fp Turks and Caicos

More than two dozen real estate agents and brokers participated in the first Turks and Caicos Real Estate Association training course and stand before the first ever licensing examination for real estate agents in the country.

The TCREA, which consists of approximately 70 member agents and brokers, created the curriculum in order to assure a consistently high standard of expertise and professionalism within the industry.

“Our agents will be more professional and possess the tools to do the job better than ever before,” TCREA President Kathryn Brown explained.

Brown said the association has been working on the idea since the 2004 Real Estate Ordinance was established, requiring agents and sales representatives to be licensed. She says until now most agents received their training from either the United States or Canada, which did not necessarily apply to the TCI.

“Those courses did not pertain to the real estate laws, ordinances, rules and regulations of the Turks and Caicos,” she said.

The course was held two days a week, where agents reviewed all aspects of the real estate business, including topics such as the role of the agent, listing agreements, stamp duty and land registry. The course followed a newly created handbook the TCREA training committee modified from a purchased license of the Cayman real estate associations own handbook for agents.

“We adjusted the book to fit the Turks and Caicos, including our laws, regulations and TCREA code of ethics,” Brown explained. A final examination will be completed by each agent who participates in the course, where a minimum of 75 percent is required to pass.

Thirty agents participated in this first session, but Brown said another session is already in the planning for those who could not partake in this first course.

The four-week course was facilitated by Bridgette Thomas from BMT Consulting who said she was happy with the feedback she received. “I believe they walked away feeling there were things they learned ... it was well worth the time they spent.”

TCREA agent Beth Atkins said the training was a useful tool. “It brought back to mind things we knew and some things were also an eye opener for us.”

Jim Brown, an agent with ERA Coralie Real Estate, agreed. “The opportunity to discuss the varied aspects of real estate law was extremely useful and productive, and everyone took away information to better help serve their clients interests,” he said.

Every agent entering the association from now on will be required to complete the course and pass the exam.