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May 2007
Index of all
messages
from the Association President
President's Message - What is educational “Alphabet Soup” about, anyway?
By Cheri Long
Back in the day, I taught at a local real estate school. My classes were about the Colorado Real Estate Commission’s Positions and Subdivision and Land Use. It was exciting.
You have no idea how many times I heard students want to know how this “poppycock” would affect them, or why they needed to know this. They just wanted to get out there and sell. Really, why did a residential real estate agent need subdivision and land use information? It was “cute” how naive they could be. They didn’t even know what they didn’t know, much less what they needed to know. Hey, we’ve all been there.
Adjust the curve
But there is a way to adjust the learning curve exponentially. Get MORE education.
Pre-license education is just that…whatever it takes to get you licensed. After that, it’s up to you to decide your destination in this business. Agents with long term intentions know they need more education to succeed. HOW will they get there, what do they NEED to get there and once they are there, how will they SUSTAIN themselves and remain there? The answer, of course, is at our local association.
A huge return
If you knew you could receive the tools that could potentially bring you $30,000 more than the average agent for less than $500, would you do it? How about even if it cost you $1,000? Don’t we counsel our buyers and sellers how best to use their money in real estate investments every day of the week? Why, then, are you not able to see the return on your education investment?
One of the best designations, the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation, helps any agent at any level have the tools necessary for success. A complete series of the GRI is going on right now at the Aurora Association of REALTORS®. You don’t have to travel, you don’t have to spend money on hotels or airfare – you can attend each course individually (if you need a refresher course) or as part of the whole series. It’s a great way to kick start your career in real estate (or get back into business).
Going further
The GRI was the first designation I received. It gave me such confidence, I know that’s why I made it through the first few years. After my GRI, I had heard so much about the CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) that I decided to look into that. Even fewer agents hold that designation than the GRI, and it’s based not only on classes, but also on volume and years in the business. Earning that designation holds great respect in our industry. I know agents who close several extra deals a year with the fantastic national CRS referral system. Again, a great return on the investment. I became a CRS and have never regretted it.
Following those designations came the e-PRO, teaching me all about the Internet, websites and etiquette of using the new technology. That was a wonderful series and I learned so much. I now am a part of the e-PRO digest, learning and hearing about national issues and trends before most agents know about them.
Still learning, still gaining
And my most recent designation is the ABR designation (Accredited Buyer’s Representative). There are so many more I want to earn. Designations give you the opportunity to differentiate yourself from others in this business. If you don’t have alphabet soup behind your name, how are you making yourself stand out? The CRS and GRI series are ongoing at AAR, so why not get started? There is no sequential order...just jump in. Register now before you move on to the next thing. GET EDUCATED!
Here are some designation-related statistics that may surprise you...
As of the first of the year, there were 1,357,732 REALTOR® members of the National Association of REALTORS®.
ABR Accredited Buyer Representative – only 42,100 agents. These REALTORS® have taken the time and effort to study real estate agency relationships.
CRS Council of Residential Specialists – only 49,000 agents. This is the toughest to qualify for. Several two-day classes and most important of all, you have to achieve a minimum performance level of either 75 transactions within a five-year period, or $25 million in sales within any five-year period.
GRI Graduate, REALTOR® Institute – approximately 15 percent of the total membership holds this designation. Great education. You take 16 specified full one-day classes in all aspects of the business.
I estimate that there are less than 25,000 REALTORS® in the country who hold all three of these designations. Are you one of them? |
