Upcoming Contractor CE Courses by Date

Learn what the experts are predicting and how you can prepare to respond effectively.

Place your finger on the pulse of today’s real estate market and learn why it has never been more important to you and your clients to comprehend the key market factors. You’ll learn how those factors impact today’s buyers and sellers, arming you with the knowledge to access not only today’s economic landscape but also the national and local real estate markets.

Our expert instructor will identify the demographics most significantly impacting real estate values, appeal, and sales. You’ll learn about the homebuyers changing appetite for alternative types of housing throughout a lifetime. Also, how to identify options, challenges, and potential solutions to address home sellers and buyer’s needs in these emerging situations. Plus, you’ll learn what technology advances your clients expect and how they want to do business with you.

You’ll also explore the local trends pertinent to your real estate backyard and learn how the experts are strategizing to anticipate client needs. This course will help you become a more knowledgeable and adaptive industry leader.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 7.5 hours of real estate continuing education.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics Include:

• Market factors impacting your client’s decisions
• Options, challenges, and solutions for evolving client needs
• Technology advances impacting how you do business
• Trending real estate tools
• Market leaders advice for success

Congratulations! We have survived the recent economic crisis and many indicators show that the housing market has rebounded and continues to grow. So what has changed in the last ten years in terms of the house and its components? What are homeowners expecting when building or remodeling a property?

This class will help both real estate agents and contractors achieve business success by understanding how the physical house has changed and what their clients are looking for when making housing decisions.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics include:

• How has new construction changed?
• How has the remodeling industry changed?
• What are other living styles that people are embracing?
• What housing components are considered “old” and what are considered “new”?
• What are the latest technical offerings in housing?
• How are occupant health and well-being being addressed?
• What are other considerations and how can we avoid obstacles?

Learn what the experts are predicting and how you can prepare to respond effectively.

Place your finger on the pulse of today’s real estate market and learn why it has never been more important to you and your clients to comprehend the key market factors. You’ll learn how those factors impact today’s buyers and sellers, arming you with the knowledge to access not only today’s economic landscape but also the national and local real estate markets.

Our expert instructor will identify the demographics most significantly impacting real estate values, appeal, and sales. You’ll learn about the homebuyers changing appetite for alternative types of housing throughout a lifetime. Also, how to identify options, challenges, and potential solutions to address home sellers and buyer’s needs in these emerging situations. Plus, you’ll learn what technology advances your clients expect and how they want to do business with you.

You’ll also explore the local trends pertinent to your real estate backyard and learn how the experts are strategizing to anticipate client needs. This course will help you become a more knowledgeable and adaptive industry leader.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 7.5 hours of real estate continuing education.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics Include:

• Market factors impacting your client’s decisions
• Options, challenges, and solutions for evolving client needs
• Technology advances impacting how you do business
• Trending real estate tools
• Market leaders advice for success

Millennials: Challenging the Traditional Real Estate Model (3.75 Credits)

This course examines the factors driving today’s real estate market, beyond the newspaper headlines. Facts, trends, and hard data illustrate how the foremost factors for Baby Boomers no longer apply. You will learn how Millennials, today’s largest real estate client group, prefer to buy, sell, rent, strategize, and communicate with you. After this course, you will have a better understanding of how to represent these clients.

This course will challenge your approach to working with today’s buyers and sellers, and educate you about their specific preferences, including how builders and the real estate industry are responding to Millennials. Essential client expectations and patterns are explored, so you can re-tool your skill set of knowledge and practices, as well as reposition your branding and image to reflect an understanding of the new model. This course prepares you to work effectively and productively with Millennials, resulting in helping them achieve their real estate goals. Join us for this compelling look into the future of real estate.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 3.75 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics include:

• Traditional versus Millennial real estate model
• Defining the market
• Wants, needs, and deal breakers
• Motivation
• The affected real estate market and model
• Effective strategies for working with Millennials

Congratulations! We have survived the recent economic crisis and many indicators show that the housing market has rebounded and continues to grow. So what has changed in the last ten years in terms of the house and its components? What are homeowners expecting when building or remodeling a property?

This class will help both real estate agents and contractors achieve business success by understanding how the physical house has changed and what their clients are looking for when making housing decisions.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics include:

• How has new construction changed?
• How has the remodeling industry changed?
• What are other living styles that people are embracing?
• What housing components are considered “old” and what are considered “new”?
• What are the latest technical offerings in housing?
• How are occupant health and well-being being addressed?
• What are other considerations and how can we avoid obstacles?

Join us for a journey through some of the weird, wild, and wonderful real estate trends in the industry today. We will examine your clients’ interests reflected in emerging trends, including design and product selection. You will see some non-traditional shelters and learn about a variety of the unusual products used as building materials, including recycled and reused products, and the potential and surprising hazards associated with them.

Next, you will take a walk on the wild side, exploring some new trends in living arrangements and how Mother Nature can affect real estate. This course teaches you how to recognize potential dangers, as well as what to do if a property has sustained damage from forces such as wind, water, and pest infestation. You will leave this class with an understanding of how weird and wild industry trends affect the real estate market and your clients’ preferences. Finally, you will learn about some wonderful new alternatives that will help you work with today’s clients like never before!

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics Include:

• Weird shelters in the market today
• Unusual building products and potential hazards
• Unique recycled and reused products
• Wild factors affecting real estate
• Wonderful energy efficiency advancements
• Alternative energy sources
• Air and water quality to improve occupant’s health
• Creative solutions to satisfy your clients’ requests and needs
• How real estate professionals can help clients with special considerations

What’s all the hype about?

Witness this emerging market segment as you learn about the new world of tiny house living. In The Tiny House: Is it a Phase or Craze?, you’ll learn the origin of the tiny house, different types of tiny houses, the structural elements, costs and considerations, valuation of property, and when a tiny house is considered real property. We’ll also identify financing options specific to the tiny house and introduce you to tiny house communities developing across the country. The tiny house is a reflection of expressed values by a growing number of buyers today: simple living in natural surroundings and smaller more-efficient living spaces.

This course will reveal a client group whose needs may be unclear, until now. This course will prepare you to be knowledgeable of the construction and informed about market needs as well as provide you with options to discuss with your clients who are seeking this type of real estate.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 3.75 hours for continuing contractor education.

Topics include:

• Emerging Values Increase Demand for Tiny Houses
• Real Estate Solutions Addressing New Needs of Clients
• Momentum of Demand
• Concerns and Obstacles
• What A Tiny House Is and Is Not
• Basic Structural Elements
• Valuation and Financing the Tiny House
• Explosive Markets of Tiny House Communities across the U.S.

Learn what the experts are predicting and how you can prepare to respond effectively.

Place your finger on the pulse of today’s real estate market and learn why it has never been more important to you and your clients to comprehend the key market factors. You’ll learn how those factors impact today’s buyers and sellers, arming you with the knowledge to access not only today’s economic landscape but also the national and local real estate markets.

Our expert instructor will identify the demographics most significantly impacting real estate values, appeal, and sales. You’ll learn about the homebuyers changing appetite for alternative types of housing throughout a lifetime. Also, how to identify options, challenges, and potential solutions to address home sellers and buyer’s needs in these emerging situations. Plus, you’ll learn what technology advances your clients expect and how they want to do business with you.

You’ll also explore the local trends pertinent to your real estate backyard and learn how the experts are strategizing to anticipate client needs. This course will help you become a more knowledgeable and adaptive industry leader.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 7.5 hours of real estate continuing education.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics Include:

• Market factors impacting your client’s decisions
• Options, challenges, and solutions for evolving client needs
• Technology advances impacting how you do business
• Trending real estate tools
• Market leaders advice for success

Here are 20 cost-effective home improvements that add value and enjoyment for every homeowner.

Home owners are constantly asking “what home improvements should I do to add value to my house.” In this information packed course, you will learn what home improvements give the best and most immediate return on investment, and which ones will add value over time. We’ll examine energy efficient appliances and through calculations, determine if upgrading to higher efficiency makes sense. You will also learn the difference between a properly maintained property and an updated property through understanding basic home inspection standards.

Contractor and home inspector Dan Norby uses his experience and knowledge to educate his students about the environmental issues that agents, contractors, and appraisers need to understand and how they can educate their customers in making more cost effective improvements to their property.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 3.75 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics include:

• Trends in remodeling spending
• Setting spending priorities
• Maintenance and repairs
• Kitchen and bathroom remodeling
• Avoiding hidden mechanical costs
• Roofing and siding
• Window upgrades that save energy
• Environmental concerns
• Cost vs. value analysis

Finally, a course that tells you everything you need to know about legitimate value that matters in today's rigorous appraisal world.

Calling all real estate agents, contractors, builders, and appraisers: prepare to be guided through the covert back alleys of home valuation, looking at products and features through the lens of an appraiser, contractor/builder, AND real estate professional.

You’ll learn the universal language used by appraisers—providing you knowledge that pays when advising clients on everything from product selection to an appropriate offer on a property, or on identifying an appropriate listing price for a property. You’ll acquire an insider’s view of how value is defined and assigned by the appraiser. Also, you’ll understand the consumer criteria of price, longevity, performance, aesthetics, and resale value for a variety of property elements.

Learn what does and does not have monetary value in an appraiser’s eyes, getting a snapshot of the essential tools and assessment methods used to establish the ultimate value of a property. You’ll also learn how to help your clients identify poor quality in spite of acceptable appearance. Find out what the most surprising low-cost, high-value materials are, what type of siding lasts the longest, and which foundation type will save homeowners the most money in the long run.

Learn about the real differences in construction quality, and what has monetary value in addition to aesthetic value. Learn how to translate otherwise confusing terms and definitions into useful information you can communicate to your clients. Whether your interest is in existing property, new construction, or proposed renovations, you’ll pick up essential information to increase your professional competence.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours (includes 1 energy hour) for contractor continuing education.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 7.5 hours of real estate continuing education.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 7.5 hours of appraisal continuing education.

Topics Include:

• Appraisal 101 - what they do and why it matters to you
• What the new quality numbers mean to your clients
• Differentiating characteristics of architectural styles and construction features
• Products and materials that create value
• Communicating quality distinctions to clients to improve knowledge and selection

Learn what it takes to get an unpopular home sold!

This course will help you guide your clients through the process of seeing not only what a property is, but what it has the potential to become. You will start by helping your clients define exactly what they are seeking. You’ll learn how to ask questions about both present needs and potential future requirements. You’ll also learn about the shifting demographics of our maturing population and how to effectively communicate with multiple generations.

Learn about the opportunities to modify a home to make it saleable by tweaks, modifications, or major remodels. You will learn about the costs associated with improvements and the Return on Investment (ROI) for a variety of house projects. You will help your clients be able to visualize a property beyond what they can envision themselves. Case studies will help you gain a new understanding of how properties changed to become clients’ dream homes!

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours for continuing contractor education.

Topics Include:

• Assess Client’s Specific Requirements
• Buyers/Listers Demographics
• Buyers/Listers Home Ownership
• Assessing and Developing a Strategy
• Appraising and Valuing Improvements
• Energy Matters
• New Scenarios in Today’s Market
• Financing Improvements
• Risk Management
• Listing Unsellable Inventory
• MN Energy Hour

In this course, you will learn more about Minnesota making the contractor registration program permanent, as well as the details of this program. You’ll also explore universal design and how contractors can achieve new certifications, which are part of this rapidly growing market. In addition, you will review eight energy-related sales opportunities and receive an hour of energy focusing on an energy-conscious remodel.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 3 hours for continuing contractor education.

Topics include:

• Minnesota contractor registration program
• Universal design
• Eight energy-related sales opportunities
• Energy hour on an energy-conscious remodel

Mold is everywhere; why does it affect one house and not the next? The exact same question can be asked of radon!

Attending this full-day course will give you a sound insight into why mold and radon occur in some houses and not in others. You will also learn what steps to take to overcome what appears to be a major problem at minimal cost.

Whatever your view on mold or radon, you will come away from this class with a more balanced view of the issues and understand how to achieve physical control of these two concerns.

Brightwood's instructors are fully qualified to teach these subjects with skill and humor. Mold and Radon: Cause & Effect is an interesting way to cover these two subjects in a manner that will excite, educate, and entertain you.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7 hours for continuing contractor education.

Topics Include:

• MN Energy Hour
• What are mold and radon
• How to control mold and radon
• How code addresses the problem
• Cost-effective solutions

Finally, a course that tells you everything you need to know about legitimate value that matters in today's rigorous appraisal world.

Calling all real estate agents, contractors, builders, and appraisers: prepare to be guided through the covert back alleys of home valuation, looking at products and features through the lens of an appraiser, contractor/builder, AND real estate professional.

You’ll learn the universal language used by appraisers—providing you knowledge that pays when advising clients on everything from product selection to an appropriate offer on a property, or on identifying an appropriate listing price for a property. You’ll acquire an insider’s view of how value is defined and assigned by the appraiser. Also, you’ll understand the consumer criteria of price, longevity, performance, aesthetics, and resale value for a variety of property elements.

Learn what does and does not have monetary value in an appraiser’s eyes, getting a snapshot of the essential tools and assessment methods used to establish the ultimate value of a property. You’ll also learn how to help your clients identify poor quality in spite of acceptable appearance. Find out what the most surprising low-cost, high-value materials are, what type of siding lasts the longest, and which foundation type will save homeowners the most money in the long run.

Learn about the real differences in construction quality, and what has monetary value in addition to aesthetic value. Learn how to translate otherwise confusing terms and definitions into useful information you can communicate to your clients. Whether your interest is in existing property, new construction, or proposed renovations, you’ll pick up essential information to increase your professional competence.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours (includes 1 energy hour) for contractor continuing education.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 7.5 hours of real estate continuing education.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 7.5 hours of appraisal continuing education.

Topics Include:

• Appraisal 101 - what they do and why it matters to you
• What the new quality numbers mean to your clients
• Differentiating characteristics of architectural styles and construction features
• Products and materials that create value
• Communicating quality distinctions to clients to improve knowledge and selection

Here are 20 cost-effective home improvements that add value and enjoyment for every homeowner.

Home owners are constantly asking “what home improvements should I do to add value to my house.” In this information packed course, you will learn what home improvements give the best and most immediate return on investment, and which ones will add value over time. We’ll examine energy efficient appliances and through calculations, determine if upgrading to higher efficiency makes sense. You will also learn the difference between a properly maintained property and an updated property through understanding basic home inspection standards.

Contractor and home inspector Dan Norby uses his experience and knowledge to educate his students about the environmental issues that agents, contractors, and appraisers need to understand and how they can educate their customers in making more cost effective improvements to their property.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 3.75 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics include:

• Trends in remodeling spending
• Setting spending priorities
• Maintenance and repairs
• Kitchen and bathroom remodeling
• Avoiding hidden mechanical costs
• Roofing and siding
• Window upgrades that save energy
• Environmental concerns
• Cost vs. value analysis

What’s all the hype about?

Witness this emerging market segment as you learn about the new world of tiny house living. In The Tiny House: Is it a Phase or Craze?, you’ll learn the origin of the tiny house, different types of tiny houses, the structural elements, costs and considerations, valuation of property, and when a tiny house is considered real property. We’ll also identify financing options specific to the tiny house and introduce you to tiny house communities developing across the country. The tiny house is a reflection of expressed values by a growing number of buyers today: simple living in natural surroundings and smaller more-efficient living spaces.

This course will reveal a client group whose needs may be unclear, until now. This course will prepare you to be knowledgeable of the construction and informed about market needs as well as provide you with options to discuss with your clients who are seeking this type of real estate.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 3.75 hours for continuing contractor education.

Topics include:

• Emerging Values Increase Demand for Tiny Houses
• Real Estate Solutions Addressing New Needs of Clients
• Momentum of Demand
• Concerns and Obstacles
• What A Tiny House Is and Is Not
• Basic Structural Elements
• Valuation and Financing the Tiny House
• Explosive Markets of Tiny House Communities across the U.S.

Join us for a journey through some of the weird, wild, and wonderful real estate trends in the industry today. We will examine your clients’ interests reflected in emerging trends, including design and product selection. You will see some non-traditional shelters and learn about a variety of the unusual products used as building materials, including recycled and reused products, and the potential and surprising hazards associated with them.

Next, you will take a walk on the wild side, exploring some new trends in living arrangements and how Mother Nature can affect real estate. This course teaches you how to recognize potential dangers, as well as what to do if a property has sustained damage from forces such as wind, water, and pest infestation. You will leave this class with an understanding of how weird and wild industry trends affect the real estate market and your clients’ preferences. Finally, you will learn about some wonderful new alternatives that will help you work with today’s clients like never before!

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 7.5 hours for contractor continuing education.

Topics Include:

• Weird shelters in the market today
• Unusual building products and potential hazards
• Unique recycled and reused products
• Wild factors affecting real estate
• Wonderful energy efficiency advancements
• Alternative energy sources
• Air and water quality to improve occupant’s health
• Creative solutions to satisfy your clients’ requests and needs
• How real estate professionals can help clients with special considerations

In this course, you will learn more about Minnesota making the contractor registration program permanent, as well as the details of this program. You’ll also explore universal design and how contractors can achieve new certifications, which are part of this rapidly growing market. In addition, you will review eight energy-related sales opportunities and receive an hour of energy focusing on an energy-conscious remodel.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 3 hours for continuing contractor education.

Topics include:

• Minnesota contractor registration program
• Universal design
• Eight energy-related sales opportunities
• Energy hour on an energy-conscious remodel

In this course, you will learn more about Minnesota making the contractor registration program permanent, as well as the details of this program. You’ll also explore universal design and how contractors can achieve new certifications, which are part of this rapidly growing market. In addition, you will review eight energy-related sales opportunities and receive an hour of energy focusing on an energy-conscious remodel.

This course has been approved by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for 3 hours for continuing contractor education.

Topics include:

• Minnesota contractor registration program
• Universal design
• Eight energy-related sales opportunities
• Energy hour on an energy-conscious remodel