Watch, Listen and Learn

 Real estate professionals in Ontario are regulated by provincial law under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act 2002 (REBBA 2002). The Act was amended in 2002 with various changes brought forth including the category those that practice real estate hold of which there are three. These are: Salesperson or Sales Representative, Broker and Broker of Record with the latter being owners of a real estate brokerage.

  As soon as it was legally possible, I obtained my Broker license. The reasons I wanted to attain this are many and I have since taken additional courses and added other designations to my credentials as well. Why? The function of today’s REALTOR® has changed some of it brought on by technology some of it brought on by changes in consumer behavior and demands. Essentially, REALTORS® are no longer sales people. I do not want to be thought of as a salesperson. Perhaps REBBA 2002 needs to be amended to reflect a new category that better reflects the role and responsibilities of today's REALTOR®? I know of no other profession where sales people are required to procure a license. REALTORS® are in fact advisors much the same way consumers have a financial advisor, a legal advisor and so on. As advisors, it is our responsibility to know intimately the market in which we trade in, the legal requirements of buying, selling and leasing real property in Ontario, zoning, environmental issues and a host of other matters in order to be able to "advise" consumers with respect to real estate related transactions.
  In addition to requiring the knowledge associated with the aforementioned topics, one other trait stands out in my mind as being essential. For today’s REALTOR® to be a “trusted advisor” you must be a good listener. The fact is, being a good listener applies to most areas of our lives personal and professional. Being a good spouse, parent, employee etc. is heavily reliant on being a good listener and this often starts with asking the right questions. How many times have you had someone try to “sell” you something without even finding out what you want or really need?
  If you are in the midst of or are contemplating a real estate or other major purchase or transaction, it’s best to determine if the party your are working with is a good listener and to do so requires being one yourself.
  As a former business executive turned REALTOR®, I have followed the rise, fall and rise again of Donald Trump. Like him or not he’s been a great success and the following quote is worth noting.
“Watch, listen and learn. You can’t know it all yourself, and anyone who thinks they do is destined for mediocrity.”



– Donald Trump