New Northwest Property Strategy

Resort Certification Demonstrates Expertise in Second-Home and Resort Market

2008-10-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact:
Thomas Tagen
Tomlinson North Idaho Sotheby’s International Realty
208.666.6237
866.594.5988
nnwps.com

Resort Certification Demonstrates Expertise in Second-Home and Resort Market

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, August 28, 2008 — Introduced in January 2006, the Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) Certification is a nationally-recognized certification awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® to real estate professionals who wish to demonstrate and promote – to consumers and their peers alike – their expertise in the varied specialty.

According to an NAR survey, more than 140,000 REALTORSÒ currently work in resort area and second home markets. Just about every market contains second-home properties, not just obvious resort areas. In addition to classic vacation homes, the niche also includes college housing and properties for investment purposes.

“The RSPS certification program is unlike any other professional certification or designation,” said Allan ‘Dutch’ Dechert, 2008 chair of the NAR Resort & Second-Home Committee and a RSPS. “It takes specialized skills and knowledge to maximize the business opportunities in resort and second-home markets. You need to be able to communicate your proficiency in this aspect of real estate. RSPS Certification lets everyone know you’re serious about lifestyle real estate.”

The program focuses on developing the knowledge and skill base that real estate professionals need to specialize in buying, selling, or managing second homes in a resort, recreational, and/or vacation destination and properties for investment, development, or retirement. In order to achieve the RSPS Certification, REALTORSÒ are required to take two core courses. They must also complete two electives or hold the ABRÒ, CIPS, CPMÒ or CRS designations. REALTORSÒ or consumers interested in learning more about the program may log on to www.Realtor.org/Resort or contact NAR Resort Specialties at 800/874-6500, Ext. 8393.

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Thomas Tagen Earns GRI

2007-03-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

REALTOR® EARNS GRI TITLE

News Release
An Idaho REALTOR® was recently awarded the Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation. The Coeur d’Alene Association member who completed the curriculum required to achieve the highly acclaimed designation is Thomas Tagen of Tomlinson Black North Idaho, Inc. He joins other top producers in the residential real estate industry who hold the designation across the nation.

Thomas Tagen earned the "Graduate REALTOR® Institute" (GRI) designation by attending a specific, intensive series of a minimum of 90 hours of classroom instruction, covering a variety of subjects including: contract law, professional standards, sales and marketing, finance, and risk reduction.

In addition, they have learned the fundamentals of brokerage and other areas of real estate specialization. With this designation and through increased awareness of current topics important to the real estate professional, such as legal issues, these REALTORS® can better serve prospective clients and customers.

The REALTOR® Institute is designed to educate practitioners about local, state and national real estate practices that affect them, their clients and customers. The Institute is taught by leading real estate professionals from around the country.

The GRI designation sets the individuals who have attained it apart from other practitioners because it indicates to the public that the individual has obtained a professional educational foundation on which to base the services they provide and that they are a member of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®.

Obtaining the GRI designation is a beneficial way for a REALTOR® to advance theirprofessional image. The extra measure of knowledge and prestige achieved by completing this course work is a tool that will advance a career in real estate on attracting and building new business.

The REALTOR® Institute has been in existence more than twenty-five years old and has graduated thousands of REALTORS®.

For more information about the GRI designation, contact the Idaho REALTOR® Institute.

THOMAS TAGEN EARNS INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION TRANSNATIONAL REFERRAL CERTIFIED (TRC)

2007-03-15T16:58:00.001-07:00

THOMAS TAGEN EARNS INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION
December 2006 - Thomas Tagen has been awarded the Transnational Referral Certified (TRC) professional mark from the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA). Thomas Tagen is affiliated with ICREA through his membership in the National Association of Realtors, one of more than 25 leading national real estate associations that form the global consortium.

Thomas Tagen is one of the first agents in this area, and one of a growing number of professionals in North Idaho to earn the TRC, reflecting the increasingly global nature of the real estate industry. Thomas Tagen is affiliated with Tomlinson Black.

The Transnational Referral Certification was developed to help real estate professionals better serve clients and customers who are looking to buy or sell real property outside their own country and who will benefit from working with a real estate professional in that foreign market. TRC certified real estate professionals are trained not only in the mechanics of cross-border client referrals, but also in how to work in the client’s best interests in the same manner they would a domestic client. All TRCs adhere to a national professional code of conduct.

“In today’s complex market, where people are increasingly buying and selling internationally, whether for a resort or retirement home or as an investment, it’s important to work with someone who understands the local market and laws—particularly those that apply to foreign ownership,” said Thomas Tagen. “The TRC helps me to ensure that my clients receive the same level of service and professionalism abroad that I provide them here at home.” In The USA, only members of the National Association of Realtors can earn the Transnational Referral Certification.

Through ICREA, TRC certified professionals have access to a network of 2 million real estate professionals in more than 25 countries, 3 million listings, and can easily locate professionals who have received training specifically in handling cross-border client referrals.

The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations represents 26 leading real estate associations located in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela. These organizations represent approximately two million practitioners and their countries collectively represent $25 trillion of GDP.