It was with a heavy heart that I let one of my real estate designations go today.  My Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) was the first designation I obtained when I got into real estate back in 1999. 

The membership benefits were not worth $99.00 per year anymore.  In fact, with no newsletter and very little advertising except with AARP, which many seniors are leaving, what's this designation worth?  I was never contacted where to find the SRES blog, ANY webinars, and I had troubles getting into their print shop. I always had trouble logging into the website. I received and filled out a questionnaire last year outlining my displeasure! When I contacted SRES a year ago with my concerns, I was told they were rolling out some new programs and I would be contacted.  It didn't happen! I constantly hear from my other designations but SRES considers a bill to be adequate.

When I first obtained this designation, it was not  owned by the National Associtation of Realtors (NAR).   Back then, I received three listings in my first two years due to the information provided by SRES.  Their newsletter and mailings that we received each month were first class and my clients identified with the information.  There is no meat on the current SRES bones.  You just receive a bill and a questionnaire once a year.

I am reevaluating all my expenses and designations, to see what makes sense.  I can't afford to spend $99.00 on designations that the public barely sees and so I will be striking the SRES from my title.  This is not the first designation I have dropped, it is the saddest...

Are you finding it hard to write $100 checks, with no value added, for a designation?

This post was authored  by Paul Henderson ©2012, All Rights Reserved, This content may not be reproduced or reprinted (Except for ActiveRain Re-blogging) without express written permission of Paul Henderson, RE/MAX Professionals, Tacoma, WA.

Courtesy of 

Paul Henderson, Residential Real Estate Broker

Realtor ® ABR, CRS, GRI, CDPE

RE/MAX Professionals

As a Residential Broker and Relocation Specialist, I sell homes in or around JBLM, DuPont, Tacoma, Gig Harbor and Hartstene Pointe in Washington State.
Please visit my website at http://www.phenderson.net to search for homes and information 
(all information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed or warranted in any way)


Referrals are always welcomed and appreciated, Thank-you!

(As a member of the NWMLS, this blog post is intended to comply with NWMLS rules as pertaining to blogging.)

 

 
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7 Comments on Designations, Are you finding it hard to write $100 checks?

MAY
21
2012
762,262 Points 61 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yes, I too have had to re-evaluate the necessity of keeping these designations current.  I have yet to get a referral from one.  I enjoyed learning the content but don't see it helping me much to keep them current.
4:02pm • #1
976,963 Points 103 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yes Paula it is sad. I sat through a 2 day course for many of my designations. I too gained from the knowledge!
4:29pm • #2
276,190 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I received my ASP designation and let that one go after one year.  No one ever has not hired me because of it.
4:31pm • #3
976,963 Points 103 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kathryn, many people don't even know what SRES or ASP stand for. I paid dearly to earn the designation and I feel the $99.00 a year is excessive in some cases... 
4:36pm • #4
630,341 Points 8 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Knowing that the cost of designations happen yearly, I've started looking for the ones that don't cost.
6:31pm • #5
1,348,797 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Paul

Your not along many Realtor's are dropping the designation because of the cost.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig
6:56pm • #6
MAY
22
2012
1,077,169 Points 295 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Paul, Unless a designation provides clear value, why should they charge an annual fee?  Can't say there's a high expense for keeping a name on an electronic registry on a website, and certainly not $99/year from every person who's ever earned the designation.  Just another form of profit center and making money off the agents.  Is it apparent I'm not a fan of what is essentially extortion?  Bill
3:31am • #7

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Paul Henderson, Broker, Realtor® Tacoma,Gig Harbor,DuPont,HartstenePointe (RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons Inc.) Ambassador_large

Paul Henderson, Broker, Realtor® Tacoma,Gig Harbor,DuPont,HartstenePointe

Tacoma, WA

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RE/MAX Professionals & Four Seasons Inc.

Address: 4801 S 19th St, Suite 200, Tacoma, WA, 98405

Office Phone: (253) 830-6003

Cell Phone: (253) 318-3493

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