Episode 76: The REALTOR.ca Advantage with CEO Scott Neil

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

With more than 600 million visits and roughly 120 million unique visitors each year, REALTOR.ca is Canada’s No.1 real estate platform*. It’s a trusted, professionally-backed marketplace where Canadians can search for homes with confidence. For REALTORS®, it’s one of the most powerful tools available to support their businesses, connecting them with motivated home buyers, sellers and renters, and generating valuable leads. Now that REALTOR.ca has transitioned to a separate for-profit entity, still wholly-owned by CREA, what does the future hold for the platform, REALTORS®, and the home buying journey?

In his very first podcast appearance as REALTOR.ca CEO, Scott Neil joins this episode of REAL TIME to talk about the importance of putting the consumer first, why it’s crucial to keep innovating in the proptech space, and why REALTOR.ca is well-positioned to stay ahead of the game.

*Based on market share. ComScore, 2025

Episode 75: What’s Impacting Canadian Housing Markets with CREA’s Senior Economist Shaun Cathcart

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

The housing market is always changing, but today’s frequent shifts are by forces beyond real estate. Oil prices, inflation and broader economic uncertainty are impacting Canadian housing markets and buyer sentiment in real time, with real-world effects for buyers, sellers and communities across the country. In response to these everchanging conditions, CREA adjusted its 2026-2027 forecast earlier this year.

On this episode of REAL TIME, CREA’s Senior Economist Shaun Cathcart joins host Shaun Majumder to discuss what’s been happening in Canadian housing markets over the last year, what we’re seeing right now, and what could be coming down the pike.

Episode 74: The Working REALTOR®: Building Long-Term Community in a Short-Term Stay

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

REALTORS® are deeply connected to the communities they serve, which makes them especially valuable in helping others feel at home in a new community. Their deep local knowledge can help meet the needs of buyers with unique circumstances such as, professional athletes, military relocations, or those looking for short-term properties.

In this episode, Dame Linda Pinizzotto, Jesse Robertson, and Ali Worsfold share how they support niche clienteles with intricate considerations ranging from privacy, to timing, to international exchange rates. Learn how these REALTORS® navigate challenges, build trust, and help their clients feel at home, even if it’s just for a short while. 

Episode 59: Hone in On What Makes You Stand Out – April Brown and Sarah Sklash

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

Capitalizing on your niche can be the key to moving your business forward—just ask April Brown and Sarah Sklash, founders of The June Motel in Prince Edward County. What started as a side hustle between best friends has now turned into a Netflix sensation and multi-property endeavor. 

On this episode of the REAL TIME podcast, April and Sarah share how honing in on their unique offering is what really made The June Motel into what it is today. Plus, hear their take on why focusing on a niche audience can actually make things easier when it comes to marketing your business. 

Episode 56: Money on Your Mind: Boost Your Financial Confidence – Melissa Leong

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

When was the last time you talked in depth about your money? Research shows talking about finances can build financial confidence, and lead to better financial outcomes. But you need to know where to start.

On this episode of the REAL TIME podcast we’re joined by Melissa Leong, best-selling author and resident money expert on the daytime talk show,The Social, to dive deeper into the connection between money and happiness, how we use emotion over logic when it comes to financial decision making, some of the most common mistakes made by self-employed individuals, and how being more financially aware can help REALTORS® in their businesses.

Episode 54: The Working REALTOR®: Embracing Mentorship in Real Estate

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

There are countless ways to succeed in real estate and no two individuals take the exact same route—so, how then does a real estate professional confidently make their next move? There’s so much to learn from other REALTORS® and those who have been in the industry for a long period of time, or have taken a unique path to success.

Mentorship doesn’t just benefit the mentees—mentors also have a lot to gain—like leadership skills, a helping create a more vibrant industry, improved communication skills, insight from different perspectives, a broader network, and boosted confidence. For mentees, the guidance and knowledge transfer is invaluable, networking opportunities can help grow your business, and learning the ins and outs of the industry from someone who’s been through it already can help boost your confidence, too.

Nicole Christy, CEO at the Ottawa Real Estate Board, and Rachel Gagnon, REALTOR® and Top 35 Under 35 with Royal Lepage, join the latest episode of the REAL TIME podcast to talk about their experience with mentorship and how it’s helped their careers.

Episode 52: Working Together to Address Housing Supply – The Honourable Sean Fraser

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

It’s no secret that Canada is facing a housing crisis. The country is in need of programs and strategies to help build more homes that meet people where they are. It’s a national issue that requires collaboration from all leaders, politically and otherwise.

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, is our guest on this episode of REAL TIME, where we discuss Canada’s housing supply goals, where we can draw inspiration from, and how REALTORS® can be part of solutions.

Episode 49: The Working REALTOR®: Lessons Learned in Real Estate

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

Everyone’s been put to the test in their career. On this episode of REAL TIME, we invite two members of the REALTOR® community, Anu Joshi-Mehendale and Dusko Sremac, to reflect on their top lessons learned in real estate as they approach a decade of experience in their respective practices.

Get advice to help you minimize mistakes, set yourself up for success, and stay motivated in your own practice – new or established.

Episode 44: How to Say Less And Get More in a Negotiation – Fotini Iconomopoulos

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

Every REALTOR® needs to negotiate, whether it’s with a client, another agent, a brokerage, or otherwise. But it doesn’t need to be as stressful as it seems.

On this episode of REAL TIME, we speak with Fotini Iconomopoulos, a Fortune 500 negotiator, author, and educator whose advice you won’t soon forget. From engaging your mental pause button to psyching yourself up, get inspired to boost your competitive edge using Fotini’s unconventional principles of negotiation.

Episode 38: The Working REALTOR®: Building a Name

Posted by & filed under CREA News.

Thinking about a career in real estate? Want to build your name as a REALTOR®? While there’s no universal formula for success, there’s a lot to learn from the people behind the profession. This month, we get up close and personal with two REALTORS® for the first episode in our new series, exploring the world of the working REALTOR®.

Edmonton-based James Mabey, CREA’s Chair-Elect, and Halifax-based Chris Peters, CREA’s Regional Director (Atlantic), reflect on how they got their start in the industry and share lessons learned.