Long & Foster Real Estate, the largest independent residential real estate company in the United States, welcomes Mercedes Perez to its Kempsville office, in Virginia Beach, Va. Perez will specialize in working with homebuyers and sellers.

“We are very excited and fortunate to have Mercedes join our team of highly trained professionals,” said Lisa Frates, manager of the Kempsville office. “The combination of Long & Foster and Mercedes unique skills and knowledge will no doubt provide the highest level of service to local buyers and sellers.”

Perez successfully completed Long & Foster’s Star Builders program, an extensive training course for newly licensed sales associates, as well as associates returning to the field of real estate. The program’s curriculum covers contracts, agency, prospecting, business planning, finance and working with buyers and sellers. Perez holds membership in the Hampton Roads Association of Realtors.

“I wanted to join Long & Foster because of their great reputation and outstanding training,” Perez said.

“The dynamics of today’s residential real estate market are constantly changing. Completing our Star Builders program has provided Mercedes with the right tools to meet those changing dynamics,” said Gary Scott, president of Long & Foster Real Estate. “We welcome Mercedes to Long & Foster, a company that has helped local buyers and sellers reach their homeownership goals for more than 45 years.”

For more information, visit LongandFoster.com.