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 2008 news releases below or select another year from the archives menu:
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Calgary, Alberta – The Real Estate Council of Alberta is pleased to announce the availability of new tools on its website to aid consumers when buying or selling real estate.
The creation of these new consumer tools is partly the result of a project grant from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation. The main goals of the AREF-funded project are to increase consumer awareness of various agency relationships in real estate and to foster positive, informed working relationships between consumers and industry members.
The tools include a video about agency relationships between consumers and industry members. This short, professionally-produced video walks consumers and industry members through the types of agency relationships they may enter into, along with the duties and obligations consumers and industry members have to each other. The video is available in English, Mandarin and Punjabi. Also available are two consumer-friendly brochures that outline the process of buying and selling real estate. All of the RECA consumer education tools are available, free of charge, through the RECA website at www.www.reca.ca.
Two further videos, one on transaction facilitation and the other on written service agreements, are planned for 2009.
Other tools available on the consumer portion of the RECA website include an Agency Relationships Guide, which is a companion to the agency relationships video; a property inspection report form, which outlines the types of inspections and reports buyers may want to undertake as a condition of their Purchase Contract; and, residential relationship forms, which consumers may wish to review prior to discussing a working relationship with an industry member.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
Calgary, Alberta – On November 5, 2008, Warren Burnett, associate broker registered with Pace Properties Ltd. (formerly Buttco Properties Ltd.) in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act. At the time of his withdrawal application, there was an ongoing RECA conduct investigation. The allegations of misconduct included failure to act in the best interests of a client when he preferred the interests of others in a rental pool, failure to act in accordance with a client’s lawful instructions by refusing to provide a 24 hour notice to tenants for property entry and failure to provide all relevant information the client might use to facilitate the selling of his units.
Mr. Burnett’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership. By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Burnett’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
Calgary, Alberta – On November 5, 2008, Hector Cortez, former associate most recently registered with 4th Street Holdings Ltd. o/a Re/Max Real Estate (Central) in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act.
At the time of his withdrawal application, a RECA investigation was ongoing to determine whether he failed to provide relevant information to a listing agent and purchaser. As well, it was alleged that Mr. Cortez failed to provide a $5,000 trust deposit to the brokerage and instead converted the monies to his own use.
Mr. Cortez’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership. By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Cortez ’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
Calgary, Alberta – On November 5, 2008 Rahima Athari former mortgage associate most recently registered with Centum Micasa Mortgage Corp. applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act. At the time of her withdrawal application, a RECA investigation was ongoing to determine whether Ms Athari was involved in fraudulent or unlawful activities including whether she was completing mortgage financing applications on behalf of buyers whose mortgages she or her associates later assumed.
Ms Athari’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership. By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. Ms Athari’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
Calgary, Alberta – On November 5, 2008, Sohail Iqbal, former associate most recently registered with Impact Real Estate Group Ltd. o/a Residential One Real Estate in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act. At the time of his withdrawal application, a RECA investigation was ongoing to determine whether Mr. Iqbal was participating in the creation of false and misleading documents for the purpose of obtaining fraudulent mortgages including creating false T-4 slips, pay stubs, bank statements and employment verification letters as well as whether he was using straw buyers in trades.
Mr. Iqbal’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership. By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Iqbal’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
Calgary, Alberta – On November 5, 2008 Stanley Penchuk, who was last licensed as a candidate appraiser with Atkinson and Associates in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act. A period of unlicensed activity occurred and Mr. Penchuk indicated no intention of continuing in the industry. Mr. Penchuk’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership. The withdrawal does not constitute an admission of misconduct.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
Calgary, Alberta – On September 9, 2008, pursuant to s.38(g) and s.38(h) of the Real Estate Act Rules, the Real Estate Council of Alberta suspended the licenses of Ranchgate Enterprises Inc. o/a Ranchgate Realty (Brokerage), and Stephen Archibald, Broker, registered to Ranchgate Enterprises Inc. o/a Ranchgate Realty.
As a result of this suspension, neither Ranchgate Enterprises Inc. o/a Ranchgate Realty nor Stephen Archibald, Broker, registered as Broker to Ranchgate Enterprises Inc. o/a Ranchgate Realty may trade in real estate in Alberta.
If you have questions, please contact Joseph Fernandez, Director of Audit and Investigations, Real Estate Council of Alberta at 1-403- 228 – 2954 or 1-888 – 425-2754.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal 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 member.
Calgary, Alberta – On August 6, 2008, Anthony Davis, who was formerly registered as mortgage associate with Invis Inc. o/a Invis in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act. Mr. Davis’ application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.
At the time of his withdrawal application, Mr. Davis was the subject of a conduct investigation for reaches of the Real Estate Act and Rules including s.38(4)) of the Real Estate Act– “an industry member shall co-operate with a person conducting an investigation” and s.41(h) of the Real Estate Act Rules- “industry members must cooperate fully with, and provide any information requested to, any representative of the Council carrying out their duties and responsibilities under the Act.”
By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Davis’ withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
Calgary, Alberta – On August 6, 2008, Ludlow Rodney, who was formerly registered as mortgage associate with Centum Mortgage Lynx Ltd. in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act. Mr. Rodney’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.
At the time of his withdrawal application, Mr. Rodney was the subject of a conduct investigation for breaches of the Real Estate Act and Rules including s.38(4)) of the Real Estate Act– “an industry member shall co-operate with a person conducting an investigation”, s.41(h) of the Real Estate Act Rules “industry members must cooperate fully with, and provide any information requested to, any representative of the Council carrying out their duties and responsibilities under the Act” and s.7(c) of the Code of Conduct (as it then was) – “an industry member must cooperate fully with and provide any information requested to any representative of RECA carrying out their responsibilities under the legislation”; By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Rodney’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
Calgary, Alberta – On February 13, 2008, Rodney Michael Storoshenko, who was formerly registered as an Associate with Paranych Real Estate Team Ltd. o/a Re/Max Elite in Edmonton, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act. Mr. Storoshenko’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.
At the time of his withdrawal application, Mr. Storoshenko was the subject of a conduct investigation for breaches of the Real Estate Act and Rules including s.7(c) of the Code of Conduct (as it was then)-“an industry member must not participate in fraudulent or unlawful activities in connection with real estate or mortgage transactions”; s.7(d) of the Code of Conduct (as it was then) – “an industry member must cooperate fully with and provide any information requested to any representative of RECA carrying out their responsibilities under the legislation”; and s.38(4) of the Real Estate Act – “an industry member shall co-operate with a person conducting an investigation”.
By virtue of operation of the Real Estate Act, conduct proceedings are discontinued. Mr. Storoshenko’s withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
Calgary, Alberta – On November 7, 2007, Brian Franks who was last registered as a Broker with Bowside Property Management Ltd. in Calgary, applied to the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) to withdraw from industry membership in accordance with section 54 of the Real Estate Act. Mr. Frank’s application to withdraw was approved by RECA and results in a voluntary lifetime prohibition from industry membership.
At the time of his withdrawal application, Mr. Franks was the subject of a disciplinary proceeding which, by virtue of the approved withdrawal application, is discontinued. Mr. Franks’ withdrawal application does not constitute an admission of misconduct.
The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for regulating industry professionals in the real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industries 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 members.
