Cornerstone Mortgage Group, Inc
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Realtor CE Classes

Exploring Non-QM Loans
Course Reference Number:C20205764
CE Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Description: In today’s dynamic real estate market, understanding the full spectrum of mortgage options is essential for realtors looking to better serve their clients. This class focuses on Non-Qualified Mortgages (Non-QM), exploring their features, benefits, and how they can be effectively leveraged to assist buyers who may not fit traditional lending criteria.


  • Understand Non-QM Basics: Gain a comprehensive understanding of what Non-QM mortgages are and how they differ from Qualified Mortgages (QM).

  • Identify Target Clients: Learn to identify clients who can benefit from Non-QM options, including self-employed individuals, investors, and those with unique financial situations.

  • Explore Loan Types: Familiarize yourself with various Non-QM loan products, such as interest-only loans, bank statement loans, and asset-based income loans.

  • Assess Risks and Benefits: Understand the advantages and potential risks associated with Non-QM mortgages, including interest rates and borrower qualifications.

  • Develop Marketing Strategies: Learn effective strategies to market Non-QM lending options to your clientele, enhancing your service offerings and expanding your client base.

Exploring Mortgage Underwriting Basics
Course Reference Number: C20205765
CE Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Description: This comprehensive class is designed to equip realtors with a thorough understanding of mortgage underwriting processes, enhancing their ability to guide clients through the home-buying journey. With a focus on the critical role underwriting plays in mortgage approval, participants will learn the essential criteria lenders use to assess loan applications.


  • Fundamentals of Mortgage Underwriting:
    - Understand the mortgage underwriting process and its significance in real estate transactions.
    - Familiarize with key terms and concepts, including loan-to-value ratio, debt-to-income ratio, and credit scores.

  • Underwriting Guidelines:
    - Learn about the various types of mortgage products and their specific underwriting requirements.
    - Explore government-backed loans (FHA, VA, USDA) versus conventional loans.

  • Risk Assessment:
    - Gain insights into how underwriters evaluate borrower risk and property value.
    - Understand the importance of documentation and how to assist clients in providing necessary information.

Real Estate Investor Basics
Course Reference Number: C20205766
CE Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Description: Dive into the fundamentals of real estate investing with our targeted course designed for realtors. This program will equip you with the essential knowledge and practical skills to effectively guide clients in their investment journeys, enhancing your value as a trusted real estate professional.

  • Understand Investment Fundamentals: Gain a solid grasp of real estate investment concepts & terms.

  • Financing Options: Explore various financing methods available to real estate investors, including traditional loans, private financing, and creative financing strategies.

  • Risk Assessment: Develop the ability to identify and evaluate risks associated with real estate investments, equipping you to advise clients on how to mitigate them.

  • Investment Strategies: Understand different strategies, such as buy-and-hold, flipping, and rental properties, to help clients choose the best path for their financial goals.

  • Client Guidance: Learn how to communicate complex investment concepts in an accessible manner, empowering clients to make informed decisions.

Real Estate and Taxes - Part 1
Course Reference Number: C20206030
CE Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Description: In this comprehensive continuing education course for real estate professionals, Real Estate and Taxes - Part 1 provides an in-depth exploration of key tax considerations that every realtor needs to understand. This module covers the essential aspects of taxes related to real estate transactions. By the end of this course, you’ll have a solid understanding of these critical tax concepts and be better equipped to advise your clients on the tax implications of their real estate decisions. Perfect for both seasoned professionals and newcomers, this course ensures that you stay informed and compliant with ever-changing tax laws.

  • Understand and explain the Mortgage Interest Deduction: Identify how mortgage interest deductions work and how they benefit homeowners..

  • Calculate After-Tax Rate of Return: Apply the concept of after-tax rate of return to real estate investments and assess how taxes affect profitability.

  • Distinguish between Standard Deduction and Itemizing: Advise clients on when to use the standard deduction versus itemizing deductions for optimal tax savings.

  • Navigate State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction Limits: Interpret the SALT deduction limits and advise clients on strategies to mitigate their impact, particularly in high-tax states.

  • Identify Qualified Residence Rules: Understand the definition and tax implications of a "qualified residence" and how it impacts deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes.

  • Comprehend Acquisition Indebtedness and its Tax Implications: Understand the definition and tax implications of a "qualified residence" and how it impacts deductions for mortgage interest and property taxes.

  • Understand Gift Tax Implications in Real Estate Transactions: Recognize the basics of gift tax and how it impacts real estate transactions, especially when gifting property.

Real Estate and Taxes - Part 2
Course Reference Number: C20206031
CE Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Description: Real Estate and Taxes - Part 2 is an advanced continuing education course designed for real estate professionals who want to deepen their understanding of tax laws impacting real estate transactions. This course builds on the foundational tax knowledge covered in Part 1 and dives into more complex concepts that directly affect both homeowners and real estate investors. This course will equip you with the knowledge to confidently guide your clients through the complexities of real estate taxation, helping them optimize their tax strategies in both primary residence and investment property transactions.

  • Calculate Tax Basis for Real Estate: Determine the tax basis of a property by considering factors such as purchase price, improvements, depreciation, and other adjustments that affect the property’s value for tax purposes.

  • Apply Primary Residence Exclusion Rules: Share with clients on how to apply the primary residence exclusion rules to exclude capital gains on the sale of their primary residence.

  • Understand the Tax Treatment of Rental Income: Explain the taxation of rental income, including allowable deductions such as mortgage interest, property taxes, and maintenance costs, and understand how rental income is treated for tax purposes.

  • Implement Depreciation Strategies for Investment Properties: Identify how depreciation can be used to reduce taxable income, explain the process for calculating depreciation, and understand its long-term impact on tax liabilities.

  • Analyze Capital Gains and Losses on Investment Properties: Understand the tax implications of capital gains when selling an investment property.

  • Understand Tax Implications for Investment Property Sales: Advise clients on the tax considerations when selling investment properties, including the impact of depreciation recapture, long-term vs. short-term capital gains, and potential 1031 exchanges.

Mortgage Basic for Real Estate Professionals
Course Reference Number: C20206237
CE Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Description: This course is designed to equip real estate professionals with a solid foundational understanding of key mortgage concepts and processes. Participants will gain practical knowledge of essential mortgage terminology, basic loan products, and the overall lending process from pre-approval through closing. The course also explains key borrower qualification factors such as credit, income, and debt, while providing tools to improve communication with lenders and clients. By strengthening this knowledge, agents will be better prepared to guide buyers confidently and support smoother real estate transactions.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Define key mortgage terminology commonly used in residential real estate transactions.
  • Identify and explain the main types of mortgage loan products and the buyers they best serve.
  • Describe the mortgage process from pre-approval through closing, including key milestones and requirements.
  • Recognize borrower qualification factors such as credit, income, and debt-to-income ratio, and how they impact loan approval.

Understanding the Basics of 1031 Tax Free Exchanges
Course Reference Number:C20206193
CE Credit: 1 Elective Credit

Course Description: This course provides real estate professionals with a comprehensive understanding of Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code and how tax-deferred exchanges can be used as a powerful strategy in real estate investment. Participants will learn the fundamental rules, timelines, and legal requirements governing 1031 exchanges, along with how capital gains and depreciation impact taxable proceeds. The course also explores how to identify eligible properties, calculate capital gains, and work within the structure of a compliant exchange. By developing this knowledge, agents can better advise investor clients, add strategic value to transactions, and strengthen their role in wealth-building real estate activities.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the purpose and structure of a 1031 tax-deferred exchange, including its primary benefits in real estate investment.
  • Describe how capital gains, depreciation, and adjusted basis impact taxable gain in real estate transactions.
  • Calculate capital gains from the sale of real estate, including adjustments for depreciation, improvements, and transaction costs.
  • Identify the legal requirements of Section 1031, including like-kind property rules, timelines, identification requirements, and the role of qualified intermediaries.
  • Distinguish between properties that qualify and do not qualify for 1031 exchange treatment.