What topics are covered in the Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) course?

We've listed below a summary of the topics that are covered in the ALHS Class.

• The Luxury Home Market - National and Regional Trends
• Specialization and Building a Niche
• The Luxury Home Buyer - Needs and Desires
• Marketing to Find Luxury Home Buyers
• Presenting Your Services to Luxury Home Buyers
• Qualifying and Showing Homes to Luxury Home Buyers
• The Luxury Home Seller - Patterns & Trends / Needs & Desires
• Marketing to Find Luxury Home Sellers
• Presenting Your Services to Luxury Home Sellers
• Servicing and Marketing the Luxury Home Listing
• Staging and Showing the Luxury Home Listing
• Negotiation and Managing a Luxury Home Transaction

How many hours of continuing education will I receive upon completing an ALHS course?

All States have different requirements so it is best to check with your course provider. Contact the instructor or school offering the course and they will be happy to answer your question.

Is there a test?

After completion of the course, each student must pass a 50 question exam to test their knowledge. The passing grade must be 80% or better.

How much does it cost to take the course?

Tuition is determined by the school and instructor offering the course prior to registration.

When and where are the classes taught?

It is common for schools that teach the ALHS Course to schedule their calendar many months in advance. To inquire about classes in your area, send us an email with your name, city and state.

If a class is not currently scheduled for your area, we can bring a course right to your own market. We are able to work with boards, groups, networks, and franchises to bring the course to virtually any market. This is an excellent opportunity for new and experienced agents to learn more about the special needs of both affluent buyers and sellers.

Can I take the ALHS Course online?

Yes. The Online Accredited Luxury Home Specialist Course is a visual online class for real estate agents who are looking for training in the luxury homes market. Students leaving the program will be positioned to increase their profitability, enhance their service levels, and confidently expand their business in the luxury market.

What are the requirements to receive the designation?

The requirements are very simple.

• You must complete the course, and pass the exam (80% score or better).
• Be a member in good standing with the Luxury Home Council (the student's first years dues are complimentary in the council) and your local and state licensing regulatory agencies.
• Last you must complete two transactions in the luxury home field. This is defined as representing a buyer or seller, in at least two transactions, where the purchase price is at least two times the average sales price in the market. The transactions must take place within 24 months of taking the course or any time prior to taking the course. (Each student's broker certifies the sales.)

What are the benefits of membership?

Council members receive numerous benefits including access to the member's only side of www.luxuryhomecouncil.com where they can obtain advertising slicks, press releases and a membership roster for networking opportunities.

In addition members gain:

• Access to www.luxuryhomesandproperties.com (A $295 value!)
• An ALHS Certificate suitable for framing
• Lapel Pin
• Client Recommendation Letter
• Affiliate discounts
• Much More!

Who administers the benefits and membership requirements?

The Luxury Home Council is in charge of delivering all member benefits.

I recently completed an ALHS course, what is the next step to receive my benefits?

There is nothing you need to do until you are contacted by the Luxury Home Council. Your ALHS Instructor or school will notify the Council. This process may take up to 4 weeks. Once the Council receives your contact information, the Council will send you a welcome email that will include the Achievement Verification Statement (AVS).

What is the AVS?

The Achievement Verification Statement is testimony to the student's production in the Luxury Home Marketplace and is a condition of receiving the ALHS Designation. To receive the ALHS designation students must certify that they have completed two transactions in the luxury home field. This is defined as representing a buyer or seller, in at least two transactions, where the purchase price is at least two times the average sales price in the market. The transactions must take place within 24 months of taking the course or anytime prior to taking the course. (Each student's broker certifies the sales.)

“How do I determine the average sales price in my area?”

Hopefully, you belong to a local or regional Multiple Listing Service (MLS). If you do, most provide monthly and annual statistics based on geographical areas. You may search your immediate area or the entire area that you cover. Obviously, if you sell a home in the highest priced area of your community, that property will not be twice the average in the area. So, we recommend you search for the average sales price in the area that you service.

Here’s an example of a service area: Someone calls and the want to list a property or purchase a home. Based upon the property's location, are you knowledgeable about the schools, hospitals, airports, shopping, clubs, organizations, crime rates, builders, utility companies, home appreciation rates, lenders, inspectors, compliance contractors, title companies, etc. In summary, is this property in any area that you can proficiently service and meet the needs of your client or would the client be better served if you referred them to another agent who would do a better job? There's your area in a nutshell.

If you do not belong to an MLS, try your local Chamber of Commerce or local business organizations to determine the average sales price in your area.

The answer to the question of average sales price cannot be a once size fits all because there's huge disparity of home prices across the country and around the globe. We have found this method is the fairest and most reliable way to allow inclusion to the Luxury Home Council.

Who must sign the AVS?

The AVS requires the signature of the student and their Managing Broker. If the student is his/her own managing Broker, the student may self certify his/her production.

What are my options to return the completed Achievement Verification Statement?

We allow three methods of delivery to the Luxury Home Council.

Mail to:

Luxury Home Council
1224 NE Walnut #324
Roseburg, Oregon 97470


Fax: 1-541-378-6100

Email Scans to: members@luxuryhomecouncil.com

How long does it take to receive my ALHS Certificate, Lapel Pin and benefits?

Once the Luxury Home Council receives your completed AVS, we will send you a welcome packet by U S Postal Service. Delivery time will depend on your location. Please allow 5 weeks for delivery before you notify us.

When can I begin using the ALHS Logo?

You may begin using the ALHS Designation in all your marketing and promotion once you have sent in your AVS.

• If you wish to begin using the ALHS Logo immediately and you mailed in your AVS, please send an email to the Council.
• If you emailed or faxed your AVS, there is no need to notify the Council.

How do I login to the Council website?

You may login here, or by using the form at the top-right of the page.

What if I can't remember my Luxury Home Council password?

Proceed to the login page and click on the "Reset Password" link. Instructions to reset your password will be emailed to you within 10 minutes.

Can I reprint the articles posted in the website for personal use in my real estate newsletter?

Yes, any article or news brief posted on the Council's website may be duplicated provided recognition is given to the Luxury Home Council and to the writer of the article.

Will the Luxury Home Council provide me with a mailing list or email address list of all the members?

We have a strict privacy policy and we protect against spamming by outside parties. Other than the member's representation in the ALHS Database, we do not share, re-distribute, sell or release any information without the member's express written permission.

How do access my account with LuxuryHomesandProperties.com?

To use LuxuryHomesandProperties.com you must login to their site with the same credentials you use for the Council's site.

What properties can I enter in Luxury Homes and Properties?

The following conditions were established to ensure the properties represented are considered luxurious by the general public. The listing you are submitting must meet every requirement below.

Pricing
Your listing must be a minimum of twice the average sales price of similar properties in your immediate area.

Conditions

• All mechanical systems such as plumbing, electrical, water, heating and cooling are in proper working order.
• All built-in appliances that are included with the property are fully functional.
• The listing shows pride of ownership, has been well maintained and is favorable in appearance.

Features
Your listing has unique features a purchaser will appreciate and find beneficial.

Why are my pictures being rejected when I submit them?

The most common reason is that pictures are rejected is that they are too large. Follow these rules for proper image submissions; The images you upload cannot exceed 2MB in size and must be either a .jpg or .gif image. For aesthetics, images should be no wider or taller than 300 pixels.

What do I do if my contact information changes?

You need to login and make any modifications to your contact information that applies. You are in control of keeping your Agent page current with the exception of your email address. For your security, only the Luxury Home Council can change your email address. Simply send is an email and we will handle that for you.

Will I receive a renewal notice from the Luxury Home Council?

Yes, The Luxury Home Council will email you in the beginning of the month your membership expires. Then the Council will send you a hard copy renewal notice by regular mail that should arrive mid-month and lastly, the Council will send you a last minute email reminder at the end of the month.

Is there a cost to retain my membership in the Luxury Home Council?

Because you completed the ALHS Course, the first year is provided free of charge. The second year and thereafter is $99 per year. To take advantage of the ALHS logo and council benefits you must keep your membership active.

What are my options to pay my membership dues?

The Luxury Home Council accepts Business and Personal Checks, VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS. For your security, the Council does not take phone orders. You may pay your dues online when you login or return your Renewal Form by mail.

What are my options to pay my membership dues?

The Luxury Home Council accepts Business and Personal Checks, VISA, MASTERCARD and AMERICAN EXPRESS. For your security, the Council does not take phone orders. You may pay your dues online when you login or return your Renewal Form by mail.

How can I find marketing materials?

You can download these in the download section of the members section of the site.

How do I become an ALHS Instructor?

If you think you have what it takes to teach the ALHS Course we would love to have you on our team. Please accept our invitation to apply for teaching positions available across the country. Click Here for more information.