The president of the Central Alberta Realtors Association doesn’t expect a major shift in her industry as a result of an agreement between the Canadian Real Estate Association and the Competition Bureau.
“We’re not anticipating seeing a great change in the way we do real estate in our area,” said Sandi Gouchie.
On Sunday, Gouchie and other delegates representing real estate boards from across the country ratified a deal struck by CREA and the Competition Bureau that will enable consumers to choose and pay for only specific services when selling their home.
Most realtors charge a fixed commission for a complete range of services, including posting properties on the Multiple Listing Service.
Speaking by phone from St. John’s, N.L., where the meeting took place, Gouchie said most delegates seemed supportive of the change.
“I thought there was within that room a lot of optimism, and thought it was a favourable agreement.”
She said many brokerages in Canada were already selling specific services, and the agreement simply serves to ensure these are not discriminated against.
Gouchie believes most consumers will continue to seek the full support of realtors. She compared it to seeking out and relying upon the knowledge and training of a mechanic or a dentist.
“There are lots of services, lots of expertise that the realtor brings to that listing other than just the tool of the MLS data system.”
She also doesn’t anticipate that a broad range of commission structures will result.
Gouchie said home owners contemplating the sale of their property should speak with a Realtor about the process and their options before making a decision about how to proceed.
“I think that the consumer is going to have the opportunity to look at different models out there and find one that suits them.”
hrichards@www.reddeeradvocate.com