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The Importance of Education & Designations

I think we can all agree that there is no substitute for a good Education. Not just in Real Estate, but in Life. I work for an independent Brokerage, because I do not feel that Bigger is necessarily better. McDonalds may sell the most hamburgers, & why? Its fast & cheap. I opted for quality over quantity. Now before the hoards of comments come on the attributes on your company. I am strickly speaking from my personal preference. There are obviously pros & cons on both sides.

But One thing that has been stressed by my Brokerage more than Listings! Buyers! & Sellers! is Education! As a recent GRI graduate, I was shocked at the statistics.

Less than 6% of all REALTORS® in the state of CA hold the GRI Designation! More precisely, there are 12,758 GRI Designees currently in the state of CA, which is exactly 5.78% of the REALTOR® population in CA.
Now let's go a step further; there are 546,247 active California Real Estate licenses per the DRE as displayed on their website at dre.ca.gov/gen_stats_07_08.html. GRIs make up a mere 2.34% of all CA real estate licensees!

What I would like to know is Why agents do NOT further there knowledge base after obtaining their license?

Posted by Claudia Efthimos on 08/07/2008 09:36 PM

Comments (11)

education, signature homes and estates, gri, real estate, california, buyers, sellers

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11 Comments on The Importance of Education & Designations

knowledge has power not always gained from the books, however certificate do assist.

08/07/2008 09:43 PM

by Lynn911.com ~ Top Dallas Real Estate Agent (Dallas Real Estate ~ Lynn911.com )

I don't have certifications. However I am probably more educated overall then 99.9% of realtors. I am a master learner...

08/07/2008 09:44 PM

by Chuck Carstensen (Re/max Associates Plus inc)

Hi Claudia;

You are correct.. education is very important. Great Post!!!!!!!!!

Anthony

08/07/2008 09:47 PM

by Anthony Stokes-Pereira (Prudential Rand Realty)

Hi Claudia;

You are correct.. education is very important. Great Post!!!!!!!!!

Anthony

08/07/2008 09:47 PM

by Anthony Stokes-Pereira (Prudential Rand Realty)

Hi Claudia;

You are correct.. education is very important. Great Post!!!!!!!!!

Anthony

08/07/2008 09:47 PM

by Anthony Stokes-Pereira (Prudential Rand Realty)

Claudia

Designations are very important for a number of reasons, first the education separates the real estate professional from the pack. There is also the power of referrals among the professionals with the same designation.

Good luck and success

Lou Ludwig

08/07/2008 09:55 PM

by Lou Ludwig CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC, e-PRO, (Ludwig & Associates)

Claudia

Good luck and success

Lou Ludwig

08/07/2008 09:55 PM

by Lou Ludwig CRB, CRS, CIPS, GRI, SRES, TRC, e-PRO, (Ludwig & Associates)

I don't have any designations (YET) but it's been due to lack of time. Not that I don't seek out education...

Quite frankly, just being a member on AR, sets me apart from so many others that aren't - or- don't take advantage of what is being offered. You may not earn a certificate, but it does set you apart from others in the community. But I'm certainly not de-valuing any designation, I think they are very important in any Realtors success.

08/07/2008 10:21 PM

by Leigh Bates, DFW Real Estate (Keller Williams)

Claudia,

My father instilled in my brain since I was small that education is power and so I always found time to educate myself. I just got my e-Pro designation. Next one will be either CIPS or GRI. Most likely CIPS. Great Post!

08/07/2008 10:35 PM

by Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady", Brookville NY Real Estate Professional (Century 21-Laffey Associates, Licensed Associate Broker)

You're right! Continuing education is the marker of a true professional.

08/08/2008 12:19 AM

by Li Read at RE/MAX

I agree with you. I don't think you can ever have too much education, whether it is acquired in an attempt to gain a designation or simply to better yourself. As Benjamin Franklin so eloquently stated, "An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest".

08/08/2008 01:02 AM

by Phylis Harrell Newsom, Broker, ABR, CRS, GRI (BlueBird & Friends, REALTORS)

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