CAREER ADVANCEMENT COURSES
Enhance your Five Star Conference experience by adding one of our high-impact educational opportunities to your registration.
Elevate your expertise through industry certifications and professional development courses offered by The Five Star Academy. Whether you're looking to deepen your knowledge, sharpen your skillset, or stay ahead of regulatory changes, our curriculum offers targeted training led by seasoned professionals designed to deliver immediate impact and unlock new opportunities in your field.
Invest in your future. Expand your credentials. Stand out in a competitive market.
Select the add-on option during registration or when modifying your registration to purchase a Certification or Class Pass.
Advance purchase is required for admittance. No prerequisites required.
*Five Star Member email addresses will trigger special member pricing.
for real estate professionals
REO CERTIFICATION
MONDAY, AUGUST 31| 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Five Star Members | $750 Add-on*
- Non-Members | $1,200 Add-on
This REO Certification will provide the highest education that real estate agents can learn from an experienced agent and instructor. The content will cover the important markets for agents to know and opportunities for success: Short Sales and REO listings. By learning the lifecycle of a foreclosure, you prepare yourself not just for additional opportunities but to understand the REO process from start to finish.
NOTE: Occurs prior to the start of the conference.
Check-in between 7:30-8:30 AM.
Lunch break from 12:00-1:00 PM (Lunch not included).
Certifications are open to all professionals; however, some content may be tailored to specific roles or industries.
Upon completion of the coursework, participants will take an online assessment. A passing score of 70% or higher is required to earn certification. Certified individuals will receive a digital certificate and badge to showcase their achievement on LinkedIn or in email signatures.
FIVE STAR ACADEMY CLASS PASS
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
- Five Star Members | $150 Add-on*
- Non-Members | $300 Add-on
Courses are designed for agents and brokers, but they are open to all professionals.
Six courses powered by the FORCE are included in the Class Pass. Two courses will be held concurrently during each time slot providing an opportunity to attend three classes total.
| 8:30 AM - 9:20 AM | Build the Machine: Creating a Plug-and-Play Business For agents and brokers who feel like every transaction depends on them personally. This session focuses on creating repeatable systems, workflows, and transaction management processes that reduce bottlenecks, prevent missed deadlines, improve consistency, and make it easier to onboard and train team members without reinventing the wheel every time. Attendees will learn how to build a business that saves time, reduces daily stress, creates a more predictable client experience, and allows them to step away with confidence knowing the work is still getting done. Open only to those who purchase the Conference Registration + Class Pass add-on package. | Commercial REO Reimagined The commercial REO market is evolving, creating new opportunities for agents and brokers who understand today's challenges and client expectations. This session will explore current market trends, emerging asset classes, changes in disposition strategies, and what servicers and asset managers are looking for in their brokerage partners. Whether you're expanding into commercial REO or looking to strengthen your existing business, you'll gain practical insights to help you identify opportunities, position your services, and successfully navigate today's commercial default landscape. Open only to those who purchase the Conference Registration + Class Pass add-on package. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9:30 AM - 10:20 AM | Become the Investor's Go-To-Agent Investors need agents who understand more than the market—they need partners who know how to navigate financing, avoid closing delays, and keep deals moving. Join Valya Fisher, Vice President of Loan Processing and Head of Transaction Coordination at Built Lending, to learn how financing strategies, streamlined transaction management, and strong coordination can help you better serve investor clients or grow your own investment business. The session will also cover asset-based lending and how understanding investor financing can help agents identify opportunities earlier in the transaction. Walk away with practical tips to close deals more efficiently, build stronger investor relationships, and create more opportunities for repeat business. Open only to those who purchase the Conference Registration + Class Pass add-on package. | Unlock New Income: Opportunities in Probate & Receiverships Expand your business by exploring two growing opportunities in the default mortgage space. This session will introduce real estate agents and brokers to the basics of probate and receiverships, including how these processes work, where opportunities exist, and how they intersect with distressed properties. You'll learn the roles of the key parties involved, common challenges, and best practices for working with attorneys, courts, lenders, and property owners. Whether you're looking to diversify your business or better serve your existing clients, this class will provide practical insights to help you navigate these specialized areas with confidence. Open only to those who purchase the Conference Registration + Class Pass add-on package. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Run the Machine: Accountability, Leadership, and AI for Growth For leaders managing growing businesses, increasing transaction volume, and multiple moving parts. This session focuses on accountability, delegation, oversight, risk management, and the practical use of AI to support operations without sacrificing quality, compliance, or control. Attendees will learn how to build dependable teams, create accountability without micromanagement, use AI responsibly, and spend less time chasing people and deadlines while maintaining high standards and protecting their business. Open only to those who purchase the Conference Registration + Class Pass add-on package. | Wisdom from the Well New to the default servicing industry? Pull up a chair and learn from the professionals who have helped shape it. This interactive mentoring session pairs newer agents and brokers with experienced industry veterans for candid, small-group conversations about building relationships, avoiding common pitfalls, navigating career growth, and finding success in today's market. Bring your questions, gain practical advice, expand your network, and leave with insights that can only come from years of experience. Open only to those who purchase the Conference Registration + Class Pass add-on package. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
for MORTGAGE SERVICERS
LEGAL LEAGUE DEFAULT SERVICER CERTIFICATION- LEVEL I
MONDAY, AUGUST 31 | 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Lenders & Servicers | $400 Add-on
- Employees & Invited Guests of Legal League Members | $50 Add-on
Receive certification and gain a full understanding of the default servicing process, from beginning to end, so that you are better equipped to fulfill your role. During this in-person class, top attorneys will provide insights into the most important aspects of servicing and other relevant industry skills, including:
- Bankruptcy 101
- Advanced Bankruptcy
- Foreclosure 101
- Advanced Foreclosure
- Judicial vs. Non-Judicial
- Boarding/Independent Verification
- How to Be a Witness
- How to Sign Documents
- Documenting a Servicing File
After this Legal League certification, you will be more valuable to your clients and peers, as well as more confident in your work.
*Class purchase option will appear for Legal League members and approved Lenders & Servicers when email address is entered.
Email memberships@thefivestar.com to request access.
DEFAULT INSIGHTS - A COLLABORATIVE CLASSROOM SERIES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
| 2:00 PM - 2:50 PM | Critical Decision Points in the Life of a Defaulted Loan From the first missed payment through an eviction lockout, this session examines the key decisions that can alter the trajectory of a file. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3:00 PM - 3:50 PM | Essential Soft Skills for Loss Mitigation Successful mediation requires preparation, authority, and the right approach. This session will cover common mistakes in loss mitigation mediations and how to better navigate the process. Learn why having the right decision-makers present, understanding the full loan history, and being prepared with options are critical to reaching resolution. Topics will include mediation etiquette, communicating effectively, avoiding bad faith concerns, and focusing on compromise rather than winning the case. Attendees will leave with practical guidance for making mitigation more productive and successful. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Code Violations & Super Liens: Hidden Risks in Distressed Assets Distressed properties can come with hidden issues that impact timelines, costs, and successful resolution. This session will cover code violations, municipal liens, and super liens that can create challenges for property professionals. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
| 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Changing Tides: Statutory and Case Law Changes This interactive workshop will bring together regional legal experts to discuss the latest statutory changes, case law developments, and emerging trends impacting the industry. Participants will explore updates by region, including new requirements, operational impacts, and lessons learned from recent changes. Through discussion with attorneys who work in these markets every day, attendees will gain practical insight into potential risks, effective strategies, and solutions for navigating an evolving regulatory environment. Walk away with a clearer understanding of what has changed, what is coming next, and how to adjust your processes to stay ahead. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||



