HUNTSVILLE, AL March 1, 2017 - 2017 marks 30 years in the commercial real estate business in Huntsville for Russ Russell Commercial Real Estate, and attached is a long list of “firsts” for the real estate entrepreneur and proletariat historian. Aware that Huntsville was and still is the largest city in Alabama by land total*, and realizing at the time that he was the new kid on the block among several deeply entrenched real estate competitors, Russell developed a long-term growth strategy. By implementing new technology, persisting in continuing education, and executing visionary marketing tactics, he could forever set himself apart from the others. That strategy is intact 30 years later.
Foreseeing the technological benefits of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), also known as drones, for quickly and conveniently providing aerial views of properties, in July 2014, Russ Russell became the first commercial real estate broker in Madison County to use drones for real estate marketing purposes. In 2016, he was recognized by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as the first Realtor to deliver a listing contract to a customer using a drone.
Russell is the first and only Realtor out of 1.2 million nationwide to have company mascot. Played by Brandon McMillan, “Ruff” Russell has grown in popularity with the kids and business community in Madison County and helps promote local school and community projects. This summer, the team known as “Ruff & Ranger” (the name of Russell’s drone) will make appearances at most property and community events.
A brilliant marketer and active member of the University of Alabama Alumni Association, Russ often creates marketing campaigns tying together Russ Russell CRE with the University of Alabama Athletics. His “Days to Kick Off” (DTKO) schedules and clever “Hurts Don’t It” adhesive “Bamdaids” are popular with customers.
For 29 years, Russell has used media to preserve and document historical and economic changes in Madison County business and property by laminating news and magazine articles and sharing them with business owners and civic leaders.
Russell followed in his parent’s footsteps, both whom were successful developing, leasing, and maintaining commercial properties. Russell graduated with an atypical degree in real estate from the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce. Only 1 percent of all Realtors have a degree in Real Estate.
Since opening the doors to Russ Russell CRE in 1987 with a single listing for an office condo building located at 1580 Sparkman Drive, Russell has acquired the largest number of commercial real estate listings in North Alabama for 17 years running. He has been a member of the Leadership Council for the Alabama Center for Real Estate for the past five years; he has been a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) for 32 years; a longtime member of the Alabama Association of Realtors (AAR); the Huntsville Area Association of Realtors (HAAR); the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville-Madison County; and the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama (BBB).
Russ Russell has become the “first” in dozens of educational and certification areas:
Russ Russell is the first and only Realtor in the nation to hold the top two (2) commercial real estate designations: Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute (CCIM) and Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR); the top land designation: Accredited Land Consultant (ALC); and the top tax-deferred exchange: Certified Exchange Advisor (CEA). Less than 5 percent of all Realtors have any one of these designations.
For more information on Russ Russell Commercial Real Estate’s 30-Year Anniversary, contact Russ Russell at (256) 536-7777 (office) or (256) 527-7777 (Cell).
*SOURCE: www.franchisehelp.com/industry-reports/real-estate-franchise-industry-report