Editorial
Front Page - Monday, August 10, 2009
Sandstone Realtors strive for excellence while educating
Rebecca Brockman
Teachers usually reserve summer months for vacation, rest and much-needed relaxation. Yet, that is not the case when it comes to the new agents at Sandstone Real Estate Group in Conway.
Denise Perry, Jamille Rogers and Rafeal “Ralph” Marlow are three exceptions to the rule — the rookie agents are also teachers in the Conway Public School District.
Perry is from Twin Groves, Ark., and has lived in Conway for the past 12 years. She teaches fourth grade at Ellen Smith Elementary. Perry joined the Sandstone team in June.
Rogers is from Little Rock and a graduate of University of Central Arkansas. During the school year, Rogers serves as the media specialist to about 450 kids from kindergarten to fourth grade at Marguerite Elementary.
Her position includes getting students acclimated with the school library and teaching technology. Rogers joined the Sandstone group the same time as Perry.
Marlow is from Prescott, Ark., and a graduate of University of Arkansas where he studied mathematics and secondary education. Currently, he is a 7th and 8th grade math teacher at Carl Stuart Middle School. Marlow has been at Sandstone since April of this year.
Although new to the real estate profession, Marlow and his colleagues have learned how to balance both jobs well. “On your prep period, you’re calling, between classes, you’re calling, and you’re checking your voice mail every break you get. When a student isn’t in your face…you’re on the phone talking to people,” Marlow explained. Although Marlow points out that constantly having a phone attached to your ear is somewhat of an advertising tactic.
“It’s a good way to talk to people [about your profession] when people ask why you are always on your phone, it’s good advertising!”
Perry doesn’t foresee a big problem juggling her time between both worlds. “We have an advantage. We are networking with people that some Realtors will never get a chance to be personal with – we are working with them every day,” said Perry. “We are going to make an impact in the area of educators.”
Rogers gives credit to the company’s management team. “We have an advantage because Greg Hunt and Korry Garrett are here all day and have told us that they are willing to step in and help us out.”
With a good support system behind them, the next step of educating consumers comes easily to the trio. Rogers explained that people (future clients) get lost in the numbers when dealing with real estate issues. “It’s our responsibility to educate the consumer. We are here teach them that real estate is an investment,” she said.
Marlow took an additional step in the education process by taking a Consumer Credit Counseling class. The class, open to first-time homebuyers, is offered free of charge through the Family Service Agency. By attending the three-day, three-hour class, Marlow learned that there is a wealth of knowledge available to the public. “But if you don’t know about the class, you can’t take advantage of it,” he said. “We want people to make an educated choice, whether they buy a house [from Sandstone] or not.”
Educating potential consumers might come easily to the new agents, but there are lot more parallels between the fields. When asked about some of the specifics, Marlow immediately said, “Patience!” The other two laughed in agreement. Perry said that teachers are usually comfortable talking with people of all ages and are able to relate with any type of person. She pointed to parent/teacher conferences as an example.
Rogers pointed out that teachers have already established trust with parents. “They already trust you, because they trust you with their kids.” Rogers also added that their backgrounds give them a more creative approach to real estate marketing.
“We are always coming up with creative ideas and different ways to present things,” she said. “We know from working in the school system that there are different kinds of learners, audio/visual, kinesthetic learners and others who just read and get it.”
The agents have taken their insider knowledge and applied it to Sandstone promotional material, such as fliers and the company’s Web site. On Aug. 14, the agents will be setting up a booth at the teacher fair at Simon Intermediate. Rogers said they plan on having a digital photo display frame at their booth that will showcase Sandstone and current real estate projects.
Marlow interjected that he, Perry and Rogers are also available to come and speak to different organizations about real estate, free of charge. A hot-button topic at the moment is the first-time homebuyer tax credit. All three agents are very knowledgeable about the issue. The agents are active in their communities and both Perry and Marlow spoke of their involvement in church. “It’s our goal to be known as people who people can trust. Real estate is a big purchase,” said Marlow.
As far as potential customers worrying about how these three will juggle house closings and grading papers, Marlow silences the critics by saying, “Real estate is not a part-time job. We will all have two full-time jobs.” He said they would learn to balance their lives and families in order to “do both of them with excellence.”
“We have everything down to a science. We don’t have room for error.”
For more information about Sandstone Real Estate Group or to speak directly to the three agents mentioned in this story or Greg Hunt, broker, please call 501-329-7263.
Additionally, visit www.sandstonerealestategroup.
com for information.
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