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Posted at Debra Allen Real Estate Blog by Debra Allen
Sep. 28, 2007
Starred by: 1 Member
DESIGNATE YOURSELF
By Debra Allen, REALTOR®
Prudential Arizona Properties - Gilbert, Arizona
The National Association of REALTORS® and its regional affiliates provide
designations that denote specialized areas of real estate expertise. NAR also offers designations and certification
programs to its members, including the following:
ABR (Accredited Buyer
Representative) - 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® he/she 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 REALTORS®
should go through this class. As a sales professional, you will not only learn so much from it, you will be equipped to
better serve and protect your client.
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 Web sites, 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. In fact, as technology leaps ahead, agents need to stay current simply to survive in the
industry.
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.
Additional Incentive to Earn Your Designations
Did you know that these professional designations and education in general can significantly
increase your income? The following fast facts reinforce their significance in our industry:
Ø According to the 1999 National Association of Realtors®
Member Profile, 32% of Realtors® have a professional designation.
Ø Sales agents holding professional designations have incomes
that are $18,100 higher than those who don't hold a designation and brokers with designations earn $14,700 more per
year.
Ø By and large, those Realtors® who are the most successful
at earning a comfortable living in the industry are those who have completed four years of college and acquired
professional real estate designations.
Ø Significantly, specific designations, like CRS® and
Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB), can provide an even greater boost to agent income levels. According to the
latest industry data, the median personal income for CRS designees is $95,000, while the annual median gross income for
brokers who hold the CRB designation is $128,130.
This data clearly demonstrates that furthering one's professional education and staying current
in today's market translates into higher income earning potential for REALTORS®.
How to Pursue More Education & Designations
The National Association of Realtors® has nine affiliated Institutes, Societies and Councils
that offer a vast menu of programs and services to assist members in increasing skills, productivity and knowledge. Each
affiliated group, upon completion of required courses, awards designations acknowledging experience and expertise in
various real estate endeavors.
A description and contact information is available below on each designation program offered.
The time you invest in earning a real estate designation this year will help you become a better informed, more highly
skilled professional, increasing the likelihood that you'll become a more prosperous, successful agent in the years to
come. Best of all, you will meet agents that, like yourself, are obtaining designations and expand your referral network
for future business. And did you know that if you have designation that you do get discounted rates on your E&O
Insurance?
Your clients will appreciate and likely benefit from the knowledge that you gain from
designations. 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.
In today's market conditions, that is the edge to set your self apart from others have.
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