"We were first-time home buyers and Bob took special care to ensure that we understood everything, every step of the way. He was extremely patient with us and always there when we had a question or concern...We feel especially fortunate to have worked with someone we could trust and feel comfortable with--we sure lucked out when we got introduced to Bob Leaman."
Susan and Paul

Bob & Lindsay, The Dependable Duo in Real Estate,
want you to get to know Denver!

Realtor Designations

Realtor Designations What is a REALTOR and what are all those funny letters after your name?

The term REALTOR identifies those licensed real estate agents who are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the largest trade association for the real estate industry in the United States. There are approximately two million licensees in the U.S., of which approximately 700,000 are REALTORS. To become a REALTOR the licensee must take classes on ethical real estate practices and agree to a strict set of Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. REALTORS take their code very seriously. They can and do sanction and even expel members depending upon the severity of the violation. (Bob is a member of the Ethics and Standards of Practice Committee of the South Metro Denver Association of REALTORS.)

Membership in the local REALTOR Association provides access to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Only REALTORS are allowed to promote properties through the MLS to other members of the Association. If you are a seller, having your property listed by your REALTOR in the MLS makes it available to all the other REALTORS in that Association. If you are a buyer, your REALTOR can show you any property listed in the MLS, whether it is his own listing or that of any other REALTOR.

When selecting a real estate agent to help you with the purchase or sale of property, always make sure you are working with a REALTOR!!!

In the Denver Metro Area, there are approximately 8,000 REALTORS! You will want to seek out the best of the best, one who is constantly seeking to improve himself, through continuing education and experience, so as to provide you with the highest level of service possible. How does one find the truly committed agents? the agents who go far beyond the state mandated continuing education programs? the agents who have proven themselves to be successful real estate professionals? One way is to look for those who have achieved certain professional designations, usually identified by initials after the names. those designations signify a lot of hours in continuing education courses and successful business production in the purchase and sale of real estate. Following are three of the most widely recognized designations:

The ABR stand for Accredited Buyer Representative. The designation is awarded by REBAC, the Real Estate BUYER'S AGENT Council, a division of the National Association of REALTORS. It was created in recognition of the growing trend of buyer agency throughout the country and the many technical and legal issues that arise when practicing Buyer Agency. To qualify, one must take an intensive two day course on buyer agency and meet other education and experience requirements. Less than 2% of the 700,00 REALTORS nationwide have earned the ABR. Those who have are on the cutting edge of the fast paced changes occurring in our profession!

The most prestigious designation of the National Association of REALTORS is the CRS, Certified Residential Specialist. This program is administered by the Residential Sales Council of the REALTORS National Marketing Institute, also a subsidiary of the National Association of REALTORS. The Residential Sales Council is a professional organization serving the industry's top producing agents. The CRS is often referred to as the MBA of real estate!

By offering state-of-the-art education courses leading to the CRS Designation, the Council strengthens its member's ability to manage their businesses successfully and profitably. The series of courses includes advanced marketing techniques, financial skills and ways to apply innovative technology to the real estate business. The development and use of these skills allow the CRS Designees to provide their clients superior real estate service. Currently, only approximately 5% of all REALTORS have achieved the CRS, placing those individuals in an elite group in terms of education, experience, production and professionalism.

The proud owners of both the ABR and CRS Designations regularly participate in continuing education sessions beyond that required for the Designation. They also have developed an exclusive referral network throughout the country. They meet frequently at national, state and local conventions and seminars to strengthen that network and share unique business and marketing ideas to enhance their success and that of their clients.

About 25% of all REALTORS have earned the GRI, Graduate, Realtor Institute. This program is sponsored by the National Association of REALTORS and is administered by the Colorado Association of REALTORS (and other state associations around the country). It consists of 12 highly technical classes totaling 96 hours, covering a wide range of topics including Finance, Advanced Law, Appraisal, Housing Construction, Investment and Taxation, Agency, Listing and Selling. The GRI is a prerequisite to qualification for the CRS. A REALTOR who earns the GRI is dedicated to the profession, having shown that his is willing to go the extra mile to become the best that he can be!

So when you are searching for a top notch REALTOR, look for one or more of these initials after the name. They identify an agent who is constantly seeking to improve, through continuing education, training and experience!

We are extremely proud of our designations. We both have achieved the ABR and the GRI designations. Additionally, Bob has also earned the coveted CRS and Lindsay is currently a candidate. These accomplishments indicate our desire to achieve excellence in all we do. We are committed to providing our clients with "competent, caring and attentive real estate services." We are Bob & Lindsay Leaman, The Dependable Duo in Real Estate!