When picking a real estate agent look for one who is a REALTOR. An Agent with a REALTOR designation is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS a real estate trade association, whose members agree to abide by a 17 article Code of Ethics.
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)
This designation is a benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. It is Awarded to real estate agents by the Real Estate Buyers Agent council (REBAC) of the Nation Association of REALTORS who met the following specified educational and practical experience criteria:
Completing the comprehensive 2-day REBAC course in buyer representation
Successfully passing a written exam.
Demonstrating a practical experience of having completed 5 closed real estate transactions in the field of buyer representation.
Receiving recommendations from two of the real estate agents buyer clients
Being a member in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS.
Look for those real estate agents who proudly display the ABR designation and know that they are professionals in their field of buyer representation.
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
A Certified Residential Specialist wants to make your home buying or home selling process easy, enjoyable and the most profitable for you. Through significant experience and advanced education in areas such as finance, technology and marketing, CRS designees offer the expertise and professionalism that put them in the top 5 percent of residential sales agents nationwide.
Graduate REALTORS Institute (GRI)
The Graduate REALTORS Institute designation is presented to REALTORS who have completed a comprehensive education program in residential real estate. The GRI designation is considered the nations number one real estate designation. The designation is conferred on qualified individuals by the various state associations of REALTORS, with the National Association of REALTORS educational standards assuring excellence among the curricula.
This designation may only be earned after successfully completing a rigorous educational program. This program requires 92 hours of live course instruction from a statewide faculty selected because of extensive experience in their own areas of expertise. This designation is available only to members of the local, state and National Association of REALTORS. GRI is recognized nationwide as the standard for real estate professionalism and knowledge.
Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) Awarded by the Senior Advantage Real Estate Council in Murphys, California.
The council tracks the special issues and needs of senior property owners and provides education to REALTORS who make seniors an important focus of their business. This designation was introduced in 1997 and is nationally recognized. Less than 1% of REALTORS nationally have qualified for this prestigious and internationally recognized designation. SRES has members in all 50 states and Canada.
The Senior Specialist helps seniors make wise decisions about selling the family home, buying rental property, and other issues. Because America is maturing and nearly 80% of its contemporary seniors own real estate and/or are buying new properties, the Council provides its REALTORS with skills and knowledge to service the needs of this unique section of our community. Nearly 4 out of 10 property owners over 65 have lived in the same home for over 30 years. The issues facing these clients are unique and special.
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS)
Members of The Institute who hold the CLHMS designation have successfully demonstrated their expertise in the luxury home and estate market by meeting strict performance requirements.
Choose an agent with the CLHMS designation and you know he or she has a solid track record of helping affluent clients achieve their real estate goals
The Million Dollar Guild
Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialists (CLHMS) whose documented performance includes at least two single family property closings at $1,000,000 and above will be recognized as members of the prestigious Million Dollar Guild.
Certified Home Marketing Specialist (CHMS) The Certified Home Marketing Specialist knows how to successfully manage the staging of a house and even knows the secrets of "upstaging" thereby resulting in a home selling at its maximum potential price.
Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE) A Certified Distressed Property Expert is a real estate professional with specific understanding of the complex issues confronting the real estate industry, and the foreclosure avoidance options available to homeowners. Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPEs are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing hardships in todays market, specifically short sales.
Worldwide ERC is the workforce mobility association for professionals who oversee, manage, or support U.S. domestic and international employee transfer. The organization was founded in 1964 to help members overcome the challenges of workforce mobility. Our members come from many professions -- HR; recruiting, government; military; real estate; financial services; moving; counseling; consulting; and more!
