Why get an e-PRO? What is the e-PRO designation? Benefits of having an e-PRO I am proud to announce my recent designation as an e-PRO Internet Professional by the National Association of Realtors®. As one of the first 500 agents nationwide to complete this certification program, I hold the prestigious e-PRO 500 designation, and I am proud to display the symbol here. Take advantage of my online experience and training: contact me today to learn how I can enhance your buying or selling experience by using cutting-edge technology!

Ledbetter, a Chesterfield Township resident, is among the first 500 or so real estate agents in the nation to earn the e-PRO designation, which is awarded by the National Association of Realtors. He received it in June.

"The e-PRO designation is like our other designations for commercial agents or appraisers," said Kevin Roth, a senior economist with the association's Washington, D.C., office. "It lets people know they are dealing with someone who really knows what they are doing in a certain area."

For Ledbetter, the e-PRO designation was an easy achievement considering he sold computers before going into real estate 15 years ago.

"The biggest single tool is e-mail. That is just a godsend for making transactions," he said. "With e-mail, you are not catching people at a bad time. Normally when people sit down to look at their e-mail, they are in a mode to work on things. It is a great way to communicate."

According to a recent National Association of Realtors survey, the percentage of homebuyers doing research on the Internet has risen from 2 percent in 1995 to 18 percent in 1997 to the current 70 percent today.

"At the same time, our research finds that people aren't any less likely to use an agent," NAR's Roth said. "Now they are just more likely to be better educated about what they can and can't afford or neighborhoods they want to look in before they talk to that agent."

While the Internet is becoming an ever-more useful tool, and may someday be used to complete paperwork involved in a real estate closing, Roth said he can't envision a time when the Web will replace an agent.

"You might be able to buy a book online, "he said, "but a book has the same words in it if you buy it from Amazon.com or at the corner bookstore. Two houses built by the same builder in the same week are not exactly the same. People have to go see it and get a feel for it."

"It is like kicking the tires on a car. Why do we do it? I don't know but we do it."

What is the e-PRO designation?

• The e-PRO designation is NAR's online training program to certify real estate professionals as Internet Professionals.

• Comprehensive and interactive with other successful real estate professionals who are taking the course at the same time you are. Ê

• e-PRO is the only designation program of its kind recognized nationwide and endorsed by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS¨ (NAR). Ê

• The e-PRO designation is a real estate industry designation similar to various industry designations such as:

CPA - Certified Public Accountant, an accounting industry designation
CSEO Ð Certified Senior Escrow Officer, an escrow industry designation
CLU - Charter Life Underwriter, an insurance industry designation
CFP - Certified Financial Planner, a financial industry designation

• The e-PRO designation course is designed specifically for U.S. real estate professionals, but anyone may take the course.

• e-PRO is recognized nationwide as an online standard for real estate professionalism and knowledge.

• The e-PRO designation course guides students through completing a Technology Plan of Action for their business and introduces them to many techniques for evaluating and using Internet tools.

• This Program will teach the REALTOR¨ about Internet business principles required to remain in the center of the real estate transaction, including:
•Options and requirements to Get Connected
•E-mail Communication and Marketing Practices
•WWW Marketing Strategies and Practices
•Creating and Maintaining Personal Technology Plan of Action and your Internet Marketing Plan

Why get an e-PRO?

• The education you receive in the e-PRO program is considered by many as the most comprehensive online training program available today to REALTORS¨ in the nation.

• The e-PRO program is designed to enhance REALTORS¨Õ knowledge of real estate marketing and phone skills that will set you apart from the competition.

• The New Real Estate Professional must meet the needs and expectations of the Connected Consumer. The rules of business are changing, especially the real estate industry. The e-PRO designation program is specifically designed to keep you on top of changes and help you thrive in the exciting and rewarding world of online real estate.

• This Program will bring you in contact with real estate professionals from all over the country and establish a solid foundation of confidence on which to build a productive Referral Network.

• This is a skills development program in which you will learn the use of E-mail for marketing and risk reduction.

• The e-PRO Internet Professional belongs to a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained real estate professionals who collaborate to enjoy deeper satisfaction and greater financial rewards as the result of their e-PRO designation status.

• You will learn how to leverage your most valuable asset - your people skills - to create increased business online, by participation in online communities.

• An e-PRO designation will help you today as well as securing your position tomorrow.

• An e-PRO designation will set you apart from the competition and make you the preferred choice of the Connected Consumer.

• See what Stephen M. Canale, GRI, CRS, CRB, RAM from The Competitive Edge says about the value of obtaining designations at www.edesignations.com/epro/General/Value.asp

• When you become e-PRO designated, you can put the e-PRO logo on your site, which is linked to a web page listing reasons why customers should choose an e-PRO designated real estate professional. • One of the biggest advantages of e-PRO is that you will be included in a referral network with other trusted e-PRO grads. People you will be proud to refer to your Internet savvy clients

Benefits of having an e-PRO
• Obtain invaluable education for business planning, increase your competence and improve your income potential.
 
• e-PRO designation is in fact a complete training program on communicating effectively with the online consumer and getting the most out of your online real estate business.

• The e-PRO designation course guides students through completing a Technology Plan of Action for their business and introduces them to many techniques for evaluating and using Internet tools.

• You will learn how to leverage your most valuable asset - your people skills - to create increased business online, by participation in online communities.

• An e-PRO designation will set you apart from the competition and make you the preferred choice of the Connected Consumer.

• You are clearly identified as a real estate Internet Professional to potential online clients. • When you earn an e-PRO designation, you can put the e-PRO logo on your site, which is linked to a web page listing reasons why customers should choose an e-PRO Designated real estate professional.

• You will be included in a referral network with other trusted e-PRO grads.

• e-PRO is the only designation program of its kind recognized nationwide and endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS®.

• Customers have confidence that e-PRO graduates are savvy about the Internet and that they take the Internet empowered consumer seriously and can meet their online needs.

E-PRO REALTOR®

e-PRO is the only NAR approved Internet Certification Program.

The New Real Estate Professional must meet the needs and expectations of the Connected Consumer. The rules of business are changing, especially the real estate industry. The e-PRO Certification Program is specifically designed to keep you on top of changes and help you thrive in the exciting and rewarding world of online real estate.

e-PRO Certification is not only about technology. The e-PRO Certification Program will establish a baseline of online competence, and it will also introduce its students and graduates to the best aspects of Online Community...the Internet is about the power of people connecting with people. This Program will bring you in contact with real estate professionals from all over the country and establish a solid foundation of confidence on which to build a productive Referral Network.

This is a skills development program and will train you in the use of E-mail for marketing and risk reduction. Real estate professionals are spending millions of dollars on Web Sites, without really knowing the purpose or the result. How does one evaluate all the products on the market today? Should I "buy" or "Build" my web site? What about legal, copyright, security, and privacy issues? This program will help you answer these questions and give you constant contact with other e-PRO grads across the country.

When students enroll in the comprehensive, educational, and interactive e-PRO Certification program, they will be participating in the ongoing creation of the e-PRO curriculum and will continue to participate after Certification by involvement in the e-PRO Community and the e-PRO Referral Network.

The e-PRO Vision:

The vision for the future of e-PRO Certification is to create a well-trained, core group of real estate professionals who are thriving in the online-based real estate industry. The e-PRO Internet Professional belongs to a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained real estate professionals who collaborate to enjoy deeper satisfaction and greater financial rewards as the result of their e-PRO Certification status.

This Program will teach the REALTOR® about Internet business principles required to remain in the center of the real estate transaction, including:

Options and requirements to Get Connected
E-mail Communication and Marketing Practices
WWW Marketing Strategies and Practices
Creating and Maintaining Personal Technology Plan of Action and your Internet Marketing Plan