Real estate | New president to further education focus for Realtors, clients

Buyers and sellers along the Grand Strand should expect better educated Realtors and more real estate information in the year ahead, said Scott Ellis, the new president of the Coastal Carolinas Association of Realtors.

Ellis was sworn in during a Realtor association luncheon Friday and said he will focus on education and involvement in the political process to ensure homeowner and homebuyer needs are addressed.

“We have a strategic plan in place that is calling for a great number of enhancements that will provide Realtors up and down the Grand Strand the ability to provide buyers and sellers with much more information,” said Ellis, the owner of RE/MAX At The Coast.

He expects to roll out several programs for Realtors and their clients in February that will make the home buying process easier, but didn’t have specifics Friday.

It will also be important to make sure that politicians and residents know about the impact of certain political decisions, such as the federal flood insurance bills and proposed changes to the mortgage interest deduction, he said.

The Realtors association has focused on education in the past few years and has expanded the designations it offers to members to help them deal with some of the challenges of the market, such as short sales. The emphasis on education will continue, Ellis said.

Several other officers also were installed at Friday’s meeting: Bennett Turner, president-elect, Ernie Derrick, treasurer, Melodye Lane-Laveglia, secretary and Dave Alexander, past president.

Prudential sold, but local affiliate will remain

Brookfield Residential Property Services bought Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services this week, but don’t expect a name change from the local affiliate any time soon.

Prudential Myrtle Beach Real Estate will keep its name for the remaining six years of its franchise agreement and will then decide what it will do, said owner Marvin Heyd.

The sale should give agents more access to technology that can help in the sales process and may bring in more international buyers, he said.

Brookfield has real estate franchises in all 50 U.S. states, 10 Canadian provinces and in Mexico and Portugal and its parent company Brookfield Asset Management, manages about $150 billion in assets, according to a statement from Brookfield Residential Property Services.

The purchase of prudential strengthens the company’s U.S. business and expands its operations in nine countries including China, Brazil and India, according to a statement from Brookfield.