CFP certificate - yea or nay?

[Mark Sossoman]

Does anyone have any recommendations as to whether becoming a certified CFP would A - be helpful, and B - be worth the cost and time (approx. 6 classes over 1 year at $4000 total)? I am wanting to get into RE investing part-time to start out, and possibly full-time in the future. I am currently exploring the option of getting my RE agent/broker license in order to help me break into investing (I'm currently a public school teacher), but I had someone recently suggest that I should become a certified CFP instead. Any thoughts?

[Steve Kordish]

Originally posted by @Adam Anderson:

Hi Mark,

I'm a CFP and can tell you it has almost nothing to do with real-estate investing.  A CFP is to financial planning as a CPA is to accounting.  Additionally, you will need to work in the financial services field for 3 years before you can use the designation.  I think the real estate license would be a better use of time for a real estate investor.

Adam

 What he said !