1. Reach Real Estate Professionals
Sandra M. Frost, UW-CES Educator – Crops
655 E 5th St., Powell, Wyoming 82435, (307) 754-8836
ABSTRACT
New property owners were contacting the county educator after they had purchased
land with unfamiliar challenges they could not easily solve. Real estate agents have
first contact with potential property owners and could provide information on Wyoming
climate, soils and plants. In 2008 the educator developed a six hour course for realtors,
Wyoming Climate, Soils, and Plants, approved for credit by the Wyoming Real Estate
Commission. The educator taught the course in four counties. The one day workshop
included power point, handouts, extension publications and hands-on demonstrations.
The educator prepared and circulated state-wide to Extension educators an instruction
sheet on how to get courses approved by the Wyoming Real Estate Commission. A
follow-up survey was taken February 2011 of 38 real estate agents who had taken the
course. Survey analysis of 17 respondents (45%) shows that, as a result of the course,
eighteen percent described soil to clients, handed out soil test forms, or handed out
water test forms. Twenty-four percent answered client questions on plants or
described Wyoming and local climates to clients. Twenty-nine percent gave “Barnyards
& Backyards”, a UW-CES publication, to clients. Fifty-three percent gave UW CES
publications to clients. Fifty-nine percent directed clients to other information sources
or gave class handouts to clients. Agents found course information useful “seldom”,
“sometimes”, “often” (18%, 59%, 18%). Sixty-five percent of survey respondents felt
the course contributed to their professionalism.
INTRODUCTION
Wyoming is experiencing sub-division of large tracts of land. Associated with land
sales is a change in land management goals of landowners, from farm and ranch
management to small acreage management. Recent purchasers of sub-divided land
typically come from all over the US. They have little or no experience in managing land
in high desert conditions, little experience with the variability of Wyoming’s climate or
soils, and little experience in selecting plant materials that will survive.
Real Estate Agents are the first contacts when someone is considering purchasing
land. Clients will get appropriate answers when real estate agents are well informed
and knowledgeable about where to find answers to clients’ questions.
OBJECTIVES
1) Improve the ability of real estate agents to answer client questions about climate,
soils, and plants Behavior Change After Class
2) Improve real estate agent use of information resources, including Cooperative
Extension Service publications Described soil to clients
Handed out soil test forms 18%
3) Improve the professionalism of real estate agents
Handed out water test forms
4) Assist other extension educators to get classes approved for credit by the Wyoming
Real Estate Commission
Answered client questions on plants
METHODS Described WY local climates 24%
The educator designed a six hour course, Wyoming Climate, Soils, and Plants, Gave Barnyards & Backyards to clients 29%
composed of power points, handouts, extension publications, and hands-on Gave UW CES publications to clients 53%
demonstrations. The educator contacted county real estate boards to schedule class
sessions at their convenience. Typically, real estate boards needed continuing Directed clients to other information
education credits at the end of their year in December. Class evaluation sheets were sources or handed out class materials 59%
distributed and collected.
A flyer “How to get a class approved for real estate elective continuing education
credit” was circulated to the UW CES organization. Agents found class information useful: 18%/59%/18%
seldom / sometimes / often
A survey was mailed February 1, 2011 to real estate agents who had participated in
classes from 2008 through 2010.
Agents felt the course contributed to their professionalism 65%