 What Do All Those Letters Mean After a REALTORS® Name?
Not all real estate professionals have the same level of experience or dedication. And not all are REALTORS®. California Association of Realtors Link More Local Infomation
Realtors® who go to the extra effort of putting in the time and experience and expense to acquire designations are not only showing special interest in their business, they are demonstrating a desire to achieve a higher professional image in the eyes of the public. It is these Realtors who have more experience in real estate specialties such as buyers' agency, relocation, property management, and more.
That is not to say that you wouldn't be as well served by someone who is new to the field, or a veteran who doesn't have extra credentials, but the chances are greater that a higher degree of professionalism will be demonstrated by someone who has gone the extra mile.
For one thing, people such as the members of the RS Council (CRS) tend to make more money, have more years of experience, experience fewer complaints and get higher prices for sellers than other agents.
The members of the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council have special expertise in buyer's agency through educational and networking programs sponsored by the organization.
Members of NAR affiliate organizations and real estate industry trade organizations are able to bring networking skills to each other which are invaluable to consumers. With a quick e-mail, a CRS can contact another CRS and get the exact information you may need for your transaction.
They refer clients to each other in relocation situations, as "insurance" that the client will be cared for by the same standard as the agent would him/herself.
The following list is provided courtesy of RE/MAX International, and it will help you understand which agents have the special education to best suit your needs.
• ABR
The Accredited Buyer Representative designation indicates a real estate agent specializing in representing buyers in the real estate transaction. The ABR is conferred by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council (REBAC).
• ABRM
The Accredited Buyer Representative Manager, conferred by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council, is designed for those who manage or supervise buyer agents. Holding an ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) designation is a prerequisite for the ABRM, as is the supervision of 25 buyer representation transactions.
• CCIM
The highest designation of commercial specialists is the CCIM, Certified Commercial Investment Member, conferred by the Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute of NAR.
• CRB
The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager designation, conferred by the Real Estate Brokerage Managers Council, identifies brokers who have taken an extensive array of courses oriented toward enhancement of brokerage management skills.
• CRES
The Certified Real Estate Specialist designation for agents and brokers was introduced in 1996 by the Real Estate Institute of Canada.
• CRP
The Certified Relocation Professional certification is conferred by the Employee Relocation Council (E-R-C). The designation denotes relocation professionals who specialize in relocation and who pass the demanding requirements of E-R-C.
• CRS
The Member, Council of Residential Specialists designation, offered through NAR, denotes an agent who specializes in residential real estate. Only about 3 percent of the members of NAR have earned this designation.
• FRI
Since 1955, the Fellow of the Real Estate Institute designation has been one of the most respected designations in Canadian real estate. It is conferred by the Real Estate Institute of Canada.
• GRI
Only about 9 percent of all Realtors have earned the designation Graduate of the Realtor Institute.
• LTG
The Leadership Training Graduate designation recognizes members of the Women's Council of Realtors who have achieved a superior level of leadership expertise through education and experience.
• RRS
The Registered Relocation Specialist designation is the Canadian equivalent to the Certified Relocation Professional designation in the United States. An agent holding the RRS designation has proven experience in assisting corporate and government transferees in their destination and departure cities.
Other designations include:
• AACI
Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute
• ACCI
Associate Canadian Condominium Institute
• ALC
Accredited Land Consultant
• AMO
Accredited Management Organization
• ARM
Accredited Resident Manager
• CAPM
Certificate in Advanced Property Marketing
• CBR
Certified Buyers Representative
• CCIM
Certified Commercial Investment Member
• CEA
Certificate of Estate Agency
• CGA
Certified General Appraiser
• CIPS
Certified International Property Specialist
• CPM
Certified Property Manager
• CRA
Canadian Residential Appraiser
• CRE
Counselor in Real Estate
• CREA
Certified Real Estate Appraiser
• CRSS
Certified Real Estate Securities Sponsor
• CSP
Certified Sales Professional
• FRI
Fellow of the Real Estate Institute
• FRICS
Fellow Royal Institute Chartered Surveyors
• GAA
General Accredited Appraiser
• MAI
Member of the Appraisal Institute
• MVA
Market Value Appraiser
• RI
Professional Division
• RM
Residential Member
• SIOR
Society of Industrial and Office Realtors
• SRA
Senior Residential Appraiser
• SREA
Senior Real Estate Analyst
• SRS
Specialist in Real Estate Securities
In addition, there are other designations worth considering that are not affiliated with NAR but held by numerous NAR members.
• SRES
Senior Real Estate Specialist - specializes in senior issues, financial planning as regards real estate.
• EBA
Exclusive Buyers Agent - works exclusively with buyers and never represents sellers or participates in dual agency.
• CRP
Relocation specialist - a specialist in the relocation process, family issues, tax and legal issues, appraisals, and corporate relocation policies and issues.
|
