Working group on commercial real estate brokerage SERVICES QUÉBEC makes it easier for citizens CHANGE OF ADDRESS IT'S A GO! A working group has been created for the field of commercial real estate brokerage. Comprised of a dozen brokers representing the various areas of commercial real estate brokerage, the working group stems from a desire expressed by the field for a dedicated forum within the OACIQ to discuss topics specific to this activity sector. This group, which meets regularly, has made its mission to seek solutions to keep pace with the industry. It aims to define a clear image of commercial real estate brokerage in order to better serve and oversee this practice. There is no shortage of topics of discussion for this working group. The issues discussed at the group’s initial meetings included: • OACIQ communications targeted at commercial real estate brokerage practitioners; • • Specific continuing education activities for commercial real estate brokers; Return to mandatory basic training and certification of basic training programs adapted to the reality of the market; Relevance of recommended forms for commercial real estate brokerage; Importance of OACIQ inspections; Identity verification at the beginning of the transaction, especially leasing; Representation on the OACIQ Board of Directors. When you’re moving, every minute counts. Here is a way for your clients to save time! Services Québec provides a gateway to Québec government services for people who are moving. Accessible through Québec Portal, the popular Service québécois de changement d’adresse (SQCA) allows citizens to send their change of address to six oftenused government departments and agencies in a single operation. These include: ministère de l’Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, Régie des rentes du Québec, Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec, Revenu Québec, Directeur général des élections du Québec and Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec. Residents may also do this by phone at 1 877 644-4545, or at one of Services Québec’s locations. Need a more personalized service? Services Québec has created Itinerary Moving. Also accessible through Québec Portal, this service proposes a customized list of steps to take to inform the various departments and agencies of one’s change of address. You can obtain free promotional documents on these tools from Services Québec for distribution to your clients. Let your clients know! It’s another opportunity to showcase your expertise as a broker. Real estate brokers THE HAPPIEST PROFESSIONALS! According to a recent American survey • • • • These and other topics will continue to be the focus of the working group on commercial real estate brokerage. Stay tuned to find out about the group’s progress, and be sure to visit the brand-new section dedicated to commercial real estate brokerage, accessible on Synbad! Forbes magazine’s website features the results of a national survey of 65,000 American professionals, placing the profession of real estate agent first on its list of happiest careers, with a score of 4.26 on a scale of 5. This impressive result was obtained by compiling employee-generated evaluations of ten factors, including work environment, relationship with the boss and coworkers, job resources, company culture, etc. Despite some differences, the American agent’s job profile is quite similar to that of a Québec real estate broker: search and support for buyers and sellers, mandate to purchase or sell a property, drafting of contracts, etc. The satisfaction felt by these agents in their work is also explained by a favourable economic environment, according to CareerBliss, the survey firm cited by Forbes. After several lean years, the report explains, America currently has a seller’s market, which leads to low costs and high commissions for agents. Definitely something to smile about! To read more about this study, visit the Forbes website. 26 Profession Broker September 2013 Profession Broker September 2013 27