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CENTURY 21 Canada Mourns the Loss of Brian Rushton
CENTURY 21 Canada is mourning the loss of their Chief Operating Officer, Brian Rushton, who passed away recently. Rushton was an integral part of the CENTURY 21 family for 40 years.
He was born in Truro, Nova Scotia, in 1953 and began his career with the company in 1980 as the broker of CENTURY 21 Market Realty and went on to join the corporate team in 1984 for four years.
In 1993, Rushton moved his family to Vancouver, where he remained a beloved figure in the company’s leadership team for the next 30 years.
During his tenure, he worked tirelessly in franchise sales development and later transitioned to his role as Chief Operating Officer; Rushton mentored countless brokers nationwide and drew on his decades of industry experience to help them thrive.
Rushton was dedicated to the success of every broker that joined the CENTURY 21 Canada brand and was never more than a phone call away, ready to provide wise counsel alongside his wry sense of humour.
Many have taken to social media to share their stories and memories of Rushton, noting his generosity of spirit, readiness to listen to their issues, abundance of wit, and strong example of leadership.
In a message to the national network, CENTURY 21 Canada Founder and Executive Chairman U. Gary Charlwood and President and CEO Martin Charlwood shared their memories of the friendships Rushton made and the decades of advice he gave to franchisees.
“It was just a couple of weeks ago that we celebrated his well-deserved upcoming retirement in August and thanked him for the significant contributions he made. We will miss him immensely, as well as his always present sense of humour, and we will lovingly remember all the memories we shared over so very many years.”
Rushton is survived by his wife Kathy, his sons Craig, Gerred and Adam, as well as two granddaughters.
His passing is a significant loss for the CENTURY 21 Canada family, and his legacy will be remembered by those who had the privilege of knowing him.
CENTURY 21 Canada Smashes Fundraising Target In 2022 For The C21 Kids To Camp Program To Help Send Kids With Disabilities To Easter Seals Camps
In many ways, 2022 was a transition year. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have come under control as restrictions were slowly lifted across many jurisdictions in Canada, but there were still many uncertainties as reflected in the state of the economy, continuing supply chain issues, rising prices, hybrid work arrangements, and myriad other factors. Despite these turbulent times, one thing nevertheless remained certain: the unwavering commitment of CENTURY 21 Canada and its Companies and Network members to Easter Seals and the C21 Kids to Camp program, which aims to help kids with disabilities attend Easter Seals’ accessible and inclusive camps across the country.
For over 40 years, CENTURY 21 Canada—its Network members, families, friends and clients—have shown a lot of love for Easter Seals. Since 1979, CENTURY 21 Canada has raised more than $13.4 million for Easter Seals to provide the opportunity for more than 6,400 kids and youth with disabilities to attend and enjoy the transformative experiences and magic of Easter Seals camps over the years. Uncertainties notwithstanding, CENTURY 21 Companies and Network members across Canada proved their mettle yet again in 2022 and demonstrated why they are the gold standard in the real estate industry, raising $945,176 for Easter Seals and the C21 Kids to Camp Program. This incredible amount will give approximately 450 more kids and youth the opportunity to attend Easter Seals camps, bringing the total number of children and youth to have benefitted from CENTURY 21 Canada’s generosity to over 6,900 and increasing the overall total donated by CENTURY 21 to over $14.3M!
While the total raised by CENTURY 21 in 2022 is just shy of the all-time high annual record of $946,044 set in 2019, it still far surpassed the company’s initial 2022 fundraising target of $750,000 – a testament to the overwhelming commitment of CENTURY 21 Companies and Network members to helping boost the well-being and opportunities for children and youth with disabilities, and to promoting strong and inclusive communities.
“We’ve got a really great partner in Easter Seals and I am so proud that our network recognizes how important it is to give back,” says Martin Charlwood, President and CEO of CENTURY 21 Canada. “We’ve been fortunate to have a strong real estate market for the past couple of years, and that’s meant a lot of success for our offices and agents. And with that success comes a responsibility to give back in some way, and Easter Seals is a great cause. We look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
– Martin Charlwood, President and CEO, CENTURY 21 Canada
“We are absolutely astounded by these incredible results. Throughout the years, CENTURY 21 Canada, its Companies and Network members have proven time and again their commitment to Easter Seals and to kids and families with disabilities. As we celebrated Easter Seals’ 100th anniversary in Canada last year and reflected on our organization’s accomplishments and the innumerable lives that have been positively changed in the last century, we are acutely aware that these impacts would not have been possible without the steadfast support of stakeholders, donors, and partners like CENTURY 21 Canada,” says Dave Starrett, President and CEO of Easter Seals Canada. “Support and investments from CENTURY 21 Canada have helped made Easter Seals camps what they are today: the best of their kind in the world. We thank CENTURY 21 Canada, its Companies and Network members for their continued philanthropy and support of Easter Seals, and we look forward to working together for the next 100 years to make a positive difference in the lives of even more children, youth and families living with disabilities.”
Forty-eight CENTURY 21 Companies and hundreds of CENTURY 21 Network members across Canada contributed to the remarkable success of the 2022 C21 Kids to Camp campaign through their donations and fundraising efforts in 2022, and 89 of the CENTURY 21 Network members received the C21 Kids to Camp Club Member Award and Golden Heart Award for 2022 for their outstanding generosity – having each donated and/or raised $2,100 or more for the program. The list of the 10 CENTURY 21 Companies that raised the most funds for the Kids to Camp program in 2022 is as follows:
| Ranking | Name of Company | Province |
| 1 | CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd | ON |
| 2 | CENTURY 21 Foothills Real Estate | AB |
| 3 | CENTURY 21 Millennium Inc. | ON |
| 4 | CENTURY 21 Fusion | SK |
| 5 | CENTURY 21 Bachman & Associates | MB |
| 6 | CENTURY 21 Heritage Group Ltd. | ON |
| 7 | CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. | ON |
| 8 | CENTURY 21 Assurance Realty Ltd. | BC |
| 9 | CENTURY 21 Green Realty Inc. | ON |
| 10 | CENTURY 21 Bamber Realty Ltd. | AB |
For more information about CENTURY 21 Canada, visit www.C21.ca
For more information about the C21 Kids to Camp Program, visit www.C21KidstoCamp.ca
CENTURY 21 Canada raises $945,000 in support of Easter Seals Canada
Vancouver, BC (February 2023) – The partnership between CENTURY 21 Canada and Easter Seals Canada continues to be successful, with the legacy real estate brand raising just over $945,000 in support of the non-profit. This brings the total amount raised over the past 40+ years to more than $14 million dollars.
Since 1979, CENTURY 21 Canada has been fundraising for Easter Seals, primarily supporting their summer camp program for kids and teens living with disabilities in Canada. Many of the network’s agents build fundraising into their business, with a portion of each transaction going towards a donation. In 2022, the brand recognized 89 members of their ‘Golden Heart Club’– agents who raise a minimum of $2,100 towards Easter Seals, the second highest number to reach this distinction in its history.
First-time Golden Heart Winner Krista Trask from CENTURY 21 Seller’s Choice in St. Johns, NL, credits part of her fundraising motivation to her visits to Easter Seals summer camps. “When you see the kids at these camps, you remember just why it’s so important to support them,” says Krista. “It’s such a good cause and when you work in a community, it’s important to find ways to give back and turn your business success into something more.”
Alongside individual efforts, many offices across the country find ways to fundraise together, hosting annual events that have become beloved community traditions. Cam Toews from CENTURY 21 Westman Realty in Brandon, MB, is one of the longest-running Golden Heart winners, having spent more than eight years helping host the office’s annual bonspiel. “We’ve been really lucky that there are so many people and other businesses who come out to support us and support a great cause year over year. If anybody feels they want to try this themselves, all they have to do is reach out, find sponsors, and remember that you’re working towards a great goal, which is to help kids.”
“We’ve got a really great partner in Easter Seals and I am so proud that our network recognizes how important it is to give back,” says Brian Rushton, Chief Operating Officer of CENTURY 21 Canada. “We’ve been fortunate to have a strong real estate market for the past couple of years, and that’s meant a lot of success for our offices and agents. And with that success comes a responsibility to give back in some way, and Easter Seals is a great cause. We look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
CENTURY 21 Canada surpassed their original fundraising goal for 2022 of $750,000 by 26%. CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty in Ontario held the title of top fundraising company for the year, and the network has set its sights higher with a 2023 fundraising goal of $800,000. To learn more about CENTURY 21 Canada’s partnership with Easter Seals, visit www.c21kidstocamp.ca
CENTURY 21 Canada Office, Team and Producer earn top spot in Global rankings
Vancouver, B.C. (February 28, 2023)—2022 proved to be another banner year for CENTURY 21 Canada, with the legacy brand taking three of the top four spots in the CENTURY 21 annual GLOBAL 21 Rankings, as well as several spots in other categories.
The most recent GLOBAL 21 rankings recognize the top 21 CENTURY 21 companies, offices, teams and producers in the brand’s worldwide system. CENTURY 21 Coastal Realty in Surrey, BC earned the top office spot, as well as the top producer with Harpreet Khela. The Goodale Miller Team was #1 among the six Canadian teams to rank, earning this distinction for the third consecutive year.
“It’s no surprise that CENTURY 21 Canada continues to excel on the global stage,” says President and CEO Martin Charlwood. “Despite changes and uncertainty in the industry for the better part of last year, our network was quick to adjust and provide outstanding service to their clients. With their expertise, enthusiasm and the support of our superior training and technology, they achieved and surpassed our signature gold standard level of surface, and we are so proud of every single one of them.”
Jasbir Sandhu, manager of the top ranked CENTURY 21 Coastal Realty office in Surrey, BC, once again credits passion for his team’s success. “We believe in what we do and when you’re enthusiastic about your job, that’s what takes you to the top,” says Sandhu. “We’re grateful for the support of a large brand, and we want to be a leader in real estate. That means providing good training to our agents and good service to our clients, and we’re going to continue that for the year ahead.”
The Goodale Miller Team held onto their top spot for the third year in a row, and its leaders credit the professionalism and in-depth local knowledge of their team members for this incredible success. “When you work with people who bring their absolute best each and every day, the rest falls into place,” says Brad Miller, one of the team’s leaders. “We’re nothing without our clients – so ultimately the biggest thank you goes out to them for placing their trust in us.”
Harp Khela is the top CENTURY 21 agent in the world. His rise to the top comes after years dedicated to growing client relationships and anticipating the needs of a quickly changing market in BC. “I started my career in real estate with commercial properties, and I worked closely with municipal governments, which gave me great insight into urban planning,” Harp explains. “I was able to broker large land transactions to serve the recent boom in development. I’ve been fortunate to build great relationships with my clients, some of which are the largest developers in the country. My goal is to be as strategic as possible in anticipating the needs of our community and pair that with developer’s interests and goals. This allows me to continue to grow and create even more opportunities for my clients and the communities we collectively serve.”
In addition to producers, teams and offices, CENTURY 21 Canada had eight of the top performing companies with CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Ltd. coming highest at #4 in the world. The average number of Canadian names has been steadily rising on each GLOBAL 21 list, with sixteen ranked offices marking the highest number of spots held by Northerners. Notably, a majority of the ranked offices hail from the suburbs of major cities as Canada’s metropolitan areas continued to develop at a rapid rate in 2022, despite the uncertainty caused by shifting market conditions in the latter half of the year.
CENTURY 21 Canada is the most recognized name in real estate and continues grow each year. Deeply rooted in Canadian history, CENTURY 21 Canada focuses on supporting entrepreneurship, marketing innovation and homeowner education. CENTURY 21® operates in 85 countries, with over 150,000 sales professionals working in independently owned and operated franchises.
2022 Global Rankings by Companies
| Rank | Company | City | Province |
| 4 | CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. | Scarborough | ON |
| 7 | CENTURY 21 Coastal Realty Ltd. | Surrey | BC |
| 11 | CENTURY 21 Atria Realty Inc. | Toronto | ON |
| 12 | CENTURY 21 People’s Choice Realty Inc. | Toronto | ON |
| 14 | CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. | London | ON |
| 16 | CENTURY 21 Heritage Group Ltd. | Thornhill | ON |
| 17 | CENTURY 21 Percy Fulton Ltd. | Toronto | ON |
| 19 | CENTURY 21 Millennium Inc. | Toronto | ON |
2022 Global Rankings by Offices
| Rank | Office Name | City | Province |
| 1 | CENTURY 21 Coastal Realty Ltd. | Surrey | BC |
| 3 | CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. | London | ON |
| 4 | CENTURY 21 Atria Realty Inc. | Richmond Hill | ON |
| 5 | CENTURY 21 People’s Choice Realty Inc. | Toronto | ON |
| 6 | CENTURY 21 Percy Fulton Ltd. | Toronto | ON |
| 9 | CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. (3271) | Toronto | ON |
| 10 | CENTURY 21 Bamber Realty Ltd. | Calgary | AB |
| 11 | CENTURY 21 Green Realty Inc. | Mississauga | ON |
| 14 | CENTURY 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd. | Oakville | ON |
| 15 | CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. (2508) | Markham | ON |
| 16 | CENTURY 21 President Realty Inc. | Brampton | ON |
| 17 | CENTURY 21 Innovative Realty Inc. | Toronto | ON |
| 18 | CENTURY 21 King’s Quay Real Estate Inc. | Markham | ON |
| 19 | CENTURY 21 Bravo Realty | Calgary | ON |
| 20 | CENTURY 21 United Realty Inc. | Peterborough | ON |
| 21 | CENTURY 21 President Realty Inc. | Brampton | ON |
2022 Global Rankings by Teams
| Rank | Team Name | Office Name | City | Province |
| 1 | Goodale Miller Team | CENTURY 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd. | Oakville | ON |
| 4 | The Shiv Bansal Team | CENTURY 21 Percy Fulton Ltd. | Toronto | ON |
| 9 | The Mark Li Team | CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. (3271) | Toronto | ON |
| 10 | The Melnychuk Real Estate Group | CENTURY 21 A.L.L. Stars Realty Ltd. | Edmonton | AB |
| 13 | The Local Home Team | CENTURY 21 Erie Shores Realty Inc. | Leamington | ON |
| 16 | Brandric Real Estate Group | CENTURY 21 Atria Realty Inc. Brokerage | Richmond Hill | ON |
2022 Global Rankings by Producers
| Rank | First | Name | Office Name | City | Province |
| 1 | Harpreet | Khela | CENTURY 21 Coastal Realty Ltd. | Surrey | BC |
| 4 | Arjan | Neger | CENTURY 21 Coastal Realty Ltd. | Surrey | BC |
| 5 | Dean | Soufan | CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. | London | ON |
| 6 | Sarah | Toop | CENTURY 21 Creekside Realty Ltd. | Chilliwack | BC |
| 8 | Stan | Reljic | CENTURY 21 Millennium Inc. | Thornbury | ON |
| 11 | Vipan | Sharma | CENTURY 21 Coastal Realty Ltd | Surrey | BC |
| 16 | Cindy | Huang | CENTURY 21 King’s Quay Real Estate Inc. | Markham | ON |
| 17 | Stephanie | Mols | CENTURY 21 Synergy Realty Inc. | Ottawa | ON |
| 18 | Amrik | Cheema | CENTURY 21 Coastal Realty Ltd. | Surrey | BC |
| 19 | Shahin | Tabeshfard | CENTURY 21 First Canadian Corp. | London | ON |
Century 21 System Raises $3.2 Million For EasterSeals In 2022, Bringing Lifetime Support To $135 Million
MADISON, N.J., Feb. 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Century 21 Real Estate LLC announced that in 2022 the CENTURY 21® System raised $3.2 million for Easterseals, one of America’s largest nonprofit healthcare organizations that, for more than 100 years, has worked tirelessly with its partners to enhance quality of life and expand access to healthcare, education, and employment for millions of people with disabilities, including veterans and seniors. The CENTURY 21 network’s independent franchisees and affiliated relentless sales professionals have collaborated to raise $135.4 million since this philanthropic partnership began in 1979.
“We are proud of our 44-year-long commitment to Easterseals as it truly embodies he culture of giving back that is baked into the CENTURY 21 brand and the relentless spirit of our affiliated sales professionals to make a difference in the lives of the people and the communities where they live and work,” said Michael Miedler, President & CEO of Century 21 Real Estate. “We look forward to celebrating our partnership with Easterseals and the philanthropic efforts of our system members throughout the year including our second annual ‘CENTURY 21 International Day of Giving’ on July 28th.”
“We are incredibly thankful to the CENTURY 21 System for their extraordinary commitment to Easterseals,” said Easterseals president and CEO Kendra Davenport. “With the support of CENTURY 21 affiliated brokers and agents across North America, Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability and community services. Together, we’re empowering people with disabilities, families, and communities to be full and equal participants in society.”
In 2022, for the ninth consecutive year, the top two Easterseals fundraisers from the CENTURY 21 System were:
- CENTURY 21 Town & Country; Utica, Michigan
- CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company; Dallas, Texas
This is the 26th straight year that CENTURY 21 Town & Country has held the top spot among brokerages for fundraising efforts to benefit Easterseals.
This year, 12 of the Top 21 CENTURY 21® System fundraisers are Canadian firms, led by CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth in Ontario. The “Top 21” North American Fundraisers for Easterseals in 2022 are:
- CENTURY 21 Town & Country, Utica, Michigan
- CENTURY 21 Judge Fite Company, Dallas, Texas
- CENTURY 21 B.J. Roth Realty Ltd. Brokerage, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Foothills Real Estate, High River, Alberta, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Millennium Inc. Brokerage, Brampton, Ontario, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Fusion, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Frontier Realty, McMurray, Pennsylvania
- CENTURY 21 North Homes Realty, Lynnwood, Washington
- CENTURY 21 Bachman & Associates, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Heritage Group Ltd. Brokerage, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Leading Edge Realty Inc. Brokerage, Markham, Ontario, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Arizona Foothills, Phoenix, Arizona
- CENTURY 21 Assurance Realty Ltd., Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Scheetz, Carmel, Indiana
- CENTURY 21 Green Realty Inc. Brokerage, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Bamber Realty Ltd., Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Tenace, Coral Springs, Florida
- CENTURY 21 Novus, Carrollton, Georgia
- CENTURY 21 Heritage House Ltd. Brokerage, Woodstock, Ontario, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Executives Realty Ltd., Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
- CENTURY 21 Advantage Gold, Southampton, Pennsylvania
A reception recognizing the achievement of the “Top 21” offices will be held on March 4th during the brand’s 2023 global conference, the One21® Experience, in Orlando, Florida.
About Easterseals
Easterseals is leading the way to full equity, inclusion, and access through life-changing disability and community services. For more than 100 years, we have worked tirelessly with our partners to enhance quality of life and expand local access to healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. And we won’t rest until every one of us is valued, respected, and accepted. Through our national network of Affiliates, Easterseals provides essential services and on-the-ground supports to more than 1.5 million people each year – from early childhood programs for the critical first five years, to autism services, medical rehabilitation and employment programs, veterans’ services, and more. Our public education, policy, and advocacy initiatives positively shape perceptions and address the urgent and evolving needs of the one in four Americans living with disabilities today. Together, we’re empowering people with disabilities, families, and communities to be full and equal participants in society. Learn more at www.easterseals.com.
How to Show Your Home to Attract Buyers
A captivating and inviting atmosphere is key to attracting potential buyers when selling your home. The best way to increase the chances of a successful sale is to display your home in the best light; this will capture buyers’ interests. These tips will help you display your home effectively and entice buyers to fall in love with it.
Declutter and Depersonalize:
Start by decluttering and depersonalizing the home to create a clean and neutral canvas that allows potential buyers to envision themselves living in the space. Remove personal items, excessive decorations, and unnecessary clutter to create an open and spacious feel. Organize closets and storage areas to display ample storage potential. Instead of being distracted by personal belongings, minimal staging allows buyers to focus on the home’s features and potential.
Highlight Key Features:
Identify and highlight the home’s unique selling points. Showcase architectural features, such as exposed beams or a grand fireplace, by arranging furniture and décor to draw attention to these elements. Emphasize natural light by opening curtains and blinds and adding strategically placed mirrors to reflect light. Create inviting vignettes in each room to highlight functionality and potential uses. Whether it’s a cozy reading nook or a home office setup, highlighting key features helps buyers imagine how they would utilize the space.
Perfect the Lighting:
Optimal lighting can transform the ambience of a home. Ensure that each room is well-lit and welcoming. Open curtains and blinds to maximize natural light during showings. In rooms with little natural light, combine overhead, task, and accent lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Replace dim or outdated light fixtures and consider using LED bulbs to provide a bright and energy-efficient glow. A home’s lighting impacts its mood and perception, so it’s important to get it right.
Freshen Up with Paint and Repairs:
A fresh coat of paint can work wonders in rejuvenating a home’s appearance. Choose neutral colours that appeal to a wide range of buyers, as they create a blank canvas for personalization. Keep the property well-maintained by repairing cracks, leaks, and damaged fixtures. The value of your home can be greatly enhanced by small investments in repairs and touch-ups.
Create Inviting Outdoor Spaces:
Pay attention to outdoor areas when featuring your home. Enhance curb appeal by ensuring a well-manicured lawn, tidy landscaping, and a welcoming entrance. Create inviting outdoor living spaces, such as a cozy patio or a charming garden seating area. Stage these spaces with appropriate furniture and accessories to help buyers envision themselves enjoying outdoor living and entertaining.
By following these tips, you can draw attention to your home in a way that captivates potential buyers and enhances its appeal. Remember to declutter, highlight key features, perfect the lighting, freshen up with paint and repairs, and create inviting outdoor spaces. By presenting your home well, you increase your chances of attracting buyers and achieving a successful sale.
If you would like help selling your home or buying a new one, find a sales representative in your area here.
CENTURY 21 Canada agent receives House of Commons honour for decades of volunteer work
Kelowna, BC (November, 2022) – A CENTURY 21 Canada agent was recently honoured by the House of Commons as recognition for his nearly twenty years of volunteer work, primarily helping men living with addiction. Since 2006, Helmut Hubert from CENTURY 21 Assurance in Kelowna, BC, has balanced being one-third of a thriving real estate team with his work as Chairman of the Board and Director of the non-profit organization, Freedom’s Door.
“I started at Freedom’s Door because members of my rotary club asked me to be on the board, and I had no idea who they were or what they did. Now eighteen years later we’ve helped between 5000 to 6000 men recovering from addiction and we’ve grown to nine-properties in the Kelowna area,” Helmut explains. “Four buildings are recovery homes, and five are ‘next-steps’ campuses where our residents can focus on getting their education and going back to school. We’re able to give them a sense of community and support, which is so helpful for them when they’re trying to rebuild their lives.”
As a real estate agent since 2003, Helmut is in a unique position to know the best ways to leverage properties for the non-profit’s use. “The most important factor for a recovering addict is safe, affordable housing, and it actually turns out to be cheaper to purchase smaller properties like three-plexes and four-plexes, rather than big buildings. It keeps our residents from being isolated in their own units and it’s helpful considering how much prices have risen in the area.”
The recent real estate boom throughout Canadian markets has kept Helmut and his fellow team members busy in the Okanagan region, and their success has earned them Team CENTURION status within the CENTURY 21 Canada system several times. “Things have slowed down from the height of the past few years, but prices are high. We’re hoping to keep expanding Freedom’s Door by building eight-town houses near our current campuses and tearing down older properties to build new ones so that we can house sixty people all in that one area.”
On being recognized for his many years of service, Helmut was completely blindsided. His wife Ellen was honoured alongside him for her volunteer work as a Freedom’s Door counsellor, and they got the surprise at a fundraiser dinner. “We had no idea it was happening, we were blown away,” says Helmut, who received the commendation from MP Tracy Gray via pre-recorded video. “We’re thoroughly humbled to be worthy of that kind of thing, it’s nice to be recognized.”
CENTURY 21 Prairie Elite Aims to Have a Big Presence in a Small Town
North Battleford, SK (October 2022) – The community of North Battleford is about to get its first CENTURY 21 office with the opening of CENTURY 21 Prairie Elite this October. A small community in northwest Saskatchewan, owner Kayla Petersen has a long history in the Battleford and a lot of familiarity with the local real estate market.
Petersen began her career with another franchise in 2008 and became part owner and broker of her own brokerage in 2016. This year, the time was right to make the jump to CENTURY 21 Canada. “Even back when I became part-owner, I was debating joining CENTURY 21 Canada,” explains Petersen. “I’d seen the billboards around Saskatoon, and it was always in the back of my mind. I was getting ready for something new with where I was at and so I reached out to the team at CENTURY 21 Canada and they had a great presentation. I took a step back to think about it, but honestly, they were my only choice. I never looked at other franchises, I loved the rebrand four years ago and the fresh new look. It felt modern, sophisticated and I thought that it would help me grow my business.”
Petersen’s first goal is to get her office up and running, but looking to the future, she wants to have a growing and thriving brokerage within the next five years. “I don’t want to grow too fast and get overwhelmed. I want to keep up with my agents and make sure they each feel comfortable with the tech and tools that CENTURY 21 Canada offers. It’s really important to me to have agents that are community minded, have a good knowledge base of the market, want to make connections and provide the best service possible for their clients. The kind of person that is a self-starter, motivated, and willing to be a part of a team.”
The technology offered by CENTURY 21 Canada was a big reason that Petersen chose to join the brand and she hopes that it will be a big attractor of young and new agents. “I think it’ll be something new in the Battleford area, and I think it’s going to be really beneficial in attracting newer people to the industry. I’m really excited to put it out into the community.”
“It’s great to see CENTURY 21 Canada growing its presence in smaller communities,” says Brian Rushton, Chief Operating Officer of CENTURY 21 Canada. “Real estate has seen an upward trend in these smaller communities as buyers look outside of larger metropolitan areas, and we appreciate brokers like Kayla who have such a strong knowledge of their local market. We know that she’ll be able to guide her agents who, in turn, can guide the clients that choose to make their homes there. Above all, we’re going to continue providing support along with the best technology in the industry to ensure her success.”
Due to her long history in her community, Petersen wants her brokerage to be involved with volunteering and community initiatives. “It’s a very tight-knit place, I’ve lived here for years, I have working relationships with the business community in town, I’ve raised my family here. I just want us to provide service to our clients that’s second to none. I want to empower my agents, I see them as my family and above all I want to help them be as successful as possible.”
CENTURY 21 Prairie Elite will be opening October 20, 2022.
CENTURY 21 Property Zone continues a generational legacy in real estate
Mississauga, ON (September 2022) – CENTURY 21 Property Zone is ready to open its doors to the busy Mississauga region this September. Owner Pranav Puri brings 15 years of experience to his new brokerage and is the third generation in his family to work in the real estate industry.
“My father and grandfather both worked in real estate back in India and here in Canada. The brokerage name ‘Property Zone’ is actually borrowed from what they used. After working as a top-producing agent with another brand, the time was right and I wanted to open my own brokerage,” says Puri. “CENTURY 21 Canada is a great brand with nationwide recognition and I’ve received great support from them, so I’m really excited to get started.”
The suburbs surrounding the Greater Toronto Area have seen immense growth over the past few years, and Puri is ready to build a brokerage that will rise to meet the many needs of clients in the area. He aims to recruit between 40-50 agents before the end of this year and have roughly 300 agents by the end of 2023. “We want to support our agents as much as we can, and we want to be a brokerage that supports teams,” explains Puri. “When we recruit agents new to the industry, we’re going to help them grow under team leaders. We’ll also be prioritizing advertising to secure as many leads as possible for our brokerage members.”
Puri also has his sights set on a second location in Brampton, another fast-growing suburb, and he wants his offices to reflect the diversity of the communities they will serve. “Eventually I hope to open more locations and because we have such a diverse population here, I want to ensure we have that same kind of diversity in our offices.”
The opening of CENTURY 21 Property Zone is one of several this year for the legacy franchisor. “Even as the real estate market shifts, CENTURY 21 Canada continues to grow,” says Brian Rushton, Chief Operating Officer of CENTURY 21 Canada. “This new franchise has so much potential due to the growth we’ve seen in that part of Ontario, and we’re confident that Pranav and his team will thrive over the next few years.”
As CENTURY 21 Property Zone works towards its growth goals, their first priority is becoming familiar with the wide range of tools and technology provided by the brand. “We’re going to take this year to learn and then we’ll be able to start growing. We also want our agents to have a deep, grassroots knowledge of the area, so that they’ll have the tools, the familiarity with the community and the power of a good brand to ensure that they succeed.”
CENTURY 21 Property Zone officially opens its doors this September.
CENTURY 21 Canada members spend a day at camp in support of Easter Seals
Century 21 held its first annual ‘Day of Giving’ this summer and CENTURY 21 Canada network members took the opportunity to get hands-on and help out at one of the many summer camps run by Easter Seals Canada.
Blair Gordon, owner of CENTURY 21 Foothills in Calgary visited Camp Horizon, where Easter Seals provides unforgettable summer camp experiences to kids and teens living with disabilities. “When we learned we had the opportunity to visit the Easter Seals camp again, we had an overwhelming response,” says Blair. “Our brokerage is dedicated to supporting Easter Seals, and our tour of the camp was a reminder of the magnitude of effort and care that is given to the campers each and every day.”
Activities for the visiting C21-ers included cleaning windows, weeding flowerbeds, landscaping and working on the camp’s pool to help transform it into a spray park area.
Jarred Jones and Charles Zhang, members of the Home Sweet Home team from CENTURY 21 Bamber Realty decided to participate in the Day of Giving initiative due to their longstanding support of Easter Seals. “We’ve been out to Camp Horizon a few times but this was our first visit in a couple of years and our experience was incredible,” says Jared. “It was beautiful weather and a memorable day and we felt like we were able to help make a difference.”
The C21 members had the opportunity to visit when camp was in full swing, allowing them to see just how much joy the campers get out of their time there. “There’s nothing that matches the feeling of watching the campers get to enjoy the activities that are happening. We saw singing sessions, water gun fights, tree-top rope courses, t-shirt tie-dying and so much more. There were endless smiles and laughs which was amazing to see. We got the opportunity to catch up with a camper we had met on a previous visit and he looked like he was having the best day.”
Though they were only there for a day, it was a big reminder of why the partnership between Easter Seals and CENTURY 21 Canada is so important. “Our team has always been avid supporters of Easter Seals, it’s our go-to foundation to support,” Jared explains. “We’ve witnessed the impact that they have on the campers, all you have to do is spend one day on-site to see all the moving parts and resources that are required to make camp possible. The experiences the campers have are life changing.”
Though the day at camp is over, the support from C21-ers will continue, with CENTURY 21 Foothills planning for their annual golf tournament with a fundraising goal of $110,000. As a whole, CENTURY 21 Canada aims to raise a grand total of $750,000 this year for Easter Seals through the Kids to Camp program which has raised over $13 million since they began their support in 1979.
To learn more about the Kids to Camp program, visit their website: www.c21kidstocamp.ca
