As I write this I am sitting in a motel room in Green Bay and the Super Bowl is coming to a close. I am here in Green Bay to attend the Wisconsin REALTORS® Association Designation Week and complete the education requirements for the GRI (Graduate REALTOR® Institute) designation. I have been working on the GRI designation for several years, and by Thursday evening it should all be over.
If you are not familiar with the GRI designation, it is a nationally recognized real estate program that was developed for members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and is offered through state REALTOR® Associations, such as the WRA. The GRI program includes 90 hours of coursework on various topics such as marketing and servicing listed properties, working with buyers, and real estate law. The idea is that REALTORS® with the GRI designation have made a commitment to provide a superior level of service and are trained to better serve their clients and customers.
And it is not only a commitment to professional improvement, but also an investment in time and money. As I was driving here from home this evening, I started adding up in my head what the bottom line the cost of the designation is going to be, and size of the number took me somewhat by surprise. Ah well, let's not think about that -- being able to add GRI to my business card won't make me any better looking, or even do anything for my personality, but I will be better at what I do.