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

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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

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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 71: Which Came First: The REALTOR® or the Influencer? With Katie Hession

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Social media is a strong tool in the world of real estate. A REALTOR®’s online presence and personality can directly impact their professional success.

Katie Hession, also known as YOWCityStyle on Instagram, recently expanded her career to real estate. YOWCitySold is where she now leverages her experience as a professional social media influencer to build her business in real estate. She joins this episode of the REAL TIME podcast to share her journey from influencer to REALTOR®, why authentic content is always going to rise above, and how fellow REALTORS® can leverage social media to form stronger connections with their community and grow their business.

Episode 70: How Canadians are Redefining Homeownership with David Coletto

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Did you know that nearly 90% of Canadians under 30 want to own a home? Or that 61% of Canadians believe the homes being built today don’t meet the needs of Canadian households? While homeownership remains an important milestone, what it looks like and how Canadians think about it is changing.

David Coletto, CEO and founder of Abacus Data, joins this episode of REAL TIME to discuss recent findings in research conducted with the Canadian Real Estate Association, focusing on how Canadians view homeownership, and how “good data drives good decisions” when it comes to fair housing policy in Canada.

Episode 62: Protect Your Peace: The Value of Home Inspections – Victoria Ballantine

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Home inspections might be optional, but the peace of mind they can bring by saving both buyers and sellers from unexpected expenses and headaches down the line makes them worth doing. As REALTORS®, you know there are times when inspections might slow the process or seem less-than-necessary at first glance, so, it’s important to know what red flags to look for and be able to advise your clients about bringing in an inspector. 

On the latest episode of the REAL TIME podcast, certified home inspector Victoria Ballantine joins host Shaun Majumder to reinforce the value of a home inspection not only when you’re buying or selling, but even before you list a home. Why? Well, you’ll have to listen to find out. 

Episode 61: Exploring Sustainable Building and a Greener Real Estate Industry – Mark Holland

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The demand for greener homes and communities is growing in Canada, but there are still a lot of questions about how we can embrace sustainability in real estate at the personal, professional, and industrial levels. 

Mark Holland, principal at Westplan Consulting Group and a professor at Vancouver Island University, shares insights on how REALTORS® can become leaders in real estate’s green future, the impacts of climate change within our communities, sustainable home building practices, and sustainable innovations on the horizon. 

Want to learn more? CREA’S Canadian Certified Green Representative (CCGR) certification is now available for REALTORS®.

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

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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 51: Housing Market Update: Canadian Economists Weigh-In

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On June 5, The Bank of Canada announced its first rate cut in four years. This could be the sign many were waiting for to come off the sidelines and step into Canada’s housing markets. But, what does that look like across the country and how do other economic factors play into the decision making process?

On the latest episode of REAL TIME, we hear from Shaun Cathcart, Director and Senior Economist, Housing Data and Market Analysis with the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), Ann-Marie Lurie, Chief Economist with the Alberta Real Estate Association (AREA), and Jason Mercer, Chief Market Analyst with the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB), as they share insights on the current state of Canada’s housing market from a national, provincial, and local level, exploring everything from the need for more supply to interprovincial migration to pricing.

Episode 48: Leading and Living With Purpose – Zahra Al-Harazi

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A survivor of two civil wars, Zahra Al-Harazi immigrated to Canada in 1996 with her three children and no higher education. Today, she’s one of Canada’s most successful entrepreneurs.

On this episode of REAL TIME, Zahra unpacks the turning point in her story, when she defined her sense of purpose, and how it continues to guide her and her businesses. She also shares strategies for defining your own purpose, and how to harmonize your personal and professional values, so you can stay focused, motivated, and fulfilled.

Discover Ikigai, the Japanese concept Zahra swears by for inspiring your sense of purpose: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai

Learn more about the Enneagram personality types: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enneagram_of_Personality

Episode 45: The Working REALTOR®: Finding Balance

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For all its opportunities, a career in real estate can be demanding.

Continuing our Working REALTOR® series, this episode highlights the importance of finding balance, not just for your health but to reconcile your hard work with a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

Hear from three members of the REALTOR® community who’ve made it their mission to find balance: Crystal Hung, a 2023 Canadian REALTORS Care® Award nominee and the owner of Icon&co.; Peggy Hill, broker and CEO at the Peggy Hill Team; and Darin Germyn, a REALTOR® and leader of the Germyn Group and Director-at-Large with the Canadian Real Estate Association.