PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Quebecers' real estate literacy
The OACIQ holds its first public exchange forum on real estate
Brossard, March 23, 2023 – To better protect consumers and property buyers and sellers, the Organisme d'autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ) is stepping up its efforts to inform and educate consumers about real estate.
Consumers are invited to attend the first Public Exchange Forum of the OACIQ. This first edition will be held on Sunday, March 26, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, at its head office in Brossard.
This free event, which is intended for anyone interested in real estate, current or future homeowners, buyers or sellers, is a great opportunity to exchange views with the OACIQ, whose sole mission is to protect the public through the enforcement of the Real Estate Brokerage Act and supervision of real estate brokers.
Through a dynamic course, participants will be able to attend mini-conferences dealing, in particular, with the means available to consumers to buy or sell a property with peace of mind. Dynamic workshops will help attendees find answers to questions about the steps of a real estate transaction, the role and obligations of the real estate broker and the protections offered by the Real Estate Brokerage Act.
"By organizing this event, we wish to interact directly with consumers to answer their questions, understand their concerns, listen to their needs and allow them to learn more about the protection measures and the numerous tools offered by the OACIQ," says Me Claudie Tremblay, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Affairs at the OACIQ.
Furthermore, participants will also discover, through interactive sessions, the information and awareness tools made available to them by the OACIQ, as well as certain unknown aspects of real estate, such as the conduct of a disciplinary hearing, including from the filing of a complaint up to the decision on the penalties imposed.
"As a seller, why do I have to disclose everything about the history of my property for sale? As a buyer, what are the possible consequences of not having the property inspected? Why can a real estate broker no longer represent both a seller and a buyer? These are just a few examples of the many topics of interest that will be discussed at this first Public Exchange Forum," says Sandra Barrette, Director of the Information Centre Info OACIQ and the Certification Department.
Obligation to talk about the OACIQ in any commercial or residential real estate transaction
In addition, updates to the real estate brokerage regulations come into force on March 23, including a new obligation for real estate brokers to inform their clients of the existence of the OACIQ and its public protection mission in any residential or commercial real estate transaction. Three means are available to licensees to fulfill their obligation. First, a statement to this effect has been included in many OACIQ mandatory residential brokerage forms since June 2022. They may give their clients a specific document or include a clause in their contracts. "Consumers will thus be better informed of the protection mechanisms available to them under the Real Estate Brokerage Act," concludes Me Tremblay.
About the OACIQ Public Exchange Forums
This year, the OACIQ will organize various exchange forums for the general public. The aim of these forums, which will be held on March 26, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the OACIQ head office in Brossard and on June 15, 2023 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at Complexe Desjardins in Montreal, is to generate discussions with consumers and actively contribute to raising their awareness of real estate literacy to better protect the public.
REMINDER
Date and time: March 26, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: 4905 Lapinière Boulevard, Brossard (5 minutes from the Samuel-De Champlain bridge, near Quartier DIX30 and the Chevrier bus terminal; easy and available parking)
Cost: free
For more information: www.oaciq.com/en/pages/oaciq-exchange-forums
About the Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ)
The Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ) ensures the protection of members of the public who enlist the services of real estate brokerage professionals governed by the Real Estate Brokerage Act. It is a member of the Real Estate Regulators of Canada (RERC), an organization that brings together all Canadian regulators in the area of real estate brokerage, building inspection and co-ownership property management for some provinces.
- 30 -
For interviews or more information: medias@oaciq.com
Media wishing to attend the event should contact Joëlle Mc Gurrin at 438-390-9093.
