With summer in high gear, education is typically the furthest thing from a real estate agent's mind, but the agents at EXIT Realty Music City in Nashville, TN, have thought of nothing else.

Several have teamed up to take courses from Commercial Basics to Power Point. Many have signed-up and paid to take the “Green” designation, a new course being offered by the National Association of REALTORS^® for the real estate associate interested in learning more about the environment.

Administrator, Taisha Mason, sat down with three savvy women in her office to see why real estate education is so important to them.

Cindy Beam, pictured left above, who has 69 continuing education credits over the number needed to renew her real estate license said, “Education always helps the associate in dealing with clients, and being able to answer their clients' questions intelligently with knowledge from your education. For example, the new ‘Green’ designation provides associates the need-to-know information on ‘Green’ appliances and features in new home builds so they can explain to their clients properly when they are asked.”

Linda Anderson, pictured right, who has the GRI, ABR and e-Pro designations also believes that real estate education is the most important aspect of the business.

“You must have the ability to inform your clients of updated news, rates and financial reports, plus help them with their mortgage needs,” she explained. “It also teaches you how to deal with many types of people and helps to keep your business thriving. I plan on investing in a lot more education this year.”

Currently GRI and ABR certified with plans to obtain her SRES designation as well, Cindy Holmes, pictured left, added, “The more education you receive, the better you understand how to negotiate the ins and outs of the business and the up-to-date changes that happen. The more you gain, the better you can work with other associates and the better you can represent your clients,” she said. “Also, the more education associates receive, the higher it will elevate our profession.”

The EXIT Recruiter Newspaper is a publication of EXIT Realty Corp. International.  For more information, please contact us.

KHBS 40/29 TV News reports that Northwest Arkansas is seeing a housing boom.  In an interview with Larry Robison, Associate Broker with EXIT Pro Realty in Rogers, Angelica Duria reports:

In the past six weeks, the area has seen a rush of new home buyers. REALTORS® said some homes are selling in just days.

EXIT Pro Realty is currently working to close on 46 new home contracts in Bentonville, and the group believes that number is only going to get bigger.

Read the story and see the video here. 

For more information on EXIT real estate franchise opportunites in Arkansas, please contact:

Scott and Laura Roussel, Regional Owners
EXIT Realty Arkansas & Oklahoma
laura@exitarok.com 
800.509.3948

What does it take to be an exceptional real estate Administrator? What qualities and skills do you need to possess to go from good to exceptional? How can you become truly invaluable to your brokerage? Sharron Richardson, EXIT Realty Corp. International’s Franchise Support Manager, recently conducted an informal survey of EXIT Administrators and Franchisees to explore those special qualities.  “As you read the following, keep two perspectives in mind,” says Richardson.  “First, strive to foster these qualities within yourself. Second, add these to your must-have list when looking for backup administrative help.”

1.       Personal Accountability. Taking ownership of your responsibilities, activities, and results is paramount. Blaming outside forces, people, or circumstances for what is happening in your world is not the mark of a leader. Ask yourself, “What can I do to improve this situation?”.

2.       Organizational Skills. This may sound like a no-brainer but just because you possess organizational skills, doesn’t mean you use them. Chances are, a good part of your day is reactive. Regular interruptions are just part of the job, and you must be organized enough to get knocked off track, and get right back on. Perhaps you work in time blocks, assigning certain tasks to certain times. Maybe you create a “Do Not Disturb” period where, unless someone is on fire, you are not interrupted. Time management, prioritizing tasks, and delegation all fall under the umbrella of organizational skills.

3.       Sense of Humor. It is inappropriate for someone in your position to be the office clown, but a sense of humor will go a long way in creating a relaxed, positive atmosphere in your office. It’s a fact that humor is contagious, and unfortunately so is misery. In your position, you set the tone in the office.

4.       Team Player. As the office Administrator, diplomacy is critical. You must walk that fine line between being helpful and supportive, and yet not end up being the dumping ground for all the angst in the office until you lose your will to live. You must be there for the Associates, the Broker, the clients, the public, and your staff, all without playing favorites or speaking out of turn. Diplomacy, tact, integrity, and confidentiality all come into play as a team player. The easiest way to maintain this perspective is to always keep in mind what is best for the brokerage. That is where your loyalty should be.

5.       Knowledge. An exceptional real estate Administrator not only knows how to process a deal or reconcile the bank accounts, but is also aware of so much more: the office’s market share, goings on within the corporation, all the tools and resources available to help the associates build their business. Taking time to stay in touch with the bigger picture will increase your value exponentially.

6.       Patience. You’ve probably all seen the plaque which reads “I have one nerve left and you’re getting on it.” Many an Administrator has posted that on their door (along with “I can only help one person a day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn’t looking good either.”) But we also all know those people who manage themselves and their lives with grace, poise, and patience. Unflappable, they move through their day effectively and calmly, and you marvel at their sense of control. Sure, it might be medication, but more likely it is the ability to remove themselves from the fray and remain above it. They back up enough from the chaos to see things clearly, and make rational, professional decisions. Letting your Associates see how frazzled you are only minimizes your crediblity. Your Associates and the Broker look to you for strength and competence.

“The position of Administrator is not an easy one to fill,” concludes Richardson.  “An Administrator possesses a unique set of skills, knowledge, and abilities which all come together to create the glue which holds the real estate brokerage together. Sure, sometimes it’s Crazy Glue, but it’s never boring!”

Burlington, MA (Grassroots Newswire) - Jeanette Tighe of the Eastern Middlesex Association of REALTORS^® and EXIT Realty of New England in Burlington, Massachusetts joined approximately 8,000 REALTORS^® who gathered in Washington to inspire action on Capitol Hill that will help stabilize the real estate market and encourage economic recovery as part of the National Association of REALTORS® Midyear Legislative Meetings & Trade Expo. The meetings took place May 11-16.  

During the week, Tighe participated in NAR’s “Real Estate Summit: Advancing the U.S. Economy,” an all-day program of sessions to address and meet head-on the challenges facing today’s residential and commercial real estate markets. REALTORS^® were joined by a number of policy leaders and industry experts, including U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Shaun Donovan; Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Director, Sheila Bair; former Federal Reserve Board Chairman, Alan Greenspan; and former U.S. Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich.

“As the leading advocate for housing issues and homeownership, REALTORS^® urge the federal government to make stabilizing the real estate market a priority,” Tighe said. “We will continue to press the Obama administration and Congress to keep taking meaningful action toward this goal.”

Tighe met with Congressman John Tierney for whom she is the NAR coordinator as well as all of the Massachusetts Senators and Congressmen to reiterate the importance of this issue and discuss other subjects, as well, including protecting the mortgage interest deduction, facilitating short sales, easing limitations on mortgage availability and encouraging mortgage reform, ensuring affordable insurance through small business health care plans, and initiating effective energy efficiency legislation.       

“Moving the real estate market forward is imperative,” said Tighe. “The goal of this year’s meetings is to develop a series of ‘next steps’ that will serve as a blueprint.  We believe in a multifaceted approach to stabilization that includes making mortgages more affordable and available, reducing foreclosures and incentivizing home buyers." To this last point, she added, "The $8,000 tax credit currently available to first-time buyers through November 30, 2009, will help thousands of consumers take advantage of opportunities in today’s housing market and realize the dream of homeownership."

The National Association of REALTORS^®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.