I have been on a personal "soap box" and cannot be more thankful that the NAR has listened and understands how important it is to provided standardized education to all of it's members. I have earlier blog postings about my personal feelings about the need to made a legitimate certification available to all Realtors. http://activerain.com/blogs/lynncooper/archives/2009/06
As other professional Realtors respectfully shared their comments, so did the founders of one of the largest private companies who were offering "Certification" at a premium cost. I have no doubt that their course was well organized and valuable. My issue was not with the quality of the course that was being offered. Rather, my angst/issue was that they were presenting their course, as were others, as a real certification. When, in reality, they are not. The other problem I saw was the high cost of these courses and how pressure and manipulation through advertisement was used. Telling already financially challenged Realtors that if they don't get "their" certification, then they are not going to be professionally recognized as knowledgeable. I had so many emails from at least 6 different private companies putting the pressure on and using scare tactics to sell their courses! Now, the playing field is fair... An NAR Certification cannot be disputed. And, they will allow all Realtors to gain the same LEGITIMATE CERTIFICATION. This is ESSENTIAL to our professional Licenses and our profession as Realtors®. Thank you NAR! www.realtorSFR.org
NAR Helps Realtors® Make Short Work of Short Sales
Washington, August 26, 2009
Nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures, according to National Association of Realtors® data. To help Realtors® meet the needs of home buyers and sellers who need these services, NAR has launched a new Short Sales and Foreclosure Certification Program (SFR).
"Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers, but it's extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a Realtor® for these kinds of purchases," said NAR President Charles McMillan, a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas-Fort Worth. "Realtors® add value to the real estate transaction with their extensive knowledge and market insights, and this new certification will help them serve a growing need."
The SFR certification program is offered by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council of NAR. The program includes training on how to manage short-sale, foreclosure, and real-estate owned transactions, and provides resources to help Realtors® stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves.
To earn the certification, Realtors® must complete a one-day education program, either in-person or online, as well as three one-hour Webinars. The certification program will be offered at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo in San Diego, Nov. 13-16.
"As Realtors®, we believe that any family that loses their home to foreclosure is one family too many," said McMillan. "Unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes. A short sale can help families protect their credit by avoiding a foreclosure. When a foreclosed or REO property is sold, it helps the surrounding community by reducing the impact of those properties on home values in the immediate area."
For more information regarding the SFR Certification visit www.realtorSFR.org.
The National Association of Realtors®, "The Voice for Real Estate," is America's largest trade association, representing 1.2 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.
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