In Your AREA Podcast

In this episode of In Your AREA, Provincial Practice Advisor Bryan Statt engages in a super practical discussion about REALTORS® and their taxes with John Pinset, a founding partner of St. Arnaud Pinsent Steman Charter Professional Accountants in Edmonton. We discuss incorporation, self-employment, tax write-offs and other common REALTOR®  questions that everyone would love to ask but don't know how. We hope you enjoy.  

In this episode of In Your AREA, we discuss the Foreign Buyer Ban with Dionne Levesque of SVR Lawyers.  We discuss the legislation and regulations REALTOR members need to consider when working with buyers over the next two years. We hope you enjoy!  

In this episode of In Your AREA, we discuss tenancy with Helen Werbicki, an associate lawyer for Galbraith Law. We discuss the ins and outs of residential tenancy, the Residential Tenancies Act in Alberta, tenant and landlord rights, things to watch out for and even touch on commercial tenancy a bit. We hope you enjoy!  

In today's episode, AREA's Provincial Practice Advisor, Bryan Statt has a great conversation with David West, managing lawyer for West Legal. Born and raised in Alberta, David is well versed in the culture and context of Alberta law, specializing in the areas of real estate, wills, estates and probate. This episode covers  the current landscape in Alberta surrounding the moving of electronic funds, pitfalls for brokers and associates to avoid, and even a look towards the future potential of the electronic money movement. We hope you enjoy!  

This episode is one of a special series, which interviews each of the UCP Party leadership candidates on questions of interest to REALTORS®. On October 6th, the UCP Party will choose a new leader, and that leader will become Alberta's next Premier. In this episode, Christine Cusanelli, Senior Advocacy Advisor of AREA sits down with UCP Candidate Leela Aheer, MLA for Chestermere - Strathmore.  We hope you enjoy!

This episode is one of a special series, which interviews each of the UCP Party leadership candidates on questions of interest to REALTORS®. On October 6th, the UCP Party will choose a new leader, and that leader will become Alberta's next Premier. In this episode, Jolene Ledene Reimer, Chair-Elect of AREA sits down with UCP Candidate Danielle Smith, Former MLA for Highwood. We hope you enjoy!

This episode is one of a special series, which interviews each of the UCP Party leadership candidates on questions of interest to REALTORS®. On October 6th, the UCP Party will choose a new leader, and that leader will become Alberta's next Premier. In this episode, David P. Brown, Chair of AREA sits down with UCP Candidate Travis Toews, MLA for Grande Prairie Wapiti. We hope you enjoy!

This episode is one of a special series, which interviews each of the UCP Party leadership candidates on questions of interest to REALTORS®. On October 6th, the UCP Party will choose a new leader, and that leader will become Alberta's next Premier. In this episode, Stan Mills, Chair-Elect of AREA's Political Action Committee sits down with UCP Candidate Todd Loewen, MLA for Central Peace-Notley. We hope you enjoy!

This episode is one of a special series, which interviews each of the UCP Party leadership candidates on questions of interest to REALTORS®. On October 6th, the UCP Party will choose a new leader, and that leader will become Alberta's next Premier. In this episode, Jolene Ledene Reimer, Chair-Elect of AREA sits down with UCP Candidate Brian Jean, MLA for Fort McMurray Lac LaBiche. We hope you enjoy!

This episode is one of a special series, which interviews each of the UCP Party leadership candidates on questions of interest to REALTORS®. On October 6th, the UCP Party will choose a new leader, and that leader will become Alberta's next Premier. In this episode, Jolene Ledene Reimer, Chair-Elect of AREA sits down with UCP Candidate Rebecca Schulz, MLA for Calgary-Shaw. We hope you enjoy!

In today's episode, we have an extended conversation with Jim Reich, of Reich Law in Calgary. Jim brings an incredible depth of experience in this subject with over 30 years of experience, and as a serving member of the Canadian Bar Association through both the real estate and foreclosure sections. We discuss the foreclosure process in Alberta, crucial things to understand about the courts and real estate, situations to watch for, and even tips for homeowners facing foreclosure. We hope you enjoy!  

In today's episode, we have a chance to talk to Heather Manna, Managing Partner with MMG Mortgages. Heather has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the mortgage industry which she enjoys providing in a really practical way. We discuss the current lending environment, government interventions, changing markets and, even touch on some of the tricky situations she has faced. We hope you enjoy!  

Alberta Real Estate Associations' Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie reviews the trends in the Alberta housing market during the first quarter of 2022.Visit our website for the full provincial statistics report on our website.

We are thrilled to be joined by Christine Cusanelli, Senior Advocacy Advisor here at AREA. Christine's unique experience as a government relations specialist, former member of the Legislative Assembly in Alberta, and former Minister of the Crown, brings a unique perspective and wisdom that all listeners will enjoy. We discuss current government relations work, issues successfully advocated, and ways members can get involved.We hope you enjoy!  

This month, we are excited to have a conversation with Ann Marie Lurie, Chief Economist at AREA. Ann Marie's unique experience as an economist interacting with the real estate industry in Alberta brings a tangible clarity and wisdom that all listeners will enjoy. We discuss external market factors, supply and demand dynamics, and even explanations of many commonly used terms in real estate statistical analysis. We hope you enjoy!  

In today's episode, we are glad to have a discussion with Brett Turner, associate broker for Real Brokerage Inc and Co-Founder of Redline Real Estate Group. Brett has navigated the ups and downs of markets as an independent brokerage founder/owner, in addition to a busy practicing associate broker in Calgary. Brett's unique experience and knowledge of the challenges and benefits of low inventory markets provide clarity for REALTORS® and consumers alike. We discuss both the buyer and seller challenges in a low-inventory market, how REALTORS® navigate these stressful situations, and how it interacts with the MLS® system. We hope you enjoy!  

Alberta Real Estate Associations' Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie reviews the trends in the Alberta housing market during the fourth quarter of 2021.Visit our website for the full provincial statistics report on our website. 

This month, we are pleased to speak to Chris Pitman, Associate Broker for Royal LePage Benchmark in Calgary.  Chris is very involved in the practical operations of the FINTRAC compliance program at the brokerage level and offers some of his real-world experience with the outworking of FINTRAC regulations.  We discuss FINTRAC from the REALTOR®-client perspective, as well as from the brokerage perspective, including the experience of going through a FINTRAC assessment. For more practice guidance, check out our weekly blog, Practically Speaking.

In today's episode, we welcome back Lisa Statt Foy, partner at Field Law. Lisa's practice specialties include the areas of estate planning, estate administration, trusts, and intellectual property. Her many years of experience and knowledge really help us clear up some of the misconceptions associated with our topic today on the probate process, Power of Attorney, and enduring power of attorney relating to real estate. As these issues affect REALTORS® and consumers alike we are confident every listener will come away with some new valuable insights. We hope you enjoy!  

In today's episode, we welcome Sharon Blondin, owner of CondoQuest, and a director of the Condo Owners Council of Alberta. Sharon has been involved in the condominium industry for many years and brings a great depth of knowledge to our discussion to help REALTORS® and consumers understand the basics of condominium documents, as well as lead us into some of the important things to look for when considering a purchase of a condominium in Alberta. With recent amendments to the condominium properties act, Sharon also highlights a couple of important takeaways for listeners. We hope you enjoy!  

In this episode, we are joined by Lisa Statt Foy, partner at Field Law who specializes in intellectual property law, trademarking, and copyright. Lisa brings her wealth of legal knowledge to our discussion to help REALTORS® understand the potential pitfalls and best practices related to the use of images, trademarks, copyrighting, and more. With the explosion of digital marketing in real estate, this discussion is more important than ever.We hope you enjoy!

Alberta Real Estate Associations' Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie reviews the trends in the Alberta housing market during the third quarter of 2021.Visit our website for the full provincial statistics report:  https://tinyurl.com/kpjc32v5

This month, we welcome AREA Director Shirley Williams, Broker/Owner of Royal LePage Premier Real Estate as well as Rob and Beth Andress of Safe International, an organization dedicated to safety training for REALTORS®. Shirley, Rob, and Beth discuss common misconceptions about REALTOR® safety, the best tools REALTORS® can use to protect themselves, as well as real scenarios and surprises that REALTORS® need to be aware of.Sign up to join Rob & Beth for a webinar developed to equip REALTORS® with self-protection & strategies to avoid violence: https://tinyurl.com/2twdkd8cPlease note: due to the intense nature of the subject matter and some explicit content, listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, we welcome Ellyn Mendham of RE/MAX Realty Professionals. Joining her is AREA's new Provincial Practice Advisor, Bryan Statt. They discuss why a holdback is preferred, digging into the details of how much to hold back, as well as review the wording of terms and concerns around fraudulent activity. The duo chats about the current views of mortgage lenders regarding holdbacks and consider a lawyer's ability to enforce them.We hope you enjoy!

Alberta Real Estate Associations' Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie reviews the trends in the Alberta housing market during the second quarter of 2021.Visit our website for the full provincial statistics report:  https://tinyurl.com/kpjc32v5

In today's episode, we welcome Diana Burwell, Partner at Seguro LLP and Karen Salmon, Broker/Owner at RE/MAX Prime Real Estate. Diana and Karen chat about the occasions in which GST does and does not apply in real estate transactions, and the questions a REALTOR® can ask when GST concerns arise. They discuss GST as it pertains to new home sales, rural land, rentals, and what constitutes a commercial property.We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we welcome Andrea Engel of Maxwell Devonshire Realty and Robert Hainsworth of Nigro Manucci Law. The duo chats about the prevalence of backup offers in this current market and their three Ps: Pitfalls, Pros, and Practices. Answering common questions, they dig into how to create a strong backup offer, reviewing terms and conditions, and more.

This special edition episode features a conversation between Frances Dares of Urban Upgrade & New Infills and Heather Manna of MMG Mortgages. The pair chat about the new mortgage stress test rules coming out on June 1, 2021, and how these will impact buyers and sellers in Alberta. They also discuss the current real estate market, what might happen with occupancy levels in city centres, and where interest rates might go in the months to come.We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we are joined by Steevie Soucie of Keller Williams Realty Centres in Ontario and Ginger Andrews of RE/MAX Real Estate (Central) in Calgary. As REALTORS® who successfully use social media as a communication and relationship-building mechanism, they share their tips, tricks, and challenges with you. Steevie shares her best practices on Tiktok, where she has amassed over 75,000 followers and 2 million likes, diving into how to get started, what to share, and how to deal with negative feedback.Follow Steevie on social media:tiktok.com/@steeviesoucieinstagram.com/steevie_volpealcornFollow Ginger on social media:instagram.com/ginger.andrews

On this month's episode, we are joined by three Alberta lawyers as their top five most commonly seen mistakes made by REALTORS® on AREA forms. Dave West of West Legal, Denise Hendrix of Hendrix Law, and Jim Doyle of Vogel Verjee offer up guidance on how to avoid contract mistakes and address any issue that arises.We hope you enjoy!

Alberta Real Estate Associations' Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie reviews the trends in the Alberta housing market during the first quarter of 2021. Visit our website for the full provincial statistics report:  https://tinyurl.com/kpjc32v5

On this month's episode, Bill MacDougall, Broker/Owner of Optimum Realty Group, chats with Michael Litchfield of Thinklab Legal Education and Training. They talk cannabis as it relates to real estate: from smoke drift, medical accommodations, and stigmas, to latent and patent defects related to grow-ops.We hope you enjoy!

On this special edition episode, we hear from Jennifer Gilbert, Associate Broker at Coldwell Banker City Side Realty, as she chats with Matt Daigle, CEO of Rise, a sustainable housing education organization for both consumers and real estate professionals. The duo discusses a variety of topics, including new trends in sustainable housing and the necessary role and responsibility that a real estate agent plays when it comes to supporting consumers in buying or selling sustainable homes. Learn more about the Rise course offerings on our website.

In this episode, we hear from Stephanie Chipeur, a doctoral candidate at McGill University Faculty of Law, and an ardent accessibility advocate. She is joined by her REALTOR®, Jason Bamlett, RE/MAX House of Real Estate, and Zain Velji, partner at NorthWeather and Pillar 9™ board member. Stephanie shares her story of searching for a fully accessible home in Calgary, and how it led her to her advocacy in improving accessibility in real estate. The trio also talks about recommendations for REALTORS® when supporting clients looking for accessible housing, and what the inclusion of the accessibility search features on the Pillar 9™ MLS® system means for both REALTORS® and consumers.

In today's episode, we hear from AREA Managing Director Heather Coleman, Pillar 9™ Chair Corinne Lyall, and Pillar 9™ CEO Shane Griffin. The trio dive into the history behind Pillar 9™, what offerings Pillar 9™ provides to subscribers, and what makes it stand out from other MLS® providers.For more information about Pillar 9™, please visit their website.

In our final episode of the year, we feature reflections from several Alberta REALTORS® as they navigated the unusual landscape that was 2020. Our guests share their biggest lessons from 2020, how it has changed them as REALTORS®, and what they look forward to in the coming year.Time Stamps:00:42 - Ann-Marie Lurie, AREA Chief Economist04:57 - Julio Florez, Florez l Burton, Royal LePage True North Realty Fort McMurray06:57 - Jennifer Gilbert, Coldwell Banker City Side Realty10:26 - Ryan Smith, CIR Realty13:33 - Frances Dares, Urban Upgrade and New Infills19:58 - Tom Shearer, Royal LePage Noralta Real Estate23:43 - Kristie Kruger, AREA 2020 ChairWe want your feedback! The AREA team would appreciate if you take a few moments to answer 5 quick questions to let us know if we’re hitting the mark. Click here to take the short survey.

This episode features a conversation between Ryan Vollmar of Spark Real Estate and David West of West Legal. The pair chat about the history of chattels and fixtures in case law and review what most lawyers and judges consider to be the defining difference. They continue their conversation by reviewing some of the common items that have caused confusion, including alarm systems and air conditioners.We hope you enjoy!

This special edition episode features a conversation between Frances Dares of Urban Upgrade & New Infills and Heather Manna of MMG Mortgages. The pair chat about COVID-19 mortgage deferral implications, the current state of interest rates, as well the importance of securing a full pre-approval versus a pre-qualification for your clients early on.We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we are joined by David P. Brown of the Real Estate Company Ltd. and Gloria Vinci of Vinci Phillips Law. The duo breaks down the different types of foreclosure situations, talks through judicial sales, dealing with multiple offers, and how to manage foreclosure timelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.We hope you enjoy!

In this episode of In Your AREA, we are joined by Madeline Sarafinchan of Jayman Realty (EDM) Inc. and Prajitha Kurup of Polished Skills. Madeline and Prajitha chat about the various way in which REALTORS® can display etiquette in real estate, including working with difficult clients and agent-to-agent relationships. Prajitha shares some best practices for encouraging both safety and etiquette during the COVID-19 pandemic, how to dress for your role, and the unconscious judgments that impact our perceptions of others. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we are joined by Cathie Catalano of Source 1 Realty Corp. and Adam Thomson of Toole Peet Insurance. The duo addresses common misconceptions regarding real estate insurance, digging into what REIX covers and does not cover, the things you need to ask your broker about to take action and insurance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adam shares some of the most common scenarios in which REALTORS® could require liability insurance as well as some of the more obscure ones that no one could have predicted.We hope you enjoy!

This episode features a conversation between Ron O'Shea of The Real Estate Company and Jeff Kahane of Kahane Law. The duo breaks down some of the common questions about mobile homes, and the role of a REALTOR® in selling them. They review what classifies a mobile home versus a recreation vehicle, what is needed to list a mobile home properly, and how to do your due diligence as a REALTOR® for your client when selling these unique living spaces.We hope you enjoy!

This episode features a conversation between celebrated Canadian speaker and Cross-Cultural Communication Expert Tina Varughese and Jolene Ledene Reimer of Royal LePage in Brooks. The duo chats about diversity in Alberta, what REALTORS® can do to create a more positive experience for clients when English is not their first language, and how to invest your time and dollars to market yourself within a certain cultural community. They delve into the meaning of Cultural Collectivism as well as the dos and don'ts of negotiating and interacting with people from different backgrounds. We hope you enjoy!

This episode features a conversation between Michelle Perreault, Senior Professional Development Advisor at AREA and Dustin Kozak, a certified nutritionist who has traveled globally to explore the nuances of wellness from a scientific perspective.We chat about why nutrition is so important during stressful times, the foods, and nutrients you should focus on to drive your wellness and what to steer clear of in order to feel better, mentally and physically. As well Dustin chats about some COVID-19 best practices to create a sense of comfort for your clients.We hope you enjoy!

This episode features three separate conversations centered around the CRTC’s Do Not Call List and specifically the requirements of industry members in Alberta. Roger Arsenaut is the Broker/Owner at Maxwell Canyon Creek in Calgary and has had personal experiences with the Do Not Call List recently which he graciously shares. Then Simon Parham, Legal Counsel at CREA, walks listeners through a basic understanding of how the DNCL operates, the most common mis-steps he has seen REALTORS® make and why it seems like there is more attention from the CRTC in Alberta then ever before.Finally the final recording is provided to us by the CRTC themselves. Dana-Lynn Wood and Cristina Beck speak with us from Ottawa to chat about the DNCL in general, specifically to REALTORS® and what you can do to protect yourself and the consumers whom you are interacting with. We hope you enjoy!

In this second installment of our COVID-19 special edition episodes focusing on REALTOR® Wellness, Macaulay Brown of The Real Estate Company chats with Cory Donald of FORWARD Psychology. The duo talk about the true meaning of anxiety, and how it can manifest itself in everyday life. Macaulay talks about his own experiences with anxiety, while, as a psychologist, Cory offers guidance on how to recognize, accept, and thrive during these moments and come out stronger on the other side.We hope you enjoy!

The next three COVID-19 special edition episodes of In Your AREA will explore REALTORS® Wellness and will dive into the impact that stress can have on our bodies, our minds and our spirits. On this episode, Michelle Perreault, AREA's Senior Professional Development Advisor speaks with Michelle Bulechowsky of Mermaid Health & Wellness. Michelle is a certified practitioner in several disciplines including massage therapy, cupping, Reiki, aromatherapy and reflexology.The ladies chat about how large stressors, like that caused by COVID-19 can impact our energy, our mood and our relationships with others. They discuss how to get in tune with your own state of wellness and actions you can take in order to get back on track to a healthy state of mind.We hope you enjoy!

This episode features a conversation between three lawyers on AREA’s Forms and Practices Committee: Denise Hendrix of Hendrix Law, Jim Doyle of Verjee and Associates and Stan Galbraith of Galbraith Law.Kelly Kimber, AREA’s Senior Member Engagement Advisor asks the lawyers questions stemming from member concerns we have been receiving in this COVID-19 impacted downturn. The group chats about the current state of real estate in their practices, the risk of adding open-ended clauses to the purchase contract and how to mitigate risks in relationships with clients and when to go to a lawyer for council.

In this special edition episode of In Your AREA features a conversation between Mike Star of CIR Realty, Vonny Fast of CUTCO Closing Gifts, and Nolan Matthias of Mortgage360. The trio chat about the intrinsic benefits of giving, and how developing a personal relationship with your clients can help you to better meet their needs. They also take some time to talk about ideal ways to use this COVID-19 impacted downturn to improve your business.

This episode of In Your AREA features a conversation between Janet Kuehn, Associate Broker at RE/MAX Advantage Whitecourt and Pamela Barnum, Trust Strategist and Body Language Expert as they explore the importance of body language and communication in a real estate negotiation. Pamela chats about her past experience as an undercover police officer and prosecutor and how these two roles allowed her to perfect the art of interpreting body language and intention. We hope you enjoy!

In this special edition episode of In Your AREA, we invited Nolan Matthais of Mortgage360 and Mathew Said Morley of Re/Max First to chat about the implications of the mortgage deferrals now being offered in response to COVID-19. Nolan and Matt chat about why interest rates are going down but payments still seem to be going up and how best you can support your client in understanding mortgages at this trying time. We hope you enjoy!