Learning is as important to a professional as it is to a student. CREA (I) conducts continuing education programs through on-line and classroom training, based on a member-specific career profiles.
The curriculum includes understanding regional economies, brokerage operations, technology tools, licensing, consumer preferences, local community dynamics and real estate performance statistics. ‘Lunch and Learn’ programs provide updates on new legislation or real estate-related topics.
Workshops are conducted wherein the members are taught on leveraging the Internet’s immense potential in accessing large number of properties which otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.
This is in addition to periodic conferences and conventions which bring members on a common platform wherein ideas, information and experiences are exchanged and best practices are assimilated and further improved. The meets also help in addressing common issues and challenges.
The overall intent is to ensure that members are able to succeed in the marketplace.
The members’ work by nature involves lot of personal interactions. CREA (I) conducts periodic workshops and events that necessarily enhance members’ interpersonal skills and create opportunities for improvement.
Communication: Working for the association in the members’ spare time bring them in touch with people of diverse backgrounds. These interactions build comfort and ease in interacting with a wide range of people and help members when working homebuyers and sellers.
Ethics. Volunteering with the association makes members more attentive to the interests of other members and putting their needs before one’s own, thus building reputation and trust. This is an important principle enshrined in the CREA (I) Code of Ethics.
Smart Negotiation. Getting members and businesses involved in association events calls for smart negotiation skills. These are the same abilities that help members in cementing deals and relationships in course of running a real estate business.
Time Management. Real estate is not a 9-to-5 job in a stationary office. The successful real estate associate must balance a variety of tasks: open houses, listing presentations, viewings, offer presentations, inspections, and closings. This is in addition to office-based tasks, such as organizing marketing campaigns, meeting clients, and handling paperwork. Many real estate associates credit their ability to juggle multiple tasks in running a successful business.
CREA (I) members have varying degrees of experience in the field. To help the lesser equipped, the association takes conscious efforts foster an atmosphere of mutual support, respect, engagement and learning. The support is both formal and informal, on the following lines:
The real estate industry is fraught with regulatory and legislative hurdles at every step. It requires determination and informed planning to deal with government bodies.
When members face complex situations, CREA (I) helps with informed planning and contacts so that their work is eased to a great extent.
Government Affairs: CREA (I)’s Public Policy Committee works closely with local, state and national leaders to ensure that new/existing laws and ordinances don’t adversely affect the real estate associate profession. Association positions are formed by the Public Policy Committee, which is open for participation by any interested member. The Association also maintains supporting relationships with other professional trade groups on legal and legislative matters and takes appropriate stand in conjunction with other industry leaders.
Proactive Public Relations: The Association has a public relations team that speaks out on behalf of its members on issues related to the real estate industry. The association releases statements and advisories that it believes are positive for the community as a whole. The goal is to shape public opinion on how Real Estate Associates add value and contribute positively to the society.
Communications: The association has a fledged communications team whose task is to keep in consistent touch with members – through e-newsletters and website updates. The content includes statistical reports, press releases, special articles, features, trends and numbers to ensure that members have the best and most current data at their fingertips.
Branding: The association, over the years, has consciously worked towards creating a personality that exudes confidence and trust. The initiatives include press releases, special articles about association activities and community service projects that demonstrate CREA (I)’s concern for its immediate community. This sustained brand building has gone a long way emphasizing the distinction between CREA (I) members and other agents.
Best Practices: The Association invites feedback from members on their experiences in closing deals and that is incorporated to enhance strategic business decisions. In addition, the Association periodically meets with Agents/ Agencies to document prevailing practices among member companies, enabling its members to see how their practices compare to those of their peers.
These steps ensure that members are aware of contemporary standards and uphold the highest standards of professional service and ethical conduct that CREA (I) believes in. This earnestness creates a virtuous circle that further supports, maintains and strengthens the community, leading to higher success and profitability.
Professional Standards: Educating and enforcing CREA (I) Code of Ethics. This ensures the integrity of fellow Associates and a positive experience for clients. This separates a CREA (I) Associate from ordinary real estate agents.
Sometimes , who you know is just as important as what you know. In the real estate business, this is truer than ever.
To this end, the Association conducts a series of public and private events in support of the members’ businesses.
The events (local events, trade shows, golf tournaments, social mixers, Annual General Meetings) help putting forth CREA (I)’s perspectives on real estate trends and its impact on business. In addition, the Association hosts private monthly breakfast/ lunch and dinner forums on topics of interest to Association members.
Annual events are held to recognise and reward achievements of members and their community efforts.