PAMELA CROXTON, WITH KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY, THE RAWLS GROUP, EARNS DISTINCTIVE CDPE (CERTIFIED DISTRESSED PROPERTY EXPERT) DESIGNATION

The Rawls Group Graduates the Largest Group in Georgia

ATLANTA, GA, For Immediate Release –Keller Williams Realty, The Rawls Group is pleased to announce that Pamela Croxton has become a CDPE, one of the first in Georgia to hold this designation. After completing the two-day course, Pamela is prepared to assist homeowners avoid foreclosure. Pamela has also closed a number of short sales in 2009.Keller Williams Realty, The Rawls Group, holds the highest per capita of agents with this designation in Georgia.

Nationally, only 12 percent of short sales are approved. Among CDPE designated Realtors®, more than 80 percent of short sales are approved. According to the National Association of Realtors®, more than 45 percent of existing home sales in the fourth quarter of 2008 were foreclosures and short sales. In a short sale transaction, homeowners sell their property for less than the mortgage amount, but avoid the foreclosure process.

Shaun Rawls, Operating Partner and Broker, The Rawls Group, noted “Negotiating a short sale for a distressed seller is not a simple task. In order for these sellers to be served at the highest level, we believe it is important that our agents are armed with the proper knowledge. The CDPE designation gives us the systems and solutions to get a higher percentage of these transactions to the closing table.”

The Distressed Property Institute, based in Boca Raton, Fl. and launched in January 2008, offers the Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) designation after comprehensive on-site or online training on how to handle short sales. The institute was founded by dynamic real estate veteran Alex Charfen.

“It is through the help and support of agencies like the Rawls Group that homeowners in distress will find answers and relief,” Charfen said. “We are proud to be associated with such an outstanding organization and thrilled that so many Rawls Group agents earned the CDPE Designation. The homeowners in the greater Atlanta area now have an answer for the solutions they are seeking.”

The CDPE designation has been endorsed by many major U.S. brokerages. Numerous industry icons have also endorsed the CDPE, including Howard Brinton, founder of STAR POWER System; Bob Corcoran, founder of Corcoran Coaching and Consulting, Brian Buffini of Buffini and Company and David Knox, founder of Knox Productions.

Led by Operating Partner Shaun Rawls and General Manager Jeri Moran, Keller Williams Realty First Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Road, Keller Williams Realty Smyrna Vinings, Keller Williams Realty Buckhead, Keller Williams Realty Perimeter North, Dunwoody and Keller Williams Realty Peachtree Battle, The Rawls Group offices are changing the way you THINK about Real Estate. Keller Williams Realty is the fastest growing and third largest residential real estate firm in the United States.

###

Press Contacts: Jeri Moran/General Manager, The Rawls Group 404-531-3275