Consumers Do not Know Skills of a Real Estate Agent

Of the more than 120,000 Ontarians who used a REALTOR® to buy or sell a home last year, many did so without fully understanding the expertise and skills REALTORS® provide, says a new Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) survey. Conducted by Leger Marketing, the survey says only 10 per cent of Ontarians who have used a REALTOR® know that REALTORS® are trained in environmental issues, and even fewer (six per cent) are aware that family law is part of a REALTORS® education.

Barbara Sukkau, president of OREA, says, "Most clients do not realize that REALTORS® are aware of family law issues when selling a family home during a divorce, or that REALTORS® can advise about home inspections based on our knowledge of building construction in the province."

Even though people who have used a REALTOR® in the past were not aware of specific areas of a REALTORS® education, they do recognize the ethical integrity of the profession as 70 per cent of respondents knew that REALTORS® must abide by a code of ethics. Also, 50 per cent knew that REALTORS® must continue their education when they begin practicing to stay informed of changes in the industry.