FHL Agent Academy
Your Training Hub for Success
Everything you need to get set up, learn our systems, understand company procedures, and grow your real estate business the right way at Florida Homes & Loans.
Start Here First
Complete your association and MLS setup, review the company handbook, set up your systems, then work through the training videos below.
Onboarding Progress Check-Ins
This page is designed as a self-guided onboarding workflow. When you reach a checkpoint, submit the check-in form so the brokerage can see what you have completed, where you are in training, and whether you need help before moving to the next stage.
New Agent Setup Checklist
1. Join ORRA & NAR
Agents are required to maintain REALTOR® membership, including local association membership and NAR membership. Use the ORRA portal to begin your application.
Apply with ORRA2. Set Up Stellar MLS
ORRA and Stellar MLS are separate entities. Once approved with ORRA, agents should receive an email with instructions to sign up with Stellar MLS. Please allow a few days for processing. Agents may also apply directly with Stellar MLS.
Apply with Stellar MLS3. Company Handbook
Review the Florida Homes & Loans handbook, including advertising, transactions, MLS rules, and compliance expectations.
View Company PolicyCheckpoint 1: Association, MLS & Policy Setup
Before moving forward, submit this checkpoint so the brokerage can confirm where you are in the association, MLS, and policy review process.
- Confirm you applied for ORRA/NAR or provide your approval status.
- Confirm whether Stellar MLS is active, pending, or still waiting on ORRA processing.
- Confirm you opened and reviewed the company policy/handbook.
Company Systems & Approved Resources
Your FHL Onboarding Access
Once you are fully signed up with Florida Homes & Loans, you will receive access to the main company systems needed to work under the brokerage. This includes your company email, agent website, access to the company Google Drive with brokerage resources and documents, and an invitation to join our Canva team.
- Company Email: Use your FHL email for real estate business communications so records stay organized and professional.
- Agent Website: Your agent website gives you a branded online presence connected to Florida Homes & Loans.
- Google Drive: The company Drive includes brokerage resources, training materials, documents, and approved templates.
- Canva Team: Canva is where agents create approved marketing designs using company branding and pre-approved layouts.
Lofty CRM Training
Lofty is the company CRM. A CRM is where you keep track of your sphere of influence, referrals, past clients, leads, contacts, follow-ups, and ongoing campaigns. In real estate, your database is one of your most important business tools because it helps you stay in touch with people consistently so they remember you when they are ready to buy, sell, refer, or ask a real estate question.
Start with the onboarding training video. Once your account is set up, subscribe to his channel and continue watching his other Lofty videos. He explains how to use Lofty after setup and updates his training as Lofty releases changes.
Watch Lofty OnboardingTransactionDesk / Transact
TransactionDesk, also called Transact, is where you will access Florida real estate contracts, forms, addenda, disclosures, signing tools, transaction files, templates, and checklists.
Get familiar with the system before starting the contract training videos. As you watch the contract training, open the forms inside TransactionDesk and follow along so you know where to find each document and how it is used in a real transaction. FHL has templates and checklists set up to help you stay organized from contract to close.
Transact TrainingApproved Marketing Templates
Use the FHL Canva team templates for flyers, social posts, listing graphics, open house materials, buyer and seller content, and other agent marketing designs. New designs or edits outside the approved templates require broker approval before use.
Open CanvaSigns, Riders & Branded Items
Your first set of business cards will be ordered by the broker. Agents are strongly encouraged to order listing signs and riders as soon as possible so they are prepared when they secure a listing. You can also order approved promotional items, swag, branded materials, and other marketing products through Markful.
All signage must be Florida Homes & Loans branded, including open house signs, listing signs, directional signs, and riders. Do not use generic real estate signs. Per company guidelines, all marketing and signage must follow the FHL brand.
If you find a third-party vendor with cheaper pricing, send the final proof to the broker for approval before placing the order. Do not order or publish any third-party branded item until the proof has been approved.
Order from MarkfulCheckpoint 2: Company Systems Access
After your systems are set up, submit this checkpoint to confirm which tools you can access and what still needs help.
- Confirm your FHL email is working.
- Confirm you can access your agent website, Google Drive, Canva, Lofty, and TransactionDesk.
- List any login issues, missing invites, or training questions.
Broker Support & Legal Hotline
Agents are expected to ask questions early, keep communication documented, and use the right resource based on the issue.
Contacting the Broker
Email and text are the best methods to contact the broker. Text is helpful for quick questions, reminders, or time-sensitive items. Email is best when the question needs a written response, has attachments, or relates to a file.
If the question is related to a transaction, contract, customer communication, offer, counteroffer, inspection issue, escrow issue, repair request, dispute, or anything that may need to be saved to the file, send it by email for compliance and recordkeeping purposes.
ORRA Legal Hotline
ORRA provides a legal hotline as a free member resource for real estate-related questions. This is a helpful source when agents need general guidance from real estate attorneys on contract, transaction, or practice questions.
- Phone: (407) 438-1409
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM
Lockbox Access Training
Lockbox access is part of showing preparation. The listing agent decides which access method is used for each property, so agents should be ready for Supra, SentriConnect, and standard code lockboxes. Before every showing, review the MLS and showing instructions, confirm the access type, and make sure you have the correct app, subscription, approval, or code before you arrive.
Access Apps to Have Ready
Before showing property, agents should download both the Supra app and the SentriConnect app on their mobile device and become familiar with how each system works. Supra requires a paid access subscription. SentriConnect is voluntary, but it is important to have the app available because listing agents may use it to grant access to a Sentri lockbox.
- Supra: Supra is an electronic lockbox system that requires active paid access, usually through a monthly subscription. If a property has a Supra lockbox, you will need your Supra access set up before you can open it. Use the Supra setup link to review membership/access instructions and complete the required setup.
- SentriConnect: SentriConnect is used when a listing agent grants temporary mobile access to a Sentri lockbox. Agents do not need to pay for a Sentri membership simply to receive access from a listing agent, but they do need to download the SentriConnect app, create/sign in to their account, and follow the instructions provided by the listing agent.
- Generic Code Lockbox: Some listings use a manual lockbox with a preset code. The code may be included in the showing confirmation, MLS/showing notes, or provided directly by the listing agent. Always confirm the code before arrival and keep it confidential.
Lockboxes for Your Own Listings
Florida Homes & Loans does not require agents to purchase lockboxes. However, electronic lockboxes are recommended because they provide extra security, better access control, and a more professional listing process. This is especially helpful when multiple agents may be showing the property.
- Supra lockboxes: If you choose to use a Supra lockbox on your listing, follow the Supra/association instructions to purchase or obtain the lockbox, activate it, assign it to the property, and manage showing access. Supra access requires a paid subscription.
- Sentri lockboxes: If you choose to use a Sentri lockbox on your listing, review the SentriLock/SentriConnect resources for service options, app setup, lockbox purchase options, and instructions for granting access to showing agents.
- Generic code lockboxes: These can be simple to use, but they provide less control and less access tracking than electronic lockboxes. If used, obtain seller approval, place the box securely, keep the code protected, and update showing instructions clearly.
Checkpoint 3: Showing Access Preparation
Before you begin showing property, submit this checkpoint to confirm you understand the different lockbox systems and have prepared your phone for showing access.
- Confirm the Supra app is downloaded and state whether your paid Supra subscription is active, pending, or not yet needed.
- Confirm the SentriConnect app is downloaded and you understand listing agents may grant access through the app.
- Confirm you understand generic code lockboxes and will always review showing instructions before arriving.
FHL Agent Academy Video Training
Use the folders below to work through training in a cleaner order. New agents should start with the required folders first, then use the Training Library for deeper learning, refreshers, and transaction-specific topics.
Checkpoint 4: Training Progress Update
After you complete your first round of training, submit this checkpoint so the brokerage can confirm you are actively working through the academy and catch questions before your first transaction.
- Confirm you watched the Lofty onboarding video and subscribed to the Lofty training channel.
- Confirm you reviewed TransactionDesk training and know where to find contracts, templates, and checklists.
- Confirm which training folders you have started or completed: Journey to Close, Buyer, Seller, Contracts, and Training Library.
- List any questions you want reviewed before working with a customer or writing an offer.
Journey to Close Folder - Required Overview Training
Buyer Folder - Required Buyer Process Training
Buyer Reference Files
Before watching, open these files so you can follow along as the buyer process is explained.
Training Note: Keep the files open while watching. Pause the videos when needed so you can follow the form, checklist, and workflow step by step.
Seller Folder - Required Seller Process Training
Seller Reference Files
Before watching, open these files so you can follow along as the seller process is explained.
FHL Seller Agreement
Open this before reviewing seller paperwork and listing expectations.
Open AgreementTraining Note: Keep the files open while watching. Pause the videos when needed so you can follow the paperwork and workflow step by step.
Contracts Folder - Required Contracts & Riders Training
Training Library - Recommended & Reference Videos
Mock Folder - Practice Assignments
Mock Offer Writing Practice
Training Purpose: This is a practice assignment only. Do not contact the listing agent, seller, title company, lender, or any outside party. Prepare the mock offer and email it to the broker for review.
Assignment: Pull the property below in the MLS. The listing may be active, pending, expired, withdrawn, or sold. Use the MLS and available records to practice locating property details, owner information, listing history, disclosures, association information, and any contract items that may apply.
Property to Pull in MLS
- 606 Alhambra Ave, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
- Use the current owner of the property as the seller for this mock offer.
Mock Buyer Information
- Buyer Name: John Doe
- Financing Type: FHA mortgage
- Purchase Price: $350,000
- Earnest Money Deposit: $5,000
- Inspection Period: 10 days
- Closing Timeline: 30 days from effective date
Compensation and Seller Credit Request
- The commission charged to the buyer is 3%.
- Ask the seller to pay the buyer broker commission.
- Ask the seller to contribute 3% toward the buyer's closing costs and prepaids.
Required Practice Documents
- Prepare the purchase offer using the appropriate Florida contract form.
- Include any applicable addenda, riders, disclosures, financing terms, buyer broker compensation language, seller credit terms, HOA/condo documents, lead-based paint documents, or other property-specific forms that apply based on your MLS review.
- Complete the offer as cleanly as possible with no blanks unless the form allows the item to be left blank.
- Prepare an offer introduction email addressed to the broker explaining the offer, terms, and any items that need review.
- Email the mock offer package and offer introduction email to the broker for feedback.
Important: This is a mock assignment for training only. The offer should not be submitted to the listing side or any outside party. The goal is to practice reviewing MLS details, selecting the correct forms, writing the offer, adding applicable riders/addenda, and presenting the offer package professionally.
Mock Offer Writing Practice 2 - VA Mortgage
Training Purpose: This is a practice assignment only. Do not contact the listing agent, seller, title company, lender, or any outside party. Prepare the mock offer and email it to the broker for review.
Assignment: Pull the property below in the MLS. The listing may be active, pending, expired, withdrawn, or sold. Use the MLS and available records to practice locating property details, owner information, listing history, disclosures, association information, permits, assessments, included personal property, and any contract items that may apply.
Property to Pull in MLS
- 405 Oakhurst St, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
- Use the current owner of the property as the seller for this mock offer.
Mock Buyer Information
- Buyer Name: John Doe
- Financing Type: VA mortgage
- Pre-Approval: 100% financing
- Purchase Price: $350,000
- Earnest Money Deposit: $2,500
- Earnest Money Deposit Timing: Within 3 days of the effective date
- Title Company: Use the seller's title company
Seller Credit, Commission, and Warranty Requests
- Ask the seller to pay the buyer broker commission.
- Ask the seller to contribute $5,000 toward the buyer's closing costs and prepaids.
- Ask the seller to provide a home warranty.
Personal Property and Property Condition Requests
- Ask for the washer, dryer, and all appliances to remain with the property.
- Ask for the Ring camera to remain with the property.
- Ask for the seller to pay all assessments in full at closing.
- Ask for the seller to close out all open permits before closing.
Required Practice Documents
- Prepare the purchase offer using the appropriate Florida contract form.
- Include VA financing terms and any VA-related contract requirements or addenda that apply.
- Include buyer broker compensation language requesting seller payment of the buyer broker commission.
- Include the $5,000 seller closing cost contribution request.
- Include the personal property items requested by the buyer, including washer, dryer, all appliances, and Ring camera.
- Include the home warranty request, assessment payoff request, permit closeout request, and title company terms.
- Include any applicable HOA/condo documents, lead-based paint documents, seller disclosure review items, riders, addenda, or other property-specific forms that apply based on your MLS review.
- Complete the offer as cleanly as possible with no blanks unless the form allows the item to be left blank.
- Prepare an offer introduction email addressed to the broker explaining the offer, terms, and any items that need review.
- Email the mock offer package and offer introduction email to the broker for feedback.
Important: This is a mock assignment for training only. The offer should not be submitted to the listing side or any outside party. The goal is to practice reviewing MLS details, selecting the correct forms, writing VA financing terms, adding personal property and seller credit requests, selecting applicable riders/addenda, and presenting the offer package professionally.
Ready for Active Business
Once you reach this final checkpoint, submit your update and the broker will schedule a day and time to complete hands-on practice scenarios with you before you begin working directly with the public.
During this review, you will practice acting as both a buyer's agent and a seller's agent. This may include touring homes, preparing for showings, handling mock buyer and seller conversations, reviewing property concerns, practicing offer strategy, completing dummy contracts, selecting the correct riders/addenda, and walking through common transaction situations.
The goal is to make sure you understand the process, know where to find the right forms and tools, and feel comfortable before working with real customers. Once both the agent and broker feel comfortable, the agent may begin working with public customers under brokerage guidance.
- Confirm your association, MLS, systems, lockbox prep, policy review, and initial training are complete.
- Submit the final checkpoint so the broker can schedule your practice session.
- Complete buyer-side and seller-side practice scenarios with the broker.
- Practice touring homes, identifying property concerns, preparing dummy offers/contracts, and selecting applicable riders/addenda.
- List any areas where you want additional support, shadowing, or review before working with customers.