There is a fundamental truth in the profession of real estate: You are the greatest asset for your clients. As we look at the year ahead, surrounded by industry changes, rapidly evolving AI technologies and highly informed consumers, our biggest focus should be on our own education. It is our responsibility as stewards of homeownership and as business owners to constantly increase the expertise and knowledge we bring to the transaction. New technology will come and go, marketing tactics will evolve and investment portfolios will shift, but none of these assets is as irreplaceable and unduplicatable as YOU.

Here are a few impactful ways I’ve invested my time over the last year to refresh my knowledge, and you can do this, too! I’ve taken designations and certifications to reinforce foundational training that has helped me support my buyers and sellers. Through these courses, I’ve connected with other designees that share these niche skill sets. No matter where you are in your career— I’m 19 years in! —the Accredited Buyer’s Representative and Seller Representative Specialist designations are the best place to start. With the industry changes that went into effect this summer, these courses teach systems you can implement to ensure you’re meeting the needs of and demonstrating your value to these core clients.

Maybe you’ve set a goal this year to dig deeper into a niche area of the market. There are industry-recognized designations and certifications for that, too! Here are some of my favorites. For those looking to learn more about energy efficient appliances and solar, the Green Designation will position you as a Realtor who can help your clients navigate the high-performing features. If your clients have maturing family members and loved ones looking to downsize, age in place, relocate or refinance properties, the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation will help you meet the needs of maturing Americans. This year, I completed the Certified International Property Specialist designation. As more and more buyers are looking for international opportunities, I believe this is a great way for us as Realtors to expand our knowledge of international markets and add additional streams of income. Where can you find live classes for these? In addition to NAR’s website, I prefer to look for upcoming Chicagoland courses listed at ChicagoREALTOR.com/education.

I’m passionate about creating more accessibility to homeownership through expanded language offerings. This past September, we hosted our first course in Spanish through the Realtors Real Estate School (RRES), and we look forward to hosting more courses in Spanish in the year to come.

Investing in yourself isn’t a solo journey, so turn to your peer communities for help! I am especially passionate about leaning into our local association and using its influence and resources to create the training we want and need as Realtors.
RRES is the Chicago Association of REALTORS®-affiliated school, and it offers all of these opportunities to continue to develop yourself and take high-quality training.

If you’re looking for smaller, more bite-sized practical education that will help elevate your business, RRES also offers a variety of “skill builder” courses. These dive into specialized areas to strengthen your knowledge and skills; live now in their catalog are courses about property management basics, lead generation, statistical data, digital marketing and CRM management. The association creates this training with direct insights from Realtors for Realtors, and we’re constantly developing new content to formulate classes that meet your specific business needs.

Invest your time in attending industry events to gain knowledge and make connections with other Realtors. One of our most popular and informative events, the 2025 Market Outlook, will take place Feb. 3 at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. During this event, we invite key economists to share their national and Chicago-specific economic forecasts on the residential and commercial markets. This is a great way to kick off the year with insights you can’t get anywhere else!

After the economic forecast, you’ll have the chance to connect with old friends and make new acquaintances during the 2025 Welcome Party. I find opportunities like this just as educational as the forecast itself, because they provide you with the ability to share peer-to-peer knowledge and learn from one another.

This is my challenge to you this year: As a business owner, don’t forget to pour energy, time and money into your own expertise. Let’s continue to invest in ourselves and provide value to our clients through our own education. I hope to see you in the year ahead.

Erika Villegas is the 2024-2025 President of the Chicago Association of REALTORS® and designated managing broker and owner of RE/MAX In The Village.