SMDRA is proud to be one of the only REALTOR® associations in the state of Colorado accredited by NAR to offer the GRI Designation. Classes are offered throughout the year, and do not need to be taken in any specific order.

The GRI designation is a powerful tool to attract and build new business. You’ll increase your skill level across the entire landscape of real estate with in-depth training in legal and regulatory issues, technology, professional standards, and the sales process.

In today’s competitive business environment, it often takes more than just motivation and initiative to succeed. Earning the Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI) designation is a way to stand out to prospective home buyers and sellers as a REALTOR® who has gained in-depth knowledge on technical subjects as well as the fundamentals of real estate. Earning a GRI can make a difference in your business and potentially boost your income.

Higher earnings: the median income of GRI designees in 2012 was $61,000, compared to the median income of non-designees of $33,500

Be better able to serve and protect your increasingly sophisticated clients though an understanding of new technology, laws, and procedures

Complete the 15 courses within 3 years, and pay a one-time application fee of $50. GRI does not require annual renewal as long as you remain an active member in good standing of the National Association of REALTORS®.

Please note: Designation/Certifications are NOT covered by the free education provided to SMDRA members. Each GRI class is $50 for REALTORS and most classes count for 4 CE credits.

GRI 101: Appraisal

This course introduces the elements, terminology, and principles of appraisal. The three approaches to value, as well as the forces that influence them are explored in some detail. Practical exercises allow the student to apply each approach to real-life situations.

GRI 102: Business Planning & Goal Setting

Setting goals is a critical element of planning for success – personal and professional. Business planning is one of the least practiced aspects of the real estate business, and yet one of the most important. The average new licensee does not think about a business plan or the goals needed for a business plan. Why? Because they never had to in their previous career or they simply did not think they were a “business.”

GRI 103: From Contacts to Contracts

Real estate contracts are the most used, and often the most misunderstood documents in the profession. One of the keys to a successful real estate practice is understanding the fundamentals of contract law, including the process of offer, counteroffer, and acceptance. Another key to becoming successful in real estate is knowing how to both attract and work with buyers and sellers.

GRI 104: Introduction to Single Family Construction

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of residential construction and to familiarize the student with general construction procedures, terminology, and new home warranties. Building codes, lien law requirements, and green issues are included in this overview, along with the single-family home pre-sale inspection process.

GRI 105: Environmental Issues in Real Estate

Many environmental problems relate to the use of land and thus have implications for land markets and real estate. An obvious example is the impact of environmental amenities (e.g., open space or proximity to parks) or environmental hazards (e.g., air pollution, water pollution, or proximity to noxious facilities) on housing prices through capitalization. There are laws imposing specific standards regarding property use, such as how a building can be built, how big or small it can be, and where it may be placed on the property.

GRI 106: Ethics and Professional Practices for REALTORS®

The Code of Ethics is a measure of professionalism in real estate. It does not describe the lowest common denominator of permissible performance, which many licensing laws do; the Code describes the optimum performance the public has the right to expect and imposes an obligation not only to adhere to high standards of ethical conduct, but also for REALTOR® members to become and remain informed, knowledgeable and competent. (This GRI course is also the mandatory New REALTOR® Ethics course, which must be completed within 90 days of joining SMDRA.)

GRI 107: Fair Housing, Diversity & Inclusion

Learning how to take a proactive role in preventing fair housing violations will reduce a real estate licensee’s exposure to liability. Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents, or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and disability.

GRI 108: Finance in Real Estate

A key part of the real estate transaction is financing. In general, financing addresses the ways in which people, businesses, and organizations allocate and use monetary resources. Being aware of the latest developments in finance; helps to clarify the economic status and affordability of the real estate market for clients. Understanding the fundamentals of mortgage finance is a key to a successful real estate sales business foundation and delivering invaluable services to consumers.

GRI 109: International Real Estate

This course is intended to introduce or expand participants’ awareness of the many factors that must be taken into consideration when serving the real estate needs of international homebuyers or investors in the United States; within the state of Colorado, in particular. This session covers the elements of a typical international transaction, as well as focuses on ensuring that the activities of the real estate practitioner and of the international citizen are complying with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, this course will review diversity trends in the United States population, examine the areas of fastest growth, and identify potentially sensitive subjects of communication.

GRI 110: Investments & Management

This course introduces REALTORS® investment real estate. Real estate investment terminology, taxation, and principles of investing in real estate will be reviewed. Students will complete and analyze cash flow and tax analysis forms, cash flows after tax, as well as net operating income.

GRI 111: Legal Issues and Risk Management

Learning how to take a proactive role in preventing legal violations will reduce a real estate licensee’s exposure to liability. In this course we will exam the common law as well as Federal and State statutes that govern real estate transactions. A real estate licensee’s awareness of federal fair housing laws and sensitivity to consumer diversity is vital to business success, reputation, and growth. Licensees will learn why it is necessary to understand fair housing laws and the impact that both fair housing and diversity have on their business.

GRI 112: Marketing and Promotion

In Principles of Marketing, Phillip Kotler defines marketing as “a social and managerial process by which individuals and groups obtain what they need and want through creating and exchanging products and value with others.” Marketing then, in working hand in hand with sales, becomes an ongoing process of planning and executing the strategy and tactics for products and services to create a dialogue or communication. In this course, sales and marketing are discussed in relation to the buying and selling of real estate.

GRI 113: Negotiating & Counseling (Agency)

Students will be introduced to consumer behavior and the ethical and legal obligations and duties a real estate professional owes to their clients and customers. The purpose of this course is to provide participants with negotiating and counseling knowledge and skills—resulting in increased productivity, income, and effectiveness.

GRI 114: Taxes & the Real Estate Professional

Most real estate licensees are independent contractors, a status that is ultimately determined by the IRS. Licensees need to be aware of the benefits and pitfalls of independent contractor status—especially as they apply to taxation. Client’s need to be made aware of the tax implications as they relate to a transaction. This course discusses taxes related to a real estate licensee’s business and how this interacts with the client’s transaction. The purpose of this course is to make licensees aware of parts of the tax code that affect the licensee’s business and the interaction with client and customer relations.

GRI 115: Technology Tools & Resources

Real estate licensees have invested a great deal of time and millions of dollars building and improving real estate technology; the demand for additional technology is very high. Internet marketing consultants warn that without proper marketing and promotion, web sites can quickly become obsolete, and, while social networks can help connect in a referral business, society now relies on instant communication. It is not the intention of this course to make participants into technology experts; it identifies rules, regulations, and the advantages of using technology. This course seeks to make participants aware of valuable resources affecting the daily life of a modern real estate licensee and the impact the legal and ethical use of technology will have on consumers.

*SMDRA also uses this course for the New Member Ethics training, and it is offered every other month.