Real Estate Basics

Real Estate Basics is a Breni path that explains how property markets work, for first-time buyers, renters and anyone curious about property as an investment. Its 8 courses cover property types, valuation, mortgages, buying and selling, renting, property law, rental numbers, and risks and scams. Learners finish able to read a mortgage offer, calculate rental yield and spot common property scams. It is education only and does not recommend any purchase. Mortgages come before rental numbers because borrowing shapes both, and the courses unlock in that order.

  • 8 courses
  • 11 learning objectives
  • Level: beginner
  • Language: English
  • Price: Subscription, free trial

What you will be able to do

  • Explain how location, comparable sales and interest rates affect property value
  • Calculate a mortgage's loan-to-value ratio and total interest cost
  • List the main steps and costs in a property purchase
  • Calculate gross and net rental yield for a sample property
  • Spot the warning signs of land scams and fake rental listings

Full curriculum

Part 1 · How property works

1. What Real Estate Is: Property Basics

Describe the main types of property and who takes part in property markets. Units, in order: Residential, commercial and land; Owners, tenants, agents and lenders; How property markets differ by country; Freehold and leasehold; Why property prices rise and fall.

  • — Types of Property
    Learn about homes, businesses, and open land.
    • Residential Property
    • Commercial Property
    • Land and Plots
  • — Market Participants
    Meet the people and groups in real estate.
    • Owners and Tenants
    • Agents and Lenders
  • — Global Markets
    See how property markets differ around the world.
    • Market Differences
    • Local Rules
  • — Ownership Types
    Compare freehold and leasehold property rights.
    • Freehold Property
    • Leasehold Property
  • — Price Changes
    Explore why property prices rise and fall.
    • Rising Prices
    • Falling Prices

2. Property Value

Explain how property is valued and what drives its price. Units, in order: Location and demand; Comparable sales; The income approach to value; Surveys and inspections; Interest rates and property prices.

Part 2 · Money and law

3. Mortgages and Financing

Explain how mortgages work and what borrowing really costs. Units, in order: How a mortgage works; Deposits and loan-to-value; Fixed and variable rates; How repayments are split between interest and capital; What happens if payments are missed.

4. Buying and Selling Property

Describe the steps and costs involved in a property sale. Units, in order: The buying process step by step; Offers and negotiation; Closing costs and taxes; Title and land registration; Common buyer mistakes.

5. Renting and Tenancy

Explain the rights and duties of landlords and tenants. Units, in order: Tenancy agreements; Deposits and rent; Repairs and responsibilities; Evictions and disputes; Short-term rentals.

6. Property Law and Regulation

Describe the legal rules that shape property ownership. Units, in order: Contracts and conveyancing; Zoning and planning permission; Property taxes; Building regulations; Checking ownership before a deal.

Part 3 · Property as an investment

7. Rental Property Numbers

Calculate the income, costs and risks of a rental property. Units, in order: Gross and net rental yield; Running costs and empty periods; Cash flow with a mortgage; Leverage and negative equity; Stress-testing for rate rises.

8. Property Risks and Scams

Recognise the risks and common scams in property. Units, in order: Liquidity and transaction costs; Market downturns; Off-plan and land scams; Fake listings and rental fraud; Checking agents and developers.

Sample: What Real Estate Is: Property Basics

The opening tier, (Types of Property). Learn about homes, businesses, and open land.

Residential Property

Understand homes where people live daily.

Commercial Property

Explore spaces used for business and work.

Land and Plots

Discover raw land and empty plots.

Questions about Real Estate Basics

Is this real estate course financial advice?

No. It is not financial advice and does not recommend buying, selling or investing in any property.

Does this path prepare me for a real estate licence exam?

No. Licensing rules vary by country and state, and this path does not follow any licence syllabus.

Is real estate a good investment for beginners?

That depends on your situation, and property carries real risks, including debt, costs and falling prices. Breni's path explains those risks so you can ask better questions.

What is rental yield?

Rental yield is the yearly rent as a percentage of the property's price. Net yield subtracts running costs first, which the seventh course works through.

Do I get a certificate in real estate?

Completing all 8 courses earns a Breni certificate of completion. It is not a real estate licence.

Related learning paths

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