Colorado Springs Homes, El Paso County & Pikes Peak Region Colorado Real Estate & Homes - What is an ABR?

WHAT IS AN ABR?

Out of more than 1 million licensed Realtors^® in the United States,
less than 2% qualify for the A.B.R. designation!

ABR® stands for the Accredited Buyer Representative® designation and is the benchmark of excellence in buyer representation. This coveted designation is awarded to real estate practitioners by the Real Estate BUYERS AGENT Council (REBAC) of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® who complete extensive classroom training program on buyer agency practices and procedures, pass a written examination and submit evidence of practical experience representing buyer's in transactions as a buyer's representative.

To fully understand what an ABR® is and does you must first understand what a Buyer Representative is.

In the not to distant past, Real Estate professionals only represented Home Sellers and their best interests in the real estate transaction. Then during the 1980's some Real Estate professionals began to represent the buyer's interests in the transaction and, despite initial resistance from listing agents and sellers, the Buyer Representative was born. Today, more and more real estate professionals are representing the Home Buyer's interests as Buyer Representatives.

Research by the National Association of REALTORS® has shown that when a buyer's representative is used, the prospective buyer found a home one week faster and examined three more properties than consumers who did not use a buyer's representative.

The buyer's representative works for, and owes fiduciary responsibilities to, the real estate buyer and has buyer's best interests in mind throughout the entire real estate process. A buyer's representative helps the buyer:

Evaluate the specific needs and wants of the buyer and locate properties that fit those specifications.
Assist the buyer in determining the amount that they can afford (pre-qualify), and show properties in that price range and locale.
Assist in viewing properties -- accompany the buyer on the showings, or preview the properties on behalf of the buyer to insure that the identified specifications are met.
Research the selected properties to identify any problems or issues to help the buyer make an informed decision prior to making an offer to purchase the property.
Advise the buyer on structuring an appropriate offer to purchase the selected property.
Present the offer to the seller's agent and the seller on the buyer's behalf.
Negotiate on behalf of the buyer to help obtain the identified property -- keeping the buyer's best interests in mind.
Assist in securing appropriate financing for the selected property.
Provide a list of potential qualified vendors (e.g. movers, attorneys, carpenters, etc.) if these services are needed.
Most importantly, fully-represent the buyer throughout the real estate transaction.

The Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council, REBAC, was founded in 1988 to promote superior buyer representation skills and services. An affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS® since 1996, REBAC is the worlds largest organization of real estate professionals concentrating on buyer representation.