How important are designations after your name? I can remember when I first became a Realtor in 1978; the heavy hitters all had their GRI, CRS, CRB and CCIM. That was the extent of available designations, if my memory serves me correctly.
Now there is a designation for everything and each course costs hundreds. Along with the granting of that designation, there is a fee to become a member of that specific organization in order to display their letters. This is not a one shot deal. The fees are charged every year.
I had nine designations and paid approximately $1,500 every year to display those letters. Did it make me any money that I would not have made if I had not invested my time and money into those accomplishments? Would I have lost business because I did not have those letters after my name?
The answer is no. The letters meant nothing to the lay person other than I must have done something to earn them. No one knew what they meant. More new designations became available every year. It was obvious that designations were becoming a “fund raiser.”
On the positive side, the referrals that came from my CRS were the only noticeable advantage, and I also referred to CRS members and was very pleased with every result.
Don’t misunderstand my thoughts. I’ve always been a great promoter of education. However, I’d rather see an agent enroll in a college level course in new construction rather than participate in an online new construction designation, as an example. The designation is certainly better than having no additional education at all, but there are better ways of attaining the knowledge that one really needs to succeed in a niche.
I’m sure this post is not going to sit well with some agents. Give me a minute to find my bullet proof vest. It’s been a while since I’ve needed it, and I must have misplaced it!!!
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