Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®)

Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®)In the South Maui community of Kihei, the ABR® designation is only awarded to licensed real estate professionals who complete specialized training that gives them the edge in understanding a buyer’s perspective, protecting and promoting their buyer-clients’ interests. Before earning the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) Designation, buyer’s reps must also demonstrate proven experience in representing buyers. Further, they are committed to maintaining their professional edge by staying current on the latest issues and trends in buyer representation in the Kihei area.

What to Expect from Your Kihei ABR®

  • Understand your specific needs and wants, and locate appropriate properties in the Kihei area.
  • Assist you in determining how much you can afford by pre-qualifying with a local mortgage broker.
  • Preview and accompany you in viewing properties in Kihei.
  • Advise you in formulating a strong offer to purchase a vacation property in the Kihei area.
  • Assist you in developing a negotiating strategy prior to submitting an offer.
  • Confidential, honest, loyal and professional.
  • Provide a list of qualified vendors, ie: home inspectors, escrow & title, licensed contractors, etc.
  • Keep you on track with every detail of your escrow transaction in Kihei.

Why Sign a Buyer Representation Agreement

A Buyer Representation Agreement is a legal document that formalizes your working relationship with a particular buyer’s representative, detailing what services you are entitled to and what your buyer’s rep expects from you in return. While the language used in the document is formal, residential/condominium buyers should view it as an important and helpful tool for clarifying expectations, developing mutual loyalty and most importantly, elevating the services you will receive during your search for a vacation property in the Kihei area.

  • If you’ve formalized an agency relationship with a buyer’s representative in the Kihei area, you can expect to be treated like a client instead of a customer. The difference is that clients are entitled to superior services, relative to customers. You can generally assume that being a client means that you’ve formed a fiduciary, or agency relationship with your buyer’s representative.
  • In almost every case, sellers have already agreed to pay a buyer’s agent’s commission for the successful closing of their property in Kihei. If they haven’t, you can ask your buyer’s rep to avoid showing you any such real estate which does not offer a Cooperating Brokerage Agreement. You could still view the listing, knowing that you’ll need to factor your agent’s commission into any offer you may write.
  • Avoid misunderstandings by signing a Buyer’s Representation Agreement which clarifies expectations, helping you understand what you should and shouldn’t expect from your buyer’s rep, and what they will expect from you, which usually centers on loyalty and open communication.
  • While most representation agreements specify a time period, they can be terminated early if both parties consent. Most buyer’s representatives in Kihei are willing to end the agreement early if the working relationship isn’t going well. Some buyer's reps in the coastal town of Kihei also offer representation agreements for as little as 30 days, for the purpose of giving both parties a brief trial period to explore working together.
  • Strength as a Kihei real estate team can be realized when you and your buyer’s rep work together within a formalized agency relationship, thus creating a team dedicated to helping you achieve the best possible home-buying experience.

Not all Buyer’s Representatives in Kihei are Equal

The ABR® Designation is awarded by the Real Estate Buyer’s Agent Council (REBAC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). Currently world-wide there are 55,000 Realtors® which are members of REBAC. On the island of Maui only 99 real estate agents and Brokers have acquired the ABR® Designation.

Only a buyer’s rep who has earned the Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR®) Designation has made the extra effort to raise the bar, with additional training and experience. If you decide to work with Brad Hill of Coldwell Banker Island Properties on your next Kihei purchase, you can feel confident that you’ll receive the highest level of buyer-representation services.