“If they haven’t been in business fi ve years, they’re learning on you and that’s not good,” says Robert Irwin, author of Tips & Traps for Negotiating Real Estate (Bankrate). Ultimately, the agent you want on your side is someone who is actively engaged in your particular area of interest and within your price range, and someone who can actually demonstrate
knowledge of the area and homes you can a ff ord. Tip 4: Choose an Agent with the Right Credentials
Just because someone says they’re a real estate agent doesn’t mean they possess the right credentials and qua lifi cations. Th ink about it. You wouldn’t hire an electrician without checking their credentials and qua lifi cations, would you? What about doctors? Th ey have their credentials and qua lifi cations displayed on their walls for all patients to view. In the same way, you should make sure your potential buyer’s agent has the licenses and cert ifi cations required for them to work as a qua lifi ed real estate agent. Some agents even get additional specialized training to add to their names. Some of the most common designations include: • CRS (Cert ifi ed 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 he/she is an o ffi cial member of the NAR (National 30
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