People have asked me , if I have all these designations, why don’t I tell people what they mean and why I spent all the TIME and MONEY to get them. So here is the first in a series of posts that will explain the professional designations I have and how they might benefit you, the client.

The first is the CRS Designation, short for Certified Residential Specialist. Some consider this the PH d of real estate. I will start with what the official CRS explanation:

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 37,000 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.

This sums up a lot of why I like this designation, the best of the best! There are weeks of core courses to take (thousands of dollars including travel and expenses), plus there are elective classes, you can get credit for college work or other advanced real estate designations. Next is the required number of real estate transaction, years in the busines, and fees. Gather all these up and you can apply for the designation.

Of all the Realtors in the U.S., just 4% can call themselves Certified Residential Specialist. Just 1 in 25 has the experience, the commitment and the hours of advanced training necessary to call themselves a Certified Residential Specialist.

How does this help you the consumer? Well, despite all the expertise you get when you work with me, it doesn’t cost you any more than working with any other Realtor. In fact, the skills and know-how you get from me may actually save you time and money.

The Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) is the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. The CRS Designation recognizes professional accomplishments 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. Currently, there are more than 34,000 active CRS Designees.

Why Use a CRS?

Today, home buying and selling is faster, more complex, and more competitive in every way. Our goal is to make the process a little easier for you. The first step is choosing the right REALTOR®.

Experience — To earn the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Designation, every REALTOR® must have significant experience and volume of real estate transactions.

Ethics — Every CRS Designee is required to maintain membership in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and to abide by its strict Code of Ethics.

A Focus on Home Buying and Selling — To help make the home buying and selling process more rewarding, every CRS Designee must have a proven track record in the business, as well as advanced education in related areas like finance, technology and marketing. Work with the top 4 percent.

Technology Expertise — The training available to CRS Designees includes a strong focus on technology and its applications in the real estate business.