Professional Designations

Certified Buyer Representative - A recent survey completed by the National Association of Realtors shows that over 40% of the buyers are now represented in the real estate transaction. In some states, the figure is over 80%. Considering the rapid growth of buyer agency, it is imperative that a buyer find an agent who has been trained to professionally represent them in the transaction. 

That, specifically, is the reason the certification mark CBR® Certified Buyer Representative was created. Issued in 1993 by the US Patent and Trademark Office, this mark allows consumers to identify a buyer agent who has been trained and who possesses the skills necessary to represent purchasers in a legal, ethical, and non-adversarial fashion. 

Those agents who have acquired this designation have demonstrated their commitment to full client level service to the buyer. They are armed with forms, checklists, and disclosure documents to perform a level of diligence in the real estate transaction that is unparalleled in the industry. 

When deciding on an agent to represent you, ask about their credentials and training. Many real estate agents attempt to practice buyer agency without acquiring the skills necessary to perform professional representation. The CBR designation assures you that the agent you hire has been trained and will perform to the level of the competent professional, working in your best interest to meet your personal needs in your next real estate transaction. 



Certified International Property Specialist - The CIPS designation is awarded by NAR. It requires a combination of CIPS courses, international real estate experience, personal resume and elective credits that can include a combination of formal education, language ability, other designations, committee service and international organization activities.  CIPS courses leading to the Certified International Property Specialist designation provide instruction on: international economies, capital flow and history of foreign capital, currency, economic and social factors in capital investment, market assessment techniques, trends and forecasts, U.S. Tax Laws, tax treaties, state/local regulations, cultural differences, foreign client expectations, transaction problems, etc. 

The five required core courses leading to the designation are: 

    1.  Essentials of International Real Estate 
    2.  Asia Pacific and International Real Estate 
    3.  The Americas and International Real Estate 
    4.  Europe and International Real Estate 
    5.  International Investment and Financial Analysis
Every day, real estate professionals facilitate transactions with clients overseas, or with multicultural clients in their own communities.  Yet only 400+ REALTORS® from around the world have earned the right to use the professional designation CIPS after their name.  Those who have become Certified International Property Specialist designees have fulfilled the program requirements (academic and/or experiential) administered by NAR's International Operations Division. 85% of CIPS designees have 10 years or more experience in real estate, while 35% have more than 20 years experience.  CIPS designees represent dozens of countries and languages. More than 30% of CIPS designees were either born outside the U.S. or are now living outside U.S. borders. Local community and business organizations, including Chambers of Commerce and REALTOR® associations, rely on CIPS designees as international resources of expertise in today's global marketplace. CIPS designees have several exclusive networking events throughout the year. 



Certified Residential Specialist - To fill the specific residential needs of home buyer and sellers, the Residential Sales Council of the National Association of REALTORS® instituted a class of expert real estate professional: the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS®).  Every CRS has undergone a rigorous, specialized course of detailed training, aimed at making residential transactions as smooth and worry free as possible. 

A CRS brings special qualifications to your needs: 

  • Membership in a local Board, State Association, and the National Association of REALTORS®.  Every CRS is part of a much larger network of real estate professionals.
  • Successful completion of the courses leading to the Certified Residential Specialist designation one of the most successful residential real estate education programs in the country. Every CRS is a real estate professional equipped with special expertise, thanks to advanced study in listing, selling, investment, tax and more.
  • A history of demonstrated sales performance through the documented execution of residential sales transactions. 
If anything about your transaction is special, seek out a specialist. It's as simple as that. Only 3% of all REALTORS® and REALTOR ASSOCIATES® have earned the right to be called a CRS*.  Only 3% have developed special residential sales skills and enhanced their resident sales knowledge through study, dedication and experience.  A CRS will optimize your transaction by identifying better prospects, by clarifying investment potential, and by helping you understand tax ramifications.  It all adds up to one thing: better service. 

* Less than 2% of all the real estate licensees nationwide are Certified Residential Specialists.



The e-PRO Internet Professional Certification program is the only online training course for Internet professionalism recognized by the NAR.  e-PRO is offered through REALTOR® University and is the industry’s first comprehensive internet certification program for real estate professionals. 

 “The Internet is changing and evolving almost daily,” says Kirk Klinkhammer, executive vice president of WebSuite.com, the company that developed the e-PRO course in conjunction with NAR. “Consumers who work with an e-PRO expert can expect to save time, money and maximize the tremendous marketing potential of their properties via the Internet.”

 An e-PRO certified real estate agent has joined the ranks of a special community of highly skilled and continuously trained professionals who provide high quality and innovative on-line based real estate services. Consumers can identify e-PRO certified agents through the exclusive e-PRO Internet professional logo.




Graduate, REALTORS® Institute - The REALTORS® Institute is a national continuing education program offered by the Texas Association of REALTORS®.  Graduates have completed courses of specialized instruction in subjects such as legal issues, contracts, finance, marketing, commercial and investment property, professional standards, residential construction and environmental law. 

The GRI designation is the mark of excellence that means the graduate is a cut above his peers.  It represents the knowledge and professionalism needed to operate successfully in today's complex real estate field.  In Texas there are over 113,000 active real estate licensees, approximately 42,000 of which are members of the Texas Association of REALTORS®.  Less than 8,000 TAR members have earned their GRI designation. 

The Texas Association of REALTORS® is one of the largest trade associations in Texas.  The Association is dedicated to increased professionalism in the real estate industry and is affiliated with the National Association of REALTORS®. 



REFERRAL & RELOCATION CERTIFIED(RRC)- The Women's Council of REALTORS® is the only REALTOR® organization to offer a certification for referral and relocation.  The Referral and Relocation Certification provides professional recognition in the real estate industry.  It acknowledges the REALTOR® as a specialist in the area of relocation. 

Recipients of the RRC are taught how to: 

  • Respond to corporate relocation needs by providing effective service
  • Work effectively with relocation management companies (RMCs) and other relocation oriented firms by meeting their ever-changing competitive needs
  • List and manage RMC and corporate in-house resale properties
  • Implement a consistent service approach for RMC and corporate business
  • Develop a customized relocation kit that communicates information effectively and helps the transferee with the move
  • Utilize effective follow-up techniques
  • Develop unique sales, service and corporate strategies
The Women's Council of REALTORS®, an affiliate of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, is an association of more than 300 Local and State Chapters across the country.  Throughout its 50-year history, members have found support and inspiration in each other and in the Council.  Today, WCR provides men and women in the real estate industry with knowledge and skills in business and leadership through its dedication to quality education and emphasis on professional networking.  It provides its members with the additional benefit of access to its 16,000-member referral network. 
      



              
  For more information call or e-mail

Diane C. Moser

Broker - CBR®, CIPS, CRS, GRI
Referral & Relocation Certified
(713) 827-7300
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