All Of The Above - Duncan's Blog

Who the hell is buying & selling in the early stages of a world wide pandemic?

After I sent my most recent information video, this arrived in my inbox. Hi Duncan — I was just watching your 4th video — you come across as very knowledgeable and comforting in these crazy times — and I could... Read more →

Toronto..world's most welcoming city?

There are many in my circle of friends who are perplexed by the crazy demand on real estate here in this great city. They more often than not ask me about it when we meet. I can offer anecdotal reasons...tell... Read more →

Co-ownership with a friend? Do you really think it will work?

Since I became a Realtor in 1987, I've had probably 10 conversations with clients who've called asking to discuss buying a house with a family member or a friend. The idea was that if you combine two family incomes into... Read more →

Social Media for a dummy...ME!

While travelling recently, I met a TV star. She is from Malaysia. Her name is Sarimah Ibrahim and she is a TV personality who is unknown in the English speaking world because she broadcasts in Malay. Her audience, she told... Read more →

Hudak Qualified to lead OREA?

There are some politicians, some probably very nice, who enter public life with the best of intentions. In some cases, they understand what role they're most qualified to play. Most are not leadership material but make quite good back benchers.... Read more →

More Openness in Real Estate Industry

There is another major change coming in the Canadian real estate industry. If you've been following the story these past three years, you know the Competition Bureau has been demanding that information in our cherished Multiple Listing Systems be more... Read more →

Demise Of Print Advertising and Newspapers

The Guelph Mercury is no more....at least the print edition. It's a newspaper that's been around since Confederation. This is big news in Guelph but the bigger news for the rest of us, is the pending doom that awaits other... Read more →

Uber Makes Me Feel Dirty

I travelled by air to BC recently with some friends. They made arrangements to get us a driver to take us to the airport and back. The driver and his new van appeared at our home early one morning and... Read more →

None of My Clients Have Done Time For Renting Their Basement Apartment!

Joe Richer is the registrar of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO). This is the organization that enforces all of the rules that govern the real estate industry in Ontario. Before this, he was registrar at the Board of... Read more →

Why Toronto Musicians Should Attend Jayme Stone's Seminar

Here’s why I’m attending the Jayme Stone seminar, How To Book Yourself Without An Agent on January 12, 2016. I check Jayme’s web site from time to time and am astounded by the amount of work he finds. He's also... Read more →

Ass u me

I'm sure readers of this blog know the old saying, "when you assume, you make an "ass" out of "u" or "me". In real estate, assuming can do worse. It can mean the difference between a successful sale or a... Read more →

Elections Often Affect Real Estate

Each morning, Karen and I check out the local sales from the previous night. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are particularly busy since offers are usually considered on Mondays and Tuesdays. This week, we noticed something was amiss. Houses that should have... Read more →

Become A Better Person - Become a Realtor

There are many invisible services Realtors provide to their clients. We're marriage councilors, child therapists, travel agents, chauffeurs and many many more. I like all of these roles which is convenient since I'm paid well to perform them. The one... Read more →

Digital Transactions, The Better Way

I predict, right here in this blog, that within the next five years, the real estate industry (and other industries) will legislate the end of paper Agreements of Purchase and Sale and accompanying documents. There's a new product on the... Read more →

Speaking Engagement at RE/MAX Western Conference

I've been attending RE/MAX conferences since I signed on to the brand in 1994. They are a bounty of information and valuable contacts. Many profitable referrals have originated there. Many long lasting friendships were born there. So, when the 2015... Read more →

"She Didn't Grow Up, She Grew Out!"

Randy Newman wrote a song that I love to sing called My Old Kentucky Home. I particularly love the line "my sister Sue, she's short and stout...she didn't grow up, she grew out". My Old Kentucky Home I thought of... Read more →

Kenversations, Interview With Duncan Fremlin, June 9, 2015.

The main man, the Broker/Owner at my company, RE/MAX Hallmark Realty is one of our industry's true leaders.. a statesman who brings honour to our profession. His name is Ken McLaughlin. Besides leading by example, his generosity to those who... Read more →

Referral's Are Alive and Well In All Businesses

We finalized a west coast referral yesterday. We sold our client's Toronto house earlier this year and thanks to our marketing, we were asked to find them a good Realtor in B.C. We take this very seriously and are very... Read more →

Wise Words For Entrepreneurs Everywhere

The Indie Bible is a company that offers services designed to help music artists succeed. I've never been ambitious enough to call on them for help but they've been around for over 15 years so they're doing something right. They... Read more →

Condo Assignments Are Big News

This past year has seen some significant shifts in the Toronto real estate market. It's strange that we don't use the word "volatile" when describing this market given the drama that accompanies it, both good (prices rising) and bad (the... Read more →