Meet the Specialists

Thirty top real estate agents from seven leading brokerage firms achieved the esteemed New York Residential Specialist (NYRS) designation this spring, adding them to the ranks of this elite group.

 

Following an eight week sold out course offered by The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY), graduates joined with instructors for a celebratory reception on April 11, 2011.

 

The NYRS credential identifies those agents who have completed a graduate level of study and are at the top tier of success. Dedicated to raising the bar, these agents comprise a powerful peer group committed to professional excellence.

 

First awarded in 2007, REBNY’s NYRS designation recognizes leading residential agents. As the highest professional credential, it is awarded to those qualified Associate Brokers who have successfully completed an advanced educational program designed specifically for the nuances of the New York City market. Created by brokers for brokers, the NYRS course covers real estate law, macro-economics, commercial real estate, ethics, negotiation, marketing, and technology. Each semester, the curriculum is revised to reflect changing market conditions and emerging issues.

 

The fall session begins September 26, 2011, and spaces are filling quickly. Brokers who seek to enroll in the program must be recommended by their managers and have completed at least 50 transactions in NYC valued at a minimum of $50 million in sales or $17 million in rentals.

 

Addressing the crowd at the April party, NYRS Committee Co-chairs Shirley Hackel, Executive Managing Director at Warburg Realty, and Frank Russo, Vice President at Halstead congratulated the graduates.

 

“We’re especially looking forward to the challenge of taking NYRS to the next level. Our goal is to raise consumer awareness for the credential. In the months ahead, we’ll be launching a marketing program with online banner advertising and a blog site.” Hackel thanked Met Life Home Loans for being a lead sponsor of the program, and acknowledged that more companies will be joining as supporters to underwrite program costs.