IQ Home Buying Guide

Part II. Shopping for a Home

REALTOR® Related Terminology

Here are brief descriptions of various terms and designations that you may see associated with a REALTOR®.

REALTOR®: These persons are usually the owner, partner, or corporate officer of a real estate firm. They must be actively involved in the real estate profession.
REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®: These persons are actively involved in the real estate profession but are usually affiliated with or employed by a REALTOR®.
ABR — Accredited Buyer Representative: These persons have passed the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) ABR course and provided documentation of buyer agency experience.
ABRM — Accredited Buyer Representative Manager: These persons have passed both the REBAC ABR and ABRM courses, and provided documentation of management experience.
ALC — Accredited Land Consultant: These persons have specialized in one of 5 land brokerage areas: farms and ranches; undeveloped tracts of land; transitional and development land; subdivision and wholesaling of lots; site selection, and assemblage of land parcels. Completion of specific REALTORS® Land Institute (RLI) courses and extensive experience is required.
CRB — Certified Real Estate Brokerage Management: These persons have completed the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers educational and professional requirements in brokerage management.
CRS — Certified Residential Specialists: These persons have completed advanced training in selling residential properties. They must also have extensive experience. Council of Residential Specialists.
GRI — Graduate REALTOR® Institute: These persons have completed coursework in areas such as marketing and servicing listings and real estate law.

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