Pop the question: Tom Westcott

In 2018, CREB® welcomes longtime Calgary REALTOR® and industry veteran Tom Westcott as the organization's new president. Westcott sat down with Kathleen Renne for CREB®Now to talk about his career in the industry, his passion for real estate and his thoughts on the Calgary housing market in 2018.

CREB®Now: Tell me about your time in the industry and your work with CREB® over the years.

Westcott: Throughout my career, I've been a very involved member with CREB®. I started volunteering for CREB® committees during my second year in the industry, around 1977. Since that time, I've chaired a number of CREB® committees. I've been on the board of directors for five full years now, going into my sixth. I have a passion for the real estate industry.

CREB®Now: Where does that passion for real estate come from?

Westcott: I've always enjoyed it. It's an exciting industry. I started quite young. It wasn't my first job, but it was my first career. I have a diverse background, including appraisals training, and I was western Canadian manager for a national relocation company. Some of those jobs would involve travel to different locations, but I'm a native Albertan, and I've lived in Calgary since I was 11 years old. I've seen the city grow.

"I feel very strongly about member representation. My concern is always that we're helping REALTORS® to do a better job and providing them with the necessary tools."

CREB®Now: What changes have you witnessed in the Calgary real estate market over the years?

Westcott: I've seen some amazing growth in the city during my time in real estate. (REALTORS®) have gained a lot of technology to help us do our job. Information is more readily available to us to better serve our clients. It has become a much more immediate industry.

CREB®Now:?What are you most looking forward to about your new role as president?

Westcott: It's an exciting position – being able to represent the members at the provincial and national associations. I feel very strongly about member representation. My concern is always that we're helping Realtors to do a better job and providing them with the necessary tools.

CREB®Now:?Any thoughts on what the Calgary market might look like in 2018?

Westcott: I'm encouraged because 2017 was a better year than we expected. We have better choices in the marketplace across various price ranges. With some of the positive comments we're hearing about the economy and the employment situation, there will be more options for our clients. There is also a more positive outlook, with more listings coming on the market. We're seeing a better volume of sales. Realtors are well positioned to help both sets of consumers – the buyers and the sellers – find product where they fit in the marketplace, within their price range.