Week 4 Assignment

Week 4 (September 15, 2008): Exam 1 Week
*Read Chapter 15. Make sure you understand mortgage payments, mortgage balances, and loan amortization.
*Make sure you have the exam 1 date (see below), time, and location in your schedule.
*Exam 1 on Saturday, September 20th at 10 AM in room 147 Business Building. The exam will cover chapters 1, 13, 14, and 15. Also, this exam will have emphasis on TVM.
*Please bring your UTA photo ID, a Scan-tran answer sheet (as specified in the syllabus), pencils, and your calculator (see additional exam instructions below).
Exam 1 will be 50 or fewer multiple choice style questions.

Strategies for Success

For each chapter

• Read the assigned text chapter and view any video clips posted on the class website as homework.

• Download the chapter notes (found on my website) and review the notes.

• Try the end of chapter problems.

• Download the answers to selected end of chapter problems (found on my website) and review your answers.

• Take notes during the video clips and rewrite/organize your notes afterwards.

• Read the text chapter a second time.

• Download and complete the chapter true/false questions and discussion questions.

Other study suggestions

• Make flashcards.

• Read your notes into a tape recorder (and playback).

• Take notes as you read the text.

• Combine (rewrite) your class notes and text notes into a single set of notes.

• Study several hours per day everyday (do not wait until the night before the exam).

• Study with a friend or small group (discuss terms and topics, try problems together, and quiz each other). You could meet virtually in Second Life!

• Do the case studies accompanying the text found on the student CD (not a requirement).

General comment

• To protect your privacy, exam scores and final grades will not be posted in public spaces, e-mailed, or released over the phone. I will post grades on WebCT.

Exam 1: One Week Notice

Exam 1 is coming:

Exam 1 (Saturday, September 20th from 10 AM to 11:00 AM Room 147)

*Must bring Scan-tron, financial calculator, pencils, and student ID to all exams.

Please arrive 10 minutes early so we can setup the classroom and start at 10 AM sharp.

WebCT: Grade Reporting Only!

The class roster has been loaded into WebCT today. If you log on to your WebCT account (with your UTA user name and password - same as your e-mail account) you should see your name on WebCT. Please log on to WebCT and contact me if your name does not appear (this means that you might not be registered for the course!).

Most important, please never contact me through the WebCT e-mail function. I only log on to WebCT to enter grades so I do not check the WebCT regularly. Please always use the e-mail reae3325online@gmail.com.

Video/Audio Clips

Someone mentioned having some difficulty view the video clips. She is using Internet Explorer and we suspect that it is due to a weak Internet connection at home. Please vote on the poll question to the right. I would like to know if anyone else is having difficulty. If you indicate that you are having difficulty in the poll, please follow-up by sending me an e-mail describing the problem.

If you are having difficulty and you think it is due to a weak Internet connection, please try an alternate computer and/or Internet connection. You might even consider watching the video clips in the campus computer labs. Remember to bring headphones as the students sitting around you might not appreciate the real estate lecture as much as you do!

We ran this class last Spring semester with 30 student and did not have any problems with the video/audio clips. However, we do have 70 students using the website this semester and this could cause some new challenges.

REMINDER ->Bullet point 6 from the course homepage:
VIDEO CLIP VIEWING INFORMATION: You must have a reliable computer, Internet connection, and a recent version of MS Internet Explorer (IE) browser (video clips can be viewed in IE only). For video clip viewing, the Firefox browser will not work. I cannot help you with any technical problems so please look into your available resources before registering for the course. If you have trouble with your computer, Internet connection, or browser, this distance learning format will not be convenient to you. You can reach the University HelpDesk at (817) 272-2208 or e-mail helpdesk@uta.edu. Or, visit the HelpDesk in person at the first floor of the Main Library (the best way if you are on campus).

Office Hours

I met with a couple of you this week during office hours. It was nice meeting several of you and it helps me to have some faces to put with the e-mails and the names on the roster. Feel free to stop in during office hours 2 to 4 PM Tuesdays and Thursday. You can just say hello or bring your questions. See you all soon at Exam 1 which is just around the corner!

Also, if you would like to post a picture of yourself and a second picture of anything (within reason, please remember this is a public website and blog!) on the course homepage, please feel free to e-mail me the pictures. I will update our photo slide show this weekend. This is not mandatory if you are camera or web shy.

Housing Affordability: Arlington Ranks #7

The Star Telegram (9/10/2008, C1) published a recent article summarizing a nationwide study of housing affordability by Coldwell Banker. Arlington was ranked number 7 with an average price of $143,775 for a 2,200 square foot, 2.5 bathroom house. Killeen, Texas was number 9 and Fort Worth was ranked 11th. The highest average price for a similar house was $1,841,667 in La Jolla, California.

Hopefully this get out to business owners looking to start-up or relocate businesses. Housing prices is a competitive advantage for Arlington.

Student Question: TVM Tutorial

Where can I find the TVM tutorial?

Answer: You purchase the TVM tutorial at the UTA bookstore. A student posted a comment to a prior post indicating that the TVM costs around $12. You must purchase the TVM tutorial because the Department requires that you submit an original Certificate with your TVM work. The Certificate is included in the TVM tutorial purchase.

Check it out...

As real estate students, you might be interested in a couple posts from the REAE@UTA program blog.

http://realestateprogram.blogspot.com/2008/09/competitive-advantages-of-cities.html

http://realestateprogram.blogspot.com/2008/09/history-of-world-over-last-13000-years.html

Also note that Thomas Friedman will be on-campus this Thursday. Check out the details at:

http://realestateprogram.blogspot.com/2008/08/lexus-and-olive-tree-author-tom.html

Student Question: TVM Prior Completion

Please excuse me if this is a stupid question but what am I suppose to do with the Prior completion form I printed from the website?

From bullet point 4 at the top of our course homepage (or see syllabus):
TVM ANNOUNCEMENT: You must complete the Time Value of Money (TVM) Finance Tutorial to receive credit for this course. The TVM Finance Tutorial is a Department requirement of all REAE 3325 and FINA 3313 students. If you have already completed the TVM Finance Tutorial in FINA 3313 you DO NOT have to do it a second time. You may submit a TVM Finance Tutorial prior completion sheet to Mr. Daniel Nguyen, Department of Finance and Real Estate, Room 424 COBA, Box 19449, Arlington TX 76019-0449. Click here to down load a pdf of the TVM Prior Completion Form.

Let me post this a second time! Orientation Clip...

Still getting some questions which were addressed in the Orientation Clip found at http://www.uta.edu/faculty/hansz/3325/online/main.htm. Also, you can always refer back to it. I will keep this posted the entire semester.

Did you watch/listen to the Orientation Clip?

Still getting some questions which were addressed in the Orientation Clip found at http://www.uta.edu/faculty/hansz/3325/online/main.htm. Also, you can always refer back to it. I will keep this posted the entire semester.

Many Still Need to Check In...

If you haven't already, please check-in with me by sending an e-mail to reae3325online@gmail.com. You will be sent instructions to get you started. Everyone needs to review the Orientation Video Clip and complete the Week 1 Assignments!

Student Question: I am on academic probation, is this a good class for me?

Probably not. You can see the historical GPA range from the syllabus and if you are struggling, I would generally not recommend taking any on-line class (including this one).

Student Question: Do you do a review before each exam?

The answer to this question is 'no.' I will post an on-line video review of each exam about a day or two AFTER each examination is taken.

If a topic or chapter is not important, I do not include it on the syllabus (you can see that pretty much the entire text is important). Furthermore, each of the chapters are generally equally important (although the I have budgeted extra time for Chapter 13 Residential and Commercial Property Financing and Chapter 11 Real Estate Appraisal due to the large amount of material in these chapters).

Since I want you to study and learn all the material that we cover, any review would pretty much have to cover all the lectures and text material. If I tell you before an exam that only these five topics, a-b-c-d-e, will be on the exam, I think most of you would only study a-b-c-d-e and disregard the rest of the material. Since I feel that all the material is important and I want you to learn and study these topics, I am not going to reveal specific topics or questions in advanced. Examinations are a sampling process. For examination preparation and study tips, please refer to page 9 of the syllabus.

Also note the number of chapters we cover for each exam (only the final exam is cumulative). Exam 1 covers the fewest chapters (4 total), followed by exam 2 (6 total), and exam 3 (8 chapters). This is intentional. I want to start out by focusing on fewer chapters to give you a chance to get up to speed on the math and time-value-of-money calculations, but the amount of material for each exam will progressively increase as the semester progresses.

Good question.

Student Question: Do I need the prereq?

The short answer to this question is yes. MATH 1316 is a prerequisite for this class, and for good reason. There is a substantial math component to this course (I am including time-value-of-money when I speak of 'math'). Students without a basic math background do have trouble.

I have intentionally put a large 'chunk' of the math material toward the start of the course. Referring to the syllabus, you will see that the chapter we cover initially (chapters 13, 14, and 15) cover the topics of real estate finance, time value of money, and mortgage mechanics. The reason, I put this material first is to see if you can handle it. Some students have a very difficult time with this early material and it typically is a result of relatively week math skills.

A long time ago, I covered these chapters near the end of the course. But since it was past the drop period, some students found out that they could not handle the material and it was too late to drop the course.

Now, the class roster does not tell me who has and had not met the prerequisite. Therefore, I will not be chasing anyone out of the class for this reason. However, I think it is important that I bring the prerequisite issue to your attention.

Not trying to scare anyone, but some students do struggle with the math.

IMPORTANT CLASS DATES!

Important Dates (Please put these dates in your schedule now! No make-up exams!)

Exam 1 (Saturday, September 20th from 10 AM to 11:00 AM Room 147 – Do not arrive late!)*

Exam 2 (Saturday, October 18th from 10 AM to 11:00 AM Room 147 – Do not arrive late!)*

Blog Post Bonus Deadline Saturday, November 8th

Exam 3 (Saturday, November 22nd from 10 AM to 11:30 AM Room 147 – Do not arrive late!)*

TVM Tutorial Deadline Saturday, November 22nd (Must complete or you will receive a 'F' in course.)

Cumulative Final Exam: Saturday, December 6th from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM

*Must bring Scan-tron, financial calculator, pencils, and student ID to all exams.

IMPORTANT! Please make sure you are enrolled

VERY IMPORTANT: Please verify with your MyMav student account that you are registered for this course. You need to be registered for this course to receive a grade.

Also, note that this course is not registered under Distance Learning and there is no additional distance learning fee associated with this course. The course is entirely administered through the website www.uta.edu/faculty/hansz and this course blog (WebCT is used only for posting grades after each exam and will not be setup until after the first exam date).

I am doing all the website adminisitration myself. I polled students last Spring and asked if they would have preferred a little more polished website administration with a corresponding fee. The response, overwelhming, was that the website and format was functional and to keep it the same.

If any of you younger tech savy hot shots have any suggestions for improvements, I am all ears (send me an e-mail). I am pushing 40 years-old, but I am doing my best to keep up with technology and you kids. I cannot guarantee that I can implement suggestions immediately but I will definately take note of any suggestions for future course development.

You will have a chance to submit annoymous evaluations of this course and format before the start of the third exam. Unless I hear othwise from you (the students), I will keep the format the same and continue to do all the website work myself (and not charge any additional fees).

Hours for Finance (TVM) Tutorial Fall 2008

Mr. Yongho Seo is the Finance TVM Tutor and he has already set office hours. His office is located in room 404 Business Building and his phone number is (817) 272-3835. If you have any problems locating Seo during the listed hours (below), call the Department Office at 817 272-3705 or stop by room 434 to let the staff know.

Monday 2:30-5 PM
Tuesday 10:00-12:30 PM
Wednesday 4:30-7 PM
Thursday 2:30-5 PM

Please use this service! The TVM proceeds (fees) goes to providing this help to you.

Reminders

Please use the e-mail address reae3325online@gmail.com for all e-mail communication for this class.

This is not a requirement, but you can send me an e-mail just to connect the first week of class. Also, don't forget that you can make post to this blog. If you have a question, post it on the blog. I bet several other student will have a similar question and benefit from the post.

Important Annoucements!

ATTENTION ALL REAE 3325 ONLINE STUDENTS AND PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS!

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOW BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THIS SECTION:

This is an ONLINE LEARNING SECTION. Students registering for this section should be highly motivated, disciplined, and capable of self-study and independent learning. Also, you should expect to put in 50% to 100% more time into an online class over and above a traditional face-to-face class. If you have any doubts about your motivation, discipline, ability to learn independently or available time, I highly recommend that you consider taking one of the other five traditional face-to-face section of REAE 3325 (offered mornings, afternoons, and evenings).
Your primary information sources for this course will be your (1) text book, (2) video clips, (3) practice problems, and (4) student blog. In addition, I will have office hours for additional help. Please note that WebCT is used for posting grades only.

TVM ANNOUNCEMENT: You must complete the Time Value of Money (TVM) Finance Tutorial to receive credit for this course. The TVM Finance Tutorial is a Department requirement of all REAE 3325 and FINA 3313 students. If you have already completed the TVM Finance Tutorial in FINA 3313 you DO NOT have to do it a second time. You may submit a TVM Finance Tutorial prior completion sheet to Marlene Tanner, Department of Finance and Real Estate, Room 424 COBA, Box 19449, Arlington TX 76019-0449. Click here to down load a pdf of the TVM Prior Completion Form.

FINANCIAL CALCULATOR: You will also need a basic financial calculator which can be purchased at the UTA bookstore, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, Fry's, and other retail outlets. Most students use a Texas Instruments (TI) or Hewlett Packard (HP) brand calculator.

VIDEO CLIP VIEWING INFORMATION: You must have a reliable computer, Internet connection, and a recent version of MS Internet Explorer (IE) browser (video clips can be viewed in IE only). For video clip viewing, the Firefox browser will not work. I cannot help you with any technical problems so please look into your available resources before registering for the course. If you have trouble with your computer, Internet connection, or browser, this distance learning format will not be convenient to you. You can reach the University HelpDesk at (817) 272-2208 or e-mail helpdesk@uta.edu. Or, visit the Help Desk in person at the first floor of the Main Library (the best way if you are on campus).

FOUR SATURDAY EXAMS WILL BE HELD ON CAMPUS! See syllabus for examination dates and times.