Our Real Estate Credentials and What They Mean

The Sigler Group is a Tampa-based real estate agency led by award-winning real estate agent (and Tamba Bay native) Becky Sigler. The Sigler Group was founded with the principles of transparency, hard work, and top-notch customer service. With over a decade of experience, our team constantly works on continuing education to best serve our clients, and our long list of credentials proves it! In this blog, we share what they mean.

National Association of Realtors (NAR) REALTOR®

All REALTORS® are real estate agents, but did you know that not all real estate agents are REALTORS®? The terms “real estate agent” and “realtor” are often used interchangeably, but the two have important distinctions. Any good agent worth their salt will provide you with expert guidance, expanded search power with their MLS access, and killer negotiation skills, but REALTORS® take it a step further by adhering to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and being able to provide the latest technologies available in the industry. The NAR is more than just a credential - it’s a hugely powerful organization that provides real estate agents with second-to-none education opportunities. Fun facts - did you know the NAR governs the hundreds of MLS systems throughout the United States or that they are the 2nd largest top spender in lobbying after the U.S. Chamber of Commerce?

Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI)

Increased knowledge and skills in various technical subjects and real estate fundamentals. “Having your GRI is like having a Master’s Degree in real estate,” says The Sigler Group founder Becky Sigler. “It shows a commitment to continuing education and advanced knowledge about real estate best practices.” Getting your GRI requires 120 hours of coursework with exams after each module, followed by a state exam - it’s no easy feat!

Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR)

REALTORS® that have met strict educational and practical requirements set by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC). At The Sigler Group, we love helping people find and purchase their homes and believe it's imperative that buyers work with an ABR, especially when buying their first home. As a home buyer, you should be represented. A buyer’s agent, particularly an ABR®, forms a contractual relationship with a client, the same relationship a seller has when signing a listing agreement with an agent. Just as the listing agent can’t disclose her seller’s bottom line, an ABR® cannot disclose her client’s maximum. While any real estate agent can represent a buyer, not all buyer’s agents have the experience and dedication of an ABR®. When every dollar of a purchase price counts, it pays to have someone highly trained to negotiate the price, terms, and conditions to your advantage.

Military Relocation Professional (MRP)

REALTORS®, who earn the MRP certification, know how to work with military personnel and veterans to find housing solutions that best meet their needs. As the daughter of a veteran herself (her dad was a 32-year military policeman and WWII veteran), The Sigler Group founder Becky Sigler is passionate about helping military members, veterans, and their families buy and sell their homes. When it comes time for a military professional to relocate, fast timelines and coordinating transactions from afar are top of mind. We are happy to consult with families relocating to the greater Tampa Bay area (to work at MacDill Air Force Base) and will be your expert guide during your home purchase process. If you’re currently a local resident with new orders and will be moving, we would love to represent you in your sale. We are also well-versed in VA loans and are honored to be of service to those who serve our country.

Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA)

This certification is awarded to REALTORS® who have completed strict educational training that gives them skills in pricing properties, creating comparative market analysis, working with appraisers, and guiding clients through their anxieties and misperceptions about home values. Making smart real estate investments in the greater Tampa Bay market today requires strategic thinking, research, analyzing and understanding market data, and more. By working with a PSA, you can rest assured your transaction will be data-informed and guided by a total professional. Sigler states that “having the knowledge of being able to price something accurately in today’s market is key. Missing the mark on price can lose money or cause your home to sit on the market longer than necessary. I don’t like to have any shortfalls.”

Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR)

Knows how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales and help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities. While short sales are uncommon (there were only eight short sales in all of Hillsborough County in 2021), we’re your go-to if you’re pursuing this sale or purchase. Sigler states, “I don’t think the number of short sales will increase in 2022, but more than likely in 2023.” If you’re a potential seller of this type of property, we can connect you with finance, tax, and legal professionals who we trust, guide you in qualifying for this type of sale, negotiate with your lender, and more. Some of the unique challenges during this type of transaction as a buyer relate mostly to limiting risk and being protected financially, so working with an experienced local agent is a must!

Seller Representative Specialist (SRS)

If you are considering selling your home, work with a Seller Representative Specialist. REALTORS® with the SRS Designation after their name have met specific educational and practical experience criteria in representing sellers and can guide you through a successful transaction. When selling your property in Tampa, Riverview, Fishhawk Ranch, South Tampa, or the nearby areas, you want to work with someone with deep knowledge of the local market who has your best interest at heart. Our customer, Daniel Rees, said it best with this recent five-star review of our SRS services:

“Becky really went above and beyond what we expected during the sale of our home. She was very attentive to our concerns and questions, and she was always available to chat … The strategy she worked out for our sale was great, and she did everything within her power to get us the best deal possible while making the experience stress-free. I highly recommend Becky Sigler for anyone looking for a real estate agent.”

At Home with Diversity (AHWD)

Relays to the public that those certified have been professionally trained and are sensitive to various cultural issues. We have always believed everyone deserves to pursue the “American Dream” of home ownership regardless of race, religion, immigration status, sexual orientation, or other aspects. We are happy to work with buyers and sellers from all walks of life and promise to provide the best service possible while ensuring you are treated fairly and legally by all parties involved in your transaction.

Continuing education is paramount for any real estate agent, and earning and maintaining your credentials demonstrates a commitment to providing the best quality service possible. At The Sigler Group, we strive to be the best-informed agents in the greater Tampa Bay area to give our clients a great buying or selling experience. Contact us today via our website form or call (813) 765-6667.