I garnered my GRI in my first year of Real Estate. I wanted to know as much as possible, as quickly as 
possible. I was in class for three weeks (it's shorter now), took a few tests, and voila: I garnered those three magic letters after my name, which served me quite well for the rest of my career.
This year I attained my ABR designation and I am taking classes for my ALC (Accredited Land Consultant) designation, which I will finish next year. The coveted CRS designation is also on the horizon for 2008.
Why not? Statistically speaking, every designation you garner nets you quite a generous "salary increase". Knowledge is power, and in this, or any market, that is the most important component. Knowing how to successfully navigate the seas of a volatile Real Estate market is quite an asset, don't you agree?
I've compiled a list of worthy designations you actually have to work for in order to obtain. The easiest one, the ABR is a good one to start with, GRI is a great one to graduate from, and the CRS seems to be the Mac Daddy of Residential Real Estate. If you work with land, you owe it to yourself and your clients to garner the ALC designation.
If you are thinking of selling commercial real estate, the coveted CCIM label is the ultimate designation for the inveterate professional. There are only a handful of those agents in any given market. The last time I priced it - in 1988 !!! - it was about $ 20,000 and it entailed traveling to several places around the country and staying for training a week at a time. The exams are real tough, I hear (thus the small number of CCIM's).
Let me know which ones you are working on and why.
CRS There are over one million REALTORS® in business today. So if you want to find that one-in-a-million REALTOR®, start with the over 37,000 who hold the Certified Residential Specialist Designation. CRS is the symbol of excellence in residential real estate. Our members have proven they have the experience, training and commitment to be among the best in their profession. Find out how you can become a CRS http://www.crs.com/
CCIM A Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) is a recognized expert in the disciplines of commercial and investment real estate. A CCIM is an invaluable resource to the commercial real estate owner, investor, and user, and is among an elite corps of more than 9,000 professionals who hold the CCIM designation across North America and more than 30 countries. Nearly 10,000 additional professionals are pursuing the CCIM designation. http://www.ccim.com/about/ccim.html
ABR The Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR®) designation is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate Buyer's Agent Council ("REBAC") of the National Association of REALTORS® who meet the specified educational and practical experience criteria. http://www.realtor.org/realtororg.nsf/pages/abrdesignation
ALC Accredited Land Consultants are the recognized Land REALTOR® experts. The designation is awarded by the Board of Directors to members who have completed a comprehensive program of education and service to the Realtors Land Institute. http://www.rliland.com/AboutTheAlcDesignation.html
GRI The Graduate REALTOR® Institute (GRI) symbol is the mark of a real estate professional who has made a commitment to providing a superior level of professional services by earning the GRI designation. REALTORS® with the GRI designation are highly trained in many areas of real estate to better serve and protect their clients. Learn about other benefits of earning the GRI designation. http://www.realtor.org/griclear.nsf/pages/futdesigmain?opendocument
Thank you Ginger and Congratulations! It does make a big difference doesn't it?
I talked to an Agent who was in my RLI class. He told me that immediately after his first CCIM class, he was able to put a multi million dollar commercial deal together, a deal that he never would have been able to bring to fruition without the CCIM training.
Knowledge is power!
By the way, do you know if they will be offering the one week courses for the CRS designation this year? They did two last year and I missed both of them.
I have had my CRS, GRI and ABR designations for years. Of all of the real estate classes that I have ever taken, I find the CRS classes to be the most valuable and relevant. The instructors do not waste time on 'fluff' like so many other sales trainers do. The classes are reasonably priced and are a true value for the information that is offered, unlike many sales classes that are just 'gimmicks' to get you to spend more money and buy products. I have enjoyed the CRS classes so much that I occassionally go for refresher classes on courses that I have previously taken. I particularly recommend their investment class and highly recommend Walt Frey as an instructor.
Lisa Friedman http://www.LisaFriedman.com http://www.ViaForHealth.com
Mirela,
I have these designations:
CRS-I got that because I think it is equivalent to the Phd. of real estate
GRI-This was the first one I got. My company at the time paid for it
ABR-I really enjoy working with buyers and I think the ABR gives me more credibility than the average agent when it comes to buy side negotiations.
SRES-Senior's Real Estate Specialist. I live in an over 55 community and wanted to better serve that market segment.
I think that all these designations have value and, to go that extra step in getting them demonstrates a more serious approach to the business. To follow up on your title, I think there is a little too much "BS" in this business.
Dear Brian,
Your dedication to the business is obvious. I am sending you the very next referral in your area, because I care for my clients and I want the best representation possible for them.
Congratulations! Let me know when you open your own firm.
Please stay in touch! I'm very impressed by your commitment to the business!
Thank you so much Rich for that candid response!
The SRES is one I've been giving ample consideration to, since our market has a lot of retirees. What did you think about that training? Your input would be much appreciated.
Mirela,
It is funny but this morning, while working on my 2008 Biz Plan, one of the Educational Goals for 2008 I plugged in was the CRS designation. One question though, do you have any idea the investment to obtain the designation? I have been trying to track my costs on the plan, both monetary and time wise. Good post!
Thanks and happy New Year from Toledo, Ohio!
Mirela and readers,
I have my GRI, ABR and e-Pro and I am the managing broker/owner of a small independent firm. Not sure what I want to work on next.
I agree with everything you said. I have several designations and agree the CRS is the one I cherish the most and make the most use of.
Dear Rick,
Just follow the link to the CRS website, where you'll easily find a course schedule and cost. I am one of those people who never pays attention to cost when it comes to education. I am aware of special "scholarships" for various designations available to those who qualify. You should check with your board for that. Good luck with your training and thanks for the input!
Dear Carolyn,
Going for your ABR is a very good decision. It's an expedient and easy designation to garner and it will help you with your Buyer Representation Business. Good luck!
Dear Carolyn,
Going for your ABR is a very good decision. It's an expedient and easy designation to garner and it will help you with your Buyer Representation Business. Good luck!
Dear Mike,
The CRS designation seems to be the favorite among those who have already garnered several designations. Good luck and keep up the good education!
Dear Randy,
Thank you for your input! Are you going to the SaleABration in Hawaii later on this month?
Yes, that's good advice. It's hard NOT to use the great keys of good training, at least for me, it is. Implementing the new knowledge is key. Good point, Karl!
Carolyn,
Congrats on your featured post. I got one once!!!! I applaud your investment in your future and would like to invite you to add this article to the CRS group. http://activerain.com/groups/certifiedresidentialspecialists
Also would welcome you to check out my article on how CRS has helped me in my Career http://activerain.com/blogsview/55390/What-CRS-has-done
I will make a comment about Karl's comment. I believe it is imperative to keep going to classes, but even if you do not implement anything, you are still learning, furthering your knowledge base. You never know when you will need to pull out a statistic or script in certail circumstances.
Happy new year and please continue on yur quest of knowledge.
Guy is President of Wisconsin CRS- (for 3 more days).
I recently passed and received my BS degree from Flight By Night Mortgage Institute. Hopefully that helps me to increase my income.LOL
Thanks for explaining all those abreviations, I was always curious what they all stood for.
Sean Allen
The Mortgage Professionals
Dear Guy,
Thank you for the invitation! I have joined the CRS group and posted this for the group.
I will check out your blog next.
Thank you for your wise words!
E-Pro is what I am garnering right here on AR... This is up to the minute information, unsurpassed anywhere else. Check out some of the tech and marketing groups here; the EDUCATION you will get here is INVALUABLE !!!
I have most of the residential designations, including ABR, GRI, CRS, and CRB, and yes, even the QSC! I am going to let that one go, however, since it is a poorly run program. The concept is you get surveyed after the transaction (as do all GMAC agents) by the company. A QSC survey is very detailed and it requires you to do more work than a standard presentation-which is very good- but their follow up and promotion of the program is weak and you have to pay an annual fee to stay in the program.
Here's the real deal: The knowledge from the designations is great, but consumers don't understand or follow the designation so it is greek to them. If you use the knowledge, that is good. If you tell me you are good because of the letters it makes no sense to them.
I would like to pick up a couple of designations, but I'm not sure how much I will advertise them. I want the knowledge.
I surveyed a bunch of potential clients, and found that NONE of them knew what the designations meant. The value of them isn't in the initials, but in the skills they represent.
I finished my e-PRO certification just a few weeks ago. And I highly recommend it. I have been using the internet ever since it was created ... and I still learned quite a lot in the e-PRO course. And here we are on the internet. Just goes to show how important it is to the industry.
I would also like to get the ABR certificate. But the education is more important than the badge. I was a girl scout, and we loved those badges!! I agree that it's not the number of abbreviations behind our names, but how well we put all of this education to use.
Dear E-Pro,
Thank you for that comment! Maybe we should all look into that designation.
Hi Mirela,
Which designation is "BS" I don't recognize it. What about the CIPS for does that don't know it stands for Certified International Property Specialist only 1500 members world wide at the moment, a great source for networking internationally.
Manny Reynaldo - www.2bocahomes.com
I think continuing education and training matched with certification is something that can ease worries by clients who wonder how much does my agent really know. Good stuff!
Jess Rankin
Dear Manny
The BS designation is the same one as in "Don't BS a BS-er"!
Good point about the CIPS, a designation well worth having. I have assembled a link to all NAR designations and their pertinent links in my new blog: AR Stands for "Amazing Results" !
Thank you for your valuable input!
Hi Mirela, I finished the CRS five years ago...it is well worth the effort also feel the ePRO may help as the Internet becomes more important to consumers and real estate agents as well. Nice post...congrats on the feature.
"Knowledge-based" - I like that term!
Thank you for your comment, Marsha!
Informative post and I am enjoying everyones response. I planned on working on my ABR. The more I learn the more confident I will feel with my clients and other agents. I believe that confidence shines through.
Our Board committed to bringing all the GRI classes to Steamboat in one year, so I'm over half way to that designation.
Also, I just finished a class online last night for the RSPS--Resort and Second Home Property Specialist. I need to take one more class and I can't decide whether to do it online or in Denver.
My comment is: What do all of you think of online vs. traditional classes? The one I did yesterday was the eBuyer class, and it had great information but was generic to any market in the US. I did miss the "local" information the live instructors give.
What is your preferred way to take classes? Online or in person, and in town or travel to network?
Thank you, Jennifer!
You are so right about your confidence level being higher, the more educated you are. Our clients are entrusting us with the biggest investment of their lives; shouldn't we treat that with the proper care? Education is key.
Good luck with your ABR!
What a great question, Eliese! I hope we'll have some other members address this one.
I prefer live instruction. It's too easy to get interrupted or "side-swiped" with on line courses. I prefer to focus, attend the class, take the tests, have that human interraction and get it done.
On line is better than no training. You have a designated space, time and mission, and it's probably more achievable than the on line course you can take your sweet time with and never finish...
Not all designations allow on line training, that's also something to consider.
Thanks for your valuable input!
Mirela,
Bravo!! Love your answer. Got a big smile :)
Best regards,
Manny
Thanks Manny! Glad to see you back here again! Have you subscribed to my blog yet? I have some great info I will post soon. Can you say: "MoneyMaker"?
Yeah; that's what I'm talking about... Knew you'd understand.
Dear C.J.:
Thank you for the great input and lovely comments!
What is the NCHS designation? I've never been exposed to that one before.
Yes, LaNita, start your career the right way! The GRI is my most favorite for the new agent. It's a commitment, but it will help you very much in your new career. For the ABR you need to complete at least 5 transactions along with the two days training and the additional two day elective cours. The 5 transactions have to be under an exclusive agency agreement, meaning that if the listing is with your firm, that transaction does not qualify. One of my agents is currently in that boat. He has done several transactions, but most of them were either under designated agent, or dual agency. Check into it before you enroll.
With the GRI, you just attend the classes, study, pass the tests and you garner that most impressive of designations.
Good luck!
Dear Latonia,
Your local board may offer scholarships. Your broker may also help you with it as well. Check into it! Most people don't realize just how much money is available to those who ask for it.
Hi Mirela,
Congrats on your feature and your GRI. Good luck on your CRS. I think you will find a huge difference between the two when it comes to agent referrals. I'm both GRI & CRS since the late 70's. The CRS has been invaluable to me over the years.
BTW, I'm also heading to Sell-a-bration in Honolulu next month and hoping to connect with other rainers.
Wishing You HAPPY HOLIDAYS and Best Wishes for A GREAT YEAR 2008.
Tommy New York Certified Home Inspector Long Island NY Nassau/Suffolk/Queens Home Inspections
For the most part I have found designations to have lost their value as indicators of proficiency or expertise.
In the technology world Microsoft has an MCSE designation. It used to be they would garner the best jobs and paychecks. Now there are MCSE farms that have watered down the designation.
In our industry I come across agents whose business card is filled with designation, and after getting their offer with typo's or watching them blow up a deal at a home inspection by not managing their clients expectations, I question their value.
THe fact is while some designations will get you Relo leads or maybe impress the owner/broker so they throw a lead your way, the designations themselves do not make you a better agent.
Like any other professional it is our duty to keep up on economic, political and industry news pertinent to our market, attend seminars and develop our marketing.
At the end of the day I may place value on the material you learn, but I think too many low quality agents with designations have watered down its potency.
Thank you Dick for your passionate response!
I am sorry that you have encountered unprofessional agents, with or without designations.
One can put a spin on anything, I guess. I know agents who feel that designations are useless; they are the very same agents without any designations after their names. How would they know that designations are useless, if they have never gone through the training?
Education is earned through erudition. Designations are simply a concentrated, focused and defined way to enhance your knowledge, and thus better service your clients, who rely on you to know how to best do your job, and get them what they need with the least amount of trouble and with the best bottom line. In that regard, education is KEY!
Thank you Graham! Several of us here are in complete agreement with you on the value of the e-PRO.
Thank you Bob and Carolin! Happy New Year to you too!
Thank you Tommy! Decebal is a dacian name, the ancestors of Romanians. Are you Romanian?
Good luck Toni! Some of those CRS classes are applicable to the GRI designation. You might want to check into that.
Congratulations, Jim! That is a very important achievement. You can now own and run the company!
Cut through the chase and go straight for the CRS designation!
Good luck!
Darlene~ ASP is an Accredited Staging Professional, a quick and easy one it get.
QSC~ stands for Quality Service Certified. At the end of each transaction a survey is sent out and the agent is ranked. What you want to achieve is all 5"s. These are both NAR approved.
Jason,
As a broker/owner you would personally benefit. Read some of the CRS designees' comments; apparently it is a fantastic source not only of education, but also a great source of referrals.
Thank you for your comment!
Dar, congratulations! You worked hard for that and you were so dilligent with following up on it all.
GRI would be a good one to garner next, unless you want to delve into the big KAHUNA, the CRS designation. I'm getting my CRS, this year, maybe we can attend the classes together. I already have the schedule. Let's talk!
Again, congratulations! You are the BEST ROOKIE I've ever seen! Your eagerness to learn and your willingness to work hard will put you at the top of your game; heck, you're already there!
WOW, KIM, I'm impressed! Trully! You have been a busy girl. I admire that dedication and it will get you very far in this business. Let's network! Stay in touch! I want to send you my referrals, and I look forward to getting yours!
Mirela: My first year in real estate, I earned the GRI and ABR. The second year the ePRO and the Arizona certification, MRE. By the end of the third year, my CRS, and in 2006 my Broker's. So that's the ABR, CRS, ePRO, GRI, MRE and Broker. Any and all education is extremely important - especially continuing education. the CRS and my Broker's is especially meaningful to me.
Lady In Red, Teri Ellis, no wonder you kick butt!!! Wow, what an inspiration! Kudos to you! You are a great example to follow. I don't get much business in your area, but when I do, I will certainly refer the clients to you.
I love your "Lady In Red" signature. Great marketing!
This may not be appropriate, but here it goes, anyway: I AM PROUD OF YOU!
That was such a cute comment, Debbie! Did you garner all that training through the Internet? How did you like that?
CRS is holding a SellABration in Hawaii at the end of the month, and I think you can possibly finish your training there. It's worth a look. It would be tax deductible...
When is the best time to visit Alaska: July or August?
I look forward to your answer! Congratulations!
Mirela - I actually did GRI in Anchorage. It required 3 separate trips and I stayed with a friend who used to teach first time homebuyer classes for Alaska Housing Finance Corporation. He had a major stroke, and as much as I wanted the education, I spent the evenings with him and gave his wife some respite care. I'd come back to their house each evening and send her on missions to go shopping or do something else for herself. Bill and I would sit and talk, watch TV, or I'd help him eat his dinner. Every trip he would have a goal, like sitting up by himself, standing or moving unassisted from one room to the other. He's left Alaska now, but Texas didn't suit him, so they are coming back to Alaska. Maybe they will be back in Alaska in time for the last CRS class I need! As much as I'd like to do SellABration in Hawaii, I don't think it's in the cards this year. I just purchased a Harley-Davidson motorcycle for my husband's 40th B-Day to head off the inevitable mid-life crisis, plus we have one in college and another almost out of the house!
Debbie, you are such a great person! What a lovely story! Thank you for sharing it with me! It touched my heart! That is such a sweet thing to do. You deserve the best!
Smart move with the Harley... I need to learn from you. You are a wise woman.
Stay in touch! I'm glad to know you!
Mirela, thanks! My Lady in Red grew out of (1) wearing red in my real estate photo, (2) I wore red on all appointments, and then (3) at a GRI class, we discussed marketing and creating a slogan or something memorable. Thus, my Lady In Red.
I continue to take CRS courses when I can.......love what I learn in those classes and rubbing shoulders with other Realtors who are learning their business.
I would be happy to take any referral from you. I appreciate that. I typically like to send my referrals to someone that has continuing education acronyms after their name.
Thank you, Teri for the response! I guess I should sign with "The Lady In Neutrals"... I don't think that would be so catchy; so I'll stick with my usual "Your Real Estate Myrtle Beach Connection"
Have a Happy New Year, Teri!
Mirela Monte, GRI, ABR, BIC, NC & SC
Thanks to all of you for your most valuable input! My sister post has even more info regarding ALL the designations.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/319939/AR-Stands-for-Amazing
Two featured blogs in one day; no wonder I can't sleep...
I have learnt so much from all your comments both here and on my other blog. Thank you! I'll TRY to sleep now; it's 2:22 am... I'm still too excited!
It is the clear winner here, isn't it, Cyndee... Good luck!
The REDC and the GGR will pay for the CRS, and then the CRS will fortify both...
CCIM appears to be the next designation in line for me, instead of the CRS. Any thoughts on that from you?
I got my CRS and am glad that I did. I feel that my MBA degree has satisfied the GRI and then some. I just received my CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert). Since education is the key to success, my next educational goal is to obtain ePRO. After that, who knows.
Unfortunately the public is not aware of all of the certification/letters after our name.
Got my ABR early on and really liked the training... did not help with buyers as much as I thought but the knowledge is good.
Got my Brokers license and CRS last year and LOVE the CRS training... the best in the industry. The marketing and network are great too... I think the letters on that actually do help.
Leolinda: Congratulations! Those are top of the line designations. With that type of education, you will be successful in Real Estate regardless of market movements.
Mark: CRS is the golden standard, it seems. Everyone vouches for it. I really have to garner mine; I am just too enticed by it. I am currently working on the ALC (accredited land consultant) accreditation.
I just brought this one out for one more go-round. I hope you like it!
Have had my GRI, CRS, ePro for several years, time to get going on the ABR, thanks for reminding me, EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION !
Many colleges now have MBA programs for Real Estate. I had a great professor that actually had his doctorate in real estate, one of the main reasons I got into the business. What does everyone here think of such non-industry specific designations?
Brian: Increasingly we're going to see more and more degrees. Education is critical in this field and the rudimentary "bare minimum" requirements for entry into this profession should certainly be reconsidered. The ones barely in give the rest of us a bad reputation... I applaud a movement to tighten up the requirements for our profession.
Education is important. Too many agents don't pursue designations! It's not that tough to get them, but it's time and money. I wish more did ...
Erica: this is a perfect time to catch up on education. Every course taken has garnered me new opportunities.
It's surprising how many agents are not aware of the many opportunities at our disposal to make the deals work. This market is going to swallow up the ones who have not invested in their education.
Mirela, thank you for a nice compliation of designations. I am preparing to get started on my first, but have to decide between the CRS and GRI. CRS because it tends to residential real estate, and because I now finally qualify for it; and GRI for the knowledge base. Also will do ePRO but that is much less of a time commitment. Best of luck with getting your CRS under way.
Thanks for the post.
I've been thinking about the CRS and/or the GRI