Market Recovery Seen by Cumbie & Trull School
From The Asheville Citizen-Times
“Real estate firms are actively looking for agents,” states Bill Trull, owner with his wife, Beth Graham, of Cumbie & Trull School of Real Estate, in the Innsbruck Mall on Tunnel Road. Graham, in charge of administration, fields many phone calls from firms seeking qualified agents. Trull points out, “Though the economy and real estate market have been slow, there has been a definite upturn. We’ve just experienced the 4th straight month where sales of new homes have increased. Those taking classes to become agents now tell us that they want to get a jump on the inevitable bounceback in Western NC real estate.” Cumbie & Trull is unique in that it doesn’t require prepayment for classes. “These are tough times”, Graham notes. “We don’t want to make anyone part with their money any sooner than they need to. We also work diligently to provide accurate information and good service to anyone who calls or walks through our doors.”
Cumbie & Trull was founded in 2004, with Trull and Graham taking over full ownership from Roger Cumbie in July, 2008. The pedigree of the instructors is impressive. Trull was a local real estate attorney for many years and also taught Business Law courses as an adjunct associate professor at UNCA. Roger Cumbie was a high school teacher and real estate broker, but he is best known as an energetic and humorous real estate educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. Jim Hagan was Department Chair and CoCoordinator of AB Tech’s Real Estate Program for 26 years. Cumbic and Hagan are both semiretired. Trull does most of the teaching with assistance from them and a few other highlyqualified parttime teachers.
Cumbie and Trull offers all of the courses the NC Real Estate Commission requires to get and keep a real estate broker’s license. “Much of our business is from students returning for additional courses and referring new students to us,” states Trull, who notes that they have loyal students from as far west as Murphy and even ‘a few who come from Charlotte. “Our ability to retain students once they’ve taken a class with us is very high.” This speaks to the quality of the instruction. Many students comment to Graham on Trull’s classes, unaware that she is his wife, “It’s interesting to hear what students say about Bill,” comments Graham, “how he makes seemingly dull material interesting and relevant.”
“We enjoy what we do, and it shows,’ says Trull. “Students are surprised at how engaged they become in learning. Some teachers imply that the information is dull, boring or a necessary evil, whereas I believe it is important and relevant, and can be taught in an interesting and fun style.” A case in point is their Continuing Education Elective course, Foreclosures, Short Sales, REQ’s and Auctions. “There are unusual economic circumstances. right now that can affect the transfer of property”, notes Trull. “We believe this information can be of benefit to brokers and their clients.”
It is important to note that Cumbie & Trull is not affiliated with another, separate school started by Roger Cumbie several years earlier, Cumbie Institute. Neither he nor Trull has had any involvement with that school since mid2004; however, due to several business name changes by the other school, some confusion between the two schools persists. “Our longtime students know the difference,” states Trull. “Others should make sure they specifically look for Cumbie & Trull.”
For more information go to www.cumbieandtrull.com or contact Beth Graham at 828-258-2559 Postlicensing and Continuing Education courses are ongoing and new Prelicensing classes start September 25th and October 5th.
