Contributed byRussell & Jeffcoat

On Monday, June 13, Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc. held a grand opening ceremony of their new advanced Training Center. Bob Russell, chairman of the board; and Abb Jeffcoat, president; were on hand for the celebration. Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc. has established the premiere Training Center in the Midlands area, located at their Forest Acres office. This premiere Training Center includes advanced real estate courses, computer training, and professional development courses to continue to build leaders in the real estate field.

Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors, Inc. has grown tremendously in the past few years, and their real estate training is no exception.

Following right along with the impact of new agents and the need for more knowledge, Russell & Jeffcoat’s training is now more comprehensive and advanced in both technology and content.

This evolving training program is designed to enhance professional capabilities and increase the agent’s knowledge. Russell & Jeffcoat Realtors expanded its already extensive training in January 2005. Training now consists of a two–week course for new agents in the basics of real estate, such as contracts, the closing process, and working with buyers and sellers, with the addition of a six–week coaching series focused on prospecting for clients. The purpose of this series is to accelerate new agent production.

Another new phase of Russell & Jeffcoat training included the opening of a new state–of–the–art Computer Training Center in December, which is a part of Russell & Jeffcoat’s expanded Training Center. The Computer Center provides agents with training on software programs that are valuable in the day–to–day practice of real estate. Each training room has 10 computers, each with wireless capabilities. The room’s capabilities also include a LCD projector, podium, and additional computer for speakers and presenters, all enhancing multimedia capabilities.

Planning is underway for a comprehensive New Home Sales Course to be introduced in 2005. The course will provide agents with a comprehensive look at real estate development, new home construction, and new home sales. Better prepared agents mean clients are more informed, and builders feel more confident their product is marketed by agents correctly.

Professional Development programs will include Columbia community professionals, such as inspectors and attorneys, brought in to give seminars. Professional development series and training programs will be on–going. All agents, new or those who have been with the company 30 years, are able to take advantage of these additional training programs.