Designations: Those little letters mean a lot

While working with a Realtor to buy or sell a home, you may have seen what resembles alphabet soup after your Realtor’s name — “GRI,” “CRB” or “CRE” — and wondered what those letters mean. Like most industries that are constantly changing, real estate demands continuing education throughout a Realtor’s career.

A successful agent must keep up to date with current issues, evolving technology, changing laws and regulations, and many other important aspects of the business. After all, it’s that comprehensive knowledge that gives Realtors the ability to help consumers buy and sell houses successfully.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) offers advanced education designation and certification programs through its Institutes, Societies and Councils for Realtors. Though there are other designations, these programs all carry an official endorsement from NAR.

Just as an MBA carries with it a certain distinction in the business world, so do the letters after a Realtor’s name in the world of real estate. These designation and certification programs are tailored to every real estate specialty you’ve heard of, and probably some you haven’t, so if there’s an area of specialty you need, you can almost certainly find a Realtor who has it.

For example, your Realtor might have extra training as a buyer’s representative, land consultant, commercial investment expert, property manager, appraiser or brokerage manager. Many Realtors earn several designations to keep as current as possible in multiple areas of the real estate industry. You may want to work with someone who knows the ins and outs of a particular area.

After all, buying property is pretty complicated. New technology, laws, procedures and the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers require real estate practitioners to perform at top professional levels, and consumers are demanding it.

One of the most comprehensive designations for Realtors is the GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute). It’s a demanding curriculum that requires Realtors to complete an advanced course series that includes 90 hours of classroom instruction. There’s a special emphasis on technology, business development, sales and marketing, and critical legal and regulatory issues such as Fair Housing, brokerage relationships and environmental concerns. State and local Realtor associations offer these classes, giving Realtors ample opportunity to stay on top of the real estate profession. The GRI program gives Realtors a sharp understanding of the industry’s finer points, and that can only benefit folks who rely on that expertise to find the house of their dreams or sell their longtime residence.

The following are NAR-endorsed designation and certification programs. Look for these next time you need a Realtor with a specific area of expertise:

• ABR, Accredited Buyer Representative

• ABRM, Accredited Buyer Representative Manager

• ALC, Accredited Land Consultant

• CCIM, Certified Commercial Investment Member

• CIPS, Certified International Property Specialist

• CPM, Certified Property Manager

• CRB, Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager

• CRS, Certified Residential Specialist

• CRE, Counselor of Real Estate

• GAA, General Accredited Appraiser

• GRI, Graduate Realtor Institute

• Green, Sustainable Property Designation

• PMN, Performance Management Network

• RCE, Realtor Association Certified Executive

• RAA, Residential Accredited Appraiser

• SRES, Seniors Real Estate Specialist

• SIOR, Society of Industrial and Office Realtors

• AHWD, At Home with Diversity Certification

• e-PRO, Certification program for online professionalism • RSPS, Resort and Second-home Property Specialist

• REPA, Real Estate Professional Assistant

• TNC, Transnational Referral Certification

For more information, visit https://www.nar.realtor/education/designations-and-certifications. To learn more about buying and selling property or to find a Realtor, visit HAR.com.