The move to PropTx causes a 50% drop in Oakville, Milton’s board membership

Early this year, OMDREB, like many real estate boards in the province, completed the transition from Information Technology Systems Ontario (ITSO) to the PropTx MLS system.

At the time of the switch to the MLS system, many OMDREB members were also dual members of the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), and the move to one shared MLS system meant that dual memberships were no longer necessary, an OMDREB spokesperson confirmed to Real Estate Magazine.

OMDREB’s membership currently stands at 800, down about 50 percent from this time last year, according to an emailed statement.

“This was not unexpected,” said OMDREB. “A significant number of OMDREB members have traditionally also been members of TRREB and no longer need to be part of both boards solely for MLS services.”

OMDREBs monthly contribution are about $112. TRREB fees vary by membership category, but are generally approximately $700 per year for the 70,000 members.

OMDREB stated that it remains financially stable and operationally strong.

A huge inconvenience

Milton team leader and broker Chuck Charlton is among those who left OMDREB, also calling it “redundant” as a member of TRREB. He signed up with the Barrie and District Board of Realtors (BDAR) for ITSO access because it was one of the least expensive options available, he said.

Charlton said while his heart was in OMDREB because he wanted to be part of his local government, a TRREB membership is cheaper and has benefits like Realtor Quest.

Charlton is hopeful that the day will come when MLS data is more streamlined. Having two MLS system providers is a huge inconvenience for Ontario Realtors and a waste of resources, Charlton said.

“The battle is pretty much lost at this point. I feel like it’s time to give Realm the crown and say, ‘Okay, you provide the data.'” Charleton said. “I think every real estate agent in Ontario, if you put politics aside, believes that having a single access point for data is better.”

He said it’s difficult to explain to clients the “Venn diagram” of which boards have which MLS system, and why, for example, their listing might appear twice on Realtor.ca.

Bring some small plates to the table

Charlton said one thing he appreciated as a member of OMDREB was Coffee with Colin, a popular series in which a city councilor speaks to guests about topics relevant to the real estate community. Tslang types of programs that help local governments shine.

“Local boards need to consider how they can best serve their agents at the local level to avoid talent drains as members move to TRREB,” he said.

OMDREB told REM that it believes the board does not provide value only through access to the MLS system, but through education and training, local advocacy and charity work, and other support.

“We chose to open our new headquarters at 1935 Ironoak Way in Oakville to provide our members with personalized support and tailored networking opportunities at a time when many other real estate boards are moving entirely virtually,” a board spokesperson said.