After months of waiting, RE/MAX Professionals North celebrated the grand opening of its new office in Minden Aug. 13.
The pandemic delayed the official opening for the new real estate company. It was created in April and is made up of agents from RE/MAX North Country, which had its registration revoked in January amidst a Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) investigation. Ownership from RE/MAX Professionals in Toronto came in to start a new brokerage in Haliburton and agents have been working under them since January.
Owner Christopher Alexander said it feels incredible to finally be able to have a grand opening after the difficult year agents have gone through.
“It’s such a great feeling to be back in business in Haliburton County again,” Alexander said.
RECO revoked the registrations of RE/ MAX North Country and one of its owners, Ray Jarvis. It also froze the brokerage’s bank accounts due to a trust account shortage, where consumer deposits are held. RECO said they have taken no additional action against them since January. But Alexander said there are ongoing court proceedings involving ownership of the old brokerage.
A struggle with that ownership meant they could not use its old offices, Alexander said. It was difficult getting the new brokerage started, but he said he appreciates the community for its support during that process.
“I want to thank all our agents and the community sort of sticking by us while we sorted through what was really a mess to start the year,” Alexander said.
Alexander co-owns RE/MAX Professionals North with his sister Leah Ambler, who heads the original Toronto-based RE/MAX Professionals. Ambler said in February what happened with North Country would never happen with them.
“RE/MAX Professionals is a very longstanding company with a brand. We’ve been around for 40 years,” Ambler said. “We run a strict and good real estate brand. We have a lot of products and experience that we offer our agents that allow them to operate properly in the marketplace.”
Alexander said the real estate market is going strong in Haliburton amidst the pandemic, with demand very high. He said they are excited to be part of the community and plan to get involved in local events.
“We see a really bright future for Haliburton County,” Alexander said. “Haliburton, Minden and the surrounding areas offer so much, and we just really want to be a part of it.”
