Fayette Schools Open Doors to Realtors With 'Ticket to Ride' Tour Program

When a family moves to Fayette County, one of the first questions they ask their realtor is about the schools. Until now, many agents didn't have a good answer. A new partnership between the Fayette County Public School System and the Fayette County Board of REALTORS is trying to change that — one school bus ride at a time.

Dubbed 'Ticket to Ride' — a nod to the 1965 Beatles hit — the program takes local real estate agents on guided tours of Fayette County's public schools, giving them the kind of firsthand knowledge they can actually pass along to clients. About 40 realtors turned out for a kickoff event at the school system's transportation center on October 11 to learn how the tours will work.

The tours run from late October through February 2019 and cover all five of the county's high schools and middle schools, plus an elementary school that feeds into each middle and high school cluster. Realtors won't just be dropped off at the front office — they'll ride a yellow school bus to and from each campus, getting a feel for the district's transportation system along the way.

Inside the schools, student ambassadors will lead the tours, speaking from their own perspective about what makes their school distinctive. The goal is to arm agents with specific, accurate information rather than vague reassurances when buyers ask what sets one school apart from another.

Our students and staffs are excited to host the Realtors and showcase what it is that makes their schools special. This opportunity is a great way for our local realtors to get a first-hand look inside of our schools and what each has to offer so that they can confidently talk about the schools when working with clients.— Melinda Berry-Dreisbach, school spokesperson

The kickoff event was more than a preview of the tours. Realtors also heard a presentation on school safety from Mike Sanders, assistant superintendent of operations, and learned about the district's CARE (Children at Risk in Education) program from CARE coordinator Karen Spangler. Agents said both sessions were directly useful — many reported that school safety is one of the questions they field most often from prospective buyers.

The CARE presentation had an immediate effect. After hearing about the program's work supporting students in need, the Fayette County Realtors Association decided to adopt CARE as one of its philanthropy projects. The tours are free, but the association is asking participating realtors to bring personal hygiene items to donate to CARE. The group also plans to support CARE's Angel Tree program, which provides gifts to in-need students and their families during the holidays.

Our community building goals are to be more visible as the REALTOR leaders in our community on issues that affect the real estate industry, including housing, education, smart growth, diversity, and fair housing through increased partnerships and collaborations with local stakeholders. We welcome the opportunity provided for our Realtor members by the Fayette County Board of Education to tour the schools, and to learn what each one has to offer its students. We will continue to be strong advocates for education in this community.— Vickie Butler, President, Fayette County Board of REALTORS

The first tour is scheduled for October 23 and will feature Sandy Creek High, Flat Rock Middle, and Robert J. Burch Elementary. Nearly 20 realtors had already registered as of the kickoff event. Each tour date is capped at 50 participants. Registration is free and open through the Fayette County Board of REALTORS at www.fayetterealtors.com.

Why it matters — For anyone buying or selling a home in Fayette County, this program means the agent across the table is more likely to give accurate, specific answers about the schools their children would attend — one of the most consequential factors in a home purchase.

Reported by newnanceo.com, fayette-news.net