Frequently Asked Questions
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What topics are covered in the Accredited Luxury Home Specialist (ALHS) course?
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We've listed below a summary of the topics that are covered in the ALHS Class.
For a detailed breakdown, view pages 4 - 6 of the
ALHS Information Kit.
- 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
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Is there a test?
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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.
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When and where are the classes taught?
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It is common for schools that teach the ALHS Course to schedule their calendar many months in advance.
For a partial list of scheduled classes, visit the council's class schedule.
If a class is not currently scheduled for your area, we can bring a course right to your own market.
With over 40 licensed providers 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.
To discover how easy it is to experience a luxury homes course in your area simply download our free
information kit or feel free to
contact us.
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What are the requirements to receive the designation?
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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 council, and NAR (the student's first years dues are complimentary
in the council). 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 anytime prior to taking the course. (Each student's broker certifies the sales.)
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What are the benefits of membership?
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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 and use of the
www.luxuryhomesandproperties.com
website to market their listings and services (normally $295 per
year but free to members). They also receive a subscription to The Luxury Home Expert, a monthly
online magazine, an ALHS Certificate suitable for framing, a Lapel Pin, press release, client
recommendation letter and affiliate discounts.
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I recently completed an ALHS course, what is the next step to receive my benefits?
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There is nothing you need to do until you are contacted by the Luxury Home Council. Your ALHS
Instructor will notify REALTYU which will in turn notify the Council. This process may take up
to 4-6 weeks. Once the Council receives your contact information, the Council will send you an
email followed by a hard copy version of the Achievement Verification Statement (AVS).
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What is the AVS?
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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.)
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Who must sign the AVS?
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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.
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When can I begin using the ALHS Logo?
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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.
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How do I enter myself into the Luxury Home Council/ALHS Database?
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The Council will automatically input your information into the ALHS Database upon the Council receiving
the ALHS Class Roster from your instructor. The Council will then send you an email letting you know
when it has been completed. If you have already received an AVS by email, you are in the database.
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How do I login to the Council website?
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In the top right corner of the Luxury Home Council Home Page at:
www.LuxuryHomeCouncil.com, you will see a login link.
Simply click on it and then enter your email address and the default password of "luxury". Please be aware that when
you login all characters are case sensitive and the password of "luxury" is all lower case. Once you are in the site,
you may change your password to anything you wish.
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How do I enter myself into LuxuryHomesAndProperties.Com?
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As a member of the Luxury Home Council and recent graduate of the ALHS Course, a special entry page has
been created just for you. The normal annual fee is $295.00 however, as member of the Luxury Home Council
that fee is waived 100% so this is a benefit you should take advantage of. When you register, be sure to
select the ALHS Designation Logo. The ALHS sign-up page is available through the
members section of www.LuxuryHomeCouncil.com.
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What properties can I enter in LuxuryHomesAndProperties?
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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.
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Why are my pictures being rejected when I submit them?
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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.
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What do I do if my contact information changes?
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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.
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Will I receive a renewal notice from the Luxury Home Council?
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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.
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What are my options to pay my membership dues?
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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.
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How do I become an ALHS Instructor?
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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.
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