First, I think taking all the classes at once and getting it over with is best. It's hard when you're busy but . . . well, ask Jay about his experience the other way!  (LOL)

I have quite a few little letters at this point but broker is the most empowering for the actual practice of real estate.

I also believe to the public, where the distinction is made (in some states, all are 'brokers' but otherwise) 'broker' is perceived as a higher level.

I am currently in week 5 of the 6 week version of or broker's licensing class.

It's absolutely excrutiating. I would have liked to take the 3 week version, or even the nine day version, but there's no way I could have run my business attending class that frequently. As it turns out, taking the classes that fast wouldn't have done any good anyway. In AZ, you have to send a from to the Dept of Real Estate documenting your years of experience. They have to verify that and return it to you BEFORE you can even sit for the state and national exams. And it's currently taking eight weeks to get that form back. Your state may be different.

I agree completely that having the "designation" of Broker means much more to John Q. Public than anything like ABR, GRS, etc. Besides, if you *really* want to work for yourself, it's mandatory.

IMO, much depends on how much "other" education you have in the first place and your life experiences.  Designations have their place for those who lack education beyond high school and who don't have significant life experience or for those who feel insecure in their RE knowledge.  I obtained my broker's license in 2001 three years after I obtained my salesperson license and by 2004 was managing an office and in 2005 opened my own shop.  I don't believe designations are right for me but I have a Master's degree and I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday.  I do think that during the first 2 or 3 years the only designation that is worthwhile is the GRI and that is because it can be used to meet the SAE in TX.  Other than that, the only one that I have even thought about is SRES.  I did recommend to an agent to get the ePro because of a total insecurity and lack of knowledge with computers but I also told him that a basic computer course at the local college would do the same or better.

I don't think that the general public knows or cares about designations. They want to know what you are going to do to help them.  

When you get your broker's license remember that you are held to a higher standard.  People see "broker" and they expect you to know more.  Quite an experience when you have people working for you and they come to you with an unusual problem that hits you right between the eyes.  

good luck!!!

Hi Mary,

I think that I have a different feeling on the designations than most Realtors.  I do have a handfull of the designations & choose not to include them after my name on business cards.  The biggest benifit to having the desigantions is the knowledge that comes with earning them.  There are some agents in my board that have every designation available & to the best of my knowledge they are not doing any better in this market than I am.

I also have my Broker's License & I took the 5 day course.  That was exhausting, but compared to some of the real estate deals that I have had to keep together lately, it wasn't that bad.  I told all of my clients that I was taking a vacation during the week that I took the broker's prep class.

My business card does have the GRI, ABR, PRS logos, but the only title after my name is Associate Broker

Rob

I have my ABR, am going after my GRI, and will then start the classes for my broker.  I don't believe John Q. Public realizes the difference between broker and agent, most call us all brokers.  I believe it is up to the individual to explain the differences.  I know in my buyers kit, I explain what ABR means.  My mother is a GRI, and we explain what that means.  She has all the classes for broker, just never wanted that designation after her name.  Her choice.  

I am comfortable with my education, I go to classes for myself, not because I am uncomfortable with the fact that I didn't finish college.  I got over that a long time ago.

Shelly

I agree I think Broker is the most important...I am a Broker in Colorado and Florida and had to do the education and tests in both states.

Now Florida recognizes a Colorado Broker license and now it is reciprical. I have my CRS and a lot of other designations and most of the time the public has no clue what it means. Most people think CRS means Can't Remember Stuff...(just kidding) I enjoy the members of all the designations but it doesn't make me more money ...just makes me smarter and have more contacts. Most of the public knows a Broker is the best!

Good Luck...to you and Jay...I am proud of you...you can never be too smart...knowledge is power!

I also have a masters and I don't think I fell off the turnip truck either :).  But, I still want to gain more knowledge of RE and think that some of the designation classes will help accelerate the process.  I will be taking the ABR course next month.

I enjoy going to the classes.  You do learn something every time you go into a class.  RE changes and the classes change to inform you of the changes.  I am going for brokers classes starting soon.  But, I go to classes for my knowledge, not the designation behind my name.

Good for you Rod for getting your ABR.  I enjoyed the class, I hope you do to.  And I learned something!!  here is my thinking on getting my GRI.  I had to do 30 hours for post licensure within 2 years.  Since I had to go to class anyway, why not get a designation after my name?  I hate spending the money and not "getting anything for it".  Sure, I would be (hopefully) more informed, but why not add those 3 initials after my name?  After I am done paying for that, I will pay for the brokers.  If there is another rookie out here, look at the cost benefit and see if doesn't make sense to you.

and if some of my GRI classes will go towards my broker, well I am ahead of the game, I got a 3 for 1!!!

Shelly

IU doesn't keep charging me each year for my degrees.  Some of these designations have an annual charge if you want to continue to have the right to use them after they "expire."  I took a one-day diversity seminar to make someone else happy (never get that day back!).  The certificate they sent to me actually had an expire date on it!  Guess that means that I haven't understood or been pro-diversity since April '05!  

The material I have seen from the courses some of my friends have taken can be found in sales books found practically anywhere (much cheaper than the course) or from good ol' common sense.  I don't see any difference in their abilities and knowledge than those who don't have the designations. The true key to success is not the number of designations you can put after your name but whether or not you understand and can practice your profession.  If getting a designation makes that possible for you then great, but don't get the designation because you think it impresses anyone.  Too many obtain them for only that reason or they think it is some magic formula to get rich quick and that is probably because NAR keeps publishing those reports that say those with a GRI make more money than those who don't, yada,yada, yada.

I'm not against anyone improving their knowledge of their profession. I just don't think that designations are the best way to do it and I certainly don't agree that such basic education should be done after a person is licensed.  And don't even get me started on the licensing process & requirements or those exams!

I started online ABR sometime early last year and never had a chance to finish it and not sure if I ever will. I have a BA in Applied economics with focus on European Union, I have an MBA, I got my broker's license as soon as I could, and am not really planning on getting any more designations for now ... first of all, I can't stand sitting in a class, I just get bored and most instructors lose my attention in the first 5 minutes. I take anything I need to online / self study as long as it's available. I actually have to take a classroom course in two weeks (it's our new Broker Management course CE requirement that can't be taken online) ... and the only thing keeping me somewhat happy about it  that I won't be taking it alone ... Sarah, my associate will be taking it with me the same day! I'll have a study buddy!

My thinking is, all these designation classes were created by people who put practice into courses ... so why shouldn't I learn from real life situations? I feel I can learn a lot more from talking to old-timers, and even from talking to new agents because they may bring something new and fresh into the picture. And I can learn from their mistakes too. No letters can substitute for that ... at least not in my opinion. I say, get a Broker's  ... you'll feel more empowered ... but the rest ... who cares.

BTW, didn't mean to be all "I" "I" "I" ... just wanted to make a point agreeing with Velda that prior education or experience may help you decide whether or not you need or want any designations.

LOL, Michaela.  I too sometimes feel that I do the "I" "I" "I" thing.  I have taken a few of my MCE online but they were "phfttt" classes.  They each gave a pre-test on which I didn't miss any questions and the message the screen showed before I entered into the course said .... and I quote ... "Now, let's see if we can improve on that score, shall we?"  Wow, can I do better than a perfect score?  What can I say?  They were cheap, quick, and the met the MCE requirement.  What a joke.  I don't like sitting in classrooms either ... been there, done that, but will probably do again when I get bored with everything and go back for that PhD someday.  The great thing about having all those college courses is that I didn't have to take many for my broker's license ... just a handful of core courses and that was it.

Mary, I am going to say - do it. I just finished all my classes, and need to find time to prepare for the broker exam. It should happen this year  if time permits. More education and a higher diploma or degree are always good for the business and reputation.

http://www.namneet.com

Girls, when you do the III thing, we learn from it and about you. It's okay. :)

Thanks Candice :-)

I have both the GRI and Brokers designation (my only ones). Neither was obtained from taking a crash course just for the purpose of obtaining the designation. At one time it meant something to have your GRI because you had to take three separate courses to earn each letter and they were offered once per year in Peoria (for us in Illinois). You set the week aside and concentrated on the course, not trying to cover your business at the same time. Then they started offering it locally and agents would take classes during the day and play catch-up on their business at night. How much do you think they still remember from the 'crash course'? Those of us that earned it the old-fashioned way were looked upon by our peers as someone who had taken the time and made the commitment to EARN the designation. Same way with my Broker's license. I attended the local college and took multiple classes with various instructors and learned and retained much more than doing some quickie course just to say I was a Broker. It all paid off when I was hired to manage the office I had worked at for 5 years with over 50 agents.

I also prefer to sit in class for my CE credits rather than do home study. Having live instructors, giving you real life examples, hearing what others have encountered, etc. goes so much farther than reading the chapter and taking the test.  JMHO

Gene, I agree: I get more attending the class.  I get interaction and real life experiences about what we are learning that helps set the idea into the concrete of my head.  I also get to meet other agents that I may do deals with, a little peer to peer interaction can't hurt!!  

I remember those GRI classes, that is how my mother got hers.  Took her awhile to get those initials and she is proud of them.  That is one of the reasons I am going for mine.  We are competitive with each other, and I can't stand that she has initials and I don't, LOL!!  But really, it is about commitment to my chosen field.

I'm almost to end of GRI . . . I like a mix of classroom and online. . .

My broker's hours were crash, and yet they weren't. There were only 5 of us, with instructor and most days, her dad and broker, a former RE Commissioner.  I got SO MUCH out of that. I think sometimes all the knowledge has to be pounded into you in a short while so you can live, eat, sleep etc and really internalize it.