Whether you are in the early stages of building your real estate practice or approaching retirement, establishing a succession plan is essential to securing your future. As you grow your business, expand your client database, generate referrals or establish a team, it’s important to consider how these elements contribute to creating a valuable, salable asset that can support your retirement plans.

Why succession planning matters for real estate team leaders

For team leaders planning for retirement, a solid succession plan is a crucial component to protecting your legacy. When executed correctly, your business becomes a valuable asset that can help you to retire on your own terms. It also serves as a contingency plan if you’re ever unable to work unexpectedly. On the other hand, succession can offer exciting acquisition opportunities to those looking to expand their existing real estate operations. A business with established systems, clientele and consistent sales performance can be an attractive option for potential buyers.

When should you start thinking about succession?

It’s never too early or too late to plan for your business’s future. Whether you’re nearing retirement or just starting to build momentum, you can harness the power of a strong brand to ensure your business is a highly marketable asset when it’s time to sell. Your future transition plans should influence everyday business decisions to ensure scalability. And, having a plan in place – if the unexpected occurs – can help minimize disruption, support your team’s well-being and reduce financial risk.

Key elements of an effective succession plan

Keep an organized database: Your database is the backbone of your business. Ensure it’s up to date and thoroughly organized, with contacts segmented into groups like active clients, past clients and referral sources, including lenders, stagers and other agents within your sphere of influence.

Track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): If organized correctly, your database can reveal where your deals come from and your annual returns and average commissions, among other KPIs that reveal consistent or improved performance, benchmarks over time. Tracking KPIs gives potential buyers insight into the health of your business and its potential for growth.

Manage your finances like a pro: It’s critical to have a strong handle on and understanding of your finances. Creating annual budgets and monthly Profit and Loss (P&L) statements to track revenue and expenses helps keep you on target to meet your goals. Businesses with consistently strong financial performance will be most attractive to potential buyers.

Clearly document systems and processes: Buyers will want to see Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place for lead generation, client conversion, listings and client management, along with all the other processes in your business. Clear, efficient and easily replicable systems make the business easier to acquire and scale, increasing its appeal.

Ensure cultural alignment: While it is often overlooked, it’s important to find a buyer who shares similar values and service standards. For example, a business that serves first-time buyers may not be the best fit for a luxury real estate operation looking to expand. Similarly, companies with inclusive, team-oriented cultures will not align well with top-down leadership models. Buyers will be keen to retain the sales and operations staff, which is critical to sustaining performance results.

Valuating your business

Businesses are typically valued using a multiple of annual net income averaged over the past three to five years, excluding periods of unusual fluctuations, like the pandemic. Multiples typically range from two to five times net income. The key elements listed above will influence the multiple.

The transition model also impacts valuation. Sellers who exit immediately, while not recommended, should be willing to accept a lower valuation. It is preferable to support your successor in a multi-year transition, which can garner a higher price.

How to find the right buyer for your business

If you have a trusted brokerage owner or manager, your first step should be to discuss your options with them. They can likely offer guidance, review your succession plan, and help you identify potential buyers. When it comes to local recruiting trends, your brokerage owner may be well-positioned to help you make connections.

You can also look within your own team. In many cases, the best buyer for your business is someone already working with you. Leveraging talent on your current team ensures continuity and minimizes transition time, maintaining consistency for your clients, staff and sales team.

How to successfully transition your business

The ideal transition period is two to five years, depending on the size and complexity of your business. This period allows for the seamless integration of sales and operational processes and builds trust with clients as they shift to working with new advisors.

For buyers, the length of the transition is likely to impact the purchase price. A shorter transition period—although likely less expensive—may pose more risk, as database loyalty would be harder to retain. As the seller, a gradual transition allows you to maximize the sale price and earn income during your exit while ensuring a continuity of service to your clients and their ongoing loyalty in return.

Working with a trusted real estate brand

The brand you partner with can make or break your succession plan. Choosing to work with a reputable real estate brand that provides access to trusted resources, training and support, and strong local leadership will help ensure a successful transition. A leading brand also increases the attractiveness of your business to potential buyers.

With a vast network of highly productive real estate professionals, Royal LePage® can provide access to potential buyers within its own ranks. The brand’s brokerage owners and team leaders, with exceptional local expertise, have extensive experience in business acquisitions and can offer strategic advice, important connections and promising opportunities to support your succession goals. What’s more, Royal LePage offers access to a dedicated national team of professionals ready to assist you through this important transition.

Hear from some Royal LePage team leaders about their own experiences, and how the company helped them achieve their business succession and retirement goals.

Cindy Avis, broker, Niblock Avis Team, Royal LePage® Real Estate Services Ltd.

“As I began thinking about the future of my business, I wanted to establish a two to five-year plan that included blending with a strong team that would ensure longevity and stability for my clients and team members. Partnering with Royal LePage was a natural next step, as their proven systems, dedicated support and industry connections made the transition seamless. They took the time to understand my goals and were instrumental in connecting me with the right team while providing strategic guidance along the way. I’m confident that when the time comes, I will have left my business— my staff and my longtime clients – in capable hands with a reputable and enduring brand.”

Rob Ohs, founding partner of Ohs Marketing Team, Royal LePage® Parksville Qualicum Beach Realty

“Royal LePage offers unparalleled support to agents with teams, providing expert guidance to develop effective succession plans aligned with their unique goals and aspirations. By delivering comprehensive resources and personalized strategies, they empower real estate professionals like me to successfully navigate growth opportunities while supporting others in a seamless transition out of the industry. This has provided me with a solid foundation for long-term prosperity and peace of mind for the future.”

Succession planning is vital

Succession planning is a vital part of building a sustainable and lucrative business. By preparing for the future, you’ll create a path toward financial security, operational continuity and a smooth transition for both your clients and your team.

Want to talk about the future of your business? Reach out to kellymccain@royallepage.ca.

More than four million Canadians currently own an investment property and millions more are looking to access this business opportunity¹. Yet, until now, there was no one place to see financial metrics for residential real estate investment opportunities and be serviced by trained investment-focused agents. Royal LePage® was inspired by this opportunity to create a new investor marketplace.

Having brought together the most progressive and innovative minds in the industry, Royal LePage is proud to announce the launch of its highly-anticipated, first-to-market RLP InvestorsEdge™ program. The new program is comprised of two parts:

• A national investor portal: Canada’s most-visited real estate company website, royallepage.ca, will offer a gateway to rlpinvestorsedge.ca, the most comprehensive Canadian residential real estate investment website. In addition to preconstruction and investor-suitable listings, the site will offer consumers access to investment-specific tools including ROI and rental estimators, a first-year cash flow analysis, and a 10-year Proforma statement.
• A masterclass series: A six-module course that can introduce an agent to the investor segment or elevate an investor-focused agent’s business to the next level. The course is focused on residential real estate investment property types including income properties, short-term rentals and recreational units, and preconstruction. It covers how to:

• • build a more diverse, resilient and profitable business that is more resistant to the ebbs and flows of the residential real estate market by adding an investor-focused segment;
  • grow your existing client database by appealing to the growing investor segment;
  • complete an Investor Client Intake form;
  • create a personalized Real Estate Action Plan for each of your investor clients;
  • use the Proforma and financial metrics tools provided to assess an investment property and conduct the relevant sensitivity analysis for your clients; and
  • visualize the process through practical case studies of specific investor scenarios.

“As a long-time innovator of new and relevant service offerings to the industry, we pride ourselves on identifying opportunities that serve both our agents and consumers concurrently. In a market where 26 per cent of Canadians have said they plan to buy an investment property in the next few years, we are excited to hear from our brokers and agents that this program is a game-changer that will help them offer unparalleled service to investor clients,” said Carolyn Cheng, COO, Royal LePage.

To bring this innovative investor-focused program to life, Royal LePage partnered with the visionary founders of Playbook™, who bring 40 years of collective investment real estate experience to the table. They have amassed this experience by building one of Royal LePage’s top teams with a primary focus on serving the residential real estate investor segment. Over the course of the last year, the joint team worked tirelessly to bring this ambitious vision to life.

“Playbook International Media’s partnership with Royal LePage represents the pinnacle of my life’s work – to serve Canadian investors with honesty, integrity and purpose – all while aligning with Canada’s largest, most trusted and technology-forward real estate company. The RLP InvestorsEdge platform is designed to revolutionize how real estate professionals serve their clients. It’s not just about doing more business; it’s about elevating the value we provide to investors,” said Simeon Papailias, CEO and Founder of Playbook.

Agents looking for more information can speak with their local Royal LePage broker or manager. Royal LePagers interested in signing up for the Masterclass Series can do so by visiting our website. For any questions, please send us an email at investorsedge@royallepage.ca.

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¹ More than 1 in 4 Canadians plan to purchase an investment property in the next five years: Royal LePage Report, May 2023

This is not intended as an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, including a solicitation of any sales representatives or broker that is currently under contract. All offices are independently owned and operated. Those offices marked as “Royal LePage® Real Estate Services Ltd., Brokerage”, including its “Johnston & Daniel®” division, “Royal LePage® Credit Valley Real Estate”, “Royal LePage® West Real Estate Services”, “Royal LePage® Sussex”, and “Les Immeubles Mont-Tremblant / Mont-Tremblant Real Estate” are owned and operated by Bridgemarq Real Estate Services®. View important disclosures and notices about Royal LePage trademarks at rlp.ca/notices.

Royal LePage recently announced the opening of Royal LePage Security Real Estate, formerly affiliated with Sutton Group. Owners Lisa Volpentesta and her son Robert Volpentesta, along with their team of 70, bring over 100 years of combined experience.

The three-generation family-owned business, Security Real Estate Ltd., was opened in the late 1970s by Lisa’s father, Joseph Mandarino.

“We are thrilled to partner with Royal LePage to continue on our path of growth and deliver an even better experience to our clients,” said Lisa and Robert in a joint statement.

Why Royal Lepage

The Volpentesta family chose to join Royal LePage to gain access to the brand’s resources, training opportunities, advanced technology and lead generation system.

The team looks forward to leveraging rlpSPHERE, attending events like the National Sales and Leadership conferences and celebrating successes with the Royal LePage network.

Future goals and plans

Realtors of Royal LePage Security Real Estate will continue to service Toronto, York Region, Peel, Durham, Halton, Simcoe and surrounding areas. The team plans to maintain and expand its reputation in residential, commercial and waterfront/recreational properties.

“As a proud family business, we emphasize community and building a culture where our agents and their clients can be their best selves. Our goal is to ensure everyone at our brokerage is equipped with the tools and support they need for success,” the owners said.

Lisa and Robert are focused on working closely with their sales team, emphasizing collaboration, training and celebrating milestones. “We look forward to meeting and collaborating with those in the Royal LePage network, learning from some of the best in the industry,” they added.

Photo: royallepageleadingedge.ca

You may be a star while you’re working at a company but how many people get glowing reviews from their former boss after they find a new job?

Karen Yolevski is “a delight to work with and I will miss her. In less than four years she has left a positive mark on our grand old company,” says Royal LePage Real Estate’s CEO Phil Soper. “Carson Dunlop will be lucky to have her leading their team.”

Yolevski, COO at Royal LePage, will join Carson Dunlop Home Inspections on Jan. 6 as its CEO.

Yolevski was based in Royal LePage’s head office in Toronto and happy, she says, to work with Soper, who is known as a stellar leader within the company and industry. During her time at Royal LePage, her portfolio included 21 corporately owned offices in Ontario, B.C. and Quebec. She also served as a key member of the executive team. 

A career built on versatility and vision

When she joined Royal LePage in 2021, she says her goal was to put “hands and arms around the business, drive innovation, drive brand and build on great services.”

The people-focused leader says she has implemented initiatives to enhance operational efficiency, integrate technology to improve service delivery and helped further solidify the company’s position as an industry leader. She worked to ensure corporate team members felt valued and heard and drove initiatives whether local or while travelling.

Yolevski says her background has followed a winding path. She is a lawyer by trade, having attended Osgoode Hall. As partner in law she specialized in real estate, corporate governance and strategic advisory services. She has held leadership roles in proptech platforms, title insurance and financial services, including Stewart Title Canada as vice president of Residential and Commercial Business Development and president of Nationwide Home Closing Services and Nationwide Recovery Services at Nationwide Appraisal Services.

Embracing the next chapter 

While working as vice president and chief legal counsel at Flexiti Financial, she found her love for the business and operational sides versus legal and her love for real estate.

Client service is at the centre of all she does. She says she is looking forward to “an exciting opportunity as CEO at Carson Dunlop, a company renowned in the industry for almost a half-century and that has a remarkable reputation,” she says.

Her first order of business is to start in “learning and listening mode, working toward goals, growth and innovation” at the Toronto-based home and residential inspection company and to increase the profile of its lesser-known education and software components.

Yolevski says the home inspection field has more males than females, but women buy homes, so it makes sense to have representation in all aspects of real estate transactions, from Realtor to inspection to aftercare. “It’s important and it’s good business.”

A champion for women in real estate

She values the opportunities she has had to mentor women to work toward their career goals and to provide mentorship and leadership and looks forward to continuing in that role.

Her career has given her the opportunity to travel. “It’s been a gift to do that as part of my work at Royal LePage and my past experience.”

Working with a Canadian company such as Royal LePage has allowed her to learn the nuances of the Canadian market, which varies from region to region. “It makes a difference to have Canadian leadership on the ground.”

Yolevski, who loves Toronto through and through, says her roots and heart are here. However, in a different life, she would have been a broadcaster. She says life took a turn and she has no regrets that she pursued a legal path first. “It’s very useful in business to have a legal background, to be able to absorb information,” says Yolevski, who has a communications undergrad and enjoys public speaking. She often shares her expertise at industry events and provides industry insights to national print, radio and television media.

Royal LePage CEO Phil Soper and COO Karen Yolevski

A bright future ahead

As for the glowing remarks from her past employer, she says “I think it’s a testament to the mutual admiration and respect for the people I worked with at Royal LePage. The feeling is mutual.”

She says Soper develops people into leaders and encourages them to use their skills in other opportunities, which shows the professionalism and excellent family-like environment at Royal LePage.

Soper is an “incredible leader, as those in the industry know. He’s the voice of Canadian real estate and has done an incredible job keeping Royal LePage at the forefront. It’s a great relationship to work for and work with him.” Royal LePage Corporate Brokerage is Canada’s oldest operating real estate company and the largest brokerage business by sales volume in the country.

Yolevski is also getting accolades from her new employers. Alan Carson, president and CEO of Carson Dunlop, says, “Karen brings exceptional experience and enthusiasm, and I am excited to support her in her leadership of Carson Dunlop on the next chapter of this home services company.” 

The Canadian housing market is poised for stability in 2025 as declining interest rates and new lending rules bring buyers back to the market, according to Royal LePage’s Market Survey Forecast. The company predicts the average price of a home in Canada will rise by 6 per cent year-over-year to $856,692 in the fourth quarter of 2025, falling in line with long-term trends. 

Single-family detached homes are expected to see a 7 per cent price increase, reaching a median value of $900,833, while condo prices are forecasted to grow by 3.5 per cent, reaching $605,993. “The backlog of willing and able buyers continues to grow, and upcoming changes to mortgage lending rules will further enhance Canadians’ borrowing power,” says Phil Soper, president and CEO of Royal LePage.

The Bank of Canada’s recent monetary policy shift, from “inflation fighter” to “economy booster” has been a key driver of this optimism, Soper points out. “We saw a marked increase in market activity at the start of the fourth quarter, following the Bank of Canada’s 50-basis-point rate cut,” he notes, adding that buyers, for the most part, believe home prices have bottomed out.

Regional price trends will reflect strong demand

The forecast predicts price growth across all major Canadian markets, with Quebec City leading the way at an expected 11 per cent increase in the price. Edmonton and Regina follow with projected gains of 9 per cent each. Meanwhile, Greater Montreal is expected to see a 6 per cent increase, outpacing the Greater Toronto Area’s moderate 5 per cent gain and Metro Vancouver’s 4 per cent increase. 

“Over the past several months, supply has been building in the Toronto and Vancouver real estate markets as sellers responded to early interest rate cuts by listing their homes. However,  with home prices in these cities remaining high, many sidelined buyers continued to wait for more favourable borrowing conditions,” Soper explains. 

“Flat property prices also reduced the urgency often driven by fears of ‘missing out,’ creating a temporary stalemate where inventory lingered, and buyers hesitated to act. By mid-fall, this dynamic began to shift as buyers re-engaged with the market.”

Expanded lending rules should help first-time buyers 

New mortgage rules set to take effect Dec. 15, 2024, aim to provide greater access to housing for first-time buyers and those purchasing new construction homes. These changes include eligibility for 30-year amortizations on insured mortgages and an increase in the mortgage insurance cap from $1-million to $1.5-million.

“First-time buyers will be the primary beneficiaries of these initiatives, as their ability to borrow more for less with a smaller down payment will help bring them closer to their first home purchase,” said Soper. “We believe the  return of buyers to the market will encourage builders and trigger a wave of new supply, which is  very much needed.”  

Policy and economic factors

There is the potential for disruptions from political changes both domestically and in the U.S. New housing policies following a federal election in Canada, along with the trade agenda of the incoming Trump administration in the U.S., could have ripple effects on Canada’s housing market, Soper flags. 

Outlook for 2025

The strongest quarterly gains are forecast for the first quarter of 2025, driven by an early spring market. National home prices are projected to increase 2 per cent from Q4 2024 to Q1 2025, followed by more moderate gains of 1.5 per cent in the second and third quarters, and 1 per cent in the final quarter of the year.

Soper anticipates 2025 will bring a level of normalcy, “After several years of unusual volatility in the real estate market, key indicators point to a return to stability in 2025.”

Read Royal LePage’s full report, including regional highlights.

Housing industry experts agree that new mortgage rules taking effect on Dec. 15, 2024, will have a positive impact on the road to recovery for the Canadian housing market. However, their effectiveness will likely be short-lived, hindered by several factors.

The two key changes introduced by the federal government are:

1. Expanding access to 30-year amortizations for all first-time homebuyers and buyers of new builds, aimed at reducing monthly payments.
2. Increasing the insured mortgage limit to $1.5-million, making it easier for buyers in high-cost markets like Toronto and Vancouver to qualify for a mortgage with a down payment below 20 per cent.

These changes, analyzed in a recent report by TD Economist Rishi Sondhi are expected to fuel some activity. 

“We don’t think that these measures alone will unleash a housing boom,” Sondhi explains. “Instead, they’ll likely offer a secondary tailwind to a market that’s already gaining decent traction in 2025 on the back of lower borrowing costs and a gradually improving economy. What’s more, the affordability boost offered by these measures will likely also erode as home prices are raised by their implementation, thereby limiting their effectiveness.”

In other words, these two new changes offer somewhat of a catch-22: While they help more first-time buyers enter the market, the resulting demand will likely drive prices higher, reducing affordability once again.

“There’s no silver bullet solution to help boost the Canadian real estate market,” Karen Yolevski, COO, Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., agrees. “Any new rules that help first-time homebuyers are welcome, but they don’t fix the underlying issues of affordability and supply.”

Effective policies—not just rules—are needed that drive change long-term, she adds.

Rule #1: Extended mortgage amortizations

The report estimates that a first-time homebuyer with a typical family income, facing a typical house price, who puts down the minimum mortgage payment could see their purchasing power increased by around 9 per cent.

While significant, the change applies only to first-time buyers with insured mortgages—a relatively small segment of the market. According to Bank of Canada data, only 44 per cent of sales involve first-time buyers, and just 20 per cent of mortgages issued this year have been in the insured space. TD Economics predicts that share may rise following these changes, but its overall market impact will remain limited.

Rule #2: Insured mortgage cap increase 

Raising the insured mortgage threshold to $1.5-million could make a substantial difference for buyers in high-cost markets. For example, a purchaser buying a $1.2-million detached home in Toronto (the median price in August) could now make a down payment of $95,000, compared to $240,000 under the current rules.

TD Economics estimates that about 20 per cent of homes in Canada are priced between $1-million and 1.5 million, potentially signalling a sizeable boost to activity from this policy.

How will these rules impact the housing market? 

Sondhi projects a notable lift in home sales and prices in early 2025, bolstering what is expected to be a strong year overall. However, the impact will likely be dampened by several factors.

For instance, the extended amortizations benefit only first-time buyers, and the raised insured mortgage limit may not fully address the needs of this group, as many may still struggle to afford homes in the targeted price range.

Yolevski notes some Canadians, particularly those in Vancouver and Toronto, haven’t been able to save enough of a down payment as real estate prices have risen, and these changes might provide a short-term break, says Yolevski.

“Anything that gives more attention to housing is positive,” she emphasizes, adding that every level of government has housing on its radar. “The government needs to focus on getting shovels in the ground as soon as possible to boost housing starts,” she explains, adding that the underlying problem of medium- and long-term supply coupled with affordability can’t be ignored. Unless a plan to continually increase supply is implemented, the success of any rule changes will be short-lived.

Buying power could be increased by 12% for some Canadians

Ron Butler, a veteran mortgage broker with Butler Mortgage Inc. based in Toronto, says Canadian insurers estimate that these two changes combined could lift buying by about 12 per cent—8 per cent by extending amortization to 30 years and 4 per cent by raising the insured mortgage cap to $1.5-million. 

Any movement—even incremental—is positive news, Butler says, adding that mortgage rate decreases will fuel buying across Canada even more. 

Two additional mortgage rules were announced: The first, effective Nov. 21, 2024, exempts homeowners renewing a mortgage from the 2 per cent stress test qualifying rate if they are transferring to another lender for a straight switch. This change provides added flexibility and simplifies the process of shopping for better rates and products. 

The second rule, effective Jan. 15, 2025, allows homeowners to access up to 90 per cent of their home’s value through default-insured refinancing to build secondary suites. The aim is to increase the long-term rental supply in high-demand areas while helping homeowners manage rising mortgage costs.

More changes coming?

There could easily be more changes in the near future, says Butler. This is because introducing new rules doesn’t cost the government anything in their budget, but makes them appear active on the housing front. 

But, again, while short-term supply may be fueled by rule changes, the focus on mid- and long-term supply solutions must remain front and centre for Canadians to truly benefit.

With interest rates trending downward, there’s renewed optimism among sellers and buyers eyeing Canada’s picturesque ski destinations for their winter getaways. 

Stable prices through sluggish sales

The median price of a single-family detached home in these ski regions (think Mont-Tremblant and Whistler) dipped a modest 0.4 per cent year-over-year to $948,800 during the first nine months of the year. Sales activity was subdued, reflecting broader trends seen in urban markets.

Phil Soper, president and CEO of Royal LePage, highlighted the resilience of the ski property market, even during high-interest-rate periods. “For most, a winter getaway home is a ‘love-to-have’ and not a ‘must-have.’ Many recreational buyers have the patience to wait for the right property to become available or for rates to drop enough to restore their confidence in the economy,” Soper said in the Royal LePage Winter Recreational Property report.

A bright forecast for 2025

The Canadian real estate company anticipates stronger demand as borrowing costs come down in 2025. Interest rate cuts by the Bank of Canada, are expected to bring buyers back into the market. Soper noted that many recreational buyers, even those paying in cash or leveraging equity, use interest rates as a gauge for economic stability before making their move.

With improved conditions, prices are expected to rise, particularly in supply-constrained areas. “As with urban markets, there is a window of opportunity for buyers, as stable prices intersect with declining borrowing costs,” Soper explained.

Regional variations

The winter property market varies across provinces. While sales in ski regions in Ontario, Alberta, and much of British Columbia slowed, Quebec saw increased activity in most destinations. 

External pressures on buyers

High borrowing costs over the past two years have left some potential buyers hesitant, especially those juggling mortgages on primary residences. At the same time, stricter regulations on short-term rentals have reduced the appeal of renting out recreational homes to offset costs.

“Although recreational property owners are less likely to have a monthly mortgage payment when compared to owners in cities, the impact of elevated rates these past two years (has) not left them unscathed. Many cabin and chalet buyers have a mortgage on their primary residence, which has left some cash-strapped and hesitant to move forward on the purchase of a vacation home. In some cases, owners and investors have had to downsize or offload recreational homes” said Soper.

Compounding these challenges are recent changes to the capital gains tax, which increased the inclusion rate on capital gains realized annually above $250,000 from one-half to two-thirds for non-primary residences. 

According to Royal LePage, this policy shift led to a surge in inquiries earlier this year as property owners scrambled to understand the implications on their bottom line.

Climate change’s growing impact

The effects of climate change are also reshaping the landscape of Canada’s ski regions. Rising temperatures are making natural snowfall less reliable, prompting a greater need for snow-making technologies. Extreme weather events, such as wildfires and flooding, have further disrupted recreational areas, highlighting the need for sustainable practices and climate-resilient planning.

“…Canada’s more northerly ski destinations do have more consistent below-freezing temperatures than American and European resort towns, making snow preservation much more reliable,” Soper explains.

Soper remains optimistic about the future of Canada’s ski property market, “With four rate cuts now under our belt, and more likely to come, the winter rec market will spring to life again.”

Photo: CIndy Avis team, courtesy Royal LePage

Former top ReMax agent Cindy Avis has made the move to Royal LePage, joining forces with prominent Realtor George Niblock to form the Niblock Avis Team. 

Avis, previously with ReMax for 26 years, and her team have partnered with Niblock under Royal LePage’s corporately owned brokerage, with a focus on luxury real estate in Oakville, Ont. and surrounding areas. 

Royal LePage’s COO, Karen Yolevski, highlighted the significance of this partnership, stating, “Cindy and George each bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table, having built remarkable reputations in their own right. Together, their combined dedication and professionalism position them to uncover new opportunities in Oakville’s luxury real estate market.”

Avis was recognized as the number one agent with ReMax Aboutetowne, consistently ranking among ReMax’s top-performing teams, while Niblock’s team is in the top 2 per cent nationally at Royal LePage.