Certified Residential Specialist.

WHY WORK WITH THE TOP 5%

Just 5% of all REALTORS' in the U.S. can call themselves Certified Residential Specialist. That's because just one in 20 has the experience, the commitment and the hours of advanced training necessary to call themselves a Certified Residential Specialist.

Yet, despite all the extra expertise you get, a Certified Residential Specialist doesn't cost any more than any other REALTOR'. In fact, the skills and know how you get with a Certified Residential Specialist may actually save you time and money.

And that's just the beginning. Here are some of the other reasons you should consider hiring a Certified Residential Specialist when you buy or sell a home

WHAT IS A CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALISTS (CRS)?

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 39,000 active CRS Designees.

The Council of Residential Specialists is the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORSŽ, with its headquarters in Chicago, Ill. It is composed of over 47,000 Certified Residential Specialists (CRS) Designees and Candidates/General Members. The association was created to recruit and retain those REALTORSŽ and international real estate professionals seeking the knowledge, tools and relationship-building opportunities and referral opportunities they need to maximize their income and professionalism in residential real estate.

The Council was founded in 1976 and has four objectives: " To create and provide superior educational opportunities that enhance professional competency. " To provide and promote benefits which enhance the economic and other values of membership in the Council. " To develop an organization that reflects the diversity of real estate consumers and provides its members with tools to serve their clients. " To create and maintain organizational systems and alliances with appropriate organizations to ensure the integrity of the Council of Residential Specialists.

EXPERIENCE & ETHICS

A hallmark of Certified Residential Specialist isn't just the advanced training and education they receive. Just as important is the marketplace expertise they bring to the sale or purchase of your home. To earn the Certified Residential Specialist Designation, every REALTORŽ must have a significant mix of experience and number of real estate transactions. These strict requirements are your assurance that your Certified Residential Specialist is able to apply his or her education in the real world, giving you the knowledgeable, skilled service you expect.

Ethics aren't just important in a REALTORŽ. They're essential. That's why every Certified Residential Specialist is required to maintain membership in the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS') and to abide by its strict Code of Ethics. That means, when you work with a Certified Residential Specialist, you can rest assured you're dealing with a trained real estate expert who will treat you fairly and professionally every step of the way. Whether you're looking to buy or sell a home, you face many risks along the way. Financial risks, legal risks, even the risk that a home purchase or sale will fall through. A Certified Residential Specialist is trained to minimize those risks.

With that in mind, a Certified Residential Specialist is guaranteed to bring you the benefits of their significant experience and variety of successful real estate transactions. That expertise, combined with advanced education in areas like finance, technology and marketing, lets you know that your Certified Residential Specialist is able to make your home purchase or sale a success in every way.

Buying a home isn't simply about paying the lowest price. And selling a home isn't just about getting the money you asked for. Along the way, there are fees, taxes and numerous other costs that can impact the bottom line of your home purchase or sale.

A Certified Residential Specialist is trained specifically to help you understand the marketplace, negotiate successfully on your behalf and get a clear picture of a proposed transaction. The result is a more rewarding experience, whether you're buying or selling, or both.

A rare combination of experience and education makes a Certified Residential Specialist more than just another real estate agent. But it's the ability of this professional to make a real difference in the purchase or sale of your home that makes Certified Residential Specialists among the best in the business. Discover the difference for yourself. And discover how enjoyable and successful a real estate relationship can be.