If success in buying or selling a home is all about location, location, location, success as a REALTOR^® comes down to commitment, commitment, commitment. It's a career that demands a lot, but it also offers a great deal in return.

RECA recognized for education, communication

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) was recently recognized for its educational and communications efforts with two awards from the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO).

RECA, a non-government agency responsible for governing the industry under Alberta's Real Estate Act, won an education award for its pre-licensing education course, the Practice of Rural Real Estate, and a communications award for the 2016 edition of the Advertising Guidelines.

The awards were presented at ARELLO's annual conference in late September in Vancouver.

Decreases to Alberta's education budget causing further concern for Calgary parents

Candice Collins is no stranger to long commutes. Growing up in the northeast community of Rundle, she had to navigate the city's public transit system for hours each day to attend William Abrehart High School in city's northwest, her designated French-immersion school.

Now in her 30s, Collins is worried her five-year-old son may face the same fate in getting to school.
"[I'm concerned] he's going to wind up with a super long commute. Because in order to find the programs and the atmosphere that I want, we might have to move around," she said.

"I have quite a few people who have told me they have to take their kid great distances every day. Maybe their elementary school is close, but then their junior high isn't close and their high school might be even farther."

On March 26, Alberta Finance Minister Robin Campbell addressed the province on the 2015/16 budget for Alberta.

After spending $1,300 more per capita, compared to the national average, on programs and services last year, changes to spending outlined in the current budget will narrow that margin over the next three to four years.
"We have told Albertans that tough decisions would be needed and budget 2015 reflects a balanced approach that will see us return to surpluses within three years," said Premier Jim Prentice.