Professional Designations

We all know that we go to an MD when we're sick, a CPA helps us with our taxes, and that we were under the tutelage of more than a few PhDs during our college years. But what about all those other acronyms out there, especially the ones after the names of people we've met in the building and real estate industry?   Builder and REALTOR designations come from their respective professional trade associations, the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of REALTORS, says Lori Hopper, owner of Ceragraphics and the 2006 chair of the Triangle Sales & Marketing Council, an organization of the Home Builders Associations of Raleigh-Wake County and Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties.  

 'I want my clients to feel confident'  "The 'alphabet soup' of letters behind someone's name indicates levels of training and expertise in the building and real estate professions," Hopper says. "These designations signify to customers that they're working with professionals who have furthered their industry knowledge through classes and hands-on projects."  Hopper furthered her own industry knowledge; she holds the titles of Real Estate Broker, MIRM, CMP and CSP. (See definitions sidebar). Hopper explains why she pursued her industry education: "As a marketing consultant and creative designer, I've always felt I owe it to my clients to bring as much knowledge to the table as possible. I want my clients to feel confident in the decisions I make for them regarding how and where they spend their marketing dollars. Education combined with experience lets my clients know I take my work seriously."

'Knowledge is power'  Jim Cirimele, vice president of sales and marketing for HomeLife Communities, mirrors Hopper's sentiments. "I've always been a firm believer in the adage 'knowledge is power,'" he says. "From my start in real estate 14 years ago, I wanted to learn as much as I could. I've always felt that the more I understood about the industry, the better I could interact with customers, colleagues, developers and numerous others involved in this great profession. Education has opened many doors for me, in addition to increased knowledge. The relationships formed through the people I've met in classes are invaluable to me."  A REALTOR, MIRM, CMP, and CSP, Cirimele has taken his education one step further than many. He's a faculty member of the University of Housing of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and an instructor for several classes, including Certified New Home Sales Professional, House Construction as a Selling Tool, and Essential Closing Strategies. Cirimele is also currently serving his second year of a three- year term on the National Sales & Marketing Council, a division of the NAHB.   

"Years ago, as I was taking an IRM [Institute of Residential Marketing] course, Bonnie Alfriend, one of the national industry 'gurus,' took me under her wing and encouraged me to not only obtain my designations, but to also become a course instructor and pursue a leadership role in the NAHB," says Cirimele. "I followed her advice, and I've enjoyed great rewards in teaching and learning  ever since." 

Understanding the 'big picture'  Newer to the world of new home construction and real estate is Zach Schabot, real estate broker on The Wood Team of RE/MAX Partners. Having worked in real estate-related sales since graduating in 2001 from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Schabot says that obtaining his Broker's license in 2005 and the MIRM designation in early 2006 were goals he established for himself to help build client credibility.  "I realized early on that in order to be successful as a younger member of this industry, I would need to do something to set myself apart," says Schabot. "Obtaining these designations has helped me to understand the big picture of new home marketing and how all the puzzle pieces fit together. The knowledge I've gained from this training has helped me to become more of an independent thinker? And I think this commitment to education has increased my professionalism and creativity, which truly  benefits my clients."  "On a more personal level, I'll tell you that my [MIRM] membership in a group filled with true industry leaders really means something to me," he continues. "I'm proud to be a part of a 'society' of such successful individuals." 

Helping professionals achieve  The Triangle Sales & Marketing Council (TSMC) of the Home Builders Associations of Raleigh-Wake County and Durham, Orange and Chatham Counties, along with many Triangle-area companies, encourage their employees to advance their  industry knowledge through obtaining these and other professional designations. The TSMC even formed a committee in 2000 called "MIRM-aid" to help individuals tackle the challenging tasks involved in writing a case study for the MIRM designation. Jim Cirimele served as chair of that committee in one of its early years of formation, and Lori Hopper has taught classes and counseled numerous candidates as they have worked on their papers. MIRM-aid continues to assist many aspiring MIRMs in the Triangle today.  

What's the difference between a REALTOR and  a Broker?  The National Association of REALTORS? (NAR) also provides an extensive menu of programs to assist members in  increasing their knowledge, skills and productivity. A  REALTOR, by the way, is an individual who is licensed by the state to sell property and is a member of the NAR. A Real Estate Broker is an individual who has met the requirements of  REALTOR licensure and who has additionally obtained a license that entitles him to own, manage, or be in charge of a real estate firm. Continuing education is required to maintain REALTOR? and Real Estate Broker licensure. 

Design-savvy  One other designation you may frequently see if you're embarking upon decorating your home is that of ASID. The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) is the oldest, largest and most prestigious professional organization for interior designers. Members of ASID have achieved the highest levels of accomplishment and knowledge in their field, as they have successfully passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification examination. For more information on ASID, visit www.asid.org.  

Going the extra mile  As you've probably realized by now, we are surrounded by  highly educated professionals in the building and real estate arena. Although the designations described here don't take the place of experience and other personal attributes, they do signify that the individuals who have pursued them have taken initiative to increase their knowledge and add value to their client interactions. This brings us to another title these folks could add to their portfolios? SMART!

National Association of Homebuilders 

If you're looking for a builder, below is a cheat sheet for everything you'll need to know before you make a hiring decision. 

Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) A designation emphasizing business and project management skills. 

Graduate Master Builder (GMB) A designation with more advanced builder courses and in-depth instruction geared for experienced building professionals. 

Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR)   A designation emphasizing business management skills as the key to a professional remodeling operation. 

Certified New Home Sales Professional (CSP) Specialists in new home sales earn this designation to enhance their professional image, increase their marketability in the home building industry, and sell more homes. 

Master Certified New Home Sales Professional (MCSP) Acknowledging the continued educational achievements of graduates of the CSP program. 

Certified New Homes Marketing Professional (CMP)  The mid-level designation for Institute of Residential Marketing (IRM) students who have completed the  marketing-intensive IRM courses I-IV: Understanding Housing Markets and Consumers; Marketing Strategies, Plans and Budgets; Lifestyle Merchandising, Advertising and Promotion Strategies; and The Challenge of New Home Sales Management. 

Member, Institute of Residential Marketing (MIRM) This designation signifies top level achievement for professionals in new home marketing. Candidates must have  successfully completed the four IRM required courses,  earn 50 elective credits, have at least three years of new home sales and marketing experience and write a case study that demonstrates their overall marketing expertise. 

For a complete list of NAHB professional designations, visit www.nahb.org and click first on Education, then on Designations.