Building-industry class offered

From the OC Register – September 8, 2001

With September marking the traditional start of the school year, building-industry professionals can take advantage of a unique educational opportunity as two highly acclaimed Institute of Residential Marketing classes will begin September 24 and 25 at the University of California, Irvine.

"Principles and Practices of the Building Industry" (Understanding Today's Housing Markets and Consumers)", code IRM-I, will start Sept. 25, running from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 3.

IRM-IV, "New Home Sales Management Strategies and Training," will begin Sept. 24. Class times are 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Dec. 3.

Co-sponsored by the Sales & Marketing Council of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, the courses are offered in conjunction with the UCI Marketing for the Residential Builder certificate program. Developed under the auspices of the IRM, an affiliate organization of the National Association of Home Builders, the classes are part of a nationally recognized, four-course series which is required of housing-industry professionals seeking the highly acclaimed Member of the Institute of Residential Marketing designation.

Additionally, every course also qualifies for 12 hours of continuing-education requirements, as needed for California Real Estate License Renewals. One or both classes may apply as elective credits in UCI's Light Construction and Development certificate program, which is co-sponsored by the BIA/SC's Home Builders Council.

Michael J. Hixson, senior vice president of the Irvine-based sales and marketing firm Prudential New Homes Real Estate, and a past president of both IRM and the SMC/SC, is the instructor for IRM-I. The course provides insights into the structure of homebuilding operations, along with the basic principles of new-home marketing and market research. Serving as the instructor for the IRM-IV is Rita Lamkin, principal of PREFACE, Inc., a community development and resort marketing consulting firm. Focusing primarily upon sales management and training, this course additionally covers opportunities afforded through other types of profit centers operated by today's homebuilders.

Both instructors hold the MIRM designation.

Specifically created to broaden the professional knowledge of builders, marketing directors, sales managers and others associated with the homebuilding industry, both courses will feature guest lectures by prominent industry leaders and innovators. Tentatively scheduled lecturers are Sanford R. Goodkin, Dr. Alfred Gobar and Howard Englander.

As an educational arm of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, the SMC/SC sponsors numerous seminars and educational programs, including all four IRM courses and a series of four, all-day Certified New Home Sales Professional classes, traditionally held during June.

Plans also are being finalized for an advanced CSP course, "House Construction as a Selling Tool."

On Wednesday evening, Sept. 26, the SMC is hosting a special marketing seminar designed to be a must-attend event for builders and developers, architects and all involved in the sales, merchandising and marketing of today's new homes.

To enroll in one or both of the IRM classes, contact UCI Extension at (949) 824-5414. Online registrations also can be made through www.unex.uci.edu.

Further information regarding either class, or the IRM course series, may be obtained by calling Hixson at (949) 567-7200 or e-mailing him at mhixson@pruoc.com.