Aug 7, 2015 | RAHB News |
If you ask RAHB CEO Ross Godsoe what he’ll be doing when he retires, you’ll be told in no uncertain terms he isn’t retiring – he’s pursuing other interests.
That may be, but Ross is officially retiring from the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington on August 31, 2015.
Ross joined RAHB as CEO in 2001 and brought with him a wealth of experience from all facets of the real estate industry. He owned a real estate brokerage in Mississauga for 26 years and was involved in residential and commercial real estate, real estate development and property management.
His time in Organized Real Estate saw him as President of the Mississauga Real Estate Board in 1987. From there, he became involved on the OREA board, on which he served as president in 1994, and the CREA board, on which he served as president in 2000. In total, Ross spent 18 consecutive years as a volunteer in three levels of organized real estate.
Just at the time Ross was considering other business opportunities, he became aware of the opening for a CEO at RAHB. As a businessperson who understood both the business side and member side of real estate, he believed he would be a good fit for the position and the selection committee obviously agreed.
In his years at RAHB, Ross’s primary focus has been member service. He has overseen two major member service projects – the move from the legacy MLS® system to MLXchange and, more recently, the creation of a regional MLS® System and the move to Matrix. Ross has also been instrumental in establishing closer relationship with other real estate boards and associations coast to coast (and beyond), and with other organizations which are leaders in the Greater Hamilton-Burlington area. Ross’s work to foster relationships with service providers resulted in superior technologies and services being offered to RAHB members.
Ross’s special passion is the Home Ownership Affordability Program, or HOAP, a unique program to help families in subsidized housing move into their own homes, with assistance from RAHB and its partners in the HOAP program. To date, 12 families have become home owners under the HOAP banner.
Ross is the recipient of the prestigious W. Frank Johns Award in recognition of his “dedicated leadership, contributions and support … in developing the professional role and status of executive officers.”
We hope Ross will enjoy many more meetings in the green board room come September. We know his active involvement in Old Timers hockey will have him in top shape for when the Maple Leafs call him up to their starting line up!
As Ross moves on to new adventures, we all wish him well.
Aug 7, 2015 | REALTORS Care® |
Golfers and sponsors enjoyed the blue skies over Hidden Lake Golf Club during the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington Charity Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 25. The annual tournament raised $9,023 to support RAHB’s Home Ownership Affordability Program (HOAP) and the Karan Barker Scholarship Fund.
President Donna Bacher presents Michael and Chris Griffith with the Top Foursome Trophy (Amanda Gibbons and Oran Johnson not available for photo).
Prize winners were Michael Griffith, Chris Griffith, Amanda Gibbons, and Oran Johnson (Top Foursome), Judy Sweeting (ladies’ Closest to the Rope and ladies’ Putting Contest), Jack Wright (men’s Closest to the Rope), Roy Drysdale (men’s Putting Contest) and Allan Spisak (50/50 Draw).
“What a great day of golfing”, said Bob Schinkel Chair of the Golf Tournament Task Force. “Not only did participants enjoy a day of golf and networking, but our affordable housing program and scholarship fund benefited as well.”
Thank you to our golfers, sponsors and donors who made this another successful tournament.
SPONSORS
Burlington Post
Real Estate Lawyers.ca
Real Estate News & Buyers Guide
REAL Services Inc.
The Hamilton Spectator
and SUPPORTERS
Brechin & Huffman
Castlerock Home Inspections
ClubLink Inc.
Commercial Investor – Yellow Pages Next Home
Creative Outdoor Advertising
ERIS-Environmental Risk Information Services
Frankel Law Offices
GeoWarehouse
Golden Horseshoe Credit Union
Hearth & Home Realty Inc.
Investors Group
J.M. Edwards Associates
Kelsey’s Ancaster
Ontario Real Estate Association
Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services
Royal LePage Macro Realty Inc.
Royal LePage Niagara Real Estate Centre
Schinkel Real Estate & Appraisals
Scotiabank
SMD Design & Print Solutions
State Farm Insurance
Sutton Group Innovative Realty Inc.
Team One Home Inspections
The Royal Coachman
Tin Cup Sports Grill
Upper James Toyota
Aug 7, 2015 | RAHB News |
It may be only August, but your Nomination Committee is already starting to look for members with the skills and desire to join the RAHB Board of Directors.
If you think you have the goods, or know someone who does, just email the committee at nominations@rahb.ca.
Need more information?
Check out this video for a fun look at how the process works: https://youtu.be/giDPOw73vxI
Want to know what qualities RAHB looks for in a Director?
View the list: http://www.realtorlink.ca/content/dam/realtorlink/on/hamilton/
elections/Qualities%20of%20a%20Director.pdf
Want to brush up your leadership skills? Take Leadership 100.
It’s free and can be accessed from anywhere: http://www.content.crea.ca/leadership/
Aug 7, 2015 | REALTORS Care® |
RAHB has supported The Children’s Fund for over 25 years – that’s a long history of helping children in the Hamilton-Burlington community. To date, RAHB has raised over $838,000 for The Children’s Fund – that’s huge! And it’s a tradition worth carrying on.
But it’s time for a new beginning, so everything about the charity auction
is changing.
The REALTORS® 4 Kids auction will still be an awesome evening of fun and fellowship, but with new twists and opportunities for you to support The Children’s Fund, and go home with great finds in the live and silent auctions.
Watch for more information about tickets and fantastic auction items. This is an event you won’t want to miss!
Aug 7, 2015 | RAHB News |
We are happy to report that the City of Hamilton’s Audit, Finance and Administration Committee defeated a proposed motion for the City to study a municipal land transfer tax (MLTT). This is a big win for Hamilton REALTORS® and in the ongoing fight to stop the spread of the MLTT.
The vote was overwhelmingly opposed by five to one. The fact the motion was defeated means the issue was not referred to the broader city council. In short, it means that even if the province gives municipalities the ability to levy an MLTT, it is unlikely Hamilton would implement the tax in the near future.
Kudos to President Donna Bacher, Ettore Cardarelli, Chair of the OREA Government Relations Committee, and Matthew Thornton, OREA’s Director of Government Relations on delivering an excellent presentation to the committee. There were a number of RAHB Directors and Government Relations Committee members who attended the committee meeting and added support to the delegation.
While this is a significant victory for OREA and Hamilton REALTORS®, we are not out of the woods yet on the MLTT. The province continues to review the Municipal Act and is signaling that it may give municipalities new revenue tools. Both RAHB and OREA will be submitting comments to the Province as part of the review.
Aug 7, 2015 | RAHB News |
The deadline for applications for the Karan Barker Scholarship is
Friday, August 14, 2015. The application can be found in REALTOR Link® under the Member Services tab.
The Karan Barker Scholarship is awarded to a student who is or will be attending university or community college and is a child or grandchild of a RAHB member or RAHB employee. The student must demonstrate academic excellence, a high level of involvement in school and/or the community, maturity, initiative and/or strength of character.
Aug 7, 2015 | RAHB News |
The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington extends a warm welcome to its newest members (June 24 to July 24).
Charlene Cushenan
Ambitious Realty Advisors Inc., Brokerage
Tahir Raza Sheikh
Apex Results Realty Inc., Brokerage
Vanessa Seifried
Bradbury Estate Realty Inc., Brokerage
Andrew Wright
CBRE Limited, Brokerage
Scott Hamilton
Maiss Saaydeh
Homelife Professionals Realty Inc., Brokerage
Robert Daisley
Danny Brucculieri
Keller Williams Complete Realty Inc., Brokerage
Greg Sullivan
Keller Williams Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage
Fasih Urrahman
Kingsway Real Estate
Stefan Scione
Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage
Bob Charters
Jim Pauls Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage
Gabe Crowder
Pocrnic Realty Advisors Inc., Brokerage
Philip Thompson
Pottruff & Oliver Realty Inc., Brokerage
Brad Koziey-Kronas
Kronas Real Estate Inc., Brokerage
Manar Anani
Adam Delvecchio
Stephanie Lieske
Mike Andrew
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage
Tony Volk
RE/MAX Escarpment Walsh & Volk Group Realty Inc., Brokerage
Daman Madesha
Ron Smith
RE/MAX Garden City Realty Inc., Brokerage
Ron Contenta
Rajesh Kumar
Right At Home Realty Inc., Brokerage
Steve Martin
Royal LePage Signature Realty Inc., Brokerage
Blair Alexis
Katy Martin
Your Choice Realty Corp., Brokerage
Aug 7, 2015 | Member Services |
NEW in the Shoppe!
“SOLD” sign clip
(New) larger size:
4 ½ “ H x 20” W
$7.80 ea.
“FOR LEASE” and “LEASED” sign clips
3 ¾ ” H x 20”W
$6.50 ea.
Lock Boxes
$30.95 (PB)
$30.00 (Dial)
Members are reminded to be particularly vigilant in the use of their lockboxes.
Lockboxes are an important tool to your industry – practice the following measures at all times:
When leaving a location where you have used the lockbox, ensure the lockbox is locked again: spin the dial of the dial lockbox once it is shut, and re-key the number combination on the pushbutton style in order to close.
Never give out a combination to someone who you are not certain is a salesperson, particularly based on a request made via cell phone. If you are uncertain about the caller, call the salesperson back at the listing office for confirmation.
Members are reminded of RAHB’s Rules and Regulations Section 2 – MLS® Listings, Sub-section 2.17
Members shall ensure that lock boxes provided for the purposes of access to the property which is the subject of an MLS® Listing are set with a unique code for the security of their Seller’s property. Further, Members shall change the lock box combinations, as required during the course of the Listing to maintain reasonable security, and not use any preset manufacturer’s codes.
Fines of $50 for the first offence and $200 for a second offence will be levied against members found to be in breach of this policy.
Remember to take advantage of DISCOUNTED attraction tickets for personal use and client gifts.
Please call ahead to confirm ticket availability. In Shoppe purchase/FINAL Sale/no refunds or exchanges
Congratulations to
Mohammad Homayoun, Kingsway Real Estate Brokerage, lucky winner
of the July “Shoppe Customer Appreciation” draw for two 2015 African Lion Safari tickets.
Aug 7, 2015 | Member Services |
Courses offered during Professional Development Days are FREE for RAHB members who register prior to September 18; courses are $25 + HST each after September 18. Note: members who register but do not attend will have a $15 + HST “no show” fee applied to their RAHB account for each course they register for but do not attend.
- Tuesday, October 6, 2015
50 Top Sales Tips
– Michael Appleton, 10 a.m. – Noon
The Four Pillars of Income in Real Estate
– Michael Appleton, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Wednesday, October 7, 2015
GeoWarehouse: New Product Update
– Theresa Corin, 10 a.m. – Noon
Social Media Sales Funnels
– Rebecca Mountain, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
- Thursday, October 8, 2015
When Things Go Wrong
– Mark Weisleder, 10 a.m. – Noon
Estate Planning
– Ed Ounpuu, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
All sessions held at the RAHB office, McCullough Rooms (lower level). For more information or to register, contact Angela at the RAHB office (angelam@rahb.ca or 905.529.8101 x233).
Aug 7, 2015 | Member Services |
Sign up for these great courses!
Bill 55 – Bidding War, $30 + HST
Monday, August 17, 2015
10 a.m. – Noon
Lunch and Learn – How Money Works, Free
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Come for lunch (compliments of the instructor) and learn how to make your money work for you
HST for the Real Estate Professional, Free
Thursday, September 17, 2015
10 a.m. – Noon
Commercial Numbers, $45 + HST
Thursday, September 17, 2015
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Spring into Style with Home Staging, Free
Monday, September 21, 2015
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Designation Courses
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR)
Wednesday and Thursday, August 26 and 27, 2015
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day
$299 + HST
Note: New for RAHB! We will be offering courses required for and leading to the ABR designation. This first course is a core course for the ABR designation. For more information about the ABR, go to http://rebac.net/abr/FAQs
Seller Representative Specialist (SRS)
Tuesday and Wednesday, November 17 and 18, 2015
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day
$299 + HST
Ethics and Business Practice
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 27, 28
and 29, 2015
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day
$595 + HST
Note: Take this course as a standalone course or apply it toward an REIC designation program such as Fellow of the Real Estate Institute (FRI). For more information about the FRI and other REIC designations, go to http://www.reic.ca/DESIGNATIONS.
All sessions held at the RAHB office, McCullough Rooms (lower level) For more information or to register, contact Angela at the RAHB office (angelam@rahb.ca or 905.529.8101 x233).
Aug 7, 2015 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
An important part of your transition to the Regional System is the new Data Entry Forms.
Why change our Data Entry Forms?
The new Regional System will operate on one single database and schema, and the data going into this database needs to come from one single set of forms. The eight Boards/Associations participating in the Regional System were all using different forms, so a brand-new common set of Data Entry Forms was created. Creating new forms gave us the opportunity to conduct some considerable housekeeping and address past issues. In addition, some fields had quite a legacy, and many new technologies now reduce or eliminate the need for certain data to be manually populated.
Here is what you need to know about the new forms:
1.
You will be required to use these forms beginning with listings you will be entering into Matrix starting on Tuesday, September 29, 2015. These forms are not to be used for listings you are entering into Fusion.
2.
There will be just TWO Data Entry Forms:
RESIDENTIAL (FREEHOLD; CONDOMINIUM; MULTI-RESIDENTIAL; FARM/VACANT LAND [LOTS])
COMMERCIAL (COMMERCIAL RETAIL PROPERTY; INDUSTRIAL; INVESTMENT; OFFICE; SALE OF BUSINESS; STORE WITH APARTMENT/ OFFICE; VACANT LAND [COMMERCIAL])
Something new that you will immediately notice is that the fields are organized under common areas:
3.
The Data Entry forms will be available early/mid September. You may place your advance order now with the Realty Shoppe realtyshoppe@rahb.ca or 905.529.5979, for pick-up or shipment.
4.
The new forms will be available on WEBForms® in time for the cutover to Matrix (late September).
Watch REALINFO and The Shift for more exciting new information about the new forms!
Aug 6, 2015 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
Beginning with the cutover to Matrix on September 29, 2015, members will need to use some new listing statuses within the MLS® system.
NEW
Incoming – Assigned an MLS® #, but not active on the MLS® system
Pending – Sold firm, deal has not closed
Active – Active on the MLS® system
Suspended
Expired
Sold – Sold firm, deal has closed
Withdrawn/Cancelled
Information Withheld
Members will continue to use the current listing statuses until cutover to the Regional MLS® System in September.
