Mark Coleman, of RE/MAX Camellia Realty, has earned the nationally recognized Short Sales and Foreclosures Resource certification.

The National Association of Realtors offers the SFR certification to realtors who want to help both buyers and sellers navigate these complicated transactions, as demand for professional expertise with distressed sales grows.

According to a recent NAR survey, nearly one-third of all existing homes sold recently were either short sales or foreclosures. For many real estate professionals short sales and foreclosures are the new “traditional” transaction. Realtors who have earned the SFR certification are able to help sellers maneuver the complexities of short sales, as well as help buyers pursue short sale and foreclosure opportunities.

“As leading advocates for homeownership, realtors believe that any family that loses its home to foreclosure is one family too many, but unfortunately, there are situations in which people just can’t afford to keep their homes, and foreclosures or short sales result,” said NAR President Gary Thomas. “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers and benefit the larger community, as well, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a realtor who has earned the SFR certification for these kinds of purchases.”

The SFR certification program includes training on how to qualify sellers for short sales, negotiate with lenders, protect buyers, and limit risk, and provides resources to help realtors stay current on national and state-specific information as the market for these distressed properties evolves.

To earn the SFR certification, realtors are required to take one core course and three webinars.