3,169,508
I think they're quite profitable for the groups that originate them and require those annual fees. Me personally, I added CRS and maintain that. I've always heard that it's great for referrals, but 3 years in I'm still waiting....
I do believe the education part of being an agent is essential and can't ever stop. But the reality is I gain more useful information in a forum like this with practical tidbits than I do in most designation related courses (that may very well just be formalizing information I learned long before).
For the consumer, I think few even know the difference between agent and broker, much less the alphabet soup we put after our names to impress them. Bill
-
Tammy Lankford,
Eatonton, GA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Inna Ivchenko
Encino, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
921,504
Show this list to 7,000 of your closest friends and note if they recognize even one of them.
As you will notice the ONLY value to the public of these designations is that which YOU create.
If you are marketing to a community of shakers and movers who have little time to spare, your material should EMPHASIS you PDQ designation.
Meanwhile, those who buy meaningless letters to append to their name are simply paying members of the vanity parade.
There is one designation that matters. It does not appear on the list.
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John Juarez
Fremont, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Austin, TX
-
Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Inna Ivchenko
Encino, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
2,178,603
Hi Carol,
This has been discussed at various times here in Q&A. The general consensus seems to be the value is in the education itself, not the actual designation.
As you said the better educated you are the better you can serve your clients. The public doesn't know what those designations mean. To them, it's an indication of something but they don't really know what. I don't like the fact that you get a designation then have to pay to keep the designation without giving you any further education.
Personally, I think you can find other ways (with that renewal money) to establish yourself as an expert in your field. Blogging is very powerful, inexpensive and evergreen. Blogging should be a big part of your marketing strategy.
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Mike Baltierra
Eastvale, CA
-
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Austin, TX
-
Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
David Popoff
Darien, CT
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,502,998
For training, yes... only if you can't get it anywhere else. You DO NOT need an NAR certification to say you specialize in something. The public has no clue what the designations mean and no way to make sure you really have them.
Get the education from the best provider and put that you specialize in it on your card. Don't rely on NAR and don't become fall into their money grab known as designations.
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Mike Baltierra
Eastvale, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
4,572,183
Carol - a hotly and widely debated topic where the answers are clear on both sides. It's very personal and not objective in my opinion. Beneficial for some and little or no value for others.
-
John Pusa
Glendale, CA
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
David Popoff
Darien, CT
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
2,220,654
I do not see a value. Speaking only for myself...
-
Mike Baltierra
Eastvale, CA
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
1,712,676
The education is and it is hard to find something outside of CRS that still gets you referrals and that is quieter than a decade ago.
-
Mike Baltierra
Eastvale, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Barbara Todaro
Franklin, MA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
3,345,091
I have a few and getting them truly did not help ME with the education part. In some case, I knew more than the instructor.
For some, like short sales, many consumers were looking for that. I go for higher education at the University level.
Absent that, self-teaching works. Reading. Studying. Researching. Applying.
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
5,230,102
I enjoy the education and yes, I can and do explain the value to my clients.
I believe, more importantly, in 2019 we are being challenged to communicate our value to the consumer/potential clients. When we have DIY & eBrokerages advertising out the wazoo, staying front & center to John-Q, it's something we all need to put focus on. Oftentimes these certifications, classes &/or designations help us do just that.
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
5,772,575
Carol,
I thin Nina Hollander made a good point, but if I were to buy real estate I could care less about the designations. I care about competence, communication and knowledge. That impressed me more than Alphabet Soup . All professions have designations, like a Board Certified Doctor can be more competent or incompetent than a regular MD. A
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
1,751,129
Carol, this a touchy area for some agents because they are all in with certifications. I have had a number, which I've dropped over the years. I did just recently do the GRI because I'm a committee member for the Virginia Association of Realtors, and we promote that one. I thought I should probably know what it entails, and I had a lot of fun going through the classes. Did it make me a better Realtor? Probably not. I definitely picked up a few ideas throughout that were great. I have sat through a few prominent certification classes only to realize that the information was outdated and in one case, harmful to your web presence. If you want to do certifications, ask around, just you're doing right now, and see which ones have actually had a financial or impact on your business.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
7,836,139
I eliminated several of my designations because of the annual costs.
The education is the valuable part.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
289,607
I Personally Like the Education..and take the classes, I do not join to get the alphabet behind my name, education and the networking with the other agents in the class to me is much more valuable...again Just my Opinion...
-
Carol Lozito, P. A.
Pompano Beach, FL
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
5,104,931
It's a question of whether you can make your clients and prospective clients care... I know that I can and I do.
-
Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Carpinteria, CA
-
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
564,494
Thank you for posing the question. This has brought forth interesting responses.
-
Mike Baltierra
Eastvale, CA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
13,455
Thank you all as your responses were most helpful. I decided not to continue with the ABR membership based on your replies. I gave it 3 years with networking and various replies etc but there was zero ROI.
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
628,814
As with everything in sales you need to work to make something happen. The value in the designation you choose is valuable for the education, but you also need to network with the other members who have the designation to put $$ in your pocket. You can't just put the letters behind your name and expect the phone to ring.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
2,390,620
Are designations valuable? YES to the person selling them. I sincerly have not met a client that gave a rats ass BUT knowledge is valuable... I just wouldn't bore people by bragging about what initials are after my name.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
John Pusa
Glendale, CA
-
Mimi Foster
Colorado Springs, CO
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Inna Ivchenko
Encino, CA
4,882,355
From networking and education purposes yes.
-
Silvia Dukes PA, Broke...
Spring Hill, FL
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,026,993
I have had at least a dozen designations over the years but have let many slide. As others have pointed out, it's the education that's the benefit, not the annual payments to maintain letters that no one outside the industry understands or cares about. And I thought it was pretentious to have 'the soup' on my card, so the only place anyone knew I even had designations was on my website where no one was looking or caring about them. Glad you made the decision you did . . . but don't give up on the continuing ed.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Candice A. Donofrio
Fort Mohave, AZ
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,844,301
Well Carol, you've done a great job 'figuring' it out. I've asked myself these questions years ago & saved a bunch of cash doing so.
The public doesn't care one hoot.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Inna Ivchenko
Encino, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
911,338
Some can be more valuable than others. For the most part, the general public doesn't seem to care about them.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
6,393,494
I wouldnt pay for one, the only value is in the training and there is better training out there.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob Crane
Stevens Point, WI
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
900,128
Only if you learn something, but it's rarely worth the money.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
2,781,173
Beauty is still in the eye of the beholder....
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
1,622,432
Only if they have value in your eyes as a network and education you receive. For public they have zero value.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
5,583,278
I had 9 of them.... they were valuable to me because clients knew I thought education was important.... they didn't know what the initials represented, until after they asked.... and they DID ask!! it separated me from "others"....
-
Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Buzz Mackintosh
Frederick, MD
3,626,530
IMHO, the only designation that holds water is being a broker. We have three classifications of them in Arkansas. They do grab peoples attention
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
536,943
It is always good for education, but like others people from my area do not care. They only want a knowledgable realtor in the area they are looking in.
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
1,076,551
To the companies selling them, heck yes!!
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
4,434,127
I agree with carol
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
4,160,899
Carol Lozito, P. A. it depends on the area and clients.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
5,216,409
Education is always great but the cost of designations annually is questionable
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
1,239,901
In our area, JD, MD, Mba credentials are sometimes included on calling card. These degrees do not need renewal.
A local lady with a CDPE badge knocked on an estate door. The owner came out and asked what on earth that CDPE meant. She says distressed property expert. The owner did not hesitate 1 moment. She said get the f7*#ed out of my castle before I call the police.
We all have to get a Nerds #(NRDS). If you think someone cares you can put it on the card. Nerd #1234. You crack me up.
-
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
-
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Minot, ND
133,344
I never believed in them before but I do now. Not so much for the clients to market to but for us to be more skilled at what we do. To stand out from the crowd we need to continue to educate ourselves. I am shooting for two this year.
-
Anthony Acosta - ALLAT...
Atlanta, GA
1,598,452
5,868,554
I got my designations for the education, and the public doesn't even know what all those letters mean. I do explain them, but emphasize, it is the education that will benefit them.
155,337
I beleive the value (aside from the education) is in how we market that expertise and use it to set ourselves apart from other agents in our local markets.
3,986,258
1,725,996
1,311,397
I am in the camp that believes that designations are valuable for the training that you must undergo to obtain them. When I had my short sale designation I felt that it was of value because of the market conditions at that time. Same for REO designation. I no longer pay to maintain or use those designations.
4,936,705
4,800,082
Some folks make good use of the training and the designations. Others don't.