Knowing all aspects of the constantly changing real estate market; that's their business. Whether you're planning a move or simply discussing the possibilities, they can help

A commitment to provide superior service and a personal touch that distinguishes them in the market place.They are pleased to say they have upheld that pledge for over 20 years. Those who have bought or sold a house through them know there's a place where no detail is too small, where the service is personalized and you feel your patronage is appreciated. Of their many accolades, the greatest is that their past customers and clients return again and again.

Christie & Ric believe strongly that with success comes responsibility. To reinforce that belief, at the close of each transaction they give back to the community. They donate regularly to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society and to the local schools.Christie is on the Board of Directors for the Cardiff 101 Chamber, and for the Friends of the Library. Bubba their dog has been trained to do the Love on a Leash Program. Ric is involved with Kiwanis of Encinitas.

Buying and selling a home is the most important financial and emotional investment in your clients' lives!

The right knowledge and advice can make all the difference. All Realtors are not alike. When buying or selling a home the right knowledge can literally mean the difference between thousands of dollars. I am 100% committed to serving my clients' every need because unlike other real estate sales people, my business is built from referrals. My business grows only if I provide superior service and results and you and your client are so delighted that you both are cheerfully willing to tell your family and friends about how I have served them. From the heart I want you to know I am committed both professionally and personally to helping your clients save the most money possible when they buy or sell and have them so pleased and delighted with my service. Walt Disney, The Ritz Carlton, Nordstorms, Lexus and your favorite restaurant - each one of these companies has made a conscious decision to not only provide superior products - but to surprise and delight their customers by providing superior service.

Superior service straight from the heart. So simple yet so rare.

This is particularly true in the real-estate industry - which is filled with salespeople who are selfishly focused on making a quick sale and getting on to the next one - rather than providing attentive and caring service that consciously seeks to build a lifetime client.

Christie & Ric’s Real Estate Designations--
What Do They Mean and Why Are They Important?

GRI, E-Pro, CLHMS CRS, Realtor® .......

what does all this alphabet soup mean to you? When you see initials like these behind thier names, it means Christie & Ric are committed professionals, not content just to take the courses needed to get and maintain a real estate license, but determined to improve our professional skills. Christie & Ric have devoted time to attending advanced educational courses and taking examinations to earn these designations. Christie & Ric are industry leaders in terms of advanced education. They both have Degrees from Universities…and a passion for working hard for their clients.

Here's what some of the designations mean:

Why Use a CLHMS (Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist)?

The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing is the premier independent authority in training and certifying real estate professionals in the art of handling exceptional properties.

We exist to help buyers and sellers of high-end homes find quality real estate professionals who have been uniquely trained to handle upper-tier properties. To accomplish this goal, The Institute has four key areas of focus:

Education
The Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist designation training, which all members receive, helps agents analyze the luxury home market, identify trends and strategies within that market, define consumer needs and expectations, and build skills and improve service--thus creating satisfied customers whose real estate goals are accomplished.

Research
The Institute provides its members with access to the knowledge and information needed to be successful in an ever-changing market by supplying luxury home market data as well as primary and secondary research information on the demographic and psychographic characteristics of affluent buyers and sellers.

Branding
The Institute is positioned as the foremost resource for affluent consumers who wish to identify sales professionals with credibility and special competencies in the upper-tier market. Members of The Institute enjoy high-visibility with buyers and sellers of luxury homes.

Membership
An international membership base ensures a strong network of knowledgeable sales professionals who specialize in the luxury market. You can find our luxury specialists around the world.

By remaining focused on these four key areas, The Institute helps ensure that its members have the tools and information needed to achieve your goals.

Why Use a GRI(Graduate REALTOR® Institute)?

Selling & Buying property is a complex and stressful task. In fact, it's often the biggest single investment you will make in your lifetime. At the same time, real estate transactions have become increasingly complicated.

New technology, laws, procedures require real estate practitioners to perform at an ever-increasing level of professionalism.

So it's more important than ever that you work with an agent who has a keen understanding of the real estate business. The GRI program has helped the best and the brightest in the industry achieve that level of understanding.

Nationally recognized as top performers in the real estate industry
Professionally trained
Knowledgeable
Dedicated to bringing you quality service
A GRI can make a difference

When you see the letters "GRI" after an agent's name, you can count on receiving the knowledge and guidance you need to make your transaction go smoothly. In short, you can count on getting the best service available from a real estate professional.Don't you deserve the best?

Why Use a e-Pro?

Respects your on-line privacy.
Less expense
Offers home listings and other Internet tools to help you find or market a home
Tired of struggling to find information? e-PROs are more likely to have access to the latest Internet utilities, making your life easier. These tools may include:
On-line home tours
Instant access to comprehensive neighborhood data
Extensive property listings
Immediate e-mail notification of just-listed homes meeting your criteria
Referral networks and on-line forums, where e-PROs can quickly find information
Newsletters on current real estate conditions in your area
Electronic faxes sent to you by e-mail
Advanced software, PDAs, and laptops to find you answers on the spot

The result: you get more information, more easily. With electronic files, you have less paperwork to deal with. And since your agent uses e-mail, you can even eliminate phone tag. The e-PRO streamlines your entire transaction, from showing to closing.

An e-PRO's access to advanced technology can save you considerable expense. You have more tools to find or market your home, so you're likely to get a better price. With on-line home tours, you reduce in-person showings and the costs involved. And by using e-mail, you save money on long-distance calls and fax charges.

Relocating? With the tools to do your research electronically, you can make a decision on a home the first day you're in town or without traveling at all. You and your family save on travel costs. And after you've decided to buy, monitoring the sale by e-mail saves you even more.

Why Use a CRS(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.

Why Use a REALTOR®?

All real estate licensees are not the same. Only real estate licensees who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® are properly called REALTORS®. They proudly display the REALTOR "®" logo on the business card or other marketing and sales literature. REALTORS® are committed to treat all parties to a transaction honestly. REALTORS® subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are expected to maintain a higher level of knowledge of the process of buying and selling real estate. An independent survey reports that 84% of home buyers would use the same REALTOR® again.

Real estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today usually exceed $100,000. If you had a $100,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $100,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney? Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, it would be foolish to consider a deal in real estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR®.

But if you're still not convinced of the value of a REALTOR®, here are a dozen more reasons to use one:

1. Your REALTOR® can help you determine your buying power -- that is, your financial reserves plus your borrowing capacity. If you give a REALTOR® some basic information about your available savings, income and current debt, he or she can refer you to lenders best qualified to help you. Most lenders -- banks and mortgage companies -- offer limited choices.

2. Your REALTOR® has many resources to assist you in your home search. Sometimes the property you are seeking is available but not actively advertised in the market, and it will take some investigation by your agent to find all available properties.

3. Your REALTOR® can assist you in the selection process by providing objective information about each property. Agents who are REALTORS® have access to a variety of informational resources. REALTORS® can provide local community information on utilities, zoning. schools, etc. There are two things you'll want to know. First, will the property provide the environment I want for a home or investment? Second, will the property have resale value when I am ready to sell?

4. Your REALTOR® can help you negotiate. There are myriad negotiating factors, including but not limited to price, financing, terms, date of possession and often the inclusion or exclusion of repairs and furnishings or equipment. The purchase agreement should provide a period of time for you to complete appropriate inspections and investigations of the property before you are bound to complete the purchase. Your agent can advise you as to which investigations and inspections are recommended or required.

5. Your REALTOR® provides due diligence during the evaluation of the property. Depending on the area and property, this could include inspections for termites, dry rot, asbestos, faulty structure, roof condition, septic tank and well tests, just to name a few. Your REALTOR® can assist you in finding qualified responsible professionals to do most of these investigations and provide you with written reports. You will also want to see a preliminary report on the title of the property. Title indicates ownership of property and can be mired in confusing status of past owners or rights of access. The title to most properties will have some limitations; for example, easements (access rights) for utilities. Your REALTOR®, title company or attorney can help you resolve issues that might cause problems at a later date.

6. Your REALTOR® can help you in understanding different financing options and in identifying qualified lenders.

7. Your REALTOR® can guide you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly.

8. When selling your home, your REALTOR® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, financing, terms and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold at the best price, quickly and with minimum hassle.

9. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. Often, your REALTOR® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the salability of your property. Your REALTOR® markets your property to other real estate agents and the public. In many markets across the country, over 50% of real estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a real estate agent other than yours brings in the buyer. Your REALTOR® acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other real estate agents through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc. The REALTOR® Code of Ethics requires REALTORS® to utilize these cooperative relationships when they benefit their clients.

10. Your REALTOR® will know when, where and how to advertise your property. There is a misconception that advertising sells real estate. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® studies show that 82% of real estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends, family and personal contacts. When a property is marketed with the help of your REALTOR®, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Your REALTOR® will generally prescreen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

11. Your REALTOR® can help you objectively evaluate every buyer's proposal without compromising your marketing position. This initial agreement is only the beginning of a process of appraisals, inspections and financing -- a lot of possible pitfalls. Your REALTOR® can help you write a legally binding, win-win agreement that will be more likely to make it through the process.

12. Your REALTOR® can help close the sale of your home. Between the initial sales agreement and closing (or settlement), questions may arise. For example, unexpected repairs are required to obtain financing or a cloud in the title is discovered. The required paperwork alone is overwhelming for most sellers. Your REALTOR® is the best person to objectively help you resolve these issues and move the transaction to closing (or settlement).

Why Choose Christie, Ric & Associates?

Christie & Ric’s Real Estate Designations--What Do They Mean and Why Are They Important?

Christie & Ric’s Real Estate Designations--
What Do They Mean and Why Are They Important?