Top 11 New Home Sales Consultant Certifications

Certifications are an important factor in the job market for new home sales consultants. Employers tend to look for certified professionals who have a proven track record of success in their field. Certification demonstrates that the candidate has taken the time to learn about the industry, understands current trends and regulations, and is knowledgeable enough to provide high-quality service to customers. Additionally, certifications can open up doors to higher-paying positions and career advancement opportunities. As such, they are an important part of any job search process.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of certifications for New Home Sales Consultants and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are New Home Sales Consultant Certifications?

New Home Sales Consultant Certification is a certification program designed to help home sales consultants become more knowledgeable and better equipped to assist buyers, sellers, and builders in the real estate market. This certification provides essential training for real estate agents who specialize in new home sales, including understanding the construction process from start to finish, learning the basics of building codes and zoning regulations, and becoming familiar with local neighborhood trends. It also helps ensure that agents are up-to-date on the latest industry standards, technologies, and best practices.

Having this certification can give agents an edge by showing clients that they are well-versed in their profession and have taken steps to improve their knowledge base. It demonstrates a commitment to providing excellent customer service as well as an understanding of how to properly represent clients’ interests when it comes to making decisions about buying or selling a home. Additionally, having this certification can potentially increase the agent’s value in the eyes of potential employers or customers.

Pro Tip: When considering a new home sales consultant certification, make sure to research the available certifications and determine which one best fits your needs. Look at the requirements for each certification and compare them to your current skillset. Additionally, consider the cost of the certification and any ongoing fees associated with it. Finally, look into whether or not the certification can be used as part of a larger education program or if it can help you gain additional credentials in the future.

Related: What does a New Home Sales Consultant do?

Top 11 New Home Sales Consultant Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to New Home Sales Consultants today.

1. Certified New Home Sales Professional (CNHS)

Certified New Home Sales Professional (CNHS) is a professional certification program for sales professionals in the homebuilding industry. The certification is designed to equip sales professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively market, sell, and close new homes.

The CNHS program is offered through the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). It consists of an online course and an exam that must be passed in order to become certified. The online course covers topics such as marketing, customer service, negotiation techniques, legal considerations, and closing techniques.

The program typically takes about 8-10 weeks to complete. During this time, students are required to complete the online course and pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher. After passing the exam, students will receive their official CNHS certificate from NAHB.

The cost of the CNHS program varies depending on whether you are an NAHB member or non-member. For members, it costs $595; for non-members it costs $795.

2. Certified Real Estate Agent (CREA)

Certified Real Estate Agent (CREA) is a professional designation awarded to real estate agents who have completed an advanced course of study and passed the necessary exams. It is administered by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

The CREA designation requires agents to complete a minimum of 90 hours of coursework in topics such as real estate law, finance, marketing, and ethics. The courses are offered online or in-person at approved schools. Once the coursework has been completed, agents must pass a comprehensive exam in order to be certified.

The process typically takes between 3-6 months depending on how quickly the agent completes the coursework and passes the exam.

In order to get certified, agents must first apply for membership with NAR. Membership fees vary depending on the type of membership desired but range from $50-$200 annually. Agents must also pay for any applicable tuition fees associated with taking the courses needed for certification.

Once all requirements have been met, agents will receive their CREA certification and can begin practicing as a certified real estate agent.

3. National Association of Realtors (NAR) New Home Sales Certification

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) New Home Sales Certification is a professional designation awarded to real estate professionals who demonstrate expertise in the sale of new homes. This certification is designed to help real estate agents and brokers better serve their clients by providing them with the knowledge necessary to effectively market and sell new homes.

In order to obtain this certification, applicants must complete an online course that covers topics such as understanding the new home construction process, marketing strategies for new home sales, and negotiation techniques for new home sales. The course takes approximately 16 hours to complete and costs $99. Upon completion of the course, applicants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

To maintain their certification, real estate professionals must complete 12 hours of continuing education credits every two years. These credits can be obtained through NAR approved courses or by attending NAR conferences or seminars related to new home sales.

Overall, obtaining the NAR New Home Sales Certification provides real estate professionals with a competitive edge in the market and helps them better serve their clients when it comes to selling or buying a new home.

4. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Certified New Home Sales Consultant

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Certified New Home Sales Consultant (CSP) is a professional certification program that provides a comprehensive understanding of the home building and sales process. It is designed to help new home sales consultants become more effective in their roles, increase their knowledge base, and enhance their career opportunities.

The CSP program consists of three courses: Fundamentals of New Home Sales, Advanced Practices in New Home Sales, and Professional Practices in New Home Sales. The courses are offered online or in-person at NAHB member schools. The program also includes an exam that must be passed with a score of 70% or higher to receive the CSP designation.

It typically takes six months to complete the CSP program. However, it can take longer depending on how quickly you can complete the coursework and pass the exam.

To get started with the CSP program, you will need to register for membership with NAHB and then register for the courses through one of its member schools. The cost for membership is $99 per year plus $50 for each course you register for.

Once you have completed all three courses and passed the exam, you will receive your CSP designation from NAHB and be eligible to use it on your business cards and other marketing materials as well as apply for jobs that require this certification.

5. American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Certified New Home Sales Consultant

The American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Certified New Home Sales Consultant is a professional certification program designed to help new home sales consultants develop their skills and knowledge in the real estate industry. This certification is intended to give new home sales consultants an edge in the competitive market by demonstrating their commitment to excellence and professionalism.

To become certified, individuals must complete a two-day training course that covers topics such as understanding the home buying process, developing relationships with customers, and marketing strategies. After completing the course, applicants must pass an exam administered by ASHI. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering all aspects of the home buying process.

It typically takes about two weeks to receive your certification once you have completed the training and passed the exam. The cost for this certification varies depending on where you take your training course, but it usually ranges from $400-$600 USD.

6. International Code Council (ICC) Certified New Home Sales Consultant

The International Code Council (ICC) Certified New Home Sales Consultant is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the sales of new homes. This certification is intended to ensure that new home sales consultants have the necessary skills and qualifications to effectively represent buyers and sellers in the purchase or sale of a newly constructed home.

To become an ICC Certified New Home Sales Consultant, applicants must first complete a minimum of 40 hours of approved coursework related to new home sales. The coursework must include instruction on topics such as real estate law, consumer protection, marketing, finance, construction management, and other related topics. After completing the required coursework, applicants must then pass an exam administered by the ICC.

The cost for becoming an ICC Certified New Home Sales Consultant varies depending on the courses taken and exam fees. Generally speaking, applicants can expect to pay anywhere from $400-$800 for all associated costs.

Once certified, ICC Certified New Home Sales Consultants are required to renew their certification every two years by completing at least 8 hours of continuing education credits related to new home sales.

7. National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) Certified New Home Sales Consultant

The National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) Certified New Home Sales Consultant (CNHS) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively advise new home buyers. This certification is designed to give new home sales consultants the confidence and credibility needed to provide their clients with accurate, up-to-date information about the mortgage process.

To obtain the CNHS designation, applicants must complete an online course and pass an exam. The course covers topics such as loan origination, underwriting guidelines, closing procedures, and other important aspects of the mortgage industry. Upon successful completion of the course and passing of the exam, applicants will receive their CNHS designation.

The cost for taking the CNHS exam is $100. The course itself can range from $50-$200 depending on which provider you choose. It typically takes a few weeks to complete the course and take the exam.

Once you have received your CNHS certification, you will be able to demonstrate your expertise in new home sales consulting and help potential homeowners understand all aspects of their mortgage process more clearly.

8. American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD) Certified New Home Sales Consultant

The American Institute of Building Designers (AIBD) Certified New Home Sales Consultant is a professional certification program that trains and certifies individuals in the sales and marketing of new home construction. The program is designed to provide new home sales consultants with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively market and sell new homes.

The AIBD Certified New Home Sales Consultant program consists of two parts: an online course and a final exam. The online course covers topics such as understanding the housing market, pricing strategies, negotiation techniques, customer service, legal aspects of selling new homes, and more. The course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete.

To become an AIBD Certified New Home Sales Consultant, you must successfully complete the online course and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. After completing the course and passing the exam, you will receive your certificate from AIBD.

The cost for the AIBD Certified New Home Sales Consultant program is $299 USD. This fee includes access to the online course materials and exam as well as your certificate upon successful completion of the program.

9. Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) Certified New Home Sales Consultant

The Institute for Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM) Certified New Home Sales Consultant is a professional designation for real estate professionals who specialize in selling luxury homes. The certification requires that the candidate demonstrate proficiency in the areas of new home sales, marketing, and customer service. This includes understanding market trends, pricing strategies, negotiation techniques, and more.

It takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete the ILHM Certified New Home Sales Consultant coursework and pass the certification exam. The cost of the certification is $399 USD.

To get certified as an ILHM Certified New Home Sales Consultant, you must first register for the program online at www.luxuryhomemarketing.com/certification/. Once registered, you will be provided access to a series of online classes and materials to prepare you for the certification exam. After completing all coursework and passing the exam with a score of 80% or higher, you will receive your official certificate from ILHM.

10. National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) Certified New Home Sales Consultant

The National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM) Certified New Home Sales Consultant is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of expertise in the sale of new homes. This certification is designed to provide real estate professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively market, sell, and close new home sales transactions.

To become certified, applicants must complete an approved training program and pass the NARPM Certified New Home Sales Consultant exam. The training program typically takes between 4-6 weeks to complete and consists of both online and classroom components. Upon successful completion of the program, applicants can take the exam which covers topics such as marketing strategies, contract negotiation, customer service, legal considerations, and more.

The cost for the training program varies depending on where you take it but typically ranges from $500-$1,000. In addition to this fee, there is also an application fee of $150 and an exam fee of $75. Once certified, individuals must renew their certification every two years by completing continuing education requirements.

11. Appraisal Institute’s Residential Real Estate Appraiser Certification Program for New Homes

The Appraisal Institute’s Residential Real Estate Appraiser Certification Program for New Homes is an educational program designed to prepare appraisers to assess the value of newly constructed residential properties. The program provides a comprehensive overview of the appraisal process, including the analysis of market trends and data, as well as an understanding of construction costs and materials. It also covers topics such as legal and ethical considerations, environmental issues, and property rights.

The program consists of two parts: a self-study course and a field examination. The self-study course is completed online over a period of six months or less, depending on the student’s progress. This course covers topics such as appraisal principles, methods, procedures, report writing standards, and more. After completing the self-study course, students must pass a field examination that tests their knowledge and ability to apply it in real-world situations.

To become certified through this program, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least three years of experience in residential real estate appraisal or related fields; being licensed or certified by their state; completing 75 hours of approved education courses; passing both parts of the certification exam; and submitting an application with all required documents.

The cost for this program varies depending on the amount of study time needed to complete it. Generally speaking, it can range from $400-$1,000 USD for tuition fees plus additional costs for textbooks and other materials.

Do You Really Need a New Home Sales Consultant Certificate?

No, you do not need a New Home Sales Consultant Certificate to be successful in the field of new home sales. While having a certificate may give you an edge over other candidates, it is not necessary for success.

There are many successful new home sales consultants who have achieved success without any formal education or certification. These professionals often rely on their experience, knowledge, and interpersonal skills to effectively sell homes. They are also able to draw on their understanding of real estate market trends and their ability to build relationships with potential buyers.

The most important qualities that one needs to become a successful new home sales consultant are determination, passion, and commitment. The ability to connect with potential buyers and understand their needs is essential for success in this field. The ability to negotiate and close deals is also critical for success in this role.

A New Home Sales Consultant Certificate may help you stand out from the competition but it is not necessary for success in this profession. Ultimately, the key to success in new home sales lies in your own skills and abilities as well as your dedication and hard work.

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FAQs About New Home Sales Consultant Certifications

1. What qualifications do I need to become a New Home Sales Consultant?

Answer: To become a New Home Sales Consultant, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and at least one year of experience in sales or customer service. You may also wish to pursue certifications through organizations such as the National Association of Realtors, which offers its Certified New Home Sales Professional (CNHS) program.

2. How long does it take to complete certification as a New Home Sales Consultant?

Answer: The length of time needed to complete certification varies depending on the program you choose and how much time you are able to commit to studying. Generally speaking, most programs require approximately 40 hours of coursework and can be completed within 4-6 weeks if studied full-time.

3. What topics are covered in the certification process for New Home Sales Consultants?

Answer: Common topics covered during the certification process include real estate law, contracts, marketing techniques, customer service skills, and market analysis.

4. How much does it cost to become certified as a New Home Sales Consultant?

Answer: The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the organization providing the program and any additional resources you may need (e.g., textbooks). Generally speaking, most programs range from $500-$1000 USD in total costs.

5. Does having certification as a New Home Sales Consultant guarantee employment?

Answer: Certification alone does not guarantee employment; however, having the credentials can help set you apart from other job applicants and open up opportunities for higher-level positions within the industry. Additionally, many employers prefer candidates who have demonstrated their commitment to professional development by obtaining certifications in their field of work.