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Do I Need This Designation?

By Dawn Brenengen

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Dawn Brenengen - Trailwood Realty 202789

May 04, 2011 01:47 PM

I am considering going through the classes to get my GRI. My first real estate teacher likened this to getting your graduate degree in real estate, which I will disagree with, but I do wonder if it holds any value at all. It’s an expensive series of courses, and I’m sure I will learn some tidbits of valuable information, but is it really worth the money?

Does the consumer care if I have a GRI, and will I learn so much in these courses that I have not already learn in my eight years of working in real estate? What about other designations like the common Accredited Buyers Representation (ABR) or the less common but probably more useful ePro?

What designations do you have, and which do you regret getting, and which are you seeing a return on? I love learning, and I will probably just go through the GRI to see if I get any new information out of it, but I hate to spend well over one thousand dollars to find out that I already knew everything.

Does anyone else hold a GRI who could offer some insight?

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Michele Miller ~ REALTOR®, LMC, HSE, CHS, SRES, CMRS

ERA Key Realty~Worcester County Realty Group - Worcester, MA

'Helping You Make the Best Move"

Dawn,

I do not hold a GRI designation, nor do I miss having it.

Best of luck with your decision.

May 04, 2011 01:48 PM

Rob D. Shepherd

RETIRED - Florence, OR

RETIRED

Absolutly yes do it! I did in 2005/06. The training and knowlege gained was priceless. In most cases the clients don't care about the letters after your name. AbR was helpful the GRI 300 course saved my business and the GREEN designation hasn't done anything for me and I may drop it at renewal time.

May 04, 2011 01:51 PM

Laura Forman

RE/MAX AEROSPACE REALTY www.LauraSellsBrevard.com - Melbourne, FL

Your Brevard Premier Property Specialist

I don't think an agent can ever know everything. Every educational opportunity will elevate you as a knowledgable professional.

Dawn Brenengen

Dawn Brenengen - Trailwood Realty - Raleigh, NC

Sales and Management

Michelle - maybe we don't know what we're missing!

Rob - care to elaborate on the 300 series?

Laura - I definitely agree that every education opportunity can benefit you, but is it worth the expense?

May 04, 2011 01:57 PM

Mary Schurr

Mary Schurr Realty - Charlotte, NC

Realtor - Charlotte NC

Dawn, I do not my GRI, but have often considered getting it. It is time consuming as well as expensive. I look forward to hearing what others have to say that have it. Thanks for bringing this up!

May 04, 2011 02:21 PM

Randy Ostrander

Lake and Lodge Realty LLC - Big Rapids, MI

Real Estate Broker, Serving Big Rapids and West Central MI

I have never had a client question why I don't go for more designations. I always think about the money I would spend getting one and usually decide that money would make good advertising funding. lol. Best of luck whichever way you decide to go Dawn.

May 04, 2011 02:23 PM

Mary - I didn't even think of the time commitment, but you are right. It's very time consuming as well as expensive.

Randy - I doubt the consumer cares if I have a GRI. I just wonder if I'm going to learn enough to warrant paying so much money and spending so much time away from work.

May 04, 2011 02:26 PM

Cindy Jones

Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA

Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

I don't have my GRI but I've heard good things about the classes.

May 04, 2011 02:29 PM

The 300 series had a lot to do with your data base and keeping in touch with past clients. Something I hadn't done. It turns out that is where a lot of your business still comes from, even the people they send you. I would take it again if I could.

May 04, 2011 04:22 PM

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Dawn Brenengen

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