Certifications and Designations
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"Real estate has always been, and will for the
immediate future continue to be, a self-imposed adult
learning environment. According to a 2006 survey
by NAR, 85% of all agents coming into the industry
have no sales experience. With minimal real estate education and limited sales experience we have an industry destined for high failure rates" — Stefan Swanepoel of www.RETrends.com
"The biggest trend I see is the real estate agent bubble. For some time now we've had an industry that has been top heavy in licensees but light in professionals." — Frances Martinez Myers, SVP, Prudential Fox & Roach
The two most popular areas of self improvement is: Designations and Coaching.
Below is a partial list of the 70+ professional designations or certifications currently available to real estate professionals. If agents plan to differentiate themselves from the masses of agents, it starts with training and education.
REALTOR® Family Designation Programs
With over 40,000 members, REBAC is the largest association of real estate professionals focusing on all aspects of buyer representation. Over 30,000 ABR® designees have completed the REBAC course, passed the test and provided documentation of buyer agency experience.
Geared to real estate firm brokers, owners and managers that have or wish to incorporate buyer representation into their daily practice, designees have taken and passed both the ABR® and ABRMSM course and provided documentation of past management experience.
REBAC is the world’s largest organization of real estate professionals focusing on BUYER representation. By providing specialized training and ongoing skill development, REBAC helps its members—and the homebuyers who work with them—experience more successful real estate transactions. Contact REBAC, 1-800-648-6224 or visit the REBAC Web site.
ALC’s are the recognized experts in land brokerage transactions of five specialized types: (1) farms and ranches; (2) undeveloped tracts of land; (3) transitional and development land; (4) subdivision and wholesaling of lots; and (5) site selection and assemblage of land parcels. Acquire valuable skills through educational offerings leading to the ALC designation.
For information on the ALC designation call 1-800-441-5263, visit the RLI Web site or e-mail RLI.
CCIMs are recognized experts in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, valuation and investment analysis. The CCIM business network includes more than 7,500 designees and an equal number of candidates principally in North America, but also in Asia and Europe. CCIMs are backed by a respected education program, as well as superior technology products and business resources.
The CIPS network is comprised of 1,500 real estate professionals from 50 countries who deal in all types of real estate, but with one common element: they are focused specifically on the "international" market. Whether traveling abroad to put deals together, assisting foreign investors, helping local buyers invest abroad, or serving an immigrant niche in local markets, CIPS designees are consumers' best resource to ensure they are dealing with a professional skilled in the unique aspects of international real estate.
Acquire valuable real estate management skills through educational offerings leading to the CPM® designation. CPM® members have the competitive edge in every area of real estate management from residential to commercial to industrial. The most prestigious credential for real estate managers of larger portfolios, including those who manage multi-family, office, retail, and industrial properties. Develop leadership, management, and analytical skills while sharing knowledge with other top executives, demonstrating your credibility within the industry and learning increased recognition in the marketplace.
Contact Customer Service at 1-800-837-0706, Ext. 4650 or visit the IREM Web site.
The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) designation is recognized industry-wide as the measure of success in brokerage and real estate business management. The designation is awarded by the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers to REALTORS® who have completed the Council's advanced educational and professional requirements. CRB designees consistently increase their level of industry knowledge, advance their earning and career potential, increase their firm’s profitability and benefit from active involvement in our network of real estate professionals. The new CRB Designation Program now provides credit for management experience, higher education and previously earned NAR designations. Additional credits can be earned through the Council's management education programs delivered live or by Self Study on CD-ROM.
Agents can maximize their potential by earning the CRS® Designation and joining the organization that has served top-producing residential sales agents since 1977. The more than 35,000 CRS® Designees benefit from nationwide referral opportunities, a professional image that attracts customers, 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.
The Counselor of Real Estate – or CRE – is a member of The Counselors of Real Estate, an international group of recognized professionals who provide seasoned, objective advice on real property and land-related matters. Only 1,100 practitioners throughout the world carry the CRE designation. Membership is by invitation only.
Become a preforeclosure short sale expert and join a growing group of real estate professionals who specialize in helping homeowners avoid foreclosure and negotiate a short sale purchases. You can close more deals and start earning nice commissions by helping homeowners avoid foreclosure and sell their house for less then what they owe. Not only that, but you can also start helping bargain hungry buyers save thousands of dollars just by learning how to successfully negotiate a short sale purchase. A win - win for everyone!
Certified general appraisers wishing to increase their visibility should consider pursuing the GAA designation. The GAA designation is awarded to appraisers whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements and is supported by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.
The National Association of REALTORS® created NAR’s Green Designation to provide ongoing education, resources and tools so that real estate practitioners can successfully seek out, understand, and market properties with green features. The course curriculum requires completion of a 12hr Core Course and a 6hr Elective Course in either residential, commercial, or property management. All courses are available in live lecture and online formats. NAR’s Green Designation gives designees the tools to become a community leader and resource in sustainable issues. The Green REsource Council serves real estate professionals by providing comprehensive training and access to cutting-edge resources and tools as well as promoting green excellence, leadership, and consumer awareness within and across multiple real estate disciplines. Practitioners who complete the 3-day program are awarded NAR's Green Designation, the only green training program recognized by the NAR.
Members involved in residential real estate who want a solid base of information for their practice will want to participate in the REALTOR® Institute program and earn the GRI designation.
Contact your State REALTOR® Association for course dates and locations or go to the listing of State REALTOR® Associations available here. NAR maintains a clearinghouse of information for individuals interested in the GRI program. For more information, visit the new GRI site.
The Performance Management Network (PMN) is a new REALTOR® designation that’s built from the ground up to bring you the real-world skills, the know-how and the tools that will keep your business out front and on top of a lighting-fast market. This designation is unique to the REALTOR® family designations, focusing on the idea that in order to enhance your business, you must enhance yourself. The curriculum is driven by the following topics: negotiating strategies and tactics, networking and referrals, business planning & systems, personal performance management and cultural differences in buying and selling.
Contact the WCR Education Department, 1-800-245-8512 or visit the WCR Web site.
Association executives interested in demonstrating commitment to the field of REALTOR® association management should pursue the RCE designation. AEs are recognized for their specialized industry knowledge and their association achievements and experience.
Certified residential appraisers wishing to increase their visibility should consider pursuing the RAA designation. The RAA designation is awarded to appraisers whose education and experience exceed state appraisal certification requirements.
The SRES® Designation program trains REALTORS® to profitably and ethically serve the real estate needs of clients age 50+. Includes first year membership in SRES Council and its umbrella of services.
Individuals certified with the SIOR designation are top producers in industrial and office real estate brokerage. SIOR's network includes more than 2,800 members in 480 cities in 20 countries on six continents. The Society's mandatory recertification requirement assures clients of the designee's excellence in the fast changing commercial brokerage field.
A ground-breaking professional education initiative designed to provide America's real estate professionals with training and tools to expand their business as well as homeownership opportunities for more Americans. AHWD certification relays to the public that those certified have been professionally trained in and are sensitive to a wide range of cultural issues inviting a wider volume of business from a greater variety of cultures.
e-PRO® is a revolutionary training program presented entirely online to certify real estate agents and brokers as Internet Professionals. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® is the first major trade group to offer certification for online professionalism.
e-PRO® is not just about technology - it's about how you can leverage your most powerful asset, your people-skills, into doing more business on the Internet.
e-PRO® gives you:
- Exhaustive Internet Training
- Unique Competitive Advantage
- Professional Distinction
- CE credit is now available in several states
REPA is a comprehensive two-day certificate course that provides an intensive introduction to the real estate business and to the specific ways support staff can become valuable assets to their employers. Every administrative employee in the brokerage office, from listing secretary to the personal assistant, will benefit tremendously from this quick-start program.
The RSPS is a new certification offered by NAR Resort for resort & second-home REALTORS around the world. REALTORS specializing in resort and second-home markets and interested in demonstrating their knowledge and expertise should pursue the RSPS certification. The RSPS core certification requirements include the NAR Resort & Second-Home Market Course and the RLI Tax-Deferred (1031) Exchange Course. RSPS applicants will also choose from nine different elective choices including courses from the NAR Education Matrix and the NAR Resort Symposium held every 18 months.
The goal of this certification offered by the National Association of REALTORS® is to prepare real estate professionals to make and receive compensated referrals using the Transnational Referral system developed NAR and the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA). Students will learn how to integrate international referrals, resulting in increased income, into their business plans.
When you are involved in an international referral, as a referring or receiving agent, the Transnational Referral Certification demonstrates to other real estate professionals that you are well versed in the procedures of the Transnational Referral system, have pledged to follow a code of conduct in business dealings, and expect that compensation, paid in a timely manner, will be an integral part of the transaction.
SFR, Certified Short-Sale Professional is a comprehensive training course for real estate agents that teaches a proven step-by step system to be more successful with short sale transactions. Training includes: How to effectively manage the short sale process from start to finish; How to generate more high quality short sale leads from multiple sources; How to prequalify or filter out those leads that won't get approved so you don't waste time on difficult deals; And how to streamline the process so that all of your short sales close as quickly as possible.
Education and Learning Levels in Real Estate
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