The Coastal Association of Realtors (CAR), who represent Worcester, Wicomico and Somerset counties, now offers a two-day continuing education certification program for licensed Realtors called the Coastal Area Local Specialist (CALS) program.
The purpose of the CALS certification is to help real estate professionals distinguish themselves by gaining valuable knowledge, skills and proficiency in unique local real estate issues and acknowledge their experience and expertise within the three counties the association serves.
To apply, an application documenting all of the required criteria must be submitted. The following criteria must be met:
• The candidate must be a Realtor member for at least two years (or have taken the GRI training if less than two years) and be in current good standing with their primary Realtor association
• The applicant must provide proof of participation from their broker or supervisor in at least ten listing and/or selling transactions in the past two years in Worcester, Wicomico, and/or Somerset counties
• The candidate must complete the eligibility requirements within two years of certification application
• Payment is $200 for members of CAR or $300 for non-members.
The courses that must be competed are:
• Condominium/second home financing
• Rental property
• Ocean City areas
• Ocean Pines areas
• Well and septic systems
• Flood insurance
• USDA Financing/Renovation Lending
• New construction
Agents who complete the certification will have their contact information displayed on a special “Coastal Area Local Specialist” page on the CAR website, access to a private group Facebook page, receive a bi-annual newsletter, and receive a paper certificate and a logo pin. The second offering of CALS is on Sept. 20 and 23. Contact CAR for further information at coastalrealtors.org.
Lauren Bunting is a Broker with Keller Williams Realty of Delmarva in Ocean City, Maryland.
