When visiting with a Realtor to buy a home or sell a home in the Houston, TX real estate market, you might see some abbreviations on their business card.  These abbreviations can speak volumes when it comes to targeting the right Realtor for you.  These designations or accreditations state that the Realtor evolves with the changing market.  NAR (National Association of Realtors) offers advanced continuing education courses, so Realtors can be equipped with specific tools to help the constantly changing, more sophisticated buyers and sellers.  After all, we hire Realtors because they know more about handling all the surprises that come with Real Estate.  Here’s a quick guide on a number of designations and what they mean.  That way, if you are in the “market” for a certain specialty, this might make it easier to find.

 

ABR – Accredited Buyer Representative: 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. 

ABRM – Accredited Buyer Representative Manager: the only Buyer Representation Designation for managers, brokers and owners affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS®. 

ALC – Accredited Land Consultant: are specialists in land brokerage transactions, including farms and ranches, raw land sales and development.

ALHS – Accredited Luxury Home Specialist: Focuses on the special needs of luxury home buyers that continue to buy resort, vacation and second homes.

CCIM – Certified Commercial Investment Member: Specialists in commercial real estate brokerage, leasing, valuation and investment analysis

CDPE – Certified Distressed Property Expert: Through comprehensive training and experience, CDPEs are able to provide solutions for homeowners facing hardships in today’s market, specifically short sales.

CIPS – Certified International Property Manager: Individual who has proven their expertise in international real estate practice focusing in cultural diversity, market data, investment trends, marketing strategies, currency issues, and financing.

CLHMS – Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist: Recognized as the mark of accomplishment in luxury markets around the world, 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.

CPM – Certified Property Manager: is a real estate professional designation awarded by the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and recognized by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

CRB – Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager: is one of the most respected and relevant designations offered in real estate business management. Through the Council’s leading-edge education and resources, members are among the most efficient, effective and profitable managers in the country.

CRS – Certified Residential Specialist: Designees, with 44,000 members—4% of NAR members—who average 43 transactions per year and earn four times as much as the average realtor, belong to the Council of Residential Specialists which is the largest affiliate of National Association of Realtors.

CRE – Counselor of Real Estate: A CRE designee is one of only 1,100 by-invitation-only members of an international group of professionals who provide seasoned, objective advice on real property and land-related matters.

GAA – General Accredited Appraiser

GRI – Graduate, Realtor Institute: Developed for members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and offered through State REALTOR® Associations, the GRI program includes 90 hours of coursework on topics from marketing and servicing listed properties to real estate law.

Green – Sustainable Property Designation: provides advanced training in green building and sustainable business practices so that you can seek out, understand, and market properties with green features. 

PMN – Performance Management Network: to bring you the real-world skills, the know-how and the tools that will keep the Realtor out front and on top of an evolving market.  Able to explain more information in less time to busy buyers.

RCE – Realtor Association Certified Executive: professional designation designed specifically for REALTOR® association executives. The RCE designation exemplifies goal-oriented Association Executives with drive, experience and commitment to professional growth.

RAA – Residential Accredited Appraiser

SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist: a designation for REALTORS® to address the needs of home buyers age 50+.

SIOR – Society of Industrial and Office Realtor: is the leading professional commercial and industrial real estate association. With more than 3,000 members in more than 580 cities in 26 countries, SIOR represents today’s most knowledgeable, experienced, and successful commercial real estate brokerage specialists.

Now that you know what these abbreviations are, be sure to ask any potential Realtor if what designations or accreditations they have.  None?  You might want to think twice!

Don Puryear has several designations and accreditations, so he can do the best work in a challenging market.  His designations include ABR, ALHS, CLHMS, CRS and Green designation.   On top of all these, he is also a licensed attorney and broker associate.  He and his team constantly evolve to know the ins and outs of the Houston, Texas real estate market.  Contact us if you want one of the best working for you!