November 9, 2010
Toronto MLS for Free
Lawrence Dale and Realtysellers Real Estate Inc. enter real estate brokerage market with Free on MLS offer
For almost a decade, Toronto lawyer and businessman Lawrence Dale has been embroiled in a struggle to bring innovative and affordable real estate agency and marketing services to homeowners. After years of persistence, Mr. Dale finally persuaded the Competition Bureau to take action which resulted in a Consent Agreement being filed with the Competition Tribunal earlier this week.
With the industry finally open for business for lower cost innovative models, Mr. Dale is re-entering the real estate marketplace as founder of Realtysellers Real Estate Inc. Realtysellers Real Estate Inc. is a licensed real estate brokerage in the Province of Ontario and is a member in good standing of the Toronto Real Estate Board.
Mr. Dale has assembled an experienced team for his new venture including a new investment group from his previous real estate ventures which have included the purchase of SkyDome in 1999, Realtysellers (Ontario) Limited which was forced out of business by industry restrictions in 2006/2007 (which is unrelated to Realtysellers Real Estate Inc.) and his involvement in the purchase of an 80% interest in Chestnut Park Real Estate in 2007.
Realtysellers Real Estate Inc. will initially be offering programs for sellers and buyers in the Greater Toronto Area.
For the first time ever in Canada, Realtysellers Real Estate Inc. will list a seller’s property on the Multiple Listing System (MLS) for free. “If the seller does not want any additional services other than to list on the MLS, we will do it for free” Mr. Dale stated. “If a sellers wants our professional assistance throughout the process, we do provide a more traditional service for the low fee of 0.5%”.
Buyer’s will receive a buyer’s bonus equal to up to 75% of the fee received. “If we receive a fee of $50,000, our buyer would be sent a cheque for $37,500 the day we receive our fee.” Dale stated.
Dale commented that his new venture is a work in progress. “We are committed to providing real estate consumers with the services they want at exceptional value. The programs that we will offer will continue to develop over time to fulfill the ever changing consumer objectives. We are committed to be at the forefront of innovative real estate brokerage”.
About Realtysellers Real Estate Inc.
Realtysellers Real Estate Inc. is a licensed real estate brokerage in the Province of Ontario and member in good standing with the Toronto Real Estate and Canadian Real Estate Association. Realtysellers Real Estate Inc. takes advantage of developments in technology and its team’s experience in the industry to make the process of buying and selling a home a better and more cost effective experience. Services include a free on MLS posting program for sellers who do not want any other services to programs that offer complete assistance for buyers and sellers looking for help throughout the entire process but who are also wanting to receive better value.
See the Realtysellers website located at realtysellers.ca or realtysellersrealestate.com
July 5, 2008
GTA home prices up, units sold down
Fewer houses are being sold in Toronto but home prices are still on their way up, according to a recent report by the Toronto Real Estate Board.
The report, released Friday, said resale home prices in Toronto went up four per cent in the first two quarters of 2008, compared with homes sold during the same period last year. The average price in the first two quarters of 2008 was $427,198.
In the 905 region, the price of resale homes went up by five per cent to $365,536.
About 8,600 homes changed ownership throughout the region in June, a decline of 18 per cent from the June 2007 total of 10,451.
However, June 2008 has a lot to live up to when compared to June 2007. That month posted the best performance ever for the month of June, said president Maureen O’Neill in a release.
“This year we’re seeing a return to calmer conditions but the market remains healthy,” she said.
O’Neill said the decrease in sales is related to an increase in houses listed in recent months.
“The increase in listings… has resulted in a slightly longer period during which homes are on the market, from 29 days a year ago to 34 days currently,” said O’Neill. “This has given buyers and sellers a little more time to make well-considered decisions.”
June 25, 2008
Canadian realtors forced to ‘be cops’
New Canadian laws went into effect Monday forcing Realtors to gather background client information to battle terror-funding and money laundering. Realtors must now ask for the name, address, date of birth and occupation of property buyers and sellers, plus ID such as a driver’s license or passport before proceeding with a sale or purchase.
The information must be retained for seven years and provided to the Financial Transaction and Reports Analysis Center of Canada on request. “We know there is going to be consumer rejection on this and we are just following the law,” said Gerry Weir, president of the Ontario Real Estate Association. He said if a client refuses to disclose the information, the Realtor must abandon the deal or report the person to FINTRAC.
In Toronto, 17-year veteran Realtor Valerie Chrysdale of The Sutton Group-Bayview agency told UPI by telephone she wasn’t happy with the new responsibilities. “The number of forms we have to fill out is just crazy,” she said. “They’re putting us in a position of being cops and we don’t want to be doing that.”