HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01-09 New program will certify Realtors for South Bend
Office of the Mayor
NEWS RELEASE
April 1, 2009
8 a.m.
New program will certify Realtors for South Bend
Contact:
Mikki Dobski, Director of Communications & Special Projects, 235-5855 or 876-1564
or Sue Solmos,Residential Marketing Specialist, 235-9660
A contingent of 20 area Realtors will begin a series of eight classes about South Bend’s
history, quality of life and civic amenities in the City of South Bend’s inaugural Realtors
Certification Classes.
Participants who satisfactorily complete the classes will become South Bend-certified
realtors, who are well-versed about the City’s offerings and its neighborhoods. The
opening session begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Northern Indiana Center for History,
808 W. Washington St., after a continental-breakfast reception at 8:30 a.m. There is a
waiting list for a second series of classes at a yet-to-be-determined future date.
“We hear frequently from people who’ve settled outside of South Bend that they were
unaware of the benefits and quality of life within the city at the time they were looking to
buy a home,” said Mayor Stephen J. Luecke. “As confirmed by South Bend’s selection
Tuesday as a 2009 All-America City finalist, there are a lot of great things happening in
this city. We want to work in partnership with people on the front lines of the housing
market to make sure they are fully equipped to let prospective homebuyers know these
features.”
The initiative grows out of efforts by Sue Solmos, residential marketing specialist for the
City’s Department of Community and Economic Development, for municipal
government to take a more active role in promoting market-rate housing in residential
neighborhoods. Inspired by an effort in Hampton, Va., the Realtors Certification Classes
were designed in a partnership among the City of South Bend, the Greater South Bend
Mishawaka Board of Realtors, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Northern Indiana and
the University of Notre Dame.
“The benefit is that these Realtors will really know about South Bend, its arts and cultural
venues, what is planned for economic development and, most importantly, the
neighborhoods,” Solmos said. “This is a huge asset for potential buyers coming into our
area who want to live in a South Bend neighborhood.”
The following topics will examined over the series of classes, each one taking place at a
South Bend landmark:
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South Bend history – A two-hour presentation and a tour of Copshaholm, the former
mansion of industrialist J.D. Oliver that is listed on the National Register of Historic
Places.
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Economic development – Presentations regarding the Business Development
Initiative, a partnership of the City and the Chamber of Commerce; and regarding the
City’s redevelopment and economic-development efforts; along with tours of Ignition
Park, Innovation Park and Eddy Street Commons.
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Historic preservation 101 and historic landmarks – Presentation by Historic
Landmarks Foundation of Northern Indiana.
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Arts & Theater, Parks & Recreation, Legal – Presentations at the Morris Performing
Arts Center regarding local arts and culture, South Bend’s nationally accredited parks
and recreation system; as well as legal services provided by the City.
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Schools – Presentations about the South Bend Community School Corp. and special
programs and initiatives.
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Neighborhood Tours – Tours of neighborhoods with discussions of styles of homes,
pricing and neighborhood events.
Local businesses helping to sponsor the sessions include Horizon Bank, Notre Dame
Federal Credit Union and Wells Fargo Bank.
Solmos joined the City of South Bend in fall 2008 after serving in Indianapolis as a real-
estate agent and community activist with national recognition for public-private efforts.
Her position addresses several housing-related objectives identified in City Plan, South
Bend’s 20-year comprehensive plan, which was adopted in 2006 after strong community
participation. They include:
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Increase the marketability of South Bend’s neighborhoods.
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Promote homeownership within city limits.
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Strive for livable, mixed-income neighborhoods that collectively reflect the diversity
of income levels of the region.
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