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ERA Franchise Systems LLC 1 Campus Drive Parsippany, NJ 07054 (973) 428-9700 |
Media contact: Stacy Quinn (973) 496-7904 stacy.quinn@ERA.com |
First international real estate brand to offer specialized training for senior market through the convenience of a virtual classroom
PARSIPPANY, NJ, December 16, 2002 - ERA Real Estate announced today that it is the first and only global real estate franchise to deliver the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation in a virtual classroom. The course, offered through the Senior Advantage Real Estate Council® (SAREC), is designed to educate sales professionals about the special needs and concerns of mature Americans when buying or selling property.
"It is important for real estate professionals to understand the needs of the senior market, which is expected to increase by nearly 80 percent during the next two decades," said Brenda W. Casserly, president & COO, ERA Real Estate. "By offering the SRES designation through the convenience of the virtual classroom, we hope ERA sales professionals will take advantage of this educational opportunity so they will be equipped to assist this unique market."
The two-day program features seven 90-minute sessions that educate designees about issues such as related tax and estate implications in the home buying and selling process. The course also focuses on financing options for mature clients, counseling tools and specialized marketing programs. Students also learn about the emotions that face mature clients such as allowing strangers to come into their home, selling a property that has been in the family for many years, and earning respect and trust from clients.
In addition to the SRES designation, council members receive continuing education opportunities, ongoing updates on senior real estate issues and senior Web site/Internet referral clients. A quarterly newsletter is also part of the membership package.
Nelson Zide of ERA Key Realty Services in Framingham (MA) said the course helped him realize the need for real estate professionals trained to assist the growing senior community. "The course taught me about the value of creating an assistance network for seniors," said Zide. "For example, in my market area, I discovered that the local 'over 55' newspaper hosts a weekly networking meeting. Senior providers are invited to this meeting, which includes insurance representatives, elder care and assisted living specialists and lawyers. I network among this group to build business opportunities."
As a result of the SRES course, Zide has expanded his senior assistance network to include everything from antique cleaners to finance and legal representatives. "I gained invaluable knowledge from the course, but more importantly, with the SRES designation, I have set myself apart as belonging to an elite group of specialists within the mature community. I am among only 6,000 SRES designates, which definitely differentiates me from the competition."
Kathi Mathis, director of training, ERA Real Estate, said the SRES designation is just one way the brand is continuing to strengthen and diversify its training curriculum. "Our goal is to broaden the course schedule to include management and leadership courses as well as administration and assistant programs," she said. "We want our 28,000 brokers and sales associates worldwide to benefit from continuing education."
To learn more about the SRES designation and other training programs, ERA affiliates can visit TeamERA.com, the brand's award-winning intranet site.
About ERA Franchise Systems LLC
ERA Franchise Systems LLC is a global leader in the residential real
estate industry with 30 years experience in developing consumer-oriented
products and services. It is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD)
and part of its Real Estate Franchise Group. The ERA real estate
network includes more than 28,000 brokers and sales associates throughout
the United States and 29 other countries and territories. Each ERA
office is independently owned and operated except offices owned and operated
by NRT Incorporated. ERA information is available to consumers on the
Internet at ERA.com. ERA properties can also be viewed at
www.REALTOR.com®.
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