Social media – Join in the conversation!
RAHB has three social media sites for members to join and participate in! (more…)
RAHB has three social media sites for members to join and participate in! (more…)
From the Directors’ Table
The RAHB Board of Directors met February 28. The Directors dealt with a wide range of business: (more…)
The quarterly board dues have been billed and emailed to each member as part of your February monthly invoice. Please note that dues are due and payable no later than March 31, 2013. If payment is not received, suspension will be immediate as per RAHB Bylaw Article 4, Section 3, Sub-Section 3.01. (more…)
In light of RECO’s recent announcement regarding changes to RECO credit course delivery, we are reviewing RAHB’s Professional Development program to ensure we continue to provide programs that support your professional development. (more…)
RAHB members were honoured for their time, talents and longevity at the annual Appreciation and Awards Gala on Saturday, January 19 at Michelangelo’s. (more…)
Upcoming Public Information Centres – NGTA (Niagara to Greater Toronto Area) Corridor Study
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has identified the preferred highway expansion options for the entire Niagara to GTA Corridor Planning study area. The study area extends from Niagara Region and the U.S. border through the City of Hamilton to Halton Region. (more…)
John Iannuzzi CCIM Regional V-P
RAHB member John Iannuzzi (HomeLife Maco Realty Inc.) will serve as the Certified Commercial Investment Member Institute (CCIM) Regional Vice President for Canada in 2013. John is also a Director on the Board of the CCIM Institute and previously served as President of the Central Canada Chapter.
John was Chair of RAHB’s Regional Commercial Council in 2010.
If I had not volunteered, I would not have known how much I could learn about our association and our industry. Knowing all the details of our industry – where it is now and where it is going, seeing the trends – that’s what drives me.
It is important that RAHB and its members are identified as being part of the community. We don’t just make our money in our various communities; we also live there. As REALTORS®, we are front line ambassadors, seeing what is needed in a community even before the city or town is aware there are issues or problems. If we are committed to actively being part of building better communities, then communities will see us as the people to talk to for ideas and solutions. One of the aims of Quality of Life is “building better communities”; better, strong communities benefit everyone.
The changes we’ve made to our governance model have been dramatic as to how they affect how the association will move forward. We will be more strategic, more focused on the issues that need attention, better able to react quickly to changes in the industry or in legislation and we will make better use – through efficiencies and direction – of our staff and CEO. There has been a major shift in how decisions are made and how those decisions are carried out – all for the better.
I believe this year members will start seeing the results of the changes we made last year. Interestingly, because of our association’s lead on governance issues, other associations are starting to go this route now, too.
Our industry is in the professional service business. As CREA has shown through the Futures Project, we have to be more consumer-centric. This means we as REALTORS® have to pay more attention to the needs of the consumer.
Very plainly, consumers are in the driver’s seat. They can get almost any information they want through the internet – real estate information included. What they cannot get online is the proper interpretation of the information or an intermediary acting on their behalf when it comes to a real estate transaction – for that we want them to come to a REALTOR®. We have to start thinking of what we can do to provide a service that consumers will need and want. To do that, we need to bring up our standards – our services, our image – so that the consumer expects and gets exceptional service experience from a REALTOR®. We will have to look at all sorts of different pieces of the puzzle – raising the level of our professionalism, better technology, collaboration with surrounding associations and maybe a better entrance, or portal, into our systems.
The bottom line is that our lack of action now may well lead to frustration in the future.
At the December strategic planning session, the Directors identified challenges and opportunities which will be addressed in more detail throughout the year. We have a number of initiatives which will, I hope, engage members and make them aware of what’s going on in the industry. Now is a critical time to be aware.
One of the things we are watching in particular is how our membership numbers might be affected by the changes we have seen so far in the industry and those yet to come. The trend lines aren’t clear yet; predictions are that CREA membership across Canada will go down but so far RAHB hasn’t seen anything close to a reduction in number of members. Membership numbers are important to RAHB’s financial health and our ability to plan for the future. It is something we are watching closely.
Yes – probably too much. At our strategic planning session, we identified and prioritized a number of issues we will start tackling at our first meeting in January. This year we will focus on the membership without taking our eyes off the new governance model that will guide us.
It is going to be a very good year. We will keep you updated on our progress.
Now and in the future, we as REALTORS® will have to be more engaged in our industry. We will also need to understand the consumer – the consumer, after all, is the person allowing us to get paid. We will have to develop our skills, provide more and better service and be essential to the real estate transaction. We can no longer be just holders of information – we have to be the people consumers turn to for the successful sale or purchase of their property.
Everyone knows that REALTORS® lead busy lives and sometimes it’s hard to balance time with clients, time for family and “me” time. Here are some suggestions for helping you balance your life. (more…)
Karan Barker was a 25-year employee and former CEO of the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington. She passed away in 2001. During her time with the association, Karan was involved in setting up the scholarship program that now bears her name. She was active on committees at the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders’ Association and the Ontario Real Estate Association. Karan received both the Tony Kafun Award from OREA and the W. Frank Johns Award from CREA, both presented to the top executive officers in the industry.
Stephanie Shih
Apex Results Realty Inc., Brokerage
Shannon Galarneau
Chase Realty Inc., Brokerage
Delia Silva
Colangelo Real Estate Inc., Brokerage
Sahar Kiani KhalKhal
Coldwell Banker Pinnacle Real Estate Inc., Brokerage
Adam Christensen
Homefacts Real Estate Services Inc., Brokerage
Mike Fahandej-Sade
HomeLife Macro Realty Inc.
Eric Pini
Homelife Professionals Realty Inc., Brokerage
Jennifer Trapman
Keller Williams Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage
Maureen Dermody
Scott Alexander
Judy Marsales Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage
Sherri Van Sickle
One Percent Realty Ltd., Brokerage
Samantha Lefebvre
Renata Mattina
Realty Network: 100 Inc., Brokerage
Trevor Lepine
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage
Lisa Godin
Kevin Seyed Zabihi
RE/MAX Garden City Realty Inc., Brokerage
Ryan Gilmour
RE/MAX Realty Enterprises Inc., Brokerage
John Protacio
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Ewa Osuchowski
Right At Home Realty Inc., Brokerage
Sean Purdy
Hilary Prins
Marty Staz
Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services Inc., Brokerage
Bill Finch
Royal LePage Niagara Real Estate Centre Inc., Brokerage
Anthony D’Alesio
Kerri Klassen
Royal LePage State Realty Inc., Brokerage