Oct 4, 2021 | Uncategorized |
Nominations for the 2022 RAHB Board of Directors are now open!
Do you want to put your name forward or nominate another member? Check out the official information package, which includes:
For the RAHB Nominations Information Package, Click here.
For the Notice of Election Meeting, Click here.
We are encouraging members to submit names of fellow RAHB REALTORS® who you feel would be an effective leader for the Board of Directors. The Nominations Committee will do the follow-up to ensure this ideal candidate applies.
If you know of a RAHB member who ticks off all the boxes to be a great leader, please send the name to nominations@rahb.ca.
If you have any questions about the meeting, the election process or the information included in the Notice of Meeting, please contact Carolyn Infurnari at carolyni@rahb.ca.
Thank you in advance for your consideration, as well as your candidate suggestions, and we look forward to another excellent election!
Oct 1, 2021 | Uncategorized |
Hamilton, ON (October 1, 2021) – The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported 1,226 sales of residential properties located within the RAHB market area through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System in September 2021. Sales increased two per cent since last month, and they were down nearly 30 per cent since September 2020. New listings increased by 14 per cent since last month and down 26 per cent since last September. The average price for residential properties was $881,656 which was an increase of nearly five per cent from last month compared to an increase of 22 per cent from September 2020. The inventory available remained unchanged from August 2021 at 0.8 months of inventory.
*The news release will be posted to www.rahb.ca/market-stats/ on October 4, 2021.*
Follow the links below for:
Burlington
Haldimand
Hamilton
Niagara North
Sep 29, 2021 | New Members |
We extend a warm welcome to RAHB’s newest members who joined our association between September 1 and September 29, 2021!
Schann Sharma
Cirrius Realty Inc.
Katie Ego
Davenport Realty
Colleen Readhead
Davies Real Estate Ltd.
Faizel Bhabha
Simmi Walia
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
Kris Hayashi
HomeLife/Response Realty Inc., Brokerage
Ryan Daye
Muhammad Arif Minhas
Housesigma Inc.
Shoaib Ghani
IPRO Realty Ltd.
Landon Ali
Sarah O’Shea
Shirley Shi
Keller Williams Complete Realty
Hardeep Mand
Gayathri Thavan
Keller Williams Edge Realty
Dennis Rego
Platinum Lion Realty Inc.
Katy Jobe
PureRealty Brokerage
Kate Mayster
Mark McLeod
William Paul
Realty Network : 100 Inc.
Alexa DiBellonia
Re/Max Realty Enterprises Inc.
Harpreet Cheema
Maxine Cortez
Adam Davidson
Karim Kadry
RE/MAX Escarpment Golfi Realty Inc.
Colin Cannella
RE/MAX Escarpment Frank Realty
Julie Bezusko
Robert Bragdon
Pooja Kumar
Jeff Margolis
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.
Yogesh Patel
Janet Rizzi
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc.
Teo Marin
Adam Rajewski
Trevor Rodrigues
Right At Home Realty Inc.
Madeline DiNunzio
Julia Stephens
Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services
Onkar Chahal
Royal LePage Macro Realty
Mirjana Rendulic
StreetCity Realty Inc. Brokerage
Danielle Santos
Zoocasa Realty Inc.
Sep 23, 2021 | Uncategorized |
VACCINATION PASSPORT FAQ
As of today, September 22nd, Ontario will require people to provide proof of vaccination status to access certain businesses and settings.
How does the new vaccination policy impact real estate?
OREA has consulted with the provincial government, real estate and legal experts and assembled the information you need to assist in your ongoing efforts to keep your clients, your brokerage, and communities safe. The FAQ below provides information to Members on issues like medical exemptions, real estate listings and working with unvaccinated clients.
As Ontario continues to navigate this fourth wave of the pandemic, it’s essential that we do our part as Ontario REALTORS® to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. If you are not already vaccinated, unless you have a medical exemption, we strongly encourage you to do so. In addition to the guidance below, we encourage Members to continue to use technology and virtual tools first and to the greatest extent possible to reduce the need for in-person contact.
Together, we can help end this pandemic and get our province back to normal.
If you have follow-up questions, please reach out to info@orea.com and one of our team members will get back to you as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
David Oikle
OREA President
Disclaimer: The guidance contained in this post is for information purposes only and is not meant to be relied upon as legal advice by REALTORS®, or others. Members wishing further clarity or advice should seek independent legal advice specific to their circumstances.
HOW THE VACCINATION CERTIFICATION SYSTEM WORKS
As of September 22, 2021, Ontarians will need to be fully vaccinated (two doses plus 14 days) and provide their proof of vaccination along with photo ID to access certain public settings and facilities. The government approach focuses on high-risk indoor public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn and includes:
- Restaurants and bars (excluding outdoor patios, as well as delivery and takeout).
- Nightclubs (including outdoor areas).
- Meeting and event spaces, such as banquet halls and conference/convention centres.
- Facilities used for sports and fitness activities and personal fitness training, such as gyms, fitness and recreational facilities with the exception of youth recreational sport.
- Sporting events.
- Casinos, bingo halls and gaming establishments.
- Concerts, music festivals, theatres and cinemas.
- Strip clubs, bathhouses and sex clubs.
- Racing venues (e.g. horse racing).
Vaccination verification certificates will not be required when accessing necessary medical care, grocery stores or other essential services and establishments.
Unvaccinated people with medical exemptions (including those who may be allergic or had a reaction to their first vaccine) will not be required to provide proof of vaccination, provided they can produce an appropriate doctor’s note, at least until recognized medical exemptions can be integrated as part of a digital vaccine certificate.
All Ontarians can print or download their vaccination receipt from the provincial booking portal. The Ministry is working on additional supports and services to assist Ontario residents who need help obtaining proof of vaccination, including requesting a copy be sent by mail. Those who need support obtaining a copy of their vaccination receipt including those who do not have access to a computer or printer can call the Provincial Vaccine Contact Centre at 1-833-943-3900.
Ontario is developing an enhanced vaccine certificate with a unique QR code to make it safer, more secure and convenient to show that you have been vaccinated, when required to do so. The enhanced vaccine certificate and verification app will be available by October 22, 2021. Ontario’s proof of vaccination guidance will be updated to reflect the new processes.
To see more of OREA’s Vaccination FAQ – Click here.
Sep 22, 2021 | Uncategorized |
CREA has received several questions asking for clarification on CREA’s position regarding COVID-19 vaccines and in-person showings. In response to these questions CREA has prepared some FAQs below. If there are any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to reach out to CREA’s Senior Competition Counsel, Paul Feuer, pfeuer@crea.ca or CREA Legal Counsel, Simon Parham at sparham@crea.ca.
COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs
Please note that these FAQs should be understood in the extraordinary context of the COVID-19 pandemic. REALTORS®, Boards and Associations should also ensure that they abide by any local or provincial requirements and consult their legal counsel to ensure compliance with provincial or local law.
What is CREA’s position with respect to COVID-19 Vaccines?
CREA encourages all REALTORS® to get vaccinated against COVID-19, unless there are medical or religious reasons that prevent them from doing so.
It is incumbent on REALTORS®, as professionals, to follow all public health recommendations, including getting vaccinated, in order to help bring an end to the pandemic and ensure the lives and safety of our fellow Canadians.
Recently some listings have stated that anyone visiting the property for an in-person showing must be fully vaccinated. Should a Board permit such listings to be placed on their MLS® System?
Yes.
In extraordinary circumstances, such as a global pandemic, it is reasonable for the seller to request proof of vaccination, as it is to require the use of masks, social distancing and other measures as per advice from local and provincial health authorities.
Background
Ultimately, subject to any health directive or legal requirement, CREA believes that it is important for REALTORS® to respect the wishes of sellers who are in the best position to judge their own circumstances when it comes to the health of themselves and their families. For example, a seller who is immunocompromised may decide that they do not want to risk contracting COVID-19 from unvaccinated persons who might attend an in-person showing of their home. Precluding their listings from being placed on a Board MLS® System could deprive these sellers of a valuable REALTOR® service.
Are such COVID-19 vaccination requirements a barrier to REALTOR® cooperation?
No.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, CREA does not believe that COVID-19 vaccine requirements for in-person showings are a barrier to REALTOR® cooperation given that proven alternatives to in-person showings exist; in particular, virtual showings.
Background
CREA believes Boards and Associations can and should be flexible when interpreting their MLS® System Rules regarding showings and recognize that, in these extraordinary circumstances, virtual showings can be a substitute for showings conducted in person.
Conversely, should a Board require that REALTORS® only conduct in-person showings with fully vaccinated persons?
No.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, CREA is of the view that, subject to any health directive or legal requirement, sellers are in the best position to judge their own circumstances when it comes to vaccines.
Further, as is explained below, vaccine requirements may expose REALTORS® and a Board/Association to the risk of a lawsuit or complaint. A strict vaccination requirement issued by the Board could therefore inadvertently expose REALTORS® and Boards and Associations to such risks.
Could REALTORS® or a Board/Association be at risk of a lawsuit or complaint if they institute a business practice that prohibits in-person showings to those who are not fully vaccinated?
Yes.
There may be privacy, human rights and competition law issues if a REALTOR® or Board/Association institutes a business practice that prohibits in-person showings from those who are not fully vaccinated unless directed to do so by provincial or federal authorities. For this reason, there is a risk of a lawsuit or complaint being made.
What can REALTORS® or a Board/Association do to mitigate the risk of a lawsuit or complaint being successful if they institute a business practice that prohibits in-person showings to individuals that are not fully vaccinated?
To mitigate such risks, Boards, Associations and REALTORS® should consider using reasonable alternatives to in-person showings, such as virtual showings, for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Background
Canada’s Privacy Commissioners have cautioned against the use of vaccine passports as a condition of receiving a service absent a public health order or law requiring the presentation of a vaccine passport to enter a premise or receive a service. Further, requiring all persons attending in-person showings to be fully vaccinated could also raise issues under provincial human rights legislation.
However, in the context of vaccines, provincial human rights commissions have stressed the importance of being flexible and encourage organizations to explore whether accommodation is possible. For example, a reasonable alternative to an in-person showing would be a virtual showing.
Accordingly, REALTORS®, Boards and Associations that institute a business practice that prohibits in-person showings to individuals that are not fully vaccinated should consider using such reasonable alternatives to in-person showings in order to reduce the risk of a privacy or human rights complaint being successful.
While offering reasonable alternatives may mitigate the risk of a lawsuit or complaint being successful, it does not stop a complaint or suit from being made in the first place. Defending such suits/complaints can take time and energy. For this reason, REALTORS® or Boards/Associations who are interested in implementing a business practice that mandates that in-person showings only be conducted with those who are fully vaccinated (or who are considering any other business practice where service is dependent on another persons’ vaccine status) should speak to legal counsel so they understand the risks involved with any proposed practice and how to properly implement it.
Sep 1, 2021 | Uncategorized |
Hamilton, ON (September 1, 2021) – The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported 1,201 sales of residential properties located within the RAHB market area through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System in August 2021. Sales were down five per cent since last month, and they were also down five per cent since August 2020. New listings were down nine per cent since last month and down 15 per cent since last August. The average price for residential properties was $839,881 which was a decrease of nearly one per cent from last month and up nearly 21 per cent from August 2020. The inventory available at the end of the month remained unchanged at 0.8.
*The news release will be posted to www.rahb.ca/market-stats/ on September 2, 2021.*
Follow the links below for:
Burlington
Haldimand
Hamilton
Niagara North
Sep 1, 2021 | New Members |
We extend a warm welcome to RAHB’s newest members who joined our association between July 1 and July 31, 2021!
Jake Cychner
Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd.
Kristian Faustini
Copperlion Realty Inc.
Karolina Zanon
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
Caroline Czajko
IPro Realty Ltd.
Melissa Carrington
Hector Garcia Perdomo
Lynne Lewis
Kayla Zavarella
Keller Williams Complete Realty
Mark De Guzman
Samantha Silveira
Keller Williams Edge Realty
Benjamin Zarate
Realty Network : 100 Inc.
Paisley Hunt
Sherry Jones
Jessica Magill
RE/MAX Escarpment Golfi Realty Inc.
Lynda Christie
Ivona Clarke
Adam Di Francesco
Nicholas DiMatteo
Greg Gismondi
Mike Gligoric
Naveed Lodhi
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.
Imam Ayam
Laverne Taylor
Right At Home Realty Inc.
Jillian Treadgold
Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services
Maria Barrera Arboleda
Adam Busch
Safiya El Ashi
Royal LePage State Realty
Kennedy Harding
Royal LePage Macro Realty
Moe Shahzad
Scott Benson Real Estate Inc.
Nella Cacciacarro
Sutton Group Quantum Realty In
Aug 20, 2021 | REALTORS Care® |
Ontario REALTORS® Care® Grant Applications Now Being Accepted.
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| Hamilton, ON (August 20, 2021) – The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) is looking to support local shelter-based charities in the communities of Hamilton, Burlington, Haldimand County, and Niagara North by providing over $42,000 in donations. RAHB is accepting grant applications until Friday September 17, 2021.
RAHB is reaching out to its members and the communities it serves to raise awareness and guarantee that a variety of charities benefit from the grant each year.
“All strong communities have one thing in common – the ability to band together and help those in need,” says Donna Bacher, RAHB President. “RAHB is passionate about providing housing opportunities and building better communities and this grant facilitates both of these quality of life principles.”
Last year’s Grant Recipients from the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington were:
- Good Shepherd ($2,000)
- Halton Women’s Place ($3,500)
- St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation (part of Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation) ($2,000)
- Indwell Community Homes (Indwell) ($4,000)
- March of Dimes Canada Non-Profit Housing Corporation ($2,500)
- Mission Services of Hamilton ($4,000)
- Neighbour to Neighbour Centre ($4,000)
- Restoration Second Stage Homes ($2,500)
- Shifra Homes Inc. ($3,000)
- The Bridge: From Prison to Community ($2,140)
- The King’s Way Outreach Centre ($4,000)
- The Salvation Army Ellen Osler ($2,000)
- The Salvation Army Hamilton Booth ($1,500)
- Wesley Urban Ministries (Wesley) ($3,000)
- YWCA Hamilton ($2500)
For further details about the 2021 Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation Grants: https://realtorscareontario.ca/grants
For questions about the grant or to submit an application, please contact communications@RAHB.ca
About the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington: Established in 1921, the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) is a registered non-profit organization that is the second largest real estate association in Ontario and the eighth largest in Canada. We represent over 3,500 members in Hamilton, Burlington and surrounding areas. Our members may use the REALTOR® trademark, which identifies them as a real estate professional who subscribes to a strict code of professional ethics. More information about RAHB is available at rahb.ca.
About the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation: The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, formerly the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Foundation was established in 1967. The Foundation supports shelter-based charitable organizations across Ontario, making a difference in the lives of people and communities where REALTORS® live and conduct business |
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| To make a donation to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, go to www.RealtorsCareOntario.ca. |
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Aug 4, 2021 | New Members |
We extend a warm welcome to RAHB’s newest members who joined our association between July 1 and July 31, 2021!
Justin DaSilva
Com/Choice Realty
Chase Siberry-Bennett
Coldwell Banker Community Professionals
Brianna Perry
Jessica Salas
Lauren Moroso
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
Fionna Jeffrey
Fengate Real Estate Ltd.
Kendall Brown
Greater Property Group
Behnam Meschi Amoli
IPro Realty Ltd.
Eduardo Hernandez
Santiago Vega Jaramillo
Michael Campanile
Keller Williams Complete Realty
Priscilla Tieku
Keller Williams Edge Realty
Liam Neufeld
Realty Network: 100 Inc.
Vanessa Corbett
Sarah Feere
RE/MAX Escarpment Team Logue Realty
Inder Kalsi
Trisha Kosewski
Natalie Stoltz
Krista Tadic
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc
Alexis Samantha May
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc.
Martli Hattingh
Right At Home Realty Inc.
Victoria DiMuzio
Julie Jones
Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services
Michael Estey
Gwen Nguyen
Royal LePage Macro Realty
Caterina Sorbara
Royal LePage State Realty
Jul 13, 2021 | New Members |
We extend a warm welcome to RAHB’s newest members who joined our association between June 1 and June 30, 2021!
Matthew Brent
Ambitious Realty Advisors Inc.
Daniel Hale
Central Home Realty Inc.
Alisha Woodman
Chestnut Park Real Estate Ltd.
Jamie Fisher
City Brokerage
Andrew Shier
Coldwell Banker-Burnhill Realty
Igy Voi Abejon
Andrew Cigna
Gregory Jandricic
Gill Mullis
EXP Realty of Canada Inc.
Colin Catherwood
Fengate Real Estate Ltd.
Yao Zhi Yi Niu
Homelife Professionals Realty Inc.
Abby Tallach
Keller Williams Complete Realty
Trevor Allman
Steffanee Barnes
Nick Infante
Mahesh Kumar
Keller Williams Edge Realty
Israt Lira
Clarissa Rock
Waled Waheed
Michael St. Jean Realty Inc.
Jamil Rahemtula
PureRealty Brokerage
Colin Clark
Purplebricks
Peter Tichband
RE/MAX Escarpment Golfi Realty Inc.
Manraj Chhina
Olga Donczak
Ebony Ennis
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.
Willow Young
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc.
Seema Johal
Joseph Ogbebor
Jordan Persaud
Right At Home Realty Inc.
Danielle Simpson
Scott Benson Real Estate Inc.
Rajiv Gupta
StreetCity Realty Inc. Brokerage
Cait Stevens
Sutton Group About Town Realty Inc.
Sarah Vanderveen
Voortman Realty Inc.
Shruti Kalantri
Zolo Realty
Jul 5, 2021 | Uncategorized |
The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported 1,607 sales of residential properties located within the RAHB market area through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System in June 2021. While sales were down 11 per cent since last month, they were up 23 per cent since June 2020. New listings were also down 11 per cent since last month and up ten per cent as of last June. The average price for residential properties was $865,339 which was an increase of two per cent from last month and up 28 per cent from June 2020. The inventory available at the end of the month was 0.6 per cent lower than last month.
*The news release will be posted to www.rahb.ca/market-stats/ on July 6, 2021.*
Follow the links below for:
Burlington
Haldimand
Hamilton
Niagara North
Jun 17, 2021 | REALTORS Care® |
Ontario REALTORS® Donate $1 million to Shelter-Based Charities as Pandemic Continues to Challenge Shelters and Food Banks
As the third wave of the pandemic continues to put pressure on the province’s already stretched shelter system, the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington is supporting five shelter-based charities in our local community by providing $19,290 in funding to assist with service continuity. The five shelter-based charities that received funding are Halton Women’s Place, Salvation Army Hamilton Booth Centre, The Bridge Hamilton, Wesley Urban Ministries, and YWCA Hamilton. This funding is part of the Ontario Real Estate Association’s (OREA) larger donation of $520,000 to Ontario shelters and food banks, which is on top of the $480,000 donation made one year ago. The funds will be distributed through the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation to nearly 100 shelters and food banks across Ontario.
“The impacts of COVID-19 continue to be felt around the world, including in our local communities with vulnerable populations being disproportionately affected,” says RAHB President Donna Bacher. “In our RAHB market area, we have witnessed first-hand the tremendous work and obstacles these five charities have had to overcome during the pandemic. Our hope is that this donation will have a direct impact on our community and assist in each charity’s pandemic recovery plan.”
All charities receiving funding are listed on RealHeart.ca, a recently launched initiative with a mission to support Ontario REALTORS® in their work to build stronger communities across Ontario. In 2020 alone, the Foundation raised more than $1.1 million for shelter-based organizations. Today’s donation is part of OREA’s and ORCF’s longstanding commitment to helping families in need of emergency and permanent housing.
“The impact of this pandemic on our local communities has been devastating,” says President of the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation Heather Arnott. “We hope this donation will help our community organizations continue the incredibly important work they do to help those going through tough times. I’d like to thank the OREA Board of Directors for their continued support of the Foundation and for their work in responding to the current COVID crisis. This funding is consistent with the socially responsible leadership that OREA, its 37 Member Boards and its REALTOR® Members provide to the Ontario communities they serve.”
Pictured is Anuja Varghese from YWCA Hamilton
To make a donation to the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation, go to www.RealtorsCareOntario.ca.
