Frequently Asked Questions

In simple terms, niche marketing. Given that the mature and senior market is going to dominate Canadian real estate for the next three decades, it makes sense to have a good understanding of this booming market, to be able to get your share of the listing and buying activity and most importantly - to learn how to drive business to come to you!There are many other additional benefits, such as teleseminars to help your business, discounts, bonus programs and the fact that our promotional support across Canada is focussed on our members - we are constantly working to educate the public to seek out Accredited Senior Agents.

There are 6 requirements:

1. Completion of the two day course
2. Successful passing of the exam (75% minimum)
3. Payment of prescribed fees (includes first year’s membership in the Senior Housing Council)
4. Having a minimum of 3 years of real estate experience (can be in various disciplines in real estate)
5. Having listed or sold to at least 3 clients who are 55+
6. Having no formal complaints at your provincial body, either current or pending and not being an undischarged bankrupt.
   

Canada does not have one authority that recognizes designations in real estate. Unlike universities or colleges which give degrees, designations belong to trade associations and are governed by their individual bodies.

We purposely named this “The Senior Agent” not the “Senior’s Agent.” The difference is that you are a Senior Agent. The designation denotes a broker or salesperson who has earned their stripes by taking the course and the exam and who has been in the real estate industry for at least 3 years. You become a Senior Agent. You promote yourself as a Senior Agent. You can be in your 20s and become an Accredited Senior Agent.

Answer: Our response, relax! The exam is not elaborate. It consists of 25 multi-choice questions from the course material. Before the exam, the instructor will provide a course review. There have been some failures but we mark the exams on the spot and can sit down with anyone who misses the mandatory 75% pass mark and review. Sometimes we have found that the student knows the correct answer and circled the wrong answer or they forgot to revise an answer. We do allow for make up tests. The entire examination process last about 15 minutes. There are no essays, just multiple choice.

$99 plus GST and dues commence one year after the passing of the examination. We include the first year’s dues in all course fees.

We require annual dues to run the association as full time staff must be in place and promotion is a key ingredient in making the Accredited Senior Agent program a success. Part of your dues go toward promotion for you and all members.

Answer. No! As we teach in class, “without promotion something terrible happens - nothing!” You must promote and let the public know that you have earned this prestigious designation and that you have the skills and knowledge to assist them and their families. Each member must promote the designation from basic print advertising to good website pages.

This is our advisory board. The members include Realtors who are ASA members and well known real estate lawyers. We will be publishing the members of the Senior Council on our website shortly and as we expand across Canada we will add members from all areas of our country.

We will process your application immediately but you can only start to use the new logo once we have checked your background as we have to ensure that all members adhere to good ethics. This process should take 10 days to two weeks. We will notify you via email when you can commence all promotion.

Main answer, recognition. Due to our promotion policy, our focus is with driving business to our members. We ensure that the designation is before the Canadian public and that includes lawyers, financial planners, other agents, and users of real estate services. As well, we will offer our members various benefits from discounts with retailers to seminars and promotional material. Also, you will be able to network with fellow ASA members across Canada for referral business.