You are absolutely right and we should challenge this in court as we are not employees of OREA. We have to make a lawsuit against

…we should not be mandated to pay insurance…atnd if being shoved down out throats we should be able to pay monthly like other plans…i dont need or want this plan…..we have OHIP here in Ontario and most medications are now so inexpensive…. So due to this plan I basically need to spend $1000 for massages and chiropractic to get the benefit of $660

…also interesting how the annual insurance increased from $400 to $500 this summer (not like $29 or $42…nice round numbers. Very interesting

…this is an organization that just funds and perpetuates its self

Bearing in mind that buyer agency came about more or less by judicial pronouncement, CREA, TRREB, other defending boards and franchises would not have found themselves defending any of the past and present CB’s claim on commission if realtors:

1) who opened up the MLS to the public to just market to the entire industry for the good of the consumer hadn’t then chosen to: a) promote that vehicle as necessary to sell real estate for the highest value; b) represent it as the only valid choice by which to find and buy real estate; c) share its data at no charge to attract and solicit clients and, d) incorrectly tell buyers that it costs them nothing to hire a realtor, had instead closed it off to the general public and kept it exclusive to the industry.

2) rather than create co-operating renumeration for a buyer agent and cause the listing brokerage to dictate the buyer agent’s income, they had instead left it to the buyers to negotiate their agent’s compensation and include it in the offer to purchase as a cost the seller will settle out of the proceeds. Sellers would still get their net, it would cost buyers less and the realtors would be compensated by their own clients for the actual effort undertaken on their behalf. Practitioners would then be awarded fairly and accurately by agreement with their client and not by the dictates of listing brokerages or mls associations.

The co-operating system no matter how it’s sliced and diced benefits the realtor first and foremost. There is no other type of arrangement where the cost to both sides of an agreement is paid by one party except in the case of a losing plaintiff.

Why then does the industry insist on being the “unicorn?” and pretending it isn’t?

As long as members have to pay association fees, they will continue to fund loss leader lawsuits. The industry will tempt fate once too often and one day face massive penalties because there’s only so many times the CB will settle for a consent agreement and only then will the client members come to their senses, pay attention to their elect’s decisions and hold them accountable.

Great comment John, thanks for reading and taking the time to engage. Yes, all licensed agents represent their clients, however this policy only applies to Realtors (CREA members), and this is the only reason for choosing the word.