About this course
What you’ll learn
The law of real property is one of the basic law school courses, and is a must for paralegals in a business law firm. Here we examine the system of common law property, the recording acts, conveyancing, mortgaging, landlord-tenant, and financing. We cover the subjects every paralegal should know about land transactions and the documents which record the purchase, sale, and leasing of real estate. Besides buyer-seller issues, the student should be able to deal with title insurance companies, recorders of deeds, and to recognize land finance subjects. Finally, we deal with foreclosure of mortgages and the possibility of redeeming a mortgage that has gone into default.
Learning objectives
At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to:
- Identify the historical basis for common law property.
- Define the names and effects of different estates in land.
- State the use of contract in conveying property.
- List land descriptions.
- Define the concepts of law and equity.
- Explain the licensing of real estate brokers and sales personnel.
- Associate contracts to lists real property.
- Recognize multiple listing services.
- Discuss the duties of an agent to his principal.
- Interpret a contract for the sale of land in terms of quantity, title, and location.
- Determine the meaning of “Time is of the Essence.”
- Draft a timeline leading to the closing of the transaction.
- Recognize the role of various parties in a multiple ownership conveyance.
- Distinguish title from possession and state how each applies to this transaction.
- Examine a deed for proper form and language.
- Discuss the difference between a quitclaim, limited warranty deed and general warranty deed.
- Interpret a legal description of the property conveyed.
- Assess delivery of a deed and determine the instrument is properly delivered.
- Identify the terminology for the recording of deeds, and how to record an instrument with the governmental office of land documents.
- Summarize a title search in the recorder of deed’s office for a specific parcel of land.
- Distinguish between race statutes, notice statutes, and race-notice statutes.
- Describe the process of filing, recording and indexing a document.
- Explain the concept of inquiry notice.
- Summarize the provisions and exceptions to the typical title insurance policy.
- Distinguish a mortgage from contract for deed, lease-purchase, and other financing substitutes.
- Assess the recording of mortgages.
- Summarize the concept of foreclosure, and foreclosure statutes within his/her states.
- Explain moratory legislation and curative acts.
- Determine priorities of various mortgage creditors on a piece of property.
Continuing Education Information
This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of at least 8 hours per week reading and completing assignments. Please note that extensions will not be granted for this online course. This course is the equivalent of at least 45 clock hours of study. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course.
Requirements & policies
Accommodations
The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education is committed to providing equal access to continuing education programs for students living with permanent or temporary disabilities. Learn more about the program accommodations (Opens in a new window).
Prerequisites
Successful completion of Paralegal Certificate Course, Part I (Paralegal 1 & 2), or the equivalent, or law office experience.
Textbooks
Required textbooks for this course:
- Real Property Law in a Nutshell, Most recent edition, West Publishing Company, this book is available from CLS by BARBRI. Order Now Online
Highly Recommended Legal Resources:
- Gilbert Pocket Size Law Dictionary, 3rd Edition. West Academic.
Organizations
Supporting associations
The Advanced Legal Research and Writing Certificate is offered by the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education in partnership with CLS by BARBRI.

Contact us + FAQs
FAQ
View the most frequent questions asked by our learners
Cancellation Policies
View our cancellation policies
Financial and Military Assistance
Find out which programs are eligible for assistance
Stay connected
Be the first to know about new programs, upcoming events, or other exciting opportunities happening at the University of Georgia by joining our mailing list.