So you’ve decided to sell or buy a home but you’re not sure how to choose an agent.
When you choose to market your home with a real estate agent, or use a real estate agent to help you purchase a home, some of your first questions might be – does it matter which one I hire? And aren’t all real estate agents the same?
The answer to the first question is yes it does matter. When choosing a real estate professional it’s always advisable to interview at least few of them and chose one that you feel most comfortable with. But you also need make sure that they are the most qualified to help you in your particular need.
Not all real estate agents are the same necessarily. Some agents are simply real estate licensees and some are Realtors®. Real estate licensees who are not Realtors® have not taken an oath to abide by a strict code of ethics but licensees who are Realtors® have. They subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of selling and buying real estate.
So there is a difference between real estate licensees and Realtors®, but do all Realtors® have the same level of knowledge? Not really because most Realtors® have an area in which they specialize in. If you ever looked at a Realtors business card or website you might have noticed that some have abbreviations after their name. These are called designations and certifications; they show where the agent has additional training and where their specialties are.
Some of these designations are very difficult to acquire such as the GRI. The GRI means the Realtor® has graduated from the Realtor® Institute by successfully passing eight separate courses of real estate education. The prestigious GRI designation is one of the most important of qualifications you should make sure your next Realtor has.
Here are a few of the designations and certifications you should look for as a home seller or buyer when hiring a Realtor®:
- GRI – Graduate REALTOR® Institute
- ABR – Accredited Buyer’s Representative®
- CRS – Certified Residential Specialist®
- SRES – Seniors Real Estate Specialist, SRES®
- RSPS – Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist®
- e-PRO®
- SFR – Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource®
- ALC – Accredited Land Consultant®
- CIPS – Certified International Property Specialist®
As a Realtor who holds both the GRI and ABR designations, I have the training and knowledge to help both home sellers and home buyers in all market conditions. I’ve also been certified as an e-PRO Realtor and as a SFR specialist giving me an edge over the competition in internet marketing and in the marketing & purchasing of short sales and foreclosures.
If your looking to sell or buy real estate in NH call me today and let my training work for your success!
Paul Martin (603) 755-1229
Keller Williams Coastal Realty – 501 Islington St. Suite 2 Portsmouth, NH
