L.E. Truitt & Associates Believe in Education
Broker Lyn Truitt is: A REALTOR, ABR, CIPS, CRS, GRI, SRES
NOT ALL REAL ESTATE LICENSEES ARE REALTORS!
THE REALTOR TRADEMARK
What is a REALTOR ?
The term REALTOR is a collective membership registered trademark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS and a member of a local association of REALTORS. All members must agree to subscribe to the REALTOR Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics is a three part document addressing the members responsibilities to the public, the client and fellow REALTORS. The Code of Ethics is strictly enforced through the Standards Committee by the local board as well as on the state and national levels.
Local REALTOR Associations
All REALTOR members must belong to one of the Arizona state wide associations and also be a member in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS. Lyn Truitt is a member of the Phoenix Association of REALTORS.
BASIC BELIEFS OF THE REALTOR ASSOCIATION
Protection of property rights
The primary missions of the Arizona and Phoenix Association of REALTORS is to protect the rights of private property owners by recommending and promoting legislation to advance the interest of real property ownership. To preserve professional and ethical standards in real estate transactions as well as comply with and assist in the enforcement and improvement of Arizona statutes for the licensure of real estate brokers and salespeople.
Foster Education
The Arizona and Phoenix Association of REALTORS promotes and encourages educational programs for members in order to increase professional competency. The Associations serve the public as sponsors of education, by offering ongoing licensing education for brokers and real estate agents. The Phoenix Association of REALTORS serves the public by positioning itself on the leading edge of educational development which promotes the advanced standards of REALTOR professionalism in state of Arizona.
Fair Housing
REALTORS in Phoenix join the Arizona Association as leaders in promoting fair housing. Both Associations support the National Association in the practice of promoting equal housing opportunities for all, as set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY
The Association's Equal Housing Statement reads as follows:
"We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin."
REAL ESTATE BROKER
In Arizona a real estate broker can hold a position of much higher accountability than a person having a real estate sales license. To obtain the brokers license one must be active in the real estate business at least three out of the last five years, attend a minimum of 90 hours additional class time, pass the examination given by an approved Arizona real estate school, and must pass the Arizona State Examination. A Real Estate Broker is empowered to supervise the activities of sales associates (agents)
ABR (ACCREDITED BUYER REPRESENTATIVE)
The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Buyers Agent Council (REBAC) of the National Association of REALTORS who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria. The criteria are:
- Complete the comprehensive REBAC course in buyer representation
- Successfully pass a written examination
- Demonstrate a practical experience of having completed a required number of closed real estate transactions in the field of buyer representation.
- Receive recommendations from two of the real estate practitioner's buyer clients
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Be a member in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS
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GRI (GRADUATE OF THE REALTOR INSTITUTE)
First a REALTOR
The GRI designation requires that all designees first be REALTORS (see REALTOR designation). As a REALTOR the designee agrees to abide by the strict Code of Ethics which is enforced by the local, state and national Boards of REALTORS.
Education
To earn the GRI designation a REALTOR must attend many advanced training courses. The comprehensive curriculum covers all aspects of real estate including: real estate law, contract law, laws of agency, advanced finance, appraisal, marketing, fair housing, ethics and environmental issues. These classes, like all higher education are costly and time consuming. A REALTOR hoping to obtain this designation has five years to successfully complete all of the requirements necessary for the GRI designation.
Testing
Each module of the GRI courses have a mastery test as the final hurdle for the potential designee to overcome. The tests confirm that the student has the understanding and ability to implement the course teachings in everyday real estate practices.
Networking
All students of GRI courses have the opportunity to meet and interact with other GRI hopefuls. These relationships are often the beginning of mutual respect and future possibilities for cooperative efforts in making shared transactions successful. Every GRI instructor is interested and available to each student through out the course and continues to be a resource into the future for their students who want or need counsel.
CRS (CERTIFIED RESIDENTIAL SPECIALIST)
The most prestigious designation a REALTOR can obtain. Less than three percent of all real estate licensees nationwide have earned the CRS designation in the last twenty years. To be a CRS the REALTOR must take extremely advanced, detailed courses that cover a range of professional applications. As with the GRI, the CRS requires many hours of class, passing the proficiency test and demonstrating a working knowledge of the material covered.
CRS courses are most demanding
Unlike the GRI courses which are offered locally and somewhat frequently, the CRS designation often requires travel to other cities, sometimes out of state. The curriculum is demanding and the classes are expensive. The CRS designation is for the best of the best.
Testing and experience
The CRS designation requires a comprehensive knowledge of the class material. It also requires testing and demonstration of conceptual understanding of all facets of real estate practice. In addition, the CRS designation requires evidence of an everyday working knowledge of real estate practices and the ability to apply that knowledge by completing a certain number of transactions before the CRS designation is awarded.
Networking
A REALTOR who has made the time, paid the money and passed the rigorous criteria called for to earn the CRS designation will respect other CRS designees. The respect for one another is so great that the CRS designees are willing to cross company affiliations to refer their clients to other CRS' across the country. The reason is clear. A CRS is the highest standard of professional, from an educational, experiential and ethical standpoint.
CERTIFIED INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY SPECIALIST (CIPS)
CIPS is one of the most prestigeous designations awarded by the National Association of REALTORS. There are approximately 500 designees and about 1500 candidates for CIPS world wide. Designees are highly experienced in real estate and in dealing with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. According to the National Association of REALTORS, 85% of all CIPS designees have 10 or more years experience in real estate and 35% have over 20 years in real estate. Those with CIPS designations represent dozens of countries and languages.
Education and experience are a must
In order to earn the CIPS designation the CIPS candidate must attend classes (often held in other states or countries) and demonstrate a knowledge of a variety of international real estate subjects such as:
Skills in analysis of international business environment, including cash flow, currencies, government regulations and cultures. Know practical aspects of international brokerage, networking, marketing and selling.
Learn how to effectively deal with people and transactions from the European Economic community and Eastern Europe.
Study upcoming business opportunities as they relate to the Asia and Pacific regions.
Know how to work with Latin American, Canadian or Caribbean investments or investors in the U.S. or other countries.
Be able to evaluate international opportunities and develop international business and marketing plans.
The CIPS Candidate must document international transactions, advanced education and designations earned in other areas of real estate, show international business related trips, be a REALTOR and preferably speak at least one additional language.
Lyn Truitt is a member of the National Association of REALTORS International Division as well as a Certified International Property Specialist. Lyn has clients from 6 different continents who have relocated to Phoenix from countries, such as: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Switzerland, Yugoslavia. Lyn is currently working with the most highly regarded international relocation service in Arizona. Lyn believes that education, knowledge, experience and patience as well as a commitment to integrity are the groundwork upon which an International Realtor must base all of his dealings.
SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist)
A REALTOR with the SRES designation has the experience and knowledge necessary to become a part of a Senior Property Owner's financial team. They currently average more than 15 years in the real estate field. Their commitment in obtaining this professional designation is proof of their interest in and involvement in Senior Housing Issues. |
