The Certified Distressed Property Expert Designation (CDPE) is verification that a REALTOR® has taken the initiative to become an educated and prepared advocate on the behalf of a homeowner in distress. Earned by completing a comprehensive curriculum via the Distressed Property Institute, real estate agents with the CDPE designation are equipped with the expertise to help distressed property owners avoid foreclosure.

As a CDPE designated REALTOR®, I am committed to helping people who are facing foreclosure by finding the right solution for their individual needs and seeing the issue resolved. A portion of my CDPE designation course work involved short sales. Previously, short sales were a rarely accepted alternative by lenders, but in today's world they are increasingly becoming a viable option. Although more common in recent years, lender's still want the right deal with the right paperwork, and most real estate agents without the CDPE designation do not know the specifics. The CDPE course has taught me how to submit the proper documents to a variety of lenders as well as negotiation skills, allowing for quick resolve to a short sale. The education of a CDPE designated agent is continual, as CDPEs from across the county provide information to the Distressed Property Institute for a continual flow of new information to share with other CDPE designated agents.