Around the world, there is a large trend of rural families moving into urban cities, and this trend is true here in the United States as well. With more people moving into cities, urban real estate is becoming more important than ever. If you are looking to buy or sell a home in an urban center, the services of a Certified Urban Expert (CUE) designated real estate agent might be perfect for you.
How Do Agents Become a Certified Urban Expert?
To become a Certified Urban Expert, an agent must complete the CUE course. The course consists of 6 hours of real estate MCE credits for classes focused on topics including urban office, retail, hospitality, and residential real estate markets in their city’s urban core.
Important topics included in the full-day CUE course include information on major urban hubs, such as redevelopment districts, parks, squares, outdoor shopping, and transit hubs, so they can point residents to the location that they will most enjoy. Agents also learn about urban lifestyles, downtown neighborhood associations, local schools, urban living security concerns, condominium HOA contracts and fees, financing for multi-unit housing, urban leasing rules, and how to best market properties to those interested in downtown living.
What are the Benefits of Working with a Certified Urban Expert?
Buying or selling a downtown residence may be one of the biggest financial transactions you ever have in your life, so why would you risk that to someone who’s experience is not 100% in line with your needs?
A Certified Urban Expert has special training on urban residences, and buying or selling a high-rise condo unit or urban home is very different than a home in the suburbs just a few miles away. I once made the mistake of choosing an agent with primarily suburban real estate experience to help me with a downtown condominium, and I will never make that costly mistake again.
As a buyer, a Certified Urban Expert can help you find the best home based on your unique needs. If you want to live near work, public transportation, bike paths, or entertainment districts, they will know the lay of the land and help you find an ideal unit. They can also help you understand what you can afford with your budget, which may influence the building, street, or area you choose.
As a seller, you want to get top dollar for your home. Any agent could look at nearby comparable sales to estimate a sale price, but the difference between buildings downtown can be much more dramatic than comparing two suburban houses. Your unit value depends on exact location, floor, size, and building amenities. An inexperienced Realtor could cost you tens of thousands of dollars, and that is a lot to risk.
A Certified Urban Expert can help you with these tasks, among many others:
- Home valuation
- Connections to experienced mortgage officers
- Understand the benefits and drawbacks of different locations
- Show your unit to people looking exclusively at urban properties
- Have their pulse on local trends and units coming on the market
These are great benefits, and should not be overlooked when you are hunting for the perfect agent for your next move.
Where Can I Find a Certified Urban Expert?
If you think a Certified Urban Expert is right for your next transaction, head to Agent Harvest, a leading real estate agent search site. We have listings for agents all around the country, and you can search for
If you are buying or selling a house and are looking to hire a successful real estate agent to help you through the process, take a look at AgentHarvest's list of top-ranking local Realtors in your area. We found these agents by examining their sales track records, awards, rankings, client testimonials and by conducting personal interviews.