TIP #3: CHOOSE AN AGENT WITH THE RIGHT CREDENTIALS
Credentials are extremely important. Think about it for a minute. Would you hire an electrician without checking their credentials and qualifications? What about a doctor? They have their credentials and qualifications displayed on walls for patients to view in plain sight. The same goes for real estate agents. You need to ensure your potential agent possesses the licenses and certifications required for them to actually work as a qualified real estate agent. Some agents do get additional specialized training. Some common designations include the following: • CRS (Certified Residential Specialist): Completed additional training in handling residential real estate; • ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative): Completed additional education in representing buyers in transactions; • SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist): Completed training aimed at helping buyers and sellers in the 50-plus age range As mentioned above, a real estate agent can also be a Realtor®, which means they are an official member of the NAR®. The above tips will help you find the perfect agent to help you navigate the home-selling, home-search, and home-buying processes while you downsize. Soon you’ll be on your way to gaining the advantage in the overall downsizing process. Remember, professional real estate agents wear many hats. They must be proficient in marketing, negotiating, consultation, legalities, property taxes, and gaining clients’ trust. An agent who 175
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