Real Estate Blog - Don't be shy!

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Don't be shy!

OK folks - step right up, step right up! We've had a glorious couple of days of debate over whether designations are a key component of being successful in real estate. Those with say of course - those without say of course not! No surprises there.

Here is the surprise! I asked for suggestions from all parties as to what a new agent, without the benefit of designations, qualifications/network from a previous career and without the benefit of having an experience professional in the family could do to build their own business plan to be successful.

The silence has been deafening!

I applaud the few that have chimed in with useful information.

I'm wondering why the folks that insist designations are irrelevant are "running silent, running deep".

In case you want to see the spark for the post sequence - start here with a post by Randy Prothero.

Then:

Do Designations Equal Success?

and finally:

Real Estate Business Plan

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Posted by Tony Marriott, Associate Broker, CRP, CLHMS, CRB, CRS ~~ Phoenix Arizona on 06/26/2007 08:40 PM

Comments (18)

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Originally posted at: Tony Marriott's Phoenix Arizona Real Estate Blog: Don't be shy!

18 Comments on Don't be shy!

JUN

2007

Tony, I missed the whole debate! I don't have any designations, being fairly new but I'm eagerly awaiting earning my first. Not because of what it might mean to a customer, they may not even be aware of what the alphabet soup means. I think the education that goes behind the designation is reason enough to earn them. It equips us to provide a higher level of service to our customers.

Tony: I think the designations help to reassure (some) clients more than anything else. As for me, I truly appreciate the learning--and continuing education hours.

Maggie - Thanks for stopping by - and once again - that was an excellent post on your blog!

Roberta - I'm with you on the learning.

Tony, I have lost certificates in my car, leaving the class, before I even memorized the letters. Some people do equally well without caring about the letters. It doesn't reduce their value- just the location of the value. I KNOW that I have a few new home certs somewhere, but the designation? Clueless. And an ethics re-visit. I'd end up having the printer mix them up, and be mortified when I had no idea what they stood for, when asked. Takes all kinds.

Laurie - That's one of the many values of using the internet - you can't lose it like you can paper! :-)

Tom ..I'm not a pholosopher but designations are irrevalent, I truly believe the education behind those designations is imparative and relavent. I carry several and have them behind my name. I get a lot of response to the negative why do you have them . My response is I want to ge the best I can be and education is important.

Ron - Who is Tom? Just kidding... The knowledge gained is paramount. I like and agree with your response.

As I mentioned before, I firmly believe that a solid business & marketing plan are the #1 priority for a new agent. Secondly, it is important that they implement systems and processes immediately. Thirdly they need to treat it like a business and run it like a business. Being proactive in their prospecting and marketing. Don't wait for the phone to ring.

They can learn these things numerous ways - through general training, coaching resources, mega agent resources, continuing education, conferences, conventions, misc. classes and designations.

I tend to be a 'pick and choose' type of person. I am getting my Brokers license for reasons other than just to 'further' my education (a specific business decision/reason). I do not believe that getting that license will be the key to increasing my busines as I don't agree that a 'designation' inherently increases one's business, but rather, people who get designations tend to be go getters and successful anyway.

I firmly agree that the classes that you take are wonderful and essential to building your business IF you implement something from every class you take.

I realize I learned a lot from my father, but as I mentioned in my other comment, I also treat it like any other business. I started a business that I pretty much knew nothing about and without getting designations or having the benefit of anyone I knew in the business, I was able to start it, build it and sell it.

I also have to say that the way our business is today is nothing like it was a couple of years ago. I have been changing the business - and everything I've learned has been through reading (MREN), attending conferences (KW in LV), taking classes through various resources, etc. I have not obtained a designation and David has essentially stepped out of the business.

One great start would be for a new agent to take and implement the Camp 443 class - a class that does not come with a designation but is one I feel is essential for all new agents.

Hi Tony,

Rather than go for designations, I am going to get my brokers license. There are very few agents with designations in my market and even fewer with their brokers license.

Fran

JUN

2007

Tony, speaking for the consumers... before I started working with realtors I was clueless about and totally unaware of terms like "CRP, CLHMS, CRB, CRS".

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Tony, I missed the 'debate'...but I would like to chime in and say education is PARAMOUNT. The designations mean almost nothing to most except other Realtors...and then most of them don't have a clue as to what they mean. I've just finished my CRS after 19 years in the biz (can't use the letters yet though because I haven't found out if I've passed the last test, plus I have to send them my production and $$$)! Wish I had taken it YEARS ago. I think GRI should be REQUIRED for all new licensees...the things learned are the meat and potatoes of real estate. I personally think a 4 year college degree should be required for new licensees...the one think I've regretted in life is not finishing college (although I'm working on it and I may be the oldest graduate on the platform accepting my diploma when I finally finish it!)

P.S....use to sell in Phoenix and still own investment condo there

Tony, thanks! And you never have to ask for permission to add a link. I know you would never to anything inappropriate. I'm still trying to catch up with the comments. =)

Christina - Thanks for the suggestions and for highlighting Camp 443 - which stands for 4 Listings, 4 Sales in 3 months (if you attend the classes AND do the assignments). Here is a link to the curriculum. Anyone who wants to discuss Camp 443 in more detail is welcome to contact me for a 1 on 1 discussion via GoToMeeting.com

Fran - A smart move to get your Broker's license IMHO. In Arizona you have to be a full time Salesperson for three years before you are eligible for your Brokers license. Full Time = Having a 3 year history as a licensee and having your Designated Broker(s) sign off on this form verifying your FULL TIME status. I know the requirements vary from state to state. Once you have that under your belt will you be pursuing any designations?

Marti - Sounds like no-one bothered to proactively inform you about what those Designations mean - surely there must be some folks in your market who have one or more of them?

Mary - Thanks for the observations and I agree - it's a shame that so many in the industry are unaware of the designations and the benefits of the designations!

Maggie - Thanks - I'll keep this on file!

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