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REALTOR® University graduate Leanne Goff not only earned her degree through her course of study but also opened her own real estate brokerage in Boulder, Colo. with the knowledge she gained in the master’s program. Goff recently wrapped up a two-year graduate program in residential real estate sales, marketing, and management. She says the coursework taught her how to implement security systems, a policy manual and training structure, brokerage management software, and sophisticated marketing programs. So, in the midst of it all, she launched her own company, TrailRidge, REALTORS®. Above all, she says, the program built up her confidence as a real estate professional. “Each class has added to my understanding of our industry,” Goff says.
REALTOR® University is the only accredited institution in the U.S. focused exclusively on advanced online education in real estate. In as little as two years, you can earn a master’s degree in one of five concentrations of study: Residential Real Estate Sales, Marketing, and Management; Real Estate Asset and Property Management; Commercial Real Estate Investment and Analysis; Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation Services; and Real Estate Association Management. “The professors were inspiring and lent their personalities to the coursework,” Goff says. “And the other students who went through the program have become friends and resources.”
Another professional development option for brokers is the NAR-affiliated Real Estate Business Institute. Formerly the Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers, REBI offers the Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) designation. A broker’s license isn’t required to enroll, but a minimum of one year managing a team, personal assistant, or office is necessary. According to REBI, a CRB designee earns 57 percent higher median gross income than brokers without the designation.
Brokers should also consider educational opportunities through niche NAR designations and certifications, such as the Accredited Land Consultant designation for those working on land or development projects or the Certified International Property Specialist for brokers doing business in international markets or with foreign investors. On the certification side, consider options such as the Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist, with coursework covering best practices in both the sales and management sides of vacation properties.