Getting my broker's license.  Having "Associate Broker" on your business cards is pretty cool, and people understand that more than a bunch of initials.

Institute for luxury home marketing as far as grooming yourself to enter that niche

You get designations and certifications for yourself and not for impressing your clients. They usually do not care about those letters after your name, but only about the quality of your service and your knowledge of real estate. 

Chelsea, here is my standard answer to this question, which I think applies here.

Designations for the knowledge to improve your tradecraft: get all the ones that you think will improve your knowledge/skills or give you the knowledge, skills and attitude to enter a new arena.

Designations to impress clients: You're barking up the wrong tree.  Most clients don't have a clue what designations mean.  They know realtor (but have no concept of the trademark) and they usually know a broker is the boss.  To impress clients, get the broker license. 

If you just want a bunch of initials to impress people: there are other ways to get them.

I learned from all the designation courses.

Yes.

As others have stated, the word BROKER carries authority.

The alphabet soup of meaningless letters, appended to a name, denotes vanity.

My brokers license.

Broker is the way to go.

I agree with Patricia Kennedy .  Associate Broker most people understand and it adds value.  Mark

Won't hurt.

Knowledge won't hurt.

Getting my broker's license and the RSPS designation have both brought me business.

Broker is the only one I was interested in.

My CRS one year (a few years back) I had 18 referrals in one year.   This has changed with the Internet, but still receive several.

My  ACF designation has brought in a few very good clients.

Hi Chelsea - I just completed the ABR class and have heard this is a great designation to have.  SRS is another.  I also just signed up for the MRP (Military Relocation Professional).  I am in the middle of a VA deal and I wish I had known more going into it.  

I know this doesn't REALLY answer your question, but good luck!

Thanks,
Mike

It's not necessarily the designation, but the knowledge imparted that will help your business. EXCEPTION: Really tough ones to obtain, like CRS . . . they tend to want to refer business to fellow CRS designees. I am finishing my CCIM because CCIMs recognize their fellow designees as possessing a higher level of knowledge. You have to make a business decision with this sort of thing, and tailor your education for your niche/career goals.

The CPM designation added the most value for me. Don't expect to receive any deals based on a designation.

only the CRS produced some business for me through referrals.... I had 9 designations.....perception is reality in real estate.... 

CRS has given me twelve sound transactions since 2007

I have never had anyone ask me about my designations so no added value there...BUT, the knowledge gained by those same classes is a different story

Chelsea Robinson I have to agree with Patricia Kennedy on this one.

Broker

I have a slew of them and the most valuable is the CRS as only 4% of agents have them. I have received quite a few referrals over the years from fellow CRS, GRI, and ABR agents. The issue may not necessarily be how well you can link it to the bottom line, but what is the value of the training. And trust me, I can make hay with my designations when talking to prospective clients. And if you come up against me with a prosepective client with no designations and all other things being equal, by the time I make hay with them, those people will hire me because of my designations.

No designation has directly brought me deals. They have opened some doors of opportunity!

NONE, consumers do not know what they mean and rarely will choose an agent because they have lots of initials after their name

Hard to say. They all could help now and then, but their value fades in many cases, such as SFR, CDPE, CDRS, short sales designations. You pay to get them, then you have to decide which ones you want to renew. But all learning is usually good. It's rare that the general public asks what they mean or even cares about them.

Broker or executive broker designation has leaps and bounds over all the others.  

 I've talked to a lot of real estate agents who see no value in designations.

Chelsea Robinson - I have not gone after the designations, as yet - though I believe, anything that adds learning is going to be good - is going to add value for sure.

Relationships!

But, to answer your specific question: CDPE when that was our main market. It saved my career from 2005-2011.

My main success has been through Realtor relationships in Buffini & Company coaching, Active Rain & Local networking...they keep the register ringing!