Real Estate Designations

Ever wonder about all those designations and abbreviations used by real estate agents after their names?  What do they mean and is it important in determining the experience level of the agent?  The designations can represent anything from two hours of online study to months of classroom education.  Some designations are available to agents based solely on agent experience, extensive qualifications and payment of a large fee.  Here are some of the most popular real estate designations earned by Mel Foster Co. agents:

 

ABR® education provides REALTORS® with what they need to stay competitive in today's market.  Member benefits such as marketing tools, a referral network and other resources, help to promote their business.  An agent who has earned this designation may elect to work as a listing agent or a buyer's agent and is presented by REBAC (Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council).

 

 

The ABRM^sm  real estate broker course was developed for managers, brokers and owners who wish to better incorporate buyer representation into their company's service offerings.  Designees have taken and passed both the ABR® and ABRM^sm course and provided documentation of past management experience.  Presented by REBAC (Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council).

 

 

Offered through Realty U Online, this course is designed to improve a listing agent's professionalism and refine the dimension of service to sellers.  Agents can choose between online or in-class courses and must pass the exam.  Additional qualifications include documentation of closed single-agency transactions, letters of recommendations from sellers of the above transactions, membership in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®  and membership for a fee in the Seller Agency Council.

 

Accredited ASP® Stagers and Real Estate Agents are true Professionals trained under strict guidelines using proven Staging techniques developed for over 35 years. When you bring your home on the market and Stage® your house for sale always hire an ASP® because ASPs® must pass a detailed written examination, agree to follow the ASP® Code of Ethics and the ASP® Consumer Foundation of Service Creed, renew yearly to maintain their ASP® Designation and the guidelines therein and their membership with Stagedhomes.com. ASP's® are taught to: Hold a Business License or RE License, Carry Staging or E and O Insurance, Hold a Sales Tax ID number as an ASP® Stager, Have a commercial checking account for their Business, Continue their education by returning to additional ASP® Courses and Hold a current active membership in The International Association of Home Staging Professionals®. The ASP® Designation is the benchmark designation of the entire Home Staging Industry.

 

The Certified Negotiation Expert designation is designed specifically to give Realtors® and real estate professionals, the knowledge, training and ability needed to become an expert negotiator - a vital skill required for real estate transactions. 

CRE® - Counselor of Real Estate

The Council of Residential Specialists say agents who hold a CRS designation earn four times more than average agents.  Agents must pass four to six unit courses, depending on the number of the agent's closed transactions within a specified time period.  Emphasis is on education to better represent residential clients.  Additional requirements include membership in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, membership in a local board of Realtors®, membership in the Council of Residential Specialists®, and payment of an application fee. 

 

 

The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager - CRB^sm - is one of the most respected and relevant designations offered in real estate business management.  The CRB^sm designation is awarded to REALTORS® who have completed advanced educational and professional requirements.  CRB^sm designees are better positioned to streamline operations, integrate new technology and apply new trends and business strategies.  

 

 

e-PRO® is a revolutionary training program presented entirely online to certify real estate agents and brokers as Internet Professionals.  The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is the first major trade group to offer certification for online professionalism.  e-PRO® is not just about technology - it's about how  you can leverage your most powerful asset, your people-skills, into doing more business on the Internet.  e-PRO® gives you exhaustive Internet Training, Unique Competitive Advantage, Professional Distinction, and CE Credit now available in several states.  

 

 

Members involved in residential real estate who want a solid base of information for their practice will want to participate in the REALTOR® Institute program and earn the GRI^sm designation.  Agents must complete a minimum of 90 to 95 hours of coursework pertaining to the state that licenses them, and pass the exams.  Education covers law, practice, finance, taxes, exchanges and more.  Membership is required as a REALTOR® in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, their state association and their local board.

 

 

The Residential Financing Council (RFC) is an organization of real estate and mortgage professionals dedicated to excellence in providing financial counseling services to homeowners who are buying, selling or investing in real estate.  Real estate and mortgage professionals earn this designation by completing a rigorous course in residential financing principles, techniques and programs developed by the Residential Financing Council.  Designees are required to maintain active membership in the Residential Financing Council and to adhere to its policies and procedures.

 

SFR - Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource

For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new "traditional" real estate transaction. Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities are not merely good skills to have in today's market - they are critical. And while short sales and foreclosures are not for the faint of heart, agents with the proper tools and training can use these specialty areas to build their business for the long term.

 

The SRES ® Designation program educates REALTORS® to profitably and ethically serve the real estate needs of the fastest growing market in real estate, clients age 50+.