2011 - Canadian Online Banking scorCard Review

For the second straight year RBC Royal Bank has ranked 1st in Surviscor’s Online Banking scorCard, a comprehensive, objective annual assessment of online features and functionality at major Canadian banking institutions. TD Canada Trust, a previous two-time winner, again placed second. Last year’s third place finisher, CIBC, has been bumped by BMO Bank of Montreal which jumped from eighth place. This year also marks the first time the big five banks have taken the top five spots. Surviscor introduced Ally into the review and once again, customer e-mail responsiveness initiated outside of the secure website is poor as measured by Surviscor's ongoing Customer Email Responsiveness (CER) program. Not one online banking firm attained Surviscor's Platinum status of under 4 hours average response time.”

http://www.surviscor.com/ScorView/Reviews/OnlineBanking/2011/

GTA REALTORS(R) Release New Quarterly Condo Market Report

GTA REALTORS(R) Release New Quarterly Condo Market Report
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 10/24/11 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 5,770 condominium apartment transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in the third quarter of 2011, representing a 24 per cent increase over the same period in 2010. The average selling price increased by almost nine per cent to $333,352.

http://www.euroinvestor.co.uk/news/story.aspx?id=11822932

Teranet and National Bank expand the coverage of the Canadian house price index

Montreal, October 19, 2011 – National Bank and Teranet are pleased to announce the expansion of the Teranet – National Bank House Price Index™ to five additional metropolitan areas. House price indices will now also be available for Edmonton, Hamilton, Québec, Victoria and Winnipeg as early as October 26, 2011.

Combined with the current Canadian metropolitan areas covered by the index, Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa (now Ottawa-Gatineau), Toronto, and Vancouver, the aggregate value of occupied dwellings in the metropolitan area covered by the indices now represents 64% of the Canadian aggregate value¹ .

More:
http://www.housepriceindex.ca/admin.aspx?mode=voirHTML&nonews=168&qui=3791&langue=EN

Give homeowners a permanent rebate

This is a great article to pass on:
Given the state of the economy, a permanent rebate on home renos would go a long way to stimulate the economy and help maintain home values.

By Romana-King-Blog

http://www.moneysense.ca/2011/10/11/give-homeowners-a-permanent-rebate/

September Rounds Out a Strong Third Quarter in Real Estate

October 5, 2011 -- Greater Toronto REALTORS® reported 7,658 transactions through the TorontoMLS® system in September - a 25 per cent increase over September 2010. Sales during the first three quarters of 2011 amounted to 70,588, representing a 2.6 per cent increase compared to the first nine months of 2010.

"We have experienced strong growth in sales so far this year, with a much more active summer compared to 2010. However, while sales have been strong, we have continued to experience a shortage of listings, resulting in more competition between home buyers," said Toronto Real Estate Board President Richard Silver.
http://bit.ly/p0Uviw

RE/MAX Professionals Welcomes Tabatha Hackett to the Kingsway Branch

Tabatha comes from a background of construction, marketing and graphic design. She just returned to Toronto after a year long sabbatical in Mazatlan Mexico and is refreshed and eager to start her new career in Real Estate. For years she has maintained a passion for real estate, renovating and interior design and is excited to be following her dreams.

With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto and a Graphic Design certificate from Centennial College, she plans on using her education to assist her in working with clients and marketing her business.

Tabatha spent the earlier years of her career life working at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club as Marketing Coordinator. There she was Editor and Graphic Designer of the monthly magazine, produced marketing and promotional materials, as well as introduced new members to the Club.

Her last 8 years have been spent as an Office Manager running a successful construction company with her husband, focusing in commercial construction. As well, she has bought, sold, rented and property managed a variety of properties over the years.

Tabatha is thrilled to be joining Re/Max Professionals Inc. and is looking forward to the challenges and rewards of her new career.

Please welcome Tabatha to the Kingsway Branch. tabathahackett@gmail.com

RE/MAX Professional Agents Believe In Giving Back!

Linday Henry and Kim Carreiro supporting their local Food Bank!

Words of thanks from Christine and Darryl Mitchell:

Kim & Linda;

Congrat’s on such an amazing and successful Food drive. This is certainly the true spirit of the word "thanksgiving." Giving back is a gift within itself and we are very proud of you both.

Christine & Darryl

Congratulatons Team RE/MAX

On Sunday October 2^nd 170,000 Canadians came together and raised over $30,000,000!

THANK YOU!

Team RE/MAX who participated in the Mississauga Run Site collected donations of over $4,150 online,

cash donations are still be tallied

Every dollar raised continues to support life-saving research and life-changing programs, bringing us one step closer to a future without breast cancer.

Even though it was a cold and dreary day Team RE/MAX all gathered at our
Mississauga Office and we walked over to the run site, University of Toronto
Mississauga, together. It was a great morning with lots of people and activities.

Next year we hope to see more agents join Team RE/MAX and hope to raise even more for this great cause.

IF you wish to donate to Team RE/MAX please see you office administrator by October 31^st (only cash donations will be accepted at this time)

Past KW Star: 'That Balloon's Tough Competition'

KUHNS TEAM

Brad Kuhns led the No. 1 team at his former Keller Williams office for seven years, competing against top RE/MAX agents in Florida's Brevard County.

"It's tough to compete with that big balloon," Kuhns says. So when his team felt their existing brokerage model getting "stale," they decided, "instead of trying to beat RE/MAX, we should join 'em."

In July, the team of five moved to RE/MAX Elite in Melbourne.

Kuhns says the Keller Williams model focuses more on agent count than production, and that's tough for highly productive agents to get behind. At RE/MAX, his team is enjoying new energy and the motivation of working alongside other top professionals who are focused on helping people buy and sell homes.

"Now we're with the No. 1 agents at the No. 1 real estate company," Kuhns says. "That can't be oversold."

Great Article from Mark Weisleder to Pass to Your Clients

A year ago I wrote the most common mistake home buyers make is buying with their heart instead of their head — usually because they panic while involved in a stressful negotiation for which they are unprepared.
The result is that buyers pay more than they should, or are disappointed later when they find defects in the home or discover the neighbourhood isn’t quite what they thought.

http://www.moneyville.ca/article/1062274--six-ways-to-make-sure-you-buy-the-right-house