Designations, Certifications & Affiliations

Here is information on these Designations, Certifications & The Affiliations and Memberships to the related Associations, Councils & Organizations:

What is the Value of Using a REALTOR® with an ABR® Designation?

Why should you look for the ABR® (Accredited Buyer Representative) Designation before looking for a home?  These three letters after your agent´s name tell you that you´ll be working with someone committed to your best interests, someone who has both made education a career priority, and has also demonstrated the abilities needed to provide the finest in buyer representation.  This designation requires 16 hours of classroom instruction and a final exam as well as elective credit and performance provisions.  To find Christopher on the national directory of ABR designated agents go to: REBAC.net/Profile

Why use an AHWD® Certified REALTOR?

The AHWD® (At Home with Diversity) Certification is a ground-breaking professional education initiative designed to provide America’s real estate professionals with training and tools to expand their business as well as home ownership opportunities for more Americans.  AHWD® certification relays to the public that those certified have been professionally trained in and are sensitive to a wide range of cultural issues inviting a wider volume of business from a greater variety of cultures.  To learn more go to: REALTOR.org

What is a BPOR Certified REALTOR®?

The current housing market presents many challenges to our real estate industry, few more important than valuation. Evaluating properties depends more than ever on professional expertise and competence, the best use of technology, and a commitment to approach the valuation assignment from all pertinent perspectives.  “BPOs: The Agent’s Role in the Valuation Process” is specifically designed to help residential real estate agents and brokers enhance their skills in creating BPOs, reducing risk, and applying alternative valuation techniques.  To about the certification go to: http://bpor.org/about-bpor/

Why use a REALTOR® that has the CDPE© Designation when Marketing or Searching for Distressed Property?

The Charfen Institute teaches Agents to efficiently and effectively help homeowners in distress avoid foreclosure and sell their properties & conduct ongoing research and provide education regarding the changes in the subprime, foreclosure, short sale and probate markets.   Agents that earn the CDPE© (Certified Distressed Property Expert) Designation are prepared to assist Sellers & Buyers in navigating these complex transactions.  To learn more go to: CDPE.com

Why should you use a REALTOR® that has the CLHMS® Designation when Marketing or Searching for a Luxury Property?

There are so many differences in searching for or marketing Luxury Properties.  Only the CLHMS® (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist) is formally trained to understand the differences in services that are required or expected when working within the upscale marketplace and with its clientele.  The CLHMS® Designee has a specialized focus on services of those that are buying, selling or investing in Luxury real estate. Designees are required to maintain a membership with The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing.  To find Christopher in the national directory of CLHMS® designated agents go to: CLHMS.org and search by: St. Charles, IL.

Why Choose a Certified New Home Specialist® Designee?

As a prospective new home buyer, there are many questions to answer, a wide variety of builders and communities to evaluate, and a multitude of choices and options to consider.  Unfortunately for many, the new home buying process seems so confusing, they simply give up on that dream. That’s where the experience and training of a CNHS™ (Certified New Home Specialist) Designee come in.  Their ability to provide the guidance, market information, organizational tools and guidance to help you sort through the confusing issues and take control of the process.  They are dedicated to helping you make the very best decisions in building or buying your new home.

What’s a CRS®?

The Certified Residential Specialist® (CRS) is the highest Designation awarded to sales associates in the residential sales field. The CRS® Designation recognizes professional accomplishments in both experience and education.  Since 1977 the Council of Residential Specialists® has been conferring the CRS Designation on agents who meet its stringent requirements.  Less than 4% of all REALTORS® are CRS Designees.  Visit Christopher on his CRS Profile page at: http://crs.com/Display_Member?rec=6569959  To learn more about CRS® on their national web site at: CRS.com

Why Use a REALTOR® with an e-PRO® Certification?

An e-PRO® (e-Professional) is a REALTOR® who has successfully completed the e-PRO® training program for real estate professionals.  Endorsed by the NAR® (National Association of REALTORS®), the e-PRO® Certification course teaches real estate professionals the nuts and bolts of working with real estate on-line: web sites, e-mail, on-line tools, and most of all, what today´s consumer really wants.  This Certification requires approximately 30 hours of on-line training including four module exams and a final exam.  To find Christopher’s national e-PRO profile go to: http://www.epronar.com/RosterProfile.aspx?RID=15975  To search for Christopher on the national directory of e-PRO certified agents go to: ePROnar.com and search by my last name.

What Makes a REALTOR® GREEN Designee?

The National Association of REALTORS® has created a green designation and benefits program tailored for real estate agents. NAR’s Green Designation provides advanced training in green building and sustainable business practices so that you can seek out, understand, and market properties with green features.  To find Christopher in the national directory go to:  http://www.greenresourcecouncil.org/find_an_nar_green_designee.cfm

Why Choose a REALTOR® With the GRI® Designation?

When you see the letters GRI® (Graduate, REALTOR® Institute) after an agent’s name, you can count on receiving the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly.  As real estate transactions have become more complex with; new technology, laws and procedures, as well as the increasing sophistication of buyers and sellers, together requires real estate practitioners to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism. Nationally recognized by the NAR®, this designation requires a minimum 90 hours of classroom instruction and three course exams.  To find Christopher on the national directory of GRI designated agents go to: REALTOR.org/GRI

Why Select an Agent with the Performance Management Network® Designation?


The PMN® is a REALTOR® Designation built from the ground up to bring you the real-world skills, the know-how and the tools that will keep your business out front and on top of an evolving market. The Performance Management Network’s suite of professional performance training courses is taught by recognized experts who dig deep into the hot topics that are driving the marketplace and shaping your business.  To learn more got to: WCR.org

Why use a RECS Designated Real Estate Agent?

The Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist Designee is running, quickly, effectively and profitably in CyberSpace.  Keep abreast of the rapid technological changes and CyberSpace strategies.  And is revolutionizing the real estate industry, Networking with the world’s most successful cyber professionals and Building professional and client recognition for CyberSpace expertise.  To learn more about the Society go to: http://www.recyber.com/

Why seek out a REALTOR® that has achieved the RFS® Designation?

In today’s financial and economic environment, the RFS® (Residential Finance Specialist) Designee is a service professional dedicated to excellence in providing financial counseling services to homeowners who are buying, selling or investing in real estate.  Real estate and mortgage professionals earn this designation by completing a rigorous course in residential financing principles, techniques and programs developed by the Council of Residential Finance Specialists®.  Designees are required to maintain active membership in the Council of Residential Finance Specialists and to adhere to its policies and procedures.  To find Christopher on the national directory of RFS® designated agents go to: http://www.rfcouncil.com/recouncilmgmt/profile/viewMember.aspx?id=451 and search by: St. Charles, IL

Why Use an SFR® Certified REALTOR®

Short Sales and Foreclosures – The New “Traditional” Transaction

For many real estate professionals, short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” real estate transaction. Knowing how to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities are not merely good skills to have in today’s market — they are critical.  And while short sales and foreclosures are not for the faint of heart, agents with the proper tools and training can use these specialty areas to build their business for the long term.  To find Christopher on the national directory of SFR® certified agents go to: http://www.realtor.org/rofindrealtor.nsf/pages/fs_sfrspec?OpenDocument

Who is the REALTOR® with the SRES® Designation?

A REALTOR® with the SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialists) Designation is an agent that helps mature clients make wise decisions about selling the family home, buying their next property or managing the capital gains and tax implications of owning real estate.  By earning this designation, the REALTOR® has demonstrated that they have the requisite knowledge, experience and expertise to counsel their mature clients.  This designation requires 16 hours of classroom instruction and a final exam as well as performance provisions.  To find Christopher on the national directory of SRES® designated agents go to: SeniorsRealEstate.com and search by: St. Charles, IL

Affiliations & Organization Memberships

CMN, The Distressed Property Institute, REBAC, TIFLHM, RE/MAX Collection, WCR and Local, State & National REALTOR® Associations

What is the Value of Using a REALTOR® with Industry Affiliations?
With ever changing technologies, trends and laws, keeping up within the real estate industry can be a challenge. That is why gaining experience and expertise in the residential real estate sectors from membership and/or affiliation with some of the prominent organizations in residential real estate is paramount in the business today!

Here is information on the Affiliations & Organizations Christopher holds membership to:

Everyone should know the work of “The Children´s Miracle Network®”?

The Children´s Miracle Network® (CMN) may not be a direct industry affiliate. However, RE/MAX® International has embraced the work that this organization has done for the “Alliance Hospitals for Children” nationwide. Through the CMN® “Miracle Home” Program, RE/MAX agents across the country have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the network´s cause and thusly helped thousands of this nation´s children to get through the very difficult times in their young lives. Look for an agent that gives back to the community by such strong means as that of CMN®. Learn more about CMN® on their national web site at: CMN.org

What is The Charffen Institute©?

The Institute was founded: To provide education to licensed real estate agents that will allow them to efficiently and effectively help homeowners in distress avoid foreclosure and sell their properties. To connect homeowners in distress with Certified Distressed Property Experts designees who can assist them with their transactions. To conduct ongoing research and provide education regarding the changes in the subprime, foreclosure, short sale and probate markets. Historically a percentage of the real estate market has been in distress however with the recent challenges in the subprime lending market this percentage has grown exponentially. This rapid growth in what once was a niche market requires agents to posses specialized knowledge and processes that will allow them to successfully assist homeowners in need. Agents that complete the coursework earn the CDPE© (Certified Destressed Proprty Expert) Designation. To learn more go to: DistressedPropertyInstitute.com

What about the “Council of Residential Specialists®”?

The benefits of the Council of Residential Specialists are invaluable. The Council confers the Certified Residential Specialists® (CRS) Designation, while continuously providing its members with the educational, networking and online tools necessary to help them compete and succeed in the residential real estate market. Learn more about CRS® on their national web site at: CRS.com

Who is “REBAC®”?

The Real Estate Buyer´s Agent Council® (REBAC) is the real estate industry´s number one Buyer Agent voice. Sharing Buyer related information with and educating its membership. REBAC® is also the administrator of the ABR® (Accredited Buyer Representative) Designation curriculum. For those agents in the industry that have made education a career priority, REBAC® has provided a avenue of information to help agents better serve today´s home buyer. Learn more about REBAC® on their national web site at: REBAC.net

What does “The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing®” do?

The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing® (ILHM) helps REALTORS® to build the necessary skills to understand the needs of the affluent as well as marketing Luxury Homes and Estate Properties effectively within that niche of the residential real estate arena. Additionally, the ILHM® is the curriculum administrator of the CLHMS®. (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist) Designation. As a relatively new industry organization, the early members of the Institute are considered Founding Members and the promotional voices to the industry. Learn more about ILHM® on their national web site at: LuxuryHomeMarketing.com

In the Luxury Real Estate market of today, why choose “RE/MAX® Renowned Properties”?

A global image. Local distinction. Luxury market expertise. All necessary components for buying and selling in the high-end market, all inherent in the RE/MAX Renowned Properties concept. RE/MAX Renowned Properties serves the specialized needs and interests of affluent buyers and sellers by providing exceptional service to discriminating clients and demographically tailored marketing for exclusive properties. The subtle, refined logo and sign design give RE/MAX Renowned Properties a distinct look, intended to set exclusive properties apart from all others, while tapping the global power of the RE/MAX network. Whether you’re seeking waterfront property in California, a golf course estate in the Carolinas or an alpine chalet in Colorado – start your search here, from the comfort of your home. All RE/MAX listings in the U.S., priced at $500,000 or above, will be displayed according to your selected criteria. Learn more about The RE/MAX Renowned Properties Program® visit the national web site at: RE/MAX-RenownedProperties.com

Who is the “WCR®”?

The Women’s Council or REALTORS® is a community of real estate professionals (Women and Men) creating business opportunities, developing skills for the future and achieving our individual potential for success. The Council has a Vision To be the premier organization for individual achievement. Goals of the council include Being: a catalyst for individual growth and development; the source for information, education and professional contacts members need to gain a competitive edge in a changing business environment; a network of strong, active chapters that deliver quality services and a high return for the time and talent members contribute. Council Values include: Standing for professional excellence, both in the operation of our organization and in the achievements of our members, and who are role models for others in the profession. Learn more about the WCR® on their national web site at: WCR.org or visit Christopher on the Illinois State Chapter Site at: http://IllinoisWCR.org/ChristopherTenggren

What are the “Local, State & National REALTOR® Associations”?

In order to be a REALTOR®, one must be an active dues paying member of all of the applicable REALTOR® Associations in one´s area. Through the Associations (or Boards), REALTORS® are granted local MLS (Multiple Listing Service) access as well as sponsored industry training and continuing education. Each Board is managed and governed on a local basis by directors and elected members to offices or committees respectively. The Boards also work closely with their REALTORS® to effectively provide industry news and to sponsor networking events in their geographic areas. Additionally, it is at the local Board level that transactional information is collected and compiled for reporting to the State Board and subsequently to the NAR® (National Association of REALTORS®) for national reporting. Learn more about RAFV® (REALTOR® Association of the Fox Valley), IAR® (Illinois Association of REALTORS®) or the NAR® go to their respective web sites at: MLSNI.com; IllinoisREALTOR.org & REALTOR.org

Make Christopher Your REALTOR® For Life!

Bringing Buyers & Sellers Together in Today’s Real Estate Market!

“When Excellence Matters – Count on Christopher”