DURHAM REALTORS® SEE THE LIGHT

DURHAM REGION February 7, 2007 - Members of the Durham Region Association of REALTORS® raised $12,217.87 at their 2007 Christmas Charity Auction in support of the Port Perry Hospital Foundation’s Lighting the Way campaign. Each year the Durham Region Association of REALTORS® Charity Committee picks a charity in the Durham Region to support, and has now risen over $70,000 for local charities.

Cindy Lister, Executive Director of the Port Perry Hospital Foundation and Doug Brown, Co-Chair of the Lighting the Way campaign, attended the 2007 Charity Auction at General Sikorski Hall in Oshawa, and kicked off night with the start of the live auction.

“The money will assist the Port Perry Hospital Foundation to reach some of their many goals such as: reducing wait times by bringing a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner to the hospital,” said Mr. Brown.

The 2007 Charity Committee was chaired by Shirley Cowle, who shares a special thanks to contributing Members: Catherine Ayotte, Debbie Dawson, Dianne Hooker, Deborah Khoury, Jana McCluskey, Karen Northey, Marilyn Patterson, Bonnie Vella.

MINISTER JIM FLAHERTY SPEAKS TO DURHAM REALTORS®

DURHAM APRIL 22, 2008 – Minister of Finance and MP for Whitby-Oshawa Jim Flaherty spoke at the Durham Region Association of REALTORS® Annual General Meeting on April 18th, held at the Holiday Inn, Oshawa. Members from the Association where intrigued by the Minister’s speech regarding the 2008 Economic Budget and how it plays an integral role in the housing market.

The Ministers speech outlined key issues such as: reduction in GST, sub prime mortgage, the local and global economy, controlling of government spending, pension splitting, reinvestment capital gains and the new Tax- Free Savings Account (TFSA) “The proposed TFSA is a registered savings account that allows taxpayers to earn investment income tax-free inside the account. Contributions to the account are not deductible for tax purposes, and withdrawals of contributions and earnings from the account are not taxable,” said Minister Flaherty.

Minister Flaherty thanked Members by adding that, “REALTOR® contributions do not go unnoticed, and have been invaluable to the community. REALTORS® give back through community activities and by finding suitable real estate for entrepreneurs, seniors and first time home buyers.”

To contact a local Durham REALTOR® or search Durham’s weekend open houses go to www.DurhamRealEstate.org. Durham REALTORS®, We Work Where You Live.

REALTORS® CREATE BUZZ AT PARLIAMENT HILL

DURHAM REGION, May 20, 2008 - The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) hosted their Annual Political Affairs Committee (PAC) Days Conference in Ottawa from, May 4, 2008-May 6, 2008. Real Estate Board/Association representatives from across Canada participated in the three day long event, lobbying their local MP’s for changes to major housing and real estate transaction related issues.

This year Deborah Khoury, Durham Region Association of REALTORS® (DRAR) President; Lloyd Elliott, PAC Chair; and Cail Maclean, DRAR Executive Officer; met with local MP’s at Parliament Hill to lobby for changes to: the Home Buyers Plan, Reinvestment in Real Property (Capital Gains), and the rapidly approaching Financial Transactions Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Regulations, which by June 23, 2008, will affect the way REALTORS® process their real estate transactions.

The PAC Conference featured special guest speaker Dr. David Suzuki, a world renowned Canadian Environmentalist, who has been putting a call out to REALTORS® to assist in getting the message to the federal government that the environment matters. Suzuki told the assembled PAC reps that there are “enormous changes on the way regarding the way we live, and real estate will be heavily affected.”

Searching for an open house… look no further!

DURHAM REGION September 12, 2008 - The Durham Region Association of REALTORS® (DRAR) has announced the unveiling of their redesigned public website. The significantly improved website went live on Friday, September 12, 2008 with the same web address of www.DurhamRealEstate.org. The Association’s website now provides features that make it easier for users to find the information they really need. The public can now search for a Durham REALTOR® and an open house by the click of a button.

"The redesign is the product of many months of vigorous effort by the Association’s Web Site Taskforce and staff," said DRAR President Deborah Khoury. "A key element in the Associations’ mission is to help its Members excel as real estate professionals, and this website is a powerful tool in accomplishing this goal.”

Early 2008 DRAR initiated the Website Taskforce. The Taskforce conducted several meetings regarding the scope and functionality of the old website. The Taskforce knew that creating a more simplistic site that could be easily navigated through, would assist the public in the search of their dream home; and the new website is a product of this idea.

“The Association has grown tremendously, in the several years the old website had been live, the use of its functions had changed. Launching the new website will not only help the public connect with a qualified Durham REALTOR®; but will assist Members in the marketing of open houses to the public,” said Khoury.

If you are looking for a qualified real estate professional with local Durham and surrounding area knowledge; or searching for open houses in Durham and the surrounding area, please visit www.DurhamRealEstate.org.

DURHAM REGION ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® MARKET OUTLOOK BREAKFAST MEETING

DURHAM REGION NOVEMBER 13- The Durham Region Association of REALTORS® (DRAR) held a Broker of Record/Office Manager/Office Representative Breakfast Meeting at the Oshawa Golf Club, on Thursday November 13. The meeting showcased several speakers who made presentations regarding timely housing market and economic issues.

Speaker Dana Senagama from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), presented DRAR members with CHMC’s Durham Region Housing Market Report, and explained how both economic and demographic factors impact the long and short term housing market performance.

“Steady job growth is the determining factor in the housing market. Oshawa’s public service sector continues to generate jobs even though there has been a decline in the auto manufacturing sector, said Senagama. The reported unemployment rate is 7% and the wage grow is positive at 4%.”

Jefferey Young, Next Gen Financial reported on several economic trends (i.e. equity market losses, subprime mortgages, financial leverage) relating to the global housing markets; and the economic impact linking to those trends.

Bill Bradley of the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) updated DRAR members about the revisions to the municipal property assessment process, MPAC’s role, responsibilities and relationships with the public; and the new online AboutMYProperty™ and propertyline™ features.

“AboutMyProperty™ provides property owners with access to property assessment information. Through this service, you can access property assessment information, site information, lot size and similar neighbourhood properties of interest,” said Bradley.

DRAR represents 938 REALT)RS® in the Durham Region. To contact a local Durham REALTOR® and/or search for an open house please visit: www.DurhamRealEstate.org. Durham REALTORS®, We Work Where You Live.

OREA’S POLITICAL AFFAIRS CONFERENCE 2008

DURHAM NOVEMBER 12, 2008 – President Deborah Khoury, President-Elect Debbie Dawson, Political Affairs Committee Chair Lloyd Elliott and Executive Officer Cail Maclean of the Durham Region Association of REALTORS® (DRAR) were among local REALTORS® attending the annual Political Affairs Conference of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA). The Conference, which includes a mix of business presentations and meetings with MPPs, was held at the Sutton Place Hotel in downtown Toronto from October 28th-30th.

“The Ontario Real Estate Association’s annual political affairs conference is an excellent opportunity for REALTORS® from across the province to meet and discuss important issues in the real estate industry with colleagues and elected officials,” said President Khoury.

In meetings with MPPs, REALTORS® discussed the funding of municipalities with their local MPPs. OREA’s members emphasized that the province must upload more of the costs of social and health services to ease the property tax burden.

“The funding of social and health services is our shared responsibility,” explained President Khoury. “Using property taxes to pay for social and health services unfairly targets property owners. Property taxes should be used to pay for property-related costs, not provincially mandated social and health services.”

Other conference highlights included presentations on native land claims, what’s new in property assessment and the latest trends at Queen’s Park.

Keynote speakers included John Tory, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party in Ontario and the Honourable Harinder Takhar, Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services.

DRAR represents 938 real estate professionals in the Durham Region. These REALTORS® are also member of OREA, with 45,000 members across the province.

DURHAM REALTORS® SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER AND GENEROSITY

DURHAM REGION DECEMBER 8, 2008 - The Durham Region Association of REALTORS® (DRAR) held its Annual Christmas Dinner, Election Meeting and Charity Auction in support of the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Lodge, at the Jubilee Pavilion, on December 4, 2008.

The Charity Auction was a major success, the live/silent auctions and tombola prize draw brought in over $11,000.00 for the R.S. McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Lodge. “We are currently in the design phase of the project,” said Jim Szeman, Chief Executive Officer of the Oshawa Hospital Foundation. “We are very excited that the project is taking such great stride.”

Andrea Russell, Director of Major Gifts for the Oshawa Hospital Foundation, was at the meeting to accept a further donation of $5000.00 from the Ontario Real Estate Association’s REALTORS® Care Foundation (www.realtorscare.ca/on.htm). Russell thanked the Members of DRAR for their, “continued support and generosity over the years.”

Long service pins were awarded to: Everett De Hart, Royal LePage Frank Real Estate and Mike Montagano, Coldwell Banker 2M, for an outstanding 40 years of service. Ralph Roberto, Coldwell Banker RMR; Charlie Reid, Royal LePage Frank Real Estate; Wayne Hancock, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd.; Ron Barsi, Sutton Group Status Realty Inc. and; Harry Hayes, Sutton Group Status Realty Inc.; for 35 years of service. Alice Hrehoruk, Blue Cat Realty Inc.; Wilma Entwisle, Royal LePage Frank Real Estate and; John Shewchuk, Royal LePage Frank Real Estate, for 30 years service. Neil Ryan, Ryan Realty Services Ltd.; Liz Rankin, RE/MAX First Realty Ltd. and; Mary Pedro, Century 21 Percy Fulton Ltd.; for 25 years of service.

Pat Johnson of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) awarded Theresa Doyle, RE/MAX Ability Real Estate Ltd., with the CMHC Award of Distinction. “The CMHC Award of Distinction recipient is elected by their peers and is awarded to a REALTOR® who displays vast community involvement, commitment and service to the industry,” said Johnson. “Theresa is not only recognized for her effort and commitment to the industry but; for her continued dedication to raising funds for breast cancer research.”

On behalf of DRAR’s Charity Auction Committee, the Association would like to thank the many businesses, and DRAR Members who donated to the Charity Auction, which made the night a tremendous success.

Durham REALTORS®, We Where You Live. To find an open house in Durham Region or the surrounding area, or search for a local qualified Durham REALTOR®, please visit www.DurhamRealEstate.org.

DURHAM REALTORS® SENDING SOME HOLIDAY CHEER TO OUR TROOPS

DURHAM REGION DECEMBER 24, 2008 - Members of the Durham Region Association of REALTORS® have collected over $1200.00 in Tim Horton’s gift certificate donations, to be sent to Canadian Troop in Afghanistan.

Darryl Dawson, son of DRAR’s 2009 President, Debbie Dawson will be deployed to Afghanistan early January; with him he will take the certificates and hand them out to his peers. Mr. Dawson is a Combat Engineer stationed in Petawawa. “We are truly touched by the thoughtfulness of the local Durham REALTORS®,” said Mrs. Dawson. “Our family will be anxiously awaiting his safe return.”