National Association of Realtors Programs Help Certify Realtors
Looking for an outstanding representative for your next home purchase or sale?
The National Association of Realtors and its regional affiliates provide designations that denote specialized areas of real estate expertise. These designations, sometimes known best to consumers as the letters following a representative’s name, often separate the “wheat from chaff” in a field of thousands of agents. NAR also offers designations and certification programs to its members, including the following:
• Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) - This designation is awarded by the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council. The requirements include coursework and practical experience. The designation helps a consumer know that the Realtor the person hires is committed to the highest standards of ethical practice. ABRs have the training and experience to help buyers through the entire transaction process from selecting a property through the close of escrow.
Why this designation adds value: Consumer demand for buyer representation has changed the relationship between buyers and real estate professionals. REBAC (Real Estate BUYER’S AGENT Council) awards the ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) designation to Realtors who meet education and experience requirements to better prepare them to represent buyers. An ABR designation reinforces the importance of due diligence and helps any agent better serve a buyer with “caveat emptor” (buyer beware) from termites to mold, fissures and pool issues.
• GRI (Graduate, Realtor Institute) - A Realtor with a GRI designation is trained in many areas including legal and regulatory issues, professional standards, the sales process and technology. A minimum of 90 hours of training is required to achieve this designation. The GRI symbol is reserved for a real estate professional that has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional service by securing a strong educational foundation. Realtors with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate.
Why this designation adds value: In my opinion, all consumers should look for this designation as its primary objective is to equip sales professionals to better protect their clients.
• e-PRO - e-PRO certification indicates that a Realtor has received training on Internet business principles and the technologies required throughout a real estate transaction. An e-PRO has successfully completed the e-PRO training program. Endorsed by the NAR, the e-PRO course teaches professionals the nuts and bolts of working with real estate online from websites, e-mail and online tools to what today’s consumer really wants.
Why this designation adds value: Since technology is on the rise and more buyers and sellers start shopping for their homes and agents online, I think it is very beneficial to Realtors to invest in this certification and for consumers to seek these skills out in their representatives. In fact, as technology leaps ahead, agents need to stay current simply to maintain solid service standards to clients.
• CRS (Certified Residential Specialist): Agents can maximize their potential by earning the CRS Designation and joining the organization. CRS designees benefit from nationwide referral opportunities, a professional reputation and sales and marketing support. The CRS designation is awarded to experienced Realtors who complete advanced training in listing and selling and meet rigorous production requirements.
Why this designation adds value: The CRS is the highest designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. It recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education. As competition for quality listings and qualified buyers increases, achieving this status sets an agent apart from the pack. As a consumer, it generally means that your agent is serious about the industry and has made a formal commitment to excellence.
As a consumer, you may benefit from the knowledge represented in those “letters” of designation in our industry.
From my own experience over the past four years, I can share that the more I learned about real estate, the better I became at my career.
I also became more valuable to my clients as I guided them through transactions. I include all of my designations on all of my marketing materials and educate my clients on what it takes to earn them.
In doing this, my clients come to understand that in representing them I offer a competitive edge over a Realtor with less training and industry specific expertise.