Ajax, ON - Blog

Consumers Need to Join Realtors in the Fight to Protect the Privacy of All Ontarians.

angela.papassotiriou@century21.ca — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Fighting For Your Right To Privacy

The Competition Bureau is taking action that would force the Toronto Real Estate Board to abandon the safeguards in the MLS® System and make personal information freely available on the Internet, such as personal financial information including mortgage details and much more.

Some information on MLS® is publicly available through REALTOR.ca. However, TREB safeguards private and personal information. REALTORS® have always been guided by an obligation to protect consumers’ personal information.

That’s why TREB and REALTOR® Members are fighting for the privacy rights of consumers! We’ve launched a campaign to stand up for GTA consumers to protect their privacy.

TREB understands that the business environment is changing. In response, TREB developed a VOW service to allow REALTORS® to offer consumers a secure password-protected website displaying MLS® listing data, with the benefit of a REALTOR® Member's knowledge and accountability, without compromising MLS® accuracy or consumers’ privacy rights.

TREB recently commissioned a poll of Ontarians by Angus Reid Critical Vision to see what Ontarians think about abandoning the privacy safeguards of MLS®. I’d like to share the results with you.

Not surprisingly, Ontarians are concerned.

75% of Ontarians believe that personal information such as name and final sale price should be kept confidential by REALTOR® professionals. Commissioner Aitken wants to release this information.
70% of homeowners do not want their personal contact information released to the public. Commissioner Aitken wants to release this information.
67% of Ontarians oppose any measure to make personal contact information such as name and address available to others who are not subject to a professional code of conduct. Commissioner Aitken wants to release this information.

TREB has launched a new website to draw attention and clarify for consumers as to what could happen if Commissioner Aitken gets her way.

To learn more, become involved, and stay informed on this issue visit www.ProtectYourPrivacy.ca
Throughout the campaign, leading up to the Competition Tribunal proceedings this fall, TREB will be updating the consumer on a regular basis, so check back with the website for up-to-date information.

The stakes are high; Ontarians have overwhelming said they want their privacy protected. TREB has always strongly believed that REALTORS® have an obligation to protect consumers’ personal information. That’s why we’re fighting the Competition Bureau.

If Commissioner Aitken gets her way, Ontarians won’t. Privacy matters. That’s why TREB is standing up for GTA consumers but we need your help.

How can the new MLS® HPI help you make one of life's most important decisions?

angela.papassotiriou@century21.ca — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT

The Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB), along with 4 other major Real Estate Boards and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) will be implementing a new system called the MLS® Home Price Index (MLS® HPI). This index is comprised using data from the Multiple Listing Service^® and allows you to see trends in home prices for a specific type of house in a given neighbourhood using a more sophisticated statistical model than what is currently in use. The new model takes into account many of a home’s quantitative and qualitative features that influence its price, such as number of rooms or a finished basement.

The MLS® HPI approach provides a less volatile measure of price than averages and medians, which can swing dramatically in response to changes in the share of very expensive or inexpensive home sales from one time period to the next.

Combined with the knowledge, experience and skills of your Century 21 Leading Edge REALTOR^®, the MLS^® HPI allows you to better understand these trends and how they impact the market value of your home. More importantly, it will equip you with all the crucial information needed to assist in making one of life’s most important decisions, buying or selling a home, with the utmost confidence.

Grand Opening Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. Newmarket Ontario

lisa.fedele@century21.ca — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

New Location; Same Great Service!

Grand Opening Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. Newmarket

Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. hosted an open house to celebrate the opening of their new office location at 10735 Yonge St. in Newmarket Friday. The celebrations commenced at noon with various Sales Representatives, Brokers, Management, Support Staff, Members of the Community and Town of Newmarket Official and York Region Chairperson in attendance. They gathered over food and refreshment at noon on Friday December 9, 2011.

The new Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. office is located at 17035 Yonge St. and sits just south of the York Regional Administrative building in Newmarket. The company is proud to offer members of the community a central and convenient office location, with increased parking and convenient accessibility on Yonge St.

Broker of Record and Owner Pamela Prescott was joined by Bill Fisch Chairman and CEO of the Municipality of York, Maddie Di Muccio Town of Newmarket Councillor, Chris Needler Manager Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. and Nicolas Marton of Integrated Groundworks & Design for a ribbon cutting ceremony that ended in applause, good sentiment and was followed by complimentary congratulatory cake and conversation.

Bill Fisch captured the crowd’s attention when he spoke to his personal experience with Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. and his experience of buying homes with Broker of Record and Owner Pamela Prescott herself years ago when she was a Sales Representative herself. He continued to applaud the company for relocating to Newmarket and maintaining its high quality standard of service to so many members of the community.

The new spacious office design was developed by Integrated Groundworks & Design and boasts modern and contemporary function with clean lines and fresh coloured walls that complement the bright and welcoming space. Hallways of individual agent offices and multiple agent offices line the corridors, and contemporary art work hangs in every principal room. The office also houses various meeting rooms, a kitchen and large presentation and training room with kitchenette, as well as all new updated equipment throughout. Pamela Prescott and all of Heritage Group welcome members of the community to stop in and have a look at their new office and meet Sales Representatives in their local community.

Broker of Record and Owner Pamela Prescott has been providing real estate services for over 30 years. Beginning Heritage Group in Richmond Hill with a three agent office, her company has now grown to over 400 hundred Sales Representatives with multiple office locations.

For more than 20 years Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. has been providing full real estate services and expertise in the industry, serving The Greater Toronto Area and York Region. Heritage Group is consistently one of the top award winning firms in the Century 21 Canada System . They are a company that pride themselves on providing a professional, highly productive, loyal and friendly work environment to their sales team so that clients may have the highest standard of service that they can provide.

Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. also offers its clients exclusive benefits towards the Air Miles collector program through the Century 21 System.

Buyers and sellers, can earn up to 1500 Air Miles Reward Miles with the purchase and/or sale of real estate. They can choose from over 150 rewards; including weekend getaways, long distance calling, travel, car rentals and admission to local attractions.

Century 21 Heritage Group Ltd. also has a convenient in-house finance centre, Centum Mortgage Professionals Corp. They function to facilitate mortgage financing for buyers, and offer sound, experienced advice to clients.

Take better smart phone pics

richard.walker@century21.ca — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Tired of poor quality photo images on your smart phone? Here are a few simple techniques that will improve the wow factor of the images you share with friends and family. Click here for the How to Video