Real Estate Education
Bryan Scholtes and George Ury teach FREE continuing education classes to real estate agents. We currently have ten different courses that have been approved by the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Please email us at education@structuretech.com to set up classes for your office, or click the request form below.
On-demand Classes
Seven courses can also be viewed at your convenience through our on-demand platform. These courses range from 1 to 3.75 hours, and credits are uploaded to the Department of Commerce website once a week. Visit www.StructureTechCE.com for more information.
HOME INSPECTION HORRORS II (3.75 HOURS)
This class covers some of the most common home inspection defects and clarifies whether these are a big deal or a small deal.
- Negotiations after the inspection
- Bedrooms, legal definitions, myths
- What’s the big deal about a cracked heat exchanger?
- Furnace certification/safety check/service call…what’s the difference?
- What’s the concern with the double tapped circuit breakers, really?
- Federal Pacific Electric panels
- Aluminum wiring
- How to spot a buried fuel oil tank
- Ice dam myths
- Top deck defects
- Stone veneer siding, the new stucco?
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 3.75 hours of Real Estate continuing education, course #1033016.
HOME INSPECTIONS ON OLD HOUSES (3 HOURS)
This course is focused on the most common home inspection defects that come up during inspections of old houses, with a focus on old Minneapolis and Saint Paul homes. Topics include:
- General differences between old and new homes
- Chimneys, chimney inspections, stucco-covered chimneys
- Boilers
- Gravity furnaces
- Miscellaneous old-houses features (aka “doo-hickeys”)
- Bedrooms
- Plumbing: drum traps, floor drains, S-traps, steel drains, steel water lines, lead water supplies, cross-connections
- Asbestos
- Electrical – overhead wires, fuse panels, knob and tube wiring, ungrounded outlets and fixtures
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 3 hours of Real Estate continuing education, course #1033017.
RESIDENTIAL WATER INTRUSION PROBLEMS (1 HOUR)
This class will cover residential design problems that lead to water intrusion. The most common failure locations will be covered, which includes:
- Roofs, problematic roof designs
- Groundwater management problems
- Chimney problems (both masonry and wood)
- Siding failures
- Melted vinyl siding
- Window failures
This class will teach attendees how to quickly identify problematic roof designs, as well as problematic landscaping. This class will teach where these failures most often occur, how they occur, and what warning signs to look for.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 1 hour of Real Estate continuing education, course #1033015.
NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME INSPECTIONS (1 HOUR)
This class will cover the most common issues found during home inspections on new construction homes. Major components covered will include attics, roofs, siding, decks, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
- Objections to new construction inspections, manufacturer’s requirements, and code rule discussion
- Attic defects: insulation, air leakage, and framing
- Roof defects: nailing, venting, and flashing
- Exterior defects: decks and siding
- Basement and structural defects
- HVAC defects: furnaces, ductwork, and clearance requirements for various exhaust and inlet terminals
- Plumbing defects: water heaters, leaks, and access panels
This class will teach participants about the importance of new construction inspections, showing hundreds of photos of new construction defects that are repeated on a daily basis. Participants will have a far greater understanding of the most common new construction defects, and why many occur.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 1 hour of Real Estate continuing education, course #1033014.
HASSLE-FREE HOME INSPECTIONS (2 HOURS)
This class will cover the most common home inspection ‘hiccups’ that occur with real estate transactions and will discuss what can be done to help prevent problems. Topics will include:
- Home inspection basics
- A discussion of who should and shouldn’t attend the inspection
- How sellers should prepare
- Which types of inspections may be needed in addition to a basic home inspection.
- Purchase agreement amendments
- Negotiations after the inspection
- Big defects to look out for before the inspection
Outcome: Participants will have a much greater understanding of the scope of a home inspection, will be better trained to spot major defects before the inspection, and will understand what types of problems can cause home inspection delays. Participants will also be given specific advice on how to produce a well-written purchase agreement amendment.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 2 hours of Real Estate continuing education, course #1033013.
SHOWING RED FLAGS (1.25 HOURS)
This course helps attendees catch larger issues before an inspection. Buyers and agents will be better informed earlier in the buying process. The course covers easily visible issues in major home systems, including:
- Chimneys
- Roofs
- Siding and windows
- Decks and Foundations
- Wet Basements
- Plumbing and HVAC
- Electrical
- Interior Stains
Outcome: Participants will have a much greater understanding of red flags in a home that can be found during showings. This information will help buyers to be better prepared for the inspection and not caught off-guard.
This course has been submitted to the state and is awaiting approval.
TRUTH IN HOUSING BASICS (1 HOUR)
An introduction to Truth in Housing-type inspections in the Twin Cities area. The 1-hour course covers basic principles of a “TISH” inspection, advice for an easy inspection, an example process, and explanations of common defects. The class does not cover details of every TISH city. The class is a broad overview of the concept. Topics include:
- What is a TISH inspection
- What cities have TISH
- The TISH process
- Decoding the report
- Post report actions
This class will teach participants to have a better understanding of why TISH inspections are needed, what cities around the Twin Cities require them, the difference between a buyer’s inspection and a TISH inspection, and what to do after the TISH has been completed.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 1 hour of Real Estate continuing education, course #1033176.
A DECADE OF DEFECTS (2-HOURS)
This class covers the most egregious, surprising, and distinct home inspection finds from the last decade of inspecting houses. Participants will learn what these defects are, why they matter, and what should be done about them. Many involve extensive repairs, while others are merely old house character. Tops include:
- Attics
- Basements
- Electrical
- Exterior
- HVAC
- Interior
- Plumbing
- Roof
- Structure
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 2 hours of Real Estate continuing education, course #1035932.
ANCILLARY INSPECTIONS: WHAT A HOME INSPECTION CAN’T SEE (2 HOURS)
This class explains the multiple smaller inspections often performed alongside a standard home inspection. These inspections include radon, intrusive moisture, mold, and sewer. Walkthrough consultations are also explained.
Students will better understand these more obscure inspections. They will learn how and when to use these inspections. They will learn the limitations of these inspections.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 2 hours of Real Estate continuing education, course # 1036227.
PERMANENT WOOD FOUNDATIONS (1-HOUR)
A one-hour course designed to guide and inform agents traipsing through the emotionally charged topic of Permanent Wood Foundations. Topics will include a brief history of the wood foundation. From its humble Canadian beginnings, to its pastel-colored burst on the scene in the 1980’s, to the one-percenters-only appeal today.
Topics will also include construction techniques, types of different wood preservatives, commonly found issues, and tips and techniques used to properly identify a Permanent Wood Foundation.
This course has been approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Commerce for 1- hour of Real Estate continuing education, course # 1037058.
Legal Stuff
In accordance with Minnesota Statute Chapter 45.30, Subd. 7 (Courses open to all), all real estate agents are welcome to attend any of these classes, regardless of location or agency. Access may be restricted to these classes based on class size only.
Disclaimer: these CE class offerings are intended to be normal promotional and educational activities that are NOT conditioned on the referral of business and do NOT involve the defraying of expenses that might be incurred by persons in a position to refer settlement services or business.
Home Inspector CE Class
Reuben Saltzman teaches continuing education classes to home inspectors both at the local and national level. Please contact our offices to schedule these classes directly with Reuben.
Here’s some feedback from recent classes that Reuben has taught at other ASHI chapters:
We have had Reuben present home inspector classes for the Great Plains ASHI Chapter 3 times. Each time he has been voted “best speaker” of the seminar. He really knows his stuff and can speak to home inspectors in an entertaining, informative manner. His Powerpoint presentations really add to his teaching. He is also easy to work with as a guest speaker, and I appreciate his professionalism.
– Miki Mertz, ASHI Great Plains Chapter (KS)
Reuben’s demeanor and ability to convey ideas in an uncomplicated way have greatly improved our chapter’s reputation as a CE provider in the local area. Often it’s not the topic covered, but the quality of the speaker that leaves the biggest impression on the audience and I’ve had multiple requests from seminar attendees to bring him back to speak in the future. He is very knowledgeable and uses real world examples that simplify confusing topics and his presentation style is engaging and informative without being arrogant or condescending.
– Sean Troxell, MAC-ASHI (MD)
Reuben is articulate and well-versed in all areas of the inspection industry. While his intelligence is commendable, it is the way that Reuben is able to articulate his thoughts that makes him one of the best speakers we’ve been fortunate enough to listen to. He has been, and continues to be, a tremendous leader to the ASHI Heartland organization. We are fortunate to have Reuben as a frequent speaker and member of our organization and I cannot recommend Reuben Saltzman highly enough as a speaker.
– Matt Butcher, ASHI Heartland Chapter (MN)
IDENTIFYING EXTERIOR WATER PROBLEMS (2 HOURS)
One of the biggest problems facing newer homes is bulk water intrusion at the exterior walls, which can lead to mold problems and rot. This class will help home inspectors identify water intrusion while conducting a home inspection, with a focus on stucco, AMSV, wood siding, and vinyl siding. Most of the inspection methods shown in this class exceed home inspection Standards of Practice, but they are not intrusive. This class is taught by a home inspector, for home inspectors. This class incorporates numerous instructional videos demonstrating advanced inspection methods.
NEW CONSTRUCTION INSPECTIONS (2 HOURS)
This class covers the most common issues found during home inspections on new construction homes. Major components covered will include attics, roofs, siding, decks, electrical, plumbing, and HVAC.
- Objections to new construction inspections, manufacturer’s requirements, and code rule discussion
- Attic defects: insulation, air leakage, and framing
- Roof defects: nailing, venting, and flashing
- Exterior defects: decks and siding
- Basement and structural defects
- HVAC defects: furnaces, ductwork, and clearance requirements for various exhaust and inlet terminals
- Plumbing defects: water heaters, leaks, and access panels.
HOME INSPECTIONS ON OLD HOUSES (4 HOURS)
This course is focused on the most common home inspection defects that come up during inspections of old houses. Topics include:
- General differences between old and new homes
- Chimneys, chimney inspections, stucco-covered chimneys
- Miscellaneous old-houses features (aka “doo-hickeys”)
- Bedrooms
- Plumbing: drum traps, floor drains, S-traps, steel drains, steel water lines, lead water supplies, cross-connections. The real reason plumbing vents are needed, along with plenty of video demonstrations.
- Asbestos
- Electrical – overhead wires, fuse panels, knob and tube wiring, ungrounded outlets, and fixtures using a voltage detector.
Home Inspection Training
We’re proud to offer hands-on home inspection training to members of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Not only is there a major need for this type of training program throughout the country, but education is a core value here at Structure Tech.
Thinking of getting into home inspections? Please check out these posts: Updated home inspector training advice, Join the ASHI Heartland Chapter, and The Structure Tech training process.
RIDE-ALONG INSPECTIONS
We offer ride-along training to new home inspectors. Here at Structure Tech, new inspectors on our team complete approximately 80 – 100 ride-along inspections before they move on to the next phase, which involves writing reports.
Our fee is $75 for ride-along inspections. This entire fee is paid to the home inspector conducting the ride-along; Structure Tech does not make any money off of these. We also offer bulk discounts. To coordinate these inspections, please contact our inspection manager, Eric Houseman: 952-217-1562 or eric@structuretech.com.
The training I received from Structure Tech through the ride-along program was excellent. The inspectors were extremely knowledgeable and willing to answer my questions. It showed me how to perform thorough and professional home inspections. – Ryan Rengstorf, AJR Home Inspections
GROUND RULES:
1. We only provide this service to Background Verified Inspectors who are members of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Sorry, no exceptions.
2. Our inspector must be the one doing the talking, especially with clients. Questions, observations, and suggestions from the inspector-in-training are welcome after the inspection, but not during the inspection.
3. No walking the roof or traversing the attic.