The ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate BUYER’S AGENT Council (REBAC) of the National Association of Realtors who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria.

The ABRM (Accredited Buyer Representative Manager) is a real estate designation course developed in partnership with the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB) specifically for managers, brokers and owners who wish to better incorporate buyer representation into their companies’ service offerings.

The ALC (Accredited Land Consultant) is a real estate designation geared to individuals that specialize in land brokerage transactions such as farms and ranches; undeveloped tracts of land; transitional and development land; subdivision and wholesaling of lots; and site selection and assemblage of land parcels.

The ALHS (Accredited Luxury Home Specialist) is a designation awarded to agents that have completed advanced training and work in the field of selling luxury homes.

A CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) is a recognized expert in the disciplines of commercial and investment real estate. A CCIM is an invaluable resource to the commercial real estate owner, investor and user, and is among an elite corps of 8,600 professionals who hold the CCIM designation across North America and more than 30 countries.

The CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist) is a real estate designation geared towards experts for affluent buyers and sellers.

The CNHS (Certified New Home Specialist) is certification representing professionalism in working with Builders and New Home Buyers.

The CRB designation (Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager) is one of the most respected and relevant designations offered in real estate business management. The CRB community spans nearly 7,000 members worldwide. Through the Council’s leading-edge education and resources, members are among the most efficient, effective and profitable managers in the country.

The CRP (Certified Relocation Professional) is a designation geared toward professionals who have demonstrated a minimum of two years’ experience dealing with relocation issues.

The CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) Designation, awarded by the Council of Residential Specialist, is the highest professional designation awarded to REALTORS® in the residential sales field. Less than 4 percent of all REALTORS hold the CRS Designation.

The e-PRO (Internet Professional) is a certification presented entirely online to certify real estate agents and brokers as Internet Professionals.

The ECO (Environmental COnsultant) Certified REALTOR® - Brokers, have comprehensive
professional training in areas of sustainable design, energy efficient technologies and environmental preservation. ECO Certified REALTOR® - Brokers connect clients with "green resources": lots/land, conservation land trusts, and "green home" programs, such as Energy Star, North Carolina Healthy Built Homes, and LEED Certified Homes. ECO training, by on-site environmental experts, includes air and water quality, as well as slope and sediment control issues specific to our mountain region.

The letters GRI (graduate Realtors Institute) represent the most widely-recognized professional designation in the real estate industry: Graduate, REALTORS® Institute. An individual who earns the GRI designation has voluntarily made a personal commitment to increasing professional service to customers and clients, and to obtaining higher levels of education. The GRI Designation is a mark of distinction that earns a REALTOR® member respect and confidence from their peers and the general public.

The RSPS (Resort/Second Home Property Specialist) certification prepares REALTORS® to service the growing resort and second-home market in their communities.

The SHS (Senior Housing Specialist) is exposed to the tax issues, estate planning and equity conversion needs of the client. Attention is given to the shared experiences of each generation and how that experience affects values, ideals, goals and behavior.

The SIOR (Society of Industrial and Office Realtors)is the leading professional commercial and industrial real estate association. With more than 3,200 members in 562 cities in 20 countries, SIOR represents today’s most knowledgeable, experienced, and successful commercial real estate brokerage specialists.

SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialists) are qualified to meet the special needs and concerns of maturing Americans. By earning the SRES designation, your REALTOR® has demonstrated requisite knowledge and expertise to counsel senior clients through major financial and lifestyle transitions. SRES designees can help you make wise decisions about selling the family home, financing, buying rental property, or managing the capital gains and tax implications of owning real estate, among many other issues. SRES’s offer clients relevant information on current trends in seniors real estate transactions, and can refer you to other professional’ such as attorney’s and C.P.A.’s who also have specialty interest in senior clientele issues.