I find myself agreeing with Douglas Teddiman who expressed the need for an effective association representing the needs of Realtors in the field (REM April 2004).

I agree that we need an association to represent Realtors on the front lines, one that will lobby government effectively for us, get group rates and discounts for members, and allow an exchange of information. And this should be an association run by and for Realtors.

But wait, we already have that in the Ontario Real Estate Association! Our association is run exclusively by Realtors, for Realtors. As President, it is my goal to represent the interests of the active real estate salesperson – something I find easy to do since I am one.

We want effective government lobbying, so how about saving each of our members $500 a year by getting the government to ban municipal business taxes as OREA did? And group discounts are available to OREA members on a range of products and services, from health plans to cell phones.

These are just some of the benefits of membership in the Ontario Real Estate Association – benefits that help salespeople in their day-to-day professional lives. Add to these benefits such things as free standard forms and clauses online, the latest news in the EDGE newsletter, free legal information through Legal Forum, free downloadable consumer brochures and much, much more. All this is an incredible bargain at just $80 per year dues – a figure that hasn’t changed in more than seven years.

I encourage Mr. Teddiman and others who feel the way he does to get involved in organized real estate and find out just how much is already there. Then help us make it even better!

Laura Leyser
President
Ontario Real Estate Association