Comments for REM

Comment on HPAR joins GDAR, RAGBOS and LAR as OnePoint Association of Realtors on October 1 by Will J Lenssen

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 01:34:25 +0000

I look forward to this amalgamation and hope that other smaller Boards join in from Niagara through Hamilton and into Waterloo County. It only makes sense as a region.

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Comment on Industry self-correction needed in the absence of a major sector overhaul by David Davidson

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 17:20:48 +0000

Marty as retired real estate broker and a consumer do you think real estate fees are too high when compared with fees from other industries, such as legal or financial services, where pricing may be more transparent and straightforward and perceived as more equitable by consumers? For example, on a house selling for $500,000 the real estate fees could be as high as $25,000 to $30,000 based on the percentage real estate model (5-6%). So what might be a more equitable and transparent solution to pay Realtors today compared to the outdated percentage model?

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Comment on Industry self-correction needed in the absence of a major sector overhaul by David Davidson

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 17:18:53 +0000

Marty as retired real estate broker and now a consumer do you think real estate fees are too high when compared with fees from other industries, such as legal or financial services, where pricing may be more transparent and straightforward and perceived as more equitable by consumers? For example, on a house selling for $500,000 the real estate fees could be as high as $25,000 to $30,000 based on the percentage real estate model (5-6%). So what might be a more equitable and transparent solution to pay Realtors today compared to the outdated percentage model?

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Comment on The case for turning REALTOR.ca into a taxable entity by Bob Van de Vrande

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:54:05 +0000

Those of you who have been involved in ORE for many years will know that I have been advocating this since at least 2010. We have already missed many years of significant income that could have been of tremendous benefit to Realtors. Now is the time to move forward and do this. The format is different than what I would have proposed but it is better than nothing. Boards should also be money generating entities so that members would no longer have to pay fees and would benefit from the huge value inherent in our MLS listing. ORE has been giving away our date to 3rd party websites for virtually no compensation (DDF !!) and this needs to change. Members should be getting the full value of their listings.

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Comment on Toronto condo parking: A pricey amenity that can add 6 figures to a home by Joe Camastra

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 13:30:38 +0000

“Transactions for units with parking sold for over $122k more and took over 2 weeks longer than those without”

Sure about that? Or I’m reading the article wrong! 🙂

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Comment on Industry self-correction needed in the absence of a major sector overhaul by Brian Martindale

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 02:11:37 +0000

Greetings Marty and Trevor:

I’ve been retired for almost thirteen years. Marty, you may remember my numerous rants herein regarding the almost untethered-from-accountability reality real estate registrants/licensees enjoyed as too many of same preyed on unsuspecting first-time entrants—for starters—into the real estate market as buyers/sellers. Do I respect some real estate agents/brokerages? Yes. The key word in my self-directed answer is “some”. Do I respect virtually all medical doctors, dentists, teachers etc.? Yes. The key word in that self-directed answer is, of course, “all”. Why such a divergence in how I see things? Answer: The latter group has earned the right to be designated as highly regarded “professionals” due to extensive rigorous educational requirements and subsequent apprenticeship-type internships to be met and successfully served respectively by every candidate aspiring to those professions.

Many desire to become doctors, dentists or teachers as youths. I have never heard of any youngster desiring to become a real estate agent. Why the disparity? Answer: Perceived admiration, or not, for the “profession(s)”.

You guys have it right. Nothing has changed for the betterment of the so-called profession, and things will never change as long as the greed factor remains paramount in the minds of far too many who think, “Let’s give real estate a try! What the hell; eight weeks of courses and I’ll be a big-time Realtor vs many years before I might become a doctor, dentist or teacher/professor or some such other professional, and I can quickly make as much, if not more money, as those folks! That’s what the managers/brokerages all tell me. Where do I sign up?”

You guys know I’m right.

Good to see you’re still on the green side, Marty:-)

Brian Martindale

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Comment on I am a failed HGTV host, and happy about it by Bobbie Barry

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 16:05:56 +0000

I loved your show For Rent and am re-watching the series after finding it on Roku.

You were so personable, kind and diplomatic. Highly relatable.

All that said, I applaud you for making the right choices for you and your family. That’s definitely NOT a failure.

All the very best to you!

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Comment on The soul of the real estate agent: Far beyond the compensation and legal background noise by Jim Carroll

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 21:32:43 +0000

You do something you love to do and at the end of it you get paid. Well said Jonathan.

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Comment on The soul of the real estate agent: Far beyond the compensation and legal background noise by Heidi Gross, RE/MAX Kelowna

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 23:34:10 +0000

Comment on Join us for a life-changing event: How you can help Bruce Johnson hit $1 million for SickKids by Nelson Goulart

Sat, 07 Sep 2024 22:01:08 +0000

Wonderful initiative for a great cause.

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