3. Listing agent
A listing agent, also known as a seller’s agent, represents the property seller. They have a fiduciary responsibility to protect the seller’s interest above their own. For example, a listing agent cannot tell a buyer that the seller is willing to sell at a lower price than the listing indicates.
Most of these professionals enter into exclusive listing agreements with the seller, meaning the seller can’t list the property with another agent or sell himself for a specified period. The seller’s agent can be a real estate agent or broker.
4. Military Relocation Professional (MRP)
Military Relocation Professionals (MRPs) have completed a NAR training program to serve active and former military service members better.
Approximately 400,000 service members receive Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders every year. The majority of them choose to live in private housing, meaning they need to sell their home fast upon receiving a PCS. MRPs understand these sellers’ language, needs, challenges, and deadlines.
Trapp says he will “drop everything” for his military clients because New Orleans is a military town. Thanks to having VA lenders among his contacts, Trapp knows that military clients can often get into a house with less out-of-pocket expense than would be required in a rental. He also understands the nuances of funding fees.
Some of the benefits of working with an MRP include:
- They are familiar with the procedures and processes of military relocation.
- They are willing to work with tight deadlines and have a network to help meet them.
- They have relationships with VA lenders and understand the ins and outs of VA financing.
- They have a network of military-specialized tax experts and cross-country moving companies.
- They have exclusive access to resources for marketing military-owned homes.
5. Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES)
Senior Real Estate Specialists are Realtors® who train to meet the unique challenges and needs of clients aged 50 and over.
Because many seniors have lived in their homes for 10 to 15 years or more, the thought of moving is very emotional. SRES-certified agents counsel senior clients through tough decisions. These agents also learn no-pressure methods and the guidelines and exemptions of senior housing developments and communities under the Housing for Older Persons Act.
SRES training covers many other topics relevant to seniors, such as:
- Capital gains
- Financing real estate purchases with pensions, IRAs, 401ks, and other retirement accounts
- Reverse mortgages
- Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security’s impact on property and finances
- Senior communities resources
- Estate planning
