The reference
in real estate for over 65 years
To benefit from professional services
Real estate brokers are highly qualified and well-trained professionals. They are governed by a code of ethics and standards of professional practice.
All real estate brokers in Québec must complete a basic training program offered by a certified institution in order to be eligible to practice. Over the course of their careers, brokers must also follow a rigorous continuing education program to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.
In addition, Quebec real estate professionals must pass an examination administered by the Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ) in order to obtain a license to practice. This rigorous, in-depth examination lasts no less than six hours: that’s how much is tested.
Once they have passed their training and this examination, brokers are recognized as being able to :
- apply general and specific legal rules to brokerage operations;
- estimate the quality and various elements of a building’s construction;
- estimate the market value of a building;
- distinguish the basic principles of mortgage lending;
- brokerage transactions relating to the sale, rental or exchange of real estate;
- act ethically and responsibly in the practice of brokerage;
- manage their real estate business activities.
A comprehensive offering
A well-deserved salary
Working with a real estate broker can help you complete one of the most important transactions of your life, without a lot of hassle. Not to mention the fact that you only pay for the results you achieve, since the broker has to close a sale to receive his fee.
The amount a broker receives for a real estate transaction is established when the brokerage contract is signed with the client, but it’s only when the transaction is official, when the notarial deed is signed, that the broker receives his salary.
Commonly referred to as “commission”, the fee does not go directly into the real estate broker’s pocket. If a collaborating broker (representing the buyer) was involved in the sale, the listing broker (representing the seller) must remit a portion of the commission to the collaborating broker.
Furthermore, as a self-employed worker, the listing broker assumes a number of expenses even before receiving his or her fee, including advertising, liability insurance, transportation and office costs.