Kelly Reark
By Kelly Reark
This is a great idea for those in YPN, and all practitioners in general! Doesn’t it seem like you are always spending money on one thing or another? Board dues, electronic key dues, classes, license fees and office fees, on top of money spent to advertise, fix your laptop, buy the newest gadget and more. Forming your yearly budget is a key to success whether you have been in the business for 20 days or 20 years.
This year while you are creating your budget, consider taking the ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) class offered through REBAC (Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council).
I took this course last year and I am so very glad that I did. It opened my eyes to many pitfalls and services that I was overlooking or not using to my full advantage. The course is one part to earning your ABR Designation, which also requires that you take a supplemental class and complete five transactions as a designated buyer’s agent. Not only is this course a wealth of useful information, but it will help you to reach that goal of representing five buyers through closed transaction! Plus you will have access to some great marketing tools and resources.
Check out www.rebac.net for more information.
Kelly Reark is a native Floridian and e-PRO REALTOR® with Gasparilla Properties, Inc. in Boca Grande, Southwest Florida. Visit her Web site: www.MyBocaGrandeAgent.com and her blog: KellyReark.blogspot.com.
Comments 5
Great post! REBAC has been working hard on new curriculum for this designation, including a class called “Generation Buy” that will launch at MidYear2010. YPN had input on it and it’s going to be terrific!
It has been my joy to teach the ABR since 1995 here in New Jersey. Of all the courses and workshops and seminars I teach I believe it to as relevant to the day to day operations of a professional agent as any designation out there. As an expert witness on real estate related cases I have yet to see an ABR in any case. The course is a great risk reducer for the agent and the company. Many of the students I have taught have said it should be required for all licensees.
I echo Joe. I am ABR member number 337 and have been teaching this course since before NAR/REBAC acquired it. I currently officially hold 10 designations and certifications. I’ve always said the ABR would be the last designation I’d give up. As Joe pointed out, it is absolutely “relevant” to today’s real estate market… especially in a Buyers Market. What most agents don’t take into account is what we as Instructors refer to “unconscious ignorance” .. AKA: You don’t know what you don’t know! The ABR course helps enlighten agents to a host of issues, pitfalls and services they’ve likely never considered. In today’s real estate world agents have to “differentiate” themselves… there are a number of ways for an agent to do exactly that after taking this powerful and valuable course. And I agree that it should be a requirement for all agents to complete this course… especially with the on-going efforts by REBAC to constantly update and keep it relevant in today’s market environment.
Nobu, thanks for sharing the new class. They always do a great job with their courses. I’m giving the rewritten ABR Marketing Reboot class at Midyear 2010. It has some great content too.
Joe and Alec are ABR pros. I would listen to every word they say.
I totally agree….this is the year to go for the ABR. Hey…I should know…Today I just printed out my REALTOR University certificate, revealing my successful completion of the online couse. Thanks REBAC you can count on my continual support and the promoting of this wonderful educational course to my local board members in Tallahassee.