I asked Kirk how he sees the regulatory environment for real estate, commercial real estate in particular in the short term - over the next quarter – what things are happening that will impact owners, tenants and agents over the next 90 days?
… roll out of our plain-language initiatives focused on service excellence. Guidelines on service agreements between agents and clients in commercial transactions. On the residential side – new mandatory content for contracts, consumer relationships guides.
And over the next 5 years?
…. Mandatory written service agreements – for appraisers, mortgage brokers, property managers, residential and commercial agents. I see a new model for licensing that will be developed in a consultative process, that will reduce the cost of getting into the business. A move to principle-based regulations. Also, new structure for regulating condominium property managers.
I think the industry has to – and will, move the bar on its own as organizations focus on professionalism, disclosure and transparency.
What qualities distinguish your preferred colleagues, collaborators and suppliers?
… intelligence – common sense, dedication, accountability, responsibility. People who work hard and play hard, who do the job, do it right.
What distinguishes you that causes people to choose Kirk Bacon – why have you been chosen over others to play your career roles?
… experience, industry and political knowledge. I make things happen, and have been for a long while, my involvement in national work involving our industry in different jurisdictions.
What do you lose sleep over, what do you worry about?
… health, retirement
Who or what influenced you most – that has made a difference in your life, or that was a major turning point?
… life is a long-term education program! All the people I’ve met doing this work. My divorce. My first manager in real estate, Fred Hall, Manager at LePage/Melton in Saskatoon when I first got into the business. He showed me how to do things right – to be successful. And ethics.
Work life balance?
… I golf poorly. Fishing. Spending time at our lake cottage (northern Sask.) with children and grandchildren.
What do you read?
… too much work related material! I love mysteries – Ludlum in particular. Things Malcolm Gladwell writes
His ride?
… 2008 Tahoe