Brankovsky, who’s with Royal LePage, believes that open houses are still worthwhile (“all you need is one buyer”). But she’s finding that there’s often less traffic through them in her area than in previous years. After all, when sales are down, open house activity tends to fall off as well, although it can depend on the neighbourhood.

“There’s nothing worse than sitting there for four hours with no one coming through. I think at the moment it’s less about the market and more about the economy. The cost of living is holding people back.” 

Different stories across the country

Post-pandemic-related changes must be considered as well. With homebuyers now having increased access to tools such as virtual tours, a lot of legwork can be done online, making a decline in open house activity seemingly inevitable.

But while this seems to be the case in certain pricy major centres, particularly Toronto and Vancouver, it’s a different story elsewhere, with some higher-performing markets seeing activity galore.

The latest data shows that “stark regional variations” have characterized the fall housing market, observes Ryan McLaughlin, an economist with Wahi, a Canadian digital real estate platform. According to RPS-Wahi’s latest house price index report, home prices continue to slide in the country’s most expensive cities. 

“But in select locales with better affordability conditions, gains are beginning to accelerate,” says McLaughlin. You could probably conclude that in these latter areas, it would make sense that there’s more open house action, he notes. 

Although the national numbers overall are suggestive of a market on pause, “that’s certainly not the case in cities in Quebec and Atlantic Canada, as well as certain parts of the Prairies, which may be heating up more,” McLaughlin explains.

While this latest fall data show Toronto and Vancouver housing prices dropping by at least four per cent from last year, quite a few cities with greater affordability have been experiencing stable performance and significant price growth. McLaughlin lists Winnipeg, Quebec City, Montreal and Regina among these, and to a lesser extent Calgary, Edmonton and Halifax.  

Canada’s easternmost city is ‘on fire’

 RPS-Wahi also has data not publicly included in its price index showing that year-over-year, home prices in St. John’s, N.L., have grown a whopping 12 per cent. 

Says Jim Burton, owner of ReMax Infinity in St. John’s: “Things are on fire here. It’s crazy busy. I’ve never seen a market like this. In a market currently not experiencing the best in some Canadian centres, be aware that other parts of the country are robust. And Newfoundland is one of them.”

This is a welcome change for the local real estate community. “We’re a hardened crew, used to going out and nesting in the gale, surviving hard times,” says Burton. 

Today, inventory in St. John’s is down, and sales are up. Multiple offers and homes selling over-asking have become common, which is unusual for the province. 

“We’re seeing a lot of capital coming in,” observes Burton. “There’s an abundance of buyers and few sellers. A lot of people are attending open houses. They’re pumped.” 

Making a case for open houses

Far from feeling that open houses are an outdated tool, Burton continues to find them a cost-efficient way of marketing, promotion and lead generation – not to mention an industry standard which tends to be expected by clients.

But not to worry, in a competitive sellers’ market like St. John’s, there’s no need for agents to knock themselves out getting overly creative with their open houses, in his opinion.

“Do your homework and be prepared,” he advises. Advertise well in advance. Take care of any necessary painting and repairs. “Put some buns in the oven and create a warm atmosphere.”

Setting the mood

Then again, kicking it up a notch can’t hurt. 

At the open houses hosted by Calgary agent Renata Reid, senior vice-president of sales at Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, there may be live music, catered refreshments and games. Once, an Aston Martin was on display in all its glory. Buyers can’t get that experience – the aromas, the ambiance – online, she observes.

“It creates an atmosphere that makes people feel welcomed and want to linger. I take open houses to the next level.”

It’s hard to say what, if anything, would bring open house activity fully back to pre-pandemic levels Canada-wide. With Christmas less than two months away, it won’t be long before the seasonal slowdown hits. Many agents don’t do open houses on holiday weekends, focusing instead on family. But there are plenty of people visiting from out of town during holidays with time on their hands, who may be looking to move closer to relatives, Reid points out.

“Take a break if you need it. But it can be a great time for an open house.”

 Vancouver-based eXp Realty agent Tom Ikonomou agrees. 

“If people are trudging through the snow to an open house during a holiday, then you know they’re serious about buying.”

Susan Doran

Susan Doran is a Toronto-based freelance writer who has been contributing to REM since its very first issue.

The post Open house trends defining Canada’s uneven real estate market appeared first on REM.

This week, the provincial government proposed to rebate the full eight per cent provincial portion of the HST for first-time buyers on new homes valued up to $1 million. 

The province’s proposal, which will be included in the 2025 Fall Economic Statement, would save first-time home buyers up to $80,000 off the cost of a new home when combined with existing provincial relief.

While homes valued up to $1 million would qualify for the full rebate, there will be partial rebates on a phased-in basis for homes valued up to $1.5 million. 

Combined with the federal government’s proposed removal of its five per cent portion of the HST, first-time buyers could save a further $50,000.

In a statement, Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) president Cathy Polan called the plan a “step in the right direction for the future of this province.”

She said this type of action “is exactly what we need to help young Ontarians and their families get a foot on the homeownership ladder.”

‘A drop in the bucket’

Evan Malach, a Toronto Realtor with Harvey Kalles Real Estate, specializes in working with first-time buyers, and says he sees the struggles people face as they pinch every penny to break into the market.

Malach says he welcomes action from political leaders to address the housing crunch, but does he think this new rebate would make a meaningful difference?

“In one sense, yes, and in another, it’s a drop in the bucket,” he told Real Estate Magazine. “It depends on where you’re looking.”

He sees some potential for the rebate to boost new condo sales, a market that’s at its lowest level in decades.  

“I think it remains to be seen how much this (rebate) will actually make any kind of difference. I think it’s a start, but there’s a lot more that could and should be done.”

Interest rates still hitting hard

Carl Gomez, chief economist and head of market analytics at CoStar, said he thinks the rebate could have a marginal impact, but not enough to make a big difference in overall affordability. 

“I don’t think it’s a silver bullet, per se,” he said.

He said in the metro regions, there is low inventory for homes under $1 million, except for small condos. 

“There is not that much supply out there for first-time buyers to open up the door,” he said. “But, it is a step.”

He said financing is a major part of the equation for first-time buyers, and mortgage rates are still a barrier.

“Your traditional five-year mortgage rate is still relatively high compared to where it was pre-pandemic,” he said, adding that rates are contributing to worse affordability conditions today than the historical average. 

While the Bank of Canada cut the key interest rate on Wednesday to 2.25 per cent, Gomez pointed out that the five-year Government of Canada bond yield, which is what fixed rates are based on, actually went up. 

“On the rate relief side, it’s still tough for those first-time buyers,” he said. “The borrowing environment is still the biggest factor that’s causing first-time buyers, and even investors, to wait on the sidelines.”

Courtney Zwicker

Courtney Zwicker is a digital reporter and associate editor for REM. Based in Atlantic Canada, she has over a decade of experience covering daily business news.

The post Ontario proposes tax rebate for first-time buyers, but is it enough? appeared first on REM.

The Re/Max Housing Market Drivers Report released this week examines nine major Canadian urban centres over 30 years, with triple-digit price appreciation reported from 1994 to 2024. The report found population growth, along with policy levers and market events, have long been pillars of the Canadian housing market, creating periods of extended growth and contractions in the country’s largest cities. 

Halifax Regional Municipality reported the greatest increase in price percentage growth, rising 460 per cent for a compounded annual growth rate of 5.91 per cent. The Greater Toronto Area was a close second, with a percentage increase of 436.2 per cent and a CAGR of 5.76 per cent, while Saskatoon rounded out the top three, with a percentage increase of 377 per cent and a compounded annual rate of return of 5.35 per cent.

Re/Max Canada president Don Kottick said each generation has faced its challenges and obstacles. 

“Today’s trade barriers, high interest rates and stringent lending policies may be overwhelming, but this too shall pass,” he said. “Historically, dynamics evolve from recovery to expansion, peak to contraction, trough to recovery. Cyclically, the trough is short and gives way to renewed growth. In retrospect, buyers may look back and realize that this period represented the best opportunity in recent years to get into the market at a reduced price point.”

Market conditions are softening, but new buyers still struggle

Re/Max brokers are reporting balanced/moderating conditions in most markets, with affordability being an ongoing issue, despite more favourable conditions, including rising inventory levels. 

Average price escalation continues to outpace wage growth, making it exceedingly difficult for first-time buyers across all regions to enter the market, according to the report. Additionally, many would-be purchasers are challenged by the mortgage stress test, debt burdens, downpayment requirements and high carrying costs. 

A chronic supply shortage at lower price points is driving values higher for entry-level homes, while the cancellation of new construction projects has set the stage for tight market conditions in the future, according to Re/Max. 

The report also points to a notable trend: empty-nesters and retirees now competing with first-time buyers for smaller homes, particularly bungalows, in many areas of the country, making it even tougher to break into the market.

Unlocking opportunities to ease the path to ownership

Re/Max included a list of 10 potential solutions to put homeownership back in reach for more Canadians. They are:

• Allow potential homebuyers to withdraw more than the allotted amount in the first-time Home Buyers’ Plan from their RRSPs and from their TFSAs.
• Remove the additional two per cent requirement to qualify on the mortgage stress test.
• Extend amortization periods for first-time homebuyers.
• Remove Land Transfer Taxes on purchases under certain price points (to be determined by average price in each market).
• Remove GST and HST for all homebuyers on new housing product.
• Reduce or remove red tape, outdated zoning bylaws and restructure land-use policies, while speeding up the permit and approvals process.
• Incentivize the building of homes that meet the needs of today’s homebuyers, shifting focus to end users over investors.
• Policies and programs should prioritize first-time purchasers.
• Invest in and support innovations such as modular or prefab construction techniques that bring supply online faster and at a lower cost.
• Address supply of affordable homes as a percentage of available product or new construction.

“Affordability, population growth and supply shortages are the recurring themes shaping residential housing in Canada,” said Kottick. “While each market exhibits local nuances – Vancouver’s looming condo shortage, Edmonton’s affordability and Halifax’s steep climb in values are just a few examples – the shared pressures unite all major regions. Governments and private-sector players share a great responsibility in shaping Canada’s real estate landscape, addressing the housing crisis and ensuring sustainable urban development.”

Courtney Zwicker

Courtney Zwicker is a digital reporter and associate editor for REM. Based in Atlantic Canada, she has over a decade of experience covering daily business news.

The post Today’s homebuyers face uphill battle, but ‘this too shall pass,’ says Kottick appeared first on REM.

He passed away of natural causes on Oct. 17. He and his wife lived in Barrie for the last two years.

St. John, who forged a path in real estate as a trainer before venturing into entrepreneurship, “will be remembered by thousands of agents across Canada for his leadership and his professionalism to our industry,” said his longtime business partner Jamie Johnston.

When the pair met 40 years ago, St. John was the national trainer for Royal LePage. 

“I was trying to hire a National Trainer for Canada Trust. I phoned Roy who was already the preeminent trainer in Canda for a recommendation for someone to interview,” said Johnston. “He said ‘Why not me?’” 

After Canada Trust, they worked together at Employee Relocation Services to set up the first federal government contract to relocate military personnel across Canada and to relocate troops from Europe.

They then started Family Realty and Family Mortgage together, where St. Roy was the senior VP. They built the business from 16 offices to over 60.

Their final venture together was at Re/Max Condos Plus, where St. John was the VP, branch manager and head of training.

“He was also a great salesperson who shared his knowledge to all,” said Johnston.

Roy leaves behind his wife Debi, two children and four grandchildren. 

The post Obituary: Toronto broker Roy St. John appeared first on REM.

It was signed months, maybe even years ago, and the agent was already partially paid. Those funds are long gone, having been used to run their business and their life. Now, the developer is demanding those funds back in full.

It’s a reality more Realtors face in a market experiencing an uptick in failed new construction deals. 

The numbers are dismal: Urban Nation reports 10 projects were cancelled in 2025’s third quarter alone, bringing the year-to-date cancelled total to 18 projects and 4,040 units.  

“Prior to 2022, it was rare to see a deal fall through,” said David Ionico, partner at McHugh Whitmore law firm in Stoney Creek, Ont. “In recent years, it is unfortunately a common occurrence, and I refer failed deals to litigation on what seems like a weekly basis.”

Ionico said that reasons for failed deals vary, but most recently, they have been due to purchaser financing issues.

“Lenders seem to have gotten stricter with their requirements and are more cautious to lend,” Ionico said. “Additionally, appraisals are coming in much lower than expected at the time of purchase, resulting in purchasers not being able to obtain enough funds to close.”

Implications for agents 

Unlike the average confirmation of co-operation form for the sale of existing homes, new developers typically have Realtors sign a document called an “Agreement to Co-operate.”

It’s a schedule outlining conditions for staggered commission payouts. For example, the first commission payment of one per cent is sent upon successful completion of the building’s roof. The second payout of one per cent is sent once the developer receives a mortgage commitment, and so forth. The condition criteria and commission percentages vary from developer to developer.

There is an important clause within this agreement that has become increasingly common: the repayment clause. 

Also called a “clawback clause,” this condition allows developers to rescind commissions previously paid to Realtors should buyers be unable to close. 

A poor understanding of terms may be hurting agents

Sam Hassaan, broker of record at Royal LePage Real Estate Services in Oakville, Ont., agrees that these clauses have become the “industry standard for most major developers.” 

He said agents typically do not raise concerns about the clause – perhaps because they don’t fully comprehend them.

“A significant number of agents do sign these agreements without fully understanding the ramifications and financial risks when the deal does not close,” said Hassaan.

While Realtors may get the short end of the proverbial stick with clawback clauses, developers include this clause for a reason.

“Put simply, a lot of deals aren’t closing and, as with other types of real estate transactions, the expectation is that the non-defaulting party won’t pay any commissions if the deal doesn’t close through no fault of their own,” said Ionico. “These clauses also incentivize co-operating agents to bring purchasers that are likely to close.”

‘Read before you sign’

Hassaan notes that repayment clause enforcement has become prominent in the current market, particularly in areas with high volumes of new development such as the Greater Toronto Area. While Hassaan advises Realtors to try and negotiate this clawback clause, Ionico states negotiating this clause would be dependent on the developer.

“I’m not sure my builder clients would negotiate this, given the higher risk of deals falling through these days,” said Ionico.

And while Ionico has seen agents try to contest repayment clauses, it usually doesn’t go far.

“I’ve seen agents dispute clawback clauses but never with a legal justification to do so. Assuming the clause is properly drafted, its enforceability is undisputable.”

Knowledge is the best defense for Realtors who want to delve into the world of new development sales. While Ontario’s Real Estate Salesperson Program includes sessions on new constructions, some brokerages also offer pre-con training.

As an extra precaution, Royal LePage Real Estate Services also implemented a brokerage policy for pre-construction deals. If multiple commission installments are woven into a deal, their policy is to hold the funds until the deal’s final closing. While this could mean a significant delay in commission payout, it protects the Realtor and brokerage from being unable to pay back the developer if the deal fails to close.

Realtors can take similar measures to protect their finances should their brokerages not have such policies in place. This could be as simple as setting aside your first or second installment in a separate account for safekeeping until the final payout is complete and the deal successfully closed.

For Ionico, the best advice he gives is simple: “Read before you sign,” he said. “If anything is unclear, it’s best to have a lawyer look at it.”

Diana Faria

Having stepped into the world of real estate as a receptionist over a decade ago, Diana worked in the industry at different capacities and climbed the ladder since. She has supported Realtors as a front desk assistant, organized incoming paperwork as a deals admin, and processed closings as a head-office accountant. Working at several brokerages gave her insight into their inner workings, from recruiting, social media marketing, commission payouts, and everything in between.

The face of real estate is often portrayed as a confident Realtor, but the hardworking cogs within the real estate machine — office admins, assistants, receptionists, and clerks — are often forgotten. Using her real estate and journalism experience, Diana sheds light on everything going on behind the scenes, while keeping the machine humming along.

The post Clawback clauses hit hard as pre-con closings collapse appeared first on REM.

Real estate platform and brokerage Wahi analyzed median home prices in the third quarter of this year in neighbourhoods with elementary schools that had achieved a score of nine or higher out of 10 in the most recent annual Report Card on Ontario’s Elementary Schools created by Canadian think tank the Fraser Institute.

About 60 public, Catholic and private elementary schools out of nearly 1,100 across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) achieved a grade of at least 9.0, in the 2022-2023 school year. 

In the neighbourhoods in which these schools are located, Wahi found that home prices can vary significantly. 

The most affordable option was the Church-Yonge Corridor, where homes near St. Michael’s Choir School (rated 10/10) had a median price of $570,000, largely due to the prevalence of condos. 

At the other end of the price range, the upscale midtown neighbourhood of Moore Park, home to two top schools, saw median home prices of $3.2 million. 

Although there were sizable gaps in pricing in certain neighbourhoods, of the 63 with top schools, 41 had a median price of at least $1 million. For comparison, the GTA-wide median price of a home was $905,000 in the third quarter of 2025.

“It’s difficult to say exactly how much school zones affect local home prices in the GTA, since so many factors are at play,” said Wahi Economist Ryan McLaughlin. 

From current market conditions to the types of homes available in a neighbourhood, local property can fluctuate considerably from place to place, he added. 

“However, we did observe that in many neighbourhoods with a top school, the median home price was well above the GTA-wide median home price,” he said.

The rankings are based on assessments from the Ontario provincial Crown agency Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). The average score for all schools is six.

The top-rated Toronto elementary schools and the cost to live near them.

Proceed with caution

McLaughlin said parents should be mindful of an important caveat if schools are a major decision-maker when buying a home.

“Living close to a top-rated school doesn’t guarantee your child can enrol,” he said. “Increased density and population growth mean that in some neighbourhoods, newcomers will find local schools are already at capacity.”

   

The post Here’s how much Toronto families are paying to be near top elementary schools appeared first on REM.

Talk about one-stop shopping. Eleven Realtors from different brokerages recently came together to hold an agent open house that featured all seven of the suites for sale in a luxury boutique condominium in Toronto’s South Rosedale neighbourhood.

No. 7 Dale, designed by architect Hariri Pontarini and with interiors by Alessandro Munge, is a collection of multi-million-dollar suites. Each is more like a custom home, with its own mechanical room that allows owners to customize features such as heating, water filtration and security systems for their own suites. Other highlights include Dada kitchens and custom closets by Molteni & C, says broker Alison Fiorini of Harvey Kalles Real Estate. 

The building is divided into east and west wings. The brick front “reads like a Rosedale home, but the back is glass with ravine views,” she says.

Fiorini considers the open house event a success with about 50 agents and a few potential buyers attending. 

“It’s rare to be able to walk through something that’s built,” she says, as condos are usually sold pre-construction. 

Condos are a different beast in Rosedale, which is made up mostly of single-family residential. 

How it came together

The living space and marble fireplace of suit 207 of 7 Dale Avenue, listed for $8,495,000.

Fiorini and the other agents co-ordinated the event by email, excitedly sharing what each was planning for their individual suite and coming up with an organized plan for the day.

A greeter in the lobby gave out pamphlets and directed visiting agents to the suites listed for sale. The tour also gave agents a chance to view the amenities, which include a gym, a spa, a private trainer room and a lobby with designer furniture and a grand fireplace.

Broker Cailey Heaps of Royal LePage Heaps Estrin Real Estate says, “We’re always open to collaborating with colleagues from different firms to achieve the best results for our clients.”

She says the event was a perfect example of the impact that can come from working together. 

“The outcome was exactly what we hoped for, bringing a large group of prominent Toronto agents together to experience the project firsthand,” she says.

Heaps is co-listing the property with Megan Till-Landry.

Banding together to spark interest

The event was all about creating buzz and making it easy for other agents to tour all of the suites in one day.

Broker Janice Fox of Hazelton Real Estate says the response from a collaborative open house with multiple properties is easily 10-fold that of an independent single open house.

“Agents who wouldn’t have come otherwise were quite excited to make an entire building tour and could suddenly understand the features and benefits of the property as a whole and the diversity of options,” Fox says. “Part of the challenge in the current market is getting attention focused on your listing, and this went a long way in helping all of the listing agents.”

Fox says the developer of the property engaged Hazelton Real Estate to oversee sales of the entire project. “To date, we are almost two-thirds sold.”

Having a joint agent open house in a building isn’t easy, says broker Paul Maranger of Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, who is co-listing with Christian Vermast and Fran Bennett.

“For security reasons, most buildings don’t permit open houses (whether public or agent), so the ability to ‘multi-task’ and visit the current supply was a luxury beyond belief for Realtors.”

‘A real success’

Realtor Gillian Oxley of Royal LePage Real Estate Services says the open house was a “fantastic opportunity” to showcase the suite’s craftsmanship and livability to Toronto’s top agents.

“It created meaningful conversations, collaboration and cross-promotion opportunities between agents representing similar luxury buyers,” she says. “These events strengthen professional relationships and ultimately benefit clients by increasing exposure and generating qualified interest in exceptional properties like this one.”

“The event was a real success,” says Realtor Jimmy Molloy of Chestnut Park Real Estate. “The idea of a group open house adds weight and momentum to encourage agents to see the product in person. 

He says real estate cannot be truly experienced on a screen. 

“You have to be in the space to understand the nuances of light, the volume and how you interact with it. The group open house is a creative way to encourage more agents to actually feel and experience the product,” says Molloy, who is co-listing with Lindsay Van Wert.

Realtor James Warren of Chestnut Park Real Estate says, “The agents were quite thrilled and happy with the fine bespoke finishings, high ceilings, the floor-to-ceiling windows and the views of the private terraces and gardens. The agents were happy we opened seven apartments at once so they could view the different floor plans.” 

Warren’s unit is co-listed with Alex Obradovich.

Early results

Fiorini had a second showing the day after the open house.

One agent told her during the open house that after seeing it in person, they had a client who might be interested.

Connie Adair

Connie Adair is a contributing writer for REM.

The post Different brokerages, same goal: Inside a collaborative open house appeared first on REM.

It became Canada’s first supertall tower in June when it surpassed 300 metres, the benchmark for achieving “supertall” building status.

Jim Richie, president and CEO of the building’s developer Tridel, has said One Bloor West marks “a pivotal moment not just for Toronto, but all of Canada.”

 “We are moving into a new era of development, marked by a level of ambition and engineering excellence not previously seen before,” he said in a statement. 

A difficult past

Initially dubbed The One, the 85-storey tower was first launched in 2015 with a budget of $1.3 billion and a goal to be completed by Dec. 31, 2022. 

It was originally slated to have 416 condo units, a 175-room Hyatt hotel, and Apple was set to be the anchor tenant on the ground floor.

A lot has changed since then.

One of the first signs of trouble was in 2022, when Apple sued the original developer Mizrahi Developments to terminate its contract, claiming millions of dollars in damages owed due to missed deadlines.

“From the get-go it was an ambitious project that had a lot of people questioning if it would be built,” Sage Real Estate agent Mark Savel told Real Estate Magazine. “There was a lot of overspending and just mismanagement of how the project was run.”

Builder Sam Mizrahi first purchased the southeast corner at Bloor Street and Yonge Street in late 2014 for around $300 million, which Savel said was a “crazy high price” that caused some to scratch their heads. 

Ground broke in 2017, but when COVID-19 hit in 2020 and impacted supply chains, the project soon faced delays, and its 2022 finish date was in doubt, according to Savel.

Project goes underwater

In October 2023, seniors lenders to the project requested the appointment of a receiver due to significant cost overruns, delays in construction and a large amount of debt. 

The project was reported to be over budget by about $600 million, had about $1.7 billion in debt and was about two years behind schedule. 

Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. agent David Elliott told REM this was an unusual situation in real estate, given the huge amount of money. In this case, Mizrahi’s ambition to create the tallest tower in Canada “caught up to” him, he said.

Elliott said that with construction delays, workers still need to be paid and costs still accumulate. There is also pressure to have funds for future expenses, he said, such as materials that may be continuously rising in price. 

“The major delays they ran into and the cost overruns were just too much,” Elliott said. “They just escalated pretty quickly… it’s a perfect negative storm.”

A new chapter

One Bloor West is now in the hands of developer Tridel as of May 2025, with an estimated completion date of early 2028. Both Elliott and Savel say they’re confident Tridel is the right developer to get the job done, given its impressive track record, which includes The Well in Toronto.

Greater Yorkville Residents’ Association President Alan Baker told REM that there are construction management meetings every month, which have been very informative. He said Tridel is scheduled to do its last concrete work in early 2026, with occupancy to start mid to late 2027. 

“You can see they’re under construction and moving ahead,” he said. “Everybody would like to see the construction over.”

While concrete machinery is taking over a lane, which Baker said residents are eager to have gone, he said that residents overall have been alright with the pause in construction, given how much other work is going on in the area – it has felt like a break for them.

‘It’ll be bragging rights for the owners there’

If anything, One Bloor West provides lessons for developers looking to add supertall towers to Toronto’s skyline.

Elliott said Toronto is ready for these kinds of towers, but that they present their own challenges. For one, they require the developer to dig very far down for their base, which he said is expensive and translates to supertalls often having a higher price tag for their units than standard condo towers.

Elliott said that could make them a tough sell in the future, given the economic hazy times ahead. One Bloor West also has the advantage of being in a very desirable neighbourhood, Yorkville, right at the intersection of two major streets and on two transit lines.

“I think a city like Toronto is ready for these types of towers,” Elliott said. “It’ll be bragging rights for some of the owners there.”

Tridel did not provide a comment by deadline.

Eric Stober

Eric Stober has over 10 years experience as a journalist and writer at publications big and small, including Global News, Toronto Life, Post City Magazine, Greencamp.com, the Toronto Star and The Grid.

The post Toronto’s skyline enters new chapter with One Bloor West appeared first on REM.

Each Wednesday, Real Estate Magazine shares insights, experiences and advice from top-performing agents across Canada. If you’d like to contribute or nominate a colleague or team, send us an email.

Editor’s note: The following interview was originally published in a REM special edition print magazine released Oct. 7 at the Re/Max Activate conference.

Steven Liambas of Re/Max Noblecorp Real Estate has built a solid luxury business in the Toronto area, based on innovative marketing tactics, personal touchpoints with clients and keeping on the cutting edge of technology and tools. In this interview, he shares the strategies that have helped big level up in the industry. 

Q: How did you first get into real estate?

A: Before real estate, I worked at a sports nutrition company where I built close relationships with NHL athletes. While I loved that experience, my passion was always marketing, architecture and luxury real estate. With my network of professional athletes, my marketing background and the credibility of having a brother who played pro hockey, I carved out a niche in athlete relocation — and quickly found success in luxury real estate.

Q: Why did you choose to be a solo luxury agent?

A: Eight years ago, I saw a gap in how agents built their own brand alongside their brokerage. I spent six months creating a personal brand before launching my career, treating myself as the product. I wanted full creative control, especially in luxury marketing. Over the years, that vision has evolved into a brand known for creativity and distinct property promotion.

Q: What roles do you juggle today?

A: My main focus is marketing and building my brand, especially by leveraging AI to stay ahead. Setting myself apart from other agents is a priority, and I’m constantly introducing new marketing tools and strategies to promote my luxury properties. 

At the same time, I handle all day-to-day real estate duties — showings, listing presentations, negotiations — so my clients always get a personal, hands-on experience.

Q: Give us a snapshot of your business today.

• Brokerage: REMAX Noblecorp Real Estate
• Markets: Toronto, Vaughan, Kleinburg, Woodbridge, King City, Nobleton, Etobicoke
• 2024 Production: 32 transactions | $24.5 million in sales volume
• Business mix: Balanced between buyers and listings
• Support: Solo agent, with brokerage admin support, plus a marketing consultant and media company

Q: What early investments shaped your business?

A: First, I built my personal brand with a designer. Second, I committed to high-quality media and video production for every listing. Third, I embraced technology, especially AI and digital tools, to stay ahead of trends and deliver standout marketing.

Q: What advice would you give a solo agent making their first hire?

A: Focus on creating a strong personal identity first. If branding and marketing aren’t your strengths, outsource them. Freeing up your time to focus on clients is the smartest investment you can make.

Q: What are your top lead sources?

A: Referrals are my number one source of business, and they often come from past clients who introduce me to their family and friends. That foundation has become the biggest driver of my growth. My second source is social media, particularly Instagram, where I showcase both my brand and my listings. Third is networking. I am always building new relationships, no matter where I am, and that consistent effort continues to expand my reach.

About 75 per cent of my marketing budget goes to media production, from high-end video to lifestyle shoots. I’ve even used a replica Batmobile to promote a Batman-inspired home. The rest goes to social ads and bus ads in key markets.

Q: If you had to cut one channel tomorrow, which would hurt the most — and why?

A: If I didn’t have my referral base, it would affect my business tremendously. My entire model is built on providing the best possible client service, which not only achieves their buying or selling goals but also builds long-term trust. That naturally snowballs into referrals, and it is the foundation that sustains everything else I do.

Q: How do you handle new leads?

A: I respond within minutes. Leads go straight into my CRM, followed by a call, Zoom, or meeting. I pre-qualify, set expectations, and create trust immediately. On average, it takes one touch to get an appointment and three to four touches to secure a contract.

Q: Do you use any ISA/assistant support, or do you handle all leads yourself?

A: I personally handle all leads because I believe people are reaching out specifically to work with me. They want my expertise and guidance, not to be passed along to someone else. Keeping it personal builds stronger relationships and ensures my clients always feel taken care of.

Q: What’s in your tech stack?

• CRM: Website backend + Realm + Excel + Mailchimp
• Website/IDX: Custom site with market data, newsletters, buyer/seller guides
• AI: Used daily for brainstorming, marketing, and media
• Other tools: Photoshop for visual assets

Q: How much do you reinvest into the business?

 A: About five to 10 per cent of revenue goes into marketing, which includes advertising, staging, and property promotion, and 10 to 15 per cent into my media company partnership. They help bring my vision to life, from showcasing properties to implementing AI-driven tools that elevate the overall marketing experience.

I don’t track cost per lead the traditional way. ROI for me is measured in service quality and referrals. My healthy ROAS is four to five times.

Q: Who are the best-fit clients for your approach?

A: Luxury-focused buyers and sellers who value creativity, expertise, and a calm, informed process. My motto is simple: “When you know, you know.”

Q: If a solo agent has $5,000/month to invest, where should it go for the next six to 12 months?

A: The first priority should be building a strong personal brand. Invest in creating an identity that sets you apart from other agents. If you do not have the skill set to bring it to life yourself, work with a professional agency or media company that can. Strong branding combined with polished media for your listings is the fastest way to stand out, attract new clients, and build credibility.

Q: What’s the minimum viable follow-up cadence you’d recommend?

A: Consistency is more important than intensity. At a minimum, stay in touch with leads and past clients monthly, whether through a newsletter, market update or personal check-in. The key is to make sure you are always first top of mind when real estate comes up in conversation.

Lightning round

• Market insight: Luxury is stronger than people think — well-presented homes still move in shifting markets.
• Tech you’d fight to keep: AI
• Marketing hill you’ll die on: Presentation is everything.
• Agents fail because… they lack consistency and don’t build a brand.
• Solo agents win because… they create identity, build relationships, and deliver a personalized experience.

The post Agent spotlight: Q&A with luxury leader Steven Liambas appeared first on REM.

For more than 40 years, Bosley guided the Toronto-based brokerage with her husband, Tom Bosley, overseeing its growth into one of the city’s most established firms. She was widely recognized for advancing professional standards, championing mentorship, and supporting the next generation of industry leaders.

Bosley’s influence reached beyond her company, and even beyond Toronto. She served as president of the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) from 2002 to 2003 and later as president of Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) from 2007 to 2008. Together with Tom, she was part of the first wife-and-husband team to lead both organizations. 

During her tenure, she played a central role in the development of Realtor.ca and was instrumental in establishing the Canadian Realtors Care Foundation, which continues to fund community initiatives across the country.

“Ann’s vision was rooted in humanity. She saw real estate as a calling that connected people to the rhythm of their lives. Those who had the privilege of knowing her will remember the passion she brought to leadership and the way she lifted others simply by believing in them,” reads a statement from Bosley Real Estate.

“Ann’s light endures in the company she shaped, in the industry she transformed, and in every act of integrity that bears her influence.”

She also conceived and developed Bosley U, the firm’s internal training program, which she wrote herself. 

Her daughter Christan now serves as president of Bosley Real Estate, carrying the family firm into its fourth generation.

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