In order to find the best Huntsville realtor for your needs, you’ll need to be aware of various real estate designations, along with some general information about real estate professionals and Huntsville real estate.

Huntsville Realtor

Finding a good Huntsville realtor is the first step to taking advantage of the great, reasonably priced real estate that Huntsville has to offer. Unfortunately, realtors don’t come one-size-fits-all. The realtor who did such a great job helping your sister sell her home may be a disappointment to you if you enlist his aid to help you buy a condo. It’s important to be aware of the most common basic realtor designations, as well as a few general rules, before you select a realtor to help you buy or sell real estate in Huntsville.

Common Huntsville Realtor Designations:

Salesperson: By far the most common designation, the real estate Salesperson is the most basic designation and is more commonly known simply as a “real estate agent.”

Broker: The real estate Broker is essentially a Salesperson who has qualified for managerial status by completing additional Broker training and passing an additional section on the licensing exam.

Realtor: Most people use this designation interchangeably with “real estate agent,” or “real estate salesperson,” but a certified Realtor is actually one cut above the rest, since he or she is a member of the National Association of Realtors and therefore meets ethical and continuing education requirements, along with having all the resources of the Association at his or her disposal.

ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative): More commonly known as a buyer’s agent, the ABR has completed courses in buyer representation and has passed a buyer representative test. There is also the ABRM (Accredited Buyer Representative Manager), who is essentially a broker specifically for buyer’s agents.

CRS (Certified Residential Specialist): This is the most prestigious designation, and to have earned it, an agent must have practiced real estate for at least 10 years. If you are buying or selling a residential property, getting a CRS to represent you is the ideal.

Other: Many other real estate designations exist, some of which you may want to look into if your transaction will involve specialty property such as commercial property, large amounts of land, or multi-million dollar homes. The list of designations above is in no way comprehensive and merely contains the most frequently encountered designations.

Tips for Finding a Good Huntsville Realtor:

In order to legally practice Huntsville real estate, whether the real estate professional is a salesperson, broker, buyer’s agent, or CRS, he or she must be licensed to practice real estate specifically in Alabama, since every state has its own requirements. The agent also must have a current, updated license (make sure he or she is not trying to practice with an expired one).

Huntsville Real Estate Market Information:

Huntsville real estate is, in general, quite affordable. The average home costs just under $100,000, and this may account for the fact that most residents of Huntsville homes are owners rather than renters. Huntsville homes tend to be older than national averages, with the largest number of homes having been built during the ‘60s, but the area is still growing; although it’s primarily starter homes that are being newly built (average cost of new home constructions in 2003 was around $42,000.

Although Huntsville property is, in general, quite affordable, you’ll still want to obtain the aid of a qualified real estate professional to help you make the most profitable transaction, whether you’re buying or selling. We recommend that you find your Huntsville realtor according to his or her designation; select from the designation that seems the best fit for your real estate needs.

A REALTOR® is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®