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Mimi Foster, Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor (Falcon Property Company)

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Ambassador
2,161,048
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

I value my CRS designation and gladly pay the annual fee. I've made some excellent connections throughout the state and nationwide through CRS that have resulted in many referrals.  Whether it's CRS or another designation, the public may not know what it means but people in the industry do. What you get out of it ultimately also depends on what you put into it. 

May 24, 2016 03:16 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

when I was active, I referred to CRS members long before I selected a RE/MAX agent!!!  just saying....

May 24, 2016 01:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

No, dumped it. In fact, dumped all of them. You've got the designation, you've passed the course, why keep paying? It's not a club.

You don't have to keep paying for completed college courses do you?

May 24, 2016 12:31 AM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I've never had any initialas or designations and have not seen it hurt my business

May 24, 2016 09:52 PM
Rainmaker
2,810,149
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Mimi - Mary has had her CRS designation forever, and keeps it current. We have received a good number of referrals over the years because of it, and use it as a referral source when we can't find anyone on AR. We'd say it's worth it.

May 24, 2016 06:24 AM
Rainmaker
823,579
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

Yes, I think it is, because of all the designations, this is the one that means the most and really sets you apart from other agents. The CRS agents that I know are the best in their fields and locations and I know that I will be getting someone with the experience and success that goes along with the designation.

May 24, 2016 01:00 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Mimi Foster - I do not have many such designations - never tried it. I do believe it does help connect with other CRS members.

May 24, 2016 03:57 PM
Rainmaker
2,707,721
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

My CRS is my favorite designation as I do use many of the tools and check the roles first for referring clients out.

May 24, 2016 11:44 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Yes I use their resources and the training is excellent. It is the money I don't begrudge at all. 

May 24, 2016 11:25 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Mimi Foster it is all part of the many ways others profit off real estate agents. I am not a fan of any of the designations.  The one that served me wells was short sale and hafa. 

May 24, 2016 01:24 AM
Ambassador
3,169,508
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

We have it, but not a big fan of recurring annual charges.  And the CRS Referral FB group kind of rubs me the wrong way with the mentality of ONLY referring to other CRS vs. finding the best agent match for a referral regardless of whether or not the agent is CRS.

May 24, 2016 12:37 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,605
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I am not a member, I have a friend that use to get lots of clients from it she said.

May 24, 2016 12:36 AM
Ambassador
6,393,179
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I am sure the public does not care, but if you get enough training and networking in then it may be worth it.

May 24, 2016 12:31 AM
Ambassador
2,061,792
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I question it every year, too.  I eventually pay it, just 'cause I've thrown too much money at it, to lose it now.

May 25, 2016 08:11 AM
Rainmaker
2,362,948
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

I feel the same way - although I do like their classes - just have been too busy recently to take any! 

May 24, 2016 10:38 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

There are better uses for your money.

May 24, 2016 10:10 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Mimi... that is one designation I believe is worth having and "selling" to prospective clients. I get consistent referrals from other CRS's and look for a CRS when I refer.

May 24, 2016 09:51 PM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

I do not like to pay the dues.

May 24, 2016 09:07 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

No. I decided the designations that require annul payments are not worth the investment.

May 24, 2016 07:18 PM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

It used to mean something.  Not anymore.  Money making racket.  Don't waste your time.

May 24, 2016 01:40 PM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

Chat with the Next 100,000 citizens you meet and ask them if CRS to your name or website did ANYTHING for them?

Ask, "Do you know what CRS means?"

Ask, "Would you give preference to CRS or PDQ?"

If you find five indicating CRS meant squat to them, keep going.

Because habits are hard to break, simply make the next renewal check payable to Annette Lawrence. I will put the money to GOOD use.

May 24, 2016 08:01 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Hi Mimi.  Not something that I care to pursue.

May 24, 2016 04:40 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

The only one I keep is GRI since it doesn't nickle and dime me. Never a CRS. Dropped CDPE.

May 24, 2016 04:08 AM
Ambassador
2,178,553
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I think it depends on the market you are in... one where there is an influx of people moving in and you would likely be receiving referrals.   I question the value of the CRS logo on your marketing material.  The general public doesn't know what it means.  

May 24, 2016 03:12 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I did not have it for that very reason, you have to pay for years. I do not see any benefits. The only designation I renew that i need to pay annual fee: Green one. 

May 24, 2016 01:52 AM
Rainmaker
616,868
Todd & Devona Garrigus
Garrigus Real Estate - Beaumont, CA
Broker / REALTORS®

COMPLETELY AGREE WITH Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 !!!

I was considering the CRS but when I found out the annuals were almost $200 I was out.

 

Nov 04, 2016 06:30 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,482
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I too continue to renew this designation every year.  Over the years I have had lots of referrals, but recently, not as many directly associated with CRS.

May 28, 2016 11:34 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I imagine you have to look at both the positive and not-so-positive aspects of membership.   

May 24, 2016 10:46 PM