Getting Real Estate Designations

After getting back in the real estate industry I decided that education would be an important part of my business plan.  I started by attended several orientation type classes through the Board of Realtors.  I soon after I began the quest to gain the GRI designation.  I chose this one first for two reasons.

1. It covered all facets of the business and would give me a well rounded working knowledge.
2. You do not have to join any organizations and pay annual fees.

What I found was that some classes were very good, but many more were just too basic.  I was bored silly in a few of them and thought of them as an endurance test.  I stuck it out and got my GRI designation.

Towards the tail end of earning the GRI designation I signed up for CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) classes.  I knew the CRS designation was the top designation for a residential real estate agent to get.  I took my first class in Waikiki and absolutely loved it.  The quality of the instructors and the materials was excellent!  I took another in Waikiki and then one in Maui.  The Maui class made a huge impression on me.  Besides the fact that Ed Hatchthe instructor was so good, studying with agents from other states and counties was an education in and of itself.  I was inspired by the class that I have since collected several of Ed Hatch's CD sets that I listen to in the car.  I was close to finishing my CRS designation and because of the impact the class in Maui had on me I wanted to attend one in another state.  After some negotiating I convinced my brother Russ to attend a CRS class in Columbia Missouri with me.  What a wonderful choice!  The class was tremendous and the agents in our group were from every corner of the country.  I highly recommend doing something like this to everyone.

Since getting my CRS designation I have taken a few more classes and attended my first Sell-a-bration in Las Vegas this year.  If you have never done it, it is a must.  I am planning to attend every year from now one.  The next we are hosting in Waikiki in January 2008.  Please come and join us.  I am planning a gathering for Active Rain members tied to the event.

Last year I met my third goal and that was of getting my broker's license.  Customers and agents look at you different when you are a licensed broker.  The designations and the broker's license makes a statement to them that you take this profession seriously and you are investing in you business and ensuring that you are the best trained possible.

With all of that said, I am at a turning point.  I am now looking at a few of the designations that in the past I did not take that serious, but am now giving a second look at.  Century 21 is making a push to get more designations.  That is one influence on me.  Recently I interview Tony Marriot and saw his list of designations.  It is the longest of anyone I know.  I thought long and hard about it and though of two things.

1. He is one of the smarter folks in the business I have spoken to.
2. I said wow, the first time I saw his credentials.  I wonder what others think when they see his list

For me I want to always continue to grow and learn.  So I have decided to continue on with my real estate designations.   I passed on getting the ePRO and ABRin the past because I felt the CRS covered the same topics.  My friend Celeste "Sally" Cheesemanwho is kind techie reported she enjoyed the ePRO program and learned some good stuff.

I think the ABR will be good also.  The question of a buyer agency agreement continues to come up and I feel I should review this topic again. 

I will let you know how they go.

I forward to your feed back on these designations or any others you think was a good choice for you.