Calgary, Alberta – “On behalf of the Real Estate Council of Alberta, and licensed industry professionals across Alberta, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of MLA Manmeet Bhullar on his tragic passing yesterday afternoon.

“Council members and RECA staff were fortunate to meet with Manmeet on a number of occasions while he was Minister of Service Alberta. We were always impressed with his hard work, his commitment to public life and service to Albertans, and his dedication to and interest in Alberta’s real estate industry and its licensed professionals.

“Our thoughts are with Manmeet’s family and friends, but truly the loss of Manmeet is a loss for all Albertans.”

#nicetomanmeetyou

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA’s mandate is to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta –The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is pleased to announce the selection of Krista Bolton as Chair of Council and Christine Zwozdesky as Chair-Elect.

Ms. Bolton is a Chartered Mediator with her primary practice in family mediation. She has been a public member of Council since 2012, appointed by the other Council members. Her education includes a bachelor of science in linguistics from the University of Victoria as well as a certificate in Conflict Management from the ADR Institute of Alberta. She currently serves on the Alberta Real Estate Foundation as a governor and has served on the Finance and Audit, Hearings, and Governance Committees for Council, and she is the Regional Family Mediation Coordinator for the Family and Child Protection Mediation Rosters

Ms. Zwozdesky was appointed by Council in 2013 from nominations received from licensed property managers. She has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry, and is a Past President of both the Building Owners and Managers Association – Edmonton Chapter and Edmonton’s Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) chapter. Christine is currently a Director of the Capital Region Housing Corporation Board and Chair of their Real Property Committee. She serves RECA as Chair of the Property Management Advisory Committee, Chair of the Facilities Committee, Chair of the Condominium Management Implementation Advisory Committee and Vice Chair of the Residential Real Estate Advisory Committee.

Ms. Bolton and Ms. Zwozdesky will serve in these positions for a one-year term, ending on October 31, 2016.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA’s mandate is to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On October 26, 2015, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) suspended Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa, a real estate associate registered with RE/MAX River City in Edmonton. RECA determined it is in the public interest to temporarily suspend Mr. Randhawa. The suspension will continue until the conclusion of RECA disciplinary proceedings against him.

Allegations against Mr Randhawa include:

• participation in fraudulent or unlawful activities in connection with the provision of services or in any dealings
• failure to disclose to all of his clients, at the earliest practical opportunity, the conflict of interest he had
• failure to fulfill his fiduciary duties to his clients
• failure to cooperate with a RECA investigation
• failure to provide to his broker in a timely manner all original documentation and copies of original documents that were related to a trade in real estate
• engaging in conduct that undermines public confidence in the industry, harms the integrity of the industry, or brings the industry into disrepute

As a result of this suspension, Sukhwinder Singh Randhawa may not trade in real estate in Alberta.

Note: On December 22, 2015,  by an Order made by a Justice of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, Mr. Randhawa’s suspension has been stayed. As a condition of the stay of the suspension, the court imposed strict conditions on his authorization.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA’s mandate is to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On September 23, 2015, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) suspended the real estate licence of Victor Eghujovbo, a real estate associate in Calgary. RECA suspended Mr. Eghujovbo for refusing to cooperate with a person conducting an investigation.

As a result of this suspension, Victor Eghujovbo may not trade in real estate in Alberta. His suspension will continue until the executive director is satisfied he has cooperated with the investigation.

Mr. Eghujovbo was previously registered as a real estate associate with Discover Real Estate Ltd. in Calgary.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA’s mandate is to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – Condominium managers, condominium boards, condominium owners and consumers are invited to weigh-in on the proposed regulatory model for condominium managers in Alberta.

In December 2014, the Government of Alberta passed legislation that will require licensing for condominium managers. When the legislation takes effect, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) will be responsible for setting standards, licensing and regulating individuals who provide condominium management services.

RECA has released a consultation paper and is hosting town-hall meetings across Alberta to gather feedback from condominium industry stakeholders, including condominium owners.

RECA’s consultation paper, which details the proposed regulatory model for condominium managers, is available on its website. Stakeholders are invited to respond to the consultation paper in writing via email to condomanagers@www.reca.ca by December 9, 2015, and attend a town hall meeting.

In the new year, RECA will launch a second consultation on the standards of practice for condominium managers.

RECA is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On July 22, 2015, a Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) Appeal Panel ordered that Bobby Chinn’s authorization to trade in real estate be cancelled and prohibited Mr. Chinn from applying for a new authorization until February 8, 2016. The Appeal Panel also ordered Mr. Chinn to pay costs of $2,500.

The Appeal Panel determined the Hearing Panel’s earlier decision did not meet the reasonableness standard of review. The Appeal Panel found that Mr. Chinn engaged in conduct that undermines public confidence in the industry, harms the integrity of the industry or brings the industry into disrepute.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On July 15, 2015, Emilio Francesco Fuoco, previously a mortgage broker in Calgary, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of his application, Mr. Fuoco was the subject of conduct proceedings under the Real Estate Act related to extensive allegations of theft of trust monies. There has been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta approved Mr. Fuoco’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Orginally released by the Better Business Bureau on June 26, 2015.

Calgary, Alberta – The average Alberta home sells for more than $400,000*, and with nearly 10,000 layoffs due to Alberta’s economic decline*, homeowners may be looking for alternative ways of financing a home if they can’t secure traditional mortgages or are looking for a way to keep their home when they run into financial difficulty. When buying a home, BBB and the Real Estate Council of Alberta encourage homebuyers to watch out for real estate scams that could lead to more financial strain.

Natalie Scollard, communications coordinator at RECA, says scammers target financially vulnerable homeowners, usually with foreclosure schemes, mortgage fraud, title scams and other investment fraud.

“Some of the things we’ve seen are homeowners who’ve gotten a little behind on their mortgage payments and a stranger comes by with some scheme to help you keep your house, generally involving a transfer of the title and renting it back from the new owner,” says Scollard.

In other instances, homeowners facing foreclosure are contacted by scammers posing as a foreclosure rescue company and demand payment upfront to help stop the foreclosure process, only to disappear once they receive payment.

Scollard says other common real estate scams include investment deals advertising extremely low property prices with statements like “$50,000 below market value or 25 per cent below market value,” which are likely red flags of a scam.

Scammers also target homeowners with good credit by advertising a no-strings attached deal.

“If you have good credit and someone offers you $5,000 to simply lend your name and good credit to help out someone get a mortgage for a few brief months, and you don’t have to do anything, it’s probably too good to be true,” she says. “Lending your name and credit information in a situation like this could have you participating in mortgage fraud.”

Though real estate scams aren’t increasing or decreasing, Scollard says it’s just a matter of scammers re-inventing old scams. “The scams simply become different based on whether it’s an up market or a down market,” she says.

“There are always predators out there looking to take advantage of housing market trends.”

President and CEO of BBB Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay, Sandra Crozier-McKee, says scammers know when people’s emotions and stresses are high and prey on the vulnerable. “Homeowners facing financial difficulty can be duped into a false sense of security by crooked companies and think their homes will be saved,” she says. “Unfortunately, people end up losing a lot of money and their houses through real estate scammers.”

BBB and RECA offer these tips to help homeowners slam the door on real estate scams:

• Start with trust: Ensure you are dealing with a real estate professional who is properly licensed in Alberta. To check provincial real estate licensing, visit bbb.org or www.www.reca.ca to find trustworthy realtors.
• Get it in writing, and read it: When purchasing a home, be sure to get all of the information in writing and don’t hesitate to ask questions about something you don’t understand or agree with.
• Check a realtor’s history: You can check to see if any disciplinary action has been filed against a realtor by visiting RECA’s website or check BBB Business Reviews to see if there is an alert against a real estate business, complaint history, customer reviews and other information.
• Seek legal advice if necessary: Always be wary if a realtor or investor tries to convince you that you don’t need outside or legal advice. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional if you feel something doesn’t seem right.
• Don’t wire money to someone you don’t know: Scammers often pressure people into wiring money or putting cash on a prepaid debit card. Why? It’s like sending cash: once it’s gone, you can’t trace it or get it back. Legitimate realtors and investors do not typically ask for money using these forms of payment, so consider that a “red flag.”
• Take a friend with you: Meet the homeowner and realtor in person at the property to tour the home together. Be wary if the advertiser will only communicate by text message, or claims to be out of the country or refuses to meet up with you in person.
• Don’t give out personal info or payment upfront: Don’t give out personal information (bank account, social security number, credit card number, etc.) until you have seen the property in person.

For more tips you can trust, visit bbb.org.

ABOUT RECA: RECA is the governing body for Alberta’s real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate professionals. RECA is committed to the public interest by promoting the integrity of the industry and protecting consumers. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Media Contact:
Leah Brownridge, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
BBB Serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay
(403) 531-8793 or leah@calgary.bbb.org

Natalie Scollard, Communications Coordinator
Real Estate Council of Alberta
(403) 685-7902 or nscollard@www.reca.ca

Calgary, Alberta – On April 16, 2015, Christy Price (formerly Marsh), previously a real estate associate in Calgary, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of her application, Ms. Price was the subject of conduct proceedings under the Real Estate Act, related to trading in real estate while unauthorized. There has been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta approved Ms. Price’s application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On April 8, 2015, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) suspended the real estate licence of Lori Critch. Ms. Critch has been suspended for refusing to cooperate with a person conducting an investigation.

As a result of this suspension, Lori Critch may not trade in real estate in Alberta. Her suspension will continue until the executive director is satisfied she has cooperated with the investigation.

In the past, Ms. Critch has been registered as a real estate associate with 3% Realty Fort McMurray in Fort McMurray.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On March 26, 2015, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) suspended Aliya Lalji, a real estate associate registered with Century 21 Bravo Realty in Calgary. RECA determined it is in the public interest to temporarily suspend Ms. Lalji. The suspension will continue until the conclusion of RECA disciplinary proceedings against her.

Allegations against Ms. Lalji include:

• Failure to act honestly
• Failure to provide competent service
• Failure to ensure her role was clearly understood by her clients and third parties
• Failure to cooperate fully with, and provide any information requested to, any representative of the Council carrying out their duties and responsibilities under the Act
• Making representations or carrying on conduct that was reckless or intentional and that misled or deceived any person or was likely to do so
• Participating in fraudulent or unlawful activities in connection with the provision of services or in any dealings
• Discouraging a client, customer or a party to a trade in real estate or deal in mortgages from seeking legal counsel or expert advice
• Disclosing information regarding a client, property or transaction to another person
• Failure to provide to her broker in a timely manner all original documentation and copies of original documents related to a trade in real estate

As a result of this suspension, Aliya Lalji may not trade in real estate in Alberta.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On March 27, 2015, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) suspended the real estate licence of Jayant Soni. Mr. Soni has been suspended for refusing to cooperate with a person conducting an investigation.

As a result of this suspension, Jayant Soni may not trade in real estate in Alberta. His suspension will continue until the executive director is satisfied he has cooperated with the investigation.

In the past, Mr. Soni has been registered as a real estate associate with Realty Executives Polaris in Edmonton.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage, property management and real estate appraisal professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta –On March 9, 2015, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) suspended the mortgage licence of Jared Colby Jenkins, who is currently unregistered. Mr. Jenkins has been suspended for refusing to cooperate with a person conducting an investigation.

As a result of this suspension, Jared Colby Jenkins may not deal in mortgages in Alberta. His suspension will continue until the executive director is satisfied he has cooperated with the investigation.

In the past, Mr. Jenkins has been registered as an associate with Green Mortgage Solutions Inc. o/a Mortgage Alliance Green Mortgage Solutions.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – On January 21, 2015, Bryan Wilfred Clemens, previously a mortgage associate in the Fort Macleod area, applied to permanently withdraw from industry membership.

At the time of his application, Mr. Clemens was the subject of conduct proceedings under the Real Estate Act related to his involvement in bridge financing loans.

At the time of the withdrawal application approval, there had been no disciplinary hearing, admissions or findings of fact. The Real Estate Council of Alberta approved Mr. Clemens’ application to withdraw and this results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership; conduct proceedings are now discontinued.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.

Calgary, Alberta – The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) has reason to believe that Jason Schuller, also known as Jai or Jay Schuller, is operating as and holding himself out as a property manager without having the necessary licence to do so.

Schuller is associated with companies operating under the names Private Home Management, Private Home Maintenance Inc. and PH Consulting Group Ltd. in Calgary. Schuller and his companies are not licensed property managers in Alberta nor have they ever been.

RECA is the licensing and governing body for property management, real estate brokerage, mortgage brokerage and real estate appraisal professionals in Alberta.

Consumers are encouraged to work only with licensed industry professionals.

Licensed individuals must meet and maintain rigorous licensing requirements, including:

• providing a Certified Criminal Record Check prior to licensing
• completing comprehensive pre-licensing education and ongoing re-licensing education, and,
• maintaining errors and omissions insurance.

In the event of a licensee’s fraud, breach of trust or failure to account or disburse money in accordance with the terms of trust, a consumer may be eligible for compensation from RECA’s consumer compensation fund. Consumers who work with unlicensed individuals are not eligible for compensation from RECA’s consumer compensation fund.

Consumers can find out if an individual is licensed through RECA’s website, www.www.reca.ca. Use the “Searching for an Industry Professional” tool.

If you have concerns as a result of dealings with Jason Schuller, Private Home Management, Private Home Maintenance Inc. or PH Consulting Group Ltd., please contact the Real Estate Council of Alberta toll-free at 1-888-425-2754.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, real estate appraisal and property management industry professionals under Alberta’s Real Estate Act. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry professionals.