The Certified Default Resolution Specialist™ Designation (CDRS) is verification that a REALTOR® has taken the initiative to become an educated and prepared advocate on the behalf of a homeowner in distress. Earned by completing a comprehensive curriculum via America’s Home Rescue, real estate agents with the CDRS designation are equipped with the expertise to help distressed property owners avoid foreclosure.

As a CDRS designated REALTOR®, I am committed to helping people who are facing foreclosure by finding the right solution for their individual needs and seeing the issue resolved. A portion of my CDRS designation course work involved short sales. Previously, short sales were a rarely accepted alternative by lenders, but in today's world they are increasingly becoming a viable option. Although more common in recent years, lender's still want the right deal with the right paperwork, and most real estate agents without the CDRS designation do not know the specifics. The CDRS course has taught me how to submit the proper documents to a variety of lenders as well as negotiation skills, allowing for quick resolve to a short sale. The education of a CDRS designated agent is continual, as CDRSs from across the county provide information to America’s Home Rescue for a continual flow of new information to share with other CDRS designated agents.

The SFR is a certification recognized by the National Association of Realtors® to help homeowners facing foreclosure and buyers of short sale and foreclosure properties.

“Streamlining short sales and foreclosure processes is essential for real estate recovery and economic stability,” said NAR President Charles McMillan, “Realtors® are an important part of this effort, and this new certification will give NAR members the skills, knowledge and resources they need to help families on both sides of the transaction.”

According to NAR data, nearly one-third of all recent existing home sales were either short sales or foreclosures. Some short sale transactions are reportedly taking six months to nearly a year to close. The length of time to complete the transaction has frustrated many buyers, thus preventing some sellers from avoiding foreclosure through a short sale. Through this certification and other programs, NAR is working to help streamline short sales and help more families avoid foreclosure.