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Class Descriptions

Downsizing Made Easy

Whether you plan to age in place or are thinking about moving, this class will cover tips for scaling down possessions and provide information on available housing options, from qualified elder housing to living on college campuses. Educator and Realtor Marie Presti, a Seniors Residential Specialist, will discuss the nuts and bolts of downsizing (or right-sizing, as she likes to call it). She will also address financing, from home equity lines of credit to the pros and cons of reverse mortgages. 

A First-Timer’s Guide to Home or Condo Buying

In today’s real estate market, it’s more important than ever to be knowledgeable before purchasing a home or condo. Get an overview of the entire process, from finding the perfect neighborhood and selecting a real estate broker, to obtaining favorable financing and hiring an attorney to protect your investment. During this course, veteran real estate practitioner and educator Marie Presti will teach students about how the rights and responsibilities of condo owners differ from those of homeowners, and review the primary legal documents related to each. This course’s unbiased, comprehensive approach can help you avoid disastrous situations from the loss of your hard-earned deposit to buying a property with latent defects such as termites, lead paint, or water damage.

Residential Investment Properties: Multi-Family & Condo Conversations

Are you feeling priced out of the single-family market? Multi-family homes not only offer more affordable housing than condos or single-family homes, but also provide a higher rate of return on investment. Learn about market trends in the greater Boston area; financial factors in buying, owning, and reselling homes; what to look for if you want to convert to condos; and the legal aspects of multifamily home ownership and condo conversion, including building regulations, fair housing laws, mortgage requirements, and landlord-tenant relations. Understand your options before you make an expensive decision.

1031 Exchanges

Are you thinking about selling a piece of land, investment property, or single or multi-family home that you rent, but nervous about the taxes you’d owe? With a 1031 exchange, you can swap one investment property for another and defer capital gains taxes. This class explains the what, how, and why of the 1031 exchange through the entire process. You don’t want to make less than you deserve from your assets, or worse, make a sale that will hurt you financially in the long term. It may feel like you need a professional to help, but you can do it yourself with the right coaching! Get a step-by-step guide with individual advice on how to divest your real estate assets in the way that makes the most sense for your finances from Marie Presti, an award-winning broker with nearly 20 years of experience in buying and selling property

Vacation in Your Second Home

Visit the Cape or Maine and actually own that house you’ve dreamed of buying. In this class, you’ll learn all about the pros and cons of owning a second home-from the work involved to the tax considerations and the benefits. We’ll discuss what to consider when making your purchase, and how to choose your long-term vacation location. Marie Presti will share recent market data on several New England areas where second homes are popular: New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Cape Cod, and the Islands. When you finish this class, you’ll be several steps closer to making that dream of yours a reality.

Buying and Managing Rental Properties

Award-winning Realtor and property owner Marie Presti will show students the ropes for buying an investment property. She’ll review how to analyze and compare properties and discuss if hiring a property manager makes sense. A landlord’s rights and responsibilities will also be reviewed and whether or not they should live on the premises or be off-site. If you’re wary of the stock market and want to invest in real estate, this class is for you.

Sell Your Home in a HOT Market!

Is your house ready to sell? Hit the market while it’s hot; time is of the essence! Receive timely advice from an award-winning realtor who will discuss real estate trends and what you need to know to obtain a top-dollar offer on your home or condo. Our expert realtor will share a market analysis covering recent shifts in the market that have affected buyers and sellers. You’ll learn what these shifts mean for you, along with budget-friendly improvements that will help you sell. If you want to join the seller’s market, now is the time-join us to learn best practices for preparing your home for sale in this fast-paced, competitive market.

Becoming a Real Estate Agent: Do You Have What It Takes?

Discover what it takes to become a real estate agent with this introduction from a pro who has over 20 years of experience. Learn about Massachusetts’ licensing requirements, what skills you’ll need to thrive in this profession, and how to select a brokerage that will help you find your first clients

Meet Your Instructor, Marie Presti of The Presti Group

Marie Presti is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience in the world of real estate. With more than 20 years in the industry, Marie has built an impressive track record helping clients buy, sell, and invest with confidence throughout Greater Boston. As part of The Presti Group at Barrett Sotheby’s International Realty, Marie brings together the strength of a globally recognized brand with the personal guidance, market insight, and relationship-focused service she is known for. Through her classes, she makes real estate approachable and engaging, offering practical advice on market trends, financing options, property valuation, negotiation strategies, and informed decision-making at every stage. Whether you are new to real estate or looking to deepen your understanding, Marie is a trusted guide ready to help you navigate the market with clarity and confidence.