NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF THE INTERNET

OSHAWA MAR 22, 2006 - Gary Nusca, Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and owner/operator of ICIWorld.net spoke at Durham Region Real Estate Boards (DRREB) Commercial Council Breakfast Meeting and Seminar on Thursday March 16, 2006 at the Holiday Inn in Oshawa.

ICIWorld is Canada’s largest Commercial Real Estate Information Service. The service is similar to classified ads specializing in real estate or the MLSâ system. With over 18,000 real estate advertisements and an audience of over 50,000 in 120 countries, there is no doubt that ICIWorld owes the Internet for their success.

The Seminar titled Understanding and How to Use the Powers of the Internet, presented DRREB’s Commercial Council members with an in depth look at the internet; the top rated marketing tool used by consumers searching for real estate today. With millions of users the Internet has become an easy way for REALTORS® to display properties without physically approaching the consumer.

“CyberSavvy agents recognize that Internet consumers tend to be well educated they buy faster and make more efficient transactions with their REALTORâ,” said Gary. “Only 2% of consumers used the Internet in 1995. But a recent ICI statistic shows that 77% of consumers are now beginning their search online, 74% choose the first REALTOR® they develop a business relationship with.”

The Commercial Council consists of Commercial practitioners who have met membership requirements of the National Commercial Council of the Canadian Real Estate Association. Members of the Council are from diverse business backgrounds and offer a range of experience and skills to consumers. Chaired by Joe Bosco the Council hosts 34 seminars each year with different guest speakers. Visit the DRREB website for more information at www.durhamrealestate.org.

THRONE SPEECH CONTAINS GOOD NEWS FOR REAL ESTATE REALTORS® SUPPORT GST REDUCTION

DURHAM REGION April 5, 2006 – The Conservative government’s Speech from the Throne contained some good news for Canadian consumers and real estate markets across Canada, according to Durham Region Real Estate Board.

One of the Conservative government’s five priorities outlined in the Throne Speech was their promise to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate immediately to six per cent. The GST is charged on professional services used by consumers during the course of a housing transaction, including fees paid to lawyers, appraisers, home inspectors and REALTORS®.

“Reducing the GST rate will have the effect of reducing the costs associated with buying or selling a home,” said Pierre Beauchamp, FRI, the Chief Executive Officer of The Canadian Real Estate Association. “It would also have an impact on the associated costs of moving house.”

Those associated costs were identified in an August 2005 study prepared by Clayton Research for The Canadian Real Estate Association to include moving costs, renovations, and the purchase of furniture and major appliances. REALTORS® point out that the Conservative proposal will reduce the cost of new homes, and the cost of services associated with a real estate transaction. A one per cent reduction in the GST rate would save a homeowner $2,500 on a new home selling for $250,000.

Setting the GST rate at five per cent as the Conservatives proposed as a longerterm goal would restore the effective rate of federal sales taxes on new homes to the level that applied prior to the introduction of the GST in 1991, when the new rate is combined with the new housing rebate.

“A reduction in the GST rate will bring real savings to consumers, and will help keep costs associated with housing affordable,” said Lloyd Elliott, President of the Durham Region Real Estate Board.

DURHAM REALTORS® SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER

The Durham Region Real Estate Board (DRREB) held its 2006 Christmas Dinner, Election Meeting and Charity Auction in support of the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre and Cancer Lodge, at General Sikorski Hall in Oshawa on Thursday December 7. DRREB Members, their families and special guests enjoyed a turkey dinner while presentations of awards and plaques where made throughout the night.

Long service pins and certificates were awarded to Members who have been with DRREB for 25, 30 and 40 years. Bill Schatzman was awarded a 50-year ring in recognition of his Membership with the Board. Paul Cullen of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) awarded Member Joe Jeronimo with the “CMHC Award of Distinction” that recognizes a Member of the Board who is active with the industry, the Board and their community.

The Family of Ted McCracken, a DRREB Past President and an Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Director, was presented with a “Fellowship” award with the OREA Foundation in memoriam of Ted, and in recognition of all his hard work and dedicationto the real estate industry.

In a recent release sent to all Member offices the Board of Directors proposed a Board name change to the “Durham Region Association of REALTORS®.” The name change was recommended in an effort to strengthen the REALTOR® trade mark and better reflect the real estate Board’s daily functions. An overwhelming number of Members voted “yes” to the change, which will now come into effect mid 2007. After the results of the election were announced the 2007 Board of Directors were sworn in.

Andrea Russell, Director of Major Gifts for the Oshawa Hospital Foundation, finished off the presentations and awards with an update on the progress of the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre and Cancer Lodge. After the update, Ms. Russell kicked off the Live Auction, which was the highlight of the night. Both the live and silent auctions went tremendously well bringing in approximately $12,000.00.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING AND MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON

DURHAM REGION April 10, 2006 – The Durham Region Real Estate Board (DRREB) held its Annual General Meeting on April 6, 2006 at Best Western Hotel in Oshawa. The event was a huge success, full of awards and presentations.

Patricia Mapplebeck (DRREB’s 2005 W. Paul Ristow Founder’s Cup winner) presented the first award of the afternoon to past president Ian Smith. Ian was awarded the Founder’s Cup for his exemplary commitment and service to the real estate community. Members of the board also witnessed their hard work from the Christmas Dinner and Auction in the presentation of a cheque for $13,103.72, to Lakeridge Health Oshawa to help fund the building of its newly awaited Cancer Lodge that will serve as a place for patients to stay while undergoing cancer treatment. “We are all anxious to see the results of our hard work and fundraising, and hope that the Cancer Lodge will be a success for Lakeridge Health Oshawa and its patients,” said Lloyd Elliott, President of DRREB.

Chair of the Oshawa Hospital Foundation, Chuck Powers and Campaign Director of the Heroes of Hope, Andrea Russell were in attendance to receive the cheque. “The reason for opening the Cancer Lodge is that most patient’s complications occur during the night. Giving patients a place to stay will make it much easier for the patients and the hospital to create a successful rehabilitation process for our patients,” commented Powers.

After Chief Vernon White’s short speech on Environmental design and designing crime prevention in newly built areas, he introduced two members of his team who gave an informative presentation on Marijuana Grow Operations and their effect on the real estate industry and neighbourhoods. Sgt. Dave Taylor presented a slide show on the effects of the grow ops and Det. Constable Jeff Kennedy continued by demonstrating the destruction on the inside of homes due to the grow ops. In support of our concern Durham Regional Police Services will be posting known addresses of grow ops in Durham on their website, this will be in effect April 10, 2006.

“The meeting was one of our most enlightening and useful to date. DRREB and its members will be taking Durham Region Police Services advice by viewing the online list and keeping in touch with Police Services to obstruct the grow house problem,” said Cail Maclean, Executive Officer of DRREB.

LOCAL REALTORS® COMMENT ON 2006 FEDERAL BUDGET

DURHAM REGION MAY 3, 2006- The 2006 Federal Budget measures will put more money in the pockets of individual Canadians and enhance their ability to maintain and finance a home, the Durham Region Real Estate Board said following the tabling of the 2006 Federal Budget on May 2nd.

“The broad tax reductions outlined in the Budget will help to increase consumer confidence about making larger purchases, such as buying a first home or moving up into a larger home to house a growing family,” said Lloyd Elliott President of Durham Region Real Estate Board. “It will also provide some of the funds consumers might need to repair or renovate their existing homes.”

“Local REALTORS® welcome the reduction in the GST rate to six per cent, which will have the effect of reducing the costs associated with buying or selling a home,” said Elliott. The GST is charged on professional services used by consumers during the course of a housing transaction – including fees paid to lawyers, appraisers, home inspectors and REALTORS®. The tax is also charged on moving costs, renovations, and the purchase of furniture and major appliances. The GST is also paid on new homes, and the amount new home buyers will save with the reduction is significant. For example, a family purchasing a new $200,000 home will save $1,280 in GST when the New Housing GST Rebate is included.

The Federal Budget also announces the creation three new third-party trust funds – worth a total of $1.4 billion – to help provincial and territorial governments address housing needs. A total of $800 million is allocated for affordable housing, $300 million for northern housing, and $300 million for off-reserve aboriginal housing. Few details were on how the fund will operate were included in Budget documents, and REALTORS® will be watching closely to see how the money will be used.

“There are many useful measures the federal government could take to address housing needs across Canada that do not require the time and money associated with building new housing units,” said Elliott, who notes The Canadian Real Estate Association has made many recommendations to the federal government for the development of a comprehensive national housing strategy.

These measures include addressing taxation and regulatory barriers that impact the affordability of housing, and providing long-term, stable funding for the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program.

LOCAL REALTOR® RUNS FOR DIRECTOR AT THE REAL ESTATE COUNCIL OF ONTARIO

DURHAM REGION – Durham Region Real Estate Board (DRREB) is proud to announce that Past President Ian Smith of Re/Max Ability in Courtice will be running for Director of Region 1 for the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO).

RECO is the licensing body that is responsible for administering the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 (REBBA 2002) and associated regulations on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Government Services. RECO regulates the activity of trade in real estate thereby building and sustaining the publics’ trust in the marketplace. The election is conducted by mail-in balloting, and voting will start the week of April 17th, 2006. All votes must be received by RECO by Thursday May 25, 2006 at 4:30 p.m.

Oshawa and Pickering Recognized As “Growth Centres” By The Province of Ontario

DURHAM REGION JUNE 1st, 2006: The Durham Region Real Estate Board held a Commercial Council Meeting at the Holiday Inn, Oshawa which was cosponsored by The Business Development Bank. (BDC)

After enjoying a buffet breakfast, guest speaker Bruce Hunt, Director of Planning Services for the City of Oshawa walked attendees through the Subdivision and Rezoning Process. The Province of Ontario has recently named both the City of Pickering and the City of Oshawa as “growth centres” with UOIT being the most predominant growth factor for Oshawa. A generalized flow chart illustrating the Land Development Process is available at the Board offices.

Other special guests included Patrick Lee, Development Services of the City of Oshawa, Cindy Symnons-Milroy, Economic Development for the City of Oshawa, Randy Henry of The Mortgage Centre, Margaret Peco, Branch Manager and representatives from BDC. DRREB members of the Commercial Council along with a number of DRREB member REALTORS® with an interest in Commercial Real Estate were also present.