Jan 11, 2016 | RAHB News |
Interview with 2016 President Kim Alvarez
1. Congratulations on becoming President of RAHB. What made you want to be president?
Thank you. I wasn’t driven to become president when starting at the Board, actually it was quite the contrary. After my first two years, I began to feel it would be necessary so the changes could continue in the positive direction that had been put in motion. I strongly believe in thorough analysis, transparency and accountability for a successful Board to benefit membership most and want to see that become the standard.
2. You have a particular interest in getting more members engaged in the Association. What would you say is the value in increased member participation in RAHB activities and initiatives? And what does member engagement look like to you?
Engagement from a broad spectrum of members allows the Board and staff to make the best decisions for membership overall. Allowing new volunteers on committees broadens understanding of organized real estate, opens possibilities for new ideas and may encourage others to run for leadership positions. I strongly believe in democracy and having more candidates run for elections is more fair and less susceptible to manipulation than acclamations. Engagement is two-way communication, getting feedback from membership and keeping them informed with full information to make clear decisions. I am hoping for a respectful culture where we can debate ideas to propel our Association further.
3. Every year brings its own challenges. What do you see as the challenges facing members is 2016?
Regionalization will be the challenge for our members early in 2016. Coupled with that will be the adjustment to a new Matrix platform. I’m optimistic that the CEO and staff will manage this transition effectively for our members. Our industry is ever changing and keeping pace with technology will continue to challenge all of us.
4. And the Association?
We hired a new CEO in late August 2015. George has immersed himself to understand our Association’s business in a very short time period. I assume he will continue to assess current processes and adjust as necessary. Change can always be challenging but I think the staff has some exciting opportunities to develop under new leadership. I am very confident in his abilities to further benefit our Association.
5. Is there anything you would like to accomplish during your year in office?
My personal wish is to improve the perception of the value of a REALTOR® within our communities. Internally we have been making steps to clean up our Bylaws and governance policies and would like to finish the proposed updates this year.
6. Do you have any last thoughts to pass on to the members?
I wish the membership a wonderful 2016! I’m very excited about the fantastic group of people at the Board table this year. If the strategic planning session was an indicator, we will have commitment, insight and enthusiasm. I would like the membership to feel connected to their Board so if you have suggestions or concerns you would like to share, please feel free to contact me at kim@kimalvarez.ca or post a comment on our Facebook page. If you have a question or comment for staff, please call the Association office at 905.529.8101.
Jan 11, 2016 | CREA/OREA/RECO News |
The annual election for the CREA Board of Directors will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2016 at the 2016 CREA Annual General Meeting in Ottawa. Any qualified REALTOR® who has an interest in serving as a Director of CREA is strongly encouraged to run for a position on the Board of Directors.
The following positions are open:
- Three Director-at-Large positions, each for a two-year term
- Four Regional Director positions, each for a two-year term, one from each of the following regions:
- Alberta/Northwest Territories
- Saskatchewan
- Ontario
- The Atlantic Region
Qualifications of Directors
- Be a REALTOR® member
- Have been a REALTOR® member for at least five years
- Have a minimum of three years experience as a director of a member real estate board or association
- Not be otherwise disqualified by the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act
- In the case of a Regional Director, be licensed in that region
The deadline for candidate submissions is Tuesday, January 19, 2016.
If you need further information, contact CREA’s General Counsel,
Bill Harrington, at 613-237-7111 or at bharrington@crea.ca, or go to http://www.realtorlink.ca/content/realtorlink/crea/en_CA/about/
governance/elections/CREA_Board_of_Director_Elections/
Director_Recruitment_Information.html/Fo to read more about
CREA’s vision, strategic leadership and accountability policies.
Jan 11, 2016 | Member Services |
New releases – available by advance order only!
Rough/Advanced Guide To Construction Costs 2016
A great reference guide for current residential and commercial construction costs.
$26.62 ea.*
Introductory GTA Green Guide 2016
This guide provides an overview of current green building trends and green building rating systems to both new and existing buildings.
Please note: This book is not sold separately.
Package deal price
for both – $34.21 ea.*
Order deadline is January 31, 2016
Call the Shoppe at 905.529.5979 to order your copy.
Please Note: Final Sale policy in effect on all books
NEW in the Shoppe
Multi-Use Feature Sheet Stand
Holds 8” x 11” sheets or can be adapted with a removable divider to create two pamphlet pockets. Stands on a table, or can be hung from a wall
$6.80 ea.
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Save the Date! Customer Appreciation Day
Just to say THANK YOU for your continued support.
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Visit the Shoppe to enjoy light refreshments and enter your business card to win a prize! No purchase necessary.
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Dec 7, 2015 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
(December 3, 2015 – Hamilton, Ontario) The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported 1,262 sales were processed through the RAHB Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System in November. Sales were 15.1 per cent higher than the same month last year, 23.8 per cent higher than the 10-year average, and were a record for the month of November. This is the fourth month in a row where records for monthly sales have been broken.
There were 1,340 properties listed in November, an increase of 2.8 per cent compared to November of last year.
“Low inventory and a record number of sales for the month is a recipe for a continued seller’s market,” said RAHB CEO George O’Neill. “With only a little over two months of inventory, and a high sales to new listings ratio, we are continuing in the seller’s market that has persisted in our area .”
Seasonally adjusted* sales of residential properties were 18.9 per cent higher than the same month of the previous year, with the average sale price up 6.8 per cent for the month. Seasonally adjusted numbers of new listings were 1.7 per cent higher than the same month the year prior.
Seasonally adjusted data for residential properties for the month of November, 2015:
Actual overall residential sales of 1,211 units were 15.2 per cent higher than the same month last year. Residential freehold sales were 17.8 per cent higher than last November while sales in the condominium market increased by 4.5 per cent.
The average price of freehold properties showed an increase of nine per cent compared to the same month the previous year; the average sale price in the condominium market decreased by 0.8 per cent when compared to the same period.
The average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold by RAHB members. Average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value.
“It’s interesting to note,” added O’Neill. “that while the overall average sale price is almost ten per cent higher than last year at this time, it has actually been fairly level since February. There’s been a little up and down movement in average price, but mostly within a $10,000 range, with the exception of August when we saw the highest average sale price for this year.”
The average days on market decreased from 40 to 36 days in the freehold market and from 39 to 34 days in the condominium market when compared to the same month the previous year.
Year to date, sales are 11.5 per cent higher compared to the same period last year; listings are 6.1 per cent higher than last year and the average sale price is 8.5 per cent higher for the period.
Every community in RAHB’s market area has its own localized residential market. Please refer to the accompanying chart for residential market activity in select areas in RAHB’s jurisdiction.
*Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal variations, enabling analysis of monthly changes and fundamental trends in the data.
Established in 1921, the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) represents more than 2,900 real estate brokers and sales representatives from Hamilton, Burlington and outlying areas. Members of the association may use the REALTOR® trademark, which identifies them as real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics. The association operates the local Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) and provides ongoing professional education courses for its members. In addition, RAHB is an active participant in the Home Ownership Affordability Partnership (HOAP) and holds an annual auction in support of local charities. Advertisements of local MLS® property listings and information about the services provided by a REALTOR® can be found at www.REALTOR.ca. More information about RAHB is available at www.rahb.ca.
Dec 7, 2015 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
Dec 7, 2015 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
RAHB Average Price by District – (#) Residential Unit Sales
Hamilton
Hamilton West, 10 – 12
Hamilton East, 23, 24, 27 – 29
Hamilton Centre, 13, 14, 20 – 22
Hamilton Mountain, 15 – 18, 25 & 26
Burlington, 30 – 36, 38
Outlying
Flamborough, 40, 43 – 45
Dundas, 41
Ancaster, 42
Waterdown, 46
Stoney Creek, 50 – 52
Glanbrook, 53
Grimsby, 54 -55
West Lincoln, 56
Smithville, 57
Dunnville, 61
Cayuga, 62
Calendonia/Hagersville, 63 & 70
Onieda/Seneca, 71 & 64
Rainham, 65
Canborough/Dunn, 60
Dec 4, 2015 | Member Services |
Computer
Held at RAHB – 505 York Blvd. – Lower Level
C – Chambers Room M – McCullough Room
- New Member Computer Training Level 1
Thursday, December 10 – C, 9 a.m. – noon
Thursday, December 17 – C, 9 a.m. – noon
Board of Directors, Committee and Task Force Meetings
Held at RAHB – 505 York Blvd. – First Floor
T – Thompson Room P – Purnell Room
- Board of Directors
Thursday, December 10 – T, 9 a.m.
- Awards Task Force
Friday, December 11 – T, 9:30 a.m.
Upcoming Events
- Realty Shoppe Inventory Day
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Shoppe will be CLOSED
- Realty Shoppe Renovations
Monday, December 21 – Wednesday, December 23.
Shoppe will be CLOSED
- Annual Appreciation and Awards Gala
Saturday, January 23, 2016
Michelangelo Events and Conference Centre
1555 Upper Ottawa St, Hamilton
(by invitation only)
- REALTOR® CONNECTIONS
Wednesday, March 23, 2016
Hamilton Convention Centre
1 Summers Lane, Hamilton
Office Closures
The RAHB office will be closed from 1 p.m.
Thursday, December 24, 2015 until
Monday, January 4, 2016.
Dec 4, 2015 | REALTORS Care® |
Royal LePage Burloak Chili Bowl raises money for local shelters
Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services held its 6th Annual Charity Halloween Chili Bowl on October 28, 2015 to raise money for Halton Women’s Place and The Carpenter Hospice.
Approximately 130 people attended the event, including Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services’ sales representatives, administrative employees and community sponsors. The event raised over $3,000 for
the shelters.
Over the past thirteen years, Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services has raised over $250,000 in support of Halton Women’s Place and the Carpenter Hospice and continues to contribute to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation by organizing and holding fundraising events throughout the year.
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Keller Williams Complete raises funds for Habitat
On September 23, 2015, Keller Williams Complete Realty held its second annual charity golf tournament in support of the Women in Law (WIL) build and Habitat for Humanity. Through the tournament, sponsorships and donations, Keller Williams Complete donated $20,965 to Habitat
for the build.
Dec 4, 2015 | Member Services |
Over three days in November, REALTORS® from across Ontario gathered in Toronto to meet and discuss the legislative issues facing the profession. Representatives were updated on the fight to have the Municipal Land Transfer Tax taken off the table as a new revenue tool for cities. A Private Member’s bill will be presented in December requesting that municipalities not have the option to levy this new tax against home buyers. See: http://donttaxmydream.ca/
OREA also presented their submission on a proposed mandatory energy audit program that would require an audit to be completed before a property is listed and that the score be included on the MLS® system. OREA’s proposal counters this position, but suggests that an energy audit be included as part of a standard home inspection, once the Province regulates that industry. See: https://www.oreablog.com/2015/09/ontario-realtors-oppose-mandatory-home-energy-audits/
Representatives from RAHB met with four of our five MPPs, and had a chance to raise concerns about these issues. Results were mixed, but we hope to have more details soon, as many hadn’t yet discussed the issues
in caucus.
(l-r) RAHB Government Relations committee representatives
Kathy Della-Nebbia and Nik Bucalo and OREA PAC rep Sean Morrison.
Update!
Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Ted McMeekin informed the legislature on December 1 that the government will not give municipalities outside of Toronto the ability to charge a municipal land transfer tax (MLTT).
Dec 4, 2015 | Member Services |
MasterLock Personal Safe – a great gift!
- Lightweight and portable. Protects MP3 players, cell phones, cameras, gaming devices, cash, credit cards, jewelry, keys, passports, sunglasses or other small valuables
- Lock up & lock down. Lock up valuables with the cable wrapped tightly to the safe or wrapped securely around a fixed object. Cable doubles as a carrying handle
- Set your own combination for keyless convenience
- Ear bud/charging cable access port
- Shock absorbing foam lines the interior storage area
- Durable water-resistant construction
- Ideal for recreation, campus, office, travel or leisure use.
$18.80*
Fourth Quarter Member’s Guide
The fourth quarter Member’s Guide’will be available in January 2016. The January issue is the only edition which includes the full cumulative sales for the previous year.
The Member’s Guide is available only to RAHB members, by advance order. Order deadline is January 6, 2016.
Important Note: Watch for a fresh new presentation of the Member’s Guide data and easier access to all the information you value … changes are coming in the new year.
$11.00*
Mark your calendar!
Realty Shoppe Closure
The Realty Shoppe will be closed on Wednesday, December 16, for inventory. No sales or orders can be made. The Shoppe will also be closed for renovations from Monday, December 21 – Wednesday, December 23. No on-site shopping but phone and online orders will still be processed.
We apologize for any inconvenience – your cooperation is greatly appreciated!
_________________________________________________________________
* All applicable taxes are extra. Prices subject to change.
Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
T.: 905.529.5979 F.: 905.529.7109 E.: realtyshoppe@rahb.ca
Dec 4, 2015 | Member Services |
What do you get for your membership dollar? How about lots of
up-to-date professional development opportunities?
Did you know that in 2015, RAHB offered five higher education or designation courses among the 25 new courses and seven courses repeated from last year? This is a huge member service for you! You may no longer need to take RECO courses at RAHB to maintain your license, but you can still take professional development courses to upgrade your knowledge and skills.
Here are the courses RAHB offered in its Professional Development program in 2015 (designation courses are in bold print):
New courses
- Accredited Buyer’s Representative
- Seller’s Representative Specialist
- Ethics and Business Practice
- Tax & Investment Planning for REALTORS®
- Rental Properties and Their Tax Issues
- LinkedIn Bootcamp
- Facebook Bootcamp
- Master iPad Bootcamp
- iPad Agent
- A Beginner’s Guide to Everything You Need to Know About Making a Video
- Introduction to Blogging
- Bill 55 – Bidding Wars
- Go Paperless
- How Money Works – Lunch and Learn
- HST for the Real Estate Professional
- Spring into Style with Home Staging
- 50 Top Sales Tips
- The Four Pillars of Income Real Estate Sales
- Social Media Sales Funnels: Turning Likes into Profits
- Estate Planning for the Real Estate Professional
- When Things Go Wrong
- Protecting Your Lifestyle – Lunch and Learn
- OREA 2015 Standard Forms and Clauses
- Increase Your Online Marketing – Point2
- Master Open House
Repeat courses from previous years:
- Consumer Certified Real Estate Consultant
- Accredited Senior Agent
- For Sale By Owner
- Apartment Expert
- Effective Listing Presentation
- Real Estate Errors and Omissions Insurance Protection
- GEOWarehouse/ViMo
Be sure to watch for more great courses – you will receive notifications via email and in issues of REALINFO. You can also find links to courses on Message of the Day (MOD).
Dec 4, 2015 | RAHB News |
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