Real Estate Council of Alberta says Calgary man is operating without a licence

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) has issued a consumer alert, accusing a Calgary man of dealing in real estate without a proper licence.

RECA claims Derek Johnson, also known as John Davis, preys on home owners in financial difficulty that are facing foreclosure.

The Council says Johnson is currently operating under the name “Joe Rheal Estate” with the website http://www.joerhealestate.com.

“The Real Estate Council of Alberta has issued a direction to Johnson to cease unlicensed practice,” according to a news release issued Thursday.

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“Johnson has ignored this direction to stop. The Council is taking further action.”

The release does not state what sort of action the Real Estate Council is taking.

Johnson’s history, according to RECA, includes operating Free List Calgary, and involvement in Partners in Success Mortgage Inc., and New Age Financing.

RECA says none of those companies are licensed to trade in real estate or deal in mortgages in Alberta.

“Derek Johnson is breaking the law. He needs a license under the Real Estate Act to trade in real estate on behalf of others and deal in mortgages. He does not have these licences and has never had them,” the release states.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Derek Johnson is breaking the law. He needs a license under the Real Estate Act to trade in real estate on behalf of others and deal in mortgages. He does not have these licences and has never had them," the release states.

RECA advises consumers to make sure anyone acting on their behalf is properly licensed.

The Council says people can find out if a person is licensed by searching it’s website http://www.reca.ca using the “Searching for an Industry Professional” tool.

Global News has asked Johnson to respond to the allegations.

The Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA) is an independent, non-government agency, responsible for governing real estate, mortgage broker, and real estate appraisal industry professionals under the Real Estate Act of Alberta.