Realtors from across Saskatchewan have chosen to amalgamate to form a new organization.
The new entity will be known as the Saskatchewan Realtors Association. Members from the Association of Saskatchewan Realtors (ASR), Association of Regina Realtors (ARR) and the Saskatchewan Region Association of Realtors (SRAR) all voted on the amalgamation, which will come into effect on January 1, 2020.
The aim is to improve service offerings and efficiencies, which will benefit Relators, as as well as home buyers and sellers. The associations already work closely together with several combined resources. It is expected that further consolidation will only enhance opportunity and cost-savings.
At one point, there were 11 different organizations in Saskatchewan.
“This isn’t our first go at forming a single association. The idea has been there for years – we just finally got the details right so members could see the value of combining resources, and working together as a single entity,” says Dave Markus, Regina Realtor and co-chair of the working group that led the initiative.
“It’s a win-win-win solution, where associations will no longer be duplicating work, members will see increased services for fewer dollars and home buyer and sellers will benefit from consistent practices throughout the province,” adds Steven Bobiash, Saskatoon Realtor and working group co-chair.
“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us to get a new organization ready to go in the next nine months, but we’re up to the challenge. Saskatchewan Realtors showed strong support for a united Saskatchewan to give us the edge we needs to remain current in this everchanging world!”
There are approximately 1,600 member Realtors in Saskatchewan.
The Realtors Association of Lloydminster and District did not participate in the amalgamation, because it is on the border and is located in both Saskatchewan and Alberta.