Here are just a few credentials within real estate that you should be on the lookout for: ✓ Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR): Completed additional education during representation of buyers in their transactions. ✓ Certified Residential Specialist (CRS): Completed additional training during the handling of residential real estate, such as houses and apartments. ✓ Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES): Completed training for the purpose of helping sellers and buyers 50+ years old. Similarly, if you choose to use a real estate agent who’s also a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, it will be a bonus. However, ensure they have credentials that are relevant to your need(s). RESEARCH LICENSING Your state will have a license board for all active real estate Realtors® and agents, which you can easily access. You will also be able to see their information, disciplinary actions, complaints, or any other information that you’ll need to help influence your decision — especially since most of the information is now posted online. TRACK DOWN RECENT CLIENTS Ask the agent to give you a list of sales they’ve made in the past year and a couple of phone numbers for references. A good agent will do so, while a bad agent will give you excuses and essentially shoot the request down. Ask the agent, before you call any of the numbers listed, if the owners were pleased or disappointed with the agent. If the agent beats around the bush or refuses to give a full answer, that’s a red flag that should tell you to move on!
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