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Ontario and national housing market improves in 2012
The Ontario market has picked up this April in comparison to the same time last year. According to the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), there were 22, 908 homes sold in 2012, up 12.4 per cent from 20,381 units last year. The average home price grew by 7.7 per cent, from $369,315 in 2011 to [...]
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OREA YPN Is For You!
On April 16th and May 8th the OREA Young Professionals Network held the first two of their 6 area events across Ontario by hosting round table discussions and a networking event in both Hamilton and Orillia. Topics covered at the events included Working by Referral, social media strategies for REALTORS®, your voice at Queen’s [...]
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OREA achieves national green status
The Ontario Real Estate Association has been awarded a prestigious national designation for outstanding environmental efforts. The association has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification at its building in Don Mills. This marks the culmination of more than five years of efforts to enhance the physical space through various environment-friendly initiatives. Efforts to “green” the building began during a multi-year renovation and expansion project that began in 2006, starting with a review of OREA’s aging facilities, the association added 929 square metres (10,000 square feet) to its existing Toronto headquarters. A major study explored solutions, including relocation, renovation or expansion. The travel patterns of staff and students to and from OREA were examined and a decision was made to retain the existing site but to expand and renovate.
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Strong housing starts in April
Ontario residential activity in April is running stronger than predicted. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported 95,400 residential housing starts across Ontario’s urban centres, up from 85,000 units in March. A significant growth was noted in the areas outside of the GTA. Ontario housing starts for April are running 30 per cent [...]
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Trading Bricks and Mortar
For Philip Baron, real estate is about trading bricks and mortar, not just paper. A recent graduate from the Schulich School of Business (York University), Philip is also the first recipient of the OREA scholarship established at Schulich. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to second-year, full-time MBA/IMBA students specializing in the Real Estate and Infrastructure [...]
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OREA YPN Continues to Grow
An OREA YPN chapter was recently formed in Kitchener-Waterloo. Inspired by the success happening at the provincial level, seven passionate KW REALTORS® undertook the initiative to create a local YPN. The idea of REALTORS® helping REALTORS® is a refreshing idea. The opportunity to connect and speak with peers of a similar age and experience is very [...]
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OREA’s Recap – REALTOR® Quest
With over a hundred exhibitors, thousands of REALTORS® attended, and came out to participate in various events. Learning Quest showcased different topics such as Communication and Technology. Centre Stage was alive with yoga demos from Trish Stratus's team Stratusphere and healthy lifestyle information from the BodyBreak's Team.
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RECO launches online transfers and terminations
As of April 30, 2012, REALTORS® wishing to transfer brokerages are able to do so much faster. The Real Estate Council of Ontario’s (RECO) online transfers and terminations initiative allows brokers of record and branch managers to process transfers and terminations online instead of filling out and submitting a paper application. The broker of record [...]
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“YES” my training by the OREA Centre for Leadership Development really did help
Congratulations to Barb Whitney, 2012 President of London St. Thomas Association of REALTORS® on her great presentation skills ( click the link to watch Barb) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hxt79gHipc&feature=youtu.be In 2011 Barb attended “Building Leadership through Communication” an intensive 2 ½ days of training for volunteer leaders that focuses on: Structuring powerful messages Prepare for a radio, [...]
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Ontario by-election could produce a majority government
Ontario’s political landscape could change after long-serving Progressive Conservative (PC) MPP Elizabeth Witmer resigned her Kitchener-Waterloo seat April 27. As a result, a by-election has to take place in the riding within six months. If the Ontario Liberals win the seat, it would give the McGuinty minority government a de facto majority. They would occupy [...]
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