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Real estate is a multi-trillion dollar industry. With the exponential rise in popularity of technology, it’s no wonder that many people are considering whether or not to pursue their own real estate business. There is an overwhelming number of certifications and designations available for those who want to get into the industry, with each having its pros and cons.
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The “real estate designations list” is a list of the top 13 real estate designations and certifications. The list includes information on what each designation entails, who can be certified, and the cost of certification.
Real estate certificates are specialities that real estate agents and other professionals may get via real estate organizations. By selecting certificates and distinctions that are relevant to their professional specialization, agents and brokers may broaden their experience and develop their company. To achieve real estate designations, candidates must generally complete academic and experience criteria.
The following are some of the most common real estate certificates and designations: 
Best for: Agents that wish to concentrate only on representing sellers in real estate transactions.
How does this real estate accreditation help you stand out? It tells sellers that you know how to get the most out of their property and make the transaction go as smoothly as possible.
Real estate professionals who complete the online or classroom-based SRS course and one SRS optional course may earn the Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) credential from the Real Estate Business Institute (REBI). Although no test is necessary, candidates must be members of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and the Seller Representative Society (SRS), demonstrate that they have served exclusively as a seller representative in three completed transactions, and complete the designation application.
The SRS certification shows homeowners that a real estate agent specializes in seller representation and has honed the skills required to safeguard a seller’s interests. Agents who earn the SRS designation get access to member-only courses, tools, and services, as well as a bimonthly digital Real Estate Business Magazine subscription. Members may also access member-only webinars and join the SRS social media network.
Best for: Real estate professionals with clients looking to invest in commercial real estate.
The following are some examples of how this real estate distinction might help you stand out: The CCIM has highly stringent criteria, so it distinguishes you as a commercial real estate investment specialist.
The CCIM Institute offers the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) title, which allows professionals to specialize in commercial real estate. Real estate professionals who have a CCIM designation get access to a professional network of over 13,000 members as well as unique discounts on commercial real estate resources such as continuing education courses.
To become a CCIM designee, you must complete a four-course program, an online ethics course, negotiation training, and optional courses from the Ward Center for Real Estate Studies, as well as fulfill educational criteria in commercial real estate. Finally, candidates must pass a full-day test and pay a one-time membership fee. CCIM members pay $7,885 for the designation, while non-members pay $9,474.
Agents that wish to concentrate only on representing homebuyers are the best fit.
How does this real estate accreditation help you stand out? It provides you experience that enables you to provide a far better level of service to house buyers, making it easier for them to locate the ideal property at the greatest price.
NAR members who complete the ABR® Designation Course, one of the ABR® elective courses, and provide documentation of five completed transactions where they acted as the sole buyer representative can earn the Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation from the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
The Real Estate Buyers Agent Council provides agents with access to ongoing real estate education and membership activities as an ABR® (REBAC). Agents also get information on current concerns and trends, have access to REBAC marketing tools, and may participate in consumer awareness initiatives. This makes it an excellent accreditation for new or seasoned real estate professionals that specialize in buyer agents or wish to branch out into that area.
Members of the Residential Real Estate Council (RRC) who specialize in residential property sales are the best candidates.
How this real estate accreditation distinguishes you: This distinction demonstrates that you are knowledgeable and talented in assisting individuals with the purchase or sale of their houses.
Members of the Residential Real Estate Council may earn the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) title (RRC). Real estate professionals that become CRS members will have access to the RRC’s different education programs as well as its enormous referral network. Members also get free mobile customer relationship management (CRM) and lead creation tools to aid in the growth of their residential real estate businesses.
To become a CRS, you must first join the RRC and choose between the 60/30/30 Program and the Pro Program. Applicants for the Pro Program must have worked as a licensed agent for at least 10 years and completed 150 deals, or an average of $1 million in sales per year, with a minimum of 40 transactions. To qualify for the 60/30/30 program, you simply need 60 transactions or $30 million in volume over the previous three years. Finally, depending on your degree, finish prerequisite coursework, which may include 30 or 60 hours of RRC courses.
Best for: Brokers or agents who are just getting started with property management.
This real estate credential distinguishes you by demonstrating that you are well-trained and capable of properly managing properties for yourself and customers.
The Institute of Real Estate Management offers the Certified Property Manager (CPM) credential (IREM). Brokers, building owners, and real estate investors may all benefit from the CPM certification since it allows them to manage properties more ethically and efficiently. As a result, it’s ideal for agents and brokers who are presently managing homes for customers or wish to expand their range of property management services.
Candidates must have three years of qualifying real estate management experience, satisfy academic criteria, and complete a one-year candidacy period to be considered. Applicants must also provide three professional references, pass the CPM certification test, and fulfill other basic application criteria, such as being a member of the National Association of Realtors.
Agents that specialize in probate properties are the best fit.
How this real estate certification distinguishes you: It demonstrates to family members of probate property owners that you understand how to assist them through a tough moment.
All The Leads (ATL), an independent real estate certification business, offers the Probate Mastery Certification and the Certified Probate Expert credential. The ins and outs of the probate procedure will be covered, as well as how to apply it to today’s real estate market. This makes it an ideal qualification for real estate professionals working in a market with a large number of probate properties.
Real estate professionals must complete three thorough sessions of education totalling seven to nine hours to acquire ATL’s certification or distinction. Everything from comprehending the probate procedure to developing a plan to help you establish a probate-based real estate firm is covered in these classes. Agents get a Certified Probate Expert designation, digital logos for marketing materials, and a signed certificate for the $250 education requirements.
Best for: Real estate agents that deal with customers in the US military.
The following are some examples of how this real estate distinction might help you stand out: It demonstrates that you are aware of the real estate rules that apply to military families and that you are aware of their special challenges while migrating.
A Military Relocation Professional (MRP) is an expert in the demands, timelines, and pressures that military personnel and their families face while relocating. A real estate agent must be a current NAR member, complete the one-day Certification Core Course online or in person, and attend two one-hour webinars to get an MRP certification. A real estate agent must submit an application and the $195 application fee after meeting the educational criteria.
If you operate in a market with a military installation, a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, or another military institution, the NAR’s MRP certification is a wonderful alternative. Furthermore, the MRP Certification Core Course is an accepted optional for the Accredited Buyer’s Representative® (ABR) designation, allowing the MRP certification to be used in conjunction with other real estate credentials.
Agents and brokers that specialize in assisting active people and older customers in the purchase and sale of real estate.
The following are some examples of how this real estate distinction might help you stand out: It demonstrates to seniors that you are knowledgeable about real estate regulations and are aware with the various demands and preferences for house purchases.
A NAR member who is uniquely trained to help buyers and sellers over the age of 50 in their home search is known as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®). Agents that become designees have access to a network of more than 16,000 accredited agents, as well as customised marketing materials and social networking capabilities. This is advantageous for real estate agents in locations with a significant aging population and cities where seniors choose to remain at home rather than relocate to a nursing facility.
To get the SRES® distinction, you must first join the NAR. Then take the SRES® certification course, which covers topics such as senior housing alternatives, the Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA), how to safeguard older customers, and real estate financing using pensions, 401(k) accounts, and IRAs. After completing the course, you’ll get a complimentary year of membership in the Seniors Real Estate Council®, with yearly dues of $99 afterwards.
Brokers or agents that facilitate investments in raw or developable land are the best candidates.
How this real estate credential distinguishes you: It demonstrates to real estate investors that you know how to assist them in making sound investment selections.
Another qualification restricted for NAR members is the Accredited Land Consultant (ALC). The certification allows real estate agents and brokers to have a deeper understanding of the intricacies of land investment. Applicants must have a valid real estate license and at least two years of experience in land sales or brokerage to qualify for this certification. Applicants may also show that they have at least three years of other relevant real estate experience.
The REALTORS® Land Institute’s LAND University (LANDU) curriculum requires real estate professionals to complete 104 course hours. This contains 48 elective course hours and 56 hours of required courses. Applicants must pass a final test with a score of 70% or better after completing the appropriate curriculum.
Best for: Real estate agents that want to set homes for photography or showings.
How does this real estate accreditation help you stand out? It allows you to work with expert stagers and sellers to ensure that their house sells for the highest possible price.
StagedHomes.com offers the Accredited Staging Partner® (ASP®) accreditation, which educates real estate professionals how to work with Home Stagers®, negotiate the best staging pricing for their clients, and successfully explain the benefit of home staging to their clients. Agents must complete a one- or two-day in-person training or a live webinar hosted by StagedHomes.com to acquire the ASP® certification.
By completing the Stage® Training Course, agents and brokers may earn the designation of Accredited Staging Professional®. This certification program educates real estate agents how to detail, declutter, depersonalize, and otherwise prepare a house for sale without the assistance of a professional stager. If you want to build your company using staging services rather than hiring a third party, this is the choice for you.
Best for: Real estate professionals who wish to be sensitive to multicultural real estate marketplaces and ready to work in them.
The following are some examples of how this real estate distinction might help you stand out: The National Association of Realtors (NAR) offers the At Home With Diversity (AHWD) certification, which trains real estate professionals how to be sensitive to diversity and set rules for operating in multicultural markets. It instructs agents on how to apply fair housing regulations and how they function in practice. This course may qualify you for continuing education credit in certain jurisdictions, as well as credit toward the ABR®, CIPS, and PMN credentials.
To be eligible for this real estate credential, you must already have a real estate license and be a member of the National Association of Realtors. You may take this one-day certification online or in person, but if you do it online, you must pass a final test.
Real estate professionals who wish to enhance their negotiating abilities can benefit from this course.
How this real estate accreditation helps you stand out: It will help you negotiate better prices for your customers, making you more desirable to budget-conscious buyers and sellers.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) offers the Real Estate Negotiation Expert (RENE) certification, which helps agents and brokers enhance their negotiating abilities. It teaches students how to negotiate with people of various personalities and raises awareness of difficulties that prohibit transactions from being completed.
You must have a valid real estate license and be a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to achieve this two-day certification. Although improving your negotiating abilities will not increase your knowledge in a single specialty, it will benefit your real estate firm as a whole. Your customers will be more inclined to refer you to others if they perceive that you are a good negotiator who is prepared to battle for a good deal.
Best for: Realtors who desire in-depth training in the latest legal, regulatory, and technical developments as well as industry best practices.
How this real estate designation distinguishes you: This distinction demonstrates that you have completed additional training and experience beyond that necessary for a real estate license.
National Association of Realtors (NAR) members in good standing may earn the Graduate Realtor® Institute (GRI) accreditation in real estate. The Realtor® Institute program is provided in each state individually and keeps members informed about any changes in their local real estate market.
A minimum of 60 hours of study is required for the program, which covers subjects such as market knowledge, business skills, and real estate systems and tools. With these additional talents, agents stand out as experts in their industry to prospective customers.
How to Earn Real Estate Certifications & Designations
In addition to your real estate license, the procedure for getting a real estate certification or distinction varies based on the expertise and the awarding professional body or firm. Most certificates, on the other hand, require a real estate professional to be a member of the granting organization, complete specified educational criteria, and show a certain amount of experience in a relevant real estate field. Furthermore, many candidates must pass a test and pay an annual fee.
If you’re unsure if a real estate certification or distinction is worthwhile, consider the following questions:
- Is this qualification relevant to my field?
- Do I have the required education and sales experience for the designation?
- Will I get a return on my time and money investment (ROI)?
- Will having a professional organization membership be beneficial to me?
Most Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the advantages of obtaining a real estate license?
Real estate qualifications and designations prepare you to assist in a variety of scenarios. Obtaining a certification will position you as a highly renowned specialist in a certain field of real estate, rather than waiting for customers to come to you. Selecting the appropriate real estate designation can assist you in establishing a lucrative real estate specialization.
What is the finest designation for real estate?
The finest real estate designation is determined by the market and real estate specialization in which you operate. Earn the Accredited Property Consultant credential, for example, if you reside in a region with a lot of investment lots or other undeveloped land. Start with the certificates you already have if you’re a member of a professional organization that provides them in your field.
Conclusion
Real estate designations and certifications enable agents, brokers, and other real estate professionals to specialize in areas of the industry that will help them better serve their clients. Consider your expertise and select specialities that will help you develop your résumé and grow your company to make the most of your real estate certificates.
If you believe you may like to obtain real estate certificates but are still figuring out what you want to do, career development courses might help you explore several areas of expertise. McKissock Learning provides a variety of continuing education courses in addition to prelicensing and test prep courses, allowing you to pursue a variety of real estate careers. To learn more, go here.
McKissock Learning is a great place to start.
The “real estate certification online” is a website that lists the top 13 real estate certifications and designations. The site also provides information about each of these certifications.
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