ePro®.......CRS®.........SRES®?????
I thought I would tap the vast amount of knowledge and expertise available through the AR community! I am currently sifting through the copious amounts of information regarding all of the many different designations we, as agents, can obtain.
Here are a few examples:
CNS-Certified Neighborhood Specialist
Eco-Broker-comprehensive energy and environmental real estate training
GRI-Graduate Realtor Institute
ePro-Internet Professionalism Certificate
CRS-Certified Residential Specialist
SRES-Senior Certified Specialist
All designations require time, money and some thought as to which will provide value to your business. I have some ideas as to which ones I might be interested in but I would like to know which designations you would recommend or have found to be useful in your daily business.
Your feedback, as always, would be most appreciated!
By the way, Brad Andersohn wrote a post a few months back with great explanations and links to enroll!
For your Burbank Real Estate needs please visit my website at anaconnell.com!
Stephanie, thank you! Yes, you've definitely convinced me through your great posts that that's one I need to get! Thank you!
Rey-I just included a link to a past post that gave good explanations of many of the designations, otherwise you can look here for NAR's course info.
Ana, good post and topic to discuss.
I recently had a discussion with my broker in regards to designations. While he holds a few he does not promote them and is not a fan of them either.
I am still up in the air as to whether I want to try to obtain any of these for myself.
Ana, I looked over all of these designations before I chose one and it's funny how none of the consumers care about most of them. BUT, when I heard about EcoBroker that was it. One that any client could relate to, a great niche to market, and an excellent way to set yourself apart. I am the only one within atleast 80 miles with this designation right now. I thought that was neat and made for GREAT Press Releases.
Just my input as to why I chose it.
Ana, I'm not a fan of designations, but am a great advocate for continuing education. Designations are only as good as the instructors that teach the classes and I heard quite a few horror stories.
CRS seems to be one of the more popular and from what I hear offer great classes.
The EcoBroker designation definitely seems interesting. :-)
I've earned my GRI designation. Some of the course was old news, but I did come away with some good information. I felt it was money and time well spent. Another plus with the GRI designation is that you pay only for the courses and a one time fee. With the ABR and CRS designations you have continuous dues.
I kind of look at it as if you have to take and pay for the continuing education, you might as well get a designation. I think that if buyers/sellers are presented with a choice of agents with and without designations they are more likely going to lean towards agents with designations. The designations show that the agent is committed to their craft.
I also found it to be an excellent way to network with other Realtors in the surrounding area. Hope this helps...