Private program
Paid awards
Magazine awards, top agent lists, and best of badges
Mostly decorativeWho issues it
Private publishers and marketing companies
What it teaches
Nothing.
What an agent has to do to get it
Many of these require the agent to buy the plaque, the license to use the logo, or the ad page after being named. Some are nomination based with no verification of results at all.
What it actually tells you
This is the category that should make you the most careful. A badge that can be purchased is advertising, not evidence. Ask one question and watch what happens: did you pay anything to receive or display this award?
Ask this instead
Did you pay anything to receive that award or to use that logo?
Where I stand on it
I do not hold these letters. I studied the material behind a lot of them, because the subjects are real and a seller pays for what I do not know. I never bought the initials. If a credential is ever shown to get sellers more money, I will earn it that day and put it on this page myself.
Keep going
All designation, certification and program names on this page belong to the organizations that own them and are used here only to identify and discuss those programs. Nothing here is endorsed by, affiliated with, or approved by those organizations. Connor MacIvor does not hold the credentials described on this site and does not claim to. Requirements and program details change. Confirm current requirements with the issuing organization before relying on anything here.
Selling in the Santa Clarita Valley?
Sellers only. One agent, undivided focus, from the pricing conversation to the closing table.