Realtors sharpen skills with professional designations

Home buyers and sellers can better judge the skill level and expertise of Realtors by checking to see if they have earned any of the many speciality designations that come with taking advanced education courses.

Earning a designation is one way a Realtor can demonstrate their level of expertise and education, said Suzanne Baptiste, vice chair of the education committee of the Southland Regional Association of Realtors.

"I think it is extremely important to develop your skills as a professional to best serve your client and yourself," Baptiste said. "Designations have helped me to become more proficient with seniors and I am currently working on my GRI, which will enable me to take my knowledge to the next level. I think of GRI as being like a ‘masters degree' in real estate."

The public can determine if a Realtor has earned a speciality designation by checking their business card and marketing materials. Typically, Realtors list the designations they have earned after their name.

Realtors can choose from many great designations, bodies of knowledge that can improve their skills in the following areas: ABR, for buyers specialists; SRES for seniors specialists; CRS for Certified Residential Specialist; GRI for a Graduate of Real Estate Institute.

All these designations are recognized by the National Association of Realtors. There are also designations available for commercial brokers. More information and on-line courses are available at www.realtor.org.