A real-estate trade group will offer certifications for Realtors to specialize in sales of distressed properties — a market that has bounced in popularity as buyers try to capitalize on the housing recession’s aftermath. The National Association of Realtors rolled out the Short

Sales and Foreclosure Certification Program Wednesday in a statement. Such sales accounted for nearly one-third of all home sales in the nation, the group said, indicating that while buyers are returning to the market, they are looking for basement bargains. “Foreclosures and short sales can offer opportunities for home buyers, but it’s extremely important to have the help of a real estate professional like a Realtor for these kinds of purchases,” said Charles McMillan, the group’s president and a broker with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Dallas. The certification program requires a day of instruction, either in person or online, along with three brief Web-based seminars. “Realtors add value to the real estate transaction with their extensive knowledge and market insights,” McMillan said. “This new certification will help them serve a growing need.”