History

The 1970s was a thriving time for the real estate industry and new-home construction in Colorado. The oil and gas industry was booming and many job seekers were relocating to Denver. Metro-area production and custom Home Builders flourished as they built homes for a growing population.

Real Estate Agents brought their buyers to tour these new-built homes.  While Realtors© were enthusiastic about introducing home buyers to new-built homes, too often, Builders were inconsistent when paying Agents a commission. There were no rules, regulations or guidelines for Builders and Agents to know when a commission should be paid.

Three close friends, who worked in the residential real estate industry, realized that something needed to be done to resolve the commission payment disputes between Builders and Real Estate Agents. One friend was a REALTOR®, one worked for a Home Builder, and the third worked for an industry magazine.  On a frigid evening in early 1982 these friends and their spouses met for a social evening. While soaking in the hot tub and sharing glasses of wine, a conversation ensued about solutions that Builders and REALTORS® might agree to.  These friends decided to form a committee to engage the Builders and Agents to initiate guidelines that all involved would volunteer to follow.

The Builder-Realty Council was formed in the fall of 1982. The heart of the mission statement was the belief that if Builders and Agents could come together, any issue could be resolved.  After much debate, the Broker Co-op Guidelines were created. To summarize these guidelines, an Agent had to register with their buyer at the new-home sales site during the buyer’s first visit.  This visit established procuring cause and would remain in force for a 30-day period. After the 30-day period, the Agent had to re-register their buyer at the on-site sales office.

There were many breakfasts, luncheons, meetings, and roundtables that brought Real Estate Agents and Builders together.  The first Council sponsored rally was held in Aurora at the Ramada Inn at I-225 & Parker Road in 1983 Over 1,500 people attended this successful rally.

Because the BRC concepts were sound, the Builder-Realty Council International (BRCI) was formed to grow a local, grass-roots organization into a national Council. In the early 1990s the largest builders in the country met for one of the first BRCI meetings. A bank volunteered to fund the cost for one BRCI founder to travel to other cities and speak about the successful business relationships that Colorado Builders and Agents enjoyed through the ethical standards established by the Council for all new-home transactions.  Unfortunately, the BRCI disbanded due to the lack of adequate funding and disinterest by the industry peers.

The Broker Co-op Guidelines have performed well for nearly 30 years as an ethical standard to establish procuring cause between the Builder and REALTOR®.  The Builder Realty Council actively works to strengthen the bond of integrity and ethical business relationships between Builders, Agents and Supporting Affiliates. Our founders had the foresight and courage to create positive change in our local industry. Their dedication and perseverance are still evident today.