Real Estate Mom Post #3 (Education)

Well I have been locked in my home office for about a week with sick kids. There is never a good time for kids to get sick, however I am fortunate to be able to be here with them. There is plenty of office work and phone calls I can make while locked in the house. So I decided to do a little goal and business spring cleaning. What can I get finished on my goal list?

My CRS (Certified Residential Specialist) designation was at the top of the list. I have taken the bulk of my CRS coures almost three years prior and only needed one elective course to complete the required course work. Why did I not do this earlier..I am guilty of all the excuses in the book, the biggest being not enough time. Well, with the multitude of distance learning and course webinars, the "not enough time" excuse is really a joke. If I have time to watch the Celebrity Apprentice I can certainly find time to complete an online course that takes less than one day.

So I did it. I signed up for the NAR Short Sale and Foreclosure course. Not only did I finish my CRS, but I also received the SFR (Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource) certification with the completion of three one hour webinars that were free.

My 8 year old frequently complains about doing her homework and I tell her, "It is not my job to do your homework." However it is my job to do my homework. We preach the value of education but do we really take advantage of all there is available to us. No matter what your career or your hobbies how do you stay on top of changes or learn valuable new skills if you do not search them out. As a Realtor I feel it is my duty to learn new skills in technology or negotiating, contract changes and the list goes on and on. If you do not feel this way about your career why are you doing it? Education can provide a value and skill for the changes we all need to make in our career and personal lives. Would you want to go to medical specialist that does not see the value in research and learning new skills to better the patients health? Why are we any different.

There is a multitude of free local or online courses and webinars through your local, state or national associations. Don't think about it too much just sign up or log on.