There are many continuing education courses offered through local associations, at special events and at national and state conventions. What are some of the best continuing education courses you have taken and why?
“As someone who is a big believer in education, I have taken many of the national, as well as privately sponsored continuing education courses and can say from experience that the Graduate Realtor Institute [GRI] courses are probably the best for continuing education. If you are looking to improve your skill set, I would recommend any of the Certified Residential Specialist [CRS] or Accredited Buyers Representative [ABR] courses, most of which are available through the DISH Network for Re/Max agents.”
- Phyllis Staines, Re/Max Coastal Real Estate
“As a guy who has written six Florida Real Estate Commission approved Continuing Education Unit [CEU] programs, spoken at 30 boards around Florida, and had the honor of presenting at National Association of Realtors this year, well, truth is I really like my programs! The CEU programs that get especially great reviews are ‘When Good Wood Goes Bad’ and ‘Reducing Realtor Risk during Real Estate Repairs’. By the way, I am presenting ‘Gone with the Wind’ on the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors’ cruise.”
- Wally Conway, HomePro Inspections
“One of the best organizations in Jacksonville is Business Networking International [BNI]. This is an organization where you join a chapter and lock out your competition within the group. There has to be at least 20 business professionals in the group and BNI actually trains you on how to refer business to others within the group. The extensive training BNI provides is priceless. I have seen my business grow as well as others and it is very rewarding to see others succeed. I would recommend BNI to anyone who desires to grow their business.”
-Susan Guy, First Coast Financial Group
“There are a lot of great continuing education courses being offered! However, I would like to say continuing education provided by the Northeast Florida Builders Association is excellent and not just for site agents! The same goes for the continuing education offered by NEFAR and it is not just for general real estate agents. That said, a recent Bob Schultz course given by NEFAR was excellent! It was difficult for me to pick the best, and while I have done so, I believe all courses leave you with some knowledge. The goal is to put into practice what you learn from the continuing education. I believe strongly in educating yourself in your field. The very best continuing education courses I’ve taken are the CRS courses. The CRS is offered by the Council of Residential Specialists. It is one of the highest professional designations awarded and fewer than four percent of all Realtors hold this designation. It requires four two-day courses with exams. In addition, it also requires that a candidate have attained a certain volume of sales in real estate over a period of time. Obtaining a CRS not only requires you to learn, it requires you to apply the knowledge you have learned. Each course provides you with clear, concise methods to improve your skills and business. My second favorite is the Institute of Residential Marketing [IRM] series of courses. Each course enables you to understand better the greater Jacksonville market and markets in general. You can take these courses and obtain a Member, Institute of Residential Marketing [MIRM]. The MIRM designation involves course work, new home sales and marketing experience and a case study that demonstrates the expertise acquired through the IRM courses and professional experience. My third favorite is the courses given by the Women’s Council of Realtors. WCR offers courses in personal and professional power, group dynamics, meeting management, high performance and leadership. You can earn the Leadership Training Graduate [LTG] designation and network with some dynamic people. I believe that Communiqué, a WCR publication, was the first real estate magazine to do an in-depth article on coaching and its benefits. Many of the real estate companies in town also have excellent training. The two I can speak from my own experience are Keller Williams Realty and Watson Realty. Keller has an incredible training program on all facets of the business, and Watson Realty had a good program for beginners.”
-Kathie Lee Menninger, Copperfields USA, Inc.
“A group of us just discussed this yesterday. I think the best continuing education for our license renewal [14 hours] is the ‘book/test’ program offered by the Fellow of the Real Estate Institute [FREI]. It forces you to review the latest changes in procedures and law. I really believe everyone should have to take it to renew their license. While I think I keep up pretty well with the latest info, there are always surprises [and great reminders] in that material.”
-Jeanne Moellendick, Re/Max Specialists
“Some of the best courses I have taken are ‘How to Read House Plans’ and ‘Home Inspections’. ‘How to Read House Plans’ helped in learning about the construction of homes. I felt I could talk to my customers and be more knowledgeable, especially when it came to asking questions when a builder was involved. ‘Home Inspections’ gave the Realtor a great insight to what the inspector does and how it is presented. I have as much better understanding of their job.”
- Josie Deal, Coldwell Banker Jasinsky and Associates.
“I always find the Core Law class to be interesting and, more important, informative as to the changes that affect our profession. The Safety Seminar taught by Andrew Wooten of S.A.F.E. (Safety Awareness Fire Arms Education), while not yet approved for CEU credit, is the class from which I received the most benefit personally.”
- Kay M. Seitzinger, Watson Realty Corp
“Over the past year I completed the four IRM courses offered by NEFAR. I was genuinely impressed with the amount of information covered. Sometimes after a class or seminar I feel like I wasted my time but the IRM classes were very hands-on and informative. I got some wonderful ideas, feedback and spent time with some amazing people.”
- Andie Pennell, Key Realty Advisors
“As far as continuing education, the best one I have taken recently is Core Law taught by Jeff Marks, a local attorney. He is excellent and while we think Core Law is not so exciting, but he is very good, and it is surely something we all need.”
- Toy Scott, Norville Realty
“Home inspections, Florida Association of Realtors/Florida Bar [FAR/BAR] contract, and Microsoft Outlook. These are the ones I’ve attended they were all very good.”
- James W. Smith, Coldwell Banker Walter Williams Realty
“‘The Self Employed Borrower - Analyzing Tax Returns’ offered by MGIC Investment Corporation. I take it every couple of years.”
- Jacqueline E. Parrillo, Mercantile Bank
“Locally, BB&T has a class on financing which Chic Acosta of BB&T has taught for years. It’s excellent for beginners and for the seasoned Realtors as well. He is an outstanding instructor. He has an agenda and a workbook that is user friendly. Chuck Bonemer is the computer guy. His classes are filled with real information, and he is most helpful. The Flex Multiple Listing Service classes are out of this world! I’ve had each of the teaching staff as instructors and they are all a wealth of knowledge and helpful. Peter Sapia of Prudential Network Realty taught a class one time about investing in real estate at the Beaches and it was very enlightening! He used real examples of Realtor investors and how to build your future wealth. It was well-attended and great material. Every week at the Beaches Council NEFAR meeting, there is a speaker/mini class that is offered prior to property pitch and caravan. This has been a really great part of staying informed at the beaches about the city governments, school issues, property rights, and many other things. On the state and national level, there are always tons of learning opportunities at both of these levels. The national convention had a class on digital cameras [before it was a common thing] that was excellent. There was a class on Blackberry and on Treo 650. There are so many learning opportunities out there, to help us grow our business! Like David Knox, a motivational speaker, says, ‘You have to be there.’”
- Jenet Cattar, Cattar Realty, Inc.
“I particularly benefited from Land America’s 1031 Exchange seminar at NEFAR because I work with a variety of investors. More often than not investors just throw out the 1031 exchange idea when they have no real knowledge of the process. With what I’ve learned about 1031 exchanges I’m helping to inform them and they then see me as the go-to person for all their real estate needs in Northeast Florida. This seminar equipped me with tools that help establish my overall credibility.”
-CJ Wright, ERA Dan Jones & Assoc., Inc.