What those letters mean!

Holding a real estate agent’s or real estate broker’s license does not make someone a REALTOR®. Here in Texas, membership in the National Association of REALTORS®, the Texas Association of REALTORS®, and one of more than 90 local associations or boards entitles real estate licensees to use the term “REALTOR®” on their business cards and in their marketing materials.

Hiring a Texas REALTOR® means you’ve retained someone who is committed to continuing education, professionalism, and integrity. In addition to upholding the strict REALTOR® Code of Ethics, many Texas REALTORS® (like me) hold one or more professional designations—those letters behind our names indicating advanced or specialized training in real estate. Here are just a few of the various designations a REALTOR® may hold and what they could mean for you:

Certified Residential Specialist

Buying or selling a home can seem like an overwhelming task. But the right REALTOR® can make the process easier - and more profitable.

A Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), with years of experience and success, will help you make smart decisions in a fast-paced, complex and competitive market.

To receive the CRS Designation, REALTORS® must demonstrate outstanding professional achievements ― including high-volume sales ― and pursue advanced training in areas such as finance, marketing and technology. They also must maintain membership in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (NAR) and abide by its Code of Ethics.

Work with the top four percent of REALTORS® in the nation! Contact a CRS today.

Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)

A buyer’s agent represents the buyer in a real estate transaction, just as a seller’s agent is hired to obtain the price and sale terms sought by the seller. The ABR is the only nationally recognized designation for buyer’s agents.

e-PRO (Certification)

The e-PRO certification is the real estate industry’s first comprehensive technology certification endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS®.

QSC (Certification)

• Commits to communicating and following a proven service process (Click here to see copy of the Commitment).

• Provides a Guarantee of service performance (Click here to view Guarantee).

• Agrees to have his or her service evaluated, following each closing, through a customer satisfaction survey administered by Leading Research Corporation. (Click here for details on the Quality Service Assurance Survey©.) Survey results and the record of past clients' satisfaction are available to prospective clients. This means that for the first time you have the ability to identify the capabilities and the service performance record of a real estate practitioner from a qualitative rather than just a quantitative perspective. (Click here for details on the Customer Satisfaction Rating.) After all, what are most important are not how many homes someone has sold, but rather how well service was provided and the level of satisfaction in each service experience.

• Offers greater accountability which naturally translates into better service.