Berlin, CT
United States
Buyer reps in Connecticut can thank Adorna Carroll broker/owner of Realty 3 Carroll & Agostini in Berlin for the improvements made to state laws on buyer's agency there. For 17 years, Carroll has been on the ground level, an active participant on local, state and national committees pertaining to the revamping of buyer's representation laws.
"I always felt uncomfortable assisting both buyers and sellers," she says. "To me, it was a conflict of interest. It seemed like a betrayal when you got close to the needs of the buyer, but could never keep their confidences with the seller. It was illogical."
So with the buyer's representation movement gaining momentum, Carroll set out to make sense of the new real estate practice. In 1991, her involvement led her to become the vice chairman of legislation for the Connecticut Association of Realtors and a consultant to the Connecticut Consumer Protection Agency in the area of buyer representation, dual agency and designated agency.
Finally, in June of 1997, Carroll saw her efforts payoff when the law changed to allow for buyer representation as a main stream event in Connecticut. "The law minimized the potential conflict of dual representation," she says. "This was the first time this was allowed with this legislation. It was great that the state began to recognize buyer representation and began taking it seriously."
Because of her commitment to buyers and the contribution Carroll has made and continues to make to the practice, REBAC recognized her in its Hall of Fame for 2001. "It's such a phenomenal honor," she says. "REBAC is a wonderful support mechanism that is committed to excelling."
Carroll began her career in real estate in 1979 when she became a licensed agent. In 1985 she started her own agency, A.O. Carroll & Company, and went into business selling homes in the Berlin area of (central) Connecticut. She later merged with The Agostini Company Realtors of Kensington, Connecticut in 1994 and is now the sole owner and president of the company, now called Realty 3 Carroll & Agostini.
A big key to her success, she says, has been her active involvement with teaching and committees on so many levels. She is the current Region 1 president of NAR and has been Connecticut Association of Realtors president in 1997 and was appointed facilitator of the NAR president's roundtable legislative forum on Multiple Listing Policy in 1993.
"It's been very challenging and rewarding," she says of her latest role with NAR. "It's a fascinating experience. The talent at that level is just incredible--very humbling." Carroll's passion for leadership is defined by her teaching experience. Since 1995, she has trained Realtors for local and state associations in 18 states as well as a variety of private firms, corporations and franchises across the U.S. She is an ABR® and ABRMsm instructor for students attempting to receive a designation. "I love teaching the ABR® courses because I believe in the material so much," she says. "I love the buyer's rep message and philosophy."