All agents have to complete real estate continuing education, but the best don't stop there. Our industry is ever-changing, and the most successful agents are the ones who never stop learning.
That’s why we’ve put together this collection of deep-dive resources just for you. These resources go beyond what's covered in our Distressed Properties CE course, giving you deeper insights, fresh perspectives, and actionable strategies to apply in your day-to-day business. So dive into these expert-approved reads and keep pushing your business forward.
1️⃣ HUD’s “Avoiding Foreclosure”
This official HUD page is a goldmine of foreclosure prevention programs and tips for struggling homeowners. It highlights federal initiatives like the Making Home Affordable program, “a broad strategy to help homeowners avoid foreclosure, stabilize the housing market, and improve the economy”.
By reading this guide, you’ll learn about loan workout options, HUD-approved housing counselors, and FHA programs that can save deals from falling through. It’s written in plain language you can share with clients, positioning you as the supportive expert who knows exactly how to help homeowners in distress. Don’t wait until a client is in crisis – arm yourself with this knowledge now and be the hero when they need options!
2️⃣ CFPB’s Foreclosure Process Overview
Understanding how foreclosures actually happen will make you a more confident advisor to clients on either side of a distressed sale. This easy-to-read Q&A from the CFPB breaks down the timeline and differences in foreclosure laws across states (did you know foreclosures can be judicial or non-judicial depending on state law?). It offers insider tips like warning against scam “foreclosure rescue” ads and urges early communication with lenders.
By absorbing this info, you can explain the process to buyers and sellers in clear terms – a great way to build trust. Plus, you’ll pick up pointers on options for avoiding foreclosure (for those clients teetering on the edge) so you can help find solutions before it’s too late.
3️⃣ Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) Program
Real estate pros should stay on top of current government relief programs, and HAF is a big one. Authorized by Congress in 2021, HAF is a nearly $10 billion fund to help homeowners hurt by the pandemic keep their homes. This Treasury page outlines how HAF works (covering mortgage payments, property taxes, utilities, and more) and links to state agencies running the programs.
By understanding HAF, you can guide eligible homeowners to resources that may save them from foreclosure (meaning you might save a listing from going vacant, too). It also shows the broader context – government efforts to prevent another foreclosure wave – which can inform your advice to investors and buyers about the market’s stability. In short, knowing about HAF lets you confidently say, “There are programs out there that can help – and I can point you in the right direction.”
4️⃣ NAR’s Short Sale Workflow
If you ever deal with short sales (or plan to), this comprehensive workflow from NAR is like having a mentor walk you through the process step by step. It’s an educational tool for brokers and agents, providing a “comprehensive overview of the short sale process (listing, marketing, negotiating and closing)”.
The guide is broken down into stages and loaded with practical tips to successfully negotiate with lenders while protecting yourself legally. Reading it feels like getting insider coaching on short sales – you’ll learn how to qualify sellers, package short sale requests to banks, handle multiple liens, and avoid common pitfalls. Real estate professionals should read it because mastering short sales can open up new opportunities in a down market.
By following this workflow, you’ll project confidence as the short sale specialist who can get these tricky deals to the finish line (while others fumble in confusion).
5️⃣ Foreclosure Investing Strategies
Ready to turn distress into success? This article reveals pro investor strategies for finding and profiting from foreclosed homes. It’s not your typical 101 guide – Investopedia goes beyond basics, discussing creative acquisition tactics like contacting owners before the auction (“It can be a smart move to reach out to owners of properties destined for foreclosure before their homes go on the auction block”).
You’ll learn how to evaluate local market trends, build a pipeline of leads, finance purchases (even buying the distressed notes directly from banks), and decide whether to flip or hold for rental. Real estate pros should devour this piece because it provides actionable ideas to help investors (or yourself!) capitalize on foreclosures while managing risks.
The tone is practical and encouraging – after reading, you’ll feel motivated to start hunting for hidden gems in the distressed market and equipped with the knowledge to do so wisely.
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6️⃣ Investing in Property Tax Liens
When properties have unpaid taxes, there’s an opportunity for savvy investors – and this article explains it all in plain English. If you’ve heard about buying tax liens but never really “got it,” here’s your chance. Investopedia’s guide walks you through how tax lien auctions work, the returns investors seek, and the risks involved. You’ll discover, for example, that investors earn profits from the interest on the tax debt and rarely end up owning the property outright (so it’s more about steady returns than snagging a cheap house).
Why should real estate professionals read this? Knowing about tax liens and tax deed sales gives you an edge in advising investor clients looking for alternative strategies. It can also help you identify potential deals – a tax-delinquent property today could be your listing tomorrow if the owner needs to sell. This resource provides a balanced view (benefits and pitfalls), so you can speak intelligently about tax liens as an investment option and maybe even explore it yourself for portfolio diversification.
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7️⃣ How to Find Distressed Properties
Want to learn practical techniques to spot undervalued, distressed homes before everyone else? This Realtor.com article spills the secrets. It reads like a field guide, suggesting hands-on methods like driving through target neighborhoods to scout for telltale signs (overgrown yards, notices on doors, or “for sale by owner” signs). It also covers leveraging online tools and working with local experts to uncover off-market distress leads. The tone is upbeat and accessible – perfect for agents and investors alike.
By following these tips, you can uncover hidden inventory for your buyers or snag great deals to list before they hit the open market. Essentially, this piece will help you become a distressed-property detective. Real estate pros should click this link if they’re tired of waiting for bargains to fall in their lap and want to go out and find them. It’s a quick read that could spark your next big opportunity (and commission)!
8️⃣ FHA 203(k) Rehab Loans Explained
Many distressed properties need more than a little TLC – they need serious renovation. Enter the FHA 203(k) loan, a game-changer for financing fixer-uppers. This resource breaks down how a 203(k) works in simple terms: it’s a government-backed loan that wraps the purchase and rehab costs into one mortgage.
For real estate agents, understanding 203(k) loans means you can turn “too run-down to finance” houses into sold homes by guiding buyers to this option. Investopedia’s article details the types of 203(k) (Standard vs. Limited), eligibility requirements, and the renovation process. It even weighs the pros and cons, so you’ll know the potential hurdles (like extra paperwork or time).
By reading this, you’ll be able to market homes that need work to a wider pool of buyers and reassure them (and their lenders) that there’s a viable financing path. In short, you’ll close deals on properties others walk away from, simply because you’re informed. Don’t let those beaten-up bargain listings scare you – leverage this knowledge and watch them transform into your next success story.
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9️⃣ Mortgage Debt Relief Act Updates
This NAR article is a must-read tax insight for anyone handling short sales or foreclosures. It explains the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act in plain terms and gives the latest status. (Spoiler: Congress extended this relief through 2025 for principal residences, so many sellers won’t owe taxes on forgiven debt from a short sale or foreclosure during this period.)
The piece even has a Q&A section specifically for real estate professionals, laying out what it means for your business. By understanding this, you can confidently reassure a stressed seller that they might not face a surprise tax bill after a short sale – removing one big obstacle to getting the deal done. It also helps you avoid giving wrong advice on a sensitive topic.
This is info straight from the industry’s leading voice (NAR), so you can trust it. Reading this will keep you up-to-date on important legal protections for homeowners in distress, which is knowledge that enhances your credibility and could save your clients tens of thousands of dollars in taxes. In other words, it’s not just about selling homes – it’s about truly advising and looking out for your clients’ best interests (the hallmark of a great agent).
