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CENTURY 21 Quantum Realty aims to become a big part of Edmonton real estate
February 26, 2024, Edmonton – One of Edmonton’s top real estate agents has struck out on his own to helm the wheel at his own brokerage. Tushar Bhutani, formerly a RE/MAX agent, has opened the doors of CENTURY 21 Quantum Realty and has big plans for his new path as a brokerage owner.
“I have been in real estate since 2015 and also ranked as one of the top agents in Edmonton for the RE/MAX brand throughout my tenure with them since 2016 to 2023 until I decided to open up my own brokerage and transition myself into C21 brand,” says Tushar. When the time came for him to take his career in a new direction, CENTURY 21 Canada was top of mind and the support he received from the beginning played a large part in his decision to choose the legacy brand as his new home.
“They have such a strong brand presence throughout the province, and I was really impressed by the technology offered to agents to use in their business. The CENTURY 21 Canada team had such a quick response time when I first inquired about opening a C21 franchise, and the support from their management has remained strong to this day.”
Looking to the future, Tushar has big plans to grow his brokerage into a fixture in the Edmonton region. “I want to have the most agents, and the most deals,” he says. “In my past offices and when I was looking for brokerages to work with, I kept finding gaps, especially in supporting agents’ success. Now that I have my own office, I want to implement these systems that will help agents succeed, and I’ve had a great response so far. Now I want to continue this momentum.”
“Tushar has come in with so much enthusiasm and we want to help him every step of the way as he implements his big plans,” says Todd Shyiak, Executive Vice President of CENTURY 21 Canada. “We pride ourselves on standing out amongst Canadian real estate brands because of the level of support we provide our brokers, and they know that our entire head office team is ready to help them succeed.”
A big part of the agent success plan that Tushar envisions is a team atmosphere where every one of his agents can find support and prosper. “I want to hire a mix of new and experienced agents, so that those of different skill levels can find mentorship and support. By thinking of human support first and foremost for my agents, I am sure I will be able to make this office one of the most successful ones with the CENTURY 21 brand.”
CENTURY 21 Quantum Realty opened in December 2023 and already has 13 agents as part of their franchise. Additionally, Tushar Bhutani earned a CENTURION Producer award from the brand for the 2023 fiscal year.
Carl Oake Rotary Swim marks 38 years of a beloved Peterborough tradition
Peterborough, ON (March 2024) – For another year, the Peterborough YMCA hosted a beloved community tradition, the Carl Oake Rotary Swim. CENTURY 21 United Realty and the Peterborough Rotary Club brought the event to life, continuing a 38-year streak of supporting the local community and Easter Seals Canada.
Vanessa Oake Hogan, owner of CENTURY 21 United Realty, took up the mantle of pulling the event together from her father. “[Our Dad] put so much into this event every year, and he built so much momentum that it wouldn’t make sense not to carry it on. It’s great to see the ambassadors from the organizations where the money is donated come out to support the event, and it feels great for all of us to give back to the community.”
This year’s event saw 19 teams compete, including the Special Olympics swim team, which has been participating for five years. In addition to supporting Easter Seals Canada, the national charitable partner of CENTURY 21 Canada, the event raised funds for a literacy non-profit, Breakfast for Kids, and local homeless shelters.
“We’re a close community here in Peterborough, and it’s so important to our company that we support the people around us,” says Oake Hogan. To better include everyone who wanted to participate in the swim, this year saw the addition of the ‘Cannonball’ and the ‘Floating Catwalk’ challenge for anyone who could not join the swim or were supporting the event solo. “It was a great addition, I think it’s definitely something we would want to continue.”
One of this year’s supporters was the local lacrosse team, the CENTURY 21 Lakers, which CENTURY 21 United Realty has been a major sponsor of since 2014. The brokerage recently renewed their sponsorship for another three seasons. “This partnership made sense for a lot of reasons. One being community support and I think there is synergy in partnerships like this. The team benefits, our team benefits and I think the community benefits from this partnership (and) I know it’s valuable to our agents to see us being a part of the community this way.”
The Lakers donated $1000 towards this year’s Swim, and with the funds raised over the history of this event, the total has now reached over $1.4 million.
Understanding the NAR Settlement and its Impact on Canadian Real Estate
Over the past few weeks, the Canadian real estate industry has been carefully watching the developments with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) lawsuit in the United States. The recent $418 million settlement has raised questions about its potential effects north of the border and while it’s tempting to speculate, the reality is that the decision primarily concerns the practices of realtors governed by the NAR, not those in Canada.
Unanswered Questions in the US
First, let’s understand where things stand. In the US, the settlement introduces two significant changes. Firstly, all buyers must enter into a buyer’s agency agreement before viewing a listing, specifying compensation for their buyer’s agent. This compensation could be paid upfront by the buyer or come from various sources but crucially, it cannot be communicated through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Additionally, the buyer’s agent cannot receive compensation exceeding the agreed-upon amount.
Potential Confusion for Buyers
These changes could introduce confusion for buyers, especially first-time buyers. They may need to commit to paying their buyer’s agent a commission on top of their down payment and closing costs. The source of this commission—whether from the seller, listing brokerage, or the buyer themselves—may not be easily accessible on the MLS. Buyers and selling agents may need to search individual brokerage sites to find this information.
Impact on Dual Agency and Transactions
The settlement’s provisions could potentially lead to more transactions being ‘double-ended’ by listing agents. This shift seems contrary to the previous industry push to limit or ban dual agency, raising questions about whether it truly benefits consumers.
Canadian Context
So what effect does a lawsuit like this have on Canada? We’re not without similar cases to keep an eye on; the Sunderland and McFall cases are two class-action lawsuits which were brought by the same Canadian law firm and revolve around competition act violations and alleged price-fixing. However, in these specific situations, the allegations seem out of place given the competitive and negotiable commission rates that have long existed across Canada. Canadian law surrounding competition differs from that of the US, so we won’t see a trial determined by a jury of disgruntled renters.
Separate Markets, Separate Rules
It’s important to keep in mind that the real estate markets in the US and Canada are distinct entities, each with its own regulations and industry associations. As such, the NAR settlement’s direct impact on Canadian realtors is likely to be minimal.
What Comes Next
In my opinion, the only benefit of the NAR settlement appears to be the substantial settlement received by the lawyers who brought the class-action lawsuit. However, the impact on buyers and buyers’ agents remains to be seen and could potentially complicate the home buying process, particularly for first-time buyers.
While the NAR settlement may not directly impact Canadian real estate practices, it does provide an opportunity to reflect on our industry’s principles. Canadian buyers and sellers are familiar with negotiating commission rates, and agents can offer rebates or reduce commissions to facilitate deals. As we observe the developments in the US market, it’s essential to remember the unique characteristics of the Canadian real estate landscape and continue to prioritize transparency and consumer interests.
Todd Shyiak is the Executive Vice President at CENTURY 21 Canada
Make Spring Cleaning a Year-Round Habit
Make Spring Cleaning a Year-Round Habit
The weather’s turning sunny and it’s the perfect opportunity to clear out your entire house – but if you find yourself feeling daunted by the prospect of a marathon cleaning session, why not plan to make spring cleaning an all-season goal? These steps will help you keep on top of your big cleaning chores from spring all the way to winter, so you spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying the sunshine.
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Make a list of your big cleaning chores
You probably have a regular cleaning schedule for your counters and floors, but there are parts of your home that don’t get tackled very regularly. Take the time to list out the places you don’t often get to, such as the top of your fridge or the spot behind your toilet. Think about the chores that are more time intensive, such as changing air filters or deep-cleaning your carpets.
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Track your chores on a yearly schedule
Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to tackle some underserved areas of your home, but it can be overwhelming to tackle everything at once. Instead, spread out the list of your annual or semi-annual cleaning projects so that you only tackle one a month. This way, you don’t get intimidated by your to-do list and you keep a regular eye on the hidden corners of your home, so there are no surprises come spring.
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Plan your time wisely
An often overlooked part of cleaning is thinking about how much time each task takes. When putting your cleaning schedule together, mixing and matching tasks of different time-intensities will keep things even month to month. Or maybe you expect certain times of the year to be busier than the others, in which case you’ll be able to manage your chore list and time as effectively as possible.
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Find your favourite way to stay on track
Now that you’ve got yourself organized, you have to stick to your schedule! But making a plan is one thing and sticking to it can be hard after the first couple of months. Be sure to utilize the tracking system that works for you – you might like a wall chart to easily visualize what needs to be done, or a phone calendar with regular notifications. And if rewards keep you on track, then be sure to treat yourself when you cross something off your list!
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Teamwork makes the dream work
Whether you live with roommates or want to split chores among your kids, having more than one set of hands can make keeping the house clean a breeze. Think about whether it would be better if each person alternated months or if everyone should take a chore – this might be the better option if younger helpers need supervision!
Monthly Features
DIY Project: 8 Homemade Cleaners you can make at home
Get out stubborn stains with ingredients you can find in your own kitchen! Besides being free of potentially harmful chemicals, they’re a cheaper alternative to store brands.
Recipe: Overnight Pineapple Banana Oatmeal
Start your day right with this healthy breakfast packed with protein! Bursting with flavours from the fruit, you’ll have energy to last the whole day.
CENTURY 21 Green Realty renews long-term contract with CENTURY 21 Canada
March 2024, Mississauga – CENTURY 21 Green Realty in Mississauga has chosen to renew their contract with CENTURY 21 Canada long-term, continuing a relationship with the legacy brand that has produced numerous accolades and fifteen years of continued success.
Franchise owner Lakhvir Randhawa joined CENTURY 21 Canada in 2009 as the owner of CENTURY 21 Green Realty, and in its first year, the company achieved Gold Medallion® status. The climb over the next decade would see them epitomize excellence and reach Grand CENTURION® status, the highest honour given to offices within the CENTURY 21 Canada system. CENTURY 21 Green Realty has consistently ranked among the top offices in the Global Century 21 network, most recently as the #21 Office by Production in the world for the 2023 fiscal year.
Randhawa has grown his franchise to 265 strong, including agents and support staff. “Our mission is dedicated to being the premier full-service brokerage,” he explains. “We are committed to supporting, empowering, and guiding real estate agents, buyers and sellers alike. Our unwavering focus on providing unparalleled service, expertise, and personalized attention ensures that our agents achieve their business goals with confidence and success.”
CENTURY 21 Green Realty is also the host of an annual golf tournament in support of Easter Seals Canada, the brand’s national charitable partner, which is now looking forward to its seventh outing later this summer.
“A franchise is only as strong as its people, and under Lakhvir’s leadership, the team at CENTURY 21 Green is stronger than ever!” says Todd Shyiak, Executive Vice President of CENTURY 21 Canada. “We are honoured to have supported their growth and watched them come this far, and our entire head office team is looking forward to being there for their journey for many years to come.”
CENTURY 21 Green Realty’s main office serves Mississauga and the broader GTA. They also operate branch and satellite offices in Mississauga and Milton.
