 |
What's New!
|
|
|
What to Look for in a Real Estate Agent Listings •Featured Property Mortgage Calculator Moving Information News from SW Florida The Daily Communicator Community Links Port
Charlotte
Legal Q&A Real Estate Terms |
What to look for in a Real Estate Agent?By, Being a former Professional Athlete, I like to put things in a prospective of the sports arena. Although I formerly played in the NFL, the analogy I use for the Real Estate Agent selection process deals with Karate. Imagine a license Real Estate Agents first day at work. They are pretty eager walking into their new Real Estate Company. Much like a Karate student, who walks into his first class. Neither of them have any knowledge of the process that awaits them. The Instructor gives the student a Karate suite and a White Belt to keep the top closed. The Broker gives the Real Estate Agent a telephone and a list of names. Passing the State Real Estate Exam has nothing to do with the process of Real Estate sales. It primarily deals with real estate law and real state terminology Before the Karate instructor gives the student a different color belt, which implies a higher degree of professionalism, the student has to study and perform up to certain standards. Some achieve the highest level attainable, the coveted Black Belt. Some students never get beyond the White Belt they were given the first day they walked into the class room. There are many different reasons a great majority never achieve the Black Belt status. Most of the time they aren’t willing to invest the time and effort required. You will find that many Real Estate Agents aren’t willing to invest the time and effort to get to the next level. Most real estate Brokers encourage real estate agents to further their education. Most never do, regardless of how long they have been in the real estate business. They only do the minimum required by the state to maintain their license. Below I have outlined various levels of achievement available in the Real Estate industry for those who want to become true professionals. Hopefully, this will help keep your hard earned equity out of the hands of a White Belt real estate agent: REAL ESTATE AGENT: Once a person is cleared by the state to take the state exam, the only requirement is to pass the exam. This level is equivalent to the White Belt given the first day of Karate class. Each level that follows is elective and has to be earned. They are not required by the state to sell real estate. REALTOR: The general public interchanges the word REALTOR with Real Estate Agent. Nothing could be further from the truth. The term REALTOR is a registered collective membership trademark that identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS and is pledged to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. There are about 1 million members who belong to about 1600 local Associations and MLS (Multiple Listing Services/Boards) around the country. (GRI): The Graduate REALTOR Institute symbol is the mark of a real estate professional that has made a commitment to providing a superior level of professional services by earning the GRI designation. REALTORS with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate to better serve and protect their clients. The GRI program includes 90 hours of coursework on various topics such as contract law, professional standards, sales and marketing, servicing listed properties, finance and risk reduction, local, state and national real estate practice that effect them and their clients and also real estate law. GRI courses are taught by leading real estate professionals around the country. Only about 19% of all REALTORS have chosen to achieve this level. (CRS) The Certified Residential Specialistis the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education. The educational program includes six two day CRS Courses, considered the best in the residential real estate industry that enable real estate agents to gain that competitive lead in an ever changing industry. The required Courses listed below are considered “top shelf” among real estate experts:
CRS designees have access to one of the best networking systems in the country to help in the area of relocating clients. They also complete an average of 70 transactions per year as compared to10 transactions for REALTORS who work as sales agents. Only 4% of REALTORS have received the prestigious CRS designation. The CRS designees were involved in nearly 25% of all residential real estate transactions in the United States. (CRB) The Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager) is one of the most respected and relevant designations offered in real estate business management. The CRB community spans nearly 7,000 members worldwide. Through the Council’s leading-edge education and resources, members are among the most efficient, effective and profitable managers in the country. Not just anyone can display the CRB designation after his or her name. It is reserved for only the most dedicated conscientious and highly skilled managers. CRB designees have:
Only 2% of REALTORS have succeeded in achieving this distinctive designation. e-PRO certification is the only designation of its kind that certifies real estate professionals as internet professionals. Endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS, the e-PRO professionals know the nuts and bolts of working with real estate on-line: Web sites, e-mail, on-line tools, and most of all, what today’s consumer really want:
In this fast paced age, technology has become a necessity. An e-PRO is someone who has recognized and responded to the needs of the new consumer. If you choose an e-PRO, it’s a safe bet you’ll get the kind of service you want—and need. Hopefully this sports analogy and real estate industry insight will assist you in the selection process when entrusting your hard earned equity in the hands of a Real Estate Professional!
|
|
|||
| copyright 2004 Team Harraway Realty | |||||
