CAM
CRB
E-pro
GRI
ABR
ABRM
ALC
CCIM
CIPS
CRE
GAA
GREEN
GRI
PMN
RCE
RAA
SRES
SIOR
AHWD
REPA
RSPS
SFR
TRC
What in the world does all this mean? As I look through the real estate section of the local paper, I wonder what all this alphabet soup after an agent's name really means.
The most common one is Lifetime Member of the Million Dollar Club. In an area where so many homes are selling for $ 1,000,000 plus, is this significant?
Even your doctor or lawyer don't lay on the praise of themselves this thick. They usually just say Board Certified. There's an old saying, "Don't break your arm patting yourself on the back".
So what is all this about? I decided to find out. So, I attended a class hyping one of these designations. What I found was an offering of training that costs a couple of hundred bucks. Now, this designation was for skills that any agent would surely have especially since almost all have come from previous corporate backgrounds. Real estate is seldom a first career unless you join your mom or dad in the business.
So here's my question: What good is a list of designations if nobody knows what they mean? If you see a certificate that says "Board Certified in Cardiac Surgery" or something like this, it would make you more confident. But what does a string of letters really mean?
Choose your agent like you choose your doctor since you will be deeply involved on a highly emotional issue. And look for a successful business background.
If you are looking for a home in this area, use the fastest MLS results available by visiting my website at Coastal Florida Real Estate or 561-762-4073.
