Do you have a full bowl of alphabet soup?
SRES, GRI, CRS, RCS-D, E-Pro, EcoBroker, GREEN, LGLS CP, CLHMS, CSP, Etc...etc...
In a recent interview in the CAR (California Association of Realtors) Magazine Steve Goddard, CAR 2010 President, who has 13 real estate designations, was asked this question about designations.
'Q. If you had to recommend only one or two designations that an agent should earn in preparation for the market's return, which one(s) would it be?
A. I'd recommend that newer agents - in the first 5 years of their career-obtain their Graduate REALTOR Institute (GRI). Then the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), if they are doing residential real estate transactions. I would ask everyone to get more educated in real estate and raise the bar for us."
Realtor Alphabet soup is often viewed by the public as a commitment to a real estate career. The very act of obtaining continuing education in various specialties does raise the bar for the clients who need those specialized services. Some Realtors buy into that theory and some do not.
Thinking about this as purely a business decision, any business benefits from continued and varied upping of the bar in their business in order to keep up with the competition, increase their market share and in reality keep their current clients. Examples would be a Realtor that 10 years ago didn't need a PDA or laptop and today has clients texting them with properties they want to view or seeing them on uTube. Savvy Realtors know that if you don't embrace the technology beast, you'll be out of business. And so the career professional Realtors take regular classes and designations in order to stay current and move their business forward. It is my personal opinion, If you are serious about your business, it's just good business.
What's your alphabet soup? Designation or not, where are you getting educated?
Terrylynn, Full bowl of Alphabet soup
CSP Realtor, SRES, CRS, GRI, EcoBroker, LGLS CP, RCS-D
Diablo Realty, Walnut Creek, California
www.BuyStageSell.com
DRE #00615420
Terrylynn has been a Realtor in Contra Costa County for over 30 years. She works with the Dudum Real Estate Group. Terrylynn is a local expert, who believes in specializing for better service to her clients. She gives talks on Foreclosure Alternatives, Make Home Affordable Programs, Home Staging Consults before you Sell, and is a Senior Real Estate Specialist, Real Estate Collaborative Specialist-Divorce, Certified Residential Professional, EcoBroker and any more. There is no silly question, call now for advice and counsel about your real estate investment. Click here for a question about the area. Visit www.BuyStageSell.com to learn more about Terrylynn and her team of Real Estate Professionals and Staging Professionals. We even stage our short sales! Why? Because it works. 925 8760966 www.BuyStageSell.com
I started with the GRI but immeidately moved on to CRS. In my opinion they're both important.
Well, I learn a lot right here on Active Rain! :)
Hi, Terrylynn! I have HSR and AHS certifications, and the LGLS CP. I'm in the midst of the eSSMART training. After that, it will be color consultations and marketing from ICU. Busy! Busy!
Terrylynn,
It really is an alphabet soup of numerous Real Estate designations. I think the key is... never stop educating yourself! Achieving multiple designations can only benefit you and better serve your clients. Great post! :o)
It really doesn't matter the designation... it matters how you use it! As a teacher I can sit here and tell you how many degrees I have... it makes no difference unless I use them in my practice. Some people think that the alphabet soup is the way to go... the more of the "alphabet" they have behind the name, the better they are. It doesn't always work that way. Even having a PHD can sound fabulous, but if not used to its capacity... it really means nothing. ;)) Great blog my wonderful friend.
Vicki, I followed that route too and haven't stopped since. GRI just whet my appetite for CRS and their programs are such high quality and they are constantly evolving and high impact, that I just keep taking them.
Kim, good to see you back here...missed your wisdom. I we realtors have formalized alot of our training. It's there, if you have gaps. And most businesses just go get what they need when they need it.
Laurie, good for you. I just don't think we ever stop learning...it's what keeps our business and our work rewarding, evolving and expanding.
Michelle I agree. Thanks for posting, cute photo.
Lori, that is so true, it's not what we know but what we do with what we know that matters. We can be education smart and not be making any money. I think the education train is about noticing where we lack and finding the education that fills those gaps. And of course, then using it. Thanks for the comment. Ditto my friend, missing our early morning chats.
I like that term "alphabet soup" Terrylynn, I believe it shows your commitment to education and to never stop learning. It's important to relay that to your clients.
I'm excited to take the RESA-Pro designation course after the convention to add that to my ASP, RESA credentials currently. AND I can also say I teach home sellers and Realtors about the benefits of home staging at my CE course at the local Community College here in Plano,TX - hence passing along my knowledge of staging to others.
Never stop learning!
I come from the school of hard knocks. I never went to college but have street smarts. I don't think the actual letters are important, it is what you know and retain. I am a terrible student and need to put things into practice in order to learn. But then that's me :)
Karen, and passing it on is the point, ehhh? Education is the name of the game, the more educated we are the more we can pass on to others and the industry as a whole benefits by our raising the bar. See you at the convention.
Jane, agreed, but then you have some skillset somewhere, right? You didn't just drop into the business of real estate and "know it all"...whether you learn from others, learn by doing, past career skillsets or formal education, we are always learning. I guess we all learn to the beat of a different drummer so to speak. Mine happens to be different than yours, but the client and repeat business really tells the story. You are here obviously because of your competence, and I would in no way question that. It's the results that matter. Thanks for your perspective.
I've had adding some soup on the top of my to do list since I got my license... time to actually get to it.
Dawn, good for you. There are many you can take, lots of choices. The CRS courses are phenomenal as far as specializing in areas you want to specialize in. Have fun doing it.