Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) 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. Currently, there are more than 39,000 active CRS Designees.

Here are the highlights from the 2007 Council membership survey:

• CRS Designees earn a median income of $110,000 annually, nearly 3 times the $37,300 median income of REALTORS serving as sales associates. (Source: 2007 NAR Member Profile)



• CRS Designees average a total of 26 transactions per year with gross sales of $4 million annually.
  • CRS Designees represent the seller an average of 12 times per year
  • CRS Designees represent the buyer an average of 14 times per year


• CRS Designees have worked in residential real estate an average of 16 years.

Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI)

This symbol is the mark of a real estate professional who has made a commitment to providing a superior level of professional services by earning the GRI designation. REALTORS® with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate to better serve and protect their clients.

Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR)

A real estate buyer's representative represents the buyer who is purchasing property in a real estate transaction. Research by the National Association of REALTORS has shown that when a buyer's representative is used, the prospective buyer found a home one week faster and examined three more properties than consumers who did not use a buyer's representative.

The buyer's representative works for, and owes fiduciary responsibilities to, the real estate buyer and has buyer's best interests in mind throughout the entire real estate process. A buyer's representative will:

•    Evaluate the specific needs and wants of the buyer and locate properties that fit those specifications.
•    Assist the buyer in determining the amount that they can afford (pre-qualify), and show properties in that price range and locale.
•    Assist in viewing properties -- accompany the buyer on the showings, or preview the properties on behalf of the buyer to insure that the identified specifications are met.
•    Research the selected properties to identify any problems or issues to help the buyer make an informed decision prior to making an offer to purchase the property.
•    Advise the buyer on structuring an appropriate offer to purchase the selected property.
•    Present the offer to the seller's agent and the seller on the buyer's behalf.
•    Negotiate on behalf of the buyer to help obtain the identified property -- keeping the buyer's best interests in mind.
•    Assist in securing appropriate financing for the selected property.
•    Provide a list of potential qualified vendors (e.g. movers, attorneys, carpenters, etc.) if these services are needed.
•    Most importantly, fully-represent the buyer throughout the real estate transaction.

Residential Construction Certified

For real estate professionals active in either resale or new home business, Residential Construction Certified ™ delivers the most effective and comprehensive training available covering materials, methods, terminology and details of residential construction. The RCC ™ Certification identifies you as a true real estate professional with in-depth knowledge of the products you sell ... knowledge of residential construction ... which allows you to work more professionally with buyers, sellers, appraisers, inspectors, lenders, designers, engineers and construction professionals.

e-Pro

The e-PRO Certification Course is an educational program unlike any other professional certification or designation course available, comprehensive and Interactive. It is sponsored by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS® and is specifically designed to help real estate professionals thrive in the competitive world of online real estate.

In addition, the e-PRO Certification Course is geared to ensure continued success in online real estate after the course has been completed and certification earned, by online participation in the e-PRO Community and the e-PRO Referral Network.