The best way to learn the principles of real estate is through an actual real estate transaction.  Fundamental real estate concepts are discussed while they occur during the purchase of an existing single-family home, so students learn why they are learning the concept along with when and where it fits into an actual real estate deal.  The principles of real estate are presented in the order they appear during a normal single-family home purchase transaction, so students can relate new terms and concepts to the actual real estate brokerage business.  The book is organized around five main sections:
 
1. Overview is a brief look at the entire real estate transaction process, including before, during, and after the real estate transaction. 
2. Before the Real Estate Transaction considers activities that occur prior to the real estate transaction. They include starting a career in real estate, working with buyers and sellers prior to the real estate transaction, agency relationships, ethics, and fair housing, property and estates in land, and real estate contracts: offer and acceptance.
3. During the Real Estate Transaction discusses the important activities that occur from the opening of escrow until escrow closes. They include opening escrow and the escrow process, disclosures, physical inspection contingencies, appraisal contingencies, financing contingencies, taking title to real property, and close of escrow.
4. After the Real Estate Transaction covers what happens after the close of escrow. It includes how real estate brokers and salespersons get paid, interim occupancy agreements, seller occupancy addenda, agent follow-up techniques, and how title insurance protects buyers, sellers, and lenders from title defects discovered after the close of escrow. 
5. Other Important Real Estate Areas include real estate income properties and real estate taxation.