In this episode as part of BDAR's ongoing partnership with Mortgage Wellness we are joined with Mike Moore, Mortgage Planner and Partner and Shawna Harrison, Senior Mortgage Planner and Partner. We discuss the do's and don'ts when going through the pre-approval for first time home buyers, interest rates, tips for getting your first down payment and more! This episode is great to share with clients and share within your network.

Penny Stackhouse has been a member of BDAR since 2012 and just recently became the new Broker of Record for Engel & Volkers Barrie Brokerage. Penny has built a clientele purely on a referral basis and prides herself in helping her clients set a plan for buying their first homes. Recently she won the Outstanding Achievement award at the RE/MAX Hallmark Chay AGM recognizing the outstanding service and support she provides her clients. In this episode Penny shares her tips and tricks on how you can set yourself up for buying your first home, shares what you can find her doing when she's not working and how she manages it all with 4 teenagers! 

In this episode we chat with Jennifer Van Gennip, Director of Communications at Redwood Park Communities. Redwood Park Communities was founded in 2009 by Tim and Rhonda Kent as a response to the need for more affordable housing in their community. Over the last decade, Redwood has grown tremendously over the years by advocating for affordable housing through several initiatives like United House for Women and children fleeing violence, the Second Suites program, and Lucy’s Place.  To learn more about Redwood Park Communities visit their website. To learn more about the upcoming election and where the candidates stand on housing visit bdar.ca/electionsbulletin

Barrie and District Association of Realtors® are thrilled to bring together experts from around the province to discuss the affordable housing crisis. This virtual panel discussion will address the recommendations provided in the Housing Affordability Task Force Report.  Panelists: Tim Hudak, CEO of the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) Steve Clarke, Mayor of Orillia Nathan Westendorp, Director of Planning/Chief Planner, County of Simcoe Mike Moffatt, Senior Director, Policy and Innovation Smart Prosperity Institute Bob Schikendanz, President, Ontario Home Builder’s Association  Moderator:  Penelope Graham, STOREYS Managing Editor. This was a live virtual event held over Zoom. 

In this episode we are joined with Craig Handy, second generation architect from Ted Handy and Associates Inc. which is a residential, corporate, and church architectural firm in Barrie that’s been in operation since 1958. Their intention is to design with sensitivity towards our environment by creating builds with minimal impact on natural resources using environmentally sensitive products and practices where possible.

We are joined with Andee Pelan, Executive Director for Living Green Barrie, which is a local charitable organization that’s motivated to build a well-connected and literate green community and is guided by a knowledgeable board of directors comprised of environment professionals, scholars, and practitioners. They educate and inspire the community about the environment through the use of community events and projects. Check out their upcoming Rain Barrel Sale and Earth Day Tree and Shrub Sale this April 22nd 2022. For more information on their upcoming events and learn how to volunteer visit livinggreenbarrie.com

Jillian Lynch has been on BDAR’s board of directors for two years now and is President Elect for 2022. Despite being new to the real estate industry, Jillian runs her own real estate team called House to Home. Outside of real estate her passion for community outreach is undeniable. Jillian founded Our Village which is a community organization that highlights different services and organizations in Simcoe County bringing together families and the community. Jillian is married to Ryan and together they have 2 daughters and a son, and of course their golden retriever Grayson. Jillian opens about about her struggles with post-partum depression and how she is using her story to help inspire others. 

Shannon Murree is a multi-award-winning real estate representative with RE/MAX Hallmark Chay Realty Brokerage. Her extensive experience in the real estate industry has allowed her to build her business largely “by referral only”, first starting in investing, transitioning into property management, and now is a full-time Realtor®.  In addition to being a successful Realtor®, Shannon is an avid supporter of shopping local, an activist and community leader who believes in giving back. In this episode we learn of her impactful origin story and how it shaped her to be the woman she is today. Shannon talks business advice, family life, who inspires her and even her celebrity friends and exciting upcoming projects!

Melanie is a BDAR member and has been in the real estate industry for a while and is currently a Broker with Engel & Volker’s Toronto Uptown. Melanie is a facilitator for Humber College real estate program. Melanie and a colleague worked to develop New Agent Launch which is a course exclusive for BDAR agents who are new to the industry. Melanie is a mom of three young children under the age of 6. Her oldest son was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia in 2019 and recently completed his final round of chemotherapy and is now in remission. Find out what she keeps on her nightstand and when to keep your eye out on a hot new book on how "Melanie Just Does It". 

Laura Thompson, the City of Orillia Senior Manager of Business Development, will be speaking about Orillia business development and Downtown Tomorrow CIP (DTCIP) grant program financial incentives. After graduating from York University, Laura’s passion for community building led to an initial career in Land Use Planning before transitioning into Economic Development where she has gone on to manage the City of Orillia’s Economic Development and Corporate Real Estate portfolios. Laura is currently leading the City of Orillia’s Business Development Division and applies her enthusiasm and creativity to projects as the Downtown Tomorrow CIP Grant Program, City of Orillia Waterfront Redevelopment Project and TEDxOrillia. Recently named as one of the Economic Developer Council of Ontario’s (EDCO) Top 10 Economic Developers in Ontario, Laura is constantly on the lookout for innovative community building solutions. This episode is hosted by Luc Bouillon, 2021 BDAR President-Elect. *This episode was recorded via zoom and was apart of our webinar series on Economic Development and includes live audience questions.