5,772,575
John,
In our experience none of the above. The best real estate designation is having a flow of referrals and being top of mind in their community. A
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Margaret Rome Baltimor...
Pikesville, MD
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Olga Simoncelli
New Fairfield, CT
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
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Inna Ivchenko
Encino, CA
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Gabe Sanders
Stuart, FL
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
657,208
None of these designations, including earning a broker license will amount to anything unless you learn how to market and differentiate yourself from the competition by holding these designations. I would bet $1,000 that those who poo poo the ABR do not take advantage of any of the resources that REBAC has for its members to use for branding, presentations, and other tools. CRS provides a great referral network. Big deal. If that's what you use it for, it's a pretty expensive lead generation system with ongoing dues.
For me, the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB) has been very beneficial because they have great management level education. However, by far, the best designation in real estate is the CRP - certified relocation professional offered by the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (ERC)
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Richard Robibero, e-Pr...
Toronto, ON
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Virtual Realty Consult...
Wellesley, MA
1,452,769
I don't see the public knowing, or caring , about the alphabet soup that many insist upon using. Learning something useful that can be applied to your day to day business is another story.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
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Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
5,104,931
I've got them all--CRS, GRI, ABR, SFR, CDPE, SPS, SRES and have learned something in all of my classes. But the most useful has been the CRS.
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John Novak
Las Vegas, NV
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
443,220
I get the most out of my BROKER license...way more useful than a designation.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Margaret Rome Baltimor...
Pikesville, MD
4,800,082
I really can't answer as I don't have these designations. Though in my observations some take these classes only to have the designations and learn little, while others make some excellent use of what they learn.
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Richard Robibero, e-Pr...
Toronto, ON
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
5,868,472
CRS most definitely --- one year I got 18 referrals of which some did go to closing.
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John Novak
Las Vegas, NV
1,239,901
It is nice to pay for the training. Nothing beats being out in front of people getting asked and ans questions professionally.
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Sam Shueh
San Jose, CA
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
4,882,355
None, having a brokers license would be better than any of these.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
3,988,007
By far the GRI and CRS have been the most beneficial. They help an agent become an all round better agent and more skilled.
2,443,250
I have SFR and ABR. I never use SFR, I already was heavy in working them when I got the designation. I use the ABR all the time. It is a great designation.
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Richard Robibero, e-Pr...
Toronto, ON
1,711,988
I have four but don't even advertise them as they don't mean absolutely nothing to public but for further education only.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,622,432
None. I have 4 of them and going to take international and e-pro, but just for my own education. Clients never care, they just care how much you sold and how well. If we could get MBA in RE , then they might notice, all other abbreviations are pointless for them.
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Beth Atalay
Clermont, FL
305,560
I have earned my ABR and SRS so I can say both buyer and sellers. I am only 3 classes from my GRI. From what I have seen these 3 are the most liked by successful agents.
5,583,278
I had 9 of them at one time, and the only one that's worthwhile is the CRS....in my opinion,....
3,071,489
4,601
Your most useful designation that will bring the most business & out of state referrals is the CRS designation. You do nto realize how impactful it is on your business and how other agents choose you over another agent due to having the CRS designation. The classes are well worth the business you will derive n the future due to having this level of education.
8,623
I have GRI and RSPS, trust me potential buyers/sellers will look up these designations and certification to find out what they mean. I have had several buyers work with me because of the GRI and RSPS. I always ask how they found me and they would say on the internet and we looked up what GRI and RSPS meant. The other important information you can provide is have your BIO on your website. People can relate to you if you include the areas you live the high school or college you went to people feel a commonality with you. Today people will do their research on professionals to make sure they are getting someone that has the knowledge and experience.
699,277
4,572,117
Hi John --- I don't have any of the ones you mention. I'd say my real estate license is the most beneficial as it allows me to do my job.
1,712,676
Anything that gives you expertise is valuable to you. What I found was that CCIM was a college education equivalent.
273,237
I find the ABR to be the most effective. Granted I have not, nor do I expect, someone calling me and saying "Hey I found your name on the ABR list of Realtors".
However, I find that they send out a lot of material as well as organize some very useful webinars in which I have gained valuable insight into new technologies. I also notify Buyers and Sellers during my presentations which helps in securing the lising or Buyer representation agreement.
For the measly $100 a year I have received information that helps me in my business many times over.
I have a Broker's License, ABR, and SRS. I plan on taking e-Pro and possibly another. My marketing material makes mention of Broker, ABR and SRS and I don't plan on advertising the others.
Finally, here's a section of my bookshelf. I have walked in on clients looking at the certificates and asking about them. I have signed those clients to agreements. Was it solely because of the designations? Of course not. But it didn't hurt that's for sure.
2,362,701
The best is CRS for knowledge. Probably the ABR makes buyers feel comfortable
504,270
3,854,886
I have "alphabet soup" and more designations than I care to count. The one that is useful to me is BROKER !
25,344
I believe it depends on your market, your clients and what you do with the knowledge you obtained in the classes. Clients really have no clue what all those letters mean and aren't impressed by them at all. Do it to increase your own skill sets, not to impress.
634,482
2,224,473
I found the GRI a great learning experience. I found the e-pro course very helpful with online information. I take the classes and get the designations for my own benefit. I love learning.
900,128
I also got the Ecobroker designation, which took quite a bit of work and time. Can't say that it resulted in any direct earnings, although the education was worthwhile.
1,466,207
John Novak Although not a designation, being a Broker has given me the most benefits.
7,835,619
The best for me was CPM but I gave it up after we sold our property management portfolio.