Page 15 - Delaware Association of Realtors

“It means I’ve gone the extra mile to learn my trade and put in extra work to better myself professionally, which helps you buy or sell your home,” Wooding says.
A commitment to ongoing education is one crucial part of what makes a REALTOR® a trusted partner in what is for most people the largest purchase of their lives.
While designations are completely optional, all licensed real estate agents must take initial and continuing education courses to earn and renew their state licensure.
Stephen Marcus, a REALTOR® and former DAR vice president who helped craft the association’s educational offerings, explains what that means.
Before a real estate agent can earn their state license, they must take a 99-hour course and pass a test. This course is meant to educate people on the regulatory and legal framework around real estate transactions.
Put another way, a graduate of this course is legally allowed to sell real
SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL SECTION
estate, but they may not be a full-fledged REALTOR®. Becoming a REALTOR® means the graduate is committed not only to continued education and growth, but also to conduct their business in accordance with a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, which in turn protects the consumer.
After licensing, each agent must have 21 hours of classroom time every two years. They are required to complete education in each of seven areas, like fair housing and ethics.
An outline of the curriculum for each of these courses must be approved in advance by the Delaware Real Estate Commission. Marcus has earned approval from the commission to teach both pre- and post-licensing education.
For example, at the DAR’s upcoming convention he’s teaching a course called “Practice with Professionalism.” The course will guide learners on an investigation of case studies that detail real interactions with customers to help agents avoid potential problems and help to minimize the issues and delays that can be part of any real estate
transaction.
“We’ll talk about what real agents did and discuss what the ramifications were with the goals of avoiding trouble and building respect and trust with your customers,” Marcus says. The DAR organizes REALTOR® education during its annual convention, held this year on Sept. 24 and 25 in Dover.
REALTOR® education keeps agents up-to-date on the ever-increasing range of legal and regulatory requirements of their profession.
Taking their practice to the next level by teaching courses, earning designations and otherwise pursuing an education is one element of what helps REALTORS® earn trust. In addition, every two years REALTORS® must take training in the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics.
“Our initial and ongoing education and experience is a big part of why we’re trusted to help people make the biggest purchase they’re ever going to make,” Marcus says.
Your REALTOR® is the steward of your journey to homeownership.
Selling Your Home?
Your REALTOR® has a plan:
Help you access current market information, set a fair price, and explain terms and conditions of a sale.
Market your property to other REALTORS® as well as the public in a manner that best fits the property.
Help you evaluate every offer.
Stand by you as you close the sale!
Members of the National Association of REALTORS® not only make your dream a reality, but also
help to build better communities through partnerships with development and housing opportunity programs, commitment to our environment and service initiatives.
Buying A Home?
Your REALTOR® has a plan:
Help you determine your buying power.
Search multiple resources for properties and provide objective information about each.
Help you with negotiations.
Offer guidance during property evaluation.
Stand by you as you close the sale!
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