Real Estate Law Degree - What is it and is it For You?

By Maja Aleksic
What is a Real Estate Law Degree?
The practice of law has undergone major changes in the past 20 years. Today, real estate lawyers work in varied and complex transactions, from simple residential house purchases to commercial projects.
This degree is a mix of law, business and dispute resolution. It will prepare you to deal with issues beyond law school, understanding how law interacts with tax, corporate, and environmental law. You will be faced with issues such as workforce housing, urban redevelopment, commercial leasing and workouts, and energy conservation. It will prepare you to deal with transactions when the economy is booming and when it is not.
What can I do with this type of Law Degree?
Real estate lawyers provide their clients with advice regarding purchase and sale of property, financing and development, construction contracts, investments, environmental compliance and property management. They help clients with governmental zoning restrictions necessary to move forward with projects.
With this type of law degree you could work in law firms, corporations as well as government agencies. You could work in large firms, in the building and zoning departments of counties and municipalities. You could also work for corporations, development companies or title companies. If you decide to work alone or in a very small company you will most likely focus on residential housing. In this profession you will work together with title insurers, brokers, environmental lawyers, litigation departments and bankers.
You would spend much of your day drafting documents, reviewing them, counseling clients as well as negotiating terms. A business law foundation as well as negotiation skills are critical for success in this area of the law.
Courses and Curriculum
Most students begin their study with a basic introductory course, transactions and finance. Following this entrance course, you would be exposed to courses in finance, mortgages, mezzanine loans, bond financing, leasing, acquisitions, mortgage foreclosures and community association law.Maja Aleksic has a doctorate in Education Psychology and focuses on the benefits of online degree programs and distance education. For more information and tips on selecting online degree schools and programs as well as law and legal career details visit http://www.select-online-degree.com