Question #4. What designations/certifications do you hold, and why is that important to me the Buyer?

I think that updating and upgrading your education in any field is important! In real estate, there are a number of one day quick courses offered to us the members that are optional. Then there are designations/certifications that are offered to us, optional again, but they do require fees, time invested, exam at the end, memberships, and sometimes other specialized requirements. There are also a few courses that are actually mandatory. These mandatory courses usually only come out once every 2 years.

There have been a number of changes in the real estate field that have happened recently, and in the last 7 years many changes. I feel that if I am not keeping up with the changes, information, and education, then how can I properly represent, help, and protect you?

ABR® Accredited Buyers Representative – I have earned this designation in 2009, and it has been wonderful! It wasn’t that long ago where buyers were not represented, or had very little representation. Now, the buyers want more and can now have the same level of representation in real estate transactions that was previously only awarded to the sellers. The ABR® is the "benchmark of excellence" certification in buyer representation and is awarded by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council ("REBAC") of the National Association of REALTORS®.  This designation is achieved through both educational and practical experience in which the agent is specifically trained to represent buyers in every transaction and to provide them with exemplary service. This prestigious certification isn't given to just any agent - it is awarded to the agent that proves he has the knowledge, experience and commitment needed to provide the buyer with excellent representation during their home buying journey from start to finish. This designation is optional, and there are currently less than 300 Calgary REALTORS® out of 5200 who have earned this designation. Working with an Accredited buyers Representative will give you the peace of mind that you are being served not sold, and that truly your best interests are being looked after.

CCS® Certified Condominium Specialist – Condo’s have grown considerably over the last number of years. Condo’s play a very big part of our real estate market; great for first time home buyers, those who want to down size, and for those who don’t what the responsibilities of maintaining the outside of a home. In 2006, The Calgary Real Estate Board developed the Certified Condominium Specials certification, because condos are a different type of ownership than single family homes. This type of ownership has many issues, concerns, and complexities that require special knowledge to property represent clients that are buying or selling condominiums. Currently the course is not mandatory, it is up to each individual REALTOR® to choose to upgrade their education. At this time there are only 13% of about 700 REALTORS® in Calgary with the Certified Condominium Specialist designation, (and that hasn’t changed much over the last couple of years).

SRES® Seniors Real Estate Specialist – My most recent designation, a designation that specializes in the real estate goal, concerns, and needs of maturing adults in the 50+ group. This is the fastest growing population right now, one in 3 Canadians is a Baby Boomer, and deserves specialized service, from a REALTOR® who recognize the differences. SRES® REALTORs® can help the home buyer or seller in the process of moving forward to achieve their real estate goals. This course educated me to recognize options that maybe available, including age-restricted buildings, reverse mortgages, estate planning, financial planning, estate lawyers, clutter and staging experts, and  professional community resources and services. The Senior Real Estate Specialist designation is recognized by NAR® National Association of REALTORS® and is awarded by the SRES® Council. Currently in Calgary, there are less than 25 REALTORs® (out of 5200) who have earned this voluntary designation.

I also went to school to become a social worker, until I realized that there was no money in that field, high burn out rates, and hours that were not very negotiable. However, I believe that everything I was taught in those 3 years, transfers over in the real estate profession, making me an even better REALTOR®. That is in part why I love my job, still helping people to meet their wants and needs, just in the real estate field now.

What is next? Stay tuned, I’m not done yet…

Here is the full list of the Questions and Answers Interview Questions

Tania King
rescaglary@gmail.com
403-813-4448