REALinfo July 2016

REAL info july ● 2016

News and Resource for MEMBERS

feature

Musings from RAHB CEO George O'Neill – page 2

MLS®/TECHNOLOGY

New listing input field – DDF – page 3 Edge browser and WEBForms® – page 3

Services spotlight Member Benefits – page 4

RAHB News From the Board table – page 4 Vision for West Harbour – page 5 RAHB scholarship available – page 5 RAHB welcomes new members! – page 5 June 23, 2016 – an excellent day for golf! – page 6

Member services Professional Development for REALTORS® – page 8 RAHB’s first graduating class – SRES® – page 9 Investing in a Bay Area partnership – page 9 Realty Shoppe – page 10 Technology and real estate – page 11

RECO, OREA and CREA Mike Cusano at the helm – page 11 REALTOR® safety – page 11 Register for OREA’s EMERGE – page 11

Mark YOUR Calendar What's coming up at RAHB – page 12

Empowering REALTORS ® to Succeed

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News and Resource for Members

Established in 1921, the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) represents more than 2,900 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.

Mission Statement Empowering REALTORS® to Succeed President Kim Alvarez 905.407.7046 President-Elect Lou Piriano 905.628.6625 Vice-President Jack Loft 905.304.3303 Immediate Past President Donna Bacher 905.520.1946 Directors Ann Forbes Arndt Nikola Bucalo Kathy Della-Nebbia Gary Herron Paul Martindale Andrew Robertson Bob Van de Vrande

905.574.3038 905.388.1110 905.574.4600 905.388.1110 905.572.9465 905.308.8333 905.332.4111

Realinfo is published monthly by the REALTORS® Association of HamiltonBurlington (RAHB)

Musings from Rahb Ceo George O'Neill The end of June marks the half-way point in the year, and it’s a good time to take stock of what’s transpired already this year, and what we are looking forward to in the second half of the year.

I don’t need to tell you that the hot real estate market has continued from last year into this year. You’ve all been very busy out there! As I write this just days before the end of June, our stats are showing that new listings are down almost 15 per cent from last year, so there are fewer properties that buyers have available to them. Sales are also down, but by just 2.5 per cent from last year. I know that sounds like the market is reversing a little, until you consider that in the first half of last year, we had three all-time record-breaking months in a row.

There’s been much made in the press and in conversations about the increase in median and average prices – they are up 12.4 per cent and 11 per cent respectively over last year for the first half of the year. Those are significant increases, and there are certainly questions about affordability in the Hamilton area especially – it’s historically been a city that’s been considered “affordable”.

As I said at the recent Bay Area Economic Summit, there’s nothing on the horizon to suggest that things are going to change in the near future. However, the Hamilton and Burlington areas – and I should include our outlying areas as well – have such a wide range of housing options that there should continue to be affordable choices for home buyers.

In looking back over the first six months of this year, there are some highlights that stand out.

On March 23, 2016, REALTOR® CONNECTIONS AGM, Conference and Trade Show attracted 499 members for a day of education, networking, and learning more about RAHB and how we serve you, our members. It was my first REALTOR® CONNECTIONS and it was a great opportunity for me to meet and speak with so many of you there.

Planning is already underway for next year’s REALTOR® CONNECTIONS – watch for changes!

RAHB’s annual Charity Golf Tournament was held on June 23 at Copetown Woods Golf Club. This event raises funds for the Karan Barker Scholarship Fund and it was a pleasure to golf on such a beautiful course, meet more of our members and support a great cause.

Email: info@rahb.ca Web site: www.rahb.ca Intranet site: www.realtorlink.ca

The Karan Barker Scholarship is one of our many member services and I’d like to remind you that the deadline for applications for this year’s scholarship is Friday, August 12, 2016. If you have a daughter, son, granddaughter or grandson who is or will be attending university or college in the fall, please look for the scholarship application on REALTOR Link®, under the Member Services tab – we would be honoured to assist with furthering the education of young people in our RAHB family.

Editor: Valerie Webster Editorial Assistant: Sheila Sferrazza Design: Maggie Inglis In-house Products: RAHB Print Services

I hope you have a great start to the summer and in my next column, I will talk more about what we are looking forward to in the next six months.

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

Regards, July

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News and Resource for Members

MLS®/technology New listing input field – DDF CREA has created a Data Distribution Facility (DDF®) to enable CREA's members to easily disseminate MLS® listing content to multiple websites, and to ensure that MLS® listing content that is displayed on these websites is accurate, up to date, and uses CREA's trademarks correctly.

A field has been added to RAHB's Fusion Listing Input screens for all property types, called Display DDF. This is a required field and valid answers are Yes or No. Selecting Yes will add the listing to CREA's Data Distribution Facility; selecting No will leave it out of the DDF. When you are editing listings, you will be required to also complete the field. *

Important - please note that if your brokerage has not opted into the DDF via http://tools.realtorlink.ca, your listing will NOT be included in the DDF. If you checked "Yes" and your brokerage is participating in the DDF, your listing will be included. If you checked "No" and your brokerage is participating in the DDF, your listing will NOT be included. If you are unsure of your Brokerage's DDF status, please check with your Broker of Record or Manager.

For more information regarding CREA's DDF, you may go to the Newsroom section of CREA's web site and choose Data Distribution Facility Documentation.

Edge browser and WEBForms® There continues to be a compatibility issue between the new Microsft Edge browser and WEBForms®.

If you are using Windows 10, you need to use Internet Explorer 11, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to access and print your forms from WEBForms®.

Update your contact information today to gain access to: * REALTOR® Edge - digital newsletter featuring industry news * Information on campaigns that affect your daily business * Free webinars * And more

Visit us at www.orea.com/update

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News and Resource for Members

Services spotlight Member Benefits Member Benefits are an important member service that you first learn about when you become a member of RAHB, and they can continue to work for you long into your career. Here’s a refresher of what benefits are available to you: AD&D: All RAHB members are automatically enrolled in Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance through ACE INA Insurance. The coverage is for up to $25,000 and continues for RAHB members until 70 years of age.

Questions about the insurance should be directed to RAHB Corporate Service Department at 905.529.8101.

Health and Dental Insurance for CREA members: You can chose from a variety of health and dental insurance plans to cover common medical expenses such as prescription drugs, dental care, vision care, hospital benefits, registered specialists and therapists, and more. This benefit is administered by CREA and offered through ManuLife.

For more information visit www.manulife.com/CREAhealth or call toll free 1.855.861.3290.

OREA Affinity Programs: OREA uses the combined buying strength of Ontario REALTORS® to arrange savings on a variety of products and services. Take advantage of the special discounts and offers provided by these affinity partners: AEROridge Insurance Brokers Ltd., CBA Health Insurance, MBNA, Rent Check Credit Bureau, Rogers Wireless Communication, and TD Insurance Home and Auto. For complete details, log in to OREA: https://www.orea.com/ Members/Affinity-Programs.

RAHB News From the Board table The RAHB Board of Directors met on May 19, and here’s what transpired:  The Governance and Bylaw Committee will review the policy for and distribution of Board minutes, and the procedures for dues collection  The MLS® Committee is investigating and beta testing the Trendli product  The proceeds from the Charity Golf Tournament will be allocated to the Karan Barker Scholarship Fund  The Board approved a number of Bylaw revisions which will be referred to the RAHB membership for consideration at the next membership meeting

SERVING THE GREATER HAMILTON REGION - STONEY CREEK • HAMILTON MOUNTAIN • ANCASTER • DUNDAS SERVING THE GREATER HAMILTON REGION • STONEY CREEK • HAMILTON • ANCASTER • DUNDAS

We are the ONLY

PUBLICATION

in HAMILTON to Provide

Full Market Penetration.

Reaching 108,500 Households Weekly!

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Call

TimLawson 905.664.8800

Ext.

tlawson@hamiltonnews.com

255

News and Resource for Members

Vision for West Harbour On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, Hamilton Planning and Economic Development Department Senior Advisor Chris Phillips treated RAHB members to a peek at the full Hamilton West Harbour redevelopment plan.

Chris spoke about the vision for the 20-acres the City owns in the Waterfront area, and the private sector opportunities for developing Piers 7 and 8 in particular. With Chris were Hamilton Ec Dev colleagues Philbert Kim, Ed English and Gavin Norman to help answer members’ questions.

View the presentation at http://goo.gl/C8U7TM to get an overview of what’s in store for the West Harbour lands.

RAHB scholarship available!

Do you have a child or grandchild who is heading off to (or already in) university or college who qualifies for the Karan Barker Scholarship?

This scholarship is awarded to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence, a high level of involvement in school and/or the community, maturity, initiative and/or strength of character.

If that sounds like your offspring, have them apply for a scholarship! The application is in REALTOR Link® under the Member Services tab or at http://rahb.ca/memberinfo/2016/Scholarship2016.pdf.

The deadline for applications is Friday, August 12, 2016.

RAHB welcomes new members!

The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington extends a warm welcome to its newest members (May 21 to June 22).

Greg Guinto

Nelia Lo Russo

Zhen Ye

Natalie Cormier

Ambitious Realty Advisors Inc.

PC275 Realty Inc.

Apex Results Realty Inc.

Realty Network: 100 Inc.

Sandra Newell Billy Lewis

RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc.

Coldwell Banker Community Professionals Inc.

Jessica Kinnaird

ComFree Commonsense Network

Erik Miethner

Harbour Properties Realty Inc.

Muazzam Ali Abdul Aziz

Homelife Professionals Realty Inc.

Andre Zalloum Tabatha Thomson Linda Savard

Aleksandra Batko Robert Hutson Sarah Pawlett Renzo Passaretti Michael Victorero

RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.

Martin Kuev

Rock Star Real Estate Inc.

Sarah Ligori Kristine Dinkha

Royal LePage Macro Realty Inc.

Jagmeet Kler Nyle Brown Colin Shanahan Richard Okis

Royal LePage State Realty Inc.

Vanessa Moreno Heather O’Sullivan

Sutton Group About Town Realty Inc.

Julie Hua

Sutton Group Realty Systems Inc.

Kevin Oliveira Deby Morrison

Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services Inc.

Keller Williams Complete Realty Inc.

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News and Resource for Members

June 23, 2016 – an excellent day for golf!

Over 100 RAHB members, supporters and tournament sponsors turned out to enjoy a day of golf, food and prizes at the 19th annual Charity Golf Tournament at Copetown Woods Golf Club. The weather cooperated and made for a perfect day!

Prize winners

(l-r) Don Abma (Closest to the Rope – Men’s), RAHB President Kim Alvarez, Pearl Schinkel (Closest to the Rope – Ladies’) (l-r) Dave Steinman, Chris Cutaia, Jason Hensen, Lisa Hensen (Top Foursome) and RAHB President, Kim Alvarez

(l-r) RAHB President Kim Alvarez, Evan Stark (Longest Drive – Men’s)

(l-r) Jason Craddock (Closest to the Pin) and RAHB President, Kim Alvarez (l-r) RAHB President, Kim Alvarez and Darlene Kretzschmar (Closest to the Crown Royal)

(l-r) Dave Steinman (50/50 Draw) and RAHB President Kim Alvarez

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Julia Fedak (Longest Drive – Ladies’) no photo

(l-r) Jason Hensen, Sanjay Modi and Marilyn Kuhnle (1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively, Putting Contest)

News and Resource for Members

Unfortunately, there were no winners of the two Hole-in-One contests and the prizes – a 2-year lease on a 2016 Mercedes and an Air Transat vacation – went unclaimed. The good news is that $1,160 was raised through the entry fee for the Air Transat vacation contest and it will be going to the Childhood Cancer Foundation – another winner in the tournament!

Thanks to the golfers, sponsors and donors who supported the tournament and helped make it a great day. The numbers aren’t in yet for how much was raised for the Karan Barker Scholarship Fund, so watch Message of the Day and REALinfo for the results.

(l-r) Robert Schinkel, Golf Tournament Task Force chair; Lorraine Ferrari, Golfer's Green; and RAHB CEO, George O'Neill

E v e nt S po ns o rs an d Su p p o rte rs

ACISS Home and Commercial Inspections American House Brechin & Huffman Castlerock Inspections Coldwell Banker Community Professionals Creative Outdoor Advertising J.M. Edwards Associates Frankel Law Offices Genworth Canada GeoWarehouse® Golfer's Green Green Germann Sakran Investors Group Financial Services Ltd. Mercedes Benz Burlington Michelangelo Events & Conference Centre Ontario Real Estate Association Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services Royal LePage Niagara Real Estate Centre SB Partners Schinkel Real Estate & Appraisals SMD Design & Print Solutions

Sutton Group Innovative Realty The McLean Team The Real Estate Book The Royal Coachman Uncle Ross Golf Wicked Things Xanadu Woodworks

S i n c e

lC Annua harity f Tournament l o G

Photo courtesy of Real Services Photography Inc.

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News and Resource for Members

Member services Professional Development for REALTORS® WEBForms® – FREE

Lynn St. Germain, CREA Product Training Specialist Friday, July 15, 2016, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.

Master LinkedIn Bootcamp

Staging Sells – FREE

Wednesday, August 24, 2016, 10 a.m. – Noon

REIC: 2280 – Legal Issues

Tuesday, October 18 & Wednesday, October 19, 2016 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both days — $495+ HST

Wednesday, July 27, 2016, 9 a.m. – Noon $ 79 Early Bird (prior to July 20); $99 regular

SRS – Seller Representative Specialist

Master Facebook Bootcamp

Monday, October 24 & Tuesday, October 25, 2016 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both days — $299+ HST

Wednesday, July 27, 2016, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. $ 79 Early Bird (prior to July 20); $99 regular

Price Indexing

e-PRO® Day 1 – New Thursday, August 18, 2016, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. $ 199+ HST

199+HST

$

Top Ten Tax Traps a Real Estate Professional Should Avoid – FREE

(Note: Day 2 is completed online)

Thursday, October 27, 2016, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

All courses will be held at the RAHB office, McCullough Room (lower level). For complete details and course descriptions, contact Angela (angelam@rahb.ca or Camryn camrynh@rahb.ca).

Watch for our monthly Professional Development update in your email inbox!

Mark your calendar!

Professional Development Days at RAHB will be held October 12 to 14, 2016. Plan now to take advantage of free courses, networking opportunities, daily door prizes and more.

Course line-up: • Financial Planning with Ed Ounpuu • RECO Updates with Kelvin Kulcey • Power of the Inbox with Mark Brodsky • Building a Dynamic Database with Lorne Andrews

• Economic Update and Mortgage Programs Available with Bernice Flegg • The Un-Sick Home with Andrew McCarthy

Watch for more details!

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News and Resource for Members

RAHB’s first graduating class in the SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) designation course – May 26, 2016!

Investing in a Bay Area partnership RAHB was pleased to participate and be a sponsor of the 2016 Bay Area Economic Summit hosted by both the Hamilton and Burlington Chambers of Commerce on June 21, 2016! The event gathered 350 community leaders from private and public sectors to discuss how Hamilton and Burlington could work together as a regional community to increase employment, strengthen the economy and improve quality of life. Seminar topics included integrating arts and culture into city building, ecotourism and the resurgence of Cootes Paradise, and investing in mixed-use transit hubs.

A keynote address was presented by Ontario Provincial Premier, The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, who emphasized the importance of municipal collaboration and value of accessible public transit.

The event concluded with the recommendation that chambers and others should continue to collaborate on priority actions concerning growth planning, transportation and environmental stewardship. For more information on the summit, follow the event hashtag, #BAES2016!

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News and Resource for Members

Realty Shoppe "Welcome Summer" Draw Winner Congratulations John Summach (RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.) was the lucky winner of the June 15 “Welcome Summer” draw for two tickets to Canada’s Wonderland.

Drop by the Realty Shoppe and enter the next draw!

RAHB members who make a purchase, in person, before July 22 are eligible to enter their business card to win one of two draws for Canada’s Wonderland tickets (good for any one day of the 2016 season).

Popular items in stock – get yours today!

Perfect for marketing campaigns – just add your business card 3.5” x 9” Reference magnets  Kitchen  Home

conversions  101 ways to praise a child tips  Stain removal tips

.46¢ ea.*

NEW! Important numbers & notes  Message

board, and dry-erase pen with magnetic clip

.95¢ ea.*

Buying/selling closing pouches  White

vinyl with blue lettering, or blue vinyl with gold lettering, with REALTOR® logo and clear business card holder  Holds legal size papers

$

5.00 ea.*

Plastic document envelope  Blue

polypropylene with REALTOR® logo and snap closure  Holds letter size papers

4

$ .70 ea.*

2016 summer attraction discounted tickets – May 1 to October 30 Any ONE operating day: Child (age 3+ under 48” tall) $38.00 Adult (ages 3-59 and over 48” tall) 43.00

Senior (age 60+) $38.00

Pay ONCE, Visit TWICE ticket: Valid for two visits by the same person – all ages $56.00

Ticket prices include HST but do not include food, merchandise, lockers, tubes, rental pavilions, games and special events.

NOTE: With the exception of special diet/need items and plastic bottled water, outside food and beverages are not allowed in the park. Tickets are not valid for Hallowe'en Haunt. Parking is extra. Visit www.canadaswonderland.com

In person purchases only/final sale/no refunds or exchanges. Available in the Realty Shoppe — while supplies last * All applicable taxes are extra. Prices subject to change.

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

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

News and Resource for Members

Technology and real estate On May 16, 2016, Hamilton’s Economic Development office hosted an interactive investment event entitled Digital Disruption - How Technology has Greatly Altered Real Estate Decisions. As part of the presentation, Hamilton Ec Dev offered a tour of Hamilton to showcase investment opportunities in the city. Over 50 real estate brokers and salespeople from across Southern Ontario were on the tour.

RAHB sponsored and participated in the event, and a number of RAHB members took part. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/gM9SAMbjTc4.

RECO, OREA and CREA News Mike Cusano at the helm Congratulations to Mike Cusano (RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.) on his election as Chair of the RECO Board of Directors!

Mike is a former RAHB president (2007), and has served on numerous RAHB committees and task forces. He was presented with the RAHB Award of Merit in 2011 for his contributions to RAHB and organized real estate.

Mike served two terms as provincial director from Southern Ontario for the Ontario Real Estate Association and is currently serving his second term on the RECO Board of Directors. He was elected to the position of Chair in June, 2016.

Read more about Mike at http://bit.ly/28LSqEI.

REALTOR® Safety Reprinted from CREA’s News2Me As a REALTOR® your job requires you to meet with lots of people – most of whom you don’t know. You often meet with these people by yourself and behind closed doors at showings or open houses. These situations open you up to all types of risk.

With that in mind, CREA has created a community on REALTOR Link® with tips on how to keep yourself safe while working. But this is just the start. CREA has received some great articles, publications and personal stories from Boards, Associations and REALTORS® that we will share, and continue to share, as we receive them.

Please take a couple moments to review what we have – it might just be one of the best decisions you make.

Two daTes oFFeRed Thursday, october 6, 2016

oakville Conference & Banquet Centre 2515 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville, ON L6L 6P8

wednesday, November 30, 2016 Four Points sheraton

6455 Fallsview Blvd., Niagara Falls, ON L2G 3V9

Successful REALTORS® Work with the right tools and technology.

They’re here at the eMeRGe Conference 2016 to share their secrets.

Learn their processes, techniques, and strategies to serve your clients better and boost your business.

For more information or to register for Emerge, please visit

www.orea.com/emerge

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News and Resource for Members

Mark YOUR Calendar Computer

 REIC:

Held at RAHB – 505 York Blvd. – Lower Level C – Chambers Room M – McCullough Room  New

Member Computer Training Level 1

Thursday, July 7: C, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, July 21: C, 1 p.m. – 3: 30 p.m.

Professional Development  WEBForms® –

*New

FREE

Lynn St. Germain, CREA Product Training Specialist Friday, July 15: M, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.  Master

LinkedIn Bootcamp

 Master

Facebook Bootcamp

Wednesday, July 27: M, 9 a.m. – Noon Wednesday, July 27: M, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.  Staging Sells – FREE Wednesday, August 24: M,  Price

10 a.m. – Noon

Indexing

Wednesday, October 26: M, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Top Ten Tax Traps a Real Estate Professional Should Avoid – FREE

Thursday, October 27: M, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Certification and Designation Courses  e-PRO®

Day 1*

Thursday, August 18: M, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

(Note: Day 2 is completed online)

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2280 – Legal Issues

Tuesday, October 18 & Wednesday, October 19: M, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both days  SRS

– Seller Representative Specialist

Monday, October 24 & Tuesday, October 25: M, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. both days

OREA Articling Course  Principles

of Property Management

July 5 – 7 & 12 – 14 (Tuesday-Thursday): M, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Real

Estate as a Professional Career

Monday, July 18 – Friday, July 22: M, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day

Upcoming Events

4Kids

 REALTORS®

Thursday, November 17, 2016 Michelangelo Events and Conference Centre 1555 Upper Ottawa St., Hamilton (Tickets must be purchased in advance) Doors open at 6 p.m.

Office Closure The RAHB office will be closed Monday, August 1 – Civic Holiday