RECA releases information to the media and the public when we have announcements, issue a consumer alert, suspend a licensee, or when licensees take a lifetime withdrawal. Media should contact communications@reca.ca for more information.
RECA’s consumer protection mandate means RECA must use every means at its disposal to communicate important information to consumers. Browse the current year’s news releases below or select a previous year from the archives menu:
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December 9, 2024 (Calgary, Alberta): The Board of Directors of the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) announces that Russ Morrow will be transitioning out of his role as CEO, effective immediately. Both the Board and Russ have agreed that this change is in the best interest of the organization moving forward.
“Russ Morrow’s tenure as CEO of RECA began shortly after the organization’s restructuring. On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our gratitude to Russ for laying a strong foundation for the organization,” said Board Chair Elan MacDonald. “Russ successfully implemented all the key recommendations from the KPMG report regarding RECA’s restructuring, streamlined operations, and reduced red tape, all while ensuring the organization remains an effective and efficient regulator. His efforts had been crucial in enhancing consumer protection and maintaining the integrity of the real estate industry.”
The Board will soon initiate the recruitment process for a new CEO. In the interim, Stacy Paquin, RECA’s General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, has been appointed Acting CEO. Stacy will work with other Senior Leadership Team members and the Board to guide the organization through this transition period.
“As the Board navigates this leadership transition and prepares for the next phase of RECA’s work, our focus remains on continuing to serve Albertans and licensees.” added MacDonald. “We are committed to upholding our mandate of consumer protection and maintaining the highest professional standards in the industry.”
RECA is the independent regulatory authority that protects Alberta’s real estate consumers and ensures Alberta’s real estate agents, mortgage brokers, property managers and condominium managers meet their high professional commitments and standards. Alberta is one of the few North American jurisdictions where real estate sectors are fully self-regulated, a privilege granted in the public interest and for the public good. To learn more about RECA, its mandate and the important work we does with consumers and licensees, please visit www.reca.ca.
As part of the Real Estate Council of Alberta’s (RECA) mandate to protect consumers and uphold industry standards, we are advising Albertans and the real estate industry that Sather Real Estate Pro Brokers Ltd. brokerage licence is currently suspended. This means the broker (Mr. Joseph Sather) and any other real estate associates working for this brokerage cannot trade in real estate until the suspension is lifted.
To protect consumers and ensure licensees are meeting their professional obligations and standards, RECA conducts periodic reviews of real estate brokerages. These reviews are designed to ensure complete transaction records and the protection of funds held in trust. On October 10, 2024, a standard practice review was initiated with Sather Real Estate Pro Brokers Ltd. Brokerage records were requested to support the review. After repeated requests for these documents (including transaction and trust account records), and with no response from Mr. Sather, RECA suspended the brokerage’s license under Alberta’s Real Estate Act Rules.
Enforcement of the obligations set out under the Real Estate Act Rules is something RECA takes very seriously. This decision was not made lightly and reflects our commitment to protect consumers and the integrity of Alberta’s self-regulated real estate industry. The licence for this brokerage will remain suspended until Mr. Sather provides the required documents and the information is deemed to be satisfactory.
If you are a consumer or licensee with transactions in progress with anyone who works for Sather Real Estate Pro Brokers Ltd. or have any questions about this licence suspension, please contact info@reca.ca or (403) 228-2954 (option 4).
RECA publishes suspensions to protect consumers, uphold industry standards, ensure transparency and provide education on the Real Estate Act standards of practice. RECA’s Find a Licensee tool allows anyone to search for a licensee (real estate, mortgage, property management and condominium management) to confirm they are licensed and in good standing.
Share this story: Sather Real Estate Pro Brokers Ltd. Brokerage Licence Suspended
As part of the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) mandate to protect consumers and uphold industry standards, we are advising the public that Frank Paul Peresta (Peresta) cannot trade in real estate or provide property management services in Alberta, effective October 15, 2024.
Following a conduct hearing convened under s.43(1)(a) of the Real Estate Act, a Hearing Panel found Peresta’s actions deserving of sanction. This was based on the evidence presented and an agreement by Peresta regarding their conduct. Peresta was advised that their license would be cancelled effective October 15, 2024, and a written decision will be forthcoming. Once the written decision is available, it will be posted on the Decisions and Appeals webpage.
RECA publishes these decisions to protect consumers, ensure transparency, and provide education on the Real Estate Act standards of practice. RECA’s Find a Licensee tool allows anyone to search for a licensee (real estate, mortgage, property management and condominium management) and see if they are licensed and in good standing.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact info@reca.ca.
Calgary, Alberta—on June 18, 2024, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) suspended the real estate associate licence of Eric Andrew Drinkwater under s.53 of the Real Estate Act (the Act). Effective immediately, Drinkwater cannot trade in real estate in Alberta.
Suspensions under s.53(1)(a) are made when, during an investigation into alleged breaches of the Act, RECA determines it is in the public interest to temporarily suspend an individual pending the outcome of that investigation.
The suspension will continue until the current proceedings under Part 3 of the Act concerning Drinkwater’s conduct are concluded. All RECA investigations resulting in discipline are posted on reca.ca.
Drinkwater was registered at the time of conduct as a real estate associate broker with 4th Street Holdings Ltd. o/a Re/Max Real Estate (Central).
If any consumer has transactions in progress or existing client relationships with Drinkwater, please contact RECA at 403-228-2954 or info@reca.ca.
Allegations against Drinkwater include breaches of:
Real Estate Act s.17
No person shall:
Real Estate Act Rules s.40(1)
A licensee must immediately notify, in writing, the Registrar when:
Real Estate Act Rules s.42
A licensee must not:
Real Estate Act Rules s.44(1)
In addition to the requirements of the relevant legislation on the protection of personal information, a licensee must not disclose information regarding a client, property or transaction to another person unless:
Calgary, Alberta—The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is advising consumers to evaluate the risks of condition-free offers to purchase property.
Currently, Alberta’s real estate market is extremely competitive, with limited supply of homes for sale, meaning sellers often receive multiple offers. Home buyers may feel they need to tailor their offer to appeal to the home seller and may consider making a condition-free offer to stand out from other buyers. RECA is advising consumers that this home buying strategy has risks.
Most offers to purchase a home are conditional, meaning they have criteria that must be met before the property purchase can be completed. These criteria must be written into the offer to purchase, with an exact explanation of how the condition will be met, and the timeframe for when the condition must be met. If the buyer does not waive conditions by the agreed upon deadline, an offer to purchase becomes void.
A condition can be anything the buyer and seller agree to, as long as it is written in the signed offer to purchase. Typical conditions include conditions for a buyer to:
Conditional offers allow buyers and their licensees to perform due diligence research on a property, such as getting a home inspection and properly reviewing all relevant information such as the title or condominium documents. Conditional offers also allow buyers to secure financing for the property, typically through a mortgage.
Consumers should be aware that a mortgage pre-approval is not a guarantee they will obtain financing. Mortgage pre-approval is only tentative approval based on the buyer’s basic financial information. It is also important to note that at the pre-approval stage, the property is not yet known. Property type, location, or value can impact the financing available.
For any reason, including not securing financing, if a home buyer fails to complete the purchase as stated, they may forfeit their deposit and could face legal action by the seller.
Consumers are urged to discuss any plans to make a condition-free offer with their real estate licensee. Home buyers should also be sure to speak to their mortgage broker about the financing implications of submitting a condition-free offer. RECA licensees must advise their clients about the risks and possible implications of condition-free offers.
More information on condition-free purchase offers
Share this story: RECA Consumer News: Know the Risks of Condition-Free Purchase Offers
Calgary, Alberta— The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) now offers five comprehensive translated versions of its Home Buyer’s Guide and Home Seller’s Guide. RECA is making resources available in the most common first languages in Alberta as part of its mandate to protect Alberta’s real estate consumers.
Newcomers to Canada are more at risk of being taken advantage of by unlicensed individuals and companies. These resources will remove barriers to information consumers need to make informed decisions in their real estate and mortgage transactions
The guides are now available in the following languages:
“The Home Buyer’s Guide and Home Seller’s Guide have been valuable resources for consumers for many years,” said Russ Morrow, RECA CEO. “By providing translated versions of these guides, many Albertans will now have the resources they need to protect themselves when it comes to buying, selling or renting a home.”
The Home Buyer’s Guide provides consumers with valuable information on working with a licensee, understanding and securing financing, and what to expect on possession day.
The Home Seller’s Guide provides consumers with information about the entire home selling process, from the first thought of selling your home to handing over the keys to the new buyer.
All versions of the Home Buyer’s Guide and Home Seller’s Guide are available for consumers on reca.ca.
Share this story: Translated Guides Protect Albertans
Calgary, Alberta—January 23, 2024, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is warning condominium corporations about the unlicensed activity of Travis Peter John More and his company, More Property Management.
In October and November of 2023, RECA was made aware that More was advertising and offering condominium management services without a licence. More advertised condominium management services on his website and provided services such as collecting and holding funds and arranging and supervising repairs and maintenance on behalf of a condominium corporation. At this time, More acknowledged to RECA that he was not licensed as a condominium manager and did not plan to cease providing services that require a licence.
On November 23, 2023, RECA issued a $10,000 Administrative Penalty to More notifying him to cease providing any condominium management services that require a licence.
RECA believes More may still be providing condominium management services while not licensed.
Using licensed brokerages and individual licensees protects condominium corporations. Licensing ensures brokerages and individuals have the necessary education and experience to competently provide condominium management services and are accountable to high standards of practice.
RECA urges any condominium corporations who use a condominium management company to verify the licence status of the condominium management brokerage and any individual condominium managers on RECA’s website by following these steps:
More operates a condominium management company called More Property Management, which is also unlicensed.
Read the full details of the Administrative Penalty issued to More.
If you have concerns regarding Travis More or anyone offering condominium management, property management, real estate or mortgage services please contact info@reca.ca.
Share this story: January 23, 2024—Consumer Alert: Travis More – Unlicensed Condominium Management
Calgary, Alberta — on November 20, 2023, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) cancelled the licence of Casurt Roy Morgan. Morgan cannot reapply for a licence for three years, until November 20, 2026
Under s.43(1)(a) of the Real Estate Act, if a Hearing Panel finds the conduct of a licensee is deserving of sanction, they may make an order cancelling any licence. Should Morgan choose to become licensed after the three years have passed, Morgan will be required to successfully complete all education requirements as if they had never been licensed. Morgan was also ordered to pay total fines of $30,000 and total costs of $15,620.
Morgan cannot deal in mortgages in Alberta at this time. If any consumer has transactions in progress or existing client relationships with Morgan, please contact Morgan’s mortgage brokerage Axiom Axiom Mortgage Solutions Inc. o/a Axiom Mortgage Solutions. RECA publishes these decisions to protect consumers, ensure transparency, and educate existing RECA licensees on the standards of practice.
Over the course of two transactions, Morgan was found by the Hearing Panel to have breached six counts of the following:
Real Estate Act Rules s.42
Licensee must not:
(b) participate in fraudulent or unlawful activities in connection with the provision of services or in any dealing
Morgan was last registered as a mortgage associate with Axiom Mortgage Solutions Inc. o/a Axiom Mortgage Solutions.
Please note a Notice of Intent to Appeal this Hearing Panel Decision has been filed. See the full details of the Hearing Panel Decision here.
Share this story: January 5, 2024—Casurt Roy Morgan–Mortgage Licence Cancelled
