Real estate agents earn local certification

With the intent of providing a higher level of service to South Lake Tahoe home buyers and sellers, the South Tahoe Association of Realtors created the Area Specialist Certification program for its members.

To achieve the certification, a licensed Realtor must demonstrate sufficient knowledge regarding the following local agencies and industries:

Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, U.S. Forest Service cabins, building departments ,California Tahoe Conservancy, vacation rentals, South Tahoe Refuse, South Tahoe Public Utility District, fire districts and homeowner’s insurance.

Speakers from the agencies listed above present information and provide updates they believe important for Realtors to be knowledgeable about to best represent their clients in South Lake Tahoe. After each presentation, a test is given.

To qualify for the certificate, which has been approved by the California Association of Realtors, one must pass with at least an 80 percent accuracy rate. The certificate is valid for two years.

The following people passed the test given in September:

James Fain III, Erin Spicer, Scott Fair, Pamela Francis, Jessica Hirsch, Sam Holmes, Vicki Inferrera, Jill Teakell, Larry Finkel, Brent Johnson, Laura Lyle, Jon Rodriguez, Jim Wire, Kathleen Fagan, Madeleine Gutierrez, Teri McKinney, Mike Owen, Janine Raney, Jackie Weaver, Scott Jones, Tiffany Grimes, Michelle Reynolds, Gwen Niccoli, Ellen Camacho, Craig Woodward, Natalie Yanish, Dominique Westlake, Rani Calderon, Rhonda Keen, Brenda Knox, Kelly Flaherty, Gail Kolb, Linda Szendry, John Ward, Barbara Shriver, Dan Spano, Ryan Anderson, Michelle Benedict, Fernanda De Paula Dozier, Gisela Haskins, Dennis Lindsay, Theresa Souers, Lyndsay Bryant, Amanda Adams, Molly Blann, Jonathan Lemen, Heather Lew, Michael Luis and Scott Wadsworth.