Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 14, 1991 TAG: 9104120064
SECTION: AMERICAN HOME WEEK PAGE: 13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: GENNY ELIAS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Underwood, broker of Winn & Co., added that education is a strong emphasis for many REALTORS.
The reasons behind it are varied, ranging from keeping themselves up to date to simply exchanging ideas with other REALTORS.
"The reason that we all go back to the classroom, is to update ourselves, usually in financing and things that change quite often. Another reason is just to be motivated to sell real estate," Underwood said, adding that he finds taking courses is good motivation.
Dave Carty, also a valley REALTOR, said he finds that continuing his education makes him a better all-around REALTOR.
"It's helped in my selling. I'm very goal-oriented, and by forcing myself to continue taking courses, I am exposed to a lot of new ideas. I always come back with something I can try, making selling a little easier," said Carty, who holds the designations of Certified Residential Specialist and who has attended the Graduate Realtors Institute.
The education of a REALTOR begins with the equivalent of 60 hours in principles of real estate, according to REALTOR Alyce Titus. This course is given over two weeks during the day or in the evenings, she said, at one of three accredited schools in the area: Virginia Western College, the Academy of Real Estate or Moseley-Flint Schools of Real Estate.
Next, prospective REALTORS are quizzed on their knowledge during a four-hour state exam, administered by ASI, said Titus.
After receiving their licenses, REALTORS are then required to update their education with a six hour course every two years in order to renew their licenses, Titus said.
Updating their education is important for REALTORS, Titus said.
"I've been in real estate for 10 years, and there is still a tremendous amount that I don't know. REALTORS need to educate themselves continuously.
"Things occur daily that I probably haven't experienced before," she added.
For instance, she said, suppose a person selling his property declares bankruptcy and doesn't disclose that there's a contract on his house, how would you, the REALTOR, deal with it? "Things like this that you don't have to deal with on a daily basis happen all the time," she said.
Another area that is becoming of more concern to people is environmental problems. Titus said she has had a number of buyers from the North come down and want a radon test conducted on a house before purchasing it, an unusual request among local residents.
Underwood said that though real estate schools educate prospective REALTORS in real estate laws and regulations, they do not prepare them to go out to sell real estate. To supplement their education, Underwood said his company trains each new REALTOR in selling techniques.
In addition to the basic real estate license, REALTORS can achieve special designations, such as the Certified Residential Specialist, the Graduate REALTORS Institute, the Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager and the designation CCIM, which is for people who specialize in commercial real estate.
by CNB