REALTOR Designations...What Do They Mean?
TONS OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE!

Many people are confused with all the letters that we have after our name on our business card. To help clarify what all these "letters" mean, they are actual designations The Sundin Group has obtained as we strive to be the very best in the real estate industry. Currently, we have combined designations of REALTOR, ABR, GRI, CLHMS, e-PRO & ASP...but we have many other designations we are currently working towards in our spare time. By mid-2008, we should also have the CRS designation (we only have one last class to take). Having all these designations means you are working with a REALTOR Team who has committed a lot of time & money towards extensive training and continual education for each individual designation (which must also be renewed each year) so that we can provide all of our clients an unparalleled commitment to experience, knowledge & customer service.

• REALTOR®
  Why should you choose to work with an Arizona REALTOR instead of a Real Estate Sales Person? The terms agent, broker and REALTOR are often used interchangeably, but have very different meanings. For example, not all agents (also called salespersons) or brokers are REALTORS. In order to have the word REALTOR after our name, we must be a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and adhere to their strict Code of Ethics (which in many cases goes beyond state law). Also, REALTORS have access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), which means sellers will have their home listed in MLS and buyers have access to the greatest number of homes.
  
  
• ABR®, Accredited Buyer Representative
  Why should you choose to work with an Arizona ABR REALTOR & what does the ABR designation mean? It is the buyer's representative that has buyer's best interests in mind throughout the entire real estate transaction. Having these three letters after our name tells you that you will be working with buyer representative who is committed to YOUR best interests.  The ABR designation is ONLY awarded to REALTORS who have met the specific educational and experiential criteria needed to provide you the highest level quality service required by the REBAC (Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council). Only 12% of REALTORS nationwide currently hold this designation.
  
  
• CRS®, Certified Residential Specialist
  Why should you choose to work with an Arizona CRS REALTOR & what does the CRS designation mean? CRS members comprise just 4% percent of all REALTORS nationwide who must take courses throughout the U.S. or abroad to complete the designation requirements. The CRS designation is the most rigorous and professional residential designation available to REALTORS. To earn the CRS designation, every REALTOR must have significant experience and volume of real estate transactions. Before this designation is official, we had to provide a history of demonstrated sales performance through the documented execution of residential sales transactions. With one remaining class to complete, we intend to have this designation by mid-2008.
  
  
• GRI®, Graduate REALTOR Institute
  Why should you choose to work with an Arizona GRI REALTOR & what does the GRI designation mean? When you see the letters "GRI" after our name, you can rest assured that you will be receiving the knowledge and guidance needed to make your transaction seamless. In order to obtain this designation, we had to complete MANY classes & (pass a test after each) before we could qualify for GRI. As a GRI agent, you can count on getting the best service available, with a thorough understanding of the real estate transaction process, as well as agency law. Being a GRI real estate agent also means we are nationally recognized as top performers in the real estate industry. Only 18% of REALTORS nationwide have this designation.
  
  
• CLHMS, Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist
  Why should you choose to work with an Arizona CLHMS REALTOR & what does the CLHMS designation mean? As a member of The Luxury Home Institute, this designation assures our luxury home clients that we have successfully demonstrated our expertise in the fine home and uber luxury homes market by meeting strict performance requirements, which includes being able to provide documentation of our home sales showing we have worked successfully completed transactions with Buyers and Sellers for homes that were priced in the top 10% of the market. Working with a CLHMS agent ensures you that you are working with an agent with a solid track record of helping affluent clients achieve their real estate goals. Currently, less than 5% of all real estate agents nationwide currently hold this designation.
  
  
• Certified Fine Home Specialist
  As Prudential real estate agents, we were certified as Fine Homes Specialists while working for Prudential Arizona Properties. Being a Fine Homes Specialist REALTOR with Prudential required us to be top producing REALTORS with a proven sales history of homes sold in the top 10% of the market we serviced. As a Fine Home Specialist member, we were amongst an elite group of sales professionals specially trained to provide the level of experience and exacting service quality expected by affluent clientele and to meet their most discerning tastes. Because this designation is only recognized within the Prudential family, we have since completed the required courses & met the requirements for the CLHMS designation which gives us a luxury home specialist designation recognized throughout the real estate industry, both nationally & internationally.
  
  
• e-PRO®, Internet Marketing Specialist
  Why should you choose to work with an Arizona e-PRO REALTOR and what does the e-PRO designation mean? Being certified as an e-PRO agent means we have received state-of-the art training (and continual education) on the latest technology for marketing homes on the internet. Having this designation means we are internet marketing specialists focused on helping both buyers maximize their online experience & seller's achieve ultimate exposure of their home on the internet. Placing ads on the internet does not guarantee results. A good e-PRO agent has a solid internet marketing plan that exposes their listings to MANY websites that have proven results and target the appropriate audience.
  
  
• e-Certified®, Internet Technology Specialist
  As Prudential real estate agents, we earned the e-Certified designation while working for Prudential Arizona Properties. e-Certified REALTORS are recognized as members of the Prudential Real Estate Network who are competent in the use of the internet and technology in their real estate business. We have since completed the required courses for the e-PRO designation which has given us the tools to be internet marketing experts in real estate.
  
  
• ASPTM, Accredited Staging Professional
  Why should you choose to work with an Arizona ASP REALTOR & what does the ASP designation mean? Being certified as an ASP agent means we have taken courses to learn home staging to assist our Sellers in helping prepare their homes show "like model homes." Many Sellers have listed with us because we are an ASP and because they understand that in order to get multiple or timely offers and top dollar for their listings in the least amount of time, their home needs to show better than any other home in their area. We can make this happen!
  
  DESIGNATIONS WE WILL SEEK IN 2008!
  
  
• CIPS, Certified International Property Specialist
  Why should you choose to work with an Arizona CIPS REALTOR & what does the CIPS designation mean? The CIPS network is comprised of approximately 300 members from 50 countries who deal in all types of real estate, but with one common element: they are focused specifically on the "international" market. Whether traveling abroad to put deals together, assisting foreign investors, helping local buyers invest abroad, or serving an immigrant niche in local markets, CIPS agents are international consumers best resource to ensure they are dealing with a professionally skilled real estate professional who was trained specifically to address the needs of their international clientele. We intend to begin working on this designation in '08.
  
  
• SRES®, Senior Real Estate Specialist
  Why should you choose to work with an Arizona SRES REALTOR & what does the SRES designation mean? Being a SRES agent means that particular agent has had extensive training to ethically serve the needs of clients age 55 years of age and older. Being a SRES agent is a great benefit to buyers and sellers in this age bracket, because it means they are fully prepared to assist clients looking to buy, sell, relocate, or refinance a home. It also means your agent will be able to provide you the best options and information needed to secure a successful close with your personal and financial interests at heart. We intend to have this designation completed by the end of '08.
  
  
• Arizona Associate Broker
  Why should you choose to work with an Associate Broker in Arizona & what does Associate Broker mean? Three words: Experience...Experience...Experience! An Associate Broker is a sales associate who has completed all of the licensing requirements and classes required to be licensed as a real estate broker in Arizona. An Associate Broker must also have an active real estate license for the past 3 years (we do) & is required to adhere to salesperson licensing requirements. We intend to be an Associate Broker by the end of '08.