for at least 5 consecutive years of the 8 years prior. Other definitions, frequently asked questions and further information can be found at the following link: http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq2.php .
"The Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has extended the tax credit of up to $8,000 for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence. The tax credit now applies to sales occurring on or after January 1, 2009 and on or before April 30, 2010. However, in cases where a binding sales contract is signed by April 30, 2010, a home purchase completed by June 30, 2010 will qualify."
The licensee should always advise the client or the customer to consult a tax advisor or legal professional concerning tax and legal issues. Every individual's tax situation is unique. However, by suggesting these opportunities and offering possible alternatives, the licensee is educating the buyer and providing valued-added service. These tax credit programs can provide a needed incentive to an existing homeowner as well as first time buyers.
Source this article was quoted from http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/faq1.php.
Focus on Terminology: "Lapsed License"
A license has "lapsed" when the licensee has not met the requirements for renewal: Requirements for renewing a license include:
Paying the required renewal fee Paying any applicable reinstatement fees Successfully completing the required number of education credits
If a license lapses, the licensee cannot practice real estate brokerage until he/she has met all the requirements and renews the license on active status. In order to renew, all continuing education hours must be obtained, even for those years that the license was on inactive status. Rule 520-1.05 (4) details the requirements to reinstate a lapsed license. A licensee can check his/her licensure status from the online services feature of the GREC web site.
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