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Real Estate Transactions and Property

PLST-222

CG Section 8WK 01/03/2020 to 06/11/2020 Modified 12/12/2022  Course Description

This course is a study of the fundamental precepts applicable to real property. The following aspects, among others, will be covered: biblical principles of ownership and stewardship, acquisition and discovery, landlord/tenant law and real estate transactions. Working through the mock due diligence, purchase, financing, closing, development and leasing necessary for legal representation will be taught.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

Real estate transactions and property law form an important part of the work of many paralegal professionals. Even for those who do not primarily practice in the area of real property, an understanding of real estate law is essential due to the importance of property rights in the American legal system. This course is designed to provide that basic overview of real property law and transactions.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Describe the estates in real property.

B. Explain the process related to and documents required for the transfer of interests and rights in real property including deeds,

mortgages, real estate contracts, listing agreements, leases, closing statements, liens, and other real estate documents.

C. Evaluate public and private restrictions on the use of real property.

D. Collect documents related to the examination of title of a parcel of real property.

E. Analyze all of the preceding in light of a distinctly evangelical Christian worldview.

 Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty).

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-

computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)

D. Microsoft Word

E. Bluebook Writing Guide: https://www.liberty.edu/casas/academic-success-center/bluebook-resources/

  (https\://www\.liberty.edu/casas/academic-success-center/bluebook-resources/)

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 Course Assignments

Textbook readings, blog readings, and presentations Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations (https://www.liberty.edu/index.cfm?PID=18202&printpage=y), the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Real Estate and Concurrent Ownership Writing Assignment

The student will write a paper of at least 500 words integrating biblical perspectives as they relate to the legal system. The student will support his or her writing with at least 2 references. This paper must be completed in Bluebook format.

Discussions (2)

Two Discussions will be posted in order to generate interaction among students in regard to relevant current course topics. The student is required to post one thread of at least 250 words. The student must then post two replies of at least 150 words. For each thread, the student should support his or her assertions with at least three citations, in Bluebook format. Each reply should cite at least one source, also in Bluebook format. Acceptable sources include your textbook, the Bible, and one more scholarly, academic source– for the purposes of this class, posts to the blogs www.rodneychrisman.com (http://www.rodneychrisman.com) and www.humanevents.com (http://www.humanevents.com) will be considered scholarly, academic sources in order to integrate a proper Christian worldview.

Real Estate Title Project Assignments (3)

This substantial and practical project that will be completed in three parts throughout the course. This project is designed to get the student into a local real property records office and allow the student to become familiar with most of the steps involved in a title search. This includes locating documents such as deeds, mortgages, and restrictions, and it also includes answering questions about these documents and preparing a chain of title. Each of the three parts of this project will be due by the end of the module in which it is assigned.

Deed Information Assignment

The student will locate a recently filed deed at a local government office where property records are maintained and answer a series of questions in a word document.

Restrictions Assignment

Using the deed located in the Deed Information Assignment, the student will list any restrictive covenants and answer the prompt

given in the instructions.

Chain of Title Assignment

Using the deed located in the Deed Information Assignment, the student will make copies of all relevant documentation and

answer the prompt given in the instructions.

Quizzes (6)

The student will complete six quizzes in this course. All quizzes are open-book, open-notes; however, be advised that there is a time limit of 60 minutes. The student may not receive help from another person while taking the exam. Each quiz is due by the end of the module in which it is assigned.

 Course Grading

     Course Requirements Checklist

10

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Real Estate and Concurrent Ownership Writing Assignment 50

Discussions (2 at 150 pts ea)

Real Estate Title Project Assignments:

300

75

Real Estate Title Project: Deed Information Assignment

Real Estate Title Project: Restrictions Assignment 50

125

Quizzes (5 at 65 pts ea) 325

Real Estate Title Project: Chain of Title Assignment

Quiz: Forms, Condos, and Leases

75

Total 1010

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive up to a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive up to a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted outside of special

circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by

the instructor.

4. Group projects, including group discussion threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due date

outside of special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, significant personal health issues), which will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the instructor.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

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the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/course-catalogs/). Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non- Attendance (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale

ABCDF

900-1010 800-899 700-799 600-699 0-599

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory

(https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

 Schedule

                                    When Topic Notes

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 When Topic

Notes

   Course Overview Student Acknowledgements Course Requirements Checklist

  Technology Integration Set-Up

Prepare: Cengage MindTap

    Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Read: 6 items Watch: 2 items Interact: 2 items

 Apply

Real Estate and Concurrent Ownership Writing Assignment Quiz: Introductions to Real Estate and Concurrent Ownership

      Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Read: 9 items Watch: 1 item Interact: 2 items

 Apply

Discussion Thread: Marriage, Estates in Property, Christian Worldview Quiz: Encumbrances and Property Descriptions

      Module 3: Week 3

Learn

Read: 5 items Watch: 1 item Interact: 2 items Review: 1 item

 Apply

Quiz: Easements and Contracts

Discussion Replies: Marriage, Estates in Property, and Christian Worldview

      Module 4: Week 4

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item Interact: 2 items

 Apply

Real Estate Title Project: Deed Information Assignment Quiz: Real Estate Contracts and Deeds

      Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item Interact: 2 items

 Apply

Real Estate Title Project: Restrictions Assignment Quiz: Real Estate Finance

     Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Apply

Discussion Thread: Property Restrictions, Property Rights, and Christian Worldview

Read: 5 items Watch: 1 item Interact: 2 items

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 When Topic Notes

  Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Read: 4 items Watch: 1 item Interact: 2 items Review: 1 item

 Apply Discussion Replies: Property Restrictions, Property Rights, and Christian Worldview

    Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Read: 5 items Watch: 2 items Interact: 2 items

 Apply

Real Estate Title Project: Chain of Title Assignment Quiz: Forms, Condos, and Leases

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