• REALTOR®

A real estate agent is a REALTOR® when he or she is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, The Voice for Real Estate® -- the world's largest professional association. www.realtor.com

• Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field by the Council of Residential Specialists. The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education. Since 1977 the council has been conferring the CRS Designation on agents who meet its stringent requirements. www.crs.com

• Graduate of the REALTOR® Institute

The Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) designation, conferred by the National Association of Realtors, is presented to REALTORS® who have completed a comprehensive education program in residential real estate. The program's focus is on practical real estate training.

• Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR)

The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council ("REBAC") of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.  www.rebac.net

• Certified RE Brokerage Manager (CRB)

The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) Designation is recognized industry-wide as the symbol of excellence in brokerage management. The designation is awarded by the Real Estate Brokerage Managers Council. The most successful brokerages are owned or managed by professionals holding the prestigious CRB designation. The CRB designation signifies a leader in the industry and the highest level of professional achievement and recognition in the specialized field of brokerage management. It is reserved for only the most dedicated conscientious and highly skilled managers. CRB designees have:

• Dedication to recruiting and training their associates to handle real estate transactions with professionalism and the most up-to-date information, techniques and tools.

• Skill in designing effective marketing programs to promote and sell property for the highest price and in the shortest period of time.

• Management know-how assisting sales associates in helping to quickly find a property matching the needs and wants of the customer.

• Experience and understanding of market, housing and economic trends that will be used to positively influence transactions.

• Expertise in maintaining an organized, smooth-running organization which ensures that transactions receive prompt and thorough attention. 

www.crb.com

• Certified Relocation Professional (CRP)

The Certified Relocation Professional (CRP) designation is awarded by the Employee Relocation Council (ERC) to realtors who, by all industry and peer standards, represent the most qualified agents available for servicing the relocation market. Applicants are tested on their knowledge of Family Relocation Issues, Relocation Tax and Legal Issues, Corporate Relocation Policies, Appraisal Methods for Relocation, and Relocation Real Estate Marketing. Most of the major US corporations require nothing less than a CRP to administer the needs of their transferees. When choosing the ideal real estate agent, the selection of a CRP designate will provide you with a person who is not only competent with the paperwork and the numbers but can also guide, direct, and counsel you through the emotional roller-coaster of relocating. www.erc.org

• Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES)

The Senior Advantage Real Estate Council®, “SAREC”, was created several years ago to assist qualified REALTORS® wanting to meet the special needs and concerns of maturing Americans when buying or selling residential or investment properties. SAREC offers a specific designation, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, “SRES®”, to identify those members who have successfully completed its education program along with other prerequisites. REALTORS with the “SRES” designation help seniors make wise decisions about selling the family home, buying rental property or managing the capital gains and tax implications of owning real estate. By earning the “SRES” designation, the REALTOR has demonstrated that they have the requisite knowledge, experience and expertise to be a senior’s real estate specialist and counselor. Members offer their clients the benefits of: education & ongoing updates on senior RE issues, the national prestige of the “SRES” Designation, sources of direct senior Website/Internet Referral clients plus access to Contemporary Senior Housing from the “Active Senior Builders Group”, a division of SAREC. All this along with custom designed quarterly newsletters full of specific housing data for their mature clients. Because America is maturing and over 80% of its contemporary seniors own real estate and/or are buying new properties, the Council provides its REALTORS with skills and knowledge to service the needs of this unique section of our community. Nearly 4 out of 10 property owners over 65 have lived in the same home for over 30 years. The issues facing these clients are unique and special. www.sres.com