Designations
What DO All These Titles and Letters After Our Name Mean? Well, I’ll tell you…
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REALTOR®: You see me use this one throughout the site in reference to a real estate agent. I use them interchangeably but really, there is a critical difference between a real estate agent and a REALTOR®. A REALTOR® is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). About 50% of the real estate licensees in this country are REALTORS®. The rest are merely real estate licensees. So while all REALTORS® are real estate licensees, not all real estate licensees are REALTORS®. As members of the NAR, (not to be confused with the NRA), we aspire to higher standards beyond our state’s license laws – which merely states the minimally acceptable behavior. We must adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and are bound by established systems to administer those codes. We are also supported by one the largest organizations in this country by way of education opportunities, technology and lobbying on behalf of homeowner’s rights. So when you’re dealing with a real estate agent, ask him if he is a REALTOR®, and if he says no, ask him why not.
Associate Broker: In Georgia real estate licensing, the first level of licensing is that of a Salesperson. Most agents go their entire real estate careers as a Salesperson which is completely adequate to conduct real estate transactions. Under licensing laws, a real estate office can have only one Broker, normally a qualifying broker or a managing broker or both. The Salesperson is in effect an agent of the Broker and that Broker allows them to conduct all manner of real estate transactions under the name of the brokerage firm with which they are affiliated.
An agent, with sufficient time as a Salesperson and with additional educational courses and state licensing exams, may obtain his or her Broker’s license. The agent is then authorized to act as a managing or qualifying Broker. Quite often, agents decide to open their own brokerage companies or affiliate with a company as a managing or qualifying Broker. Some opt to remain affiliated with a company in a non-broker capacity, at which point, the agent is considered an Associate Broker.
Having obtained this level of licensing, I have opted not to be a Broker but rather remain within my Coldwell Banker office as an Associate Broker. What does this mean to my clients? It simply means that I have an additional level of education and state issued licensing to provide them with the highest level of knowledge and service possible. If I should decide tomorrow to become a Broker of a different office, I merely have to notify the real estate commission to change the status of my license from Associate Broker to full blown Broker. That’s all.
e-PRO: Information travels quickly these days and in real estate, opportunities can be gained or lost in a blink of an eye. A new generation of Buyers and Sellers have been raised on technology and expect technology to assist them in their home searches, home marketing and other real estate related needs. As a part of that new generation, I too have been raised on technology and truly understand it’s power and potential.
Certified as an e-PRO, I am recognized as a leader in the practice of on-line real estate. I am poised to take full advantage of all that today’s technology has to offer and ensure that my clients don’t fall into the technology gaps that exist today in our industry.
GRI, Graduate, REALTOR Institute: “The Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) 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.” – National Association of REALTORS®
This is one of the most comprehensive designations to earn in Real Estate. Offered in three separate courses which run one full week each with a final exam at the end of each one week session, GRI I, II & III bring real estate agents from all over the state together for intensive classroom lectures and studies in various topics affecting real estate and real estate practices from highly-qualified, state and national instructors. GRI also offers Graduate courses for Agents who have earned the designation but want to continue to learn and stay informed.
Accredited Buyers Representative: “The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded by the Real Estate BUYER’S AGENT Council (REBAC), an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS, to real estate practitioners who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.” – www.rebac.com
To earn this designation, a REALTOR® must have extensive experience in working with Buyers in a Client relationship, having successfully closed a required number of transactions as a Buyer’s Representative. This designation provides Buyers the confidence that their agent is skilled and has the ability to represent them effectively.
Seller Representative Specialist: “… is the premiere seller agency designation, conferred by the SRS Council, recognizing real estate professionals who have completed special education in seller representation.“ – www.srscouncil.com
Similar to the ABR Designation, this one is designed to allow us to provide the best service for our Sellers in the process of representing their interests in the marketing and sale of their property. It focuses on abiding by Georgia License Law and the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics while protecting our clients and acting on their behalf to their benefit. I found this one particularly enlightening as most of what we do a Listing Agents are rooted in customes dating back to times prior to BRRETA, the current state law governing agency relationships in real estate! Do you want to work with an agent working in the past and putting you at risk? or do you want to know your agent is educated on modern listing practices? SRS is your answer.
Coldwell Banker Certified Negotiation Specialist™: This is a certification earned through Coldwell Banker University, designed to provide us with more effective tools and strategies in helping us negotiate more effectively on behalf of our clients.
Loss Mitigation Certification: In the current economy where foreclosures and short sales are dominating the market, it’s important to know more about the REO (bank owned) and Short Sales concepts and practices. This certification is offered by the Massachusetts Association of REALTORS® in conjunction with NAR.
