To the general public, real estate designations are mostly a mystery. GRI, e-Pro, SRES... who can understand what they all mean?
If you're not clear on how to decipher this alphabet soup, let me cut to the chase... the CRS designation is the granddaddy of 'em all, and I'm busting my tail to complete the requirements before 2008 is over.
I just got back from two solid days of CRS coursework on business planning (CRS 200) taught by Ed Hatch, who has been one of the top agents in the state of Maryland for 20 years. Budgets, overhead, net versus gross, taxes, marketing, and yes... what it costs to hire (and keep) a quality assistant.
If, as an agent, you are serious about real estate, here are the facts:
* the CRS designation is earned by less than 4% of Realtors nationwide
* those 4% account for over 26% of all transaction volume nationwide
In other words, one out of every 25 agents is responsible for one out of every four transactions.
If, as a buyer or seller, quality representation is important to you:
* ask your Realtor if he or she is a CRS
There is too much riding on the purchase or sale of your home to leave things to chance.
