DESIGNATIONS

All real estate licenses are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the National Association of Realtors are properly called REALTORS ®. They proudly display the Realtor ® logo on their business card or other marketing and sales literature. They are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. Realtors subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate.

The ABR designation is designed to provide valuable real estate education that elevates an agents skills and knowledge in the eyes of homebuyers. It includes specialized information, programs and updates that help stay on top of the issues and trends in successfully representing homebuyers.

Membership of about 1500 real estate professionals is dedicated to helping luxury home buyers and sellers fulfill their real estate dreams. To enhance their skills, members can earn the prestigious Accredited Luxury Home Specialist Designation. This intensive course explores national luxury housing trends, specialized luxury buyer and seller needs, development and delivery of unique high level services, representation issues, liability and risk management, builder services, and more.

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, CDPE's are able to give solutions for homeowners facing hardships in the market, specifically short sales. CDPE's don't merely help in selling properties, they serve and help save their clients in need.

A Certified International Property Specialist is a person who has proven their ability in international real estate practice by completing CI PS program requirements. The National Association of Realtors studies show that CI PS designees tend to be highly experienced both in real estate and in dealing with clients from diverse cultures. The network comprises 2,500 real estate agents from 50 countries and is the specialty membership group for global business practitioners of NAR.

The Certified Residential Specialist is the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education. Since 1977 the Council of Residential Specialists has been conferring the CRS Designation on agents who meet its stringent requirements. CRS Members have proven they have the experience, training and commitment to be among the best in their profession. They have completed advanced training in residential real estate and have a proven track record of sales transactions required to earn the CRS designation.

A Certified Short-Sale Professional will be able to guide their client through the complex process of marketing the home, finding a willing buyer, working with the lender (s) and other parties involved. A CSP will also learn how to determine if a property will even qualify for a short-sale.

An e-Pro is a REALTOR who has successfully completed the training program. Endorsed by the NAR, the e-PRO course teaches professionals the nuts and bolts of working with real estate on-line: Web Sites, e- mail, on-line tools, and most of all, what today's consumer really wants.

The CHMS designation combines staging and marketing to help strategically position properties in any market and price range. The courses offered by Martha Webb, the person who set the standard for staging homes through the program "Dress your House for Success."

New technology, laws, procedures, and the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers need real estate practitioners to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism. The GRI program has helped the best and the brightest in the industry achieve that level of understanding. When you see the letters "GRI" after an agent's name you can count on receiving the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly.

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 sales 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.

When you are involved in an international referral, as a referring or receiving agent, the TRC certification demonstrates to other real estate professionals that you are well versed in the rules of the TRC system, have pledged to follow a code of conduct in business dealings.