Calgary Herald

CREB aids agents to serve homebuyers and sellers

- JOEL SCHLESINGE­R

Calgary’s economy and housing market are picking up momentum, with local real estate agents assisting thousands in navigating their home buying and selling journeys.

The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB) supports the more than 7,700 real estate agents working in Calgary and surroundin­g communitie­s, including Canmore and Strathmore.

And in 2024, the organizati­on is bringing more profession­al developmen­t options to its agent members, thanks in part to changes at the organizati­on’s office, says CREB chairperso­n Christian Twomey.

“At CREB, helping our realtors is our focus,” he says. “Indeed, it’s the main reason behind the renovation­s currently underway at our headquarte­rs.”

Once complete, CREB’S overhauled office spaces will feature a campus-like atmosphere created to facilitate in-person training and mentorship initiative­s.

The renovation­s will create more space for face-toface learning and networking. Those opportunit­ies have largely been missing in recent years, Twomey says.

“After the pandemic, there have just been fewer opportunit­ies to come together.”

CREB will continue offering virtual training, like it did during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, but the new campus will make it easier overall for real estate agents to network.

Gathering is fundamenta­l to the industry; after all, real estate thrives on personal connection­s and relationsh­ips. “And that friendly, familiar voice on the other end of the phone is what often makes what we do for our clients that much better,” Twomey notes.

The renovation project also exemplifie­s CREB’S prudent management of members’ fees. The entire project is being financed from CREB’S reserve fund without incurring debt. CREB has also just announced a $150 dues rebate to its members.

The organizati­on has also provided significan­t financial support for the community through the CREB Realtor Community Foundation. Since 1987, it has contribute­d more than $8 million to various projects, including $485,000 in 2023 for several affordable housing initiative­s.

Helping Calgarians is at the heart of what CREB members do every day, Twomey says.

“We’re realtors, helping Calgarians buy and/or sell their homes, and we’re incredibly proud to support our members so they can better assist their clients on that journey of homeowners­hip.”

 ?? WIL ANDRUSCHAK/POSTMEDIA CONTENT WORKS ?? Christian Twomey is the chair of the Calgary Real Estate Board.
WIL ANDRUSCHAK/POSTMEDIA CONTENT WORKS Christian Twomey is the chair of the Calgary Real Estate Board.

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