What's That Alphabet Soup After My Name?

Some people think all those designations after my name mean that I am bragging.  I used to adhere to that philosophy myself, but not anymore.  I realize that earning the designations I have demonstrates to my real estate clients that I am commited to doing more than the minimum required to prepare myself to best serve their needs.  My extra education and training combine with my years of experience to provide the excellence in real estate service I desire for my clients.

	The REALTOR® symbol and name can only be used by a licensed real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®.  The NAR requires a high standard of professionalism and all members must adhere to a strict code of ethics.  Members of the National Association are also members of their state associations (Minnesota Association of REALTORS® in my case) and local associations (St. Paul Area Association of REALTORS® for me).  Designations that include the REALTOR® symbol can only be held by members of NAR.  The website www.Realtor.com is the official site of the National Association of Realtors and is often the first place consumers start their search for a real estate agent or a home.
	The GRI® designation (Graduate REALTOR® Institute) was the first higher level real estate education I completed.  I was intimidated going into the class because most real estate agents taking the class had been in the business for years.  This course provided the strong educational foundation I needed to provide a high level of professional service for my clients.
	This combination of logos used by REALTORS® shows the real estate agent is not only a member of the National Association of REALTORS® but participates in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and is committed to Equal Housing Opportunity for all.
	The CBR® (Certified Buyer Representative) certification is not an accepted National Association of REALTORS® designation as evidenced by the absence of the REALTOR® logo, however, it is accepted by many state associations.   I attended this training the first time it was offered by the Minnesota Association of REALTORS® and will forever be grateful for the clear explanation I received of agency as it relates to real estate buyers and sellers.  This educational experience was a "eureka" moment in my career path as it clarified the seriousness of agency disclosure and representation .  I attribute my single agency business model of real estate to this instruction.
	e-PRO® is the only NAR approved internet certification program.  The internet's impact on business is huge.  The e-PRO® certification program helped me establish a baseline of internet competence; challenged me to develop technology based real estate marketing and communication systems; exposed me to the vagaries of e-mail communication; introduced me to the valuable resource of real estate professionals in several on-line real estate communities; created the beginning of a trans-continental referral network of respected real estate agents;  and generally has stretched me technologically in the short time since I completed this program!

For "Excellence with a Smile" e-mail or call 612-419-1829

Bonnie Erickson, REALTOR® in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, provides single agency representation to buy a home or sell a home or rental property in the following Minnesota cities: Minneapolis, St. Paul, Andover, Anoka, Apple Valley, Arden Hills, Brooklyn Center, Brooklyn Park, Blaine, Bloomington, Burnsville, Cottage Grove, Coon Rapids, Columbia Heights, Champlin, Crystal, Eagan, Edina, Eden Prairie, Excelsior, Farmington, Falcon Heights, Fridley, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Inver Grove Heights, Lake Elmo, Lauderdale, Lilydale, Medicine Lake, Mendota, Maplewood, Mendota Heights, Mahtomedi, Maple Grove, Minnetonka, Moundsview, New Brighton, New Hope, North Oaks, North St. Paul, Oak Grove, Osseo, Plymouth, Richfield, Rosemount, Robbinsdale, Roseville, Saint Anthony, Savage, Shakopee, St. Louis Park, Spring Lake Park, South St. Paul, Shoreview, Sunfish Lake, Vadnais Heights, Wayzata, White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, Woodbury, Willernie, and West St. Paul.