When buying or selling the alphabet can be important

With over a million Realtors in the U.S just how does one select a great one that will represent your best interests? You can ask your brother-in-law, your neighbor or a friend, and you might do alright. There are thousands of great Realtors out there that will do a great job, but how do you reduce the odds that you may get less than the very best of representation? Chances are you are either buying or selling the most expensive asset you have or hope to have so doesn't it make sense to be selective?

There are no guarantees in this world, but here are a some guidlines we use when we select a Broker to refer our clients to.

1. First, is the agent a full time professional? Part time agents do their best to keep up with the latest trends, but we won't risk sending a client to an agent that may or may not be familiar with the local market and current financing in the area.
2. Secondly, has the agent demonstrated a commitment to the business. Committed professionals invest in themselves by continually up grading thier knowledge and skills. It takes a couple of months to complete the courses required to obtain a license, but the real estate business, like most others, is constantly evolving. Has the Broker been keeping up with the latest information.
3. The third and in our opinion one of the most important criteria we use in choosing a broker is that broker famaliarity with the alphabet. While not widely publicized the real estate industry provides specialized training for agents, and that training culminates in the agent being able to ad letters behind his or her name. These letters represent designations awarded by the National Association of Realtors and its affiliate organizations. These designations require not only classroom hours but a demonsrtaton of professional expertise through experience and production. While designations are not a guarantee they are certainly an indication that the agent has demonstrated a level of expertise above and beyond the average licensee.

The designations we look for are: Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Less than 5% of all agents have arned this designation. Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) - less than 2% of all brokers have earned this designation. Graduate Realtors Institute (GRI) Rigorous set of classes designed to broaden ones basic knowledge of the business. Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR) - designation for professional representation of Buyers. While there are many more I think you get the basic idea. When referring our clients we insist on the best and therefore only refer to agents with CRS or ABR designations.

I would like to say utilizing our criteria would guarantee a great experience, but problems can occur in any transaction. However, we have found in over 35 years of marketing and selling properties that the problems are minimal and resolution easier when using an experienced broker with either the CRS or ABR designations. For us the alphabet is not only important it is an absolute requirement for our clients.