CRS LogoThe discussion on designations came up on a few of my blog posts on professionalism.  My last post: MY GRI Designation talked about my experience in getting the GRI designation.  The post will focus on what I consider an extremely important designation and the one I that is the most meaningful to me the CRS designation.

My experience in getting the CRS designation was positive experience.  I learned a lot, met many top agents, made friends and now belong to an organization that continues to help me in my career.

I selected the CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) designation as a goal for a few of reasons:

  1. It is the most respected designation in our industry
  2. I was told it had the best classes
  3. The organization is referral based
  4. Most of the top agents in my community that I respect have the CRS Designation
  5. The average agent with a CRS designation earns about 4 times the industry average.
  6. Only about 4% of all agents have a CRS making it somewhat special.

The CRS designation requires not only taking a series of two day classes, but having transactional experience.

The first 2-day class I took was on real estate investment.  The instructor was Tina Daniels from Arkansas.  The class was excellent!  I learned so much.  There was a CPA and a lawyer in my group from other states.  They learned also indicated that some of the material was new to them also.  At that point I was hooked on CRS.

My next class was in Maui.  The instructor was Ed Hatch, he taught a class on building a referral based business and also covered how to build your business beyond what you can handle yourself.  He put together a business plan on hiring and working with assistants. He has been my inspiration.  I bought his CDs on several other topics and am now in the process of hiring my first assistant and building a team.

Since Ed's class I have taken several others.  The last two day course I took was in Columbia Missouri.  You read that right.  I flew from Hawaii the Branson and drove up with my brother Russ Prothero who attended a great class with me.  That was the last one I needed to earn my designation.

Now that I have gotten my designation, most would think I would move on; not true.  I have taken several other classes since.  I also attended our local Sell-a-bration and the National CRS Sell-a-bration in Las Vegas.  The only complaint I have heard came from a couple of new agents in Las Vegas that felt the classes were a little too advanced for them.

Next year our Hawaii Chapter will be hosting the 2008 CRS Sell-a-bration at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.  I am planning an Active Rain gathering during the same time as the event do to the large number of Active Rain members who will be in town.

Without question the CRS classes and designation is something that has helped my business.  I highly recommend joining the CRS Council, especially to all agents who are planning to make a full time career out of selling real estate.

Before closing I want to mention one more benefit of the CRS designation besides the wonderful training is the referral network.  CRS has a directory of agents across the country, which has their CRS designation.  When looking for an agent in another state I start with the directory.

I will be going after my ABR and e-PRO later this month.  I will write a similar report on each of them as I go through the process.

 
This post has been included in Hawaii Information

31 Comments on My CRS Designation

JUN
27
2007
187,017 Points 12 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
That is the next designation that I'm going to pursue.  I found the ABR and e-Pro rather basic and am looking forward to a challenge!!!
9:21pm • #1
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Chris - I had skipped the ABR and e-PRO until now, because I thought they would be too basic.  I decided to take the ABR because of some of the distasteful business practices of others have me thinking I am to go to a buyers agency agreement

9:26pm • #2
179,362 Points Outside Blog
I just started working on my CRS.  Took one class, very informative and lots of good people there.
9:29pm • #3
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Gene - I have made many business contacts and friends through CRS.  I also got to meet a few Active Rain members in Las Vegas at the convention.  That was really cool too.
9:32pm • #4
140,360 Points 14 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
Randy- I was thinking as I was reading, "Yup- taking a class in Maui- I could handle that", when you moved on to your trip to Missouri (they pronounce it "Missourah", don't they).  That's dedication, although I'm guessing that it was a great trip with your brother.  Thanks for the "adventure" in designation- while I find it difficult to get excited about structured classes, your posts provide an enthusiastic angle, making it more palatable!  Continuing to learn is what will keep us around...
9:36pm • #5
226,109 Points 41 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Randy, the CRS is the first one I want to earn. I've heard they dropped the production requirements though and the folks that earned it when the numbers needed were much higher feel slighted by that.  As it is, I will still find it a challenge to fit it in.
9:40pm • #6
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laurie - I enjoyed the classes off island the most.  It was quite really cool taking classes with people from around the country.  I learned a lot from them also.
9:40pm • #7
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Maggie - There are two programs, one with more education and less transactions (25) and one with less education and more transactions (75) http://www.crs.com/File/PDF/designation_requirements.pdf

 

9:44pm • #8
269,392 Points 18 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Randy - thanks for sharing - this is all good stuff. Planning to adding some initials behind my name in the future too. Appreciate your thoughts on all this. Congrats!
9:54pm • #9
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Cyndee - Thank you.  I not only have no regrets, I am going to get a couple of more.
9:59pm • #10
294,856 Points 100 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
The CRS designation program is one of the best training/learning experiences I've had in my real estate career.  I have used many of the principles absorbed in various classes again and again!
9:59pm • #11
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Lola - I still have a long list of great ideas I want to incorporate that I haven't been able to do yet.
10:44pm • #12
535,696 Points 45 Featured Posts Outside Blog
CRS is one of the best designations out there. Lots of good referrals come through CRS. I understand that CRS has just decided to allow the CHLMS designation class as two points for the electives. If enough people were interested, the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing would probably arrange a class there just before or after CRS so that people could make a single trip and do both.  Any interest in that?
11:07pm • #13
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Sharon - I would have interest in that.
11:32pm • #14
146,460 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hey Great Randy, I am planning them to take the GRI and the CRS

in the near future :)

 

11:43pm • #15
JUN
28
2007
488,769 Points 84 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router
Ray - The CRS is great.  I will probably always take the classes in the future even though I already have the designation.
12:09am • #16
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Randy,

I just finished a CRS course two months ago and I enjoyed it tremendously.  I especially like the options they offer, more education-less production and vice versa, as you mentioned.  It gives newer agents opportunity to earn the designation.  That Sell-a-bration sounds like a lot of fun, but maybe next year.

12:44am • #17
141,436 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog
I will take the Wealth Building and Referrals in August and then fly over to Maui for the Listings course. I already have the transactional requirments so this is all that I still need.  I just love more education! 
12:48am • #18
2 Featured Posts
Randy I appreciate you taking the time to share about this. This is an important topic to me as there are more designations out there than I have time and money for. It's really helpful to have your experiences to consider when making my decisions.
1:05am • #19
370,439 Points 62 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I'm with Sharon.  The CRS courses and designation are great.  It's a wealth of information.  Not just the course, but the c ommentary and interaction of a room full of real estate agents.  Many of whom are quite accomplished and share ideas and tricks of the trade.
4:57am • #20
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Yolanda - Sell-a-bration was really good this year, I am looking forward to the 2008 one.

David - Both classes were really good when I took them.

Yvonne - You are welcome.

5:14am • #21
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Chris - One of the things that stand out the most was lunch and dinner with top agents from other parts of the country.
5:16am • #22
424,121 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog
I would love to get my CRS Designation. That's the one I've had my eye on for years. Unfortunately, with Fibromyalgia, I can't sit through 2 day courses. Even with my regualr schedule, I fatigue easily and have to plan appointment times carefully :(
11:31am • #23
JUN
29
2007
408,703 Points 74 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hey Randy,

I just got confirmation last night that i passed the never ending CRS204 so I should now have completed the requirements..just have to send in my app fee and my affidavit. So hopefully I will be in the book with you very soon! WEW!

Excuse my plagiarism below but....

Neal Bloom,

Congratulations! You have successfully passed the exam for the Wealth Building Course (CRS 204) course you attended. Credit for completion of this course has been posted to your Council record.

6:06am • #25
2 Featured Posts

Continuing education is important; it tells the public you are serious about your career.  Keep learning and earning more designations and you will find your income growing with your knowledge.]

Congratulations on your hard work to earn the designations.  I wish you continued success with earning the others.

7:01am • #26
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Neal - very cool, welcome to the fraternity.

Steven - Thank you

11:54am • #27
JUN
16
479,924 Points 50 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Randy, my heart is beating as I read your blog. It sounds like a good challenge for me. Not sure if it's up for it.

9:19pm • #28
JUN
17
488,769 Points 84 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Loreena - It has been a couple of years since I wrote this post.  Since then I have benefited from CRS.  Every event I have attended has been great.

12:45am • #29
OCT
10
479,924 Points 50 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Randy - I'm back, so many months later. I just finished my first CRS class. The instructor was Ed Hatch. I tell ya - that guy is something, isn't it? For the first time, I constantly put into lessons (and role playing) what Ed taught in the class. I will continue to support and go for the CRS designation. It's been an awesome experience. Not just the class materials. I will have to wait until March next year before I take another one of Ed's class.

4:58pm • #30
OCT
12
488,769 Points 84 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Loreena - I bought all of Ed Hatch's CDs and listened to them in my car.  He is a great motivator!

5:41pm • #31

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