Premier Wynne meets with Ontario Realtors to discuss housing affordability

The Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) and the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) met with Premier Kathleen Wynne today to discuss housing affordability and other real estate issues affecting Ontarians. Realtors are encouraged by Premier Wynne’s commitment to helping more young Ontarians become home owners. “We discussed a range of solutions to help with home … Continued

Ontario’s Speech from the Throne

After a busy summer, MPPs are back at Queen’s Park. In the throne speech delivered earlier this week by Ontario’s lieutenant governor, the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the government outlined their plans for this session. In the speech, the government re-affirms their commitment to balancing the budget next year and helping home owners reduce energy consumption. … Continued

OREA urges caution on a tax on foreign buyers in Ontario

Two weeks ago, the Government of British Columbia (BC) introduced a new 15 per cent land transfer tax on foreign buyers of residential real estate in that province. The tax was introduced with no consultation and virtually no notice. As Ontario considers measures to address the growing affordability challenge in our province, OREA urges all … Continued

Don’t be the elephant in the room

“Why did you fail?” asks one student to another. “Because I had that instructor,” came the reply. “Why did you pass?” asks the second student. “Because I had the same instructor.” This exchange speaks to the tremendous importance of your personal reaction to matters in a given situation or environment. What was your focus? Where … Continued

What it takes to succeed as a REALTOR®

Bradley Mayer-Harman won a 2016 Ontario Real Estate Association YPN Leadership award. In this video he talks to OREA YPN Committee Chair Steve Kotan about what it takes to succeed as a REALTOR®, technologies that are fuelling the real estate industry, and how evolving client expectations are impacting the real estate business.

Government Reviews Ontario’s Financial Planning Framework

Earlier last month, OREA made a submission to the Government of Ontario’s Expert Committee to Consider Financial Advisory and Financial Planning Policy Alternatives. OREA supports the Committee’s recommendation to increase financial literacy amongst youth in Ontario. As professionals who help consumers through one of their largest financial transactions in their lifetimes, REALTORS® know how important … Continued

Meet the New Minister of Energy, the Honourable Glenn Thibeault

This week, we will continue profiling ministers in Premier Wynne’s cabinet with the new Minister of Energy, the Honourable Glenn Thibeault. Minister Thibeault was elected to the Ontario Legislature in 2015 representing the riding of Sudbury.  He previously served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), the Honourable Glen … Continued

Portrait of an Effective Teacher

I’m just not into James Joyce.  I never managed to read A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. I’m told it’s an awakening and rebellion against religious conventions—not the stuff of dramatic import that I would find intriguing. One basic Joyce theme does ring true, the notion that an epiphany can dramatically alter … Continued

Meet the Hon. Glen Murray, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

This week we are profiling the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), the Honourable Glen Murray. Glen Murray was first elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) for Toronto Centre in 2010. Murray previously served as the Minister of a number of portfolios, including: Infrastructure; Transportation; Training, Colleges and Universities; and Research … Continued

Is the Open House still Effective?

            To answer this question: YES! I come from London where open houses are quite popular with local Realtors. This is a very busy market and serving our clients is always our number one concern. Given how quickly properties are moving it is even more important to ensure that your … Continued