Pass the CDPE Exam First Try
125+ pages covering every topic the Charfen Institute tests. 100+ practice questions with full explanations. A 6-week study plan you can actually stick to.
Instant PDF download · One-time payment · No subscription
Get the Study Guide →Use code CDPESTUDY50 for 50% off
What changes after you study with this guide
Before
Unsure what the CDPE exam actually tests
After
Clear on exactly which topics appear and how much each section weighs
Before
Never submitted a full short sale package
After
Know exactly what goes in the package and how servicers evaluate it
Before
Uncomfortable explaining deficiency judgment risk to clients
After
Can explain deficiency law, state protections, and waiver negotiation in plain language
Before
Not sure when to refer clients to an attorney vs. handling in-house
After
Have clear guidelines for when agent authority ends and professional referral begins
Before
Worried about ethics exam questions
After
Have worked through 24 ethics scenarios with detailed explanations
What is inside the guide
Part 1: The CDPE Designation
- ✓What the CDPE covers and what it does not
- ✓How the Charfen Institute exam is structured
- ✓Passing score requirements and exam logistics
- ✓Renewal requirements and continuing education
Part 2: Distressed Property Fundamentals
- ✓Types of distressed properties: pre-foreclosure, REO, short sale candidates
- ✓Foreclosure timelines by state (judicial vs. non-judicial)
- ✓How to identify homeowners who qualify for short sale
- ✓Reading a preliminary title report on distressed properties
Part 3: The Short Sale Process
- ✓Step-by-step short sale workflow from listing to close
- ✓Short sale package documentation checklist
- ✓Writing an effective hardship letter (with examples)
- ✓How servicers review and approve short sale packages
- ✓HAFA program requirements and benefits
- ✓Working with multiple lien holders
Part 4: Working with Mortgage Servicers
- ✓The difference between servicers and investors
- ✓Major servicer guidelines: SLS, Nationstar, PHH, and others
- ✓How to escalate stalled files
- ✓BPO (Broker Price Opinion) requests and how to respond
- ✓Investor overlays and how they affect approvals
Part 5: Legal and Tax Implications
- ✓Deficiency judgments: how they work and how to negotiate waivers
- ✓State-by-state deficiency laws reference guide
- ✓IRS Form 1099-C and canceled debt income
- ✓The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act: current status
- ✓When to require client to consult an attorney or CPA
Part 6: Ethics and Homeowner Counseling
- ✓CDPE ethics standards and prohibited practices
- ✓Setting realistic expectations with distressed clients
- ✓How to counsel homeowners who want to stay in their homes
- ✓Recognizing predatory buyers and protecting sellers
- ✓Documentation and disclosure requirements
Part 7: Practice Exam (100+ Questions)
- ✓6 foundational questions on CDPE basics
- ✓40 intermediate questions on short sale process and servicer guidelines
- ✓30 advanced scenario questions on complex transactions
- ✓24 ethics and homeowner counseling questions
- ✓Full explanations for every answer
Appendices
- ✓6-week study plan with daily checkpoints
- ✓Short sale vocabulary glossary (80+ terms)
- ✓Servicer contact directory
- ✓State foreclosure timeline quick-reference
- ✓Hardship letter template and annotated example
Who this guide is for
This guide is written for licensed real estate agents who are preparing for the Charfen Institute CDPE exam. It assumes you have a basic understanding of real estate transactions but no prior experience with short sales or distressed property work.
It is also useful for agents who earned the CDPE years ago and are renewing, agents who completed the CDPE coursework but want extra exam preparation, and agents who are not pursuing the designation but want to understand short sale mechanics well enough to serve distressed clients competently.
This guide does not teach you how to get clients or build a business. It teaches you what you need to know about distressed property transactions so you can pass the exam and actually help the clients you find.
30-day satisfaction guarantee
If you go through the guide and feel it did not adequately prepare you for the CDPE exam, contact us within 30 days of purchase and we will refund your payment. No questions asked.
Use code CDPESTUDY50 for 50% off · Instant PDF download
Not ready to buy? Start with the free resources.
We have a free 20-question practice quiz and 100+ in-depth articles covering every major CDPE exam topic.