Tips for Real Estate Pros

Who's Who? Real Estate Titles And Their Meanings

THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS ARTICLE IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PROFESSIONAL ADVICE.LANDMARK HOME WARRANTY DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT WITH REGARD TO THIS MATERIAL, AND YOU SHOULD CONDUCT YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND/OR SEEK THE ADVICE OF APPROPRIATELY QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS WITH REGARD TO YOUR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION. LANDMARK HOME WARRANTY ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY, AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY, FOR YOUR USE OF ANY AND ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.


Who's Who Game Board

If you're new to the real estate world, you may have heard people refer to themselves as brokers, agents, and professionals. Sometimes those titles are used interchangeably, but that is actually a mistake. Each real estate title means something different. Luckily, Landmark Home Warranty has created this handy article for you to learn what each title means. Don't forget to download the infographic and keep it handy so you can quickly look at it and remind yourself what "Jennifer Brown, REALTOR®," does when you're introduced to her.

Hopefully you remember the old face-guessing game, Guess Who? The best home warranty company (that's us!) has created a spin-off of that game called "Who's Who?" for this infographic. As always, you can download the infographic here and share it with your friends and clients!

Download the game

Who-who-real-estate-best-home-warranty

Download the game

 

Real Estate Agent

A real estate agent is anyone who has a real estate license. There are different licenses for real estate agents, some of which require more classroom hours than the average real estate license. A real estate license is awarded to individuals who complete a number of classroom hours and take a state-licensing exam. Each state has different regulations on how many hours a real estate agent needs to be in the classroom as well as what those regulations mean in terms of title. Sometimes a Real Estate Agent is known as a Real Estate Salesperson.

 

Real Estate Managing Broker

A real estate managing broker generally manages a brokerage firm. The managing broker takes legal and financial responsibility for all of the real estate agents who hang their real estate license under the broker's.  A broker generally has taken more schooling and passed a more rigorous test than a normal real estate agent licensee. In Texas, a salesperson or agent only takes 180 hours of classes, while a broker has 900. A broker can work alone, but generally hires real estate agents to work for them in a firm.  A real estate agent will hang their license under a managing broker's license. When you hire a Real Estate Agent, he or she most likely reports to a broker.

 

Real Estate Associate Broker

An associate broker can be a number of different things depending on what state you live in. Generally, an associate broker is an agent who has earned their broker's license, but works under another broker in their brokerage firm. However, in some states, every agent is called a broker and they have a real estate license. 

 

REALTOR®

A REALTOR® is a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®. The NAR has specific ethic codes a member has to live by in order to be able to call themselves a REALTOR®. Choosing a member of the NAR may make some buyers more comfortable in their choice of realtor because of these ethics. If there is a complaint against a REALTOR® it will be heard by a local board.

 

Listing Agent

A listing agent could be an agent or broker, but represent the seller.

 

Buyer's Agent

A buyer's agent could be an agent or broker, but represent the buyer.

 

Dual Agent

A dual agent could be an agent or broker, but represent both the seller and buyer. There could be a dual agent even if two real estate agents are involved, as long as they work for the same broker.

 

Some real estate agents get more schooling in order to focus on certain parts of a home sell. Here is a list compiled from Inman that goes into some of those extra letters, and what they mean. 

 

ABR: Accredited Buyer Representative;

ABRM: Accredited Buyer Representative Manager;

ALC: Accredited Land Consultant;

AHWD: At Home with Diversity Certification;

CAE: Certified Association Executive;

CCIM: Certified Commercial Investment Member;

CIPS: Certified International Property Specialist;

CPM: Certified Property Manager;

CRB: Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager;

CRE: Counselor of Real Estate;

CRS: Certified Residential Specialist;

e-PRO: Electronic Professional Certification;

GAA: General Accredited Appraiser;

GREEN: Green Designation;

GRI: Graduate Realtor Institute;

PMN: Performance Management Network;

RAA: Residential Accredited Appraiser;

RCE: Realtor Association Executive;

REPA: Real Estate Professional Assistant Certification;

RSPS: Resort & Second Home Markets Certification;

SIOR: Society of Industrial & Office Realtors;

SRES: Senior Real Estate Specialist;

TRC: Transnational Referral Certified

 

When you begin to work with a real estate agent, make sure you ask them about home warranties. A home warranty can help you sell your home faster and for more money. As a buyer it provides a sense of security. It's hard to move into a new home and not know the state of the systems and appliances. A home warranty will cover failed systems and appliances for a service call fee. For more information on home warranties, or home repair insurance and  appliance warranty, go to www.landmarkhw.com

 

http://www.realtor.com/advice/whats-difference-real-estate-salesperson-broker/

http://homebuying.about.com/od/realestateagents/f/031708_TypesAgt.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate_broker

Real Estate Tips

Get tips from real estate experts to help you sell more and better assist your clients.

Subscribe to our Resources Newsletter

Don't miss out on our monthly newsletter! Sign up to get tips on everything about home ownership, from maintenance tips to home selling advice delivered to your email once a month.

Get a Free Home Warranty Quote!

Input your information and get a free, personalized home warranty quote. You can customize the coverage and pricing to fit your needs. Experience what over 70,000 homeowners already know: A Landmark Home Warranty helps provide protection for your home and budget!