Nick,

I can give you my opinion only.......for an Agent I think the GRI contracts, and disclosures class is one of the best.  You have such a liability it is good to be able to know what to do for your client's best interests....liability not withstanding.

As a Broker,  I think management.....and no, I wouldn't go get my Brokers license right away. You need many of the experiences, and mistakes, that come with being a new agent to give you the empathy that will help you help your Agents later. There is a ton of liability in being a Broker....let someone else pay for the Insurance in the beginning :) :)

Go for your GRI and CRS and e-Pro designations. If you are not planning to open your own agency, the designations will be more useful, IMHO

The GRI course is very comprehensive.

I liked the Code of Ethics section.

Nick,

  As someone who is new to the business, it is very overwhelming to try and wade through the "shoulds and should nots"...I want to learn everything and be the best of the best...but where to spend time and money and where not to can be very confusing. This was a great question!  Since I've only taken the basic classes (fundamentals and practice) I'm not much help to you...but I will be closely watching the comments for everyone's answers! Thanks for asking the question, Nick!

Faith LaRosse

Nick, whatever education you go for make sure that it goes towards some sort of desigantaion. I really liked the GRI courses. Very informative and a wealth of information. Good luck!

Nick,

My best class was taught at my company. Called Camp 4-4-3 class which teaches newer agents how to get 4 lisitngs, 4 sales in 3 months.  This is ongoing. It is all very basic, yet a detailed "How To" series.  I still go to a class or 2 if I feel I need to go back to basics.

I definitely have to say the contracts and disclosure class.  It really helped me but I really think that as long as it is an accredited class anything that you can learn is a benefit when you are first starting.

One of the comments here mentioned how to spend your money......I would be very very careful, and DO NOT buy anything for the first so many months.....there are a lot of things that are a waste of money (talking house and lead generations).......everyone will be trying to get your $$$$$ guard it well, and find the free things, and pay for what you need.....(need not want)

Look at the people you admire, either here or in your office.....see what works for them, then see if it fits your budget......and do make a budget for advertising, marketing, everything........ie: I will spend $1 for every 10 I make"  whatever it is, but stick to it and don't let the array of choices overwhelm you.

Nick

Learn all you can, but don't start with broker's classes right away. Slow down a bit, get your feet wet in the business, and Kathy's right--close your wallet except for absolutely necessary expenses. There are way too many places to spend $ and a lot may help, but later. Not now. Take GRI classes if you're itching to learn more, get the GRI and then move up to broker classes. It's GREAT you're so enthusiastic to learn! Too many agents get their license & that's it--they only take required CE classes when they have to. Good luck!

Erica

I would say that the Mike Ferry's Productivity school is a great class especially for newer people. It is a four day boot camp for scripts and dialogue. They cover appointment setting, prequalifying the listing appointment and the listing presentation.

As we are or already have shifted into a buyer's market skill is increasingly more important. Be clear that a buyer's market is a skills market.

Market share is won and lost in a buyer's market. So this is your opportunity to get the skills and go for it. As leads become less and therefore more valuable you need the skills to convert them. I don't mean you are going to learn to say things that will cause people to do things they don't want to. No script works on someone that is not interested in moving. I said in an earlier post. We all have a script whether you think so or not. The key is what to say to people when they give you an objection. For the seasoned vets, we just spew out the answer to a rookie it is a little different.

Nick,

I took the GRI and e-Pro courses first, and found them to be really beneficial for getting more in depth info, plus they gave me the opportunity to connect with more experienced agents.  If I had to pick one specific course, I agree that it would be Contracts.