In my last President’s Message, I outlined an issue regarding a special levy proposed by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA), and I now have an update on the matter.

At its General Meeting on March 11, OREA brought forward a motion for a $30 special levy, to be imposed on all Members for each of the next three years in order to support an advertising campaign.

While I believe strongly in communicating to consumers that home ownership is a great investment, I also believe that doing so should be undertaken within existing budgets. As such, I, along with many other TREB Directors, did not support the motion. Unfortunately, the vote on this issue, which was administered by secret ballot, was carried, with 73 votes cast in favour and 50 against.

Given that TREB had concerns as to the process undertaken in this matter, legal advice was sought and as a result of the counsel we have received, TREB will not collect the $30 special levy from its Members.

I am also happy to report that TREB recently held a very successful networking event, which raised more than $8,000 for a very worthwhile charity.

On April 29, more than 300 of you came out to support Camp Winston at TREB FEST, which was held at CUBE nightclub on Queen Street West. The night included door prizes, a silent auction, and specialty entertainment including an astrologer, a handwriting analyst, and a henna artist.

Although Camp Winston, which sends kids with complex neurological conditions to camp in Muskoka every summer, is the recipient of the event’s proceeds, Members who took part in the event benefitted equally by enjoying the amazing sense of community that we, as Greater Toronto REALTORS®, share.

It is worth noting that events such as TREB FEST; our annual REALTOR® QUEST conference, which takes place May 6 and 7 at the Toronto Congress Centre; and all other Member products and services are delivered by a staff of just 116 people. Recognizing that they serve the needs of more than 40,000 of us, and by contrast, in 2001, a staff of 121 people served 17,290 Members, I am grateful for their many efforts.

I look forward to seeing you at REALTOR® QUEST on May 6 and 7, and in the meantime, if you have input you would like to share, please feel free to reach out to me anytime at trebpres@trebnet.com

Paul Etherington, President  
Toronto Real Estate Board

I believe that buying your first home should be counted among life’s most important milestones. Home ownership is more than just a step in securing your financial future.

Making the transition to home ownership is often regarded as a marker of maturity and success, suggesting that you have the discipline to make the sacrifices necessary in achieving this important goal.

Owning a home has equally positive emotional and psychological effects, which collectively, are vital to our city’s future. In a 2012 Habitat for Humanity GTA study, respondents reported a 25 per cent increase in their community involvement upon making the transition to owning a home, stating that they had been friendly with five or more neighbours. Half of respondents reported feeling safer walking outside their homes. An incredible 76 per cent reported improvements in their children’s grades, and 88 per cent reported improvements in children’s confidence once they moved into their home

The physical health benefits of home ownership are also well documented. Single-family, low-rise dwellings offer the advantage of neighbourhood walkability and as many seasoned homeowners can confirm, property maintenance alone can serve as a thorough workout. Alternatively, if a condominium home is more suited to your lifestyle, you can often look to amenities such as onsite gyms, swimming pools and rooftop gardens to keep you active. Habitat’s study also documented home ownership’s health benefits, of those who recently transitioned to ownership housing through Habitat’s initiatives, 84 per cent reported improvements in asthma.

This is just a snapshot of the many reasons that buying a home is as important to growing up as donning that proverbial cap and gown, so if you’re ready to mark the next milestone in your personal journey, I encourage you to talk to a Greater Toronto REALTOR®. They can advise you on the many government programs, rebates and incentives that make the goal of home ownership easier to achieve. They can also advise you on the many housing options, both new and resale, that are suited to your lifestyle, and guide you through the entire process from making an offer to moving day essentials.

For more information, visit TorontoRealEstateBoard.com where you will find market updates, neighbourhood profiles, explanations of commonly used real estate forms and more.

Paul Etherington is President of the Toronto Real Estate Board, a professional association that represents 40,000 REALTORS® in the Greater Toronto Area.

Follow TREB on www.twitter.com/TREBhome, www.Facebook.com/TorontoRealEstateBoard, pinterest.com/trebhome/,www.linkedin.com/company/treb and www.youtube.com/TREBChannel

Approximately 6,000 Greater Toronto REALTORS® and approximately 1,000 exhibitor staff made TREB’s annual REALTOR® QUEST conference, held May 6 and 7 at the Toronto Congress Centre, another tremendous success this year.

• The conference’s aim was to bring together the greatest collection of real estate speakers ever in Canada, with 44 professional development sessions offered through its Learning Quest component. Among REALTOR® QUEST’s many accomplished speakers were Walter Sanford, who shared strategies for multiplying effectiveness, and Richard Robbins, the Spring Annual Meeting’s keynote speaker, who outlined his views on emerging trends.
  
  
• Also included as part of the Spring Annual Meeting were a number of awards presentations, operations updates, an announcement on the results of the election for TREB’s 2015/2016 Board of Directors, a financial update, and consideration of proposed by-law amendments.
  
  
• Presented with TREB’s highest award, the Award of Merit, were former Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) Registrar Allan Johnston, former TREB President John Meehan and former RECO Chief Executive Officer and President Tom Wright. Former TREB Director Stuart Braund and former TREB President Bill Johnston were recognized with the David Rossi Committee Service Award for their outstanding service and former TREB Director Gary Lander received the Commercial Network Merit Award. Member Sandip Singh Sangha was also honoured with TREB’s Community Service Award for his many volunteer efforts. 
  
  
• In addition to receiving an update from TREB President Paul Etherington and CEO John DiMichele, Members heard from Ontario Real Estate Association President Patricia Verge, Canadian Real Estate Association President Pauline Aunger and Real Estate Council of Ontario CEO Kate Murray, who talked about their organizations’ recent initiatives.
  
• The election results for TREB’s 2015/2016 Board of Directors were announced, and it will be comprised of the following Members:
  
  Mark McLean, President
  Larry Cerqua, President-Elect
  Paul Etherington, Past President
  Howard Drukarsh, Director-at-Large
  Don Kottick, Director-at-Large
  John Lusink, Director-at-Large
  Donald Patterson, Director-at-Large
  Sandra Rinomato, Director-at-Large
  Tim Syrianos, Central Brokerage Director
  Lisa Patel, Central Non-Brokerage Director
  Gurcharan (Garry) Bhaura, West Brokerage Director
  Michael Collins, West Non-Brokerage Director 
  Richard (Dick) Briscoe, East Brokerage Director 
  Michelle Makos, East Non-Brokerage Director
  Joseph Shum, North Brokerage Director
  Peter Burdon, North Non-Brokerage Director 
  
  
• A motion for a $25 one-time dues holiday was carried following the meeting’s financial update, representing the 10th dues reduction in recent years and a total savings of $530 per Member over the years. 
  
  
• As well, for the eighth consecutive year, Members voted in favour of continuing their support of the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation’s Every REALTOR® Campaign by allowing TREB to make a donation equivalent to $1 per Member per month for a year to the Foundation. Through the Foundation, last year alone, TREB provided grants totalling $485,410 to 60 different shelter-related charities across the Greater Toronto Area.
  
  
• Proposed by-law amendments, some of which were of a housekeeping nature, and others that related to the name and mandate of TREB’s MLS® Committee and to the mandate of TREB’s Government Relations Committee, were also carried.
  
  
• Canada’s largest real estate trade show with 252 exhibitors spanning 85,000 square feet of space was also a conference highlight, with Centre Stage featuring continuous entertainment, including the popular REALTOR® game shows TREBARDY, Is Your Price Right? and The Money Machine. 
  
  
• The conference’s Health Quest component, with its various wellness assessments and services, was also a popular attraction.
  
  
• Both days wrapped up with Member receptions at Centre Stage, which included two draws to win a free one-year TREB membership, which were won by Rasiah Srikanthan and Susanna Marchetti, and a grand prize giveaway of a 60” Samsung LED SMART Television, which Member Emanuele Giordano took home.
  
  
• Funds were also raised through a silent auction to support Camp Winston, a registered charitable organization that provides recreational opportunities in Muskoka for children and teens with neurological conditions.

Plans are now underway for next year’s REALTOR® QUEST conference and when available, can be found at realtorquest.ca

On May 14, we email broadcast May’s edition of the monthly, electronicAcross The Board Member newsletter to all TREB Members. This issue features:

• The Toronto Real Estate Board 2015/2016 Board of Directors Election
• Trainer On Duty
• What’s In Your REALTOR® Toolkit?
• New Version of Public Records Now Available
• Paper-based Versions of DLA, IDX, and VOW Agreements Ending September 1, 2015
• Condo Assignment Resources in the Condo Corner
• Make Your Listings Stand Out in REALTOR.ca
• Plain Language Forms Renamed Forms Explained
• TREB FEST: A Huge Success
• TREB HD – Member Health and Dental Insurance Program
• RECO License Renewal On Or Before July 31
• Members for Members – Thank You for Your Service!
• Closer to You Sessions Around the GTA.

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 Information Centre near the top of the home page. The Your Information 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.

TREB is taking action to ensure that REALTORS® are not being subjected to municipal licensing by-laws.  These efforts benefit all TREB Members across the Greater Toronto Area.

Background

Recently, the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury enacted a new licensing by-law that regulates “hawkers and peddlers”, which requires door-to-door salespeople, including those offering services, to be licensed by the municipality, pay a licensing fee, undergo police checks, and carry Town-issued photo identification cards.

TREB Action

TREB was advised of this action by REALTORS® doing business in this area and the resulting confusion as to whether they have to comply.

We have taken action to protect REALTORS®, who choose “door-to-door” as a marketing option, from the requirements of this by-law.  In this regard, TREB has received a legal opinion that indicates that brokers, salespersons, or brokerages registered under the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 who are operating in Bradford West Gwillimbury are exempt from the above-noted licensing requirements, because municipalities are prohibited by regulations under the Municipal Act, 2001, to impose a business licensing by-law on individuals registered as a broker, salesperson, or brokerage under REBBA, 2002.

TREB has advised the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury of this legal opinion and is awaiting a response from the Town regarding its position in this regard. 
View TREB Letter.

Important for All TREB Members

As many municipalities across the Greater Toronto Area regulate “hawkers and peddlers” through licensing by-laws, this legal opinion and action with regard to Bradford West Gwillimbury establishes important precedents that help to protect all TREB Members.

It’s Our 10 Year Anniversary!

This Year, the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation Celebrates Ten Years of REALTORS® Riding for Charity!

Participants will enjoy a fun-filled event while supporting an important cause: 100% of the proceeds from the RIDE benefits the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation which supports shelter-related causes in your community. You could help change a life forever, bringing hope to the homeless or those in need. It's through the support of thousands of REALTORS®, their friends and family that we're able to make an enormous difference in the lives of the homeless each year. Through your generosity, we are privileged each year to make grants in support of shelter-related causes which give hope to those less fortunate and helps the homeless live healthier, happier lives.

NOTE: Every dollar you raise assists in providing support to a charity in your community. The Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation's administrative costs are paid for by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). Learn more about the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation.

The goal for this ride over the past few years has been to travel throughout Ontario, raising the awareness of the Foundation and its goals to communities, fellow REALTORS®, and real estate Boards and Associations. In keeping with that goal, the riders who have participated have now visited all of the 40 real estate Boards and Associations in Ontario. This year’s goal is to raise $25,000 for shelter.

Help us achieve that goal by participating in the ride or pledging a rider.

Please visit our website at https://realtorscareontario.ca/ride to register and create your online profile.

The provincial government has introduced legislation to update theCondominium Act. TREB participated in public consultations that led to this legislation.

This legislation has not yet been passed.  TREB will review the proposed changes and provide input to the government, if necessary, as the legislation proceeds through the approval process.

Details

The provincial government has introduced Bill 106, Protecting Condominium Owners Act,2015, which, if passed, would amend the Condominium Act and the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act and enact the Condominium Management Services Act to address five key areas of reform:

Dispute Resolution

The proposed Act would enable the establishment of a Condominium Authority intended to provide quicker, lower-cost dispute resolution than what is available today. It is also intended to help prevent disputes between condo owners and boards by offering clearer information on condo owners' rights and responsibilities.

The Condo Authority would be established as a delegated administrative authority, an independent, self-funded, not-for-profit corporation. To fund its services, the Condo Authority would have the power to set its own fees, including a small fee for all condo corporations – about $1 per unit a month, which would be collected from unit owners as a monthly common expense. The provincial government has indicated that setting up a dispute resolution service partly funded through a small fee was one of the top recommendations made by condo owners, residents, developers and other experts during the consultations and review of the Condominium Act.

Consumer Protection for Owners and Buyers

The proposed Act is also intended to set extra safeguards to protect condo owners and buyers and help them make informed decisions. It would:

• Require developers to give condo buyers a copy of an easy-to-read guide to condominium living at the time of sale
• Provide rules intended to prevent buyers from being surprised by unexpected costs after purchasing a newly-built condo
• Enable the government to create regulations for standard condominium disclosure statements and other documents, such as declarations
• Amend the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act so that most of the warranty protections available to buyers of new condos would also apply to certain condo conversion projects.

Financial Management

The proposed Act is also intended to strengthen financial management rules for condo corporations to help prevent fraud and mismanagement. For example, it would forbid condo corporations from finalizing some contracts unless they have fulfilled certain procurement process requirements.

It would also give owners more information about their condo corporations' financial matters and more control over important changes.

Regulations under the Act would also clarify rules related to reserve funds by defining what adequate reserve funds are and how condo corporations can determine if their reserve funds are sufficient.

How Condos Are Run

The proposed Act is intended to make it easier for condo owners and boards to participate and vote at meetings. For example, condo boards would no longer have to pass a by-law in order to hold a meeting through conference calls or using similar off-site meeting technologies.

The Act would also require condo boards to issue information to owners on a regular basis on topics such as the corporation's insurance or any legal proceedings. It would also require condo directors to complete training requirements.

Condo Manager Licensing

The proposed act would establish a separate piece of legislation – the Condominium Management Services Act. Under this Act, a new delegated administrative authority would regulate condo managers and management firms by establishing a compulsory licensing system. Regulations under the Act would set training and education requirements for condo managers and a code of ethics.

More Detail

Invoices for your TREB annual membership dues for the year July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 arrived at your Brokerage’s office on May 18, 2015. If you haven’t received your invoice, please contact the membership department at 416-443-8148 or log in to Stratus and select the e-Commerce option to view and pay your invoice online. June 30, 2015 is the payment due date for your 2015-2016 TREB dues and fees invoice.

Avoid the rush and long wait … pay online!

Please note the following:

• Payment of annual dues by June 30 will confirm a Member’s intention to renew his/her membership with TREB. 

• If payment is not received by June 30, then a Member’s membership is deemed not to have been renewed and membership privileges will cease immediately, without further notice. Accordingly, unless reinstating within 12 months, you will not be responsible for the annual dues charges for the coming year.

• A $100 reinstatement fee (plus HST) will apply for any Member reinstating his/her membership after June 30. 

Please remember that payment must be received by TREB by June 30, 2015 to avoid any service interruptions.

The following payment methods are available:

• e-Commerce:
  Invoices may be paid online through Stratus. Click here.

• Cheque:
  Payable to the Toronto Real Estate Board
  Cheque must be received at TREB’s offices by June 30, 2015.
  (Please include your membership number on the cheque.)

• INTERAC Online:
  In order to make INTERAC Online payments, you must have Internet banking enabled with your financial institution. Currently, four Canadian financial institutions – TD Canada Trust, RBC, Scotiabank, and BMO – accept payments as part of the INTERAC Online program.

TREB: Don't Wait To Get Into The Housing Market

June 2, 2015 -- If you’re puzzling over whether now is the right time to buy a home, my advice to you is unequivocal: don’t wait. Canada’s economy seems to be on a relatively steady footing and borrowing costs remain very low. Becoming a homeowner isn’t just about buying a house, it’s an investment.

While employment and interest rates should factor chiefly into your decision to buy a home, it’s also important to consider the potential for long-term appreciation of your real estate investment. Torontonians should be proud that we have built a world class city that holds its own in numerous global rankings, measuring such characteristics as quality of life, opportunity and resiliency, to name just a few.

If you have not yet made the transition to a homeowner you may find it a daunting thought, but in fact there’s no need to be discouraged.

Provided that you can produce a down payment equivalent to five per cent of a home’s purchase price, and qualify to receive an insured mortgage through your lender, today’s low interest rates provide for very manageable carrying costs. Of course, coming up with a down payment for an average-priced home may seem difficult, but there are efficient strategies you can employ to make that mark within reach.

As a starting point, try setting aside approximately one per cent of the value of your future home into a tax-free savings account (TFSA). 

Generally permitted to hold similar investments to that of an RRSP, a TFSA allows you to make tax-free withdrawals of your funds at any time. Provided you are at least 18 years-old, a resident of Canada, and have a Social Insurance Number, you can contribute up to $5,500 per year to a TFSA, and your contribution capacity accumulates each year after the age of 18. Because you can invest your money in different ways within a TFSA, you may want to consult with a financial advisor.

If setting aside one per cent a month seems ambitious, simply reduce it to a manageable amount, recognizing that it may take a little longer to reach your goal.

Regardless of the amount you set aside, the key is to stay on track, and to help you do so, you may want to set up an automatic electronic transfer of funds into your TFSA on a regular basis.

Keep in mind as well, that the GTA has a wide range of attractive housing options, you may have to adjust your expectations a bit, but once you become a homeowner, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make the move sooner.  

To learn about the many alternatives available to you, consult a Greater Toronto REALTOR®, and for the latest updates on the market be sure to visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com

TREB: All About Renos

June 2, 2015 -- Living in Toronto and renovating homes seem to go hand in hand. One of the major ways we build equity in our homes is by adding a new bathroom, kitchen or family room. Families grow, space must be maximized, and keeping parents close to work and children in their favourite schools often means, "Honey, It is time to renovate...again!"

Buying a fixer-upper can be a great way to get into a desirable neighbourhood at an affordable cost. It’s important to recognize though, that all renovations involve some inconvenience and a lot of elbow grease. While you’re rolling up your sleeves, it’s wise to maximize your efforts, go green, and remember that what may no longer suit your lifestyle, might be of use to someone else.

Renovating Benefits Others as Well!

A great way to renovate while supporting a charitable cause is to consider your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. This building supply store accepts and resells quality new and used building materials. Funds support Habitat's building programs while reducing the amount of used materials that are headed for overflowing landfills. Check ReStores online athttp://www.habitat.ca/en/community/restores/location.

Regardless of the upgrades you undertake, keep in mind that you can reduce the amount of waste you generate by donating or recycling construction materials. Certainly don’t dismiss the old for the new. If there are items to be reused, refurbishing them can add greater character to your home.

If you are looking for some great tubs and sinks, you may have to go no further than your current bathrooms and kitchens. Techniques for resurfacing, and countertops made of more recent materials like Caesar Stone, recycled glass, concrete, steel, stones, and the myriad of tiles, will give you lots of options for upgrading the look without replacing the whole bathroom or kitchen.

Greening your Renovations!

Energy efficient lighting, appliances, faucets, toilets and showerheads are a few of the options for increasing the green factor in these two essential rooms and you can watch your monthly expenses drop.

When it comes to flooring, cork and bamboo are among the greenest options, as they are derived from renewable resources. While bamboo is also an excellent choice for cabinets, wood that is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council of Canada is another responsible option.

When purchasing windows, look for low-E argon-filled units with the Energy Star symbol to achieve the highest thermal efficiency. Note: if you wonder how old your Thermopane windows are, most are stamped with the year and month they were made on the metal piece between the panes of glass.

Replacing an aging roof may prevent a bigger problem from happening, like water damage. Fortunately, roof shingles made from a variety of recycled materials are widely available, and sometimes the life expectancy of your new roof is worth paying the extra costs. Housing is a long-term investment.

Heating systems and central air conditioning are wise investments for your home for a couple of reasons. Investing in high efficiency doesn’t just benefit the environment, but as a homeowner, you will experience savings for your household when you choose models with the Energy Star symbol.

While decorating choices may be subject to taste, you’ll find that when it’s time to move again, energy efficient, money-saving upgrades have universal appeal. Renovating can be helpful to you, others, and reduce your carbon footprint all at the same time. Enjoy!

TREB: Events Help REALTORS Connect With The City

June 2, 2015 -- Although the Greater Toronto Area REALTOR® community is as diverse as the city itself, we all share a common interest in connecting with others and fostering a decent quality of life in our city. It is no surprise then that thousands of Greater Toronto REALTORS® turned out at two recent events with these aims, which will reap benefits for our city.

On May 6 and 7, the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) held its annual REALTOR® QUEST conference, assembling the greatest collection of real estate speakers ever in Canada. To keep your REALTOR® up to date on the latest trends and issues in the profession, 44 different professional development sessions were held, and a range of new products and services were on offer at Canada’s largest real estate trade show, with 252 exhibitors spanning 85,000 square feet of space at the Toronto Congress Centre.

In addition to continuously exploring new ways to better serve you, Greater Toronto REALTORS® came together for an Annual Meeting at the conference where it was decided to continue with support of the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation. Through the Foundation, last year alone, TREB Members provided grants totaling $485,410 to 60 different shelter-related charities across the Greater Toronto Area. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area and Ronald McDonald House Toronto received our support, as did countless other organizations that assist various groups in need, such as women in transition, new immigrants, and homeless youth, to name just a few.

Included with the conference’s entertainment quotient was a silent auction, with proceeds being donated to Camp Winston, a charitable organization that provides recreational opportunities in Muskoka to children and teens with neurological conditions such as Autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity and Tourette’s Disorder. In addition to giving campers an important sense of belonging with their peers, it helps them build gross motor skills through activities such as kayaking, ropes courses and theatre. It also offers year-round sessions to families and caregivers, counselling them on how to foster their children’s development.

Camp Winston was also the beneficiary of a very successful networking event held April 29 at CUBE in the Queen Street West District. Dubbed TREB FEST, the event brought together more than 300 Greater Toronto REALTORS® for a night of dancing, refreshments and specialty entertainment such as an astrologer, a handwriting analyst, and a henna artist. In total, more than $8,000 was raised to help give Camp Winston kids an unforgettable summer experience. For more information on this very worthwhile organization, visit www.CampWinston.com

These are just a few of the ways that the GTA’s more than 41,000 REALTORS® use their strength in numbers to make ours one of the world’s greatest cities. Each and every one of us cares deeply about the quality of life in our city and about helping you build a prosperous future through home ownership. It is, after all, the only investment that you can live in while it appreciates.
To learn more about the GTA housing market and how a Greater Toronto REALTOR® can help you on a path to a better life, visit www.TorontoRealEstateBoard.com

Paul Etherington is President of the Toronto Real Estate Board, a professional association that represents 40,000 REALTORS® in the Greater Toronto Area.

Follow TREB on www.twitter.com/TREBhome, www.Facebook.com/TorontoRealEstateBoard, pinterest.com/trebhome/,www.linkedin.com/company/treb and www.youtube.com/TREBChannel