WinnipegREALTORS® has announced that its president for 2016 is Stewart Elston, who takes over the position from outgoing president David MacKenzie.
Elston is WinnipegREALTORS®’ 113th president.
“It is truly an honour and privilege to represent the longest running real estate association in the country,” said Elston. “I am the beneficiary of those that came before me. Their vision and wise counsel and direction enable me to build on a solid foundation to advance our goals in 2016.”
Established in 1903 as the Winnipeg Real Estate Exchange, the leadership from the outset was committed to seeing real estate practiced in a professional manner with proper rules and regulations in place to bring order to what was then an unruly, chaotic market.
One of the methods to bring order out of chaos was the development of a Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) system.
“The magic and power of the MLS® system is the co-operative nature of REALTORS® working together in the best interests of their buyers and sellers to achieve a positive outcome for all,” said Elston. “We are always looking at new tools and more effective practices to make the selling and buying process smoother for our members and their clients.
“For example, we have assurances from the Manitoba Securities Commission that electronic signatures will be accommodated for real estate transactions in the new Real Estate Services Act Regulations when they are completed. Our members will be prepared for such an evolution.”
Another strength of the association has been the Real Estate News (REN), a weekly publication that started 35 years ago on January 9, 1981. The REN also now publishes a commercial and condominium magazine at different times of the year.
Stewart Elston has been licensed as a salesperson for nine years and another six years as an alternate broker for Realty Executives Premiere. He focuses exclusively on residential real estate.
He has served on a number of association committees, such as government relations — he has an undergraduate degree in political science — and technology.
Elston showed his passion for the real estate industry by speaking as a private citizen at a public hearing on proposed real estate legislation. His comments were well articulated and he capably responded to questions from MLAs.
Elston said new technology will be front and centre in ensuring WinnipegREALTORS® proprietary interests are well looked after and being advanced.
“I know we have an ambitious strategic plan to implement this year,” he said, “so I have every intention of making sure our volunteer leaders and staff are fully engaged to execute our strategic directions.”