Explanation of Acronyms / Designations for Real Estate Agents
You may wonder about the alphabet-soup acronyms that real estate agents use after their names. What do they mean? Do you care? Should you care?
If you are considering what representative to select to assist you with the largest purchase or sale most people make in their lifetime, these designations and certifications can provide information about the training and experience held by the sales associate or broker you are considering. The training involved in obtaining the designations require a significant investment by the associate/broker in time, study and expense. They are not always available in the area and associates either incur travel expenses to take the courses or must wait until the classes are taught in their home area. Some designations like the ABR designation also require documented sales to show that the candidate has gained experience managing the particular type of transaction.
As you can see, it is possible to get some idea about the dedication to the profession, experience and understanding of various facets of the real estate business.
My Designations & Certifications
My current Designations & Certifications include:
CNE, GRI, ABR®, SFR & e-PRO®
Certified Negotiations Expert - The CNE® is earned by real estate professionals after successfully completing formal negotiation training from the Real Estate Negotiation Institute. Agents who receive this certification are in the top 1% of all agents nationally.
With professional negotiation skills, agents are able to help clients obtain better results in the sale or purchase of their home. CNE® agents have a powerful competitive edge because of their ability to 1) communicate effectively to uncover more information, 2) help clients understand their options, 3) work collaboratively with others, and 4) resolve deadlocks. CNE® agents have a thorough understanding of how to negotiate effectively to help achieve their client’s goals.
The Real Estate Negotiation Institute is the leading negotiation training and coaching company in the real estate industry.
Graduate Realtor® Institute - the GRI program includes 90 hours of coursework on various topics such as marketing and servicing listed properties to real estate law.
Why Choose a REALTOR® With a GRI designation?
Buying property is a complex and stressful task. In fact, it's often the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime. At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated.
New technology, laws, procedures and the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers require real estate practitioners to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism.
So it's more important than ever that you work with an agent who has a keen understanding of the real estate business. The GRI program has helped the best and the brightest in the industry achieve that level of understanding.
GRIs are:
Nationally recognized as top performers in the real estate industry
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Professionally trained
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Knowledgeable
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Dedicated to bringing you quality service
A GRI can make a difference. When you see the letters "GRI" after an agent's name, you can count on receiving the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly. In short, you can count on getting the best service available from a real estate professional. Don't you deserve the best?
The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is designed for real estate buyer agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients. This course requires a two day course, 5 completed buyer transaction not associated with the associate's personal listings and at least one elective certification class listed on the REBAC requirements site. My elective was satisfied by my e-Pro® and SFR certifications.
For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” real estate transaction. Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities are not merely good skills to have in today’s market — they are critical. And while short sales and foreclosures are not for the faint of heart, agents with the proper tools and training can use these specialty areas to build their business for the long term.
The course requires completing a one day course and three online courses. Additionally, I've completed a five session course taught by the Short Sales SuperStars. (http://www.shortsalesuperstars.com/) This course takes the student from the point of getting a listing, all the way through pricing, marketing, submitting offers to the various lenders involved, and negotiating for the best outcome for their sellers. The training also teaches buyer's agents what to expect from the transaction and how to best assist buyers. It offers on-going assistance from trained associates all over the country as they ask questions about new developments in the practice of short sale negotiating and as other associates give their insight into their experience. It is a wealth of information and can help to shorten the time it takes to work through the maze of lender negotiations.
An e-PRO is a REALTOR® who has successfully completed the e-PRO training program for real estate professionals. Endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS®, the e-PRO course teaches professionals the nuts and bolts of working with real estate on-line: Web sites, e-mail, on-line tools, and most of all, what today's consumer really wants.
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