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February issue of REM for 2015.
Citation preview
Veteran broker plays varsity water polo at 56 Page 8
These houses are no ordinary dwellingsPage 10
Helping homeless man is sales rep’s ‘best gift’Page 3
Issue #308 February 2015
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Bosley adaptsto thrive in changing market
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Cana
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IS AWARDING
TO GRADE 12STUDENTS!
$16,000 IS AWARDING
For more details and to apply go to remax.caEntry deadline: March 9, 2015
DO YOU KNOW A GRADE 12 GRADUATE?
Each RE/MAX offi ce is independently owned and operated. This advertisement is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for informational purposes only. If you own a franchise affi liated with another organization, this advertisement is not intended to offer a RE/MAX franchise or to solicit a change in your affi liation.
RE/MAX of Western Canada annually awards $1000 bursaries to
16 deserving grade 12 students. High school graduating students
from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and
North West and Yukon Territories are encouraged to apply by
writing an essay conveying the contributions they have made to
enrich the lives of others and their community.
hen Austin Saunderslived on the street, noone made eye contact,
let alone talked to him. Thatchanged last fall when PatWerestiuk wandered by his tent inthe forest. Werestiuk, a sales associ-ate with Re/Max Associates inWinnipeg, was walking his dogswhen he happened to spot the tall,thin 20-year-old. He stopped tochat, curious about how Saundersended up being homeless.
“I walk my dogs often and hadnever seen a tent there before,”says Werestiuk. “Something drewme over. I asked him, ‘What’sgoing on here?’ He said, ‘I livehere. I’m homeless.”
Werestiuk heard about howSaunders had lived in foster homesuntil he turned 19. He was unableto collect social assistance becausehe didn’t have a fixed address anda local shelter turned him awaybecause he has moderateAsperger’s Syndrome, an autismdisorder.
Saunders’ mother never want-ed to give him up but had no sup-port for her Asperger’s child,Werestiuk says. “She would takeeight busses to get Austin to a pro-gram, and then have to deal withher three younger children. Austinwas a handful and she couldn’ttake it. He had to go into fostercare and group homes, but at 19was out on his own. He went intothe system and ended up on thestreet.”
Living in a tent in the forestwas not his low point, however –that came when he lived under abridge with just the clothes on hisback, with trains rumbling over-head and no money for food.
Doing whatever work he couldfind, Saunders was able to saveenough for a new generator, andhad an oil heater and a 20-inchtelevision still in the box whenWerestiuk met him. He hadreceipts for everything, Werestiuksays.
As he listened to his story, notonce did Saunders ask him formoney. Werestiuk was impressedthat Saunders had a resume and
REM FEBRUARY 2015 3
W
Winnipeg sales rep’s ‘best birthday gift’When Pat Werestiuk stopped and spoke to a 20-year-old man living in a tent in the forest, he knew he hadto help him. By Connie Adair
was ready to work. Under threelayers of winter coats he wore asuit, a dress shirt and tie, Werestiuksays. “He is very intelligent. He’snot on drugs and doesn’t drink. Hejust needed a place to stay.”
Werestiuk knew he had to helpthe handsome, soft-spoken kid.
Coincidentally, the day thatWerestiuk happened by was thedeadline police had givenSaunders to move his tent. “Hehad no idea where to go,” saysWerestiuk, whose friends and own-ers of a local hotel agreed to putthe young man up for a couple ofdays. “The day I went into the for-est and got him out and into ahotel was my birthday. It was oneof the best birthday gifts.”
Werestiuk called a WinnipegFree Press reporter, who did aseries of articles about Saunders’plight. As a result of the articles,an independent organization thatassists mentally challenged adultsoffered Saunders a suite. Theorganization has about 100 differ-ent apartments that are well run,Werestiuk says.
Werestiuk approached a drycleaner, who cleaned Saunders’suit for free. Saunders’ blonde hairhas since been dyed back to its nat-ural black and he will soon get hisneglected teeth fixed. He also hasnew glasses.
Werestiuk also started a blogon Facebook and many people,“with a high percentage beingagents, came forward to help,donating couches, dishes andclothing.” Whatever Saundersdoesn’t need will go to other peo-ple in need.
Thanks to the kindness ofstrangers, Saunders has everythinghe needs and even had two artifi-cial Christmas trees donated, com-plete with decorations.
“He reminds me all the timehow grateful he is,” Werestiuk says.
After adjusting to life off thestreet, Saunders will re-enter theworkforce. “Nothing would makeme feel better than to have Austincall to say he’s got a job,” saysWerestiuk, who says he was born tohelp people. Over the years he has
organized events to raise funds for achildren’s hospital and many peo-ple in need.
February 2015 will mark 35years in real estate for Werestiuk.“It excites me to this day to sellsomeone a house and excites meeven more to help a buyer find theright house. I like to help people. Inever sell just to sell. A career inreal estate has led to understandingpeople more and caring aboutthem more.”
Werestiuk loves people andthey love him – his business is allreferrals. “I’m on the third genera-tion now,” he says.
Finding and helping Saundersis another chapter in Werestiuk’slife. “You learn something newevery day. There are people outthere who can’t get the help theyneed,” he says. “Austin is a greatkid. I got him this far but there is alot more for him to do. He has to
get himself going. He’s infinitelybetter now. He has a nice apart-ment and his birth mother is backin his life.”
This year when Werestiuk’soffice put together its Christmasfood hamper, it had extra specialmeaning. It was delivered to theman Werestiuk befriended and
helped find a place to call home. Itwas a good birthday for Werestiukand an even better Christmas forSaunders. REM
he Canadian Real EstateAssociation has securedthe rights to the .mls top-
level domain with a winning bid ofUS $3.359 million.
The association out-bid Afilias,a global registry company based inDublin, Ireland.
Earlier CREA attempted toavoid having the rights go to auc-tion by applying for a Legal RightsObjection, a process open to par-ties that have a legal right to theterm under dispute. When thiswas not successful, CREA pro-ceeded with a CommunityPriority Application for .mls,which can be made by organiza-tions that have some sort of asso-ciation with the domain name atplay. The rules require that at least14 of 16 evaluation points must bemet in order to be successful, but itwas determined that CREA onlymet 11 evaluation points.
CREA has registered Canadian
certification marks for the lettersMLS and the term “multiple listingservice” in Canada and is theexclusive licensee of the Realtortrademark in Canada.
“This win is a great example ofhow CREA and NAR (NationalAssociation of Realtors) are work-ing together for the benefit of ourmembers. MLS systems are widelyrecognized by consumers as a go-toresource when they want to buy orsell real estate,” says CREA presi-dent Beth Crosbie in a newsrelease. “Owning the .mls domainprotects the integrity of what theMLS trademark signifies toRealtors, consumers and real estateboards and associations.”
“It was important to keep the.mls domain in the Realtor family,and NAR was happy to work withour Canadian cousins in thiseffort,” says NAR president ChrisPolychron in the release. “AsRealtors on both sides of the bor-
der, we all stand together to createorder for real estate information onthe Internet and give our membersthe online advantages they need tobest serve their clients and cus-tomers.”
NAR also holds the rights tothe .realtor and .realestate top-leveldomains. NAR has a marketingpartnership with CREA that allowsCREA members to use the .realtordomain.
NAR worked with CREA tosecure the .mls domain through itswholly owned subsidiary, theRealtors Information Network.The MLS Domains Association, anon-profit group of 55 U.S. multi-ple listing services, was also in sup-port of CREA’s application.
CREA applied for the .mls top-level domain through the InternetCorporation for Assigned Namesand Numbers, the entity that co-ordinates domains and IP address-es for the Internet. REM
Austin Saunders and PatWerestiuk
Austin Saunders was living in atent in Winnipeg.
T
CREA pays over $3 millionfor rights to .mls
4 REM FEBRUARY 2015
Anthony Hitt Paul Etherington
Joe Pitino Randy Miller
Michelle Makos Jim Burton
Teri-Lynn Jones
From left: Andy Puthon, president, Coldwell Banker Canada; ColdwellBanker Open Door Realty owner Peter Vissers; and Scott Mills, director ofaffiliate services.
Mariana Cowan
Chris Arcus
Andre Perrissel
Multiple ListingsDo you have news to share with Canada’s real estate community?Let REM know about it! Email: [email protected]
By Jim Adair, REM Editor
Amendola in Toronto brought hisbrokerage, Realty Specialists, toEngel & Völkers.
“We are very selective of thosewe approach to join our brand,”says Anthony Hitt, CEO of Engel& Völkers North America.“Richard Brinkley, our seniorvice-president, market develop-ment for Engel & Völkers Canada,has been doing a great job in iden-tifying the right markets and thepartners who share our commit-ment to premium service and quality.”
Brinkley says, “There is anincredible amount of buzz rightnow about Engel & Völkers, espe-cially about its international reachand premium market positioning.We are currently developing addi-tional markets in Canada andlooking forward to even more bro-kerages in 2015.”
■ ■ ■
Paul Etherington, president ofthe Toronto Real Estate Board, hasleft Re/Max with three partners toopen Royal Heritage Realty, a newindependent brokerage inPickering, Ont. with a branchoffice in Whitby.
Etherington was with Re/Max
ngel & Völkers has openedfour new premium broker-ages in Victoria, Calgary,
Toronto and York Region inOntario, extending the globalfirm’s reach to 39 countries world-wide.
Engel & Völkers says it hasgranted licenses to “two ofSotheby’s International Realty’sbest Canadian agents”. MarkEvernden is the owner of Engel &Völkers Calgary and Scott Piercyhas teamed up with ShelbyDonald, a former Sotheby’s man-ager, to operate Engel & VölkersVictoria.
Jorg Hermans is the owner ofEngel & Völkers in York Region.And after owning a brokerage for24 years, both as a franchise and asan independent operator, Ron
E
Conception Bay South next to St.John’s.
Owner Jim Burton says,“Under Teri-Lynn’s leadership thenew Re/Max office will strive tooffer creative and resourceful toolsbeneficial to all agents.” He saysthe brokerage is planning to con-struct a new building to accommo-date 50 agents.
■ ■ ■
Established Nova Scotia bro-kerages Coldwell Banker SupercityRealty and Coldwell BankerSackville Associates Real Estatehave united under one banner.The newly combined companywill operate under the nameColdwell Banker Supercity Realty,now with offices in Halifax, LowerSackville and Bridgewater.
for more than 21 years. His part-ners are Joe Pitino, who was withRe/Max for 33 years; RandyMiller, a Re/Max veteran of almost20 years; and Michelle Makos,who has been in the real estateindustry for more than 10 years.
Etherington says the initials ofthe new brokerage also stand for“Realtors Helping Realtors.” Hesays RHR will offer weekly trainingand education. “We will, together,help our team of professionals bethe best they can be and thrive.”
■ ■ ■
The brokerage formerly knownas Prudential Woods Realty inTruro, N.S. has joined theColdwell Banker network and willnow operate as Coldwell BankerOpen Door Realty. Owner PeterVissers says, “Part of our compa-ny’s business involves foreign buy-ers, so the global connections andreputation of the Coldwell Bankernetwork were important to us.”
■ ■ ■
Teri-Lynn Jones has beenappointed broker/manager ofRe/Max Infinity Realty,Newfoundland & Labrador’snewest Re/Max office. It is in
Mariana Cowan is the broker-age’s owner. Kris Gerrior, formerowner of Coldwell BankerSackville Associates Real Estate,says, “The company is in goodhands with Mariana, and I lookforward to watching their progressin the years ahead.”
■ ■ ■
Chris Arcus is the new branchmanager of the Coast RealtyGroup Port Alberni and Ucluelet,B.C. branch offices.
Arcus has a management andmarketing background, whichstarted in the food and beverageindustry and continues in the realestate business. Recognized for hissales achievements, he has also
Continued on page 6
CORRECTIONThe story Reach your
goals in 2015 (REM,January) included an incor-rect first name for GaryKeller, author of The OneThing and co-founder ofKeller Williams Realty.
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The intent of this communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a solicitation to anyone under contract with another real estate brokerage organization. ®/™ trademarks owned by Century 21 Real Estate LLC used under license or authorized sub-license. © 2015 Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership. ® Trademarks of AIR MILES International Trading B.V. Used under license by LoyaltyOne, Inc. and Century 21 Canada Limited Partnership.
6 REM FEBRUARY 2015
PublisherHEINO MOLLS
Director, Sales & MarketingDENNIS ROCK
Digital Media Manager WILLIAM [email protected]
Brand DesignSANDRA GOODER
EditorJIM ADAIR
Distribution & ProductionMILA PURCELL
Art DirectorLIZ MACKIN
Graphic DesignSHAWN KELLY
REM complies fully with the Canadian Real Estate Association's Rules for Trademarks (CREA Rule 16.5.3.1)
REALTOR® and REALTORS® are trademarks controlled in Canada by The Canadian Real Estate Association(CREA) and identify licensed real estate practitioners who are members of CREA. MLS® and Multiple ListingService® are trademarks owned by CREA and identify the services rendered by members of CREA.
REM is published 12 times a year. It is an independently owned and operated company and is not affiliated with anyreal estate association, board or company. REM is distributed across Canada by leading real estate boards and by directdelivery in selected areas. For subscription information, email [email protected]. Entire contents copyright2015 REM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is pro-hibited. The opinions expressed in REM are not necessarily those of the publisher.
ISSN 1201-1223
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Phone: 416.425.3504www.remonline.com
Cover photo: MARKO SHARK Pr
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Met
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edia
Gro
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Multiple ListingsContinued from page 4
By Chris Seepe
participated in training for real estate trading services certification.His duties include new business development, recruiting, trainingand mentoring salespeople and those who are considering a career inreal estate.
■ ■ ■
The Aventure Realty Network and Agences Reunies of Paris,France have entered into an exclusive alliance. Agences Reuniesoperates with 52 independent member companies throughoutGreater Paris, Aix en Provence and Marseille, delivering purchase,sales and rental services with a focus on collaboration and quality.
In a news release, Bernie Vogt, president of Aventure and AndrePerrissel, president of Agences Reunies, say the alliance will deliverbenefits to both the public and to the members of both organizations.
■ ■ ■
Coldwell Banker recently launched a new four-part “digital repu-tation” video series designed to provide real estate agents with guid-ance on maximizing their online presence.
“Consumers are now vetting traditional agent referrals on Googleand considering an agent’s digital reputation when deciding who theywant to represent them. It’s critical for sales associates to not onlyestablish an online presence but to go beyond to create an effectivedigital resume,” says Sean Blankenship, senior VP of marketing,Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC.
The series was specifically created for real estate agents. Each ofthe brief videos is hosted by Lindsay Listanski, senior manager ofmedia engagement, who offers a look at the major social media plat-forms along with providing easy-to-implement tips. REM
ecently an Ontario SmallClaims Court judge ruledin favour of a buyer who
alleged that the seller had not dis-closed a defect that had occurredrepeatedly over many years priorto the seller selling the property.
The buyer purchased a three-storey 40-year-old apartmentbuilding in Durham Region inApril 2011 from the seller. InJanuary 2014, tenants reportedsubstantial deterioration of in-suite walls. Water had enteredinto the plaster walls and swelledlike boils.
The buyer also found severalareas of uncharacteristic whitestains on the external brick walls.As water moves through brick, itcan pick up salt that is not boundas part of the brick. The saltywater that evaporates at thebrick’s surface leaves behind awhite flakey-looking depositcalled efflorescence.
Specialists determined thatthe cause was condensation form-ing between the walls, a problemcommon with buildings builtbefore vapour barriers were man-dated in the building code. Thebuyer then learned from a long-term tenant that the wall prob-lems were a regularly recurringevent. The tenant swore an affi-davit that was admitted into evi-dence in the trial.
The Agreement of Purchaseand Sale (APS) included a clause,“The seller states that, to the bestof the seller’s knowledge andbelief, there is no known damageto the basement, roof or elsewhere
Latent defect: Be careful what you signin or on the property caused bywater seepage or flooding.”
The Ontario Limitations Act(2002) generally states caveatemptor – “buyer beware.” A buyercan only file a claim of defectwithin two years from the date ofpurchase, with generally norecourse after that. However, theact differentiates between twotypes of defects.
A “patent” defect is one thatcan be discovered by observation(“obviousness”) or inspectionusing generally accepted industry-standard practices. A “latent”defect is one that is present but isnot obvious, visible, apparent oractualized and can’t be discoveredby industry-standard inspectionpractices.
A seller has no obligation todisclose a defect that is obvious,such as a clearly visible water-soaked crack in a foundation wall.The buyer must also be able toprove that the seller knew aboutthe latent defect. If the defect isproved to have existed prior toselling the property but the sellerdidn’t know about it (perhaps thedefect didn’t appear while the sell-er owned the property), then theseller can’t be held liable, eveninnocently.
In the trial discussed above,the tenant’s affidavit strengthenedthe buyer’s case. The judge deter-mined the seller knew, or ought tohave known, that there was recur-ring water damage caused by anuntreated defect in the property.The judge stated he “sympathizedwith the defendant” but thedefendant clearly breached the“no water damage” clause in thefully executed APS.
The small claims court can’taward punitive damages, and
“betterment” costs are excluded –that is, repairs that improved theproperty. For example, if the orig-inal roof was 10 years old with a20-year life expectancy, the courtmight rule that the buyer receiveda betterment of 10 years and thenaward only half the new roof’scost. The buyer was also not per-mitted to recover personalexpenses related to attendingmeetings, overseeing repairs andtravel. Presumably this is becausethe value of one’s time is highlysubjective and would inevitablybe contested. It could also be asource of considerable abuse ininflating costs.
There are several cases in lawregarding the responsibility to dis-close material facts: McGrath v.MacLean (1979), Krawchuck v.Scherbak (2011) and Dennis v.Gray (2011).
In Krawchuck v. Scherbak, thereal estate agent was found to be50 per cent at fault for their lackof diligence in reconciling mis-leading statements made by theirclient, failing to inform theirclient of the implications of theirfalse statements and failing tobring these issues to the attentionof the purchaser.
In a decision released in May2014, a deputy judge of the Barrie(Ontario) Small Claims Courtsaid in his judgement that a sellermust disclose to the buyer any-thing they know about a defectthat has caused any loss of use orenjoyment of a meaningful part ofthe premises.
Since the case of McLean v.MacGrath, and in light of Dennisv. Gray, the principle of caveatemptor appears to be eitherbecoming more specificallydefined or more exceptions are
occurring. The evolving principleappears to be that if a seller prop-erly discloses an actual or per-ceived defect in a property, thenthis should protect them from therisk of litigation and the accusa-tion that the seller didn’t complywith their duty to disclose.Perhaps this will mean the sellerhas to provide a price discount orperhaps it will lead to sellers pric-ing their properties as they shouldhave been in the first place. Either
way, it’ll still likely be less expen-sive that settling a court action.
Chris Seepe is a commercial realestate broker and broker of record atAztech Realty in Toronto, specializ-ing in income-generating and multi-residential investment properties,retail plazas, science and technologyrelated specialty uses and tenantmandates. (416) 525-1558 [email protected]; website:www.aztechrealty.com. REM
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8 REM FEBRUARY 2015
ill Meyer remembers it well– it was the Tuesday afterLabour Day 1977, his first
day in a law enforcement class sohe could become an RCMP officer.“My Dad said, ‘Some guy calledand wants to know if you want togo to Moscow in 1980’,” he says.
The unexpected call was fromOlympic water polo coach GaborCsepregi. Meyer, born and raisedin Burlington, Ont., went toOttawa (the centralized locationfor the Olympic water polo pro-gram) the next day and has livedthere since. Although Meyer hadplayed water polo on winningteams for years, he says, “I neveranticipated making the Olympicteam.”
When he joined, he was theyoungest member but he trained
B hard and made the starting line up.Then disappointment – Canadaboycotted the 1980 MoscowOlympics because the SovietUnion invaded Afghanistan.
Luckily he was young enoughto continue with the team. Hetrained for the next four years,travelling to Europe and Californiaas a member of Canada’s OlympicMen’s Water Polo Team. His otherwater polo accomplishmentsinclude bronze medals at the 1979and 1983 Pan Am games.
The early ’80s were busy timesfor Meyer. He married in 1982, cel-ebrated the birth of a daughter in1983 and went to the SummerOlympics in California in 1984,where the team took 10th place. Ayear later he got his real estatelicense.
He started with CanadaPermanent, which was bought outby Canada Trust shortly after. Hesold real estate for five years, got hisbroker’s licence and managed aCanada Trust Realty office from1990-1993.
The next move in his CanadaTrust career would have meant amove to Toronto, so Meyer choseanother path. Friend Jeff Hooperhad heard about a new real estatecompany in the U.S., Keller
Veteran broker plays varsity water polo at 56Creating a successful real estate team has allowed Bill Meyer to go back to school at the age of 56 – andjoin the varsity water polo team.By Connie Adair
“Part of thebeauty of having
a team is thatI’m not working60 to 70 hours a
week selling,”says Meyer.
Williams. In 2001, with Hooper asowner and Meyer as manager, thefirst Keller Williams Ottawa Realtyopened its doors.
He went back to selling realestate, partnering with SylvieBegin to create the No. 1 team forKeller Williams in Ottawa and atop 10 Keller Williams team in thecountry.
All the while, he kept one footin the water, coaching for morethan 22 years at Carlton
University. “For years I said, ‘Someday I’m going to go back to schoolfull time and be eligible to play var-sity water polo’. Last May was my55th birthday, my midlife. (I’mgoing to live until I’m 111.) This isthe year I’m going to school fulltime,” he says he promised himself.
“Part of the beauty of having ateam is that I’m not working 60 to70 hours a week selling.” That said,“It was the busiest fall of my life,”he says. In addition to overseeinghis real estate team, he juggled twoonline courses, went to the univer-sity for a couple more and attendedsix water polo practices a week.“I’m full time in real estate sales, afull-time student and a full-timewater polo player.”
Throughout his real estatecareer, he has been involved withwater polo and has worked to stayin good physical condition. He sayshe can hold his own on the team.
At first, some team membersmay have wondered, who is the“weird old guy who can out-swimthem? I can compete at this level,”Meyer says. “It’s even strangerwhen I turn up at other universi-ties. They’re surprised I can beatthem down the pool. I’m not atoken old guy.”
Meyer has the support of thosearound him, including his realestate team. He is in the office at8:30 or 9 am and works night-timeshowings around his water polopractices.
Real estate sales offer freedom,flexibility and for some, untoldwealth, Meyer says. “It offersopportunity. It’s harder to be a sin-gle agent who does the average 10deals, so build a bigger business toget that flexibility.” He recom-mends fellow agents have a plan tomeet their goals.
Meyer’s daughter, Kayla, is fol-lowing in her father’s footsteps.She started her real estate careerthis month. She gave up a goodpaying government job for thefreedom and flexibility, he says.
REMBill Meyer
Meyer competing in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
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10 REM FEBRUARY 2015
These houses are no ordinary dwellings By Diane Slawych
The world is full of quirky homes, something the
average traveler eventually discovers. Some houses are perched on towering rocks in the middle of rivers, others border the sides of steep cliffs, while some are so tiny that you’re forced to hunch over when you go inside. Too strange or impossible to live in, a few eventually become tourist attractions. Here’s a sample:
Quay House, Wales: You think your living space is cramped? Spare a thought for the former inhabitants of Quay House in Conwy, Wales. The entire home is about the size of most people’s bathrooms, with a floor space measuring just three metres by 1.8 metres and a total height of three metres!
No surprise then, that it’s listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest house in Great Britain. The tiny abode had been occupied for a few hundred years until 1900, when the local council declared it unfit for human habitation. The last owner was a fisherman named Robert Jones, who would have found it a particularly tight squeeze considering his height – 6 ft. 3 in.
The house, which is painted red on the outside, is now a tourist attraction. There are just two rooms – the main floor, which has a tiny living room
with some historical pictures, and the bedroom on the second floor with a bed and cabinet. It’s not possible to enter the upper floor due to structural instability and the small size, though it can easily be viewed from a step ladder. Cooking and washing areas would have been located outside. A lady in traditional Welsh clothing usually stands outside Conwy House, which has an impressive (and much larger) neighbour – Conwy Castle, the 13th-century fortress, which is one of the great castles of Wales and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hanging Houses, Spain: They call them las Casas Colgadas, or the Hanging Houses. The unusual dwellings, which date to medieval times, are in the historic Spanish town of Cuenca, east of Madrid. Built above a spectacular steep cliff wall overlooking the Huécar River, the balconies of these narrow three- and four-storey homes literally hang over the bluffs. By the early 1900s the homes were abandoned and lay in ruins, though they’ve since been restored with many original features preserved including a late Gothic arch, part of a staircase and a coffered ceiling in the Mudéjar style.
The houses are best appreciated from the outside during the day or at night when they’re illuminated. In the 1960s
a pair of the hanging houses were converted to the Museo de Arte Abstracto Espanol, making it possible to see the structures from the inside, along with a permanent collection of 129 abstract paintings and sculptures by Spanish artists.
The Little White House, Canada: What makes the Little White House in Saguenay, Que. so extraordinary isn’t its age or appearance but its precarious-looking position and the fact that it’s still standing. In July 1996, one of the worst flash floods in recent Canadian history hit the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region after 280 mm (11 inches) of rain fell in the span of a few hours, the equivalent to the amount of rain usually received in a month. Thousands of residents were evacuated, 56 buildings were destroyed and many homes were swept away. But not the Little White House.
It remained unharmed as the raging waters of the Chicoutimi River flowed around it. The house was spared in part because it was built on solid rock and also because its earlier owners took precautions after a previous flood and raised the dwelling on higher concrete foundations.
Now, the century-old home has become a symbol of resilience and is a local tourist attraction. La Petite Maison Blanche, as it’s known in French, has been
preserved as an historical park and museum that commemorates the flood. The exhibition is on three floors and includes a film, games for young people, souvenirs and a unique collection of photographs. Unlike most attractions, this one comes with a guarantee. If you’re not completely satisfied with your visit, your money will be refunded, no questions asked!
Castle Ward, Ireland: Bernard Ward, 1st Viscount Bangor and his wife Lady Anne could never agree on anything, including the kind of house they wanted. So rather than argue, they did the only sensible thing a couple with money could do. They built a home to satisfy both their desires.
Castle Ward in County Down, Northern Ireland, is an 18th-century mansion built in two contrasting architectural
styles. The front, built of Bath Stone and overlooking Strangford Lough, was designed in Georgian style, the Viscount’s favourite, while the rear of the house is Gothic, Lady Anne’s preference. The interior is also a mix of styles including the Gothic library (complete with a secret panel), a Neo-Classical mansion hall with Italian colonnades, an extravagant fan vaulted ceiling in the boudoir, as well as Rococo stucco and pedimented doorways. Describe by some as one of the oddest homes in Europe, Castle Ward became a National Trust property in 1952 and is open to the public year-round. Located three km from the village of Strangford, the mansion is situated on 280 hectares of formal gardens and woodlands. REM
Hanging Houses, Spain
Castle Ward, Ireland
Quay House, Wales The Little White House, Canada (Photo: Yves Ouellet, Tourisme Saguenay)
“We chose Engel & Völkers for its global reach, high degree of competence and the professionalism that’s clear throughout the entire organization.”
James LeBlanc, Shelby Donald & Scott Piercy, Engel & Völkers Vancouver Island
Real estate market leaders, Scott Piercy, Shelby Donald and James LeBlanc have built a reputation for being the experts in marketing and brokering British Columbia luxury and waterfront properties. With more than 20 years of international marketing and sales experience ranging from British Columbia to Costa Rica, Mexico and Europe, they sought a brand that had the global connections, technology platforms and world-class marketing and advertising tools to enhance their ability to serve their clients. They found Engel & Volkers. Engel & Volkers Vancouver Island now belongs to a truly connected network of more than 5,000 expert real estate advisors in 39 countries across six continents.
©2015 Engel & Volkers. All rights reserved. This advertisement is not an offering of a franchise, and where required by law, an offering can only be made 14 days after delivery of the applicable franchise disclosure document.
Only the best in the business join our brand.
Engel & Völkers Canada2 Bloor Street West · Suite 700 · Toronto · Ontario M4W 3R1 · Canada · Phone +1-416-323-1100
[email protected] · evfranchise.com
Adapting to thrive in a changing marketTom Bosley’s daughter Christan told her father that she had sold her first house in less than two days by using Facebook. The senior Bosley said, “That’s great! What’s Facebook?” It was a watershed moment for the now technologically astute veteran real estate executive. By Dennis McCloskey
12 REM FEBRUARY 2015
Recently the president and CEO of McDonald’s
Restaurants, Don Thompson, admitted his company continues to struggle in the fast food market, saying the corporation hasn’t kept up with the times and that changes are in store for its U.S. restaurants. A week later, social media giant Twitter was a cause for concern for investors, with one analyst, Nate Elliott of Forrester Research Inc. saying, “Twitter simply hasn’t changed much over the past nine months.”
The need for change and innovation wasn’t just on the minds of the behemoths of business in 2014. Earlier in the year, Tom Bosley, president and broker of record, Bosley Real Estate, realized the time was ripe to re-energize his business and refine or change what they’ve done in the past in order to be better and stay ahead of the competition. The third-generation owner of W.H. Bosley & Co. in Toronto, which was founded in 1928, believes in the adage that if you’re not changing or innovating or trying new things, you risk falling behind or even dying.
Bosley, who has been in the real estate business 46 years (and was among a group of industry movers and shakers named by REM as having the biggest impact on Canadian real estate in the last 25 years) gathered his management team together to form a strategic plan that would create a new Bosley Real Estate. They met at regular intervals over four months in the company’s training centre on Toronto’s Merton Street – often working weekends – to analyze what was working and what wasn’t.
“Everything changes but change takes time and there can
be some resistance to change. But everyone here agreed it had to happen,” he says. “I fully understand that without salespeople there is no me, and the ability to listen is key.” In a March 1998 interview with REM, Bosley said, “My door and mind are always open to new ideas.”
He and his wife, Ann, who started her real estate career in 1986 and serves as the company’s vice-president, have always made sure they could trust and respect the people around them. Some of those key people were chosen to help “shake up the company.”
Among those team members is Mark McLean, broker/manager.
“There were some clouds on the horizon in the industry so it was the right time to reinvent the company in order for it to thrive and survive for another 85 years,” says McLean, who is also president-elect of Toronto Real Estate Board. Among the issues deemed to be casting a shadow was an ever-growing membership, Competition Bureau issues and changing technologies that could be eroding the traditional, full-service brokerage model.
McLean admits it was an exhausting several months of strategic discussions where the team looked at every aspect of the company’s business model – from commission structures to brand management, technology, marketing and advertising. “The result was a tighter organization,” he says, adding that “everything was torn apart and put back together again.”
When Tom Bosley says “the new becomes the norm and the new normal is very different for the generations who are following us” he is referring to
younger professionals joining the industry, as well as a digital world that is having a deep impact on emerging consumers. “When I bought this company in 1985, we had a staff of 60 and the average age was 60,” he says. “In the 1970s and ʼ80s, real estate was a second career for most.” Today, Bosley Real Estate has 230 agents in five offices, including Niagara-on-the-Lake, and more young people are coming out of university and entering the business as a first career choice.
Seven years ago, Bosley’s daughter Christan (who is currently continuing the family business as a broker and sitting on some industry committees) told her father that she had sold her first house in less than two days by using Facebook. The senior Bosley said, “That’s great! What’s Facebook?” It was a watershed moment for the now technologically astute veteran real estate executive, who admits his company had little social media presence even five years ago. “Now we are solid across all platforms.”
To emphasize that point, McLean points to a new full-fledged website that was designed to help agents, especially younger ones, who made it clear they wanted the latest and greatest technology and tools to help them succeed. “The website and app is fully mobile, includes social search and incorporates a lot of our salespeople’s own data and research,” McLean says. “It also includes videos, testimonials and Bluetooth technology. As well, the web designers adapted cloud-based, fully integrated record keeping, data and deal management software allowing agents to process their deals faster and have better access to file history.”
One of the many recent innovations that Tom Bosley is proud of is the formation of Master Mind Sessions where every agent in the company is encouraged to come to the Merton Street head office any Wednesday morning for an hour to discuss anything of importance to them. “Issues are resolved and the ways and means of how we are doing business are discussed in an interactive manner,” says Bosley. “We want our salespeople to know they are not providers of information, they are interpreters of information.”
Bosley, who made changes in his management team following the months-long, internal introspective analysis of his company, says he and his managers and agents are not content with the status quo and he stresses the importance of “constantly improving our service, moving forward and looking at new technologies and
new methods of operating.” He adds that it is an amazing time to be in the real estate business but technological advances are merely a tool. He emphasizes that “it is our hard work, ethical behaviour and understanding of market conditions that will remain the deciding factor of our success.”
He reiterates that the “new” Bosley, while shaped by its past, has changed and is looking to the future. The company will improve on what it offers and grow, but it’s not about the number of salespeople or offices that will determine its future success, he says. “We don’t have a product to sell, just a service.”
It’s clear that this forward-looking owner has no interest in becoming the McDonalds of real estate companies. He likes to joke that Bosley Real Estate “always had the sizzle but now we have the steak.” REM
Bosley’s strategic plan was formed by, from front, Tom Bosley, president and broker of record; Michelle Dunkel, chief financial officer; Mark McLean, broker/manager; and Brian Torry, general manager. (Photo by Marko Shark)
14 REM FEBRUARY 2015
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Okanagan MainlineReal Estate Board
Recognized for their commu-nity service and leadership, DarrylReuter of Royal LePage Kelownaand Don Miller of Century 21Executives Realty in Vernon arethe 2014 recipients of theRealtors Care Awards for theCentral and North OkanaganZones of the Okanagan MainlineReal Estate Board (OMREB).
A recent finalist for the Cityof Kelowna’s Fred MacklinMemorial Award for Man of theYear, Reuter supports fundraisingevents for individual benefits,community initiatives andnational causes but is also knownfor random acts of kindness to puta smile on someone’s face, says theboard.
The board says Miller is a life-long volunteer who is alwaysready to lend a helping hand, ortaking time to make someonehappy with a card, gift, smile ormagic trick.
Three other nominees werealso recognized for their outstand-ing community involvement andcontributions to their CentralOkanagan communities: JaneHoffman of Coldwell BankerHorizon Realty, Kelowna, BrentPay of Century 21 AssuranceRealty in Kelowna and JerryRedman of Re/Max Kelowna.
WOM Most InspiringWoman
Michelle Sharpe has beennamed Most Inspiring Woman of2014 by WOMportunity, a groupof women who work in the realestate and business community invarious professional roles.WOMportunity (originallyREAL) was founded in 2010 byVirginia Munden as a forum forprofessional women to connectand engage in business discussionsto improve their roles in realestate, and to become involved inphilanthropy initiatives.
Sharpe, VP sales and market-ing at Obeo Toronto/Ottawa, “hasbeen a big supporter of all thethings we do not only at WOM,but a true supporter in many realestate events across Canada,” saysMunden. “She is always giving ofher time, her company and herpassions. She relentlessly finds away to make herself or team mem-bers available to support our phil-anthropy, education and network-ing events.” REM
Michelle Sharp, left, and VirginiaMunden
Darryl Reuter
Don Miller
16 REM FEBRUARY 2015
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s you are aware (orshould be) as a profes-sional real estate bro-
ker/salesperson, there are pro-fessional duties that must behonoured at all times. Theseobligations are not just words orhearsay and can be illustratedby events now taking place inthe United States.
It is reported that theDepartment of Justice is investi-gating the legal department ofGeneral Motors Company. Theissue is whether the in-houselawyers concealed evidence fromsafety regulators about defective
A
Duties of any professional LEGAL ISSUES
By Donald H. Lapowich
ignition switches. You may knowthat these switches have alleged-ly been linked to at least 13deaths and some 50 crashes.
The fact that these lawyersare in-house does not exoneratethem from their professionalduty and obligations “to do noharm to the public”. Thisexample is a continuing expan-sion on the legal obligations (infact all professional obligations)to act honourably and “causeno harm”.
■ ■ ■
Duty to mitigate: When thecourt valuates damages, it alsoapplies a duty to take all reason-able steps (by the person claim-ing damages) to mitigate.
In this case the plaintiff pur-chased the property from thevendor and had a home inspec-tion done. The home inspectoradvised that the basementshould be monitored for leaks.
The purchasers took posses-sion and noticed a musty odourand dampness in the basement.The purchaser did not investi-gate behind the drywall in thebasement, did not make furtherinquiries of the vendor, did notcarry on further investigationsand did not negotiate a warran-ty or price reduction. One yearlater the basement flooded.
The Ontario Superior Courtheld that there was an actualmisrepresentation by the vendorin the Agreement of Purchaseand Sale. The listing stated thatthe property had been “gutted tothe bare bones”. This had notbeen done so there was a latentdefect. However, the damagesawarded against the vendor werecut in half because the purchaserdisregarded the inspection reportand thereby contributed to theirown loss. (Mauro v Al-Saffar,2014 CanLII 14994)
■ ■ ■
Pre-trial procedures stick:The plaintiff was the purchaserof an apartment building. Thedefendant was the vendor. Aspart of the closing, the purchas-er had a take-back mortgage of$600,000 from the vendor.
Subsequently the purchasersued the vendor for damages ofabout $200,000 for breach ofcontract (the sale), latentdefects and negligent misrepre-sentation. In doing this the pur-chaser hoped to set-off its dam-ages against the amount that hegave to the vendor as a take-back mortgage. The problemwas that at this stage, the TrialRecord had been passed whenthe purchaser brought a motion“for leave” stopping the vendorfrom enforcing the take-backmortgage pending the trial.
The Ontario Superior Courtdismissed the purchaser’smotion and did not give itleave. When you file a Trial
Record, you are certifying thatthe action is ready for trial andthe court must give you leave ifyou wish to initiate a motion.Since the vendor take-backmortgage had become due andthe request for leave was simplyto obtain a possible set-off indamages in advance of trial andbefore judgment, the courtrefused the trial process.(2247267 Ontario Inc. v.2038697 Ontario Limited, 2014ONSC 2717)
Full decisions are available atwww.canlii.org.
Donald Lapowich, Q.C. is apartner at the law firm of Koskie,Minsky in Toronto, where he prac-tices civil litigation, with a particu-lar emphasis on real estate litigationand mediation, acting for builders,real estate agents and lawyers.
REM
Rolf Hitzer Michael Froese Georgiana Woods Carole O’brien Neil Bosdet Jane Gardner Lindsay Reid Jeffrey Nethercott Tom Lebour Marvyn Baker Eric Klimstra Gareth R. Jones Wilf Wallace Andrew Weir Sukhbir Taank Shalini Bahadur Behnaz Daghigh Kim Alvarez Steven Lewis Luce Fecteau Michelle Norlock Mikaila Aja Almond Michael Stahls Tehreem Kamal Marzia Pizzoferrato Tim Ayres Jennifer Aunger-Ritchie Doug Hubscher Darcy Griffiths Patricia Verge Linda Murphy Jeffery Aguiar Brad Johnstone Jason A. Stephen Patricia Verge Marie Taverna Kim Taverna Michael Appleton Cathy Polan Lynda Moreland Bill Ethier Sharon Jensen Corinne Lyall Joanna Barstad Heidi Noel Lynn Hoffmann Ted Zaharko Brigitte Beaudry Linda Mccallum Kent Browne John Snowling Rick Preston Claude Davis Glenn Larkin Susan Lougheed Rob Dubien Mike Brown Deborah Burgoyne Wendy Webb John Oddi Joann Jusdanis Georges E. Gaucher Debbie Vernon Sylvie Deshaies Kerry Enns Susi During Barry Benson David J. Black John Rogan Kim Letto Steve Dickie John Hripko Bernadine Bowen Drew Betts Kim King Robert B. Brière Ahmed Helmi Warren Neufeld William Cattle Joanne Tibbles David Reimers Christopher Miller Gary Zalepa Jr. Marc Haslam Shirley Porter Matt Honsberger Colby Bayne Diane Ménard Ginger Anne Mcquestion Mac Crossman Patricia Sweeting Carly Corinthos Fawzi Matta Zsuzanna Porter Wayne Woodman Clara Siboni Glenda Brindle Mike Carson Barb Sukkau Brad Kopp Julio Florez Bob Jablonski Dan Wachniak Tom Lebour Dianne Usher Linda McCallum John Oddi Randall Hobbs Kimberly French Donna Peet Gary Morse Paul Doucet Wayne Ellis Rolf Hitzer Michael Froese Georgiana Woods Carole O’brien Neil Bosdet Jane Gardner Lindsay Reid Jeffrey Nethercott Tom Lebour Marvyn Baker Eric Klimstra Gareth R. Jones Ahmed Helmi Wilf Wallace Andrew Weir Sukhbir Taank Shalini Bahadur Behnaz Daghigh Kim Alvarez Steven Lewis Luce Fecteau Michelle Norlock Mikaila Aja Almond Michael Stahls Tehreem Kamal Marzia Pizzoferrato Tim Ayres Jennifer Aunger-Ritchie Doug Hubscher Darcy Griffiths Linda Murphy Jeffery Aguiar Brad Johnstone Jason A. Stephen Patricia Verge Marie Taverna Kim Taverna Michael Appleton Cathy Polan Lynda Moreland Bill Ethier Sharon Jensen Corinne Lyall Joanna Barstad Heidi Noel Lynn Hoffmann Ted Zaharko Brigitte Beaudry Linda Mccallum Kent Browne John Snowling Rick Preston Claude Davis Glenn Larkin Susan Lougheed Rob Dubien Mike Brown Deborah Burgoyne Wendy Webb John Oddi Joann Jusdanis Georges E. Gaucher Debbie Vernon Sylvie Deshaies Kerry Enns Susi During Barry Benson David J. Black John Rogan Kim Letto Steve Dickie John Hripko Bernadine Bowen Drew Betts Kim King Robert B. Brière Ahmed Helmi Warren Neufeld William Cattle Joanne Tibbles David Reimers Christopher Miller Gary Zalepa Jr. Marc Haslam Shirley Porter Matt Honsberger Colby Bayne Diane Ménard Ginger Anne Mcquestion Mac Crossman Patricia Sweeting Carly Corinthos Fawzi Matta Zsuzanna Porter Wayne Woodman Clara Siboni Glenda Brindle Mike Carson Barb Sukkau Brad Kopp Julio Florez Bob Jablonski Dan Wachniak Tom Lebour Dianne Usher Linda McCallum John Oddi Randall Hobbs Kimberly French Donna Peet Gary Morse Paul Doucet Wayne Ellis Rolf Hitzer Michael Froese Georgiana Woods Carole O’brien Neil Bosdet Jane Gardner Lindsay Reid Jeffrey Nethercott Tom Lebour Marvyn Baker Eric Klimstra Gareth R. Jones Wilf Wallace Andrew Weir Sukhbir Taank Shalini Bahadur Behnaz Daghigh Kim Alvarez Steven Lewis Luce Fecteau Michelle Norlock Mikaila Aja Almond Michael Stahls Tehreem Kamal Marzia Pizzoferrato Tim Ayres Jennifer Aunger-Ritchie Doug Hubscher Darcy Griffiths Linda Murphy Jeffery Aguiar Brad Johnstone Jason A. Stephen Patricia Verge Marie Taverna Kim Taverna Michael Appleton Cathy Polan Lynda Moreland Bill Ethier Sharon Jensen Corinne Lyall Joanna Barstad Heidi Noel Lynn Hoffmann Ted Zaharko Brigitte Beaudry Linda Mccallum Kent Browne John Snowling Rick Preston Claude Davis Glenn Larkin Susan Lougheed Rob Dubien Mike Brown Deborah Burgoyne Wendy Webb John Oddi Joann Jusdanis Georges E. Gaucher Debbie Vernon Sylvie Deshaies Kerry Enns Susi During Barry Benson David J. Black John Rogan Kim Letto Steve Dickie John Hripko Bernadine Bowen Drew Betts Kim King Robert B. Brière Ahmed Helmi Warren Neufeld William Cattle Joanne Tibbles David Reimers Christopher Miller Gary Zalepa Jr. Marc Haslam Shirley Porter Matt Honsberger Colby Bayne Diane Ménard Ginger Anne Mcquestion Mac Crossman Patricia Sweeting Carly Corinthos Fawzi Matta Zsuzanna Porter Wayne Woodman Clara Siboni Glenda Brindle Mike Carson Barb Sukkau Brad Kopp Julio Florez Bob Jablonski Dan Wachniak Tom Lebour Dianne Usher Linda McCallum John Oddi Randall Hobbs Kimberly French Donna Peet Gary Morse Paul Doucet Wayne Ellis
THE VOICE
OFCANADIAN REAL ESTATE
*Brokerage, as in Ontario. This is not intended as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, including a solicitation of any sales representatives or broker that is currently under contract. All offices are independently owned and operated, except those marked as “Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage”, “Royal LePage West Real Estate Services” and “Royal LePage Sussex. Any copying, reproduction, distribution or other use of these materials is prohibited. ©2015 Brookfield Real Estate Services Manager Limited. All rights reserved.
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85. Clinton MillerRoyal LePage
Parksville-QualicumBeach RealtyParksville, BC
(888) 224-5838
86. Jim ChristieRoyal LePage Regina
RealtyRegina, SK
(306) 359-1900
87. EricVanGrootheestRoyal LePage RCR Realty†
Fergus, ON(519) 843-5400
88. KateVanderburgh*Oakville, ON
(800) 514-4094
89. Suzan Trottier*Royal LePage
AtlanticMoncton, NB
(888) 444-7572
90. Richard LeBlancRoyal LePage
Gateway RealtyLeduc, AB
(780) 986-8407
91. Frank DeLucaToronto, ON
(416) 487-4311
92. David Weir*Royal LePage
ProAlliance Realty†
Trenton, ON(800) 263-2177
93. Robert NimmoToronto, ON
(888) 336-1871
94. Margorie Grime*Royal LePage RCR Realty†
Orangeville, ON(905) 450-3355
95. David JarvisRoyal LePage
Musgrave AgenciesLloydminster, ON(780) 875-9159
96. Mourad HannaRoyal LePage Realty Plus
Mississauga, ON(877) 828-6550
97. Wilma FournierOakville, ON
(800) 514-4094
112. Joseph BuggieRoyal LePageBenchmarkCalgary, AB
(800) 387-4011
113. Luc JodoinRoyal LePage
Méritas du SuroitSalaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC
(450) 377-6636
114. Jackie JiangMississauga, ON(888) 828-0422
115. Sue AlexanderRoyal LePage Casey
RealtyPeace River, AB(780) 624-1427
116. Jean DunnRoyal LePage By The SeaSidney, BC
(800) 326-8856
117. Norm FisherRoyal LePage Vidorra
Saskatoon, SK(888) 978-6676
118. JasonWheeldon
Royal LePage EastKootenay RealtyCranbrook, BC
(866) 426-8211
118. Mary ZhangRoyal LePage Golden
Ridge RealtyMarkham, ON
(905) 513-8878
119. DannyGerbrandt
Royal LePageBrookside RealtyMaple Ridge, BC(888) 467-5131
120. Amy AssaadRoyal LePage
Heritage Real EstateAgency
Westmount, QC(514) 934-1818
121. RomanGrocholsky
Royal LePageNiagara R.E. Centre†
Welland, ON(866) 771-7764
122. Ken RigelRoyal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
123. Angelo SolRoyal LePage
Terrequity Realty†
Toronto, ON(416) 495-3145
124. Daiva DalindaToronto, ON
(888) 336-1871
42. Chris PennycookRoyal LePageDynamic R.E.Winnipeg, MB
(877) 800-5066
43. ChristineSimpson*
Toronto, ON(888) 336-1871
44. Brent Roberts*Royal LePage Brent
Roberts RealtySurrey, BC
(888) 649-4299
45. Bill SchiavoneOakville, ON
(905) 338-6550
46. David DunnRoyal LePage
AtlanticHalifax, NS
(902) 453-1700
47. Rachelle StarnesRoyal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
48. Art DiversRoyal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Unionville, ON(905) 940-4180
49. Cliff StevensonRoyal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
50. Rob OhsRoyal LePage
Parksville QualicumBeach Realty
Qualicum Beach, BC(800) 224-5906
51. Chris SeredaRoyal LePage
Network Realty Corp.Red Deer, AB
(403) 346-8900
52. Jennifer StewartRoyal LePage
Performance Realty†
Ottawa, ON(877) 757-7386
53. Michael BrierleyRoyal LePageBurloak R.E.
ServicesBurlington, ON
(800) 290-0163
54. James RoyRoyal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
55. Mary LouMcCormick
Royal LePageFoothills
Calgary, AB(888) 384-4557
14. MichaelO’Sullivan*
Royal LePageBurloak R.E.Services†
Burlington, ON(800) 290-0163
15. Tom O’HaraRoyal LePage True
North RealtyFort McMurray, AB(877) 791-7707
16. Elli Davis*Toronto, ON
(800) 622-9536
17. Shaheen ZarehRoyal LePage Regina
RealtyRegina, SK
(877) 359-1900
18. Patrick Morris*Royal LePage
Performance Realty†
Ottawa, ON(877) 757-7386
19. ChristineLefrançois
Royal LePageTendance R.E. Agency
Mont-Royal, QC(514) 735-2281
20. Susan ForrestRoyal LePage
Parksville-QualicumBeach RealtyParksville, BC
(800) 224-5838
21. Karen Millar*Royal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
22. TheodoreBabiak*
Toronto, ON(888) 822-2425
23. Marie-YvonnePaint*
Royal LePageHeritage R.E. Agency
Westmount, QC(514) 934-1818
24. Kevin DurlingRoyal LePage
Network Realty Corp.Red Deer, AB
(403) 346-8900
25. Jean-FrançoisBérubé
Royal LePageEvolution R.E.
AgencySherbrooke, QC(888) 820-8363
26. E. Martin MazzaRoyal LePage State Realty†
Stoney Creek, ON(877) 574-7441
27. Eugen KleinRoyal LePage City Centre
Vancouver, BC(604) 408-9311
70. Steve ThompsonRoyal LePage
Locations West Realty
Penticton, BC(800) 734-0457
71. Gail BibeauRoyal LePage True
North RealtyFort McMurray, AB(780) 743-1137
72. JoAnne GludishToronto, ON
(888) 336-1871
73. Robert Marland*Royal LePage
Performance RealtyOttawa, ON
(877) 757-7386
74. John Gerber*Royal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
75. Kim MacKayRoyal LePage Home
ProsFort St. John, BC(800) 215-6933
76. Jonathan DoucetRoyal LePage Vallées
de L’Outaouais R.E. AgencyGatineau, QC
(819) 561-0223
77. Mike Scrannage*Royal LePage
ProAlliance Realty†
Kingston, ON(800) 247-6311
78. Don McKay*Royal LePage
Noralta Real EstateSherwood Park, AB
(780) 467-7334
79. Silvana BezinaRoyal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Georgetown, ON(866) 865-8262
80. Rob KellyRoyal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Mississauga, ON(866) 821-3200
81. Nutan BrownRoyal LePage West
Realty Group†
Toronto, ON(800) 515-9783
82. Jacinthe Dubé*Royal LePageJacinthe Dubé
R.E. AgencySherbrooke, QC(819) 564-5000
83. Glen MacAngus*Royal LePage Top Producers
Real EstateWinnipeg, MB
(866) 989-6900
98. Marc BonenfantRoyal LePage
Inter-Québec RealEstate AgencyQuebec (Sainte-Foy-Sillery) QC
(418) 653-0488
99. Peter PobojewskiRoyal LePage
Signature Realty†
Mississauga, ON(866) 754-2121
100. Tod NiblockRoyal LePage Top Producers
Real EstateWinnipeg, MB
(866) 989-6900
101. BéatriceBaudinet
Royal LePageHeritage
R.E. AgencyWestmount, QC(514) 934-1818
102. Jeff HamRoyal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Mississauga, ON(866) 821-3200
103. Steven FriendlyRoyal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
104. John McKenzieRoyal LePage
Sunshine CoastSechelt, BC
(800) 837-3870
105. Cheryl Bejcar*Royal LePage Coast
Capital RealtyVictoria, BC
(800) 263-4753
106. Joan M. Smith*Royal LePage Team Realty†
Kanata, ON(888) 757-7155
107. LorraineO’Quinn
Royal LePageProAlliance Realty†
Trenton, ON(800) 263-2177
108. Kerry MillicanRoyal LePage Team Realty†
Ottawa, ON(800) 307-1545
109. Julio FlorezRoyal LePage True
North RealtyFort McMurray, AB(780) 743-1137
110. SandySmallbone
Oakville, ON(888) 645-4267
111. ShawnZigelstein
Royal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Richmond Hill, ON(905) 731-2000
125. Martin ChagnonRoyal LePageTendance R.E.
AgencyOutremont, QC(514) 335-3351
126. Adele LongoRoyal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Richmond Hill, ON(905) 731-2000
127. ChristineHauschild
Royal LePage Team Realty†
Kanata, ON(888) 757-7155
128. Lesley KennedyOakville, ON
(888) 645-4267
129. MelissaCharlton
Royal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Milton, ON(800) 514-3316
130. Dave DomeijRoyal LePage
KelownaKelowna, BC
(800) 421-3214
131. Dario Mattei*Royal LePage Porritt
R.E.†
Toronto, ON(866) 753-7243
132. Brian LambRoyal LePage West
R.E. ServicesCoquitlam, BC
(604) 939-6666
133. Colleen KellyRoyal LePage
Community RealtyMedicine Hat, AB(877) 528-4222
134. Brad HawkerRoyal LePage Rocky
Mountain RealtyCanmore, AB
(877) 818-7557
135. Nim MoussaRoyal LePage Team Realty†
Nepean, ON(888) 780-7747
136. Stuart SankeyToronto, ON
(866) 335-1900
137. Krishan NathanRoyal LePage
ProAlliance Realty†
Kingston, ON(800) 247-6311
138. Kevin ThygesenRoyal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
1. Loretta Phinney*Mississauga, ON(877) 822-6900
ROYAL LEPAGE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN’S CLUB
royallepage.ca/joinus
2 14
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage: †, unless otherwise noted. All offices are independently owned and operated. Royal LePage is a registered trade-mark used under license. †Denotes Firms are Real Estate Brokerages. *Denotes Lifetime National Chairman's Club Members. This is not intended as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, including a solicitation of any sales representatives or broker that is currently under contract. All offices are independently owned and operated, except those marked as “Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage”, “Royal LePage West Real Estate Services” and “Royal LePage Sussex.” Any copying, reproduction, distribution orother use of these materials is prohibited. ©2015 Brookfield Real Estate Services Manager Limited. All rights reserved.
28. Barbara Beers*Royal LePageBurloak R.E.Services†
Burlington, ON(800) 290-0163
29. Amy FlowersRoyal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Milton, ON(800) 514-3316
30. Tracey Bosch*Royal LePage
Wolstencroft RealtyLangley, BC
(877) 611-5241
31. David BlackRoyal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Richmond Hill, ON(905) 731-2000
32. Sylvia SmithRoyal LePage
SolutionsCalgary, AB
(403) 252-5900
33. Andrea Morrison*Toronto, ON
(866) 335-1900
34. John Hripko*Royal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
35. Leo L. Ronse*Royal LePage
Wolstencroft RealtyLangley, BC
(877) 611-5241
36. Jackie PeiferOakville, ON
(905) 257-3633
37. John KingRoyal LePage Team Realty†
Ottawa, ON(613) 695-8181
38. Roger LeBlanc*Royal LePage
AtlanticMoncton, NB
(888) 444-7572
39. Mani BaggaRoyal LePageNoralta R.E.
Edmonton, AB(855) 431-5600
40. Fernande Sirois*Royal LePage Vallées
de L’Outaouais R.E. AgencyGatineau, QC
(819) 561-0223
41. Paul NuscaToronto, ON
(888) 336-1871
2. Mark FarisRoyal LePage First
Contact Realty†
Barrie, ON(877) 728-4067
3. Cathy RoccaRoyal LePageBurloak R.E.Services†
Burlington, ON(800) 290-0163
4. Daryl King*Royal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Richmond Hill, ON(905) 731-2000
5. Cailey HeapsEstrin*
Toronto, ON(416) 424-4900
6. Kirby Cox*Royal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
7. Sue MillsRoyal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
8. Simon GianniniRoyal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
9. Dan Cooper*Oakville, ON
(800) 514-4094
10. Kelly McKelvie*Royal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(800) 841-0672
11. Matthew ReganMississauga, ON(877) 822-6900
12. Rina DiRisio*Oakville, ON
(800) 514-4094
13. Kevin LappRoyal LePage
Network Realty Corp.Sylvan Lake, AB(403) 887-2286
56. Peter BrownOakville, ON
(800) 514-4094
57. Jonathan FerrierToronto, ON
(800) 622-9536
58. Anthony FataRoyal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Richmond Hill, ON(905) 731-2000
59. Ken MorrisRoyal LePage
IntegrityCochrane, AB
(403) 932-2101
60. Blair MackeyOakville, ON
(888) 645-4267
61. Mark Jontz*Royal LePage
KelownaKelowna, BC
(800) 421-3214
62. JaredChamberlainRoyal LePage
SolutionsCalgary, AB
(403) 252-5900
63. Phil AlbertRoyal LePage
AtlanticMoncton, NB
(888) 444-7572
64. Manon SénéchalRoyal LePage VilleMarie R.E. Agency
Montreal, QC(514) 481-0241
65. Leigh SugarRoyal LePage York
North Realty†
Newmarket, ON(866) 773-9595
66. Charles SezlikRoyal LePage Team Realty†
Ottawa, ON(613) 744-6697
67. Sheree CerquaRoyal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
68. Lorraine JordanRoyal LePage InTouch Realty†
Midland, ON(888) 480-2224
69. André DussaultRoyal LePage Inter-Québec R.E. Agency
Quebec (Sainte-Foy-Sillery) QC
(418) 653-0488
84. James Wright*Royal LePage Team Realty†
Manotick, ON(800) 490-8130
85. Clinton MillerRoyal LePage
Parksville-QualicumBeach RealtyParksville, BC
(888) 224-5838
86. Jim ChristieRoyal LePage Regina
RealtyRegina, SK
(306) 359-1900
87. EricVanGrootheestRoyal LePage RCR Realty†
Fergus, ON(519) 843-5400
88. KateVanderburgh*Oakville, ON
(800) 514-4094
89. Suzan Trottier*Royal LePage
AtlanticMoncton, NB
(888) 444-7572
90. Richard LeBlancRoyal LePage
Gateway RealtyLeduc, AB
(780) 986-8407
91. Frank DeLucaToronto, ON
(416) 487-4311
92. David Weir*Royal LePage
ProAlliance Realty†
Trenton, ON(800) 263-2177
93. Robert NimmoToronto, ON
(888) 336-1871
94. Margorie Grime*Royal LePage RCR Realty†
Orangeville, ON(905) 450-3355
95. David JarvisRoyal LePage
Musgrave AgenciesLloydminster, ON(780) 875-9159
96. Mourad HannaRoyal LePage Realty Plus
Mississauga, ON(877) 828-6550
97. Wilma FournierOakville, ON
(800) 514-4094
112. Joseph BuggieRoyal LePageBenchmarkCalgary, AB
(800) 387-4011
113. Luc JodoinRoyal LePage
Méritas du SuroitSalaberry-de-Valleyfield, QC
(450) 377-6636
114. Jackie JiangMississauga, ON(888) 828-0422
115. Sue AlexanderRoyal LePage Casey
RealtyPeace River, AB(780) 624-1427
116. Jean DunnRoyal LePage By The SeaSidney, BC
(800) 326-8856
117. Norm FisherRoyal LePage Vidorra
Saskatoon, SK(888) 978-6676
118. JasonWheeldon
Royal LePage EastKootenay RealtyCranbrook, BC
(866) 426-8211
118. Mary ZhangRoyal LePage Golden
Ridge RealtyMarkham, ON
(905) 513-8878
119. DannyGerbrandt
Royal LePageBrookside RealtyMaple Ridge, BC(888) 467-5131
120. Amy AssaadRoyal LePage
Heritage Real EstateAgency
Westmount, QC(514) 934-1818
121. RomanGrocholsky
Royal LePageNiagara R.E. Centre†
Welland, ON(866) 771-7764
122. Ken RigelRoyal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
123. Angelo SolRoyal LePage
Terrequity Realty†
Toronto, ON(416) 495-3145
124. Daiva DalindaToronto, ON
(888) 336-1871
42. Chris PennycookRoyal LePageDynamic R.E.Winnipeg, MB
(877) 800-5066
43. ChristineSimpson*
Toronto, ON(888) 336-1871
44. Brent Roberts*Royal LePage Brent
Roberts RealtySurrey, BC
(888) 649-4299
45. Bill SchiavoneOakville, ON
(905) 338-6550
46. David DunnRoyal LePage
AtlanticHalifax, NS
(902) 453-1700
47. Rachelle StarnesRoyal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
48. Art DiversRoyal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Unionville, ON(905) 940-4180
49. Cliff StevensonRoyal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
50. Rob OhsRoyal LePage
Parksville QualicumBeach Realty
Qualicum Beach, BC(800) 224-5906
51. Chris SeredaRoyal LePage
Network Realty Corp.Red Deer, AB
(403) 346-8900
52. Jennifer StewartRoyal LePage
Performance Realty†
Ottawa, ON(877) 757-7386
53. Michael BrierleyRoyal LePageBurloak R.E.
ServicesBurlington, ON
(800) 290-0163
54. James RoyRoyal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
55. Mary LouMcCormick
Royal LePageFoothills
Calgary, AB(888) 384-4557
14. MichaelO’Sullivan*
Royal LePageBurloak R.E.Services†
Burlington, ON(800) 290-0163
15. Tom O’HaraRoyal LePage True
North RealtyFort McMurray, AB(877) 791-7707
16. Elli Davis*Toronto, ON
(800) 622-9536
17. Shaheen ZarehRoyal LePage Regina
RealtyRegina, SK
(877) 359-1900
18. Patrick Morris*Royal LePage
Performance Realty†
Ottawa, ON(877) 757-7386
19. ChristineLefrançois
Royal LePageTendance R.E. Agency
Mont-Royal, QC(514) 735-2281
20. Susan ForrestRoyal LePage
Parksville-QualicumBeach RealtyParksville, BC
(800) 224-5838
21. Karen Millar*Royal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
22. TheodoreBabiak*
Toronto, ON(888) 822-2425
23. Marie-YvonnePaint*
Royal LePageHeritage R.E. Agency
Westmount, QC(514) 934-1818
24. Kevin DurlingRoyal LePage
Network Realty Corp.Red Deer, AB
(403) 346-8900
25. Jean-FrançoisBérubé
Royal LePageEvolution R.E.
AgencySherbrooke, QC(888) 820-8363
26. E. Martin MazzaRoyal LePage State Realty†
Stoney Creek, ON(877) 574-7441
27. Eugen KleinRoyal LePage City Centre
Vancouver, BC(604) 408-9311
70. Steve ThompsonRoyal LePage
Locations West Realty
Penticton, BC(800) 734-0457
71. Gail BibeauRoyal LePage True
North RealtyFort McMurray, AB(780) 743-1137
72. JoAnne GludishToronto, ON
(888) 336-1871
73. Robert Marland*Royal LePage
Performance RealtyOttawa, ON
(877) 757-7386
74. John Gerber*Royal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
75. Kim MacKayRoyal LePage Home
ProsFort St. John, BC(800) 215-6933
76. Jonathan DoucetRoyal LePage Vallées
de L’Outaouais R.E. AgencyGatineau, QC
(819) 561-0223
77. Mike Scrannage*Royal LePage
ProAlliance Realty†
Kingston, ON(800) 247-6311
78. Don McKay*Royal LePage
Noralta Real EstateSherwood Park, AB
(780) 467-7334
79. Silvana BezinaRoyal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Georgetown, ON(866) 865-8262
80. Rob KellyRoyal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Mississauga, ON(866) 821-3200
81. Nutan BrownRoyal LePage West
Realty Group†
Toronto, ON(800) 515-9783
82. Jacinthe Dubé*Royal LePageJacinthe Dubé
R.E. AgencySherbrooke, QC(819) 564-5000
83. Glen MacAngus*Royal LePage Top Producers
Real EstateWinnipeg, MB
(866) 989-6900
98. Marc BonenfantRoyal LePage
Inter-Québec RealEstate AgencyQuebec (Sainte-Foy-Sillery) QC
(418) 653-0488
99. Peter PobojewskiRoyal LePage
Signature Realty†
Mississauga, ON(866) 754-2121
100. Tod NiblockRoyal LePage Top Producers
Real EstateWinnipeg, MB
(866) 989-6900
101. BéatriceBaudinet
Royal LePageHeritage
R.E. AgencyWestmount, QC(514) 934-1818
102. Jeff HamRoyal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Mississauga, ON(866) 821-3200
103. Steven FriendlyRoyal LePage
Signature Realty†
Toronto, ON(888) 954-4100
104. John McKenzieRoyal LePage
Sunshine CoastSechelt, BC
(800) 837-3870
105. Cheryl Bejcar*Royal LePage Coast
Capital RealtyVictoria, BC
(800) 263-4753
106. Joan M. Smith*Royal LePage Team Realty†
Kanata, ON(888) 757-7155
107. LorraineO’Quinn
Royal LePageProAlliance Realty†
Trenton, ON(800) 263-2177
108. Kerry MillicanRoyal LePage Team Realty†
Ottawa, ON(800) 307-1545
109. Julio FlorezRoyal LePage True
North RealtyFort McMurray, AB(780) 743-1137
110. SandySmallbone
Oakville, ON(888) 645-4267
111. ShawnZigelstein
Royal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Richmond Hill, ON(905) 731-2000
125. Martin ChagnonRoyal LePageTendance R.E.
AgencyOutremont, QC(514) 335-3351
126. Adele LongoRoyal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Richmond Hill, ON(905) 731-2000
127. ChristineHauschild
Royal LePage Team Realty†
Kanata, ON(888) 757-7155
128. Lesley KennedyOakville, ON
(888) 645-4267
129. MelissaCharlton
Royal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Milton, ON(800) 514-3316
130. Dave DomeijRoyal LePage
KelownaKelowna, BC
(800) 421-3214
131. Dario Mattei*Royal LePage Porritt
R.E.†
Toronto, ON(866) 753-7243
132. Brian LambRoyal LePage West
R.E. ServicesCoquitlam, BC
(604) 939-6666
133. Colleen KellyRoyal LePage
Community RealtyMedicine Hat, AB(877) 528-4222
134. Brad HawkerRoyal LePage Rocky
Mountain RealtyCanmore, AB
(877) 818-7557
135. Nim MoussaRoyal LePage Team Realty†
Nepean, ON(888) 780-7747
136. Stuart SankeyToronto, ON
(866) 335-1900
137. Krishan NathanRoyal LePage
ProAlliance Realty†
Kingston, ON(800) 247-6311
138. Kevin ThygesenRoyal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
1. Loretta Phinney*Mississauga, ON(877) 822-6900
ROYAL LEPAGE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN’S CLUB
royallepage.ca/joinus
2 14
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage: †, unless otherwise noted. All offices are independently owned and operated. Royal LePage is a registered trade-mark used under license. †Denotes Firms are Real Estate Brokerages. *Denotes Lifetime National Chairman's Club Members. This is not intended as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, including a solicitation of any sales representatives or broker that is currently under contract. All offices are independently owned and operated, except those marked as “Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage”, “Royal LePage West Real Estate Services” and “Royal LePage Sussex.” Any copying, reproduction, distribution orother use of these materials is prohibited. ©2015 Brookfield Real Estate Services Manager Limited. All rights reserved.
royallepage.ca/joinus
Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage: †, unless otherwise noted. All offices are independently owned and operated. Royal LePage is a registered trade-mark used under license. †Denotes Firms are Real Estate Brokerages. *Denotes Lifetime National Chairman's Club Members. This is not intended as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, including a solicitation of any sales representatives or broker that is currently under contract. All offices are independently owned and operated, except those marked as “Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage”, “Royal LePage West Real Estate Services” and “Royal LePage Sussex.” Any copying,reproduction, distribution or other use of these materials is prohibited. ©2015 Brookfield Real Estate Services Manager Limited. All rights reserved.
Congratulations to the members of our 2014 National Chairman’s Club,
professionals who have reached the top 1% of our national network of REALTORS®.
Achievement is earned based on gross ‘closed and collected’ commissions.
These professionals have mastered the core values of Royal LePage, and are
ambassadors of the Royal LePage brand — Helping You is What We DoTM,
continually striving in pursuit of achieving excellence in customer service and sales.
With our sincere congratulations and best wishes for the coming year.
Phil Soper, President & CEO
153. Norm Cholak*Royal LePageNoralta R.E.
Edmonton, AB(855) 431-5600
154. Clayton OldfordRoyal LePage
Gale R.E.†
Winchester, ON(613) 774-4253
155. Andrea HanakRoyal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Richmond Hill, ON(905) 731-2000
156. Cindy RaskobRoyal LePage
Niagara R.E. Centre†
Fonthill, ON(888) 799-6400
157. Garry ParkesRoyal LePageDynamic R.E.Winnipeg, MB
(877) 800-5066
158. Jeff Greenberg*Royal LePage Team Realty†
Ottawa, ON(800) 307-1545
159. Yoki Nichol*Royal LePage
SolutionsCalgary, AB
(403) 252-5900
160. Glyn YuhasRoyal LePage
Community RealtyMedicine Hat, AB(877) 528-4222
161. Paula Mitchell*Royal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Georgetown, ON(866) 865-8262
162. Diana SneddonRoyal LePage Team Realty†
Ottawa, ON(800) 307-1545
Amir GhaffariDesignate
Royal LePageSussex
West Vancouver, BC(604) 925-2911
Tom HassanDesignate
Royal LePage Sussex- Tom Hassan
West Vancouver, BC(604) 925-2911
Matthew HillDesignate
Royal LePageMeadowtowne
Realty†
Georgetown, ON(866) 865-8262
John JenningsDesignate
Royal LePage Sussex- John Jennings
West Vancouver, BC(604) 925-2911
139. Susan TaylorMississauga, ON(888) 828-0422
140. Paula MinutiRoyal LePage YourCommunity RealtyRichmond Hill, ON(905) 731-2000
141. Susan FroeseMcHardy
Toronto, ON(800) 622-9536
142. George GrdicMississauga, ON(888) 828-0422
143. Katherine FochRoyal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Keswick, ON(905) 476-4337
144. Robert PorteousRoyal LePage RCR Realty†
Flesherton, ON(800) 370-2644
145. Libby BroadyRoyal LePage EliteReal Estate AgencyBeaconsfield, QC(514) 697-9181
146. Jay BurtonRoyal LePage
Frank R.E.†
Lakefield, ON(877) 652-1598
147. Scott DopkoRoyal LePage
Musgrave AgenciesLloydminster, AB(780) 875-9159
148. Todd Guergis*Royal LePage First
Contact Realty†
Barrie, ON(877) 728-4067
149. George NiblockOakville, ON
(888) 645-4267
150. Harbinder BrarRoyal LePage Flower
City Realty†
Brampton, ON(905) 230-3100
151. Michael BrejnikRoyal LePageBurloak R.E.
ServicesBurlington, ON
(800) 290-0163
152. Brian ElderToronto, ON
(800) 622-9536
Patrick O’DonnellDesignate
Royal LePage SussexWest Vancouver, BC
(604) 925-2911
Lance E. PhillipsDesignate
Royal LePage SussexNorth Vancouver, BC
(604) 984-9711
Jila RezaiDesignate
Royal LePage SussexWest Vancouver, BC
(604) 925-2911
Brock SmeatonDesignate
Royal LePageSussex
West Vancouver, BC(604) 925-2911
Jason SoprovichDesignate
Royal LePageSussex - Jason
SoprovichWest Vancouver, BC
(604) 925-2911
Mary T. Cardamone*Oakville, ON
(888) 645-4267
Maureen Chan*Royal LePage
WestsideVancouver, BC
(604) 261-9311
Gizella Davis*Royal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(403) 249-4322
Paul Delaney*Royal LePage YourCommunity Realty†
Toronto, ON(416) 213-9601
Yves de Niverville*Royal LePage
Performance RealtyOrleans, ON
(888) 830-8757
Jacques Doucet*Royal LePage Vallées
de L’Outaouais R.E. AgencyGatineau, QC
(819) 561-0223
Morley Forsyth*Toronto, ON
(800) 622-9536
Evelyn Froese*Royal LePage
WestsideVancouver, BC
(888) 661-9311
Serge Gabriel*Royal LePage VilleMarie R.E. Agency
Montreal, QC(514) 481-0241
Ben Gauer*Royal LePage BenGauer & Associates
Surrey, BC(604) 581-3838
Suzanne HavardGrisé*
Royal LePagePrivilege SHG
Saint-Bruno, QC(450) 441-1576
Heather Heaps*Toronto, ON
(416) 424-4900
Robert Johnston*Royal LePage First
Contact Realty†
Barrie, ON(877) 728-4067
Mary Ann Keary*Royal LePage
ProAlliance Realty†
Brockville, ON(866) 345-3664
Doreen Kirkwood*Royal LePage
Champlain D.K. Inc.,R.E. Agency
Brossard, QC(450) 672-6450
Mary Montgomery*Royal LePage Realty Plus†
Mississauga, ON(877) 828-6550
Isaac Phillips*Royal LePage State Realty†
Hamilton, ON(877) 574-4601
Barbara Polson*Toronto, ON
(888) 336-1871
Michael Regan*Mississauga, ON(877) 822-6900
Paul Richardson*Royal LePage
ProAlliance Realty†
Belleville, ON(866) 418-8884
Karen P. Scott*Royal LePage Team Realty†
Ottawa, ON(613) 725-1171
Lauretta Stewart*Toronto, ON
(800) 622-9536
Raymond Tsim*Royal LePage
Champlain R.E. Agency
Brossard, QC(450) 672-6450
Heather Waddell*Royal LePage
FoothillsCalgary, AB
(888) 384-4557
Frances Wedlake*Oakville, ON
(888) 645-4267
REM FEBRUARY 2015 21
AS I SEE IT FROM MY DESK
By Stan Albert
t a family gathering overthe holidays, my youngestgrand kid said she’s going
to enrol in the OREA Real EstateCourse and she’s saving up for it. Iasked her, “Why real estate?”
The answer: “Because I canmake a lot of money!”
I asked if she will be full timeand she said, “No, I’m going intoit part time. I don’t want to leavemy good paying job atShoppers.”
I told her that a part-timegig is going to be difficult, but Iwished her well and said I’dhelp if and when she needed itas she progressed. I also said it isa difficult job unless she has adata bank of potential buyersand sellers. I said I’d show herhow to build one once she’swell along in her courses. It’smore than just making money, Iproffered. It’s about buildingwealth and making relation-ships. It takes time andpatience, despite YouTube,Facebook, Twitter andInstagram, which have becomethe shortcuts to building rela-tionships.
I believe that most of theentrants to the course – at least30 per cent in some areas, arepart-timers. This is a continuingproblem in our industry and Iam not the only one who thinksso. I’ve heard from many sales-people that this is allowing manyto enter into a field that is con-stantly changing and evolving.Part-timers miss out on trainingand being involved in an office
It’s not easy forpart-timers
environment.The Real Estate Council of
Ontario, along with other regu-latory bodies in Canada, are nowramping up the qualificationsand looking into more types ofeducation to better prepareentrants to our field. I hope thatit will include writing an offerand a listing.
I’ve studied the format of thepresent curriculum in Ontarioand although it has improveddramatically, it still leaves muchto be desired by my fellow long-time colleagues.
Most people entering ourindustry see big money and bigcars with what seems to be a verycheap way to became financiallysuccessful. But that’s theconundrum. It takes time, edu-cation, effort and long hours.Can a part-time agent really suc-ceed? In some instances sure,but it’s rare. Once they selltheir friends and relatives, theydon’t know which way to go orwhat to do. I know this is avalid statement – I’ve heard itso many times from so manysources.
I’ve often said that thereshould be an apprenticeship pro-gram, where the student passes afirst year of courses and thenworks six months under an expe-rienced agent. Then the same forthe second year. Once they passthis university type of regimen,then they come fully certified.At the very least, the wannabeagents will be better prepared.
All the best to you in 2015and may you have good health.Anything else you get is a bonus.I am recovering from somehealth issues, but you can reachme at 416-736-9730 or 416-418-3094 until I return to full-timeduties.
Stan Albert, broker/manager,ABR, ASA at Re/MaxCrossroads’ iRealty office inToronto can be reached for consul-tation at [email protected]. Stanis now celebrating his 45th year asan active real estate professional.
REM
A
22 REM FEBRUARY 2015
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he Real Estate Council ofOntario (RECO) is plan-ning a new registration
education program that willensure the continuing success ofthe real estate profession. Butbefore I get into the details, I’dlike to look back at how the sectorhas changed.
When I entered the real estateprofession 27 years ago, my brokerhanded me a phone book and toldme to get to work on finding somenew clients. I’d taken courses tobecome a salesperson, but I still hada lot to learn. On-the-job learningwas essential to my success.
We have come a long waysince then, and the current pro-gram delivered by the OntarioReal Estate Association (OREA)has served our profession well. Buttoday’s marketplace offers buyersand sellers more options thanever, and trading real estate hasbecome more complex. It’s chal-lenging for brokerages to find thetime to bring new salespeople upto speed. As a result, new sales-people are expected to have ahigher level of skills and knowl-edge from the get-go. We need tochange our approach to educationso that education providers canbetter meet the needs of today’sreal estate sector.
We know that’s the case,because RECO commissioned agreat deal of consultation withreal estate professionals, educa-tion providers and other regulato-ry bodies. We repeatedly heardthat registration education shouldprovide aspiring professionalswith the skills and knowledgethey need to complete real estatetrades when they enter the profes-sion.
With that in mind, RECO hasreleased a proposal for the futureof registration education in
TBy Glenda Brindle
THE GUEST COLUMN Raising the barin registrationeducationOntario that will ensure that newsalespeople can “hit the groundrunning.”
Once implemented, only newsalespeople and brokers would fol-low the new learning paths we’reproposing, but we know that reg-istration education affects theentire real estate sector.
Completing real estate tradesinvolves a lot of interaction withfellow professionals. When you’rescheduling showings, taking offersand closing deals, you want therepresentative on the other side ofthe transaction to have a thor-ough understanding of theprocess. And a skilled, knowl-edgeable base of brokers and sales-people means positive experi-ences for buyers and sellers, whothen have greater trust in the realestate profession.
Currently, aspiring salespeopleget a full overview of the realestate transaction during the pre-registration phase of their educa-tion, but they don’t have muchopportunity to apply that knowl-edge before they are registered.After they are registered withRECO, salespeople continue tolearn with articling courses andon-the-job learning at their bro-kerage.
Under our proposal, aspiringsalespeople would obtain a broadunderstanding of the real estatetransaction before they enter theprofession. There are four keycomponents to our plan:
• Key topics that are currentlycovered in the articling phasewould be moved to the pre-regis-tration phase.
• Working with educationexperts, we would develop a newcurriculum for pre-registration,articling and broker education.
• To make sure that studentsare on track, they would demon-strate what they have learned bycompleting scenarios based onreal-life situations at severalpoints during their education.
• After completing theircourses, students would have topass an independent certificationexam.
New salespeople will stillrequire support from their broker-age, but they’ll have a betterunderstanding of the mechanicsof a real estate trade.
Overhauling registration edu-cation is a big job, but it’s notsomething we are doing alone.Education experts will help usdevelop the new program, andeducation providers will help usdeliver it. Both will be chosenthrough an open selectionprocess. As our current educationprovider, OREA will have anopportunity to participate in thisprocess.
RECO’s role would be to pro-vide oversight by setting rigorousstandards and by ensuring thateducation providers meet thosestandards.
In fact, we plan to introducegreater choice to registration edu-cation. Aspiring real estate profes-sionals could have multiple edu-cation providers to choose from.
I encourage you to learn moreby visiting RECO’s website. Wehave posted a white paper thatdescribes our proposal in-depth,an executive summary that high-lights the key points, and Q&Asthat answer some of the questionswe have received.
And, most importantly, wewant to hear from you. I inviteyou to submit written commentsto [email protected] byFebruary 2.
I hope you’ll join me in sup-porting continued progress in reg-istration education. It’s somethingthat all real estate professionalsshould be excited about.
Glenda Brindle is the chair ofRECO’s Board of Directors. Shebegan her career as a real estate sales-person in 1987 and became a brokerin 2005. REM
lanning sessions, whethershort or long range, are asop to the membership of
organizations, sold to our leaders byfacilitators and resold to us by ourexecutive officers because,because… well, we’ve always doneit that way. I’m guilty of the exer-cise on all sides of the equation;specifically I led a BritishColumbia futurist inquiry in the’90s, where we tried our best todetermine a direction for theindustry.
The input from licensees,conveyancers and other serviceswithin the industry recommend-ed we progress to an educationmodel that featured more practi-cal learning coupled with anapprenticeship or restrictedlicense. They recommended theindustry develop a real estate col-lege and mandatory continuingeducation. On the technologyside, seamless access to informa-tion by licensees and the publicwas stressed. Finally, they alsoconcluded the public needed tobe educated in the role of the
METES & BOUNDS
By Marty Douglas
24 REM FEBRUARY 2015
P
855.526.3939 • www.housemaster.caA GreenSaver Home Energy Services Inc. Company. Master Franchise for Canadian HouseMaster operations and Energy Services in North America
HAPPY HOMEBUYERSWE SEE
IN YOUR FUTURE
Finding out what we already knewRealtor through a public relationscampaign.
Hindsight would indicate wewere brilliant because almost 20years later, most of those “visions”are in play. And yet, part of myinsecure ego suggests we wouldhave got there in spite of the study,that the recommendations werereceived and filed, forgotten, notintentionally, but covered over bythe very nature of transition in ourgoverning bodies and the industryitself – turnover.
Fast forward to 2015 and theindustry in B.C. is preparing a five-year plan as a result of a projectcalled Journey of Discovery, a fact-finding multiyear inquiry. Toquote from the President’s Report,“The research showed we need tohelp strengthen Realtor profes-sionalism, improve Realtor’s repu-tations with consumers, enhanceconsumer experiences withRealtors and encourage innova-tion.”
Gee! Is it just my tinnitus or isthere an echo in here? I’ll grant youthe language is more succinct butisn’t this ploughing the sameground? My guess is that 20 yearsfrom now we’ll be wringing ourhands over the similar results froma futuristic gaze into the same oldnavel.
And speaking of our reputationwith consumers, while my provin-cial organization was embarking onits Journey of Discovery, guess what
the national organization wasdoing? What a coincidence! InMarch 2014, CREA released itsGreat Expectations TrackingStudy, conducted by NanosResearch. Forty-eight pages of bril-liant graphics capsulated threemain findings:
1. Perceptions of Realtors arelargely positive, except on trust.(Ouch!)
2. Realtors are top of mind forabout 75 per cent of buyers and 61per cent of sellers.
3. The Internet is the mainpoint of entry for buyers.
Pardon me but – yawn.The key findings spread a little
more data and are generallyencouraging, even for FSBO busi-ness models. It turns out 9.4 percent of folks who intend to selltheir own home are doing it to savemoney. Two points: the percent-age of private sales is historically aminimum of 10 per cent, and thesurvey was conducted beforeCREA launched its award-win-ning (nyah, nyah Alan Tennant!)SWAT Team TV commercial soresults may vary in your neighbour-hood.
These results follow patternsestablished in prior studies in 2003and 2009 and indicate the “trustrating” has declined since thoseinquiries, where we are now “moretrusted than Members ofParliament and used car salespeo-ple but less than most other profes-
sions.” Thank God no mention ofwhere Rob Ford is in the stand-ings! Of course people who saveour lives, nurse us back to healthand extinguish our blazing homesare higher up the food chain thanwe are. But lawyers and insuranceagents? And lawyers only if theyare not MPs, obviously.
If we can’t win their hearts andminds in the trust department, oreven improve our standing overthe past decade, is there any pointin studying and inevitably spend-ing more money pursuing thisquixotic quest?
Let’s face it – we are in salesand the more you try to put lipstickon that pig, the more it looks likeanimal cruelty.
Buyers tell us they first look forreal estate on the Internet tonational websites, dominated byRealtors. But – and like KimKardashian’s, it’s a whopper – theyalso tell us they were first intro-duced to the property they ulti-mately bought by the Realtor!That’s the value-added propositionwe can take to the bank – theknowledge of the marketplace.Stop worrying about the image.
And we have known that fordecades.
My home board, in 2004, con-ducted a survey of over 2,000 buy-ers. They were introduced to theproperty by a Realtor 46 per cent ofthe time; the Internet (Realtor.ca)17 per cent and a for sale sign 15
per cent. Print media was men-tioned by 6.4 per cent and openhouses by 1.4 per cent.
Fast forward 10 years and wehave the same top three: aRealtor 32 per cent of the time, theInternet (Realtor.ca) 28 per centand the for sale sign 11 per cent.
If we add in other Internet sites– national franchises, we knowyou’re out there – then the per-centage grows from 19.5 per centin 2004 to 34 per cent in the lateststudy, placing the Internet in firstplace, the individual Realtor sec-ond and the trusty yard sign withits perennial bronze medal.(Newspapers by the way, sank byhalf to 3.2 per cent, just ahead ofthe surging open house at 3.1 percent).
But who put the data on theInternet?
The slimy, untrustworthyRealtor.
Take a bow.
Contact Marty Douglas by emailat [email protected] .Follow or connect with Marty onTwitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Heis a managing broker for Re/MaxOcean Pacific Realty in Comox andCourtenay, B.C. He is a past chair ofthe Real Estate Errors and OmissionsInsurance Corporation of B.C., theReal Estate Council of B.C., theB.C. Real Estate Association and theVancouver Island Real Estate Board.
REM
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oocasa’s broker of recordDarryl Mitchell wants toset the record straight.
Since it launched in 2009, theRogers-owned site has created alot of controversy in the realestate community. It began whenCentury 21 successfully suedZoocasa for scraping listings fromits website and continued whenZoocasa hired Lawrence Dale,who as owner of Realtysellers hadlaunched a series of legal chal-lenges against organized realestate. Dale has since left thecompany.
Now, Zoocasa says it still hasto battle against the conceptionthat it is anti-Realtor; that it is acommission discounting firm; thatit is trying to eliminate the role ofthe real estate agent so all transac-tions can be conducted online;and that it doesn’t listen to indus-try concerns.
“The misconceptions aboutZoocasa from some Realtors areplentiful,” says Mitchell, addingthat the belief among some realestate professionals that Zoocasais anti-Realtor or competition forsalespeople is completely false.
“We believe that there aremany qualified agents working atcredible brokerages across thecountry,” says Mitchell. “Zoocasa’sservices are intended to comple-ment an agent’s and brokerage’scurrent business through referrals.We see our model as being verymuch a performance-based mar-keting opportunity for qualified,high-performing, customer-ser-vice-focused agents who are look-ing for ways to grow their busi-ness.”
Mitchell says Zoocasa doesn’twork with just anyone whoexpresses an interest in partneringwith them – that the agents andbrokerages Zoocasa establishes arelationship with have been care-fully selected based on their abili-ty to provide what he calls “theultimate customer experience.”Considerations include reputa-tion; number of years in service,number of transactions completed
more than other lead generationprograms – two other points he isquick to dispute.
“Some agents have said thatthe referral fee should be closer to25 per cent, but we aren’t justthrowing names out to the agent,”says Mitchell. “We’re providingbetter-quality, pre-screenedleads.”
He sees nothing wrong withproviding the consumer with acash rebate thank-you gift onclosing. He says some agents dis-count their commissions in orderto secure a contract, and themajority of agents provide theirclients with a gift on closing. Thecash rebate, he says, is a practicalway of thanking and helping theconsumer out.
Mitchell says Zoocasa’sresearch has indicated thatalthough it’s a nice incentive, thecash rebate is not the main reasonconsumers use Zoocasa. Peoplechoose the company, he says,because they want to take awaythe hassle of finding their perfectagent. Moving forward, Mitchellsays Zoocasa will find ways toevolve the cash rebate by combin-ing it with other value-added ser-vices related to the real estatetransaction.
“At the end of the day, inno-vation stirs things up,” saysMitchell. “Just look at what Uberis doing for the taxi industry. Andwhen the innovation comes froma big company like Rogers, every-one pays attention and the realityis it can be one of those love orhate types of things.” REM
26 REM FEBRUARY 2015
Z
© 2015 Coldwell Banker LLC. All Rights Reserved. Each Offi ce is Independently
Owned and Operated. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker Logo are registered
service marks owned by Coldwell Banker LLC. Each sales representative and broker
is responsible for complying with any consumer disclosure laws or regulations. Any
use of the term “sales associate” or “agent” shall be replaced with the term “sales
representative” in Canada.
The Coldwell Banker® network is
pleased to welcome the established
Truro, Nova Scotia brokerage
formerly known as Prudential
Woods Realty to our Canadian system. Our newest
Canadian af f i l iate is a leading real estate f irm in the
area and will now operate as Coldwell Banker OpenDoor Realty. The full-service f irm and its experienced
sales representatives joins our global network of 3,100
residential real estate of f ices and over 87,000 af f i l iated
agents worldwide.
For a confi dential conversation about franchise opportunities
with the Coldwell Banker® system in Canada,
call Mark Lindsey, Regional Vice President, Franchise Sales, or
Andy Puthon, President,Coldwell Banker Canada Operations ULC
1.800.268.9599
Peter Vissers, Owner
Coldwell Banker Open Door RealtyTruro, Nova Scotia
Email: [email protected]
Office: (902) 893-1990
Join us in wishing Peter Vissers and his highly experienced sales professionals of Coldwell Banker Open Door Realty continued success.
“Part of our company’s business involves foreign buyers, so the global
connections and reputation of the Coldwell Banker® network were
important to us. After carefully considering all the options available to
us, we chose the Coldwell Banker® system because it offers the high
level of service required to serve our diverse customer base. We’re
excited about using their unparalleled resources to develop and grow
within our local market.”
ANOTHER WELCOME ADDITION TO OUR CANADIAN NETWORK
Zoocasa responds toindustry criticsBy Tony Palermo
each year, demographic require-ments and their ability to commu-nicate with the consumer usingvarious languages, methods andtechnologies. The end goal, hesays, is to have agents who,regardless of their brand, are trust-ed, seen as experts in their field,treat the customer well and makeit as easy as possible for the cus-tomer to do business with them.
Zoocasa typically partnerswith agents who have at least fiveyears of experience and handle aminimum of 12 transactions ayear. It currently operates inAlberta, British Columbia andOntario.
Mitchell says many referralscome from consumers who wantto directly connect with a specificagent after reading their onlineprofile, which makes it easy forconsumers to see the agent’sattributes.
The second way referrals cometo agents is directly from theZoocasa customer service team,which is currently staffed bylicensed, salaried agents who arethere to help the customer andprovide information, but who donot do any selling. Both methodsalso help the agent by providing aquality, pre-screened lead.Mitchell estimates Zoocasa gener-ates two or three quality leads amonth for their partner agents.
For their part, Zoocasareceives 35 per cent of the agent’scommission entitlement as areferral fee, with almost half ofthis amount paid back to the con-sumer as a closing gift in the formof a cash rebate. For example, ifthe property’s purchase price is$400,000 and the agent’s commis-sion is 2.5 per cent, the agent isentitled to receive $10,000 incommissions. Zoocasa receives 35per cent, or $3,500, of this$10,000 commission, of which 15per cent, or $1,500, is given backto the consumer.
Mitchell says he’s heard someagents complain that Zoocasa isnothing more than a commissiondiscounting firm and that it costs
Darryl Mitchell
ileen Day is the new chiefoperating officer of TheReal Estate Board of
Greater Vancouver (REBGV). Asdirector of communication for 14years, she has played a central rolein strategy, planning and issuesmanagement work for REBGV,says the board.
“Eileen brings to the role awealth of experience in the day-to-day business of REBGV, as well asin-depth knowledge of the com-plexities and nuances that areinherent to organized real estatelocally, provincially and national-ly,” says CEO Brad Scott.
Mike Pedersen, the board’schief information officer, is takingon overall responsibility for bothMLS and technology. CraigMunn, previously assistant man-ager of communication, is now
REM FEBRUARY 2015 27
E manager of communication.■ ■ ■
CREB, the Calgary real estateboard, is supporting the Albertagovernment in tabling theCondominium PropertyAmendment Act and bringingover 50 amendments for enhancedconsumer protection and strongergovernance within the condomini-um industry. In particular, the newact will regulate a disclosure ofinformation related to the sale andgovernance of condominium units.
“Information is power, andthese changes will empower con-sumers and Realtors to make moreinformed purchasing decisions,”says Bill Kirk, CREB president. “Inparticular, it will create clarityaround reserve funds and specialassessments and reduce those sur-
prises for consumers on things likespecial levies.”
The amendments include thecreation of a condominium tri-bunal to reduce the time and costsassociated with dispute resolutionbetween condo owners and corpo-rations. There will also beincreased regulation of the industrywith the introduction of licensingrequirements for condominiummanagers by the Real EstateCouncil of Alberta.
Most of the regulations fromthe bill will be implemented overthe next year. There are more than320,000 condominium owners inthe province and condominiumsales account for approximately 20per cent of residential sales annual-ly, CREB says.
■ ■ ■
Peterborough and theKawarthas Association of Realtorshosted its Annual ChristmasBreakfast in December. The eventhighlights the past year’s fundrais-ing efforts and the passing of thegavel from 2014 president KenBarrick to the new president,Dominic Cole.
Area Realtors raised more than$30,000 for local charities during
the past 16 months. The recipientswere: Hospice Peterborough,$5,000; Food for Kids, $5,000;Elizabeth Fry Society ofPeterborough, $8,168; andKawartha Food Share, $9,605. Atthe breakfast, food donations werecollected and $2,450 was raised forthe Salvation Army’s HamperProgram as well as pyjamas forSweet Dreams Children’s Charity.
Carolyn Mills created SweetDreams in 2011, when she retiredas EO of PKAR. Sweet Dreamscollects sleep wear for childrenages six months to 18 years oldwho are in foster care or temporaryhousing. It is partnered with theKawartha-Haliburton Children’sFoundation and YWCA CrossRoads Shelter. At the end of 2013a grand total of 868 pair of pyjamashad been collected and throughdonations and grants, $18,541 wasraised to purchase sleepwear as wellas socks, mitts and diapers for chil-dren in the community.
■ ■ ■
Several local charities receiveddonations from the VancouverIsland Real Estate Board (VIREB)during the holiday season. YANA(You Are Not Alone) Comox
Valley received $620 on behalf ofComox Valley Realtors, who alsodonated toys for the SalvationArmy Toy Drive. In the Nanaimoarea, VIREB members donated$1,000 to the Salvation Army,$1,250 to Secret Santa and $500 tothe Nanaimo Toy Drive.
In Parksville-Qualicum, theSalvation Army Food Bankreceived $300 from area Realtors,with the Society of OrganizedServices Christmas Fund benefit-ing from a $190 donation.Members also sponsored a freecommunity swim at RavensongAquatic Centre.
In the Cowichan Valley,Realtors dug deep for a $524 dona-tion to Warmland House and $580to the Cowichan Valley BasketSociety. VIREB members also gaveto the Salvation Army Toy Drive.
■ ■ ■
Affordable rental housing canbe hard to find in the Hamilton,Ont. area, and Indwell (formerlyHomestead Christian Care) isaddressing the need by buildingRudy Hulst Commons, a perma-nent affordable housing complex
Continued on page 28
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28 REM FEBRUARY 2015
in Hamilton’s East End. Theblock will also house Indwell’s newheadquarters and street-level com-mercial units.
The Realtors Association ofHamilton-Burlington (RAHB),on behalf of its members and theOntario Realtors Care Foundation,recently donated $15,000 for theproject.
“Realtors don’t just sell houses;Realtors sell communities – thesame communities in which theylive and work,” says RAHB presi-dent Tim Mattioli. “Everyone winswhen we can build safe, decent andaffordable housing.”
Members, sponsors and friendsof RAHB showed their generosityand community spirit by raisingover $48,500 for the900CHML/Y108/ 953 Fresh FMChildren’s Fund. The funds wereraised at the recent RAHB CharityAuction & Social held annually tosupport The Children’s Fund.
“This auction shows the greatthings that happen when Realtorsand the community come togeth-er,” says Aileen Araujo, co-chair ofthis year’s Charity Auction TaskForce. “The support we receivedwas amazing.”
Boards and AssociationsContinued from page 27
Proceeds from the partnershipbetween RAHB and the Corusradio stations continue to supportmany local children’s charitiesthroughout Hamilton andBurlington area year round. Duringthe 26 years of the partnership,RAHB’s annual auction has raisedmore than $838,000 for the chari-ty, making RAHB its single largestcontributor.
■ ■ ■
The Victoria Real Estate Boardhas announced its new Board ofDirectors for 2015.
President Guy Crozier says,“The real estate industry is reallyexciting right now. Technology ischanging the way we markethomes, view properties, make deci-sions and how transactions takeplace. Can you imagine 20 yearsago the thought of touring a housethrough an online video or signinga document using your computeror mobile device? There is somuch innovation in our industry,and Victoria Realtors consistentlylead the way.”
■ ■ ■
The Oakville, Milton andDistrict Real Estate Board is donat-ing office space to the NannyAngel Network to expand its ser-
vice into Halton. The board alsopledged to raise $25,000. The net-work is the first and only registeredcharity of its kind in NorthAmerica to provide free in-homechildcare relief to women undergo-ing cancer treatment.
“With our board providingoffice space for the Angels, thenetwork can focus their efforts ongrowing their service into our com-munity while their Angels have aplace to do what they do best –help women who need it most,”says Jeff Mahannah, 2015 boardpresident.
The board has donated anexisting office at its Oakville loca-tion for use by the Nanny AngelNetwork’s Angels to makeappointments and store materialsthey need for their day-to-dayoperations.
■ ■ ■
The Real Estate Board of theFredericton Area held its annualfundraiser in mid-October withproceeds to two charitable organi-zations, the FrederictonCommunity Kitchen and HospiceFredericton. The committee orga-nized a casino night and sold raffletickets on several prizes. Duringthe casino night, a karaoke contestwas held with eight participants
competing for a small cash prize.The events raised $13,000.
■ ■ ■
The Ottawa Real EstateBoard’s new Board of Directorsincludes executive members 2015president David Oikle, past-presi-dent Randy Oickle, president-electShane Silva and VP Rick Eisert.
Maz Karimjee, Martin LaRoseand Ralph Shaw will continue asdirectors for the second year oftheir two-year term, along withnewly elected/appointed directorsJosée Biggs (chair of theCommercial Services Division),Dwight Delahunt, Margie Hooper,Sarah Kiraly, Brian Sukkau andDennis Tarrant.
OREB members contributedapproximately $82,000 to theOntario Realtors Care Foundationthis year, helping 29 shelter-relatedcharities in the Ottawa area inDecember. The funds were raisedthrough the board’s annual charitygolf tournament, the “dollar permember per month” campaign anda Rona Card program, where a per-centage of all money spent byOREB cardholders is donated tothe foundation.
The Realtors Care Committeeat the board received 29 grantapplications from local shelter-
related charities. Each of the char-ities was endorsed and recom-mended by a member of the board,ensuring that any grants awardedwould go to charities that are sup-ported by its members.
■ ■ ■
The CREB CharitableFoundation celebrated the holi-day season by donating $150,000to 15 Calgary and area charitiesthrough its Investing in Hope pro-gram.
The program asks Calgary andarea Realtors to nominate andvote for their favourite charities toreceive funding. The top fivecharities receiving the most votesin each of the three categories isawarded a $10,000 grant.
This year, the CharitableFoundation donated $250,000 tocommunity charities ($150,000 inInvesting in Hope grants and$100,000 in Governors’ Grants,which were celebrated inOctober). To date, the foundationhas donated more than $5 millionto a wide range of charities onbehalf of the Realtor community.
■ ■ ■
Realtors in St. Thomas, Ont.turned out in force to man
At the PKARA n n u a lC h r i s t m a sBreakfast, backrow from left:Kristi Doyle,PKAR directorand communityi n v o l v e m e n tchair; DaveRalph, KawarthaFood Share; SueStinson, Hospice
Peterborough; Steve Sullivan, Kawartha Food Share; Betty Morris, HospicePeterborough; Donna O’Shaughnessy, representing Kawartha Haliburton Children’sFoundation and sales rep at Century 21 United Realty; Brenda Dales, Food for Kids;Ashlee Aitkin, Kawartha Food Share; and Wendy Giroux, PKAR EO. Front row:Joann Walsh, Kawartha Haliburton Children’s Foundation; Kaya and Kaite, formerCrown wards with K-H Children’s Foundation; Carolyn Mills, founder of SweetDreams Children’s Charity; and Patricia Zimmer, Elizabeth Fry Society of Peterborough.
Michael McIntee, left, president ofthe Realtors Association of GreyBruce Owen Sound (RAGBOS)along with Brad Angel, right,RAGBOS Golf Committee chair,presented Habitat for HumanityGrey Bruce executive director GregFryer with a cheque for $5,340from the Ontario Realtors CareFoundation. The donation was inaddition to the $20,200 raised ear-lier this year at the association’sannual golf tournament.
Realtors and their families gathered at the annual KWAR Children’sChristmas Party on Dec. 4.Eileen Day Guy Crozier David Oikle Kevin Woolham
REM FEBRUARY 2015 29
Salvation Army Christmas Kettlesat their local Walmart during theholidays, collecting $1,210 over atwo-day period.
“The London and St. ThomasAssociation of Realtors (LSTAR)has been organizing Realtor DayKettle Drives in London for fouryears now,” says Jim Holody,LSTAR president. “We’re verypleased to see our St. Thomasmembers come out in such num-bers to support their own KettleDrive.”
Taking part were AlidaJordaan, Nancy Taylor, JennyMcMullin, Martin Trethewey,Earl and Nancy Taylor, JimHarris, Martese Houle, RuthJenkins, Cathy Harris, Ron Fish,Wayne and Angela Devries,Kathy Kewley and RoseHeinbuch.
Earl Taylor, who sits onLSTAR’s Board of Directors rep-resenting the City of St. Thomas,as well as Realtor Jim Harris, pre-sented Christmas Care co-ordina-tor Andreanna Collins with acheque for $985, along with a cartfull of non-perishable food.Christmas Cares provides holidayhampers to people in need andrelies on donations of non-perish-able food, toys and money.
■ ■ ■
Kevin Woolham of Century 21Millennium in Collingwood is thenewly elected president of theSouthern Georgian BayAssociation of Realtors (SGBAR),succeeding 2014 president WayneCornfield.
Woolham joined the formerGeorgian Triangle Association ofRealtors in 2008 and has been onthe Board of Directors since 2012.Joining him on the SGBAR boardfor 2015 are Stan Reljic, president-elect; Wayne Cornfield; KimBellehumeur; Tamara Culham;Keith Hull; Matthew Lidbetter;Joe Rzepecki and Linda Tucker.
The SGBAR donated morethan $7,000 from the OntarioRealtors Care Foundation – EveryRealtor Campaign to local chari-ties. This year’s recipients wereCommunity Reach in Midland,Campbell House Hospice inCollingwood and the HousingResource Centre.
■ ■ ■
Generosity from people acrossthe Lower Mainland helped makethe 20th annual Realtors CareBlanket Drive a success. Morethan 17,000 blankets and otherclothing items were donated to
help the region’s working poorand homeless populations. Thedonations were dropped off at oneof about 100 participating realestate offices or picked up byRealtor volunteers.
In the past 20 years, theBlanket Drive has helped bringwarmth to more than 250,000people. All donations remain inthe community in which theywere collected. The initiative isan annual partnership betweenthe Realtors of the Real EstateBoard of Greater Vancouver, theFraser Valley Real Estate Boardand the Chilliwack and DistrictReal Estate Board and their com-munities.
■ ■ ■
Realtors and their familiesgathered to help spread Christmascheer alongside Santa Claus at theannual Kitchener-WaterlooAssociation of Realtors (KWAR)Children’s Christmas Party onDec. 4.
A total of 364 toys were donat-ed to the Salvation Army’s annualTree of Angels by members.Children visited with Santa andenjoyed face painting, games, bal-loon twisting and musical enter-tainment by Bandolini. REM
You Are Not Alone Comox Valley received $620 onbehalf of Comox Valley Realtors. From left: RyanWilliams, Re/Max Ocean Pacific in Comox;Harmony Dyck, Royal LePage Comox Valley,Courtenay; Neil Woodrow, VIREB director, RoyalLePage Comox Valley, Courtenay; and GerryChwelos, Slegg Realty Coldwell Banker, Courtenay.
From left: Jeffrey Neven, executive director, Indwell; Tom Jeffery,Indwell tenant; Graham Cubitt, director of projects and development,Indwell; Trevor Horzelenberg, president of the board, Indwell; StevenRolfe, director of policy and planning, Indwell; Tim Mattioli, RAHBpresident; Ross Godsoe, CEO, RAHB; Nicole Bade, Indwell tenant;and Sylvia Harris, project developer, Indwell.
The 2015 Victoria Real Estate Board of Directors, from left: MikeNugent, president-elect Wendy Moreton, Tony Wick, past-presidentTim Ayres, Kyle Kerr, president Guy Crozier, Cheryl Woolley, secre-tary-treasurer Ara Balabanian and Marijane Smith.
Fredericton board member Matt Hunter and chairWendy Hallihan present a cheque to DarylBranscombe on behalf of Hospice Fredericton.
Jim Harris and Martese Houle were amongthe LSTAR volunteers at the Realtor DayKettle Drive.
Earl Taylor, who sits onLSTAR’s Board ofDirectors representing theCity of St. Thomas, andRealtor Jim Harris presentChristmas Care co-ordina-tor Andreanna Collinswith a cheque for $985.
At the SGBAR chequepresentation, from left:Susan MacDonald,Community ReachMidland; WayneCornfield, 2014 presidentof SGBAR; Susan Cathroand Debbie Kesheshianfrom Campbell HouseHospice in Collingwood;and Lucy Gowers andKen Eady of the HousingResource Centre.
RAHB 2014president TimMattioli and members of theCharity AuctionTask Force present OliviaDePetris, VP ofThe Children’sFund, with acheque for$48,557.
he team at Sutton -Premier Realty in Surrey,B.C. made the holidays
brighter for 18 local families. OnDec. 20 they delivered personal-ized gifts to parents and children aswell as enough food to provide adelicious breakfast, lunch and din-ner on Christmas Day. The officeraised $8,000 for the SurreyChristmas Bureau’s Adopt-a-Family program with silent auc-tions, poker nights and otherfundraisers throughout the year.
“Each Realtor chose a familyfrom a list provided by the SurreyChristmas Bureau and budgeted$400 to $450 each,” says sales repJanis Stretch. “They then called
30 REM FEBRUARY 2015
TGood WorksGood Works
the parents personally to speak tothem about their food and bever-age preferences and the children’swish lists.”
Sutton Realty Services co-owner Scott Shaw and the head offranchise relations, Rick Taron,joined in the festivities. The morn-ing began with a hot, homemadebreakfast prepared by sales repNeru Johal, and then everyoneloaded up their vehicles to makedeliveries to the families.
■ ■ ■
Century 21 Canada raised$54,255 in support of Easter SealsB.C. & Yukon at the annualTimmy’s Christmas Telethon on
Dec. 7. The Chairperson’s Award,in honour of many years of out-standing commitment to EasterSeals and its cause, was presentedlive at the event to Brian Rushton,executive VP and Barbara Fromm,VP of administration at Century21 Canada.
“We visited an Easter Sealscamp this summer and experi-enced firsthand the impact thisorganization makes in children’slives,” says Rushton.
During its corporate hour atthe event, company membersmanned the phones taking dona-tions. Volunteers included BenHoughton, Sunny Brar and TanyaJakubec of Century 21 In TownRealty; Sylvia Kahlon and JasbirSandhu of Century 21 CoastalRealty; and Kim Heizmann ofCentury 21 Executives Realty.
■ ■ ■
Staff and management at RoyalLePage Solutions in Calgary raised$7,390 in support of the RoyalLePage Shelter Foundation at theirannual Christmas Party. Donationsfor the silent auction came from
Re/Max Orchard Country in Summerland,B.C. hosted a cotton candy outlet in front ofits new location at the recent SummerlandFestival of Lights. Proceeds from this effortare donated to the Children’s MiracleNetwork. Pictured are managing brokerPatrick Murphy and sales reps Mike Stohlerand Wes Burdick.
Lower Mainland Re/Max agents inB.C. raised $25,000 worth of toysfor Toy Mountain during the recentChristmas campaign. All of thedonated toys were given to TheSalvation Army.
Sales reps at Liv Real Estate donated $10,000 to Hope Mission.
Sales reps and staff at Royal LePage Wolle Realtyin Kitchener, Ont. have been supporting the FoodBank of Waterloo Region for 21 years.
Sales rep Neru Johalprepared breakfast forthe sales reps fromSutton – PremierRealty before theydelivered Christmasgifts and food to fami-lies in need.
Century 21’s BarbaraFromm and Brian Rushton
with the Chairperson’sAward, presented in hon-
our of the company’s workfor Easter Seals.
At the Royal LePageSolutions Christmasfund-raiser, from left:Gene Yamada, associatebroker; Diane Scott,broker/owner; ChadMorgan, co-owner;Cara Morgan, co-owner; Peter Ridout,in-house lawyer;Crystal McGregor, con-
veyancing, Diana Dorais, in-house mortgage broker; Kim Bryce, financial admin-istrator; and Suzy Godfrey, administrative assistant.
Veronica Carroll, executive director of the DeltaHospital Foundation, accepts a donation fromMandip Gill.
Royal LePage Performance Realty branchmanager John Rogan with items donated to theannual auction.
Century 21 Canada head office staff membersshow off their ugly Christmas sweaters at the firstC21 Hot Cocoa 4 Kids Day event.
Above: At Royal LePageNew Concept, presentingthe grand prize of a trip toLas Vegas to VeronicaKang (second from left) isSandy Cho (far left), JohnCho, broker of record, andStan Cho, broker/manager.
REM FEBRUARY 2015 31
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local businesses and attendees weregenerous in their bidding. Themoney raised was donated to theCalgary Women’s EmergencyShelter, which recently presentedRoyal LePage Solutions with itsTulip Award for Philanthropy.This honour was given in recogni-tion of over $25,000 in commis-sion donations provided by thebrokerage in the previous year.
■ ■ ■
Century 21 Newmarket tookpart in the Adopt a FamilyChristmas program and was able togather all the gifts requested bythe family that was sponsored. Thebrokerage also purchased morethan $400 in gift cards for groceriesand additional items. All the dona-tions were delivered to TheChildren’s Aid SocietyNewmarket.
The program was organized byCentury 21 Newmarket sales repsDiana Arter, Julia Lopez and SuePhillips and supported by theirmanager and broker of recordIsabel Sartisson. Other sales repsand staff provided generous contri-butions.
■ ■ ■
The sales reps and staff at RoyalLePage Wolle Realty in Kitchener,Ont. have been supporting theFood Bank of Waterloo Region for21 years. This year they weighed inwith contributions of more than2,200 pounds of food and $16,000in cash to help the food bank withits Christmas Drive. Over the yearsthe brokerage has raised close to$100,000 and 23,000 pounds offood, which amounts to about300,000 meals.
More than 900 of the firm’scustomers, families and friendsfilled six theatres for the moviePenguins of Madagascar. The priceof admission was at least one non-perishable food item per familymember and cash donations weremade by appeal to local businesses.
■ ■ ■
The sales reps at Liv RealEstate in Edmonton donate a por-tion of every sale to a local charity.This year they donated to HopeMission on the Hope for theHungry Radiothon broadcast onCISN 103.9, 630 CHED,iNews880 and 92.5 Fresh FM. Thebrokerage matched donations to$10,000 – that’s more than 3,700meals (7,400 when matched byother donors).
“We are fortunate to make our
living helping families buy and selltheir homes. Helping those with-out a home in our local communi-ty is a natural fit,” saysbroker/owner Sheldon Johnston.During the holiday season, HopeMission provided more than70,000 meals throughout Alberta.
■ ■ ■
Mandip Gill, a sales rep withSutton Group - West Coast Realty,has joined a community effort tofund a $12.5 million upgrade to theDelta Hospital in Delta, B.C.Since April 2013 he has beendonating five per cent of his com-missions to the hospital’sDiagnostics Services Campaign,which requires $7.5 million ofnon-governmental donations.
“I have been a life-long resi-dent of Ladner and the hospital is amuch-needed facility in our com-munity,” says Gill. “This hospitalhas been able to add a lot of newequipment due to donations fromthe community.”
■ ■ ■
Royal LePage PerformanceRealty in Ottawa hosted its annualauction and luncheon in support ofthe Royal LePage ShelterFoundation recently. The event,now in its 15th year, saw guestsbidding on more than 250 auctionitems donated by the brokerage’sbrokers, agents, staff and businesspartners. Close to $32,000 wasraised.
Committee members includedAnna Russell, Janny Mills, JeffMcVeigh, Kathy McVeigh, JudyMulligan, Lise Snelson, MalissaGarcia, Marie-Josee Allard,Marnie Donovan, Retah JenningsLalonde, DiAnne Masson-Yensenand Marie-Anne Groul.
■ ■ ■
Century 21 Canada’s headoffice raised nearly $1,500 at itsfirst C21 Hot Cocoa 4 Kids Daystaff event. All proceeds weredonated to Easter Seals, in supportof local families living with disabil-ities. Century 21 offices across thecountry invited their communitiesto a hot cocoa themed fundraisersupporting Easter Seals.
■ ■ ■
Medicine Hat, Alta. residentsspent the evening of Dec. 19“Rockin’ with Royal LePage” at aclient appreciation fundraiser host-ed by Royal LePage CommunityRealty. The rock concert featuredthree cover bands – The LedZeppelin Show, Legzz (ZZ Top)
and Barracuda (Heart). More than700 attendees, many dressed in’80s rock band attire, enjoyed thelive performances. Autographedsports memorabilia were amongthe items available in the silentand live auctions, with a signedNiklaus Lidstrom Detroit RedWings Jersey selling for more than$800.
Close to $8,000 was raised, allof which is donated to theMedicine Hat Women’s ShelterSociety via the Royal LePageShelter Foundation.
■ ■ ■
Royal LePage South CountryReal Estate Services in Lethbridge,Alta. recently held its 17thAnnual Royal Gala Live & SilentAuction in support of the YWCAof Lethbridge and District’sHarbour House, a 24-bed crisisunit for women and children whoare involved in abusive intimatepartner relationships. A record-set-ting $60,415 was raised, bringingthe annual event’s grand total tomore than $560,000.
■ ■ ■
Team Jordan of Royal LePageIn Touch Realty in Midland, Ont.recently held its Second AnnualCommunity Carnival, usingalmost 110,000 sq. ft. of indoorspace, featuring bouncy castles,obstacle courses, a rock-climbingwall, games of chance and facepainting.
“With the support of ourclients and community, we wereable to donate a truck load of foodto the Salvation Army, and pre-
sented cheques to The Guesthouse(the local Out of the Cold shelter)and the Canadian Cancer Societyfrom the proceeds of the ticketsales,” says Anna Dalzell, licensedassistant to Lorraine Jordan.
■ ■ ■
At their annual holiday party,
real estate professionals and staff atRoyal LePage New Concept inToronto held a number of excitingdraws, including a grand prize tripto Las Vegas. After a companymatch, $2,000 in proceeds fromthe draws were donated to theRoyal LePage Shelter Foundation.
REM
32 REM FEBRUARY 2015
Come the night before and attend the OREA President’s Ball whereyou’ll be entertained by Canadian legend Michael Burgess then dancethe night away to the party sounds of Alter Ego.Stay tuned to www.orea.com for more information
Thursday, March 12Westin Harbour Castle Hotel, Downtown Toronto
Your clients of tomorrow hail from generation Y & Z. They are tech-savvy, socially-connected, independent and they know what they want.
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Get out your calendarConsider making the REM
Calendar one of your monthlystops to regularly review what tradeshows and conferences are sched-uled. In addition to your board’sregular Annual General Meeting,have a look to see what other tradeshows may be of interest. Plan yourholiday around a trade show andlearn as you vacation in the hostcity of your choice.
The Banff WesternConnection promises to be infor-mative and stimulating with powerful speakers and a host ofsponsors and exhibitors who willdeliver an array of new productsand services you need to knowabout. After the show, see anothershow presented by the spectacularCanadian Rockies.
Century 21 Kickoff and AwardsGala 2015, Supplier FairTuesday, Jan. 27Hyatt Regency MontrealMontrealCarla Ty – [email protected]
Century 21 Kickoff and AwardsGala 2015, Supplier FairWednesday, Jan. 28The Westin Harbour CastleTorontoCarla Ty – [email protected]
Banff Western ConnectionJan. 29-31Fairmont Banff Springs Hotelwww.banffwesternconnection.com
Ontario Real EstateAssociation RegenerationThursday, March 12The Westin Harbour Castlewww.orea.com
Trade Showsand ConferencesTrade Showsand Conferences
For complete listings, visitwww.remonline.com.
To add a listing to this calendar,email [email protected]
Compiled with the assistance of Bob Campbell at Colour Tech Marketing, www.colourtech.com
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hat job title conjuresup the worst image of aperson for you? A few
spring to mind right away such asbill collectors or customs officers.Few people seem to like the folkswho do those jobs. The one thatmost often comes to mind for mostpeople, however, is governmentrevenue official or tax man. Morespecifically, Canada Revenueagent.
THE PUBLISHER’SPAGE
By Heino Molls
W
The worst professionNo other job is thought of with
more disdain and misery than thatof a CRA representative. Who canblame those feelings? Especiallyfrom those who are entrepreneurs.If you are in business for yourself,you may rightfully feel like the pri-mary prey of the dreaded CRA as itcasts a shadow over your door.
The CRA is a major bully inthe life of the small business personand like all bullies, you never wantto make them mad. If they come tosee you, you better be nice and sayyes sir and no sir or yes ma’am orno ma’am. You better scrape andbow to the best of your abilitybecause if they get angry at you,they will attack you. Never everspeak harshly to a CRA agent.They’ll make you sorry you everdid. And if you think of getting alawyer to represent you in a disputewith the CRA, you’re just asking
for trouble because unless you havePerry Mason or John A.MacDonald on your case, theCRA will come after you harderthan you could ever imagine.
As we have seen and read inmany cases across the country, theCRA can be relentless in its pur-suit of taxpayers who rub them thewrong way, regardless of their guiltor non-guilt. The CRA can bevery mean. It is maddening to seeinnocent small businessessquashed, yet corrupt major corpo-rations seemingly rip off taxpayerswith what appear to be gifts fromgovernment coffers and get com-plete passes on CRA scrutiny intheir dealings as they build profitsyet pay few taxes.
How often have we heardabout accountants and bookkeep-ers who demonstrate CRAincompetence every tax season bysending in 10 income tax returnsthat are exactly the same to 10different CRA agents, and get 10different responses? How oftenhave we read about how ruthlessthe CRA can be to small businesspeople who may have never doneanything wrong except questionan assessment from the CRA?Until you have seen and heardthe indignation of a CRA agent’sself-righteous claims, you havenot seen complete and total dis-figurement of the official lan-guages of English, French andFirst Nations.
No other business people that I
know of are more vulnerable to theCRA than real estate brokers andsales representatives. If I couldwish for anything for everyone inthe real estate business it would bea department or a place to turn tofor help in dealing with thesescoundrels. I believe that salespeo-ple across Canada need a paladinor a champion who is ready to taketheir cause and help them sortthrough the sea of vicious com-plexities the CRA can and willthrow at the most innocent personwhenever and however they wish.
Did you know that the law ofthis land is on the side of theaccused in all cases except one?You are presumed not guilty of anycharge in this country, until you
are found guilty in a court of law,with one exception: The IncomeTax Act. If the CRA declares youare guilty of not filling out theproper forms or not paying the cor-rect taxes, then you are guilty andyou must take action to prove yourinnocence.
If it was up to me, and we allknow it is not, I would get the bestlegal minds and yes, the bestlawyers in the whole world and Iwould create an entire departmentto fight for all Canadian salespeo-ple when the CRA comes knock-ing. Bullies indeed.
Heino Molls is publisher of REM. Email [email protected].
REM
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O B I T U A R YMary Bales
ary Bales, an award-winningsales rep and philanthropistwith Coldwell Banker Peter
Benninger Realty in Kitchener, Ont., diedon Dec. 12.
A top-producing sales rep for manyyears, Ms. Bales was presented with aMeritorious Service Award by formerGovernor General Michaëlle Jean in 2009for her dedication to affordable housing.She was also awarded the Coldwell BankerEagle, which signifies the highest level of accomplishment within theinternational organization.
She won the national Coldwell Banker Ambassador Award for2009 in recognition of her humanitarian acts and commitment tocommunity service. Ms. Bales was involved in many local organiza-tions including board membership at the YWCA, Grand RiverHospital and United Way. She also served as a director of TheEconomical Insurance Group and as a governor of the University ofWaterloo. In 2001, she created Heartwood Place, a charitable organi-zation dedicated to providing safe, affordable and adequate housing.
“I can tell you there is no replacing Mary Bales. She was one of akind,” Peter Benninger, broker of record/president of Coldwell BankerPeter Benninger Realty, told The Record.com. “She was an icon.”
Ms. Bales was presented with the Faculty of Arts AlumniAchievement Award in 2002. The award recognizes University ofWaterloo Arts alumni who have made outstanding contributions totheir professional field and/or in community and public service.
A story on the Waterloo Alumni site celebrating her 2002 awardsays: “A century home, extensive gardens, two Afghan hounds andtwo ‘street’ cats keep Mary sane and sensible, and good friends andchurch activities fill the remaining spots on her weekly calendar.”
The Record says Ms. Bales suffered a brain aneurysm early inDecember. She was in her early 70s. REM
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94 OF THE TOP 100 brokerages in Canada see the value in brokerWOLF... Do you?
As ranked by the 2014 REAL Trends 250 (excluding Quebec).
Download our sample reports and see how having visibility into your back office can change the way your brokerage does business. Learn more at www.lwolf.com/brokerWOLF.
It’s your business. Brokers, run your office with:
Your back office management
Your front office management
Ready for transaction and lead tools?
Your paperless office
Your website solution
Want new revenue opportunities?
Your ad revenue program
Also providing your agents with the tools they need:
Your agents’ toolbox
Achieve your success with the right tools!www.lwolf.com
REM Ad January 2015 brokerWOLF.indd 1 2015-01-13 5:50 PM
To learn more aboutthe iBoxTMLE contactJohn Fancy.
Tel 902-252-3610Toll free 888-652-3540Mobile 902-579-2648Email [email protected]
�e BT iBoxTMLE and eKEY are inseparable.
Your smartphone communicates directly with the iBox using Bluetooth® technology,so your phone is your key!
�e BT iBoxTMLE and eKEYtogether will simplify your life considerably... and who wouldn’tlike that?
Contact us at 1-888-652-3540or visit www.supraekey.com
Simplify Your Life!
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