Over the past 25 years, PRESS has educated nearly 10,000 home buyers and sellers throughout the Puget Sound region and helped more than 500 clients buy and sell real estate. Founder Jim Stacey began offering several real estate courses at the University of Washington's Experimental College (UWEC) in the early 1980's. PRESS owner and experienced investor/landlord/consultant Brett Clifton now teaches the entire curriculum through the UWEC. Beginning Summer 2009, we’ve invited experienced landlord and investor Brian Harwood to co-teach the PRESS classes at Lake Washington Technical College in Kirkland, bringing to the Eastside audience the education and support that Seattle-area residents have enjoyed for so long. The courses listed below are taught at least every other month, and several are taught multiple times each month. Click on “Class Schedule” to see upcoming dates, times and locations.

We'll see you in class!

Stop Renting: Smart Home Buying    (3 Hours) **
Now is the time! Can you say "buyer's market"? Discover the step-by-step essentials of the home buying process including: assessing your affordability for purchase, navigating the mortgage meltdown, identifying qualified agents, negotiation tips, recognizing inspection and inspector pitfalls, and much more. Learn how to capture the unique opportunities of our current marketplace for your most important purchase - your home! ** Currently offered only through the University of Washington Experimental College

Condominiums: Buying and Selling   (5 Hours) **
No longer the sad step-sister of the single family house, many people look to condos as an attractive, cost-effective housing solution. And, yes, they can be good investments, either as a home or a great stepping stone to a house. But notice all the condos with scaffolding up for repairs? Condo buyers beware! We'll compare condos, co-ops, and town homes, including their financial and legal differences. Lots of insider tips. ** Offered at both the University of Washington Experimental College and Lake Washington Technical College

Seattle Homes: Buying & Selling Around the Sound   (12 Hours) **
Puget Sound Homes: Buying & Selling Around the Sound    (9 Hours) **
Twenty-five years; nearly 10,000 students enrolled! This is the "whole enchilada" course of buying and selling real estate. We cover all the important topics, from loans and inspections to contracts and strategies. Understand the process, paperwork and players for buying or selling a home. You'll learn just how much of what most people believe about real estate, including too many professionals, is wrong, wrong, wrong. And you'll have fun doing it!  ** 9-Hour Section offered through Lake Washington Technical College; 12-Hour Section offered through the University of Washington Experimental College

Fixers2Foreclosures: Investing in Real Estate    (9 Hours) **
There's no time like the present! Our current marketplace is offering up numerous opportunities for investment buyers, but education is the key to a smart investment plan. Real estate continues to offer one of the surest paths for long-term wealth and financial independence. Let's talk about how to seize the day! This class provides an overview of rentals, fixers, foreclosures, and choices few have heard of.  ** Currently offered only through the University of Washington Experimental College