Calgary, Alberta – Amendments to the Real Estate Act that will be proclaimed on October 1, 2004 will add real estate appraisers to the licensing and regulatory responsibilities of the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA).

Andy Chopko has been appointed to represent real estate appraisers on the Real Estate Council of Alberta by the Alberta Association of the Appraisal Institute of Canada, the Canadian National Association of Real Estate Appraisers, and the Alberta Assessors Association.  “Licensing of real estate appraisers is highly sensitive to customer needs while maintaining a set of standards that exemplifies our profession,” Chopko says.  “To be included as industry members solidifies an integral part of real estate related activities that appeals to consumers and financial/investor markets. It has been a great opportunity to work with so many professionals throughout the entire licensing process, and our sincere gratitude is extended to all members that have contributed in our related associations and the Real Estate Council of Alberta.”

Chair Ted Zaharko says, “The Real Estate Council of Alberta is pleased to welcome real estate appraisers as industry members.  These amendments to the Real Estate Act are the result of a significant amount of work and commitment on the part of the Government of Alberta, Honourable David Coutts, Minister of Government Services, and the real estate appraisal community.  Lots of effort has gone into preparing for the transition on October 1, and we are looking forward to working with real estate appraisers.”

Rules specific to the real estate appraiser sector will be incorporated into the Real Estate Act and will include licensing requirements and regulatory standards.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-governmental agency responsible for the regulation of the real estate industry, which includes real estate brokers, business brokers, property managers, and mortgage brokers. RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry members.

Calgary, January 5, 2004 – On December 17, 2003, Todd Farron, who was formerly licensed as a real estate agent with R & D Realty Inc. o/a Maxwell Canyon Creek in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.

At the time of the application and since March 7, 2003, Mr. Farron had not been trading in real estate in the Province of Alberta.  Mr. Farron was facing many serious allegations of misconduct relating to mortgage fraud issues, and would have been required to appear before a hearing panel of the Real Estate Council of Alberta at a future date to respond to these allegations.

Considering the nature of the misconduct allegations, and the fact that there is likely no greater disciplinary penalty than not being licensed to act as an industry member again in Mr. Farron’s life, the Real Estate Council of Alberta approved Mr. Farron’s application.  The lifetime ban on industry membership was effective on withdrawal application approval.

As a result of the approval of Mr. Farron’s application to withdraw from the industry, the conduct proceedings have been discontinued. Mr. Farron’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of any allegations of misconduct.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-governmental agency, responsible for the regulation of the real estate and mortgage brokerage industries.  This includes real estate brokers, business brokers, property managers and mortgage brokers.  RECA is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry members.