How Important is CCIM in CRE

Question

I’ve read that those commercial real estate agents (CRE) with the Certified commercial investment member (CCIM) designator earn considerably more than those without it. How important/ impactful ￼is this designation? Thanks.

Bennet Sebastian · Answer

I was in CRE brokerage for about 10 years and earned the CCIM designation early on in my career. Definitely helps with credibility (mostly among other brokers) and ability to analyze deals. But it's a major time and money investment. I would maybe take the CI Intro course and decide if you want to pursue the designation.

Rob Gillespie · Answer

@Bryan Mitchell

The INFORMATION is great, the symbol on your card is only important if you are trying to work at a big brokerage in my opinion.

James Storey · Answer

@Bryan Mitchell Jim Baker is a beast! He is the past president of the Kentucky CCIM Chapter and I am the president of the Indiana chapter. We have collabed on a lot of things between the two chapter as well as brokers.

Also check out these books when you are done with that one. These books, just like Jim's dive deep into what the monster brokers are doing.

Commercial Real Estate Power Brokers by Jim Gillespie, CCIM

Brokers Who Dominate by Rod Santomassimo, CCIM

Thrive by Blain Stickland, CCIM

Bryan Mitchell · Answer

@James Storey, I Can you see how impactful they would be given you were so young and needed to establish yourself amongst you’re much older peers. As a consummate professional in other fields, I realize the certifications from professional organizations is a key indicator of one’s dedication ￼ you can act as a Distinguisher amongst your peers. I am seeing how much more diapers commercial real estate is when compared to residential. Be interesting to see the number of real estate agents in commercial versus those in residential. ￼￼￼ Im currently reading Jim Baker‘s book titled Confessions of a Commercial Real Estate Broker to learn more.

James Storey · Answer

Its not that the CCIM designation is the driving force that makes you money. It's that it sets you apart and are able to discuss investment analytics and variables on a deeper level then other commercial broker. Again, im not saying that not having a CCIM means you don't understand the same stuff, but on average it is generally true.

In my experience, gaining the designation has been monumental in my very early career. I earned the CCIM when I was 23 years old and I know for a fact that if I didn't have it next to my name, investors and other brokers wouldn't take me as seriously given my age. I also recieve most of my business through referrals from residential agents in my company and it is encourage to refer to CCIM brokers.

Again, there are a ton of brokers making bank without the designation however, the designation is an indicator of success because you actually have to be producing to get the designation just like the SIOR.

James Storey, CCIM

Steve Morris · Answer

"I've read that those commercial real estate agents (CRE) with the Certified commercial investment member (CCIM) designator earn considerably more than those without it."

I'd disagree, I've been to the CCIM occasionally, they are not the highest earners as brokers.  However, they are very good at generating a bazillion XLS and scenarios to confuse buyers/sellers.

I'm not knocking them actually, but the business is about sales as a broker.  You need to understand what you're selling to be able to clearly explain it to a principal on a price they should sell/pay.

Multiple XLS lead to analysis paralysis.

How Important is CCIM in CRE

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