What does a continuing education course in real estate mean? It means that after a realtor was licensed, they spent extra time and money to get more education regarding real estate. These courses help keep realtors up to date with the latest standards, practices and technology available in the industry.
There are a variety of topics these courses cover in depth. These courses help the realtor become better equipped to serve their clients and the market that they are working in.
Below are descriptions of 5 course certifications that can help you choose the best realtor for you.
This designation certifies that a realtor has over 90 hours of continuing education hours outside of what is required yearly by the National Realtor Association.
It shows that you are working with a realtor who values education and learning how to best serve their clients. Realtor.com likens a GRI certification similar to an accountant with a CPA. The most successful realtors in the United States have a GRI credential.
There are currently 15 courses in the GRI curriculum that cover a variety of real estate topics. These topics include: buyer and seller counseling, mortgage products, ethics, risk management courses and more.
Clients know that a realtor with a GRI designation has an in-depth understanding of a variety of real estate issues. They can know that their realtor will be able to help them troubleshoot a variety of issues and ultimately set the client up for the best outcome.
This certification is a great one to look for. Pricing a home is very strategic. It is difficult when a property is priced too low, to raise it. Likewise, if a home is priced overly high, it can sit on the market for a long time. The longer on the market the more it is perceived to have something wrong with it.
It takes an in depth look at features in properties that determine its value. It covers what features in a home are considered when determining value. It also spends a good amount of time going over and understanding comparables.
The course also identifies what makes properties comparable in your area, how to deal appropriately with pricing adjustments during a listing, and how supply and demand affects overall pricing in your market.
The course focuses on covering all variables that affect home pricing.
Moving as a civilian can be difficult. Coordinating movers, sale dates, and occupancy dates is exhausting. Relocating in the military includes all of those and present a different set of challenges.
A military relocation professional spends time in a course dedicated to teaching the process and potential challenges with a military move. It covers everything from acronyms, to orders, to DITY and the process in coordinating with TMO.
Someone who is certified as a MRP also must be in good standing with the National Association of Realtors. They keep up with NAR’s requirements and are dedicated to practicing good realtor ethics.
Another benefit to using a MRP certified Realtor is that clients can lean on them for additional information. A MRP will know their area well, and can assist in giving a newcomer detailed information about the area.
Any buyer's real estate agent can represent a buyer in a transaction.
However, an Accredited Buyer’s Representative is an agent who took extra time to understand some of the potential difficulties and circumstances that surround a buyer’s transactions.
The course stresses the importance of giving the buyers a full real estate service. It encourages agents to do this through providing referrals to local lenders, inspectors, handymen and more.
These agents learn to treat their client’s interests as their own. They do their best to make the transaction as smooth as possible for their buyers.
5. E-PRO-
The internet has sped up real estate transactions. Not only are real estate transactions quicker, they can happen when parties involved are thousands of miles away.
With technology advancements, more and more people are buying homes sight unseen. Some of these homes are bought internationally. Signatures and money wiring can happen now a days from anywhere across the globe.
A realtor with an E PRO designation spent time in a course designed to instruct agents in how to best utilize internet technology. They learn how to provide quick and seamless transactions while safeguarding confidential information.
This certification is especially helpful if you are looking at completing one of these long distance transactions.
Conclusion:
Continuing education courses are designed to help agents get the best outcome for their clients. Be sure to ask about certifications when you are interviewing realtors.
While experience as a realtor is important, being up to date on industry best practices is also something that shouldn’t be overlooked.
Do you have questions about certifications or are you curious how they can benefit you? Contact Dave Dail at 208-310-0855.