I’ve sold quite a few short sales over the years and graduated from the school of hard knocks, but in December I earned a real certification for them, the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR) certification. The National Association of Realtors offers the SFR to brokers who want to get the next level of education and skill sets in helping buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions.
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) offers the SFR certification to REALTORS® who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows. It is the newest designation offered by NAR and was just launched in November 2009. The curriculum includes training on counseling sellers for short sales, negotiating with lenders, protecting buyers, limiting risk, and provides resources to stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves.
According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction. Real Estate Brokers who have earned the SFR certification know how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.
Taylor Realty Group is an advocate for homeownership. “We believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just cannot afford to keep their homes, and a foreclosure or a short sale is the best solution. Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional who has earned the SFR certification for these types of sales and purchases.”
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