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F O R T H E PUBLISHED BY THE REAL ESTATE COUNCIL OF ONTARIO FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS • SPRING 2014 RECOrd Former Chairs explain why voting matters Registrant survey predicts big changes for the profession Digital campaign shows buyers and sellers how to be “home smart” YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE! RECO’S 2014 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

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Page 1: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

F O R T H E

PUBLISHED BY THE REAL ESTATE COUNCIL OF ONTARIO FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS • SPRING 2014

RECOrd

Former Chairs explain why voting matters

Registrant survey predicts big changes for the profession

Digital campaign shows buyers and sellers how to be

“home smart”

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR

VOICE!

RECO’S 2014 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Page 2: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

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VOTING MATTERS!F O R M E R C H A I R S E X P L A I N W H Y R E G I S T R A N T S S H O U L D V O T E

Every year, registrants have a chance to guide the future of the real estate profession

by electing Directors. RECO spoke to three former Chairs to ask them about their

experience on the Board and why they think voting is important.

TOM BOSLEY – REGION 1

Director 1997-2008

Chair 2000-2001

Member of RECO’s first Board

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO SERVE AS A DIRECTOR? I saw that RECO was not a real estate organization, but a consumer protection organization. I thought it was important to have representation for the real estate community.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO VOTE IN RECO’S ELECTION? Directors have a say in where the industry is going. You look at our ethics, you look at our rules and regulations, the things that real estate professionals deal with every day, they’re governed by RECO. If you don’t take an interest, you’ve got a problem. The decisions made by RECO’s Board affect every real estate professional and every consumer in the province.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO BROKERS AND SALESPEOPLE WHO DON’T VOTE? It’s indicative of a great deal of apathy. There are over 60,000 members. People can’t even take the time to sit at their computer for two minutes to make a decision and I think it’s very sad. If you don’t bother to vote, you don’t get a say. It’s important that people get involved in the process.

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ROSE LEROUX – REGION 2

Director 1997-2002

Chair 1999-2000

Member of RECO’s first Board

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO SERVE AS A DIRECTOR? We had a clean slate. We had been lobbying the government for 30 years to get some say in what was going on in the real estate business. There was no discipline process, no remedy for consumers, no consumer protection at all. All of us on the inaugural board wanted to put things in place for consumers and registrants – like the insurance program.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO VOTE IN RECO’S ELECTION? I think that if there were a sufficient number of people interested in participating and interested in advancing the business then the government would pay more attention to us. There are nine registrants on the board and we lobbied hard for that. Those registrants can bring forward the aspirations and sentiments of the registrants in their area.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO BROKERS AND SALESPEOPLE WHO DON’T VOTE? Don’t they want a say in where the business is going? They complain a lot when things aren’t going their way, but if you complain and you don’t give back and participate, then you don’t have a right to complain.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO SERVE AS A DIRECTOR? I had a concern that with a new regulatory organization, small brokerages and small communities might be overlooked if they didn’t have proper representation. That’s why I wanted to be a member. We had a great board and I always felt that we were listened to and the interests of smaller communities were paid attention to.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO VOTE IN RECO’S ELECTION? The role of a Director is to ensure the continuity of a fair and safe marketplace and an environment where brokerages can operate their businesses properly. If we don’t pay attention to who’s sitting at the table, RECO’s Board might lose its effectiveness and credibility. RECO’s Board ultimately has quite a bit of power. If you put the wrong people in, the wrong message is going to get out. Become aware of who the best candidates are and make the effort.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO BROKERS AND SALESPEOPLE WHO DON’T VOTE? We’ve been lucky that the vast majority of Directors have gone in with the right motives. If you don’t make yourself aware and you don’t vote you get what you deserve, and sometimes that might not be the right people.

TERRY LANDON – REGION 3

Director 1997-1999, 2002-2005

Chair 2004-2005

Member of RECO’s first Board

Page 4: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

Voting in RECO’s Election of Directors is

your opportunity to have your say in RECO’s

leadership. Voting is now open and will remain

open until Monday, May 5 at 4:30 p.m.

Voting instructions were sent via email in early April by Computershare, the company responsible for the election process.

Instructions included a unique voter control number, necessary to complete the voting process, and a website link to login

and vote. Voting is being conducted online only.

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE! RECO’S 2014 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

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LEARN ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

VIDEOS

For the first time, candidates were invited to submit a

video with their nomination to introduce themselves to

voters and explain why they should be elected.

Visit RECO’s website and check out the videos in the

“About RECO” section.

BIOGRAPHIES

You can also learn about the candidates running for

election this year in the biographies section of this

newsletter. The content contained in the candidate

profiles was supplied by each nominee.

For more information about the 2014 Election,

visit www.reco.on.ca.

Don’t forget to vote!

For questions related to the voting process or if you have

misplaced your unique voter control number, please contact:

Computershare

1-800-564-6253

Be sure to mention that you are a voter in the Real Estate

Council of Ontario election.

Page 5: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

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Below are profiles of each of the candidates running in the 2014 Election of Directors.

The content contained in the candidate profiles was supplied by each candidate.

2014 Election of Directors —

Region 1 - Central Ontario

Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

- Member of TREB since 1979 to present

- Committee member of: Education, Ethics, Ethics Awareness; Government Relations, Ethics Appeals from 1981 – 2009

- Chair of Ethics Taskforce 1992

- Served on RECO Tribunal 1999 – 2000

- Contributor to REM from 1999 – 2014 (present) with over 145 articles including topics on: Ethics, Education, Commissions, SPIS, Q&A interviews, etc.

- Registered trainer – Buffini Co.; Succeed Training Programs

- Accredited Buyer Agent; Accredited Senior Agent (assisting in initiating course)

- Broker since 1974; Broker/Owner 1975 – 1979

- Trainer with W. Frank Realty 1979 – 1980

- Broker/Manager and Executive V.P. with Safeguard Real Estate 1981 – 1991

- Served on OREA Task Force Form Committee 2013; and

- Contributed to OREA Survey of Needs 2013

STANLEY L. ALBERT, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Re/Max Crossroads Realty Inc., Brokerage

Years Registered: 43

HERE ARE YOUR CANDIDATES

Page 6: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

Region 1 - Central Ontario continued

Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

As an experienced entrepreneur I have been self-employed for most of my career and have been fortunate to have had diverse experience working within a number of industries. Prior to entering the real estate profession I was the principal of a successful consulting practice for nearly ten years, working with clients in the very competitive luxury market throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Having always had a passion and great interest in real estate, I made a major career change and completed my licensing courses in 2010 and have since completed my Broker’s designation in 2013. Since becoming a registrant, I have been a full time Realtor with Royal LePage R.E.S. Ltd., Johnston & Daniel Division, Brokerage.

Real Estate is an amazing profession with virtually limitless opportunities for financial success, personal and professional development, and is a unique outlet for entrepreneurs looking to build a business specific to their personal goals and objectives. Acting as professional advisors in some of the single largest financial transactions our clients will ever complete, and guiding them through

the process of buying and selling their homes, we also have a great level of responsibility. As the landscape of our society continues to change, we need progressive leadership who will enact change within our profession to ensure its continued strength and reputation long term. With technological advancements, changing government regulations, and unparalleled consumer access to information, our roles as registrants are quickly changing as well. Consumers have heightened expectations and are better informed than ever before.

Real estate is, and always has been, a destination for individuals attracted by the potential for financial gain, but we must ensure that all our colleagues have the necessary education, training, and experience to provide consumers with the highest level of competent, qualified, and informed service possible. To continue increasing professionalism, it is necessary to enact changes to our current licensing education requirements, to create a clearly outlined professional development program for new registrants with participation from Brokers of Record and to develop relevant continuing education content which addresses present day concerns and allows us as registrants to better serve our clients.

KEVIN CRIGGER, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage

Years Registered: 3

Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

Broker/Co-Founder/Co-Owner of The Realty Shop Inc., Brokerage

2011- Present Sales Associate for Medallion Developments

2014 Chair of The Young Professionals Network for the Mississauga Real Estate Board

2014 Membership Committee for the Mississauga Real Estate Board

2013/2014 Volunteer at the Ontario Real Estate Association for The Young Professionals Network.

In my five years of experience as a realtor in Ontario, I have discovered that professionalism is critical in real estate. It is my belief that a set of standards needs to be continuously developed to hold realtors accountable. As a region one director, my focus will be on balancing the role of the realtor and the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO)

regulations. RECO regulates activity in the public’s interest, and it is in the best interest of the public to hire a realtor, as the realtor brings their unique knowledge and skill set to the real estate transaction. As your RECO region one director, I will help advocate for the role of a realtor, and work to streamline a sense of professionalism in the industry with a goal to assist realtors to work together in an efficient manner.

Emphasis must be placed in bridging the gap of expertise between experienced realtors and those new to the industry. This can be accomplished by means of enhancing communication and setting up programs for networking opportunities.

Furthermore, as times are changing, new technologies are becoming readily available for realtors to enhance their efficiency and productivity which work to benefit themselves and their clients.

As a region one director, I plan on empowering realtors to advance their technological skills to propel the industry in remaining current and an asset to public interest.

BRANDEN KAMEKA, Broker

Email: [email protected]

The Realty Shop Inc., Brokerage

Years Registered: 5

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Page 7: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

Region 1 - Central Ontario continued

Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

I have a broad range of experience serving Not for Profit Boards. I have served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB). I have served as a Board Member for the following: The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, Ontario Real Estate Association (O.R.E.A.) Provincial Director, Central Ontario. The Halton Lung Association, The Hamilton and District Touch Football Association. I have been a member or Chairperson of the following task forces and committees: TREB MLS provider task force, TREB REBBA 2002 task force, OMDREB – Executive, MLS provider Task Force, Finance, MLS, Arbitration & Discipline, Nominations, Government Relations, O.C.C. – Executive, Business awards selection committee, Strategic planning, Finance, Nominations, Government Relations, OREA – Government Relations.

I believe that my volunteer contributions along with my 20 years of experience as a full time practicing Real Estate Broker and my 20 years’ experience in Retail Finance will lend itself to a well rounded representative on the RECO Board of Directors.

Prior to the establishment of RECO the public perception of objectivity with individual Real Estate Boards handling of complaints and enforcement was lacking. That perception contributed to the public’s lack of confidence in the professionalism and ethical behavior of our industry.

Since its inception in 1997 I believe that RECO has done an excellent job in protecting the interests of the consumer along with increasing Realtor professionalism. Having said that there is always room for improvement and I would like to see a more proactive approach along with punishment that fits the crime. In some instances I find the penalties too harsh for honest mistakes. As a Director I will strive to promote an equitable balance of enforcement penalties while maintaining the current level of excellence that RECO has established.

RICHARD (RICK) KEDZIOR, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Re/Max Aboutowne Realty Corp., Brokerage

Years Registered: 20

Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

- I have been selling Residential and Commercial Real Estate since 2002.

- I have more than 25 years’ experience in Information Technology, Administration and Public Relations.

- I have been actively involved in many social and charitable organizations.

- Completed OREA’s Leadership 100 – On the Path to Leadership.

HARJIT SINGH KHALSA, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Homelife Superstars Real Estate Limited, Brokerage

Years Registered: 12

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Region 1 - Central Ontario continued

Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

Member of RECO’s Discipline and Appeals Committee (Since 2000)

TREB Hearing Panel (10 years)

MREB Investigation/Hearing Panel (1995-2000)

MREB Director 1998/99

MREB Chairman of Operations/Social Committee Chair/Member of Nomination Committee/Web Design Committee

City of Mississauga – Public Advisory Committee – 3 Terms (9 Years), last term as Vice-Chair.

WHEN ELECTED, EXPECT DUTIES TO BE CARRIED OUT IN A PRECISE, CONSCIENTIOUS MANNER. NO DISAPPOINTMENTS!

A VOTE FOR ROBERT SOPRONEY INSURES A VOICE IN RECO FOR YOU!

ROBERT SOPRONEY, Salesperson

Email: [email protected]

Re/Max Realty Enterprises Inc., Brokerage

Years Registered: 39

Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

As your Director my focus will be;

1) To improve RECO’s value and service to its paying membership.

2) To keep our dues and fees as low as possible while maintaining strong service levels.

3) To promote the use of real estate professionals in real estate transactions.

My 11 years in real estate sales and 5 years managing a 60 agent real estate office keeps me keenly aware of both consumer and Realtor needs in the Marketplace and the legislation that governs our industry. My expertise also includes knowledge of strategic planning at both the participant and facilitator level in real estate, corporate and not for profit business.

Committee and Volunteer Work• Vice Chair Professional Standards, Toronto Real Estate Board

(2013-2014)• Vice Chair Arbitration, Toronto Real Estate Board (2011-2013)• Arbitrator and Mediator, Toronto Real Estate Board (2007-2013)• Arbitration and Professional Standards Steering Committee,

Toronto Real Estate Board (2014)• Government Relations Committee, Toronto Real Estate Board

(2012-2014)

Board Experience• Member of the Board, Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust (2014)• Treasurer, President, My School Co-operative Nursery School

(2007-2008, 2010-2011)• Chair, Roncesvalles-Macdonell Residents’ Association (2007-2014)• Member of the Board, Roncesvalles-Macdonell Residents’ Association

(2001-2007)

BRIAN TORRY, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage

Years Registered: 15

Page 9: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

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Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

PLATFORM

1. Continue to pursue provincial legislation changes that will allow real estate salespeople to incorporate their businesses for tax-savings benefits.

2. Promote and implement a new and improved RECO Identification Card that will incorporate the registrant’s photograph and signature to replace the current paper license.

3. Establish and promote a system to address phantom offers using registered buyer representation agreements.

Platform details can be found at www.LetsIncorporateAgents.com

EXPERIENCE

- 25 year member of the Toronto Real Estate Board

- 15 year Broker of Record for Re/Max and Kingsway Real Estate

- TREB Condo Committee (2010-2011)

- TREB Condo Task Force (2009-2010)

- TREB Government Relations Committee

- MREB Board of Directors (2000-2002)

- BREB Arbitration Committee (2013-2014)

- BREB Board of Directors (2014-2016)

- Member of various other committees and task forces.

AKBAR ZAREH, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Kingsway Real Estate Inc., Brokerage

Years Registered: 25

Region 1 - Central Ontario continued

Region 2 - Western and Southern Ontario

REBECCA RYDER, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage

Years Registered: 29

In accordance with Section 7 of RECO By-Law No. 9 - Acclamation, Tom Wright, President/CEO of RECO, declares Rebecca Ryder, Broker, Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage elected as a Director in Region 2.

Page 10: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

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Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

Please vote for Steve Boxma so that he can be your representative at RECO.

Steve has been a member of the Ottawa Real Estate Board since 2004, and has been a registered Broker since 2008.

He is very active in his Brokerage’s charitable foundation.

Steve resides on the southern edge of Ottawa, in the Village of Manotick with his wife and 2 daughters.

Steve believes that having a strong sense of community makes for a better place to live and has volunteered his time on the Manotick Public School’s Parent’s Council, as well as coaching South Carleton High

School’s Alpine Ski Team. He is a volunteer at the Manotick Art Association’s annual Art Show, is involved with his branch’s Community Relations Committee, and has been a long time participant in recreational hockey and baseball leagues in Manotick.

Prior to joining the Ottawa Real Estate Board, Steve worked with his father operating a Canada Customs bonded warehouse, and sat on the Board of the Canadian Highway Sufferance Warehouse Association.

Steve would be happy to discuss his background and experience and you are welcome to contact him at 613-692-3567.

STEVE BOXMA, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Royal LePage Team Realty Inc., Brokerage

Years Registered: 10

Region 3 - Eastern, Northeastern & Northern Ontario

Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

I was licensed as a salesperson in 1985 and obtained by broker’s license in 1989.

Throughout my career I have been actively involved in organized real estate. Some of the highlights include being an OREA Director representing Eastern Ontario 2007 and 2008, having been President of the Kingston and Area Real Estate Association in 2004 and 2010.

I am currently a member of the Insurance Committee at RECO and am Chairperson of the Political Affairs Committee at the Kingston Area Real Estate Association. In 2013, I was a member of the Finance Committee and the Arbitration Committee at the Ontario Real Estate Association.

When elected I will bring a common sense approach to solving challenges we face in our industry and will be a strong advocate for change if required. I envision a RECO that promotes the highest levels of skill and professionalism from its members.

I have a passion for our business and my objective is to represent our Real Estate industry on the RECO Board of Directors.

I would welcome your comments and would invite you to contact me.

SUE TALLEN, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Royal LePage ProAlliance Realty Corporation, Brokerage

Years Registered: 29

Page 11: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

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Region 3 - Eastern, Northeastern & Northern Ontario continued

Area(s) of expertise, committee experience (RECO, real estate, other), additional comments:

Licensed since 1973 and a Real Estate Broker since 1976. Managed an independent brokerage in Wasaga Beach for 22 years. Owner & operator of a national franchise from 1995 to 2008. Broker of Record. Sold business in 2008. Formed new brokerage in 2010 in conjunction with a national builder and developer as their real estate division. This company continues to flourish. My focus on commercial and development lands offered me the opportunity to join Primecorp Commercial Realty Brokerage in 2011. I am an Appraiser with the Canadian National Association of Real Estate Appraisers and a Mortgage Broker with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario. I have served as President of the Georgian Triangle Board.

I have served on OREA committees including the Commercial Council and Arbitration. At RECO I served for approx. 9 years on the Complaints, Compliance and Discipline Committee (CCD) and during my current term as a Director I have served on the Audit, Education, Legislation and Regulations and Finance Committees. I have been a Rotarian in Wasaga Beach for 27 years. I am a 3 term elected municipal politician and Chair the Community Services Committee and sit on the General Government Committee. I am a Director on the Housing Resource Centre for Homelessness, Member of the Regional Airport Committee and a member of the Small Business Enterprise Centre.

GEORGE WILLIAM WATSON, Broker

Email: [email protected]

Primecorp Commercial Realty Inc., Brokerage

Years Registered: 41

Page 12: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

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REGISTRANT SURVEY SHOWS PROFESSION POISED FORBIG CHANGESSatisfaction levels with RECO services extremely highThe face of Ontario’s real estate profession will see big changes in the coming decade, with over half of current registrants

predicted to leave the profession in the next ten years. That’s a major finding from RECO’s latest registrant survey, which

discovered that 63% of registrants 55 and over plan to leave within 10 years, while the vast majority of those under 55

plan to remain registered for 11 years or more. At the same time, more young people will likely enter the profession over

the course of the decade.

Fortunately RECO is preparing for the transition by growing its social media presence while maintaining the use of

important, traditional communications tools, such as newsletters.

Almost 10,000 registrants completed the survey in late 2013.

The survey also shows that registrants are satisfied with RECO’s customer service, communications and consumer outreach

efforts, while identifying priorities for improvement.

“The survey gave every broker and salesperson an opportunity to provide us with valuable feedback,” says Glenda Brindle,

Chair of RECO’s Board of Directors. “Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the survey.”

The registrant survey is conducted every two years. In 2015, the next survey will measure progress on these priorities and

identify new areas for improvement.

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Key survey results

92% of respondents said that

RECO’s overall customer service

meets or exceeds their

expectations.

93% of respondents rated

RECO’s consumer outreach

efforts as important or very

important.

82% satisfied or very

satisfied with updating information online.

85% satisfied or very

satisfied with online registration renewal.

89% satisfied or very

satisfied with online insurance payment.

Areas for RECO to focus• Registrants who are aware of RECO’s consumer materials find them useful, but between 31% and 47% of

respondents were not familiar enough with the materials to make a rating. Increasing awareness of consumer

materials will be a priority moving forward.

Registrants show strong satisfaction with MyWeb services:

• RECO asked registrants who did not vote

in last year’s Board of Directors election

their reason for not voting. Almost half of

respondents said they didn’t know enough

about the candidates. In response, RECO is

introducing candidate videos.

• Of RECO’s communication methods, registrants were most satisfied

with For the RECOrd, Registrar’s bulletins and e-blasts.

• Facebook is the most popular social media network, with over half

of registrants using it at least weekly for business purposes. Facebook

is the focus of RECO’s new consumer outreach campaign.

• Over 80% of respondents

rated professionalism as a

high or very high priority

communication topic.

RECO will continue to

focus on promoting

professionalism within

the real estate sector.

80%

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Digital campaign shows buyers and sellers how to be “home smart”

RECO has launched new digital tools that encourage Ontarians to be home smart when buying or selling a home. Sharing

these resources with your clients will give them peace of mind while explaining that a registered real estate professional is

an important source of information and an objective ally during the buying or selling experience. Get involved by emailing

these tools to your clients or sharing them via your own social networks.

The campaign also includes digital ads and media outreach that point to RECO’s many helpful resources.

RECO’s new Facebook page (www.Facebook.com/recohelps) features interactive tools that highlight some of the

most common buying and selling mistakes, and how to avoid them. When they like the page, home buyers and

sellers will receive daily real estate dos and don’ts, infographics and buying and selling checklists.

RECO’s YouTube channel (www.YouTube.com/recohelps) features a new video series that answers common home

buyer and seller questions, such as “what closing costs should I budget for,” “what should I do to have a safe open

house” and “how do I know what’s included with the sale of a home.”

RECO’s Twitter feed (www.Twitter.com/recohelps) features daily tidbits on home buying and selling.

Registrar Joe Richer encourages registrants to get involved with RECO’s digital campaign. Check out the video at YouTube.com/recohelps.

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The registration desk will open at 9 a.m. and the meeting will begin at

10 a.m. A light continental breakfast will be served during registration.

After the formal portion of the AGM concludes, a Q&A session will take

place. This is your opportunity to ask RECO’s Board of Directors and

management questions about programs, services and industry issues.

Questions should be of general interest. Questions related to an individual,

a specific situation or regulatory action against a specific registrant cannot

be addressed at a public meeting.

While RECO will make every effort to respond to a variety of questions,

due to time constraints, it’s possible that not all of the questions can be

addressed at the meeting. Also, similar questions will not be repeated.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet with RECO’s Directors

and management before and after the meeting.

All members will receive the Notice of AGM and attached notices

in early May.

We hope you can join us.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR

RECO’S 17TH MEETING

ANNUAL GENERAL

The Board of Directors is pleased to invite you to RECO’s 17th Annual

General Meeting (AGM), to be held on Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the

Old Mill Inn in Toronto.

CAN’T ATTEND IN PERSON?

RECO’s AGM will be available for

real-time streaming. Simply visit

www.reco.on.ca on June 19 at

10 a.m. to connect to the feed. A

recorded version will also be made

available on RECO’s website in the

days following the AGM.

If you have a question you would

like brought forward, please submit

it to [email protected]. Be sure to

include your full name and the

name of your brokerage.

Page 16: YOUR VOTE IS - Real Estate Council of Ontario · served as President of the Oakville Chamber of Commerce (O.C.C.) and The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board (OMDREB)

Real Estate Council of Ontario

3300 Bloor Street West

Suite 1200, West Tower

Toronto, Ontario M8X 2X2

Tel: 416-207-4800

Toll-Free: 1-800-245-6910

Fax: 416-207-4820

PM #40041338

Disclaimer: While RECO makes every effort to ensure that the information in this publication is current and accurate, RECO does not warrant or guarantee that it will be free of errors. The information contained in this publication is not intended to cover all situations. It is general information only and users/readers are encouraged to seek their own independent advice for particular fact situations.

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CONTACTING EXPIRED LISTINGS

Most real estate professionals are entrepreneurial by nature. So when another registrant’s listing agreement expires with the

property unsold, many registrants will have a natural inclination to take up the challenge themselves. While competition is a

normal part of the industry, it’s important to act professionally at all times and to ensure you aren’t violating any rules if you

intend to contact the seller of an expired listing.

Before contacting the seller, confirm the following:

• The listing does not indicate that the seller does not want to be contacted upon expiry of the listing; and

• The seller’s phone number is not on the National Do Not Call List (www.lnnte-dncl.gc.ca).

For more information, visit www.reco.on.ca.