RISMEDIA, March 22, 2011–Fillmore Real Estate, New York City’s largest privately-owned and operated real estate firm, today announced a new agent training initiative that will increase the company’s already high level of client satisfaction and will ensure the professionalism of each and every one of its agents. The new proprietary certification program–-named “Fillmore Pro”–was unveiled at Fillmore’s annual awards ceremony this February and has already been rolled out company-wide.
A series of ten extensive training sessions will be conducted in five-week segments by Fillmore Corporate Trainer Les Newlands. Every Fillmore agent, from those who are brand new to the company to legacy agents with more than 20 years at the firm, will earn the “Fillmore Pro Certified” designation by taking part in the classes, which will include outside assignments, or homework, as well as exams to test the brokers’ comprehension of the material. Each agent will also be videotaped to gain a better awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses.
“We believe that, much like having your swing videotaped in a golf class helps you to hone in on your form, being able to ‘see yourself’ as an agent will allow you to be more capable and confident when at listings presentations or out and about with clients,” explains Fillmore’s President and Chief Executive Officer John P. Reinhardt. “We consider the training program to be a further reassurance to the buyers, sellers and investors we work with. Since there is a consistently high standard, they know they are getting not just a good agent, but a great one.”
Among the skills taught in the “Fillmore Pro” classes are: negotiating; dealing with buyers and sellers; overcoming objections; effective time management; and leveraging current technology to assist clients. This mandatory training will add to Fillmore’s existing agent learning tools, including its time-tested Fillmore “Boot Camp” program.
“This certification will give our agents the tools they need to succeed in this highly competitive real estate market,” adds Reinhardt. “Brokers are no longer simply gatekeepers of information, but instead need to take a more active role in interpreting data and in simplifying the buying and selling process for the consumer. By teaching our Fillmore agents to be the best possible advocates, we are helping them to become indispensable to the clients they work with.”
About Fillmore Real Estate
Fillmore Real Estate, (www.fillmore.com), was founded in 1966 by William Reinhardt, Sr. and is headquartered in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. It is one of the city’s most established and respected residential real estate companies. The firm serves buyers, sellers and investors throughout the city and Westchester and is a leader in providing affordable homes to the community.
John Reinhardt, the company’s president and chief executive officer, is a leading figure in New York’s real estate community. Under his guidance, the company has consistently enjoyed strong sales despite a softening market and upgraded it technology systems, providing agents with unparalleled access to prospects, properties, company news and marketing materials.
Fillmore has been featured in The New York Times, The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, Brownstoner.com, Crain’s New York Business, The Real Deal and Brokers Weekly and on WNBC-TV, CBS, CNBC, New York 1 News, Brooklyn TV12 and Inman TV.
