?The results of the survey are proof positive that our sales associates are the best in the business,? says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. ?We?ve built a solid reputation based on consistent results. RE/MAX associates sell one in every three homes in Canada and carry more professional designations than any other realtor in Canada. We?re specialists in all niches from residential, recreational, and commercial properties to luxury homes. Our focus has always been service excellence, which includes a serious emphasis on professional development and education. The status quo may work for some, but after almost 40 years in the business, we?re not content to rest on our laurels. ?

Reader?s Digest looked at 28 different product categories — ranging from cereal to residential real estate – and allowed consumers to select the brands that they trusted the most. RE/MAX joins leading brands such as RBC Royal Bank, TD Canada Trust, Air Canada, and Blackberry.

?Our commitment to the communities in which we live and work also runs deep,? says Polzler. ?I think that?s something that has always set RE/MAX apart. We?ve been involved in charitable giving long before the terms ?corporate philanthropy? and ?cause marketing? were common. RE/MAX realtors participate in countless vital programs and causes each year that help the most vulnerable members of our society and strengthen the foundation of neigbhourhoods from coast to coast. Their enthusiasm, spirit and dedication to others never fails to inspire.?

Charitable giving is woven into the fabric of the RE/MAX organization. The company and its sales force has demonstrated a strong desire to give back, exceptionally active in both corporate and local charities. Close to $40 million has been raised in support of Children?s Miracle Network since 1992 – which funds research and development, outreach programs and upgrades to equipment and facilities at children?s hospitals and foundations across the country. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation is also a cause close to the hearts of RE/MAX associates—one that RE/MAX continues to support through its popular Sold on a Cure Program and the annual Yard Sale for the Cure.

RE/MAX is Canada?s leading real estate organization with over 17,500 sales associates situated throughout its more than 680 independently-owned and operated offices across the country. The RE/MAX franchise network, now in its 37th year, is a global real estate system operating in 80 countries. Over 6,450 independently-owned offices engage over 92,000 member sales associates who lead the industry in professional designations, experience, and production, while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral, and asset management.

“Yard Sale for the Cure 2008 was an overwhelming success,” says Christine Martysiewicz, Director of Public Relations, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. “The unbridled enthusiasm of RE/MAX sales associates and support staff more than made up for poor weather conditions in Ontario. With tractor-trailer loads of saleable treasures, live bands, and an overall commitment to
breast cancer research, the RE/MAX team proved unstoppable.”

RE/MAX has been involved with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and programs such as Primary Prevention Research, Run for the Cure, and Breast health care since 2004. Yard Sale for the Cure is yet another way in which RE/MAX and its sales associates can give back to the community. Each year, the event gains greater momentum within the RE/MAX organization.

What started as a small local fundraiser in 2005 is now a massive national yard sale, thanks to the committed RE/MAX broker-owners, sales associates, and support staff who have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and gain the support of Canadians across the country “More Canadians than ever before are aware of the devastating impact of this horrific disease,” says Marie Sheppy, Senior Coordinator, Corporate Affairs, RE/MAX of Western Canada. “Yet, despite declining breast cancer death rates, one in nine women is expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime and one in 28 will die of it. It’s imperative that we do our part to find
a cure and by participating in this event, held the last Saturday in May each year, we are taking steps to eradicate breast cancer, once and for all.”

Founded by breast cancer survivor Rachael Smith, and her husband, Andrew Howard in 2005,Yard Sale for the Cure has raised close to $300,000 to date. The assistance of corporate sponsors,such as RE/MAX, has helped bring Rachel’s dream to reality.
“RE/MAX has been instrumental in raising the profile of this event across the country,” saysSmith. “They’ve contributed to the enormous success of Yard Sale for the Cure in more ways than one by embracing and improving on the simple concept. This year, many offices took the yard sale one step further by creating a carnival-like atmosphere, bringing in food and entertainment, and truly making it the family event that I have always envisioned.”

RE/MAX is Canada’s leading real estate organization with over 18,000 sales associates in more than 656 independently-owned and operated offices. The RE/MAX franchise network is a global real estate system operating in over 65 countries. More than 7,000 independently owned offices engage over 110,000 member sales associates who lead the industry in professional designations,
experience and production while providing real estate services in residential, commercial, referral and asset management.

The RE/MAX Bricks and Mortar Report found the bounce back that began in early Spring has made this recession one of the shortest on record.  Low interest rates, pent-up demand, and improved affordability levels have all played a role in the recovery now well-underway.  Percentage increases in unit sales from January to August 2009 were led by Vancouver, (up a substantial 14 per cent to 23,158), Victoria (up 7.4 per cent to 5,266), Edmonton (up 6.2 per cent to 13,691), Regina (up five per cent to 2,597), Ottawa (up 2.4 per cent to 10,830) and Toronto (up 1.8 per cent to 58,421).  Housing values are already ahead of record-breaking 2008 levels in seven of the 11 markets surveyed, including Newfoundland-Labrador (18.1 per cent year to $203,584), Regina (6.4 per cent to $244,088), Halifax-Dartmouth (3.5 per cent to $239,633), Winnipeg (3.5 per cent to $207,006), Ottawa (3.3 per cent to $301,684), and Toronto (up 0.3 per cent to $385,978).  Nationally, average price hovers at $312,585, up 0.5 per cent over one year ago.

Markets are heating up across the country as purchasers take advantage of affordable prices and rock bottom interest rates.  Those who missed the boat in years past have found that sitting on the sidelines can be a costly move.  Prices are on the upswing and inventory levels are tightening, so the push toward homeownership is expected to continue throughout the Fall and possibly into early 2010.

The recovery of Canada’s resale housing markets speaks to the tremendous value Canadians place on the importance of owning a home.  The number of Canadians overall who own a home has increased since 1981 from 62.1 per cent to 68.4 per cent, with some markets posting even higher homeownership rates — Calgary (74.1), St. John’s (71.5), and Regina (70.1).  Significant gains have also been made over the same period in markets such as Ottawa, where levels rose from 51.4 per cent to 66.7 per cent, and Toronto, where levels rose from 57.3 to 67.6 per cent.

Public sentiment can perhaps best be illustrated by a recent Angus Reid Omnibus Survey* that asked the question “In which do you feel more comfortable investing your money?  The stock market or real estate.”  Out of 1,000 respondents from coast-to-coast, 77 per cent chose real estate. The results of the RE/MAX Bricks and Mortar Report are clearly representative of this national dynamic at work.

The strength of the residential housing sector cross-country has taken many economists and housing analysts by surprise once again.  In terms of its impact on the resale market, by historical standards, this recession was one of the mildest.  The resilience of bricks and mortar has been demonstrated time and again.  While there may still be some challenges down the road, the worst is definitely behind us in the housing industry.

Over the past thirty years, the Canadian residential real estate market has experienced three major downturns – 1981, 1989, and 2008.  While there have also been regional fluctuations throughout the years, return on investment over this period has been substantial, with Vancouver, Victoria, Toronto, Regina and Ottawa leading the country in terms of price appreciation.

The overall stability of real estate as an investment has also played a role. Markets like Halifax-Dartmouth, Regina, Ottawa, Winnipeg and London have provided steady returns (especially in recent years), with minimal fluctuation.

* The Angus Reid Omnibus Survey was conducted on September 15, 2009 and yields a margin of error of +3.1 per cent, 19 times out of 20.

Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (May 2008)
*Homeownership rates based on 1986 boundaries for the Census Metropolitan Area (CMA)

Source: Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), RE/MAX