Designations

In today’s competitive business environment, it often takes more than just motivation and initiative to succeed. Earning the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation is a way to stand out to prospective home buyers and sellers as a REALTOR® who has gained in-depth knowledge on technical subjects as well as the fundamentals of real estate. The GRI symbol is the mark of a real estate professional who has made the commitment to provide a high level of professional services by securing a strong educational foundation.

Buying property is a complex and stressful task. In fact, it’s often the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime. At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated. New technology, laws, procedures, and the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers requires real estate practitioners to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism. When you decide to earn your GRI, you will:

• Have pursued a course of study that represents the minimum common body of knowledge for progressive real estate professionals
• Have developed a solid foundation of knowledge and skills to navigate the current real estate climate—no matter what its condition
• Be recognized nationally
• Act with professionalism and are committed to serving their clients and customers with the highest ethical standards

When military personnel and their families relocate, the services of a real estate professional who understands their needs and timetables makes the transfer easier, faster, and less stressful. NAR’s Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification program teaches you about working with current and former military service members to find the housing solutions that best suit their needs and take full advantage of military benefits and support. The MRP certification is perfect for real estate professionals who want to work with current and former military service members. When you decide to earn your MRP certification, you will gain:

• Understanding of the processes and procedures involved in a military relocation and how these impact service members’ relocation and housing choices
• Ability to provide information to help members through a rent or buy, sell or rent decision-making process
• Ability to identify and provide services that help service members sell or find and purchase suitable homes
• The knowledge of the military relocation process you need to guide service members through the real estate transaction
• Ability to explain the basics of VA financing
• Access to the members-only marketing tools and resources

Foreign investment in U.S. real estate is taking place in all 50 U.S. states. The Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) designation is for REALTORS® from the United States and abroad, as well as association staff and volunteer leaders who wish to develop or grow their international real estate business. It will provide you with the knowledge, research, network, and tools to globalize your business. The CIPS designation prepares you to assist in all aspects of international business, from attracting foreign investors to your local community to serving a multicultural buyer or helping local buyers invest abroad. When you become a CIPS designee, you gain immediate access to business-enhancing products and services that are offered exclusively to CIPS designees. When you decide to earn your CIPS, you will gain:

• Knowledge about what’s happening globally through the Global Perspectives publication
• Specialized marketing tools specific to your CIPS skill set
• Global Perspectives Print Newsletter
• Access to private and exclusive networking opportunities for CIPS communities
• Access to the Global Marketing Center

The General Accredited Appraiser designation (GAA) is for State General Appraisers. Earning it shows that you have completed appraisal education above and beyond that’s required for qualification as a general appraiser. This designation signifies advanced education and experience in commercial, industrial, and residential property valuation. Earning this designation lets your clients know that you are committed to excellence in your field.

This designation will allow you to guide your clients towards making informed choices about the resource efficiency and performance of the homes they live in, sell, and buy. Homeowners will gain the knowledge to make educated decisions about the value of green features in homes. NAR’s Green Designation is designed for agents looking to learn about issues of energy efficiency and sustainability in real estate. When you decide to earn your GREEN designation, you will gain:

• Access to members-only marketing tools to help you build your business and gain a competitive edge
• Comprehensive understanding of how homes with green features should be marketed differently than traditional homes
• Market research about communicating with clients interested in different facets of green
• Improved visibility as a trusted advisor and source of information on green homes
• Listing in the online Green directory
• Pre-written green content for your social media channels

Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, managers, and brokers. Council members represent the top 3% of all REALTORS® in the country. With 33,000 members you are immediately connected to a professional network of top producers for best-in-class education, networking, valuable referrals, and more.

When you join ranks with the most accomplished agents and brokers in the U.S., you gain the credentials and advanced professional knowledge that commands the trust and attention of your clients and peers. You will set yourself on the path to earning the most prestigious designation in real estate. When you decide to earn your CRS Designation, you gain:

• Discounts of up to 50% on most education offered by the Residential Real Estate Council (RRC)
• Access to the Council’s referral network
• Eligibility to join the Qualified Consumer Leads program
• Free mobile CRM tool: Agentdesks
• Professionally branded materials like customizable sign riders, fact sheets, business cards, and the bi-monthly Your Home newsletter
• Recognition of your expertise—the CRS designation is the highest credential awarded to residential sales agents, managers, and brokers

The Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) designation is for REALTORS® who want to be able to meet the special needs of maturing Americans when selling, buying, relocating, or refinancing residential or investment properties. By earning the SRES® designation, REALTORS® are prepared to approach mature clients with the best options and information for them to make life-changing decisions. When you decide to obtain your (SRES®), you will gain:

• Access to the online SRES® member database
• Access to the members-only section of the SRES® website
• Consumer marketing materials
• Quarterly newsletter
• Marketing letters
• Scripts and concepts for contacting clients age 50+

The multicultural market is rapidly growing – and changing. Give yourself a competitive edge by learning how to work effectively with this clientele. At Home With Diversity (AHWD) is an NAR certification program designed to present a picture of the changing face of the real estate industry. After successfully completing the course, REALTORS® are eligible to apply for the official AHWD certification, which conveys to clients they’re working with a dynamic real estate professional with expertise that transcends cultural barriers. The At Home With Diversity Course teaches REALTORS® how to:

• Assess and understand attributes of diversity in local markets and their impact on the real estate industry
• Understand basic competencies to earn the confidence of potential buyers and sellers, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, handicaps, familial status, or national origin
• Build a business plan that minimizes risk and successfully services all types of clients

NAR’s e-PRO® certification program helps REALTORS® master the advanced digital marketing techniques of today. With the e-PRO® certification, REALTORS® increase their ability to reach customers, expand their capabilities, and build trust by safeguarding client information. When you decide to earn your e-PRO® Certification, you gain:

• Consumers who find you first through a search on our e-PRO® website
• Your name dominantly placed at nar.realtor and White Pages at realtor.com®
• Your customize all e-PRO® marketing materials to work best for you
• New networking opportunities with tech-savvy REALTORS®
• Additional learning opportunities through Facebook Live events on timely topics
• Networking through the private e-PRO® certificate holders’ Facebook group

Gain a competitive edge with a unique understanding of homebuyer’s needs and how to best serve them, as well as specialized information on home buying issues, trends, and exclusive resources. The Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) designation is designed for real estate buyer’s agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients. When you decide to earn your ABR®, you gain:

• Valuable real estate education that elevates your skills and knowledge in the eyes of homebuyers
• Ongoing specialized information, programs, and updates that help you stay on top of the issues and trends in successfully representing homebuyers
• Access to REBAC members-only marketing tools and resources, which provide an additional competitive edge

The Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) designation is the premier credential in seller representation. It is designed to elevate professional standards and enhance personal performance. The SRS Course will redefine your “normal” and reinvent the way you represent sellers. It provides a comprehensive foundation of skill development, training, and resources to help real estate professionals represent the interests of sellers in today’s marketplace. When you decide to earn your SRS, you will gain:

• Increase listings and grow their business
• Ways to demonstrate and communicate their value package to seller clients
• Understand and apply methods, tools, and techniques to provide support and services that sellers want and need