Apr 6, 2016 | RAHB News |
Tax time is here! Here’s how to print off your RAHB invoice:
- Log into the Fusion Homepage
- In the Resource section, select “Smartlinks”
- From the drop down menu, select “Education/Account Services”. This will open a new window
- Select “Print Members Statement”
- Enter the date parameters of your choice. For example, if you want to create a copy of your 2015 invoices, you would enter a start date of 01/01/2015 and an end date of 12/31/2015
- Select “Run statement, Print”
** If you get a printer error, go to “select a format” (found above the RAHB logo), select “Acrobat Adobe PDF”, “export”, “print”. **
Mar 4, 2016 | RAHB News |
The quarterly RAHB dues have been billed and e-mailed to you as part of your February monthly invoice. Please note that dues are due and payable no later than March 31st, 2016. If payment is not received, suspension will be immediate as per RAHB Bylaw Article 4, Section 3, Sub-Section 3.01.
Acceptable methods of Payment are as follows:
In Person: Visa, MasterCard, Interac, cash or cheque
By Phone: Visa or MasterCard
Online through Fusion: Visa, MasterCard or AMEX
Online: CIBC/PC Financial, Royal Bank, Scotia Bank, TD Canada Trust – for assistance in set-up, please contact Karin at 905.529.8101 x 258.
Pre-Authorized payment subscribers will be processed on Monday March 21st, 2016.
*To meet the Senior Membership criteria, you must be 65 years of age and a 25-year RAHB member. If you meet the criteria, please contact Camryn in the Membership Department with proof of age (e.g. driver’s license) – camrynh@rahb.ca or by fax to 905.529.4349.
Membership Terminations: Article 4 – Section 1, 1.02
It shall be the Brokerage’s responsibility to ensure that notice of all Membership resignations and/or other Membership terminations for Members registered with such Brokerage are received at the Association office within seven (7) business days of such termination. Notice of any resignation and/or other Membership termination received after such date, shall be subject to a penalty in the amount of $50.00 per incident, which sum shall be payable by the Brokerage to the Association.
Jan 11, 2016 | RAHB News |
Kim Alvarez, President
Kim is a Salesperson with Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services and has been a member of RAHB since 2009. She was elected to the RAHB Board of Directors in 2013. She has served on the Burlington Council, Young Professionals Network, Communications/GR, MLS® and Government and Bylaw committees. She chaired the Finance Committee and was on the CEO Selection Task Force in 2015.
In serving members, Kim believes strongly in innovation, fiscal responsibility, thorough analysis, transparency, effective communication, equal opportunity and accountability. Her key strengths are her strategic, critical thinking and communication skills.
Prior to real estate, Kim earned her MBa with a marketing specialization and a B.A. in Political Science. She has taken additional courses in Financial Planning, Architectural Technology and Pure Mathematics. She has worked in a variety of industries including management consulting. Kim is currently working towards her Broker designation.
Kim believes in building community. She is a member of the Burlington Chamber of Commerce, proud supporter of the Burlington Performing Arts Centre and assists various charities.
Lou Piriano, President-Elect
Lou is Broker of Record of L. Piriano Real Estate. He first joined RAHB in 1973; he was elected to the RAHB Board of Directors for the 2014 term and was recently re-elected to the 2016 Board and became president elect. Lou chaired the MLS® Committee, Regional Rules Task Force and the Audit Committee last year and was one of RAHB’s representatives on the Regional MLS® Board of Governors. He has also served on the Finance, Arbitration and Professional Standards committees and previously chaired the Technology Task Force.
Lou is in his fifth decade in the real estate profession and believes it is critical to prepare our organization for the rapid oncoming changes in the next few years. Lou sees serving the members one at a time as a great opportunity to ensure all members are heard equally; he hopes that by offering his knowledge and experience, both members and he can achieve personal and professional growth. Although Lou has a keen interest in and keeps updated on new technological tools, he notes that some aspects of brokerage really haven’t changed that much over time – it’s still a people business.
Lou’s main interests lie in his family (which includes his dogs), playing hockey and squash and donating time and money to animal rescue organizations.
Jack Loft, Vice-President
Jack has been a RAHB member since 2004 and is a Broker at RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc. He has served on the Finance and Professional Standards committees as well as the CEO Selection and Honourary Life task forces.
Jack is a retired police officer and loves the outdoors. He golfs, hikes, cycles, fishes and camps and is an avid reader and traveller.
Donna Bacher, Immediate Past President
Donna joined RAHB in 1983 and is a Broker with Royal LePage State Realty. Donna has served as RAHB President (2015), Chair of the Finance and Communications/Government Relations committees and the Joint (RAHB/HDAA) Rental Licensing Task Force. She has also served on various other RAHB committees.
Donna served as a director for the Ontario Goat Breeders Association and as a Founding Members’ Association Rep to the Toronto Livestock Land Development Board from 2001-2003. She is an avid fundraiser for various charities and a volunteer for Big Brothers/Big Sisters annual bowl-a-thon. Donna holds a Canadian Private Pilots license and has completed her Canadian Commercial Pilot written exam.
Ann Forbes Arndt
Ann is a Past President of RAHB and has returned to the Board for a second round. She has been a member of the Association since 1990 and is a Broker with Royal LePage Macro Realty Inc. She has served as Chair of the Finance and Member Area Representation committees, as a member of numerous RAHB committees and task forces and on OREA and RECO committees. Ann was named RAHB Volunteer of the Year in 2005.
Ann has a Level 3 in the National Coaching Certification program and coaches various skill levels in Dragon Boating.
Nikola Bucalo
Nikola is a Salesperson with Coldwell Banker Community Real Estate. He joined RAHB in 2010 and has served on the Government Relations Committee and is part of the Young Professionals Network. He is the 2016 Government Relations Committee chair.
Having grown up in a real estate household, this Millennial has been in and around the real estate profession since the early 90’s and he feels he has an excellent grasp of the long- and short-term needs of members. Deep roots in the industry and a long-term vision for the success of the profession are Nikola’s main motivators. He believes that members understand and respect the importance of the resources REALTORS® have worked together to build and he is proud and excited to be part of the team managing these resources and developing greater ones.
Kathy Della-Nebbia
Kathy is a Salesperson with Royal LePage State Realty. She first joined RAHB in 1986 and has served on the Government Relations Committee and Charity Auction task force.
Kathy first joined organized real estate as Kathy Fournier with Montreal Trust. She left real estate for about 12 years, started a family and returned in 2004 when her youngest was in grade one. She recently celebrated 25 years of marriage and considers herself blessed in so many ways. She is passionate about learning, involvement, people and family. Her favourite quote is “life is not about learning how to weather the storm but about learning how to dance in the rain”.
Gary Herron
Gary has been a RAHB member since 1993 and is a Broker at Coldwell Banker Community Real Estate. Gary is no stranger to the RAHB Board of Directors; he served on the Board from 2003-2007 and was President in 2006. He has also served as Chair of the Election, Finance, Executive and Professional Standards committees and as a member on many other RAHB Committees.
Gary became a director again because he felt it is important “to give back to the association that has been so good” to him. He also sees there will be significant changes to the real estate industry over the next several years and wants to be part of it. Gary has a passion for cooking and fishing, and laments he doesn’t do as much of either as he would like.
Peter Holgate
Peter joined RAHB in 2012 and is the Broker/Manager/Owner at Chase Realty Inc. ’s newest branch office in Burlington. He is serving his second year on the RAHB Board of Directors. Peter was previously a director of the Georgian Triangle Association of REALTORS® and chaired the Professional Development committee of that association. Peter is a Fellow of the Real Estate Institute of Canada and holds several other distinguished accreditations.
Peter is a motorcycle enthusiast and prides himself on being involved with motorcycle charity fund raising events for a women’s shelter, Sick Children’s Hospital and the REALTORS Care® Foundation. With over 30 years in the business, Peter feels it’s time to give back and being a director of the Board enables Peter to do just that
Paul Martindale
Paul is Broker of Record and Director for Wink Properties and Realty Inc. Since joining RAHB in 2005, Paul has served on the Government Relations Committee, the Joint Rental Housing Task Force and Regional Commercial Council (RCC), chairing the Council in 2014 and once again in 2016. Paul has been immersed in commercial real estate – investing, rehabilitating and managing properties – since 1995 for clients and company portfolio growth.
Paul is a past Board member of the Hamilton & District Apartment Association, current member of the McMaster University President’s Advisory Committee on Community Relations, and is frequently involved in real estate issues at City Hall. His extensive management and construction experience has been invaluable toward successfully managing a portfolio of several buildings and multiple rental units. In a past life, Paul was a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and Royal Conservatory-trained pianist, enjoying an extensive musical career playing R&B, Soul music and touring with ‘The Soul Revue’. A highlight for Paul was performing for actor Kiefer Sutherland at his 1996 wedding in Toronto.
Andrew Robertson
Andrew is the Broker of Record of Keller Williams Complete Realty. Since joining RAHB in 2005, Andrew has earned a number of sales achievement awards and has served on the Government Relations and Communications committees, as well as the Joint Rental Housing and Buyer Registry task forces. Andrew also serves on the Hamilton District
Apartment Association`s Government Relations Committee.
A passionate real estate investor, Andrew owns and manages his own portfolio of 27 residential units. Andrew is married with two daughters aged 10 and 11 and lives on the West Mountain.
Bob Van de Vrande
Bob is the Broker of Record of Apex Results Realty Inc., and has been a RAHB member since 1988. Bob has served on the MLS® Committee and the DDF, Charity Give Back, Report Solds and Lonnie Bushey task forces.
Bob enjoys attending his sons’ activities and travelling, particularly to tropical destinations, with his sons Nicholas and Tyler. Bob has a passion for education, having earned an MBA as well as Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Education degrees. He served as a trustee, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Halton Catholic District School Board. Bob’s special interest is gifted education and he has worked to promote educational options in this area. Bob has been an active member of St. Patrick parish in Burlington for more than 40 years and is president of Project Maranatha for Youth, a charity promoting youth leadership, education freedom and pro-life issues within the Catholic and broader community. Politically Bob has been active at both the provincial and federal levels with the Conservative party. Bob’s hobbies include reading, swimming, travelling and stamp collecting.
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.
Dec 4, 2015 | RAHB News |
The RAHB office will be closed from 1 p.m. Thursday, December 24, 2015 until Monday, January 4, 2016.
MLS® Help and Photos
If you require help with Fusion when the association office is closed, the on-line Help is always available. Click on “Help” and “On-line help”, and you can read and download “how to” instructions and watch tutorials.
If you require help with Matrix, click on the blue “Help” tab where you will find training guides and video tutorials.
The association photographer will be unavailable to take photos for broker loaded listings entered from December 23 to December 26 and December 30 to 31.
Please upload your own photos in between these dates. Here’s how:
- Roll your mouse over the Add/Edit tab in Fusion. Click Edit Listings
- Click the Edit button beside the listing you would like to add photos to
- Click on the blue Images on the left hand side of the screen
- Click on Upload Images
- Use the Browse button, and navigate to where your image is located and select the image you want to upload. If uploading more than one image, click on the first image so it is highlighted in blue, then hold down your shift key and select the last image in your file, which will highlight all the photos in between
- Click Open and the pictures should appear on your screen
- You may click Edit under each photo to add a description, change the room name (Exterior Front is the default) or Show Crop Tool (zoom in on the photo so it fills the frame)
- You may click the Change Display Order button to change the order in which your photos appear. Drag and drop your images in any order you wish
- Click Save
- Once complete, click Close
Realty Shoppe
The Realty Shoppe will follow the RAHB holiday closure schedule. The Shoppe will also be closed:
- Wednesday, December 16 – closed for inventory
- Monday – Wednesday, December 21- 23 – closed to all on-site shopping due to renovations. Phone and on-line orders will be processed.
Listing Packages
The last delivery date to member offices (if scheduled) before the RAHB Holiday closure is Wednesday, December 23, 2015. Full schedule resumes on Monday, January 4, 2016.
Dec 4, 2015 | RAHB News |
The quarterly RAHB dues have been billed and e-mailed to you as part of your November monthly invoice. Please note that dues are due and payable no later than December 31st, 2015. If payment is not received, suspension will be immediate as per RAHB Bylaw Article 4, Section 3, Sub-Section 3.01.
Acceptable methods of Payment are:
In Person: Visa, MasterCard, Interac, cash or cheque
By Phone: Visa or MasterCard
Online through Fusion: Visa, MasterCard or AMEX
Online: CIBC/PC Financial, Royal Bank, Scotia Bank, TD Canada Trust – for assistance in set-up, please call Karin at 905.529.8101 x 258.
Pre-Authorized payment subscribers will be processed on Monday December 21st, 2015.
*To meet the Senior Membership criteria, you must be 65 years of age and a 25-year RAHB member. If you meet the criteria, please contact Camryn in the Membership Department with proof of age (e.g. driver’s license) – camrynh@rahb.ca or by fax to 905.529.4349.
Membership Terminations: Article 4 – Section 1, 1.02
It shall be the Brokerage’s responsibility to ensure that notice of all Membership resignations and/or other Membership terminations for Members registered with such Brokerage are received at the Association office within seven (7) business days of such termination. Notice of any resignation and/or other Membership termination received after such date, shall be subject to a penalty in the amount of $50.00 per incident, which sum shall be payable by the Brokerage to the Association.
Dec 4, 2015 | RAHB News |
If you need to take a leave of absence (medical leave, maternity/paternity leave or compassionate care), remember that:
- your RAHB account must be paid in full before you will be granted a leave of absence;
- you are responsible for maintaining your license with RECO, including paying your E&O Insurance, license renewal, etc;
- you will pay only current membership dues when you return from your leave of absence.
Here’s what you need to be granted a RAHB leave of absence:
Medical leave: requires a completed form accompanied by a letter from your physician; good for 12 months, you do not have to remit any fees.
Maternity/paternity leave: requires a completed form accompanied by letter from your physician or midwife; good for 12 months, you do not have to remit any fees.
Compassionate Care: requires letter of notice from Brokerage signed by both you and your Broker of Record/Manager; good for eight weeks, you do not have to remit any fees.
Forms for leaves of absence are on REALTOR Link® under the Member Services tab. For more information contact Camryn at camrynh@rahb.ca or 905.529.8101 x251.
Nov 18, 2015 | Member Services |
Exciting changes have happened for RAHB members whose focus is primarily in commercial real estate.
The former RAHB Regional Commercial Council (RCC) is now officially the Regional Commercial Network (RCN) and has a new structure. 2015 RCN Chair Heidi Van Der Marel outlined the new structure at the RCN Networking Luncheon on Monday, November 2.
What has changed?
- The RCN has migrated from an election process to become a committee composed of volunteers. RCN committee members still have to be approved RCN members (i.e. have been an RCN member for more than one year), but will now be selected from qualifying and skilled applicants who express an interest during the annual call for committee volunteers.
- The RCN has a more welcoming approach to commercial REALTORS® from other Ontario Boards/Associations. The same membership criteria will apply as all RAHB RCN members, but the RCN membership fee has been removed.
What has not changed?
- The criteria for RCN membership has remained unchanged. Applicants must still provide evidence of commercial education, activity or approved designation. Also, full members in the RCN are automatically pre-approved for membership in CREA’s Canadian Commercial Network.
The RCN is taking this progressive, proactive approach to secure a strong future for the maintenance and growth of the group.
Interested in learning how to apply to be a RCN member? Contact Kathy Rubio kathyr@rahb.ca for a RCN membership application and a summary of qualifying criteria.
Nov 18, 2015 | RAHB News |
If you need to take a leave of absence (for medical leave, maternity/paternity leave or compassionate care), remember that:
- your RAHB account must be paid in full before you will be granted a leave of absence;
- you are responsible for maintaining your license with RECO, including paying your E&O Insurance, license renewal, etc;
- you will pay only current membership dues when you return from your leave of absence.
Here’s what you need to be granted a RAHB leave of absence:
Medical leave: requires a completed form accompanied by a letter from your physician; good for 12 months, you do not have to remit any fees.
Maternity/paternity leave: requires a completed form accompanied by letter from your physician or midwife; good for 12 months, you do not have to remit any fees.
Compassionate Care: requires letter of notice from Brokerage signed by both you and your Broker of Record/Manager; good for eight weeks, you do not have to remit any fees.
Forms for leaves of absence are on REALTOR Link® under the Member Services tab. For more information contact Camryn at camrynh@rahb.ca or 905.529.8101 X258.
Nov 9, 2015 | RAHB News |
Time to Vote!
I may be new to the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington, but I am not new to what an association is all about.
One of the most important components of effective and proactive associations is their elected Board of Directors. The Directors are important because they represent the members at large, and it is the Directors who set the tone and direction for the association.
The Board acts as more than just chief cheerleader for the association. Ideally, a Board is made up of members who have experience in their business, understand the history and can glimpse the future for their profession and can make decisions based on their knowledge and experience.
Is that what we expect from our Directors? That they are experts and fortunetellers?
It would be wonderful if the Board could be that perfect, but that’s not the real world. As much as we need and want a skilled, thoughtful, experienced Board, we also need members on the Board who are willing to question the status quo, learn from others more experienced than they are and gain insights into how the staff and Board work together to effect the best results for all members and the association.
The RAHB election is coming up in less than a month, and this is the time for you to think about who you believe would make a good Director. The list of candidates is included in this issue of REALINFO and you will receive more information about them shortly. You will have the chance to meet the candidates in person, and view candidates’ videos to hear what they say, in their words, they believe their role as Director would be.
It’s important that you cast your vote for the five members you want to represent you on the RAHB Board of Directors.
You can vote electronically in mid-November, you can come to the Annual Election Meeting on November 25 or you can do both! Even if you vote ahead of time, it’s still exciting to come to the meeting and see the new directors as they have been declared elected and take the oath of office.
Be sure to be there on November 25 – we will have some important bylaw changes for you to ratify, you’ll see extraordinary children of members receive RAHB scholarships and if you register to attend ahead of time, you’ll even get a little something from us to enjoy later.
Nov 9, 2015 | RAHB News |
The RAHB office will be closed from 1 p.m. Thursday, December 24, 2015 until Monday, January 4, 2016.
Watch next month’s REALinfo for more details about MLS® listings and photos during the holiday closure.
Oct 14, 2015 | RAHB News |
The Board of Directors were back in the board room in September after a busy summer; here’s what happened:
- The Board discussed skills required for the 2016 Board of Directors to help the Nomination Committee recruit candidates for election.
- A report was received and a recommendation passed making broker load training optional. Training will still be available, but no longer mandatory. The rationale behind this decision was the increased technical competency of our members and the ease of loading in the new Matrix system.
- The volunteers were selected for the Honorary Life Task Force.
- The Board considered the implementation of IDX, and agreed to move forward with implementation as soon as practicable, following the full roll out of
Matrix. The decision to make the IDX opt-out was made to strengthen the quality of the product. Members will have ample opportunity to find out
more prior to the service going live.
- The Board considered bylaw changes that would impact the composition of the Board of Directors. The recommendations were referred back to the
Governance Committee for more research.
