Trust isn’t just a virtue in real estate—it’s a necessity. Whether buying your first home, selling a long-time family property, or investing in real estate, the stakes are high. You need an agent who not only knows the market but also genuinely prioritizes your best interests. That’s where trust becomes the cornerstone of a successful partnership.
A trustworthy agent provides honest, transparent advice—even when it’s not what you want to hear. They don’t sugarcoat the truth about pricing, competition, or timing. Instead, they guide you with integrity, ensuring you make informed decisions rather than emotional ones. That kind of guidance is invaluable in a market that can move fast and change quickly.
Trust also creates peace of mind. When you know your agent is working diligently behind the scenes—handling negotiations, coordinating inspections, navigating legal paperwork—you’re free to focus on your goals and your future, not the stress of the process.
Moreover, real estate transactions are deeply personal. You’re sharing financial details, family needs, and future plans. That kind of vulnerability demands a high level of confidence in your agent’s discretion, professionalism, and loyalty.
Ultimately, trust transforms a real estate transaction from a nerve-racking chore into a positive, empowering experience. When you trust your agent, you don’t just get a service—you get an advocate, strategist, and partner committed to your success from start to finish. And that makes all the difference.
Our local real estate industry suffered a significant blow to trust this week with the revelation of the Ponzi scheme orchestrated by (former) RE/MAX Central agent, Eric Drinkwater. His actions, which defrauded numerous past clients of millions of dollars, underscore the crucial role of trust in our industry.
It’s deeply disappointing that Pat Hare, owner of RE/MAX Central, not only failed to report the illegal activity but also advised the fraudster against coming forth himself, as a judge recently ruled.
In a decision of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta dated April 24, Justice Barbara Romaine found Hare, a Realtor of more than 40 years, knew about the multi-million-dollar scheme as far back as 2022.
Last Thursday, RE/MAX Canada cut all ties with RE/MAX Central and terminated their franchise agreement. They did the right thing.
It’s important to note that each RE/MAX brokerage is independently owned and operated. We operate under a similar banner but are entirely separate businesses. My brokerage, RE/MAX Realty Professionals, under the leadership of our broker, Doug Koop, remains one of the most highly respected in the business. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Despite this shocking recent news, don’t let one bad apple make you think everyone has gone bananas! As an Associate Broker at RE/MAX Realty Professionals, I remain 100% confident in the integrity of our brokerage, and I welcome any of the honest and trustworthy agents from RE/MAX Central to join us.