Awards from NAR: RSPS of the Year

RSPS of the Year Award

A recognition award for a unique certification like Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) is an award that not only has social relevance, but also brand awareness. The RSPS of the Year and RSPS Rising Star Awards provide REALTORS® with the RSPS certification the opportunity to showcase their own community involvement, marketing techniques, and RSPS-related accomplishments. The awards also provide an opportunity for the REALTOR® community to educate consumers on the value of using a REALTOR® with an RSPS certification.

Criteria for Nominations

Applicants for both awards must:

Have earned the RSPS certification
Be a member in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS®.
Act as a source of knowledge for the resort and/or second-home market.
Have made a unique and extraordinary impact on the resort and second-home real estate community.
Provide a philanthropic service in their local community (recommended).
Please note: In order to be considered for the RSPS Rising Star Award, nominees must have earned their certification no earlier than January 1, 2009.
Nominations must be made before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, 2012.

Get more information and nominate yourself or a colleague (PDF: 1.2 MB)

If you have questions, please send them to resort@realtors.org.

The Resort and Second-Home Real Estate Committee announced the recipients of the 2011 Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist (RSPS) of the Year and Resort and Second-Home Property Specialist Rising Star award during the annual REALTORS® Conference & Expo in Anaheim, CA, which was held in early November.

RSPS of the Year

Melanie J. McLane

Melanie J. McLane is a well-rounded generalist with lots of experience not only in all facets of real estate, but all facets of education, from course development to presentation. In November 2008, Melanie was inducted into the REBAC Hall of Fame as a trainer.

She's a certified appraiser, licensed associate broker, and seasoned real estate educator. A veteran of 34 years in the resort and second-home and real estate industry, she has owned and operated a real estate brokerage, taught everything from pre-licensing through designation courses, including the Resort and Second-Home Markets Course. She also continues to practice as both an appraiser and an associate broker. Her "hands on" teaching style produces students who learn and come back for more.

RSPS Rising Star Lora Able, RSPS, e-PRO, SFR

Lora Able, from Charleston, South Carolina, is the Director of Education for the Charleston Trident Association of REALTORS® and served as the local liaison for the NAR Resort and Second Home Symposium held at Kiawah Island, March 18-20, 2012. CTAR held the Resort and Second-Home Markets – RSPS core course to encourage members to gain the knowledge and credentials they need to be readily recognized as real estate professionals specializing in resort and second home markets. Lora sees the RSPS Certification as a valuable tool to increase business with the growing number of visitors considering vacation and/or second home purchases in the area. Charleston’s growing national and international popularity is evidenced by Conde Nast Traveler readers recently naming the city of Charleston as the world's best vacation destination.