RISMEDIA, March 10, 2009-Realtors® are out there working and fighting for business and their clients every day, and the competition is even stronger in today’s down market.
“It’s always important for Realtors to deliver a high level of service to their customers, especially in times of market challenges and fewer transactions,” says Ken Burlington, vice president, Professional Development, National Association of Realtors® (NAR). “One of the best ways to stand apart from the crowd is to become better educated and gain additional skills.”
Realtor University is NAR’s education destination, with over 380 hours of online education courses on sales, marketing and business skills to help you and your agents build skills and earn designations that differentiate them from the competition. Members can obtain ABR®, CIPS, GREEN, SRES® and other designations, along with certifications and professional continuing education. At www.REALTOR.org/RealtorUniversity, you can use a search engine to find approved courses in your state, sign up to receive updates about new courses and preview the first module of any course, free of charge, before enrolling.
Relevant Courses for Today’s Marketplace
According to NAR data, in 2008, foreclosure activity doubled over the average of previous years.
Two new courses being offered at Realtor University can help you and your agents address this important topic. The first, “Short Sales and Foreclosures: What Buyer’s Representatives Need to Know,” examines how you and your agents can help clients prevent foreclosure or council them on how to invest in pre-foreclosure or foreclosed properties.
Auctions are also an attractive option for some buyers and sellers. The “Introduction to Real Estate Auctions” course helps you understand the auction marketing process, the sellers, properties, and markets for which auction is best suited and how Realtors can work with auction firms. Additionally, this course is approved as an elective for the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation.
NAR’s Green Designation
The newest designation is NAR’s Green Designation, with the residential elective course available through Realtor University. By earning this designation, you and your agents can learn how green-building principles are applied so you can guide buyer-clients in purchasing and retrofitting green homes, as well as help sellers by listing and marketing green properties.
“Green is a growing trend in real estate, as well as in our country in general,” says Burlington. “A lot of buyers want to buy a green-friendly home or are considering green construction. By earning NAR’s Green Designation, Realtors really differentiate themselves and become leaders in their marketplace.”
Visit www.greenresourcecouncil.org
Other NAR Education Resources
– Webinars. Realtor University recently launched a new Webinar Center, a cost-effective way to build skills and gain specialized expertise. These sessions will cover hot topics, trends and timely information. Simply call into the teleconference and log into the webinar. Once logged in, you can listen and speak to the instructor, view documents, ask questions and provide instant feedback. Check the webinar event calendar at www.REALTOR.org/RealtorUniversity, and click on “NAR’s New Real Estate Webinar Center” for details.
-e-PRO®. Delivered by InternetCrusade®, NAR’s e-PRO® Certification Course is specifically designed to help Realtors work with today’s connected consumer and learn how to leverage the Internet for business success. A new, enhanced module on Web 2.0 teaches you how to embrace the communication methods younger buyer-clients are using today, such as Facebook and LinkedIn.
Visit www.epronar.com
-REALTOR.org Store. NAR’s REALTOR.org online store has a vast library of over 200 publications and other products on over 50 subjects. The website incorporates best-in-class features to give you the best shopping experience possible.
Re:sources
www.REALTOR.org/RealtorUniversity
www.greenresourcecouncil.org
www.epronar.com
www.REALTOR.org/Store
