Hi Mary I took both the SRS and ABR courses in October/November 2014. Both provide useful information. But the main reason I did them was to distinguish my self from other agents. I did them both online at my own pace since no live classes were close by. If you have any specific questions call or e-mail ~ dave

Designations are dime a dozen, some you work for it, some you pay a subscription for it.  Being in the business 22 years, I realized that the alphabet soup looks good next to your name, but I doubt it has much relavance in our business.  It makes you feel good for yourself, but doubt it matters much to clients/customers or even the co-op agents.  But I take a lot CE courses to advance my knlowledge but necessarily to get more designations.  The only designation I care about and proud of is CRS.

I love to take classes and almost always leave with something beneficial for my business. I love to represent sellers and would enjoy hearing how you  feel about the course once you are done. 

It helps the business in terms of your additional knowledge, Mary, but not so much with getting more clients.  Consumers don't look for designations, and don't know what they mean.

I have quite a few designations. I haven't seen where this has brought me much business. I think the consumer doesn't really know what all of those letters after our name means. Although the education I've received from each course is priceless. 

I completed the courses for BPO and ABR.  I left each course feeling more confident in my abilities and refreshed in my knowledge of our industry.

CRS has a mixed bag of courses.

The recorded seminars with various speakers is GREAT!!

- BUT -

Their Technology courses are VERY VERY VERY outdated - some material from 2009 (which you know is a lifetime ago as far as computer stuff goes and pretty much useless) and many dead-links as well as one live link to a Russian Google site. Had to "disinfect" my computer after it went there, because it kept going BACK there. I complained a few times, but got NO response, so DON'T waste your money on those courses!!

NO referrals, but it's only been a year, so....

I recently earned my ePRO Certification from Realtor University.  Admittedly, I wondered if it would be worth my time, after all, we feel we're tech savvy and already have a good understanding of digital marketing with consistent implementation, our techniques have proven success, we work primarily by referral, our numbers are great and I wasn't in need of credit hours... So why? Because I believe as real estate professionals we constantly have a craving for knowledge and more information. Just like our clients do.  I had the nagging urge to get my certification even tho I felt I had a good foothold on what I'd potentially discover in the course. I was happy walking away with ONE good nugget. However, what I found was many things I was already doing, ways I could do it better and plenty of new ideas. I walked away with more value than that one nugget I was hoping for. 

So here's three good reasons why I think you should listen to your instincts and go for your designation...

1. Curiosity leads to great things.

2. As agents (no matter our level of experience or expertise) we always have something to learn.

3. If you need continuing education hours or may want to work towards something greater, this is another step in that direction.

Good luck! Would you mind sharing the link to your course? I'd be curious to look into it too :)

Amber Gardner, AHS, ePRO
Realtor in beautiful Sherwood, Oregon

The education is fantastic.  The little letters behind the name cluttered up my card and that was all I got from that.

If you're just starting out I think ANY course is good to take.  Designations don't mean anything to the general public, IMHO.  They think all a listing agent does in put a For Sale sign in the front yard and all a buyer's agent does in unlock the front doors with their magic keys.  

I think it depends on your market...here it wouldn't mean too much, but the education that it entails might make you stand out from the crowd.  I don't think consumers would be more inclined to think a lot of it.

I do not have it, but would be interested in your thoughts once you do take it. I believe that education in this business is never a bad thing. Some courses are more valuable than others, and being accredited for CE does not always make it good it just gets you CE credit. What it does is keep you thinking ahead and shows that you are interested in being a better real estate agent

Hi Mary,

I do not have the designation.  I also want to do it?  Where do you plan to do it?

Just reading some of the answers and it is an interesting perspective.  I do not think in this business it will mean much to the general public, but what you learn will be of value.  Do it for yourself.  

I've taken the SRS designation online probably 6 or 7 years ago. The information and knowledge you gain is minimal. Frankly speaking nobody knows what the SRS designation is including Realtors. It is not one that stands out. It is of course the equivalent of the ABR, but instead of for buyers it is for sellers. Ask any Realtor what the ABR designation is and what it stands for and they will know. Ask most Realtors what the SRS designation is and very few know. Well if Realtors don't know then certainly the public wont know.

I'd spend my money on a different designation personally as the SRS course just has never taken off. At least that is my opinion. Better designations are CRS, GRI, perhaps CDPE. Education is always good, but I found the course to be overall simple. 

It is not my intention to give it a poor review, but it seems that so few agents have it that it is rare. I believe there are just over 6100 Realtors with the SRS designation. The desination has been around since 2006. 

Perhaps I should say it is a good course, but it is not a popular course. You should always learn and take away something of value from your education.

It covers how to handle multiple offers situations in a way to not scare off any potential offers that may be getting ready to come in, so that your sellers will receive ALL offers for review. That can be very important to know and understand, especially since your are working for your sellers to get the highest and best in those situations.

See you can always learn something!

I just hate to pay for a designation that clients really do not care about or know what the designation means 

I do not think consumers care about the designations, but any class will give you some new tools...

All education can be beneficial, especially when it relates to our business. Is the ongoing annual cost of a designation worth it? Doubtful in most cases in my opinion.

Hey great comments!  Thaks for bringing up the idea. I like what Helena said.

I highly recommend the GRI designation for all Realtors.

Dear Mary,

I do not have that designation, but any course that expands your knowledge may be worth it for its own sake. However, I have yet to find a client, who cares one whit about the alphabet soup of my designations. If it makes you a better agent, take the course, but not because people will be impressed. They are not.

Is the Seller Representation Specialist a National Association of Realtor's course?

I'm glad you asked this as I am thinking of doing the same thing. It isn't offered online here and there are very few live class so it will be about timing so I want to make sure it is worth it. 

I think it may be worthwhile because it boosts your self confidence level.

And it may give you more credibility within the Realtor community.

There is no downside that I can see unless you consider the cost in time and/or money.

Following this one, I've been thinking about it, too. Seems like a great way to set myself apart from the competition.

Mary, I am considering obtaining the Seller's Designation also and would appreciate recommendations also. 

I am in need of my continuing education credit. Always like to go for the designation, was planning on going for the green designation, but this one also interests me. Thanks for bringing it to mind.

Helena 

If the classes are good you may gain skills to help with this, I doubt anyone will care about the designation though.

Good luck.

Good Luck, Mary.

Whatever you learn, always helps.

Mary,

Great question!  As a broker, I always encourage my agents to get as many designations as possible.  Our company, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties participates in the cost of our agents education.  I hope you will peruse the Seller Representative Specialist desigation.  You will have the added advantage.  Good luck Mary! 

I don`t think the consumer really cares but you do get something out of most classes that helps with your business if you apply it.

Mary, I learn so much when I take designation classes. One thing they do for me is give me confidence in my real estate business. In all aspects of life "knowledge is power".

I've had mine for years and i did learn a lot from getting the designation, I agree the clients may not know what it means unless we show them, which I do and it often gets me the listings! And I do get referrals from other agents because of my designations all the time!

Mary - I haven't taken this recently created designation, but as has been said many times the real value is in the education you take from it, not sellers banging down your door as soon as you add the designation.  Of all the designations, the CRS designation is the one of value to me.  Not because consumers look for it, but because of the referrals and outstanding education seminars/instructors.  It is so valuable, I will be heading to Las Vegas in a couple of weeks for Sell-a-Bration, which has an incredible amount of actionable ideas that it is tough to keep track of them.

Best wishes for your Seller Representative Specialist class and look at CRS down the road.

I can't say specifically it added any business. Which is to say that when I'm doing my listing presentation it is a part of that presentation. FOr the people that decided to work with me I doubt any would say it was because of the designation.

That being said I felt it was worthwhile from an education perspective and it gave me a few tools to help me with my clients.

The designations mean more to other agents than consumers, but the education you get is worthwhile

Many potential clients don't have a clue about what the letters in a given designation mean. Write it out and it not only becomes more understandable so s(he) can see if it connects to their needs. When it does-bingo, it probably will help bring business. Do admit that writing it out is not practical on some promotional materials, especially if you have a lot of them.