A Reminder to Slow Down When I heard the news of Conrad Zurini's passing, I found myself reflecting not only on his contributions to our industry, but also on how fragile life can be. Like many people in Canadian real estate, I had the opportunity to know Conrad professionally over the years. He was a force to be reckoned with. Whether he was hosting an event, speaking on a panel, or sharing his thoughts online, Conrad had a presence that was impossible to ignore. I attended many industry...

After more than 20 years working in the Canadian real estate industry, I keep coming back to one simple truth: A brokerage is not just a logo. Branding conversations often start with the visible pieces: The logo. The colours. The fonts. The social media templates. The lawn sign. While those things matter, they are not what defines a brokerage. It is easy to understand why we lean into branding. The logo is visible. It is tangible. It is what goes on the sign, the business card, the website,...

There was a time in real estate when brand loyalty was everything. Brokerages built their identities carefully, often over decades. Culture was local. Leadership was visible. And while competition was fierce, it was also clearly defined. You knew who you were, and you knew who you were up against. That clarity is starting to shift. This morning’s announcement that The Real Brokerage has acquired RE/MAX is just the latest in a growing list of mergers and acquisitions that are reshaping our...