You may have seen GRI, CRB, or CRS after your Texas Realtor®’s name and wondered what those letters mean, or more importantly, what do they mean to you? These designations mean you’re working with a Texas Realtor® who has committed to improving the services they can provide for you, whether they are certified in sustainable property, multiple-home ownership, or even affordable housing.

On top of their game

Today’s buyers and sellers have high expectations of their real estate agents. Consumers want to work with a Realtor® who is knowledgeable and experienced but who also stays up-to-date on current and relevant information. Texas Realtors® who hold designations show you they have gone the extra mile to achieve these goals.

Real estate, whether commercial or residential, is a diverse industry that constantly evolves. Specialization and knowledge of current issues are essential to professional success, and these education programs enable Texas Realtors® to stay ahead of these issues and better serve you.

The National Association of Realtors®, the Texas Association of Realtors®, and their local affiliates offer members advanced education designation and certification programs tailored to virtually every real estate specialty you’ve heard of and probably some you haven’t.

Get a GRI-p

One specific designation that provides in-depth training is the Graduate Realtor® Institute (GRI) – a nationally recognized designation with course content specific to Texas. Its demanding curriculum requires Realtors® to complete an advanced course track of 90 hours of classroom instruction for a deeper understanding of the real estate industry.

The GRI coursework emphasizes technology, business development, sales and marketing, and critical legal and regulatory issues such as fair housing, brokerage relationships and environmental concerns. Realtors® learn about local, state, and national practices that affect them and you as a client.

From A to Z

The National Association of Realtors® awards designations and certifications after a Realtor® completes various required courses. The following list is a sampling of the designations and their abbreviations:

• Accredited Buyer’s Representative – ABR

• Accredited Land Consultant – ALC

• Certified Commercial Investment Member – CCIM

• Certified Property Manager – CPM

• Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager – CRB

• Certified Residential Specialist – CRS

• NAR’s Green Designation – GREEN

• Residential Accredited Appraiser – RAA

• Seniors Real Estate Specialist – SRES

• Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist – RSPS

• Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource – SFR

For more information about these Realtor® designations, visit TexasRealEstate.com where you can also find Texas-specific real estate information.

For your real estate needs, contact RE/MAX Genesis at 830-833-2000.