n real estate display ads, • CRE — These realtors hold a
you will see many realtors Counselor of Real Estate
with initials listed behind certification that is by
their names. These are realtor invitation only. They give
designations, representing the seasoned advice on real estate
certifications held by the and land-related matters.
realtors. Here are just a few
realtor designations: • CRS — The Council of
Residential Specialist
• ABR — The abbreviation stands certification means the realtor
for Accredited Buyer concentrates on the buying and
Representative. This selling of residential homes.
certification means the realtor
specializes in representing • GRI — The realtor with a
buyers. Graduate Realtors Institute
certification has attained what
• ALC — The Accredited Land the industry considers to be the
Consultant specializes in land highest professional standing for
brokerage transactions. a residential realtor.
• CIPS — The Certified • SRES — The Seniors Real Estate
International Property Specialist Specialist has specialized
will have more knowledge of the knowledge for working with
international real estate market. seniors, who probably have not
sold a home for many years. This
• CRB — The Certified Real Estate realtor is able to properly
Broker has specialized knowledge explain new terms, laws,
in brokerage and real estate procedures and financing to
business management. seniors, as well as help them to
more fully understand their
seller and buyer rights.
All realtors are required by
Why Get Designations? their state to have a certain
level of knowledge in order to be
Realtors who have these licensed. Additionally, realtors
designations have studied are required to take coursework
specific areas of real estate in every four years to maintain
order to gain advanced knowledge their license. Certification
within these areas. Qualifying coursework is completely optional
for these designations takes a for realtors.
lot of classroom time, testing
and learning extensive practical What Does This Mean to the Buyer
knowledge. Some designations or Seller?
require up to six-to-eight months
of regular classroom study. In That depends upon the individual
addition to giving the realtor realtor. I worked in the
more knowledge, such study also insurance industry for many
increases the realtors’ years, where such designations
professionalism. are aggressively promoted and
just as hard to obtain. I found
Realtors have found these the following concerning
designations quite valuable; insurance agents and their
since the more knowledge they designations that easily
have, the more confidence their translates to realtors and their
clients have in their skills and designations:
ability. Such certifications are
especially valuable for new • For many, the coursework
realtors, increasing their improved their knowledge and
knowledge faster than with ability to sell,
on-hands experience.
• The designations attracted more indicates that the realtors have
clients, completed some extensive study on
their own time. It means they
• Many of our firm’s top should be well versed in that
insurance agents held particular area of real estate.
designations, It does not mean that they are
more knowledgeable than a realtor
• Many of the top agents held no without the designation, because
designations, and the latter may have learned much
more through actual experience
• One of the most successful than the person holding the
agents the firm ever had held no designation.
designations, continuously topped
everyone in sales each year, and So, when looking to hire a
was so successful that he had his realtor, keep a good perspective
own private secretary, who on designations. Opt to do a good
screened all his calls, because interview with the realtor,
he was so busy with clients who rather than simply accepting
just seemed to gravitate toward he/she is the best because of a
him. designation.
My point is this — A designation
About the Author:
John Harris is an expert researcher and writer on real estate topics such as economics, credit improvement tips, home selling advice and home buying preparations. For more information please visit San Diego Realtor
Read more articles by:
J Harris
Article Source: www.iSnare.com 
