Calgary, Alberta – On August 5, 2005, the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) launched a new website designed to increase consumers’ use of its information resources and to improve real estate, mortgage, and appraiser professionals’ access to online services.
The website www.reca.ca receives nearly 5 million hits per year, and 700 current site users and industry members provided feedback used in its redesign. Comprehensive information is now listed under the navigation topics: About RECA, Consumer Information, Complaints & Outcomes, Licences & Forms, Industry Standards, and Publications & Resources.
“The Real Estate Council of Alberta sets and enforces standards of competency and conduct for the real estate, mortgage, and appraisal industries in Alberta,” said Chair Lynn Patrick. “The redesign of the Real Estate Council’s website is part of our ongoing commitment to creating consumer confidence through open communication and responsible self-regulation.”
In addition to reference articles on buying and selling and selling real estate, preventing mortgage fraud, and more, consumers are encouraged to use www.reca.ca to conduct a licence search to ensure that they deal only with licensed industry professionals. Consumers involved in a transaction in which an industry member may have acted improperly can learn about the Real Estate Council’s complaint, investigation, and disciplinary processes online. Disciplinary outcomes are also posted on the website.
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 members.
