The same day Nadia Cheff read an article about a family of eight who lost their savings in a rent-to-own debacle, RE/MAX Citywide Realty Inc., Brokerage, jumped into action. Chantal Scott and James Cronier, who have five children of their own and a foster child, had just spent a considerable amount of money to move from a rental unit into what they hoped would become their home, only to be told they’d have to move back to their original apartment. The RE/MAX team knew they’d be short of funds and immediately sent $1,000 by email transfer to the family.
This quick response was possible because the brokerage has set up the RE/MAX Citywide REALTOR® Relief Fund for exactly such disasters. The fund was founded in January 2013 and was designed to raise funds throughout the year in case of an emergency. If one of the company’s agents, their family members, friends, or the community at large is in need of financial assistance, the funds can be accessed. RE/MAX Citywide matches every dollar donated by their Ottawa agents to build the fund. RE/MAX Citywide agents are encouraged throughout the year to donate but aren’t required to do so. Most do, however, says Ian Charlebois, Owner/Broker of Record.
“This fund reflects how giving our REALTORS® are and showcases that in time of need, immediate action is required. I am proud to be part of a group of people who understand we can do more together.”
His colleague, Nadia Cheff, agrees.
“When I first started my career in real estate, one of the reasons I chose RE/MAX Citywide is that I loved what the company stood for in the community,” says Cheff, agent in the nation’s capital.
“While I take great pride in the service I offer my clients in achieving their real estate goals, helping people in general feels great. I’m glad to be part of this REALTOR® relief fund. A kind gesture can go a long way.”
For her part, Chantal Scott says the RE/MAX fund was there for her and her husband, James Cronier, when they “hit rock bottom.” They had scraped together enough money to move into what they thought would be their new rent-to-own home and two days later, they were told it wasn’t theirs and they’d have to move out again. In the process, they lost all of their savings. By the time they paid for another moving van, they were broke.
“We had no groceries — we had nothing,” Scott says. “RE/MAX Citywide was very kind. It was the middle of summer and my children were very upset so we used the money to buy groceries and then we enrolled the kids in a week of summer camp. We have five children of our own and one foster child so we have a pretty large family and with having to do two moves in three days, it took all our money.” The Scott-Cronier’s have since retrieved some of their savings, but they’ll never get it all, she says, because the rent-to-own developer declared bankruptcy.
“There needs to be more people like the team at RE/MAX Citywide. They were the only one who offered to help us,” Scott says. “I keep in touch with them to let him know how we’re doing.”
