there are no cons.... as far as I'm concerned, it's the only designation worth having....

It's the most prestigious designation, the highest level of expertise and competency in residential brokerage.
Most of the CRSs I know will only refer to other CRSs unless impossible.

Todd, I agree with Barbara, no cons but many pros. I'm a CRS Ambassador and happy to talk to you about it. You can also call CRS at 800-462-8841 or email them at crshelp@crs.com. All the best!

 The only designations that matter might be CRS and CCIM

What Barbara Todaro said.

Todd, the education is wonderful and if you only get one CRS referral each year, you've paid for the fees (which I don't personally think are bad). They are far more cutting edge than most organizations and I've been happy with the continued education that I've taken through CRS. 

If you only get one designation, I would have it be the CRS designation. 

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I find it very valuable to me. The education is top notch and the networking with other agents is alone worth the annual fee.

No idea.

Merry Christmas to All!!

And a Very Happy New Year!!!

No idea. 

Happy Holidays.

I consider it the PhD of real estate... hard to earn. Earn it and make hay with it in your presentations.

More education, and a few referrals from other CRS agents.

Somewhat agree with Barbara
I will say there are other designations I have that I find very valuable but CRS is definitely top dog in my book. My military and Investor designations represent a lot of hard work in education and years of experience too.

There are no cons to any designation that I know of.  They mean little to the general public, though.  CRS's do tend to refer to each other if possible.

I am not big on designations.  I will hold my own and then some with anyone with a CRS designation.  One must factor in all other experience prior to and outside of real estate.  I don't need no stinkin designation 

Damn fine education.

Go for it! Anything good does cost money. The CRS designation should help in obtaining referrals by other agents who wouldn't know you otherwise. With the CRS, most agents would know that you're more than qualified as it has transaction & educational qualifications, it sets you apart from most other agents.

I have a few designations, and would value CRS at the top.   In years past I have received many referrals (one year 18), but with the Internet searches, have not seen as many now.   I too try to refer to CRS also.

Candice A. Donofrio nailed this one!

Todd Phillips - one should go for it. I have not - yet.

While the education you receive when taking the CRS class is something I found valuable.  This past year I allowed my CRS designation to lapse because they charge a significant renewal fee each and every year for the honour of keeping those three letters, without the benefit of providing ... well, anything.

I found that consumers do not understand, nor value, the alphabet that comes after our names, and I've never received a single referral by being in the CRS book for the past 15-20 years.

Pros are education. Cons are the fees.

 I've had it for over 15 years. Can't say there has been any closed business for at least the past 7 years...I've been thinking about not renewing for the past several years...business has changed a lot and with the new rebranding and required education, this is the year I stopped. No one asks about it.

It depends on the individual. 

CRS designation is valusable - if referring someone out of state I always check and see if they are a CRS. 

I think you get more education from them that will help you out so much.

Great source of knowledge and opportunity to network with some of the best! 

My office has had a lot of relocation clients, including the US Navy and never had a CRS.  I'm of the view that designations don't open magical doors to business, success and ability does.

With that said, the CRS is one of ones that people tend to like and there does tend to be an "elitist" mentality there of only refering to other CRS members.  My view is anyone can take an exam and pass it, that doesn't make you the person to hire.  I refer to people of like mindset, people with proven track records, people I know and trust, not to people simply because they have a magic letter after their name.

Take this image and present it to everyone you meet this week.

Ask those citizens which of these mean ANYTHING to them. The only one that actually means anything to the citizen is not a designation but a license type and not shown in this graphic.

The value, you will realize, is what ever you can fabricate. Of  course there is the networking aspect for with you must pay to maintain access every year.

Todd Phillips Pros: You have learned something by earning this designation. Cons: No one outside of the REALTOR® community really cares.

It all depends on the designee.

Expensive to keep it .

In 20+ years no one person has asked me for mine

When I was in college, we all knew that getting a degree was important. However what to do with it remains to be seen. Same with resumes, designations and promises made. It is only as good as the person behind it