Designations ABR, CRS, GRI, CLHMS, RSPS….What do they mean?

To earn a designation, a REALTOR® real estate agent has taken coursework and demonstrated specific skills, performance and knowledge in a particular area of the real estate industry.

The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria. LESS THAN 2% OF ALL REALTORS HAVE ACHIEVED THIS DESIGNATION, AND SUSAN HAS THIS DESIGNATION. Wouldn’t you prefer a professional that is looking out for your best interests when you are puchasing a home?

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 services. Realtors with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate to better serve and protect their clients. The GRI program includes 90 hrs. of coursework on various topics such as marketing and servicing listed properties to real estate law. LESS THAN 6% OF ALL REALTORS HAVE ACHIEVED THIS DESIGNATION – SUSAN AND HAS THIS DESIGNATION. You can count on receiving the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly when you see the letters “GRI” after an agent’s name.

The CRS Designation signals to consumers and other real-estate professionals that you are one of the best of the best. Annually, Certified Residential Specialists earn more than triple the income of the average REALTOR®, and CRSs complete nearly twice as many transactions each year. Out of more than 1 million REALTORS®, LESS THAN 3% ARE CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS, AND SUSAN HAS THIS DESIGNATION. That little percentage equals a huge advantage for agents looking to expand their real estate business, differentiate themselves from a million other agents, and put themselves on a proven path to success.

Recognized as the mark of accomplishment in luxury markets around the world and the official luxury designation of many national and international brands, the Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist® (CLHMS) designation assures affluent buyers and sellers that the agents who have earned it have the knowledge, experience, competence, and confidence they require.

Agents who hold the CLHMS designation are Members of The Institute who have completed required training and have successfully demonstrated their expertise in the luxury home and estate market.

The Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist® designation is a mark of individual accomplishment. It is not awarded at the team or company level.

RSPS is recognized as an official NAR Certification, and allows buyers and sellers to have confidence in the ability of a REALTOR® who specializes in buying, selling or management of properties for investment, development, retirement, or second homes in a resort, recreational and/or vacation destination, to assist them with their search.

This is huge – if you’re looking for a second home. Because when you work with a Realtor with the RSPS certification, you are working with an expert, who carries the highest level of expertise in every part of the second home buying, and selling process.

REALTORS® who carry the RSPS certification go the extra mile, and take additional courses over and above the ones they need to be licensed. They have to take the RSPS course, which has a great name: the “Home Sweet (Second) Home: Vacation, Investment, Luxury Properties Course.” They also have to attend webinars, and pay the tuition – so for them? It’s an investment – in time and money.

But for you? It adds up to a lot of expertise, in the second home market.

RSPS certified REALTORS® are trained in helping their clients find the best second home out there. Trained in marketing the property when their clients sell a second home. Trained in second-home financing trends. And in helping their clients use that second home the way they want to. As a rental, or a retirement home, or as a private getaway.
These specialized market experts develop a strong foundation in issues that matter – to you.

And one more huge benefit to working with an RSPS certified REALTOR®? Their national network of colleagues. The RSPS community of REALTORS® is in every state in America. So, an RSPS-certified REALTOR® can refer you – to other RSPS-certified REALTORS®, no matter where you want to look for a second home, a resort property, a retirement home or an investment property.

So when you head out on vacation this summer – and a certain property, or certain vacation community catches your attention – talk to a REALTOR® with the RSPS certification.