new National Association of Realtors® consumer guides

Realtor® Resources: New National Association of Realtors® Consumer Guides

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In an ever-evolving real estate landscape, staying informed is crucial for home buyers and sellers—and one group is making it easier for everyone. Explore the new National Association of Realtors® consumer guides designed for Realtors to share with clients.

About the new “Consumer Guide” series

The new National Association of Realtors® consumer guides are single-page documents crafted to simplify complex information, ensuring consumers have the resources to make informed decisions. For use by Realtors, the informative documents cover the recent practice changes that took effect in August. 

Covering a range of topics so far, the NAR® plans to provide additional guides in the future. 

The six guides

Currently, there are six National Association of Realtors® consumer guides available as PDFs, including:

Why Am I Being Asked to Sign a Written Buyer Agreement?

Summarizes what buyers should know about working with a real estate agent since the policy changes. 

Open Houses and Written Agreements

Explains what buyers need to know about attending an open house, touring homes and when a written buyer’s agreement is necessary.

Realtors’® Duty To Put Client Interests Above Their Own 

Condenses NAR’s Code of Ethics that all Realtors® must adhere to and their ethical duties to act in their client’s best interests.

What Veterans Need To Know About Buying a Home

Reviews how the NAR promotes access to financing for veterans and highlights available options for veteran buyers during the home buying process.

Offers of Compensation 

Recaps the process and options for offering compensation to a buyer’s agent to attract buyers and explains why sellers should consider this option when marketing their property.

Negotiating Written Buyer Agreements

Shares what home buyers should know when negotiating a written buyer agreement with a Realtor®.

Summary

Stay up-to-date with the latest NAR consumer resources and information by visiting facts.realtor. For more local real estate updates, community highlights and other news, keep reading our blogs. 

Accredited Buyer's Representative

Elevate Your Real Estate Career: Become an Accredited Buyer’s Representative

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Are you passionate about real estate and helping clients find their dream homes? If so, becoming an Accredited Buyer’s Representative might be the perfect next step in your career, giving you the edge you need to stand out.

About the Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation

To clarify, an Accredited Buyer’s Representative is a real estate professional who has completed specialized training in representing buyers in real estate transactions. This designation is awarded by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC) of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) to agents who have demonstrated excellence in buyer representation.

Let’s review more about the benefits of becoming an Accredited Buyer’s Representative, what you’ll learn and how it can help you better serve your clients.

The benefits of being an Accredited Buyer’s Representative

First and foremost, becoming an Accredited Buyer’s Representative demonstrates your dedication and commitment to serving today’s homebuyers. Backed with specialized knowledge, you will gain valuable insight into working with buyers. Topics covered in the course include understanding homebuyers’ needs and preferences and guiding them through the entire home-buying process.

Next, having this special designation adds credibility to your name. Clients will feel more confident entrusting you with their home-buying journey knowing that you have undergone rigorous training and education.

Another benefit of becoming an Accredited Buyer’s Representative is continuous learning through professional development. Realtors can access exclusive resources, networking opportunities and ongoing training.

Finally, having the Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation gives you a competitive edge. Clients are more likely to choose an agent with specialized training in buyer representation, leading to increased business opportunities and referrals.

What you’ll learn

During the two-day course, and the following elective course, participants will learn how to create a buyer representation agreement, conduct a successful buyer consultation and more. Upon completion of the course, Realtors will have a thorough understanding of each step in the home-buying process.

The material covered includes the search-showing-selection process, making an offer, negotiations, appraisals and closing on the property. What’s more, learn how to promote yourself in the competitive buyer’s market and grow your business with the designee member benefits!

Summary

Are you ready to take the next step? Register for a free live virtual instructor-led course for classes offered from June through December. Continue reading our blogs for more industry news and current real estate topics.

recognizing September as Agent Safety Month

NAR: Recognizing September as Agent Safety Month

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September is one busy month, but recognizing September as Agent Safety Month doesn’t need to get pushed off your action-packed calendar! Take a minute to look over these helpful safety tips and more.

Did you know?

The National Association of REALTORS® created the REALTOR® Safety Program more than 10 years ago. The program is designed to keep agent safety at the forefront of a Realtor’s daily planning.

By practicing precaution, the number of safety incidents happening in the industry can be reduced. That’s why recognizing September as Agent Safety Month continues to be a top priority in Lee County.

Safety tips for Realtors

The good news is Realtors have quick access to plenty of safety-oriented materials nowadays. The NAR alone offers personal protection resources, tips, videos, webinars and more—all about safety.

Here are several tips to help get you started when it comes to formulating a safety plan.

Tell people where you are going.

Tell people—colleagues, friends, family—where you are going, who you are meeting (including providing names and contact info) and when you expect to be finished. Consider creating a Google calendar that you share with those closest to you, for instance.

Set a safe schedule.

Set a schedule you are comfortable with. If that means no meetings after dark, so be it. Clearly communicate your available hours for in-person meetings and showings in your marketing materials and website.

Keep up with your car maintenance.

From regular oil changes to tire checks to keeping jumper cables in your car, be prepared. Also, try and keep your gas tank half-full in case you get lost or the property is more remote than expected.

Stay charged.

Make sure your phone is fully charged and you have a car charger with you too. Consider using a mobile hotspot to help with cell phone reception. Plus, a personal hotspot is good for data security in general.

Be wary of what you share. 

Guard your personal information along with your clients’. Be careful not to “overshare” personal information with new or potential clients as well.

Pick public spaces.

Meet new clients in your office or a public place like a coffee shop for initial meetings.

Be observant.

Follow behind your clients while showing them a property. Do not lead them. This helps you stay aware of what is happening at all times.

Use the 10-second rule.

Apply the 10-second rule. Give yourself time (at least 10 seconds) to assess a situation and your surroundings when you arrive.

Follow best practices for open houses.

Put “best practices” into place for open houses. Don’t host them alone if possible. Check all rooms, windows and doors before leaving and locking up. Be sure to check closets and the backyard too.

Know your way out.

Always have a backup plan and exit strategy in case something goes awry.

Summary

By recognizing September as Agent Safety Month, you recognize that it is actually a year-round task. Take this month to update your safety plan. Then talk about it with your colleagues and family. Finally, put it into place. Keep reading our blogs for more industry news and additional real estate resources.