REALinfo - February 2015

REAL info FEBRUARY ● 2015

News and Resource for MEMBERS

MLS ®/TECHNOLOGY Searching for total bedrooms and bathrooms just got easier! – page 2 Sometimes square footage is mandatory ... – page 3

MEMBER SERVICES Professional development for REALTORS® – page 3 Realty Shoppe – page 4 MLS® activity for the month of January – page 4 REALTOR® CONNECTIONS is coming! – page 5 Government Relations: Light Rail Transit – page 6

R AHB NEWS From the Board Table – page 6 REALTORS® Care – page 6 Gala Highlights – pages 7, 8 and 9 Welcome new members – page 9

BULLETIN BOARD – page 9

CREA/OREA/RECO NEWS The OREA EDGE goes green! – page 10 OREA has a new look – page 10

MARK YOUR CALENDAR What's coming up at RAHB – page 10

Empowering REALTORS ® to Succeed

Download Full Edition

News and Resource for Members

Established in 1921, the REALTORS Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) represents more than 2,700 real estate brokers and salespersons from Hamilton, Burlington, and surrounding 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®) System 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. ®

MLS ®/TECHNOLOGY Searching for total bedrooms and bathrooms just got easier!

Two new search fields have been added to the “Residential” search criteria under the “Add Fields” tab: “Total Bedrooms” and “Total Bathrooms”. Once you add them to your search criteria, it becomes easier

to find properties with the total number of bedrooms and bathrooms you require, regardless of whether they are above or below grade or, in the case of bathrooms, full baths or half-baths.

Mission Statement Empowering REALTORS® to Succeed President Donna Bacher

905.574.4600

President-Elect Kim Alvarez 905.335.3042 Vice-President Lou Piriano 905.628.6625 Immediate Past President Tim Mattioli 905.575.5478 Directors Ann Forbes Arndt 905.574.3038 Gary Herron 905.388.1110 Peter Holgate 905.637.1070 Jack Loft 905.304.3303 Sean Morrison 905.662.6666 Dave Nichols 905.634.7755 Gloria Payton 905.574.9889 Heidi Van der Marel 905.664.7900

REALinfo is published monthly by the REALTORS® Association of HamiltonBurlington (RAHB) 505 York Boulevard, Hamilton ON L8R 3K4 T.: 905.529.8101 F.: 905.529.4349 MLS® F.: 905.529.6636 Help Desk T.: 905.667.4650 Realty Shoppe: T.: 905.529.5979 F.: 905.529.7109 Email: info@rahb.ca Web site: www.rahb.ca Intranet site: www.realtorlink.ca Editor: Valerie Webster Editorial Assistant: Sheila Sferrazza Design: Maggie Inglis In-house Products: RAHB Print Services

February

REAL info

2

2015

Here’s how the new fields work: “Total Bathrooms” – When you search for a home with, for example, two bathrooms – either full baths or a combination of full and half baths - you can add this field and enter a value of “2” in the new “Total Bathrooms” field. The search will return all the residential properties with two or more bathrooms, regardless if there are two full baths or one full bath and one half bath.

“Total Bedrooms” – When you search for a home with, say, three bedrooms and you don’t care if they are above or below grade, you can add this new field. It will add the number of bedrooms and number of additional bedrooms and give you a result. (Previously you could only use the “Bedrooms” field, which only counted the bedrooms above grade.)

News and Resource for Members

Sometimes square footage is mandatory ...

Members are reminded that when they list a property located in the Niagara Association of REALTORS® jurisdiction, the square footage of the property is mandatory information and must be included on the listing, as per RAHB’s MLS® policies - Miscellaneous #22: 22. The following Joint MLS® Policy applies for both RAHB and the Niagara Association: 1. When a member from either association places a listing which is located in the other association’s jurisdictional boundary, the

member must adhere to that association’s rules and MLS® policies including all mandatory areas on the property information form (PIF).

This means dependent on where the listing is located, all colour coded fields must be completed. Also other mandatory fields on the listing form which are coded … indicate, dependent on the association, what specific fields must be completed. Also any MLS® policies must be adhered to including the reporting of conditional and firm sales.

MEMBER SERVICES Professional development for REALTORS® Register now for these upcoming courses: For Sale By Owner (FSBO) Wednesday, March 4, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $ 45+ HST, 3 CE credits Master LinkedIn Tuesday, March 10, 9 a.m. – Noon $ 99+ HST for registrations before March 4 $ 139+ HST after March 4, 3 CE credits *Hands-on training* - Bring your laptop or tablet Master Facebook Tuesday, March 10, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. $ 99+ HST before March 4 $ 139+ HST after March 4, 3 CE credits *Hands-on training* - Bring your laptop or tablet Apartment Expert Wednesday, April 1, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $ 45+ HST, 3 CE credits

iPad® Agent Monday, April 13, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. $ 99+ HST for registrations before April 7 $ 139+ HST after April 7, 3 CE credits *Hands-on training* - Bring your iPad Effective Listing Presentations Tuesday, April 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $ 45+ HST, 3 CE credits Accredited Senior Agent (ASA) Designation Wednesday, April 22 and Thursday, April 23 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both days $ 299 + HST – Seating is limited A Beginner’s Guide to Everything You Need to Know about Making Your Own Video Tuesday, May 5, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. $ 45 + HST, 3 CE credits

Master iPad Bootcamp Monday, April 13, 9 a.m. – Noon $ 79+ HST for registrations before April 7 $ 99+ HST after April 7, 3 CE credits *Hands-on training* - Bring your iPad 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).

February

REAL info

3

2015

News and Resource for Members

Realty Shoppe

Shoppe online

1 Marketing Item!

#

http://shoppe.rahb.ca/rahb

Home Sweet Home 2015 Calendar Magnet

Will fit on door knob or door handle Die cut to hold your business card Size: 4” W x 10 1/2” H

In full colour, on high quality paper and complete with envelope. Just add your business card.

Perfect for mass marketing promotions and handing out at open houses!

Open House

39¢ ea.*

Useful open house signs: Please Leave Your Card 4” w x 5” h, plastic, desk top Courtesy Sign

3.75 ea.*

Lets prospective buyers know that they can come right in: Side 1: “Open House Please Come In” Side 2: “Open House Please Come In

and Remove Your Shoes”

Pets Inside

Can be put on front door or any interior door to let REALTORS® know where pets are.

“Pets Inside Please Contact Listing Agent with Any Questions”

75¢ ea.*

“Register”

tent card, reversible

1.75 ea.* SIG N HER E SIG N HER E SIG N HER E SIG N HER E SIG N HER E

INITIAL HERE INITIAL HERE INITIAL HERE INITIAL HERE INITIAL HERE

Save the Date!

Customer Appreciation Day

SIGN & DATE SIGN & DATE

SIGN & DATE

SIGN & DATE SIGN & DATE

Document stickers – 25/pkg  Sign here  Initial here  Sign & Date

Just to say THANK YOU for your continued support Tuesday, February 10, 2015 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Visit the Shoppe to enjoy light refreshments and enter your business card to WIN a prize!

No purchase necessary.

* All applicable taxes are extra. Prices subject to change.

75¢ ea.*

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

T.: 905.529.5979 F.: 905.529.7109 E.: realtyshoppe@rahb.ca

MLS® activity for the month of January Watch your email for the monthly stats release and charts. New for 2015 – the stats maps and pie charts will be included with your monthly stats email.

February

REAL info

4

2015

You can also find the RAHB stats on: www.rahb.ca, REALTOR Link®: Market Data & Stats, RAHB blog: http://blog.rahb.ca (use tags "stats" and "stats maps".)

News and Resource for Members

2015

REALT R CONNECTI NS ®

Register now for

AGM, Conference and Trade Show

DATE:

Tuesday, March 24, 2015 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Badge pick up begins at 7:30 a.m.)

WHERE: Hamilton Convention Centre 1 Summer’s Lane, Hamilton COST: FREE for members who register by midnight Sunday, March 8 $30 for RAHB members registering after midnight Sunday, March 8

We’ve turned this one-day event upside down for 2015!  RAHB Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at 12:30 p.m. – yes! p.m.!

– immediately following lunch  Get motivated by the mid-morning keynote presentation by Chris Leader: Dare to be Exceptional

 Early birds can hear Kathy Hogeveen’s presentation on Developing an Online Strategy

 CoreLogic’s Todd Targgart will demonstrate the new Matrix MLS® System during the AGM

And there’s more!



Trade show with 65+ exhibitors



Knowledge Pods where you learn from the pros



CONNECTIONS Café – meet with your colleagues; share your ideas; grab a coffee



Realty Shoppe specials

 Expanded Member Services area



Meet the President and CEO



Continental breakfast and buffet lunch included

All this is FREE for RAHB members who register by midnight March 8, 2015.

Complete details and all the fine print are on our website at www.rahb.ca/eventssponsors/realtor-connections/ Register online at http://registration.rahb.ca/MainList.aspx February

REAL info

5

2015

News and Resource for Members

Government Relations: Light Rail Transit (LRT) On Monday, January 26, Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Premier Kathleen Wynne met and discussed funding for Hamilton’s rapid transit needs. The result was an announcement of full funding for the project.

Since 2008, the REALTORS® Association of HamiltonBurlington has maintained a position in support of light rail. In the six years since, our position hasn’t wavered because, even in the early days, it has been apparent to the leadership that this is more than just a state of the art transportation system; it is an investment in the future.

We need to be forward-thinking in our plans for the future, and we believe that light rail is one of the best ways to achieve many of the city’s goals. These include continued revitalization of the downtown core, intensification along main corridors, further economic development and a broadening of the tax base.

With the funding commitment from the Province, it is now the City’s turn to solidify its buy-in. If you support this project, please let your councillor know: http://www.hamilton.ca/YourElectedOfficials/WardCouncillors/

The Rapid Ready report provides positive numbers, with the following financial benefits from LRT:  Reduction  Tax

of scheduled and unscheduled backlog capital works in the order of approximately $79 million.

benefit from new development by LRT estimated at $22.4 million.

 Potential

for 6,000 construction jobs (provincial); 3,500 directly in Hamilton.

 Potential

for 1,000 permanent jobs (provincial); 300 jobs in Hamilton to deliver regular operations and maintenance.

 B-Line

LRT investment may result in an estimated increase of more than $443 million in Ontario’s GDP.

RAHB NEWS From the Board Table The Board of Directors had their first meeting of 2015 on January 27. Here’s what was discussed:  The

strategic priorities for the next three years (as determined at the annual planning session) were reviewed and refined. These items form the basis of the Board and Operational work and prioritize the goals of the Association.

 The

member-submitted questions about the Regionalization initiative were discussed and the Board provided input to staff about additional questions that they would like to see addressed.

 The

committee placements for the Board and Standing committees were made and approved, save for the Audit and Nomination committees.

The Board will be reviewing the mandate and composition of these two committees and volunteers will be appointed in April.

 The

voting delegates for CREA and OREA were appointed.  The

Home Price Index was considered and, given the positive feedback from members who attended two focus groups and a drastic reduction in the cost to implement, the Board voted to move forward with implementation.

REALTORS ® Care RAHB member Kathy Chiu’s (Right at Home Realty Inc.) “An Evening of Song” fundraiser for Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation raised over $18,000 for the Foundation. The

February

REAL info

6

2015

event was held October 17 at the Burlington Performing Arts Centre. Further donations can still be made to the Foundation; please mention the contribution is towards the efforts of “An Evening of Song”.

News and Resource for Members

Gala Highlights RAHB members were honoured for their time, talents and long-time membership at the annual Appreciation and Awards Gala on Saturday, January 17 at Michelangelo’s.  RAHB President Donna Bacher thanked committee, council and task force members for their service in 2014, noting that “volunteers are vital to building our association and keeping it strong. Volunteers are the driving force behind the scenes. We would be lost without them.”  Bacher also thanked outgoing Directors Rochelle Edwards, Bill Lawson, Paul Martindale and Bruce Moran, for their “countless contributions and dedication” in advancing the interests of the association.  Bruce Moran of Chase Realty Inc. received RAHB’s Award of Merit.  Honourary Life Memberships were awarded to Bonnie Dowling of B. Dowling Real Estate Ltd. and Robert Kronas of R. Kronas Real Estate (who was unable to attend the gala).  Long service pins were presented to the newest members of the long service club. In total, 67 members reached their 25-year milestone in 2014, 16 members reached their 40-year milestone and one member – Robert Secord – completed 50 years of RAHB membership.  The formal part of the evening ended with a presentation to Past President Tim Mattioli.  Musical entertainment was provided by Kim & Company

RAHB Service Awards Award of Merit Bruce Moran of Chase Realty Inc. received the RAHB Award of Merit in recognition of his contributions to the Association and his fellow members.

Bruce has been a member of RAHB for 28 years and is the Broker of Record of Chase Realty Inc. He Bruce Moran served the Association as President (2013), as a Director and as chair and member of numerous RAHB committees and task forces. During his time on the Board of Directors, Bruce was involved in setting the groundwork for service sharing with other real estate associations. He received RAHB’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2003.

Bruce has long been an advocate for increased professionalism among REALTORS®. He also actively promotes the Association and the real estate profession, and encourages RAHB members to volunteer their time to the Association and to participate in provincial and national real estate associations.

Honourary Life Bonnie Dowling, Broker of Record of B. Dowling Real Estate Ltd., is a RAHB past president (1994) who has served on virtually every RAHB committee or task force as well as on the OREA Board of Directors.

She has been described as an outstanding businesswoman and real estate professional, who Bonnie Dowling demonstrates integrity, competence, honesty and loyalty, and is a staunch supporter of the Association.

February

continued on page 8

REAL info

7

2015

News and Resource for Members

continued from page 7

Long Service Award Recipients 50 Year

40 Year

Robert Secord (l-r) Front row: Charles Cupido, Michael Brierley, Joan Morgan and John Iannuzzi 2nd row: Albert Rossini, Lee Plouffe and Mike Traina

(l-r) Bruce MacDonald, Mary Winter, Diane Upsdell and Tony Ivic

25 Year

(l-r) Front row: Robert Bumelis, Nick Andric, Domenic Chiaravalle and Edo Bergsma 2nd row: Patricia Bailey-Hamlett, Roger Brugess and Salma Ali

(l-r) Front row: Ted Cipriani, Zgymunt Horbik, George Burtniak and Dan Ferguson 2nd row: Doris Chiu, Bob Campbell and Rosemary Ferroni

(l-r) Front row: Robert Kelly, Joe Haslip, Janice James and Ron Leaist 2nd row: Carol Hanco, Anne Kopys-Medeiros February

REAL info

8

2015

and Sonnia Martorana

(l-r) Front row: Richard Poziomka, Daniel Ribeiro, Linda C. Sway and Dino Nicosia 2nd row: Reggie Nayyar, Mario Loranger and Darlyne Mills continued on page 9

News and Resource for Members

continued from page 8

25 Year continued

(l-r) Mark Wasilewski, Robert Lyons, Cynthia Williamson and Joe Vine

Kim & Company provided great musical entertainment for the evening

RAHB welcomes new members The REALTORS速 Association of Hamilton-Burlington extends a warm welcome to its newest members (December 12 to January 23).

Sevan Mohamed-Ali

Apex Results Realty Inc., Brokerage

Kamila Kruzel

Best Real Estate Inc., Brokerage

Leslie Lee

Chase Realty Inc., Brokerage

Ranilo Dimayuga

Coldwell Banker Pinnacle Real Estate Inc., Brokerage

Jim Murray

Cushman & Wakefield Ltd., Brokerage

Brenda LeBlanc

Homelife Macro Realty Inc., Brokerage

Chauntelle Whitehead Jim Pauls Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage

David Sokol

Keller Williams Complete Realty Inc., Brokerage

Terry Gill Sasa Stevanovic Keller Williams Edge Realty Inc., Brokerage

Jarod Brandon Holly Gleason George Serradeiro RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage

Amanda Ward

Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services Inc., Brokerage

Serena Karp

Mirella Agro Lisa Poeltl

Corey Schilstra

Manuel Jaramillo

RE/MAX Garden City Realty Inc., Brokerage RE/MAX Riverside Realty Inc., Brokerage

Royal LePage State Realty Inc., Brokerage Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc., Brokerage

Corinna Gibson

Right At Home Realty Inc., Brokerage

BULLETIN BOARD This space is for REALTORS速 to post wants and needs, information about events (charitable or otherwise) of interest to other RAHB members, business-related items for sale, etc.

Contact Valerie at the RAHB office (valeriew@rahb.ca) to get your info added to the bulletin board.

No ads for listed properties, please.

R YOU T POS E HER

R YOU T POS E HER

YOUR POST HERE

February

REAL info

9

2015

News and Resource for Members

CREA/OREA/RECO NEWS The OREA EDGE goes green!

OREA’s newsletter moves to a digital format. Starting in February 2015, OREA’s REALTOR® EDGE newsletter will be

delivered in an electronic format only. Update your email address with OREA to be sure you receive your issue!

OREA has a new look As part of its commitment to members, students and prospective students, OREA has updated its website to

better serve its various audiences. The updated site went live January 20, 2015. Check it out at www.orea.com!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Professional Development Held at RAHB – 505 York Blvd. – Lower Level C – Chambers Room M – McCullough Room Level 1 Tuesday, February 17 – C, 9 a.m. – Noon Tuesday, March 3 – C, 9 a.m. – Noon  Fusion

Load Thursday, February 12 – C, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, February 26 – C, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Broker

Member Orientation (by invitation only) Friday, February 13 – M, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  New

Certified Real Estate Consultant Thursday, February 12 – M, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Consumer

Board of Directors, Committee and Task Force Meetings Held at RAHB – 505 York Blvd. – First Floor T – Thompson Room P – Purnell Room  Audit

Wednesday, February 11, 9 a.m., T of Directors Thursday, February 26, 9 a.m., T  Board

Upcoming Events Appreciation Day Tuesday, February 10, 2015 RAHB Realty Shoppe  Customer

 Land

Structure and Real Estate Tuesday, February 17 – Friday, February 20 Monday, February 23 – Friday, February 27 M, 8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

 REALTOR®

Sale by Owner Wednesday, March 4 – M, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

 2015

 For

LinkedIn Bootcamp Tuesday, March 10 – M, 9 a.m. – Noon  Master

Facebook Bootcamp Tuesday, March 10 – M, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  Master

To register for above courses, email Angela at angelam@rahb.ca or call 905.529.8101 x233

February

REAL info

10

2015

CONNECTIONS 2015 Tuesday, March 24, 2015 Hamilton Conference Centre 1 Summers Lane, Hamilton Commercial Summit Thursday, May 7, 2015 More information to follow

RAHB Office Closures Monday, February 16, 2015 for Family Day