Background The Association was formed in 1958 and was known as the Lindsay-Haliburton Real Estate Board. It was incorporated in 1972 and in 1977 members in Victoria and Haliburton Counties separated to establish two boards. The Victoria County members changed the name to the Lindsay and District Real Estate Board. The mandate of the provincial government to amalgamate small townships of a county into a single tier government saw the formation of the new City of Kawartha Lakes in January 2001. With the county name change and the need to better define our real estate association's areas of business, the Lindsay & District Real Estate Board once again has changed its name to Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association. Technology & Computerization In 1990 the MLS System was put on a computerized catalogue system that served the members well until 1998, when a computer system was installed in the board office. Listing data was made available on a daily basis through members having computer access. As technology advanced, pictures now could be transmitted over the computer, so the association purchased the PicSURE System developed by an all Canadian Ontario marketing firm with the final installation completed in 1994. In early 1998 mls.ca came on line allowing the association to upload all its listings to a national internet gateway for all listings across Canada. Today we are pleased to be able to offer you our association web site. The Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association has always endeavoured to stay at the cutting edge of what is happening in the real estate industry. All brokers and sales representatives, by virtue of being members of the Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association are members of the Ontario and Canadian Real Estate Associations and operate under the Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice established for all REALTORS® to guide them in carrying out their daily business activities. The MLS® system operated by our association is used extensively by its members and REALTORS® from across Ontario allowing them to place listings on it through the Ontario Real Estate Association Interboard System. Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association members are also able to place listings on other Ontario boards. Peterborough and our association have reciprocal agreements for exchange of MLS® information for those members who want to avail themselves of this opportunity for increased exposure of listed properties. Community Participation Members are actively involved in a variety of community projects through the association's sponsorship and other local organizations as they promote the wonderful lifestyle that the Kawartha Lakes area affords them. Our Member REALTORS® - Who They Are The term REALTOR® is designated to those who have chosen to belong to local, provincial and national real estate associations. In doing so, they have agreed to adhere to a strict code of professional standards that ensures the highest levels of service and integrity. A REALTOR® understands the complexities of the many areas related to real estate transactions such as tax assessments, appraisals, financing, market values and closing procedures. By working with a REALTOR® City of Kawartha Lakes buying and selling public is tapping into a vast information network. Using the Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association's Multiple Listing Service (MLS®), a REALTOR® can market a property to all other REALTORS®, and alternately, match buyers' specific needs to all available properties on the system, providing the very best in real estate service. Multiple Listing Service The Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) is a co-operative system used only by Canada's real estate boards to give maximum exposure of properties listed for sale. It's a vital tool for today's real estate professional, this current and timely database system can provide the REALTOR® invaluable assistance in buying or selling your next home. Utilizing the MLS® system, REALTORS® can access sold prices, list prices, average time on the market, historical data and conduct comparative market analyses. Education Updates One clear measure of Members commitment to real estate excellence is their constant desire for learning. Designed to maintain the highest professional standards, Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association, offers Members continuing education opportunities that are second to none. Our Education Committee provides new member orientation sessions as well as Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) approved courses that address timely issues. Communications Through a number of communication vehicles, Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association, works to convey the value of using a local REALTOR®. Local REALTORS® are Committed To Our Community. They work here. They live here. They know the value of your property, they are familiar with the local market trends and they are knowledgeable of the local environmental issues. Government Relations Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association in participation with the Canadian Real Estate Association and the Ontario Real Estate Association's Political Action groups, ensure that Members are kept abreast of all current issues affecting real estate. Our Government Relations Committee continues to work together to provide input to all levels of government that affect REALTORS® and the public they serve.