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| SRES(R) Client Assurance Program Enables Senior Homebuyers and Sellers to Check Designation and License Status of Senior Advantage Real Estate Council(R) Members |
First-of-Its-Kind Program Empowers Consumers to Conduct Third-Party
Credentials Verification
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The Senior Advantage Real Estate
Council(R) (SAREC(R)) today announced an innovative new program that will
enable senior homebuyers and sellers to electronically verify the professional
and state licensing status of its Seniors Real Estate Specialist(R) (SRES(R))
designees.
Through an agreement with SquareTrade, a leading provider of online trust
infrastructure, the SRES(R) Client Assurance program empowers seniors to
electronically conduct a third-party credentials verification before engaging
a REALTOR(R) when buying or selling a home.
"Seniors are increasingly concerned with the potential for fraud or other
forms of financial abuse," said SAREC(R) Senior Advisor Nathan Booth.
"SAREC's Client Assurance program is the first -- and only -- program offering
senior homebuyers and sellers an enhanced level of security and assurance that
no other real estate designation is able to offer. With just one click,
SAREC's Client Assurance program empowers seniors to proactively verify their
REALTORS(R)' credentials prior to forming a relationship.
"This is long overdue in our industry and we are proud to be the first and
only real estate designation to make this independent third-party verification
available as a service to consumers and our SRES(R) designees," Booth said.
"Senior homebuyers and sellers working with a SRES(R) designee now have the
added, unique benefit of being able to independently verify whether a real
estate professional is a licensed REALTOR(R), check for the presence of any
state registered disciplinary actions, and confirm their SRES(R) designation
status."
The SRES(R) Client Assurance program will initially be offered in the
10 states with the largest contingents of SRES(R) designees, and is expected
to phase in nationwide during 2005. Through the SRES(R) Client Assurance
program, SRES(R) designees will be able to display a dynamic seal powered by
SquareTrade's patented technology on designee's Web sites verifying their
membership in the REALTOR(R) organization, their SRES(R) designation, their
status as a real estate licensee, and the presence of any state registered
complaints.
"SquareTrade's and independent studies have shown that both client
confidence and willingness to make purchases dramatically increase when
verification services are made accessible to consumers," said SquareTrade
President and CEO Steve Abernethy. "SquareTrade's electronic seal positively
identifies those REALTORS(R) who have successfully completed SAREC(R)'s
education program and training, and will give consumers the added confidence
that they are dealing with a qualified REALTOR(R) who has met the program's
exacting standards."
A national program since 1998, the Council now has Seniors Real Estate
Specialists(R) in all 50 states and Canada and adds hundreds of new members
every month.
"SAREC(R) is one of the fastest-growing and most timely programs for
REALTORS(R)," said SAREC(R) Chairman of the Board Mike Silvas. "By earning
the SRES(R) designation, REALTORS(R) demonstrate that they possess the
requisite knowledge, expertise and specific training required to counsel
senior clients. SRES(R) designees are prepared to offer senior consumers a
variety of options when making what can be a life-changing decision to buy or
sell a home."
SAREC(R)'s Web site at http://www.seniorsrealestate.com/ provides seniors
and their family members with access to SRES(R) designees in their areas for
assistance.
SquareTrade (http://www.squaretrade.com) is a leading provider of online trust
infrastructure, including merchant verification and reliability programs, and
online dispute resolution service. SquareTrade's primary mission is to build
trust in transactions(TM) and create a safer ecommerce experience.
SquareTrade's patented and patent-pending systems and services create an easy
way for buyers to recognize verified sellers through dynamic customized
SquareTrade Seals and provide an easy way for buyers and sellers to work out
problems online. SquareTrade serves a broad range of industry leaders,
including eBay, Overture (a wholly owned subsidiary of Yahoo!), and the
California Association of REALTORS(R).
SAREC(R) is owned by Real Estate Business Services Inc. (REBS), a
subsidiary of the California Association of REALTORS(R) (C.A.R.). The
California Association of REALTORS(R) (http://www.car.org) is one of the
largest state trade organizations in the United States, with more than 150,000
members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate.
C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.
SOURCE Senior Advantage Real Estate Council
back to topRelated links:
CONTACT:
Media, Mark Giberson of California
Association of REALTORS, +1-213-739-8304, markg@car.org
