“Anyone who is in the business of new home marketing and sales should take the Institute of Residential Marketing courses. We are very fortunate to have these offered here through the Northeast Florida Builders Association’s Sales and Marketing Council. I would also recommend spokesperson training courses offered by National Association of Home Builders. These are held one day prior to the Southeast Builders Conference in July in Orlando. The instructors are the best in the nation and this is a once a year opportunity to get very high quality spokesperson training.”
— Maxine McBride,
Clockwork Marketing
“I have taken a variety of classes during my career. Since I have worked in almost every aspect of this business, I have obtained licenses for title insurance, real estate salesperson and real estate appraiser. In addition, I have taken the Certified Site Agent II course offered through SMC. My advice is to take courses that you can use in the everyday function of your job. For example, learning about the process of building a home taught me more about the time frames to expect from slab to closing. Now I can ask a customer at what stage their home is and give better advice on when to lock their rate, etc. Not only do you learn a lot, but it’s fun to get to know others in the industry in a more casual way.”
— Laura G. Smith,
Countrywide Home Loans
“I have just returned from Tampa completing my international studies for my CIPS designation, Certified International Property Specialist.
The designation involves five separate courses, one of which is an intense two-day Investment and Financial Analysis course. After completing all the courses, submitting a detailed application which includes verification of at least three international transactions, one becomes a candidate for CIPS. I am very excited about the designation!”
— Kim Davis,
Ponte Vedra Beach Realty
“Currently I am seeking a post baccalaureate degree at UNF. Recently I’ve been taking several accounting and computer courses. At the beginner level, I would think courses in these fields would benefit anyone. A good start for a computer novice would be CGS 1100 [Computers for Business] with step by step process learning in Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and others. It is very informative!”
— Portland Stuart, Northeast Florida Builders Association
“Sorry, this is not in response directly, but more like passing on a related topic that works well with the question. At a recent Women’s Council of REALTORS luncheon we got to talking about the ability to take college [masters, graduate work etc.] courses over the Internet. The lady sitting next to me was getting her masters degree from Florida State University — all over the Internet. If everyone else in the world knows about this, then I apologize, but several of us were thrilled at the idea of being able to continue interrupted studies that we had pretty much given up on because of lack of time that can be dedicated to a specific day and time every week. We all found this a topic we wanted to know more about.”
— Gay Bonner, Prosperity Bank
“Twenty-five years ago, immediately after being licensed, I took all three courses of the GRI program and received the designation. Like many rookies today, I was tired of fulfilling the required hours in class, prepping for the exam and taking the exam. Then I wanted to learn how to make money in this business. I would recommend the GRI program to anyone serious about real estate as a career. It has the highest return on investment of any money you will invest in real estate.”
—Paul Woods,
Paul Woods Realty
“I would recommend the JEA class on clean building design. It offers a bunch of information about mechanical systems, window glazing, efficiencies in electricity and more.”
— Jeffrey M. Lane,
Lane Architecture
“I’d recommend some of the courses that NEFAR offers, such as the Financial Maze that gives REALTORS some of their lost hours.”
— Jacquie Parillo,
First South Bank
“For those that need to manage numerous e-mails, the Outlook class sponsored by NEFAR through Comp USA is beneficial.”
— Wayne M. Jones,
Watson Realty Corporation
“I recently completed my second e-PRO course which is a Internet Professional certified by the National Association of REALTORS. The first one was great, but the second one was even better. It taught me how to maximize my Internet presence to get maximum results. I highly recommend it to anyone who sells real estate using the power of the Internet.”
— Elke McMenemy,
Florida Home Realty
“The most helpful courses to me have been the Certified Commercial Investment Members courses. It has helped me learn a standard format and communication process that all CCIMs understand. This plus the CCIM network have proved invaluable. This really helps the commercial practitioner.”
— Jim Morgan, Investec Services
“As a strong proponent of continuing education, I found that each of my designations including Accredited Buyer Representative, Certified Residential Specialist, GRI, e-PRO and the Seniors Real Estate Specialist and the course work required to achieve them has added significant contributions to my real estate career. From business planning and investment analysis [CRS], to working with our senior population [SRES], I would strongly recommend any NAR approved designation to our members. And being a Re/Max agent, we are offered the added benefit of taking some of these courses right from the comfort of our homes or office through the Re/Max Satellite Network.”
— Phyllis Staines,
Re/Max Coastal Real Estate
“The GRI courses are really great. They deal with areas of the shelter industry that are pertinent to every day operations. I will say one of the top courses I have ever taken is on time management and was given by a well-known REALTOR many years ago, Sandra Lee MacDaniel. Two of the areas she covered were ones that have stuck with me and have been most helpful.
“The first one was ‘Eat Your Frogs First,’ which explained how to take the chores that you dislike, do them first each day and then leave the rest of the day open for whatever opportunities come your way. This is a wonderful way to decrease the pressure of the demands of this business.
“The other was ‘If The Horse Is Dead, Get Off.’ This is akin to the square peg in the round hole. Many times we have a prospect that just won’t work in the buyer/seller mold. Be sure to recognize that all you have to offer or sell is your time, and by spending too much time on a lost cause takes away from your ability to assist others in their housing needs and thereby earn more money. Stay positive. Keep to the basics that work. Change directions as needed and always keep the level of your professionalism high.”
—Jerry Rountree,
Monticello Bank
“I would strongly recommend earning the Member of the Institute of Residential Marketing designation to anyone who is serious about being in site sales and staying in site sales. If management is an ultimate goal, this designation is a must. The four courses a candidate takes to earn the designation are so beneficial. Candidates will find that they know some of the material already but it’s so enlightening to hear it from the mouth of a MIRM instructor experienced in new home sales. Sign up for the courses, take them in another city if possible to see how other areas work and learn from people you’ve read or read about. The courses validate what so many of us learned the hard way. And, they also give direction to solving the problems one encounters daily in site sales.
“For some reason, having designations seems to be a goal of many more general real estate agents than it does site agents. Just take a look at the REALTOR® business cards that you may have in your file. Many of them have already earned the GRI designation, early in their careers. In new home sales we have courses too and we’re rewarded with our own specific designations upon completion. In addition to the vast knowledge, a candidate picks up in MIRM classes, once the designation has been bestowed, there is a certain amount of prestige that goes with it. And MIRMs are part of an elite group that helps the industry and each other.
“Got a problem you’ve never encountered before? Take a look in the MIRM directory and phone a fellow MIRM. You’ll be amazed at the gracious help you’ll receive. I truly value my designation and the riches it has brought me. I strongly encourage site agents to consider becoming MIRM candidates and urge them to stick with it until they become MIRMs.”
— Rose S. Bock, Arvida
“I am licensed as a real estate broker as well as licensed as a Community Association Manager. Both are through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in the State of Florida. Both require continuing education classes prior to license renewal. The CAM license requires 20 hours continuing education including four hours of legislative update [annual changes] and 16 hours of specialty courses, this is done biannually. The broker license has a post licensing requirement of 40 hours in a classroom, from then on I believe the biannual requirement is 14 hours.”
— Cheryl Graham,
LandMar Group, LLC
“I have taken the CSA II and the Certified Site Professional course. I found each one to be very interesting. Both of these courses are mostly geared towards new home sale agents. But I would recommend them to everyone. You can never have to much education where your job is concerned.”
— Cristina Engel, KB Home
“I completed the series of CCIM classes to receive my designation. These classes taught me how to analyze any investment whether it is commercial, residential or mortgage products. I have used what I learned in the classes many times in my career.”
— Sherry Davidson,
Davidson Realty
“Starting out in real estate, I received excellent advice from my then-manager, Selby Kaiser, to earn my GRI while doing my post licensing and I was hooked from then on. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting other REALTORS from different parts of Florida and across the United States and within two years of my career was able to set up a database for referrals. My next course was the CRS. I liked this one particularly because it focused on listing techniques and again I was able to meet agents. To this day I receive referrals from those agents.
“The ABR designation is very important in today’s market. Buyers want representation and this designation shows them you are dedicated to giving them the best that you can. Each seminar or course that I have taken has allowed me to meet other agents, become friends with local agents that I had not known before and again build my referral base. Invest in yourself; it’s the best money you will spend.”
— Judy K. Hicks,
RE/MAX Real Estate Specialists
“There are no classes available that I have ever seen that deal with appraisals other than classes specifically for appraisers. I believe that if REALTORS and builders could take a class that would teach them more about the appraisal process it would make their jobs much easier and take away many of the misconceptions involved.
“Actually, I’d like to see a good ‘Understanding the Appraisal Process’ class made mandatory for both REALTORS and builders. I do know some REALTORS that have taken the initial 10 day appraisal course that come out of it with their heads spinning and a whole new outlook on what it takes to complete an appraisal and what the laws are.”
— Pamela E. Crowley,
Alpha R.E. Appraisal Services
“Purchase and Sale Agreement is so in-depth and informative it should be a three part class. Seasoned agents say that they take this course as a refresher and refiner.”
— Terri Fitzgerald,
Prudential Network Realty
“I guess you could say that I’m a course junkie. Early in my new home sales career, I was blessed with many managers, builders and mentors that believed education was a key part to success. I feel they are still right! When times are good, as they are now in our industry, some may feel they don’t need to improve their skills due to their current sales success. Many newcomers to the industry have not experienced double digit interest rates, impact fees, extremely tough and lengthy permitting, etc., that add hurdles to converting a prospect to a sale.
“Every site sales agent and REALTOR would benefit to take a class on any topic about the building industry. I have always enjoyed a sales motivational seminar with such speakers as Tommy Hopkins, Zig Ziglar, Dave Stone, David Knox, Nikki Joy, Danielle Kennedy, Charles Clarke III and our own Charlie Clark, just to mention a few. NAHB, NEFBA and SMC all offer an array of great course opportunities. MIRM, Certified Meeting Professional, CSA, Certified Sales Manager, CSP designations are several I have attended and improved my knowledge in sales and management.
“For anyone that might be interested in managing, the American Management Association International also offers exceptional training courses.”
— Judy Watterson,
Southern Grove Condominiums
“I have taken so many wonderful classes from the NEFAR Get Smart program that you might think I would be super smart by now. There was one on the Financial Maze given by Chic Acosta of First South Bank. It had wonderful materials. He had a great presentation and it was a wonderful class, worth the entire day.
“I also attended a class on construction. I took several friends and again, the speaker had such a wealth of information and his materials were well put together. I have been to several classes at Multiple Listing Service about the computer system. Kimberly Wiggins is by far the most well informed teacher and has excellent people skills.
“Other classes I have taken include the Broker’s Training from Florida Real Estate Institute, and the review there as well now those people are excellent. There was so much to learn — 18 big fat chapters in nine days. The instructors were wonderful and they even made all that dry material have quite a bit of humor in it!! They also offer choices for the post licensing classes that can suit the fancy of anyone, including Construction Management, Brokerage Skills, and Investment Analysis.
“My husband Fred, also of Cattar Realty, truly enjoys the Veteran Affairs classes. He is a REPO certified broker and will attend the Housing and Urban Development class again this year, as we need to get re-certified. Those classes are full of wonderful content and truly useable information. He also has taken classes in the 1031 exchange policies and then has done some himself, and assisted with clients who did like exchange trades on real estate as well. He believes the more you know, the more you can help others know.”
— Jenet Cattar,
Cattar Realty, Inc.
“The course on using RE/Explorer and using contracts.”
— Scott Williams,
Watson Realty Corporation
“Years ago I took the GRI series, which broadened my outlook on the real estate profession. I am trying to work in the courses I need to get my Certified Residential Broker designation, and those courses are broadening as well.
“I am on the Education Committee for NEFAR, and I can tell you that we try to offer a diverse selection of topics, from organization to how to complete a contract, from how to connect with different personality types to how to work the programs on your personal computer. It’s rare that I’ve come away from any of these courses with a feeling that it was not time well spent. I go to any three-hour course hoping for one new idea or thought, and I usually come away with many more.
“I always enjoy (attorney) Jeff Marks’ ‘Core Law’ presentation and I just took the Ethics course which was certainly a review, but interesting nonetheless. I enjoy courses that explore the psychology of this business; national speakers we bring in typically offer great insights. I’ve also enjoyed specific computer courses as well as informational offerings on marketing.”
— Clare Berry,
Berry & Co. Real Estate
“I thought a great course here in St. Augustine was Real Estate Finance. Also a couple of years ago one was offered about construction. I would like to see that one repeated.”
— Murrell Weissinger,
St. Johns Realty Group