THIS IS NOT FAKE NEWS!

This is the time of the year when you see all sorts of advertisements claims based on achievements typically from the previous year. I love working in real estate that is a FACT and in this industry we have certain guidelines, rules and a code of ethics to follow. The government just voted in favour to update our current set of provincial rules (was last done in 2002) and is currently in the process of figuring out how to implement them and come up with the actual plan. I REALLY hope Advertising is on the list as this picture I am showing you is actually a valid advertisement and within the guidelines and regulations (to the best of my knowledge) sometimes companies have their own internal awards and people will advertise that they won the award, but does it really tell you what the criteria (if any) is involved in getting such award? Or out of how many people they competed against to achieve the award? This is my opinion only but often I see too many REALTORS® trying to show off all of the awards they won, they are missing the point. The point and number #1 reason we are in the business and getting any award is TRUST. Trust from the clients and customers that have decided to TRUST us to work with.I love seeing others in the industry doing well winning awards but I have been in the business for 15 years and even I don’t understand what half of them are. There need to be TRUST in what is being reported/claimed.

While this photo was made to be funny. It is 100% accurate and abides by current guidelines and is a true statement and clearly states the facts and manner it was obtained. I am not running this in the local papers or using it my presentation material because I don't belive it to be useful for those situations. It is time we focus less on how many awards and who is the best and put more time and energy on our clients, industry and promoting and helping each other.

Please if you are a REALTOR® contact OREA (Ontario Real Estate Association) and RECO (Real Estate Council of Ontario) and ask them to raise the bar on our advertising guidelines. (if they aren't already working on it) and if you are not a REALTOR® please enjoy this rant and ask your own REALTOR® that you deal with the help raise the bar on advertising and professionalism in our industry,