During the pandemic alone, the Star Tribune estimated that 20,000 Minnesotans signed up and paid fees to take the state real estate license exam. Of course, not all those initially drawn to the profession will stick it out.
But in an environment where the barriers to entering real estate remain low, so do the odds of success. That's why, to combat the competition, a Realtor® Designation could be the one thing that sets you apart from the rest of your peers!
How can you defy the odds and set yourself apart from all that growing competition? If you hold the title of Realtor®, you’ve already taken care of step one. Minnesota Realtors® (MNR) membership, achieved through your local association or brokerage, opens the door to many tools and resources that can set you up for success.
From there, you can leverage your MNR and National Association for REALTORS® (NAR) memberships to separate yourself from the pack by getting a Realtor® designation. Realtors® who earn these designations go on to achieve higher sales than agents who do not commit to ongoing education.
Over two dozen Realtor® designations offered by NAR cover a myriad of real estate topics and specializations. While every certification program has unique value, three Realtor® designations stand out as high watermarks for the serious agent. For Realtors® who may not have the bandwidth to catch them all, consider pursuing the most essential three as you dive into your career.
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Ideal for: The agent who may not have time to earn more than one designation. The GRI Realtor® Designation covers multiple topics all-in-one. |
Offered exclusively by Minnesota Realtors® and recognized nationally, a GRI designation provides agents with cutting-edge, top-end training on every facet of the business. You’ll exit this program with new confidence and a fundamental knowledge of real estate.
You’ll also be equipped to help buyers and sellers navigate the changing landscape of the housing market. Think of the GRI as bedrock training for your career, offering you tools, tips, and advice for both short- and long-term success. The GRI provides in-depth examinations of the latest legal and regulatory issues, technology, professional standards, marketing, business skills, the sales process, and risk management. You’ll walk out of training ready to tackle any challenge you encounter.
Learn more about achieving your GRI designation here.
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Ideal for: The real estate buyer's agents who focus on working directly with buyer-clients at every stage of the home-buying process |
Join a distinguished group of Realtors® by becoming an Accredited Buyer’s Representative, also known as ABR®. Buyers have historically been neglected by the real estate industry—for many years agency services were only extended to sellers.
The ABR® Realtor® Designation shows that you’re a well-rounded agent with a deep commitment to NAR’s Code of Ethics. This designation will equip you to fully represent buyers throughout the entire real estate transaction process, while also offering step by step training to enhance your client service skills and professionalism.
After attaining this accreditation, you’ll be able to see transactions through the eyes of a buyer, with the expertise to guide them through the complex and emotional process of buying a home.
Learn more about achieving your ABR® designation here.
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Ideal for:Residential sales agents, managers, and brokers who want to obtain the highest credential possible. |
Reach the pinnacle of achievement in real estate education by obtaining your CRS designation, presented by the Residential Real Estate Council. Heralded as the highest credential an agent can achieve, getting your CRS is like earning a doctorate in residential real estate.
Though the most time-intensive of NAR’s designation programs, Realtors® with a CRS certification are proven pros with the knowledge and connections to find continued success. According to NAR, CRS designees earn nearly three times more in income, transactions, and gross sales than non-designees on average. Realtors® who achieve this designation also enter an exclusive network with access to networking affiliations.