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Each year, REALTOR.ca generates more than five million leads for REALTORS® across Canada. Developed and operated by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) on behalf of its REALTOR® members, it’s the country’s most popular and trusted real estate platform. As technology advances, however, and new contenders enter the market, it’s critical REALTOR.ca secures its relevance for the future. On this episode of REAL TIME, we explore the future of Canada’s real estate landscape as well as the vision behind shifting REALTOR.ca from a not-for-profit, association-driven product to a wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary of the CREA. Ultimately, we look at how this shift will expand the platform’s potential to keep REALTORS® at the heart of the real estate transaction. Guests include Jill Oudil, CREA Chair, Patrick Pichette, VP of REALTOR.ca, and Andrew Jackson, Head of Business Development at CREA. Help us improve REAL TIME. Let us know what you think by filling out our survey. We’ll use your feedback to make the podcast a better tool for you and REALTORS® across the country.

In a hyper-digital world, savvy brands are finding success tapping into and nurturing online communities. On this episode, Shannae Ingleton Smith joins REAL TIME to help REALTORS® find and build a niche of their own, true to their personal and professional brand. Shannae, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Kensington Grey, a boutique influencer agency rooted in diversity, is an expert in content creation and brand storytelling. In addition to “finding your people” and building a niche, she also talks about how to portray your authenticity online, make the most of each platform, and strike a balance between creating your own content and having others, like influencers or clients, champion your brand for you. Let us know what you think about the episode by filling out our survey. Your feedback will be used to make REAL TIME a better tool for you, and REALTORS® across the country.

While Canada’s housing market has felt like a roller coaster over the last few years, 2023 might be the year it turns a corner. Slowly.On Episode 34 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by Shaun Cathcart, Director and Senior Economist, Housing Data and Market Analysis, at the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA). Shaun takes a step back to help REALTORS® and their clients look forward, painting a picture of Canada’s housing market pre-pandemic, how it changed, and what the data can tell us about the future.

At times, the phrase “business innovation” can feel as amorphous as any other buzzword: what does it mean, and what’s the opportunity for REALTORS®?On Episode 33 of REAL TIME, researcher, keynote speaker, and one of The Globe and Mail’s top changemakers of 2022, Dr. Chitra Anand, explores the many ways in which REALTORS® can innovate. She also unpacks an important new movement in the workplace: intrapreneurship. Learn how you can foster an intrapreneurial spirit to challenge the norm, spur new ideas, and continue building trust through value-added solutions. Dr. Anand breaks it all down, including how to focus your efforts for the greatest impact if you’re a smaller business with limited resources.

As part of REALTORS Care® Week 2022, we’re joined by Chris Jarvis, co-founder of Realized Worth. At Realized Worth, Chris designs volunteering strategies to help businesses drive engagement, retention, inclusivity, and stronger relationships with their communities. On Episode 32 of REAL TIME, Chris helps us understand how we can reprogram our brains to feel empathy for groups with whom we don’t identify. By breaking down barriers, and adopting a transformative approach to volunteering, it can help us see the world with a fresh perspective. Episode Resources Realized Worth Invisible People The RW Institute The Brain, Episode 5: Why Do I Need You?

Canada frequently ranks as the best country in the world for its quality of life, but what does it mean to live in Canada? How does the Canadian experience differ among subsets of the population? And what social, cultural, or lifestyle trends might be impacting Canadians’ real estate decisions?On Episode 31 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by Canadian media figure Lainey Lui, ETALK correspondent and co-host of The Social. Known for her sociological perspective on the value of pop culture, Lainey joins REAL TIME to put the Canadian experience under the microscope.

Over the last few years some industries have experienced a labour shortage while others have seen an increase. As the workforce continues to evolve, creating a culture that employees value is critical to attracting and keeping the right talent, and driving your business forward. On Episode 30 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by Neil Thornton, President of the Thornton Group, to help REALTORS® and brokers, regardless of their role on a team, strengthen their leadership, coaching, and engagement skills. Gain insight on how to build a strong team culture anchored in a shared vision.

Historically, real estate has been a referral business, with business development driven by reputation. So, in an industry where word-of-mouth is your strongest marketing tool, how does modern marketing fit in?On Episode 29 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by Priyanka Goswami, Executive Vice President of One-to-One and Customer Experience at award-winning creative agency No Fixed Address.Priyanka joins REAL TIME to offer insights on how REALTORS® can take a focused approach to marketing their business, building a strategy that includes first-party data, personalization, success metrics, and more.

We might be living in a digital age, but a career in real estate is personal. On Episode 28 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by James Duthie, Canada’s favourite sportscaster, to explore one of the most personal tools of the real estate trade: conversation. Hear James’ approach to sparking meaningful conversations at work and in life – with examples from throughout his career (the good and bad). From breaking the ice to broaching sensitive topics, learn how REALTORS® can use conversation to build stronger relationships with their clients.

On Episode 27 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by Newfoundland and Labrador-born, Norway-based architect Todd Saunders, best known for his iconic design of the Fogo Island Inn and studios. A Canadian architect with a global presence, Todd shares his unique perspective on the relationship between architecture and the ways in which we live in, interact with, or appreciate a place. Todd also shares his personal story defining a new vision for architecture as well the importance of building strong, trustworthy relationships with clients.

Dr. Raj Bhatla is Psychiatrist-in-Chief at The Royal Mental Health Centre in Ottawa, one of Canada’s foremost mental health care, teaching, and research hospitals. Ron Antalek is a REALTOR® in Maple Ridge, British Columbia with more than 30 years’ experience, a mental health advocate, and the recipient of the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2020. On Episode 26, Dr. Bhatla and Ron join REAL TIME in support of Mental Health Week 2022. Aligning with this year’s theme of empathy, they explore various topics surrounding mental health including destigmatization, mental health in the workplace, the vulnerability of REALTORS®, and how to support one another through compassion and understanding.

In the mid-90s, the Internet ushered in a new era in how consumers buy and sell real estate. Today, one platform is more popular than any other in Canada. So, how did we get here? And what’s next? On Episode 25 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by Patrick Pichette, Vice President of REALTOR.ca, and Andrew Jackson, Head of Business Development at the Canadian Real Estate Association. We explore the evolution of listing sites and how REALTOR.ca has staked its claim as a leading platform beyond listings. We also discuss the future of Canadian real estate, new innovations on the horizon, and REALTOR.ca’s trajectory to further support REALTORS® and their clients.

“We’ve accelerated into the future by at least a decade.” The pandemic has pushed us further and faster into a digital-first economy. In an industry like real estate, where trust and human interaction are paramount, what’s the impact of this digitalization? More importantly, what can REALTORS® expect as technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and the metaverse continue to gain traction? On Episode 24 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by futurist Sinead Bovell, the model who talks tech, to explore the pros and cons of a society that increasingly engages, transacts, and communicates through technology.

Today’s leaders are being tested. From emerging technology and shifting employee values to uncertainty introduced by the pandemic, the workplace is changing. And leaders are changing with it. So, what does it mean to be a leader today? And how do we prepare for tomorrow? On Episode 23 of REAL TIME, global speaker and author Hamza Khan shares his unique perspective on the future of work. Learn how leaders can take care of their teams, businesses, and themselves – and how REALTORS® can be seen as leaders in their field.

Whether it’s our salaries or family dinners, negotiating is part of daily life. For REALTORS®, it’s fundamental to their business. On Episode 22 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by Wes Hall, one of North America’s most influential business leaders, to wrap up the year with some practical knowledge and inspiring stories. Wes shares his journey from humble beginnings in Jamaica to Bay Street in Toronto, and how negotiation was foundational to his success. As the newest dragon on Dragons’ Den, he also shares tips for staying grounded as an entrepreneur. From knowing your audience to knowing your worth, gain insight to help build your skills as a negotiator and an advisor.

During the first year of his family medicine residency, Dr. Naheed Dosani experienced a devastating and life-changing event: one of his patients passed away. That patient, Terry, had lived on the streets for 15 years, had terminal cancer, and was repeatedly refused access to proper palliative care. It was too little too late. Deeply affected by Terry’s loss, Dr. Dosani realized that while we all have equal access to healthcare in Canada, it doesn’t mean we have equitable access. And so he pledged to inspire change. To complement REALTORS Care® Week 2021, we join Dr. Dosani to gain a front-line perspective of the inequities facing homeless, poor, and vulnerably-housed Canadians. We look at housing as a healthcare issue, how we can cure it through policy, and how we can tap into our own vulnerability to ensure no one has to fall through the cracks.

What’s cost-effective, functional yet invisible, and has the power to improve homeowner safety and strengthen communities? Universal Design: an approach to designing spaces that are inclusive and equitable for all. On Episode 20 of REAL TIME, we speak with Brad McCannell, Vice President of Access and Inclusion at the Rick Hansen Foundation, to explore the personal, societal, and financial value of adopting Universal Design practices in both our homes and shared spaces.

Canadians have had their say in Canada’s 44th federal election, ushering in a new Liberal minority government. What led to this result and what does it mean for Canadians? On Episode 19 of REAL TIME, we’re joined by one of Canada’s most prolific political journalists and commentators, Chantal Hébert. Join us as we unpack the election’s political implications for Canada’s housing crisis, including the newly-elected government’s housing promises, and how all parties might align to support a more accessible and sustainable housing sector.

Vacation properties have been around for decades, but their popularity has sky-rocketed over the last few years. What’s driving that trend, and how is it changing the current market? Heather Bayer, co-founder of Vacation Rental Formula, joins us for a deep dive into the dos and don’ts of vacation property investment, how the sharing economy has affected the way vacation rental businesses operate, and the responsibilities all owners have to their guests and neighbours. From helping your clients find their own vacation property, to what the next year may hold, Episode 18 of REAL TIME is a must-listen for the latest trends and insights.

We might think we know what characteristics define each generation, even when it comes to real estate. Baby Boomers are downsizing, Millennials can’t afford to break into the market, Gen Z are tech obsessed, and Gen X… who are Gen X again? But are any of these prevailing notions true, or are they just stereotypes? In this special episode of REAL TIME, we talk to four REALTORS® from across the country about their experiences with clients of all ages and how each generation is navigating and redefining the landscape. First, we chat Gen X and Gen Z trends with Davelle Morrison and Austin Titus. Later, we explore what’s hot in real estate for Baby Boomers and Millennials with Rob Marland and Tanya Eklund.