The REALTOR®
Commitment
You’re trusting a REALTOR® with your most valuable possession,
your home. REALTORS® take this responsibility very seriously. Here’s
what we promise you.
Your REALTOR® is highly trained
REALTOR® training is so rigorous that candidates often fail the pre-registration
courses. Those who do pass must master a long, diverse list of subjects
ranging from housing construction to family law.
Your REALTOR® is continuously trained
We keep pace with the times. All Licensed REALTORS® must take continuing
education courses to make sure their knowledge on subjects like legal issues
and technology are up to date.
Your REALTOR® does everything by the book
A licensed REALTOR® must be registered under provincial laws that
govern exactly how real estate can and cannot be traded. These regulations
are your legal guarantee of professional behavior.
Your REALTOR® is an ethical businessperson
REALTORS® must adhere to the extensive Code of Ethics of the Canadian
Real Estate Association. Several provinces have additional Codes of Ethics
governing the behaviour of real estate professionals. Your interests must
always be put first.
Your dealings with a REALTOR® are insured
For your peace of mind, provincial regulators sponsor consumer protection
programs that may require, for instance, that REALTORS® maintain Errors
and Omissions Insurance. Often deposits consumers make in real estate transactions
are also insured under these programs.
Opportunity for recourse
Should you have concerns about the professional behavior of a REALTOR®,
provincial regulators and your local real estate board or association take
these matters very seriously and work quickly to resolve any issues.
Your REALTOR® has access to the Multiple
Listing Service® and Real Estate Weekly
The MLS® System is
the single most powerful tool for buying and selling a home. It is a
complex information sharing and cooperative marketing network created
by REALTORS® to help consumers buy and sell homes. The Real
Estate Weekly is an Association-owned newspapers and as such,
only REALTORS®
have access to this medium, which distributes over 60,000 papers per
week. The paper is distributed throughout Edmonton and surrounding areas
as far north as Westlock, south to Wetaskiwin, east to Ardrossan and
west to Alberta Beach and now includes Strathcona and Sturgeon counties.
Next: Real Estate Terms