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Are Designations and Certifications REAL???

By Richard V. Foster, Esq.

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Law Office of Richard V. Foster B.58356 PM.163860

September 04, 2008 04:05 PM

OK people... PET PEEVE TIME...

What is it with all these agents that feel no pride in their profession and only see designations as "just a bunch of letters after your name" or that "EXTRA" training is just a waste of time???

I am so sick of posting referrals here and getting pure hate in return. I require that the agent have at least TWO major designations before I will grant them the referral, not a big request for a serious agent. I get emails that are just slamming me for having the never to make people "jump through hoops" or to be certified is just a waste of time.

I hold only four designations / certifications and have one more pending. These designations show my clients that I am serious about my education and learning to serve them better. It shows other agents that I am a serious player and not just a part time hack.

Certified In

RRG - Risk Reduction Graduate

CREN- Certified Real Estate Negotiator

ABR- Accredited Buyers Representative

ABRM- Accredited Buyers Representative Manager

PENDING

GRI - Graduate Realtor Institute (just two more classes to go)

PEOPLE, GET A CLUE... It is not about the certification, it is about the dedication. The classes are not hard and to be honest they are for the most part not a challenge. The designations are not the goal, they are the tool... And to be BLUNT if you are too lazy to get extra education and cant see past the nose on your face, I do not want you associated with me when I place my name and reputation on the line to give out the referral.

For all of you who have designations regardless of what they are, I say congratulations, you are a true professional. To the rest of you I say, even McDonalds and Starbucks requires their employees to be certified, so get off your butts, stop making excuses, and get at least two before you ask me for a referral...

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Sue Botelho

Waterstone Mortgage Corporation - Fort Walton Beach, FL

USDA Rural Housing Mortgage Pro

Richard, if we are in a business that is ever changing, as ours obviously is, and we aren't getting training, we aren't up to par with other professionals. Don't let 'em get to you! I am a mortgage lender and I am ALWAYS learning my trade...it keeps me ahead of the competition AND better able to serve my clients, just as it does a Realtor! You keep learning!

Sep 04, 2008 04:10 PM

Mary Pope-Handy

Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA

CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley

I have known great agents with no designations, and fools with plenty of letters after their name. Some designations (not the GRI of course) are all of a one or two day class in one topic or another and mean very little. Others, like the CRS or GRI, reflect much more.

Like you, I have a bunch of letters after my name, but I know plenty of agents who are smart and saavy without any at all. I wouldn't generalize EXCEPT to say that when I see CRS, I know it's an agent who's got experience and training, and when I see GRI, I know its a lot of training (though not necessarily much experience).

Sep 04, 2008 04:14 PM

Bill Dunn

Elite Realty Group - Paducah, KY

This is a commonly argued topic. I am working on my GRI and I earned e-Pro right after I got my license. Several agents in my office believe it's just another way for someone to take their money. My broker doesn't have many desginatons that I'm aware of but he has all the books and such and I believe he knows the material forwards and backwards. He has told me that he would recommend new agents who intend to be in the business for the long term to go ahead and get the designations.

Sep 04, 2008 04:16 PM

Shane OnullGorman

Eau Claire Realty, Inc. - Eau Claire, WI

Eau Claire Wisconsin, Real Estate Agent & Realtor- Buy or Sell

The average consumer probably has no idea what they mean. I think they are important and I respect those who have them.

Sep 04, 2008 04:17 PM

Kona Home Team (LUVA LLC) Lance Owens (RB-24133)

Kona Home Team (luva llc) - Kailua-Kona, HI

2024 Real Estate Expert - Hawaii Island

Hey - Richard - you should be proud of your designations !

But dont write off agents who dont have any - to tell you the truth - in our small comunity, a majority of the Realtors - with a slew of designations behind there name - are true A$@##*^ and I dont want to asociate myself with them. They can keep their club !

There are lots of great agents out there with just (RS) behind their name, you never know what we did in our past professions - we may have years and years of training - and the letters dont mean as much. We just - do the right thing - TAKE CARE OF OUR CLIENT FIRST !

How is Vegas doing - I grew up there - went to Western High School .

Aloha, and have a great day

Lance Owens (RS)

(808) 936-8383

Lance@KonaHomeTeam.com

www.KonaHomeTeam.com

Aloha Kona Realty Inc.

78-6740 Alii Drive

Courtney Cooper

Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA

206-850-8841

I am working on a few myself and definitely see the value!

Sep 04, 2008 04:23 PM

Paula Swayne

Dunnigan, Realtors, Sacramento (916) 425-9715 - Sacramento, CA

Realtor-Land Park, East Sac & Curtis Park -Dunniga

Hi Richard!

I don't deny that agents that have designations are well educated, but I do think there are other considerations. For example, I go to 2 meetings a week to educate myself about what is going on in our industry. I am the chair for our grievance committee. I was chair of our regional meetings. I am the broker of record for our company. I read everything I can get my hands on. I attend community meetings so I know what is happening in our area. I don't have any designations. I think I am a great agent for my clients and I try to exceed their expectations. So, according to your standards, I would be automatically eliminated. I just think that you have eliminated some great agents. I do understand that without knowing them, you have to have some criteria to select an agent, so this would work for you. I just ask that you not think so little of those of us who do not have designations...you might be underestimating our abilities.

Sep 04, 2008 04:40 PM

real estate real estate

Providence, RI

Richard, many people even cannot differentiate between a realtor and agent. More titles will only confuse them. I think it is nice to have them but pretty useless.

Sep 04, 2008 11:00 PM

Chastity Guevara

Camelot's Quest Realty - Casa Grande, AZ

Richard,

I agree with you that you should have some criteria for picking an agent, but I also completely agree with Paula. I know a lot of agents with no certifications that are absolutely great at what they do and I also know several with the letters after their ames that I would never refer my clients to.

Have a great day!

Chastity

Sep 07, 2008 03:39 AM

Anonymous

Brian Richard, ABR, GRI, EPRO, RDCPro, NVSI

I completely agree with you. Most employers will not hire without a college degree, or the lack of a degree will not get you into the door for the interview. This is the same process and ensures that your trusted referral is working with an agent who takes the time to better themselves through education and dedication. Although, a designation will not guarantee an agent is perfect, I agree that it is a good place to start.

Best,

-Brian R

Jan 31, 2009 04:32 PM

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Are Designations and Certifications REAL???

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