BY DEBORAH BOZA-VALLEDOR
Chief Operating Officer Realtor Association of Greater Miami and the Beaches Set Yourself Apart in 2007.
In addition, RAMB is proud to offer eight new RAMB Competitive Advantage Certificate programs to expand and enhance a Realtor’s skill, knowledge and productivity in specialized areas of real estate. Specifically geared to today’s rapidly changing market, The RAMB Competitive Advantage Certificate programs will demonstrate to your customers and clients your dedication and proficiency in servicing their real estate needs.
RAMB presents over 700 seminars and events each year at its headquarters and loca- tions throughout Greater Miami and the Beaches and South Broward. For more infor- mation about the NAR designation and certification programs being offered at RAMB, plus the RAMB Competitive Advantage Certificate Programs, visit www.miamire.com and click “Education.”
Buying and selling property today is a complex and sometimes stressful task. In fact, it’s often the biggest single investment many people will make in a life- time. At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated.
New technology, laws, procedures and the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers require real estate practitioners to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism. So today, in 2007, it’s more important than ever for buyers and sellers to work with an agent who has a keen understanding of the real estate business, an agent who has something that will benefit the buyer or seller, that some- thing extra that sets them apart from all others — that “Competitive Advantage.”
Just what is the Competitive Advantage? It can be seen in successful agents who up-to- date on the issues, evolving technology, changing legalities and many other compo- nents central to the real estate business. You can gain a competitive advantage through our advanced education, designation and certifica- tion courses tailored to virtually every real estate specialty.
Earn a designation that makes a difference to your customers, to your level of service and increases your income. In today’s competitive business environment, an agent needs more than just motivation and initiative to succeed; an agent needs the Competitive Advantage of education. It indicates to buyers, sellers and other real estate industry professionals that you have made the commitment to provide a high level of professional service to your cli- ents by securing a strong educational foundation.
According to a recent member survey con- ducted by The National Association of
Realtors (NAR), Realtors without a NAR designation earned a median of $40,900, while those with a designation earned over $80,000 annually.
Two such designations are the CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) and CRS (Certified Residential Specialist), prestigious commercial and residential desig- nations. Only 6 percent of the estimated 125,000 commercial real estate practitioners nationwide hold the CCIM designation, which reflects not only the caliber of the pro- gram, but also why it is one of the most coveted and respected designations in the industry. CCIMs successfully complete approximately 156,000 transactions annually, representing more than $400 billion.
Less than 4 percent of all licensed Realtors are Certified Residential Specialists, However, CRS designees account for 25 percent of all residential real estate transactions. CRSs com- plete an average of 32 transactions per year with average gross sales of $7 million. This compares to Realtors who work as sales agents who complete an average of 10 transactions for gross sales of $1 million to $1.5 million annu- ally. Additionally, those with the CRS designation earn a median income of $160,500 — nearly four times the median income of Realtors who sell residential real estate.
The Realtor Association of Greater Miami and The Beaches (RAMB) and the Realtors Commercial Alliance (RCA) is presenting a full selection of NAR designation and certifi- cation programs in 2007: CCIM, CRS, Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS), Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI), Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA) and the Transnational Referral Certification