Oakwyn Realty, a real estate brokerage renowned for its innovative technology, collaborative culture and a unique approach to real estate, is establishing a presence on Kelowna’s Bernard Avenue.
“What makes Oakwyn unique? Our culture of collaboration, fostering a culture of teamwork and shared success,” CEO Morgan Browne says. She adds that Oakwyn’s innovative technology streamlines processes to provide a modern real estate experience. Its focus on education and growth aligns with its commitment to “putting people first” and building long-term relationships.
Oakwyn Realty’s agents set themselves apart with a blend of expertise and individualized client engagement.
“Our collaborative culture creates a strong network of professionals. Our agents have community engagement while holding their core values such as continuously learning to perfect the craft,” Browne says. She emphasizes the importance of integrity, ethics and transparency in protecting their clients’ best interests.
Photo: Contributed
Morgan Browne says Oakwyn will transform the Okanagan’s real estate landscape.
The new Oakwyn office, which will be located at the corner of Bernard and Pandosy Street, aims to bring positive energy and a community-oriented presence to the Okanagan. Oakwyn Realty is committed to being an active participant in local events, initiatives and contributing positively to the community. Browne envisions building strong relationships, contributing to local development, and fostering a sense of belonging for residents and clients alike.
The new office will be led by managing broker Anthony Bastiaanssen, who will officially welcome the Okanagan during its grand opening event on Thursday, June 22, at 473 Bernard Ave.
“I love the Oakwyn core values,” Bastiaanssen says. “Being values based is what drew me to Oakwyn. Putting people first is high on my list. Valuing the people we serve and the people we surround ourselves with is so important.”
In addition, the real estate landscape in the Okanagan is poised to transform positively with Oakwyn’s arrival.
“Oakwyn Realty is known for raising the standards of how real estate should be done, and their presence will bring forth a higher level of professionalism, expertise, and customer-centric approach to the market,” Browne says.
Oakwyn bills itself as a lifestyle brand, where agents are encouraged to work collaboratively over competitively, where they’re sharing knowledge. It has updated branding, an updated culture and an updated way of working together.
One notable Okanagan real estate agent who has started working under the Oakwyn name is Kim Heizmann, who recently served as Association of Interior Realtors’ president. She was at the forefront of the Okanagan’s recent real estate price explosion, so she knows the ins and outs of the unique market better than most.
Browne considers opening a brokerage in the Okanagan a smart business choice, given Kelowna’s growth. Oakwyn is perfectly positioned to seize the opportunities of a thriving economy, population growth and development prospects. She believes Oakwyn’s entry into the Okanagan market should matter to the people of the region.
“Oakwyn Realtors foster a culture of collaboration and teamwork,” she says. “They work together, share knowledge and support one another, creating a strong network of professionals.
“I am thrilled to connect with this vibrant group of realtors who share a common passion for making a positive change in our community. Together, we are poised to create a lasting impact and grow immensely alongside the community we serve.”
OTTAWA – The Canadian Real Estate Association says the number of homes sold in August fell compared with a year ago as the market remained largely stuck in a holding pattern despite borrowing costs beginning to come down.
The association says the number of homes sold in August fell 2.1 per cent compared with the same month last year.
On a seasonally adjusted month-over-month basis, national home sales edged up 1.3 per cent from July.
CREA senior economist Shaun Cathcart says that with forecasts of lower interest rates throughout the rest of this year and into 2025, “it makes sense that prospective buyers might continue to hold off for improved affordability, especially since prices are still well behaved in most of the country.”
The national average sale price for August amounted to $649,100, a 0.1 per cent increase compared with a year earlier.
The number of newly listed properties was up 1.1 per cent month-over-month.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 16, 2024.
MONTREAL – Two Quebec real estate brokers are facing fines and years-long suspensions for submitting bogus offers on homes to drive up prices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Christine Girouard has been suspended for 14 years and her business partner, Jonathan Dauphinais-Fortin, has been suspended for nine years after Quebec’s authority of real estate brokerage found they used fake bids to get buyers to raise their offers.
Girouard is a well-known broker who previously starred on a Quebec reality show that follows top real estate agents in the province.
She is facing a fine of $50,000, while Dauphinais-Fortin has been fined $10,000.
The two brokers were suspended in May 2023 after La Presse published an article about their practices.
One buyer ended up paying $40,000 more than his initial offer in 2022 after Girouard and Dauphinais-Fortin concocted a second bid on the house he wanted to buy.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 11, 2024.
MONTREAL – The Quebec Professional Association of Real Estate Brokers says Montreal-area home sales rose 9.3 per cent in August compared with the same month last year, with levels slightly higher than the historical average for this time of year.
The association says home sales in the region totalled 2,991 for the month, up from 2,737 in August 2023.
The median price for all housing types was up year-over-year, led by a six per cent increase for the price of a plex at $763,000 last month.
The median price for a single-family home rose 5.2 per cent to $590,000 and the median price for a condominium rose 4.4 per cent to $407,100.
QPAREB market analysis director Charles Brant says the strength of the Montreal resale market contrasts with declines in many other Canadian cities struggling with higher levels of household debt, lower savings and diminishing purchasing power.
Active listings for August jumped 18 per cent compared with a year earlier to 17,200, while new listings rose 1.7 per cent to 4,840.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 6, 2024.
