Rodney Tindall of JC Thornton & Co. has successfully completed the e-PRO^Ò Technology Certification Program course to become one of a select few real estate professionals to earn the prestigious certification offered by the National Association of REALTORS^®.

The e-PRO^Ò certification course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available. It is specifically designed to provide real estate professionals with the technology tools needed to assist consumers in the purchase or sale of a home.

The e-PRO^Ò course was recently totally revised to include segments on Social Networking and Web 2.0 marketing.

“Right now, information about homes, neighborhoods, real estate professionals, lending, and the home buying and selling process, is at everyone’s fingertips on the Internet,” said Rodney Tindall of JC Thornton & Co. “Being that the real estate business is really an information based business, Web 2.0 will have a major impact on the conduct and process of real estate related objectives by consumers.”

With more than 80% of consumers beginning their real estate research on the Internet, e-PRO^Ò certified agents have the experience and expertise to meet the demands of today’s buyer and seller.

The exclusive e-PRO^Ò certification course is presented entirely online and certifies real estate agents and brokers as Internet professionals. Because of its innovative design, students are able to complete the course at their own pace, when and where they want, via any Internet connection. The course is designed to help REALTORS^Ò stay at the leading edge of technology and identify, evaluate and implement new Internet business models.

Once completed, the e-PRO^Ò certified real estate professional joins the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative online-based real estate services.  Consumers can identify the e-PRO^Ò through the exclusive e-PRO^Ò Internet Professional logo.

“The real estate industry has undergone a fundamental change over the past several years,” Rodney Tindall said. “A majority of consumers are taking the time to conduct their own research prior to contacting an agent. In turn, real estate professionals must be knowledgeable of how technology can assist them in serving the needs of the buying and selling public. It only makes sense to work with a REALTOR® who is up to speed on today’s technology.”

Both the content and the delivery platform were created by the San Diego-based technology company InternetCrusade^®. The course instructs participants in the professional use of e-mail, the development of an interactive Web site, and the use of online research tools including Social Media and Web 2.0 instruction. Graduates use the skills they've acquired to provide clients information on properties for sale, local communities, and the local real estate market.