Last weekend, representatives from nearly 100 real estate Boards and Associations voted to ratify a negotiated settlement with the Commissioner of Competition.

There is probably no more competitive industry than real estate. Nearly 100,000 REALTORS® in Canada compete for business every day, offering a wide variety of services and business models.

The Commissioner and CREA agree that CREA's rules – as well as those rules of its members – should not deny or discriminate against REALTORS® wishing to offer mere posting services…services that allow a REALTOR® to offer a service to post a listing in the system without offering additional services such as advertising, open houses, and presenting and negotiating offers for purchase.

Board MLS® Systems remain a member to member service. The system is designed to provide accurate and timely information critical to the delivery of professional real estate services to Canadians.

In these uncertain and challenging economic times REALTORS® are a key part of buying and selling homes, but they are more than simple sales professionals. They are there when people make the biggest financial decision of their lives. They can help with financial literacy, explaining the ins and outs of financing and mortgages. They can explain municipal by-laws and zoning. They can find the right neighbourhood, with the right schools and services. They also help consumers find effective legal representation.

To do all these things and to be called REALTORS® they have to be trusted and they are, because:

• They are licensed.
• They are insured.
• They follow a code of ethics.

Consumers can count on these things when they hire a REALTOR®. Board MLS® Systems stand for quality. Consumers know the information they see on websites like REALTOR.ca is accurate because of our high standards.

When you hire a REALTOR® this is what you get: a licensed professional working in your interests, with access to the most accurate and up-to-date information about home buying and selling.