Our Mission & History

The Council of Residential Specialists is the largest not-for-profit affiliate of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, with its headquarters in Chicago, Ill. It is composed of over 45,000 Certified Residential Specialists (CRS) Designees and Candidates/General Members. The association was created to recruit and retain those REALTORS® and international real estate professionals seeking the knowledge, tools and relationship-building opportunities and referral opportunities they need to maximize their income and professionalism in residential real estate.

The Council was founded in 1976 and has four objectives:

• To create and provide superior educational opportunities that enhance professional competency.
• To provide and promote benefits which enhance the economic and other values of membership in the Council.
• To develop an organization that reflects the diversity of real estate consumers and provides its members with tools to serve their clients. 
  
• To create and maintain organizational systems and alliances with appropriate organizations to ensure the integrity of the Council of Residential Specialists.