Do you have a full bowl of alphabet soup?
SRES, GRI, CRS, RCS-D, E-Pro, EcoBroker, GREEN, LGLS CP, CLHMS, CSP, Etc...etc...
In a recent interview in the CAR (California Association of Realtors) Magazine Steve Goddard, CAR 2010 President, who has 13 real estate designations, was asked this question about designations.
'Q. If you had to recommend only one or two designations that an agent should earn in preparation for the market's return, which one(s) would it be?
A. I'd recommend that newer agents - in the first 5 years of their career-obtain their Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI). Then the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), if they are doing residential real estate transactions. I would ask everyone to get more educated in real estate and raise the bar for us."
Realtor Alphabet soup is often viewed by the public as a commitment to a real estate career. The very act of obtaining continuing education in various specialties does raise the bar for the clients who need those specialized services. Some Realtors buy into that theory and some do not.
Thinking about this as purely a business decision, any business benefits from continued and varied upping of the bar in their business in order to keep up with the competition, increase their market share and in reality keep their current clients. Examples would be a Realtor that 10 years ago didn't need a PDA or laptop and today has clients texting them with properties they want to view or seeing them on uTube. Savvy Realtors know that if you don't embrace the technology beast, you'll be out of business. And so the career professional Realtors take regular classes and designations in order to stay current and move their business forward. It is my personal opinion, If you are serious about your business, it's just good business.
What's your alphabet soup? Designation or not, where are you getting educated?
Terrylynn, Full bowl of Alphabet soup
CSP Realtor, SRES, CRS, GRI, EcoBroker, LGLS CP, RCS-D
Diablo Realty, Walnut Creek, California
www.BuyStageSell.com
DRE #00615420
Terrylynn has been a Realtor in Contra Costa County for over 30 years. She works with the Dudum Real Estate Group. Terrylynn is a local expert, who believes in specializing for better service to her clients. She gives talks on Foreclosure Alternatives, Make Home Affordable Programs, Home Staging Consults before you Sell, and is a Senior Real Estate Specialist, Real Estate Collaborative Specialist-Divorce, Certified Residential Professional, EcoBroker and any more. There is no silly question, call now for advice and counsel about your real estate investment. Click here for a question about the area. Visit www.BuyStageSell.com to learn more about Terrylynn and her team of Real Estate Professionals and Staging Professionals. We even stage our short sales! Why? Because it works. 925 8760966 www.BuyStageSell.com

I started with the GRI but immeidately moved on to CRS. In my opinion they're both important.