Say What? Understanding the Charlotte Real Estate Agent Acronyms before Buying or Selling
Finding the perfect Charlotte real estate agent can be an arduous task, whether you’re looking to buy or sell a home. The process is often overwhelming so you’ll want to ensure that you have the right person by your side — someone who is trustworthy, hard-working and knows what they’re doing!
That is why it’s extremely important to do your research thoroughly when it comes to Charlotte real estate agents. You need to interview several agents, follow through on referrals and ensure they have the proper credentials.
All the acronyms after agents’ names can be confusing, so here are a few that describe specializations you might need:
- CRS – This real estate designation denotes a status of ‘excellence’ and stands for Certified Residential Specialist. Out of the over 1 million real estate agents across the nation, only 34,000 have been awarded the CRS designation. This symbol of excellence signifies that these real estate agents have proven that they have the experience, training and commitment to be among the best in our profession.
- ABR – The Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation focuses on real estate agents working primarily with buyer-clients. The valuable real estate education elevates a real estate agent’s skills and knowledge and promotes ongoing educational opportunities to stay atop of buyer issues and trends.
- SRES – This stands for Senior Real Estate Specialist. The SRES designation is for agents who work with buyers and sellers over the age of 55. If you’re over the age of 55 or are helping your parents who are over the age of 55 buy or sell, you may want to find an agent with an SRES designation.
- NAR’s Green Designation – This designation means the agent has had training in green building qualifications and sustainable business practices. Look for an agent with these acronyms if green living is on your home checklist.
- SFR — This acronym stands for Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource – As the certification indicates, these are agents who specialize in short sales and foreclosures. With the economy forcing many homeowners into one of these categories, it could be valuable to have an expert with this designation to help you successfully navigate the tricky processes.
Just because agents have an acronym or two or three after their names doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the right fit for you. However, the designations can give you some clues as to their level of knowledge and areas in which they specialize.
If you have more questions about real estate acronyms and designations or are looking for a qualified, professional Charlotte real estate agent, please call me at (704) 491-3310 or email me at Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com.