If you’ve ever looked at a business card or email signature from a real estate agent and thought, “What are all those letters?”—you’re not alone.
Most people outside of the real estate industry are unaware of what all those letters after an agent’s name mean. Heck, even many insiders don’t know about all the credentials available since just a small percentage of real estate salespeople attain them.
Why Do Real Estate Agents Have Letters After Their Names?
Much like other regulated professions, there is a slew of training above and beyond Hawaii’s real estate licensing requirements that offer varying degrees of enhanced knowledge or specialization.
In the end… what’s most likely relevant to you isn’t which exact certifications have been earned, but the fact that the person you entrust with your largest asset is on top of current trends and industry information. These people are committed to learning all they can to best serve their clients.
The Most Common Real Estate Letters Explained
Let’s start with the ones you’ll see most often in Hawaii.
R & RA — REALTOR® and REALTOR®-Associate
- R = REALTOR®
- RA = REALTOR®-Associate
REALTOR and REALTOR-associate, respectively. These are members of the National Association of REALTORS (NAR) and their local board. Must abide by a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. *Not all real estate agents are REALTORS®.
RB & RS — Real Estate Broker and Real Estate Salesperson
- RB = Real Estate Broker
- RS = Real Estate Salesperson
A real-estate broker or real-estate salesperson. Not affiliated with or regulated by the NAR.
What About Other Real Estate Designations and Certifications?
There are many additional real estate certifications and designations available, covering areas like luxury homes, buyer representation, property management, and investment real estate. See the NAR website with descriptions of the more common designations and certifications. There are various other associations that offer credentials, but these are the ones that are officially endorsed by the National Association of Realtors.
Have Questions About Hawaii Real Estate?
Buying or selling Hawaii real estate? Have real estate questions? Contact me.
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