Do you want to impact TREB's decision-making process in a positive and lasting way? Volunteer for one of our committees and you'll make an important contribution that will benefit you, TREB, and your fellow REALTORS®.

Click here to apply online.

Click here to apply by email or fax.

If you're wondering what committee volunteers do, they:

• Impact TREB's decision-making process
• Contribute to the benefit of TREB Members & fellow REALTORS®
• Are catalysts for change in the industry
• Work with likeminded real estate professionals
• Learn new skills
• Make their voices heard
• Shape the future of their Association
• Improve their understanding of the industry
• Expand their network

You're exposed to many opportunities as a committee volunteer.

Listen below as TREB President Larry Cerqua shares his experience volunteering with TREB:

The work of TREB's committee volunteers is integral to the continued success of the Board. As such, each committee volunteer receives an engraved plaque upon completion of their service in recognition of their contribution.

Additionally, each year, Members who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their committee service will be eligible to receive the David Rossi Award, named after a longstanding TREB committee volunteer and Honourary Life Member.

Interested in making a difference at TREB? Apply using one of the links below by May 15, 2017.

Click here to apply online.

Click here to apply by email or fax.

Upon receipt of your application, TREB will invite you to attend a Committee Focus Group in June. Attendance at the focus group is mandatory to be considered for selection. Please come prepared to discuss the latest issues surrounding the chosen committee's area of focus. Thank you!

TREB is currently seeking volunteers to serve on the Arbitration and Professional Standards Rosters.

Members who serve on the Arbitration Roster are responsible for arbitrating and mediating disputes between Brokerages concerning the distribution of commission. Those who serve on the Professional Standards Rosters (Complaint Review, Hearing, and Appeals) are responsible for reviewing and rendering dispositions on complaints that allege a breach of MLS® Rules and Policies, Board by-law, and/or sections of the CREA Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practice

We are looking for Members who:

• are in good standing with the Board for at least 3 years.
• value the principles of natural justice.
• are prepared to understand and enforce the MLS® Rules and Policies, Arbitration Guidelines, and associated TREB By-Laws fairly.
• possess characteristics necessary to function in an impartial manner.

Please note, the call for other committees has been posted elsewhere on TREB.

Click here to access the online roster volunteer form.
Click here  to print the roster volunteer form for faxing.

PLEASE NOTE: Applications for Rosters will only be accepted until March 3, 2017.

City of Toronto Council is considering changes to the Toronto Land Transfer Tax that could mean additional Toronto Land Transfer Tax costs for some home buyers with a closing date on or after March 1, 2017, when it is expected to be harmonized with the provincial LTT.

Click here to see the detailed City of Toronto Notice on the "original" proposed changes posted in December 2016.

Status

The proposed changes to the Toronto Land Transfer Tax will be considered by Toronto City Council on February 15, 2017. The proposal going forward to City Council would have the following effect, AS OF MARCH 1, 2017, if approved, for real estate transactions closing on or after this date:

• Add an additional LTT of 0.5% of the value of a residential or non-residential property from $250,000 to $400,000 (an additional $750)
• Add an additional LTT of 0.5% of the value of a residential property above $2 million.
• Add an additional LTT of 0.5% of the value above $400,000 of a non-residential property.
• Increasing the maximum allowed First-Time Home Buyer Rebate to $4,475, up from $3,725.
• Amend the first-time home buyer rebate program eligibility rules to restrict rebate eligibility to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

THESE PROPOSALS HAVE NOT YET BEEN APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL, WHICH WILL MEET ON FEBRUARY 15 TO CONSIDER THEM.  TREB WILL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ONCE CITY COUNCIL MAKES A DECISION.

TREB Efforts Achieved Significant Concessions

TREB has undertaken a comprehensive campaign to oppose the proposed changes.  As a result of these efforts, significant concessions have been made to the proposals that are going forward for City Council's consideration. Under the original proposal, first-time buyers would have been forced to pay an additional $475 in Toronto LTT, and many first-time buyers would have lost eligibility for the first-time buyer rebate entirely, meaning a total LTT increase of  $4,475.  As a result of TREB's efforts, both of these proposals are NOT being recommended for approval by City Council.  If the proposals are approved as currently being recommended, first-time home buyers will NOT see any change.

On January 31, TREB held an Economic Summit at Toronto's Parkview Manor. The event served as the official release of TREB's Market Year in Review & Outlook Report 2017 and helped to further the conversation on the report, including this year's central theme of "Connecting to Affordability."

President and CEO Remarks

Kicking off the event were TREB CEO John DiMichele and TREB President Larry Cerqua. DiMichele pointed out that both this year's report and the Economic Summit are meant to provide a deeper understanding of the housing market as well as some of the policy issues impacting housing affordability along with possible solutions, noting that lack of housing supply is critical to today's growing affordability problem. He also pointed out that while transportation infrastructure can help improve housing affordability, not enough people are willing to trade in their car keys for public transit. He noted that both issues – transit and housing supply – require creative and innovative solutions through collaborative efforts by the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors.

Cerqua pointed out how useful the report is to REALTORS® in assisting their clients in achieving the dream of home ownership or in facilitating business transactions. He noted that the report provides critical intelligence on today's market that REALTORS® can share with their clients, distilling complex information into easily digestible language as well as providing a snapshot of recent and intending home buyers to give REALTORS® a better understanding of who their clients are, or might be, as well as what they want.

Price Growth & Short Listing Supply to Make Headlines in 2017

On hand to present for this discussion were Jason Mercer, TREB's Director of Market Analysis; Sean Simpson, Vice President at Ipsos Public Affairs; and Matthew Boukall, Senior Director, Residential Products, Altus Data Solutions.

First, Jason Mercer presented a brief overview of the market conditions we saw in 2016 before turning to a discussion of what to expect for the GTA market in 2017. He noted that 2016 was the second consecutive record year for home sales in the GTA and highlighted that strong rates of price growth and a short supply of listings would continue to make headlines in 2017. Mercer pointed out that we would not see relief in terms of price growth until solutions to the ongoing pressure on listing supply were implemented and recommended that the public, private and not-for-profit sectors should come together to focus on supply-side solutions.

Jason was joined onstage by Sean Simpson, who presented the results from Ipsos surveys on consumer buying intentions as well as on foreign buying activity. In terms of consumer buying intentions, it was pointed out that 53% of demand for ownership housing in the GTA would come from first-time buyers, while, in terms of foreign buying activity, Simpson pointed out that only 4.9% of transactions where TREB Members acted on behalf of buyers involved a foreign purchaser.

Next, Matthew Boukall took some time explaining trends in the new homes and residential land sectors. On the residential new homes side, noting that 2016 was a record year for high-rise sales, Boukall pointed that low-rise sales fell back again in 2016. Boukall also pointed out that low inventories were a key factor in an upward price trend seen throughout the new homes market and noted that, especially in the low-rise sector, low inventories would contribute to further price increases in 2017. The residential land sector also saw another record year for sales, with most areas of the GTA posting increases, and the increase in sales driven mostly by high density land.

Transportation & Affordability

The next segment of the event examined transportation infrastructure in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. First up to discuss the GTA Transportation Network was Metrolinx President & CEO, Bruce McCuaig. McCuaig shared Metrolinx's plans to improve transportation infrastructure and the way we live, work, and play throughout the GTA and the Greater Golden Horseshoe more broadly speaking.

Next up, was Paul Smetanin, President & CEO of the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA). Smetanin shared the results of a TREB-commissioned study on the impact of transportation infrastructure on housing affordability. The study found that increased transportation infrastructure as a result of the Metrolinx Regional Express Rail (RER) would have positive effects on affordability and would also contribute to price premiums of up to 12%. The key determinant on improved transportation infrastructure's improving affordability was mode shift, i.e., whether or not people switched from driving to taking public transit in their daily commute.

Housing Supply Panel

Continuing the conversation on affordability was our housing supply panel, consisting of representatives from the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors and moderated by RealStrategies Inc. President George Carras. The panel consisted of Brian Lewis, Provincial Chief Economist & Assistant Deputy Finance Minister; Jeremy Kronick, Senior Policy Analyst, C.D. Howe Institute; Sean Speer, Munk Senior Fellow, Macdonald-Laurier Institute; Marcy Burchfield, Executive Director, Neptis Foundation; and Bryan Tuckey, President & CEO, Building Industry & Land Development Association (BILD).

The panel discussed several issues including whether or not there is a housing supply crisis in the GTA, defining what the crisis consists of, and also possible solutions. Overall, the panel concluded that there is a supply crisis in the GTA and that innovative and collaborative solutions by the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors are required to address it.

Keynote Address

In keeping with the transportation narrative, our keynote address was delivered by Ontario's Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Steven Del Duca. Del Duca highlighted the government's plans to improve transportation infrastructure in the province, while mentioning specific improvements for the GTA, including the Eglinton Crosstown line.  

Stay tuned for a video highlight reel, capturing the essence of each presentation. The reel will be made available to Members via Stratus in the coming weeks.

Download the Report

The Market Year in Review & Outlook Report 2017 is now available for download.

• Click here for a mobile-friendly version.
• Click here for a desktop-friendly version.

On February 15, we email broadcast February's edition of the monthly, electronic Across The Board Member newsletter to all TREB Members. This issue features:

• TREB Marks the Release of its Market Year in Review & Outlook Report 2017 with an Economic Summit
• TREB FEST 2017 Tickets on Sale Now
• Get Involved at TREB. Make a Difference: Call for 2017/18 Committee Volunteers Now Open
• Your Board, Your Vote
• Send a Message: Don't Hike the LTT!
• Five Steps to a Successful Renovation – Facilitated by BILD'
• Help Your Commercial Client Get Financing
• Professionalism in Real Estate
• CCI Videos Available in the Condo Corner
• And more!

If you can’t find the email link to Across The Board in your Inbox, or you’ve accidentally deleted it, you may click here to open the newsletter.

If the link to open Across The Board doesn’t work on your computer, there is an alternate method to read the newsletter. To access Across The Board from within TorontoMLS/New Stratus:

1. Log into TorontoMLS/New Stratus.
2. Click Your Resource Centre near the top of the home page. The Your Resource Centre page appears in a separate window. 
   
3. Click Across The Board Newsletter. The current edition of the newsletter appears.
   
4. To print or download the current issue, select Click here to download current issue in PDF. To read a previous issue, select CLICK HERE FOR ARCHIVES, then select the issue you want to read.
   
   

To print Across The Board:

1. Follow the steps above to open the PDF version of the newsletter.
2. Click File, then Print.

City of Toronto Council has approved changes to the Toronto Land Transfer Tax that mean additional Toronto Land Transfer Tax costs for some home buyers with a closing date on or after March 1, 2017, when it will be harmonized with the provincial LTT.

Click here to see the detailed City of Toronto Notice on the "original" proposed changes posted in December 2016 (NOTE: changes made to original proposals as per below).

Status

The following changes to the Toronto Land Transfer Tax were considered and approved by Toronto City Council on February 15, 2017. The changes are effective AS OF MARCH 1, 2017, for real estate transactions closing on or after this date:

• Added an additional LTT of 0.5% of the value of a residential or non-residential property from $250,000 to $400,000 (an additional $750)
• Added an additional LTT of 0.5% of the value of a residential property above $2 million.
• Added an additional LTT of 0.5% of the value above $400,000 of a non-residential property.
• Increasing the maximum allowed First-Time Home Buyer Rebate to $4,475, up from $3,725.
• Amended the first-time home buyer rebate program eligibility rules to restrict rebate eligibility to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada.

TREB Efforts Achieved Significant Concessions – First Time Buyers Protected

TREB undertook a comprehensive campaign to oppose the proposed changes.  As a result of these efforts, significant concessions were made to the proposals that went forward for City Council's consideration as follows:

• Under the original proposal, first-time buyers would have been forced to pay an additional $475 in Toronto LTT. However, TREB pushed for an increase in the rebate from $3,725 to $4,475 meaning first time buyers will not face an increase.
• Many first-time buyers would have lost eligibility for the first-time buyer rebate entirely, meaning a total LTT increase of $4,475.  TREB pushed back and all first time buyers will be eligible for a rebate.
•  As a result of TREB's efforts, first-time home buyers will NOT see any change.

TREB recently spoke out against a Markham City Council motion that, if approved, would have called on the Provincial Government to implement a foreign buyer tax, similar to that implemented in British Columbia.  As a result of TREB's actions, in part, a majority of Markham City Council voted against the motion, and it was NOT approved.

In a joint submission with the Ontario Real Estate Association, TREB provided valuable information to Markham City Council, which informed them of factual research, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs, which showed that only an estimated 4.9% of GTA transactions, in which TREB Members acted on behalf of a buyer, involved a foreign purchaser.

• CLICK HERE TO READ TREB SUBMISSION 

REALTOR® Members need to be doubly sure that their electronic messaging and advertising (by email, social networks, texts) does not violate Canada's Anti-Spam Law (CASL), PIPEDA ,or the Competition Act provision relating to false or misleading advertising in electronic messages because the private right of action provisions of CASL are about to come into force.

On July 1, 2017, the private action provisions of CASL are scheduled to come into force which will allow private parties to sue for damages, including compensation for actual loss, damages, or expenses plus a statutory amount of damages depending on which type of violation occurred.

Click here to learn more.

Several city councillors have reported to TREB that many Members are in violation of the City's Sign By-law and are threatening action as extreme as banning open house signs in the City of Toronto if infractions persist.

Signs in the City of Toronto are regulated by Chapter 693 of the Municipal Code. TREB encourages all Members to review the sign by-law to ensure compliance. Click here  to review the sign by-law guidance material. The full Municipal Code section relating to signs (Section 693) can be found here on the City's website . TREB encourages Members to review the full section 693, as the information provided in the link above focuses on the parts dealing specifically with real estate signs, but other parts of Section 693 may be relevant in certain situations.

Note: Section 693-22, Clause 3 of the Municipal Code (provided above) indicates that Open House Directional signs "may only be displayed during the period between sunset and sunrise". TREB has contacted City representatives to inform them of this apparent error in language. City staff have indicated that this is an unintended error and is in the process of correcting it.

REALTORS® Are Responsible To Comply With The Municipal Sign By-Laws.

City of Toronto staff has advised TREB of an increase in real estate related sign by-law violations. Compliance is important as we don't want to invite further regulation by government.

Municipal sign by-laws regulate all aspects of real estate signs and are intended to preserve and protect the appearance and safety of communities. Sign by-laws differ from one municipality to the next within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). For REALTORS®, this means the placement and duration of open house directional signs and for sale/lease signs are governed by municipal sign by-laws.

For additional questions or concerns with sign by-laws, please call the City of Toronto at 311 (if calling from within Toronto) or 416-392-2489 (if calling from outside Toronto).

In case you missed TREB President Larry Cerqua discussing resale housing market conditions, the benefits of home ownership and TREB's Market Outlook Report on Newstalk 1010's "Ask the Experts" with Iain Grant!

Listen here: http://bit.ly/2l0zc0X

TREB wants to hear about how you use OREA services. Submit your feedback by completing a simple set of four multiple-choice questions and you could win a $25 VISA gift card.

Click here to complete the survey and, once you've submitted your answers, you'll have a chance to enter the contest.

You have until Thursday, March 2, at 11:59 p.m. to share your feedback, and your responses will only be counted once.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, and good luck with the contest!

Some users may receive a phishing pop-up message in their browser. Please opt to bypass the phishing pop-up and continue to cast your vote. Thank you!

Thank you if you have already completed our short survey, and a reminder if you haven't, that today is the last day to participate in our OREA Services feedback survey.

TREB wants to hear about your experience with using OREA services and hopes you'll take the time to answer four simple multiple-choice questions and provide your insight.

Plus, sharing your feedback could help you win a $25 VISA gift card.

Click here to complete the survey and, once you've submitted your answers, you'll have a chance to enter the contest.

You have until this evening, Thursday, March 2, at 11:59 p.m. to respond, and your responses will only be counted once.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, and good luck with the contest!

Some users may receive a phishing pop-up message in their browser. Please opt to bypass the phishing pop-up and continue to cast your vote. Thank you!

Back in March 2016, CREA and TREB advised REALTORS® across the country that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) continues to actively monitor and enforce the National Do Not Call List (DNCL).

What is the Do Not Call List (DNCL)?

The DNCL is a list of telephone numbers of consumers who have chosen to reduce the number of marketing calls they receive. Subject to limited exceptions, marketers are prohibited from contacting numbers on this National Do Not Call List.

CRTC Enforcement & REALTOR® Obligations

CREA was informed a year ago by the CRTC that it is increasing enforcement oversight of the National DNCL as it relates to the real estate sector. Members should be aware that non-compliance can result in significant financial penalties, so it is important to be sure you understand your responsibilities. As a reminder:

1. If your Brokerage conducts telemarketing, the Brokerage must register at http://bit.ly/2lWDTet. Telemarketing is making calls or sending faxes to consumers for the purpose of solicitation.
2. A Brokerage that conducts telemarketing must (subject to limited exemptions) purchase a subscription for the area codes it intends to call (fees will be based on the subscription model selected). It is the responsibility of the Brokerage to ensure its office has access to the most up-to-date version of the National DNCL and that those numbers are removed from their calling list.
3. The Brokerage must also maintain an internal do not call list. If a consumer asks not to be contacted, the Brokerage must add their name and number to its own internal do not call list.

Third Party Service Providers

We urge Brokerages to exercise caution when hiring a third-party service provider to assist the Brokerage in managing their telemarketing operations. The CRTC issued an administrative monetary penalty of $260,000 to one such provider, Telelistinghttp://bit.ly/2msWYIb, in January 2015. Telelisting obtained and disclosed contents of the National DNCL to their clients, a violation of CRTC's Telecommunications Rules. 

An investigation by the CRTC has resulted in monetary penalties to Brokerages who were clients of Telelisting. It is important to remember that Brokerages who conduct marketing and hire third-party service providers still need to register with the DNCL Operator and subscribe to the National DNCL.

For more information about the DNCL and Members' obligations, consult CREA's FAQs.http://bit.ly/2lTDTxl

TREB is working with the Ontario Real Estate Association to achieve Tax Fairness for REALTORS®.  This campaign is specifically in support of MPP Todd Smith's Bill 104, the Tax Fairness for Realtors Act, 2017, which, if passed, will permit personal real estate corporations (PREC) in Ontario (i.e. allow REALTORS® to incorporate).  

What You Can Do

• Visit the campaign website www.RealtorTaxFairness.ca, where you can easily email your MPP to ask them to support the bill.  The process is easy and only takes a few minutes.

• Post about the campaign on social media and share the website with colleagues in your brokerages. Both steps are easy to do through the website.

• Download and share the campaign infographics:

• Infographic 1
• Infographic 2

Why You Should Take Action

• Currently, Ontario real estate salespeople are prevented by the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act (REBBA), 2002 from incorporating their businesses through a personal real estate corporation (PREC).

• ONTARIO LEGISLATION IS DISCRIMINATORY: Other regulated professions, including chartered accountants, lawyers, health professionals, social workers, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, architects and engineers, can all form personal corporations.

• OTHER PROVINCES: Since 2008, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Nova Scotia have all moved to allow real estate salespeople to incorporate.

• NO COMPROMISE TO CONSUMER PROTECTION: Real estate salespeople who form personal corporations will continue to be subject to all professional and ethical obligations under REBBA, 2002.

• SOLUTION: The Ontario government should amend REBBA, 2002 to permit real estate salespeople to incorporate. Allowing personal real estate corporations will help REALTORS® with their small businesses, level the playing field with other regulated professions and harmonize the practice with other provinces.