You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘National Real Estate’ category.
What are Designations? Are they important to me, the
consumer? Should I care?
In most cases buyers and sellers get into an agreement with an agent
and have no idea of the qualifications of the agent they have selected.
They might use several sets of criteria to make their decision. This
information may assist them in the decision or at least have them
realize that all agents are not created equal. Some have spent
years educating themselves to assist buyers and sellers.
Four of the more popular designations most buyers and sellers
should know: CRS GRI e-pro ABR
Check to see if your agent has graduated to one of these
designations:
The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest
Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field.
The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishment in both
experience and education.
Since 1977 the Council of Residential Specialists has been conferring
the CRS Designation on agents who meet its stringent requirements.
There are over one million REALTORS® in business today.
So if you want to find that one-in-a-million REALTOR®, start with the
over 39,000 who hold the Certified Residential Specialist
Designation. CRS is the symbol of excellence in residential real
estate. Our members have proven they have the experience, training
and commitment to be among the best in their profession.
Why Choose a REALTOR® With a GRI designation?
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 require real estate practitioners to perform at an
ever-increasing level of professionalism.
So it’s more important than ever that you work with an agent who has
a keen understanding of the real estate business. The GRI program
has helped the best and the brightest in the industry achieve
that level of understanding.
GRIs are:
- Nationally recognized as top performers in the real estate industry
- Professionally trained
- Knowledgeable
- Dedicated to bringing you quality service
A GRI can make a difference
When you see the letters “GRI” after an agent’s name, you can count on receiving the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly. In short, you can count on getting the best service available from a real estate professional.
The vision for the future of e-PRO Certification is to create a
well-trained, core group of real estate professionals who are
thriving in the on-line-based real estate industry. The e-PRO
Internet Professional belongs to a special community of highly skilled
and continuously trained real estate professionals who collaborate to
enjoy deeper satisfaction and greater financial rewards as the result of
their e-PRO Certification status.
This Program will teach the REALTOR® about Internet business
principles required to remain in the center of the real estate transaction,
including:
- Options and requirements to Get Connected
- E-mail Communication and Marketing Practices
- WWW Marketing Strategies and Practices
- Creating and Maintaining Personal Technology Plan of
- Action and your Internet Marketing Plan.
Requirements to become an e-Pro.
The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is
the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This
coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the
Real Estate BUYER’S AGENT Council (REBAC) of the
National Association of REALTORS® who meet the specified
educational and practical experience criteria.
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Five Star Real Estate
The last few years NAR has been investigating the possibility of having a
National Data base of all properties in the United States. Filled with
tax information, Insurance documents ( like the Clue report), survey, title
information, anything to do with the subject property. The purpose is to have
a place to go to get all information about a property with one click.
While the project is still in it’s infancy, the final product would be available
to members of NAR and not to the public. The MLS Issues and policy
forum heard from Dale Ross who is chair of the RPR (Realtors Property
Resource). He indicated they have contracted with Move.com to consult with
NAR to bring the RPR to reality.
Inman News also reported on the presentation.
Opinions I have heard vary from:” finally a system that will be helpful” to
“there they go again spending our dues dollars to build something that the
local market may already have.”
I think we have a bigger issues that should be solved first. We need to
have systems in place that offer the consumer programs similar to the
Zillows and Trulias of the Internet and let the brokers and title offices
continue to offer property detail.
I don’t think we need a national MLS but we need to get away from the small
local MLS’s that can not offer all the bells and whistles that are available.
But that is another blog post.
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate ~ Five Star Real Estate
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
You know the saying about good guys finishing last, well, I’m not so sure.
This recent scenario is pretty typical of a dilemma the real estate
agent faces every day.
I recently went on a listing appointment. It was a referral from a very happy
past client, the home was about 6 years old, professionally decorated and
had many extras. A very nice house to have listed.
EXCEPT…the seller didn’t want to move right away, they wanted to
list this spring and move in November.
I did my CMA and told them their price would be around $300K as the BEST
possible outcome. The house next door just sold for $270K and
they included a $10K item of furniture to seal the deal!
I was firm about my price, but I conceded we could start at 310K or 315K,
if they wanted to test the market for a few months.
They interviewed two other agents who had also been recommended.
They went with the agent who told them it would sell for $330K. That is what it
is listed for on our MLS now.
Real estate agents have to make a decision at the presentation.
Do we want to buy the listing at the higher price and deal with a disappointed
seller for 6-15 months?
The other option is to be firm and if the business comes your way it will be
salable and you will get paid for your efforts.
I recently listed a home for the correct price and it sold in three
weeks for full price.
If I had been the Good Guy wearing the White Hat and agreed to
their $330K price, I know I could have gotten the listing. Then during
the 5-6 months when they weregetting really serious about selling, we
could have lowered the price and it would eventually sell, maybe by
spring 2009.
What is the right thing to do?
Telling the seller the truth cost me a listing?? Yes.
My Deduction:
Listening to the client —+— Motivation —+ — Price
All of these go hand in hand to come to an understanding
with the seller. I wasn’t patient enough to offer the option of setting
a higher price and waiting with them to realize their price was unrealistic.
This has been the case with so many listings over the last year and a half.
So I suppose I’m wearing the Black Hat in this Situation.
Or will I be wearing the Black Hat when I list at their price and
it still hasn’t sold in 11 to 12 months? You betcha.
I will be the one who has failed to sell the house even though
the sellers set the price.
Copyright by Terry Westbrook 2008
Contact me: 1-888-240-1968 x 0 toll free
Grand Rapids Real Estate ~ Westbrook Realty
Email: terry@TerryWestbrook.com
GRMiRealEstate's Weblog 