Over the past little while, I’ve been reading many social media posts and articles about the Competition Bureau and reactions from the public and REALTOR’s alike.
This post is not about how unfair the Competition Bureau is and it’s not about the value of REALTOR in the real estate transaction. My position has always been clear. The Real Estate Boards and industry has never interfered with the entrepreneurial spirit. In reality I’ve sat on task forces and committees and the theme and purpose has always been to add more access and more services while meeting the strict criteria handed down to us from Provincial and Federal legislation that are beyond our control.
What I truly want to do is share the message that we now must seize the opportunity to better our industry and show the public a whole new direction of accountability. The time has come to stop the excuses and really look within to improve our industry. If we look at the root of the problem we will no longer need the RECO and TREB arbitration process as often as we do. The first step where OREA has become a registered college is great but we need much more. We must add “Phase 4″ to the licensing of REALTORS within Ontario. What will this topic or course outline be?
“A Complete Guide to Ethics, Better Business Practices and Policies”
Not that these topics aren’t covered in varying degrees in the previous courses. I just believe that society has changed and this will significantly drop the amount of complaints within our industry. It will teach the REALTOR how to conduct themselves in every aspect of a transaction including the treatment of other members as well as the consumer. It will outline in detail the latest legislature, policies and penalties incurred by not conducting themselves in a professional manner to consumers and fellow members. By creating this new course, I also fully support our industry to increase fines and penalties because there is no excuse for unprofessional conduct. The new registrant must fully understand what they are getting themselves into and be willing to commit to this career. This will also produce a better caliber REALTOR with higher standards and ethics in our industry in the long-term.
From the age of 18 I never had a second job. Real Estate has been my life and its important to really make a difference for the future. We take the coaching, training and keeping our sales associates current very seriously. We have multiple weekly seminars that cover every topic including emerging market trends, the preparation of specialty agreements and clauses and the “how to” tips on using the latest and best resources to service our clients. We also know that focussing on professional business practices within will lead to the best associates and will lead the industry by example. I look at it as having strong antibodies from bad viruses. We continuously cover these before they join us but not all other Brokerages do.
We are in a very competitive industry where maybe only 20% make it to year 2 in business and just maybe only 20% of the remaining make it to year 5. Real Estate is not an easy business! This is my 23rd year in the real estate industry and its an undeniable fact that selling a house is not just about a For Sale sign and posting on the MLS. Regretfully like in any industry a few bad apples that aren’t committed give the wrong impression of the rest if us.
Let’s add Phase 4. Person by person, year by year, together we can make it better!
Tim Syrianos
Broker of Record Owner
Filed under: Career Building and Coaching, Careers at REMAX, Toronto Market Watch
