My Wall
Thursday, Sep. 04 2008 | Posted by: Surina | 0 comments
05.06.08
EUROPE EXCURSION
I am home in Canada safe and sound and back to work. I am very proud to announce that I have returned home to my Karate Dojo with a Gold and Silver from the Martial Arts Convention in France. I have uploaded alot of photos of my Europe excursion which includes my journey to Paris France, Germany (Bavaria) and Austria. Click here to visit my Europe Blog
05.06.08
EUROPE EXCURSION
Well, I am off to Europe to participate and compete in the World Kobudo Federation Martial Arts Convention being held in Charlesville-Mezieres, France. I am then heading to Germany and Austria. Join me on my Europe excursion (2 weeks only) on my Europe MySpace website.... follow
I will be out of the office from May 6th to May 22nd. If you require immediate real estate assistance, please contact Marlene Letourneau at 613-966-6060. Thank you.
02.10.08
Reflection
Upon returning from our first vacation in four years, I have, with the help of some wonderful people that I was very fortunate to have met in Mexico, come to realize that sometimes, we can all get caught up with the mechanics of life and forget to actually live our lives.
In our world today, it is very hard not to get caught in that perpetual wheel of motion of working to exist. When we were younger, growing up and daring to dream, we never imagined that our careers would actually take over or even try to extinguish those dreams. Yes, we achieve our successes. Yes, we fulfill our needs. But, do we live our dreams?
If we can dream it, we can do it!
I for one am guilty of allowing my work to become my life. Don't get me wrong, I love my business and every aspect of it. But, if you're like me and have to be busy, I will always find work to do and I did - every day until about 1:30 in the wee hours of the morning, and sometimes later. My vacation in Mexico forced me to take some down time. To relax and enjoy myself. To get to know me once again!
This post is to gently remind everyone that we definitely have to think of ourselves for longer than a moment. It is okay to take some time for ourselves on a daily basis. It is important that we do not forget who we are. To keep our dreams alive and to always remind ourselves to
LIVE - LOVE and LAUGH!
Thank you SE for gently nudging me from my slumber and awakening my soul.
01.02.08
A 2008 New Years Message
As we embark into a New Year, traditionally, it is a time for reflection.
To all my clients and customers, I thank you for your significant role toward a successful and wonderful year. I sincerely appreciate the privilege of working for you as your REALTOR®, and for your trust and confidence in me with your referral of friends and family.
To my colleagues, I thank you once again for your cooperation, professionalism and continued support.
To my friends and family, I am ever grateful!
To you, who I have not had the opportunity to meet as of yet, I thank you for visiting my website. I look forward to earning your business and soon becoming your REALTOR®.
May this year mark the beginning of a year filled with new hopes, new promises, and new memories. A year of love, of life, and of Friendship. May all your dreams come true, all your efforts into great achievements and peace and happiness for you and your family all year through.
Happy New Year and Thank You!
Surina
12.24.07
Merry Christmas!
12.20.07
Up-Date: Christmas Wish Tree
I am very proud to announce that every child within Three Oaks Shelter program was granted their Christmas wish today. Seventy-four (74) wrapped gifts were delivered to the Shelter for children ranging in age from 2 months to 15 years old. Moms also received wrapped gifts with Christmas tags that simply said... To a Mom, from a Mom.
Members of the Royal LePage family within all of our offices, their friends and family, graciously took a star for Three Oaks and un-decorated the 2nd Annual Royal LePage Christmas Wish Tree. As you can see, it was Christmas today at the Royal LePage Belleville main office.
Once again, thank you to everyone who granted a child`s wish this year - I look forward to your support next year. If you would like to learn more about the Royal LePage Christmas Wish Tree, please contact me directly.
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12.19.07
Rate Increases
I have just been informed by our local Financial Brokers, effective tomorrow December 20th, 2008 at 9:00 a.m., Lender's rates will be increasing in the area of .20 to .25 percent.
If you are planning on putting an offer on a home this week or are seriously thinking of buying a home within the next 3 months, call your Financial Broker today, and learn how they may be able to help you.
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12.14.07
Ontario Expands Land Transfer Tax Refund Program
First-time buyers of resale homes to benefit from new tax measure - The McGuinty government is giving all first-time homebuyers a break on land transfer tax by proposing to expand the Land Transfer Tax Refund Program to include purchases of resale homes, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan announced today.... read more
12.13.07
Up-Date: Christmas Wish Tree
This year 53 children under the care of the Three Oaks program will recieve Christmas gifts from "Santa" with the help of the Royal LePage elves.
12.10.07
Christmas Wish Tree
Instead of tinsel and ordinary Christmas ornaments, Gold & Silver paper stars hang from our Annual Royal LePage Christmas Wish Tree. Upon each star, the wish of a child who is not likely to receive any holiday gifts this year, will be written.
Tuesday December 11th, 2007 marks the beginning of the 2nd annual "Take A Star for the Children of Three Oaks". Friends and family of Royal LePage join together to ensure the children within our community have a merry Christmas.
Last year, wishes of over 85 children were granted by the christmas angels of Royal LePage. This year, we hope that we can touch the Christmas mornings of many more!
If you would like to "Take a Star for the Children of Three Oaks", and help Royal LePage Un-Decorate their 2nd Annual Christmas Wish Tree, please call me at 613-827-4309 or email me at
11.22.07
It's Official...
This afternoon at the Quinte Real Estate Board's annual general meeting, with my colleagues present, I was sworn in as a Director of the Quinte & District Real Estate Board for the year 2008. I am greatly honoured to have been accepted for this position and am extremely excited about the year ahead. Congratulations to all the 2008 Board of Directors.
11.01.07
Welcome
Thank you for visiting my website and my Blog. I hope you find it very informative and helpful in your real estate endeavours.
I want to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to a wonderful group of professionals for their exceptional & innovative design of my new website and corporate identity. This talented group of individuals lead by Shawn Patriquin, Founder and President, were able to delve into my business and reflect precisely my business values, promises and goals through an inspiring advertising collection of branding logo, business cards, website, advertising material and soon to come - new For sale signs.
Their stupendous personal service, outstanding client care and endless support gave me complete peace of mind - who did all this you ask? they did!
Permalink | Posted in: My Wall
My Education
Friday, Apr. 18 2008 | Posted by: Surina | 0 comments
04.18.08
OREA College of Instructors Qualifying Exam
YEAH!!!!! The OREA College of Instructors informed me today that I have successfully passed the qualifying exam. The next step is auditing the Phase II, two week course. I will keep you posted on my progress. Have a great weekend everyone... and once again... thank you for all the wonderful support.
03.25.08
Money Laundering Legislation and the Effect on Real Estate Transactions
This continuing education course was held for all REALTORS® at The Empire Theatre today. Most people do not comprehend the magnitude of cash generated by illegal activities and it is estimated that the amount of money generated worldwide approached one (1) trillion dollars annually. The course desgined by OREA, and hosted by FINTRAC, introduced the concepts of Money Laundering and Grow Houses and the new information on the new FINTRAC requirements for all REALTORS® coming into effect on June 23rd, 2008. more information>>03.19.08
OREA College of Instructors Qualifying Exam
Today I was invited by the OREA College of Instructors to write the qualifying exam for Instructors to facilitate Phase II. I will be writing this exam on April 12th, 2008, at our Quinte Real Estate Board Office here in Belleville.
03.12.08
OREA College of Instructors
I am very proud to announce, that today, I learned that I have been accepted as a candidate for the OREA Ontario Real Estate College of Instructors. Earlier this year I submitted my Instructor application to OREA and met with a panel of Interviewers in Toronto on Monday March 10th, 2008 at the OREA Head Office. Suffice it to say, the interview was a very positive experience and I personally believe, that the Education of Ontario REALTORS, are definitely in the hands of caring, committed, very experienced and quite knowledgeable people. The three gentleman I had the honour to be interviewed by, impressed me greatly and I left the interview learning a great deal.
As a candidtate for an OREA Instructor, the assessment process is quite in-depth and I wish to thank all my family, friends, clients and colleagues for their continued support.
02.29.08
Leadership 300
As expected, Leadership 300 was very interesting indeed and a huge success. Leadership 300 and 200 sessions were made available during the second day of our OREA Conference in Toronto. The response from people registering to these sessions was overwhelming. Leadership 300 was over its preferred number of participants, and Leadership 200 held two sessions in order to accomodate the number of participants.
The Leadership 300 session involved group interaction and case study discussions. It was my pleasure to have been a participant in the group from the Peterborough Real Estate Board and benefit from their perspective and experience.
As a member of the Quinte Real Estate Board of Directors and Chair for the Education Committee, these Leadership sessions provide me with the tools to help other members from our Real Estate Board. To speak for them effectively and to work hard for them so they in turn can achieve success within our industry. I am very much looking forward to continuing the Leadership series with 400 and 500 coming soon.
02.20.08
ACTING for the Buyer
Continuing education for REALTORS® is a very important part of our industry. Not only for our Licensing, but also for our business and our clients. Continuing education courses are offered to us on an ongoing basis, and as I have stated previously in my Blog, I take as many (if not all) of these courses when offered.
Today, I successfuly finished Hugh Foy`s course titled ``Acting for the Buyer``. The course covered all aspects of REALTOR`S® duties and responsibilites when dealing with Buyer Clients - from the first moment of contact, through offer presentation and beyond closing. It was very beneficial for both new and experienced REALTORS® and positively received by all participants.
12.27.07
Leadership 300
Scheduled for February 27th, at the Toronto Sheraton Centre delivered in the form of a workshop and retreat format. Looking forward to this 3rd course of the Leadership series.
12.21.07
UPDATE: Micro-Economics
I am very pleased to say that I have successfully finished and passed my course. I was a bit nervous before the exam, as I had not given myself enough time to finish the necessary assignments - so I spent plenty of wee hours in the morning catching up. I did miss one test and an assignment due to the lack of study organization but learned a valuable lesson - I had to learn how to manage my study time all over again. Even though I did not receive the mark I had set out for, I do know that I will be able to achieve those marks in the next course. Time management will get you every time!
11.22.07
APARTMENT EXPERT: Prospecting for and Selling Rental Apartments
Wondering why I would be interested in taking a course on apartment buildings? Well the short answer is EDUCATION!
Some might say the reason is, as a licensed REALTOR® I must obtain mandatory 24 credit hour courses within each of my two-year registration renewal cycles. This is true, as I stated in my blog post Real Estate Continuing Education, however I have already obtained all my 24 credit courses and my renewal date isn't until February 2009!! Yes, I admit it - I am an education junkie!
The course this morning was provided by our Quinte Board and was scheduled before the Quinte Real Estate Board's annual general meeting. The course was 3 hours long and was delivered by Derek Lobo, CEO of the DALA Group of Companies and ROCK Apartment Advisors. The course content consisted of understanding Capitalization Rates (Cap Rates) to Valuing the rental property and Underwriting.
The course was extremely interesting and very enlightening as it related to all types and styles of real estate property and was not limited to that of apartment buildings. I would highly recommend this course to all REALTORS® as it would benefit buyers and sellers of residential, recreational and commercial real estate.
11.11.07
GREEN Real Estate
I successfully finished and obtained from the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB), my course certificate in Home Energy Efficiency. This course is the first in a series of green real estate courses developed for the professional real estate salesperson and broker. Not only does an energy efficient home save hundreds if not thousands of dollars during the life of a home, it makes the most sense environmentally. I was able to learn about the government's home energy rating system and which programs are available to help guide my home buyers and sellers increase their home's energy efficiency.
11.07.07
Leadership 200
Successfully finished the OREA Leadership 200 - an Interactive Workshop held in Toronto at the Crowne Plaza on Tuesday afternoon. The content was quite educational and very beneficial for anyone who is interested in volunteering in any capacity. Took lots of notes and am hoping I will be able to implement some of the great ideas next year, should I be successful in our upcoming Real Estate Board election. Really looking forward to Leadership 300.
11.01.2007
Micro-Economics
August 2007 brought an exciting time for me with regard to education. I decided to enroll in Quelph University as an Open Learning mature student. Online courses give me the same opportunity to learn as on-campus courses with the flexibility to study when I am done work.
For my first course I chose to study micro-economics - yah - thought it was a good idea at the time! Actually, it is very interesting and I am quite impressed how relative it is to real estate. Currently we are studying supply & demand, consumer and producer surplus and the efficiency of markets. Last night I wrote a chapter test and I received a grade of 100% - It was such a thrill!
10.31.2007
Leadership 100
Just recently I successfully completed the course titled OREA Leadership 100 - Becoming a Valuable Committee Member. This non-credited course detailed how organized real estate is structured, the concepts of effective discussion and debate, effective practices of running efficient meetings, how to apply the rules of meeting procedures and how volunteers can work well with staff and the Board of Directors. I found the course very informative and a great overview for new volunteers.
Leadership 200 - an Interactive Workshop, is scheduled for November 6th, 2007 in Toronto. I am very excited about being able to participate in this workshop.
10.30.2007
Welcome
There is no limit to what you can learn.
I thought in this section of my Blog I would share my personal experiences in an area that I am very passionate about - real estate education!
With age and maturity I gained an appreciation of education and the positive role it has in our lives. I thrive on the opportunity to learn and improve not only my business, but to acquire skills that will benefit my clients. This thirst of knowledge keeps me busy during the wee hours of the morning.
As a volunteer member of the Quinte Real Estate Board Education committee and Co-chairperson of my daughter's school parent council, I try to share the knowledge I have acquired and in turn always leave each meeting learning more. The educational opportunities are available in all facets of our life and I gravitate towards them.
In real estate, as a registered broker, mandatory credit hour courses are required in order to maintain my license as a REALTOR®. There are a multitude of courses available with subject material from legal aspects of real estate to accounting and bookkeeping. These courses are ongoing and 24 credit hours must be completed within a two-year renewal period for the duration of my real estate career. In addition to the mandatory credit courses, informational non-credit courses are available throughout our local community and Brokerages. I always try to take as many courses as I can fit into my schedule.
Permalink | Posted in: Education
Royal LePage Goes Green
Monday, Nov. 12 2007 | Posted by: Surina | 0 comments
Royal LePage goes green with the launch of the new partnership with the National Association of Green Agents & Brokers (NAGAB).
Through various education courses endorsed by the Ministry of Energy, Royal LePage real estate agents are now being trained by NAGAB to assess environmental elements within a home and identify properties that adhere to green standards.
To officially kick off the NAGAB partnership, The Royal LePage Eco Home Survey, which examines the attitudes and opinions of Canadians with respect to green living, was released to media on October 30th, 2007.
Ecologically Friendly, Economically Smart - Green is the New Gold Standard for Outfitting a Home
Royal LePage Eco Home Survey finds 88 per cent of Canadians want green qualities in their home
TORONTO, October 30, 2007 - Green friendly home improvements will likely yield a solid return on investment come selling time as almost three quarters of Canadians (72%) say they will look for a green-improved property in their next home purchase, and 63 per cent will be willing to pay more for an environmentally friendly home, according to the Royal LePage Eco Home Survey released today.
The Royal LePage Eco Home Survey, which examines the attitudes and opinions of Canadians with respect to green living, found that Canadians are willing to pony up cash for greener home features. In fact, of the majority of Canadians who are willing to pay more for an eco home, 62 per cent are willing to pay between $5,000 and under $20,000, for green features, while eight per cent (8%) of respondents are willing to spend $20,000 or more on a home deemed green.
"The mood of Canadian home buyers and sellers is changing with the times - environmental concerns are impacting the decisions people are making about their dwellings. From simple energy conservation efforts to the more elaborate use of organic building materials, the environmentally conscious mindset that our agents are seeing in clients is not a passing trend," said Phil Soper, president and CEO, Royal LePage Real Estate Services. "To service this growing segment of the real estate market, we are pleased to launch our partnership with the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB) as well as the green accreditation program. This program will educate and empower our REALTORS® and brokers, as well as consumers on how to make eco-friendly decisions when it comes to the home."
Through various education courses funded in part by the Ministry of Energy, Royal LePage real estate agents will be trained by the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers to assess environmental elements within a home and identify properties that adhere to green standards. Royal LePage members who take the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers training will be easily identifiable though a special designation logo.
"Few people realize that residential, commercial and institutional buildings represent more than 33 per cent of our total greenhouse gas emissions," said Elden Freeman, National Association of Green Agents and Brokers founder and executive director. "While it is unreasonable to completely reduce carbon dioxide created by homes, there are various practices homeowners can implement, such as installing high-energy efficient windows, doors and insulation, high efficiency furnaces and appliances, and water-conserving fixtures such as shower heads and toilets that will significantly reduce negative effects on the environment."
While positive changes are occurring in the general population there is much work to be done. More than half (51%) of all survey respondents say they are very concerned about the environment and think we are in dire need of change some are not as quick to implement changes. When asked, "What is preventing you from making your home more green?" over half (54%) of respondents said it was too expensive to do, while 15 per cent said they have no idea where to start.
Added Soper: "Canadians need to know that going green can certainly be within their means and within their reach. There are many simple and affordable measures that can lead to big gains for the environment, and many of the practices can actually save homeowners money."
Small Steps for Big Change
When it comes to describing how green their current lifestyle is, 72 per cent of Canadians say they engage in traditional recycling practices. Making a difference can be as simple as implementing small environmentally friendly practices. The most popular green modifications that poll respondents already implement in their homes include switching from regular light bulbs to CFL light bulbs (74%), adding window and door sealers to prevent heat loss (61%) and switching to high efficiency washers and dryers and using low flow water fixtures (54%)..... read complete press release
provided by: Royal LePage Canada
Permalink | Posted in: Green Real Estate
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