Most people on the street don’t know what GRI, ABR®, or SRS mean or stand for. Here’s how you can change that and why it’s important to.
When Cristina Grossu earned her GRI designation, she created a post on Instagram and Facebook with gold balloons that spelled out GRI. “It was one of my most interactive posts, yet,” says Grossu, REALTOR®/broker at Realty One Group Select in Mooresville. People asked about it, wanted to know how she got it and on and on. NC REALTORS® encourages its members to take designation and certification classes because BY LEE NELSON it gives them better credentials and knowledge in the industry. But translating that to the public can be a bigger feat to accomplish. Most people on the street and potential clients don’t know what GRI, ABR®, SRS or CRS mean or stand for. “REALTORS® don’t seem as interested in designations anymore, too,” says Savanna Reagin, professional designations manager for NC REALTORS®. “They say ‘My clients don’t understand.’” Taking the classes can also be a financial burden to some, along with time constraints. But many times, she believes REALTORS® don’t understand how to use those designations to promote themselves to future clients. Plus, the money spent on classes could easily be recouped once they use their new knowledge to help a client sell or buy. “It’s not all about the letters at the end of someone’s name. It’s more about being able to do the best job you can for the most people you can,” she adds.
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