Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Electronic Examination

Electronic Examination

DRE is proud to announce that on August 3, 2009, DRE’s new Electronic Examination System was deployed in the Oakland District Office. Planning for this project was started in 2006, following a feasibility study and approval for a budget augmentation. With the sponsorship of DRE’s Executive staff, the system was developed by DRE’s own internal technical staff and Licensing staff members. Several steps had to be successfully completed before the system could be launched including overall system design, equipment procurement, examination room renovations, and very complex system building and rigorous testing phases.

This system allows examinees to take the real estate salesperson and broker examination using an electronic method. The system allows for examination results to be provided as soon as applicants complete their examination. In addition, qualified candidates who pass their examination can be issued a temporary license which allows them to commence conducting licensed activities immediately.

The electronic exam system will improve examination security, improve testing practices, and contain future examination costs by reducing administration overhead. Examination security will be improved by eliminating the theft of examination material and allow for the ability to electronically capture candidate identification information. Testing practices will be improved by allowing DRE to scramble examination material and provide for more effective proctor oversight. Examination administration costs will be reduced by eliminating the need for printing and duplicating examination booklets which in turn will allow for reduction and eventual elimination of material storage and shipping costs.

How will it work? The electronic examination system will be in an easy to use format. Examination workstations will contain a computer monitor, which will be recessed under glass at an examination station, and a mouse. Keyboards will not be used. Applicants will be able to will be able to peruse back and forth through the questions and point and click on the answers they select. During the examination they will know how many questions they have answered or unanswered.

The electronic examination system will be deployed at all DRE District Offices on a phased schedule. Current plans call for the system to be deployed in the Fresno District Office next.

For people interested in getting into the real estate profession check out this article.

Posted via web from adoberealty's posterous

Monday, December 14, 2009

New Rules for [Seinor] Counselors

Older homeowners who are considering a reverse mortgage can now get more help in the decision-making process. The Federal Housing Administration, which insures reverse mortgages, last month instituted new standards for the counselors who, according to federal law, must meet with prospective borrowers before a loan can be approved.


http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/06/realestate/06mort.html?_r=1&ref=realestate

Friday, December 11, 2009

House Flipping Makes a Comeback - WSJ.com

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Four years after the collapse of the U.S. housing bubble, flipping homes is back in fashion.

Jon Mirmelli, a Phoenix real-estate investor, learned late in the morning of Sept. 28 that a never-occupied custom house on the northern fringes of this Phoenix suburb was going up for auction around noon the same day. The six-bedroom home, built on a three-acre desert plot, has a kitchen with two dishwashers, four ovens, "antibacterial" copper sinks, and a master "spa" bathroom with space for a flat-screen TV visible from the tub.

Posted via web from adoberealty's posterous

Monday, December 7, 2009

FREE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION HELP

FREE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION HELP AVAILABLE AT LOCAL NONPROFIT AGENCIES
Troubled borrowers looking for FREE Foreclosure Prevention Counseling, as well as information about the Obama administration’s mortgage modification and refinancing programs, can contact a local HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency, to apply for help in working with their mortgage servicer. Borrowers can also check to see if they qualify for a loan modification and refinance under the Obama plan and apply online at www.makinghomeaffordable.org for help from their mortgage servicer. Visit the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development’s website at www.hud.gov.

“HOPE NOW” APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE

Troubled borrowers hoping to participate in the Obama administration’s mortgage modification and refinancing programs now can apply online for help from their mortgage servicer. Borrowers can submit details about their financial situation at www.hopenow.com, the website operated by the coalition of mortgage servicers and nonprofit counselors. For more information, please visit the website or call (888) 995-4673.

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