Taking advantage of Realtor® Designation Awareness Month

Whether you have been a Realtor® for 30 years or 30 minutes, you still have more to learn. This is the month to commit to that.

November is Realtor® Designation Awareness Month, and now is the time to add some (or some more) letters behind your name, such as CRB, CRS®, ABR® or SRES® (just to mention a few).

Not only will you gain knowledge with a designation, chances are you may boost your salary. According to the 2013 National Association of Realtors® (NAR) Member Profile, the difference in the median salaries of Realtors® with at least one designation and those without is $27,000. The median income of Realtors® with at least one designation was $61,100, while Realtors® without a designation brought in a median income of $33,500.

NAR, along with its affiliated institutes, offers a variety of designations and certifications for Realtors®. The courses are a way to keep up with trends and be a step ahead of the competition. With business constantly evolving, Realtors® should be updated about new developments and specific practices to satisfy both buyers and sellers with their expertise.

And I practice what I preach. Currently, I hold the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS®), Graduate Realtors® Institute (GRI), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) and Certified Relocation Professional (CRP®) designations. I am a firm believer that continuing my education and sharpening my skills has led me to become a more successful Realtor®.

So, this month, sign up to better yourself, improve your business, and move forward with your career.

For a complete list of the official NAR family designations and certifications, visit Realtor.org/education.