It’s more than alphabet soup. Like doctors and accountants, Realtors often list three- and four-letter acronyms after their names to denote specialized training and certification.
The letters CRS, for example, stand for “,” a professional real estate designation earned by experienced agents who complete rigorous educational requirements and are required to abide by a strict code of ethics. Most of the 34,000 CRSs are based in the U.S. One in five are RE/MAX real estate agents. It is sponsored by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
Here are some of the most common real estate designations and certifications:
- ABR: The Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation is a mainstream credential earned by many agents experienced in representing homebuyers. RE/MAX has more ABRs than any other real estate network.
- SRES: Agents with the real estate designation are equipped to work with the unique needs of homebuyers 50 years of age and older. More SRESs are affiliated with RE/MAX than with any other major real estate franchise.
- CDPE: Certified Distressed Property Experts are trained to help homeowners facing mortgage-payment hardship, including short sales and deeds-in-lieu. RE/MAX has more CDPEs than any other real estate network.
- GRI: The Graduate Realtor Institute real estate designation focuses on real estate basics. Agents often earn this on their way to the more advanced CRS.
- SFR: The Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource certification equips agents to work with pre-foreclosure situations as well as foreclosures.
- FRI: About 10 percent of real estate professionals in Canada have earned the Fellow of the Real Estate Institute designation. Requirements include course work and documented experience.
- EcoBroker: The Certified EcoBroker is trained to help eco-minded consumers with properties that provide a healthier environment while reducing carbon footprints.
- GREEN: Agents with the NAR GREEN designation assist consumers who are concerned about the environment, both from health and conservation standpoints.
- QSC: Agents with the Quality Service Certified designation agree to have their buyers and sellers receive an independently administered survey to rate satisfaction.
- CLHMS: cater to buyers and sellers of luxury homes. RE/MAX has more than any other real estate network.
- AHWD: The At Home With Diversity certification gives Realtors the training and tools to help homebuyers and sellers from a wide variety of cultures.
- CRP: A Certified Relocation Professional assists companies with relocating employees and related home listings and sales.
- CIPS: Agents with the designation have expertise in working with property sales involving foreign citizens or firms – in the United States or abroad.
- CCIM: The Certified Commercial Investment Member designation is earned by completing advanced course work in commercial real estate.
RE/MAX, LLC 2012.