Richard Silver

Toronto Real Estate Board: Habitat for Humanity Build

Each year for at least the past four years the Toronto Real Estate Board has been involved in a Habitat for Humanity Build. I was lucky to participate on one of the Build Days with a group of 20 REALTORS and thankfully, some build staff who are true experts. They put me on garden patrol realizing, from looking at me, that handing me a hammer would not be safe. It was a great weather day and all of us were happy...Continue Reading...

Toronto: World AIDS Day Concert: Voices of Hope December 1, 2011

Launched collaboratively by  La Maison du Parc (Montréal), Casey House (Toronto) and Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation (Vancouver), “Voices of Hope / Voix D’Espoir” is Canada's national annual event marking World AIDS Day and raising awareness of the ongoing crisis of HIV/AIDS across Canada and internationally.  THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011 - 7 pm Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. E. Free, with suggested donation of $20. Hosted by CBC's Tom Allen with Rev. Dr. John Joseph Mastandrea. THIS YEAR'S PERFORMERS: Dr. Draw, Prita Chhabra, Singing Out!, David Warrack, Douglas...Continue Reading...

Realtors Care Foundation supports shelter-based organizations

October 4, 2011 -- As the nights get cooler, we all have a number of autumn traditions to look forward to like Thanksgiving, Halloween and fall fairs. One tradition that has been part of the real estate community since 1986 is the Toronto Real Estate Board’s 25 & 50 Year Member Dinner. It celebrates Members’ many years of service to Greater Toronto Area (GTA) homebuyers and sellers. This year’s event, held at the Allstream Centre September 22nd welcomed 701 REALTORS® who...Continue Reading...

Are you too old for tech? Why it’s not about age.

A very wise person once told me that “successful people get results and unsuccessful people get excuses”. Since then I have tried to live life with no excuses. It is a constant challenge to keep that promise, and the “age” excuse is the one the keeps boiling to the top; it’s the easiest one to indulge…. No matter where I travel, when the topic of technology/change comes up, I hear “I’m too old to change” and they are usually younger than...Continue Reading...

Great New Web Site for Homeowners!

Almost every year for the past 15 years, I have spent four mid-Summer days at a Conference in San Francisco called Inman Real Estate Connect. It is a chance for REALTORS, Boards, Associations and technology/social media junkies to get together and talk about the future. A search here will show that I have written blogs about this event before. One of my favorite sessions is called "Innovation Showcase" or I call it....."The new kids on the block". There were 4 Presentations: Yobongo.com, Skygrid.com, ThinkNear.com...Continue Reading...

The Past Few Months and the Next Year!!!

Some of you may not know but one year ago I was named President-Elect of the Toronto Real Estate Board, meaning that as of July 1st, 2011, I will be President of the Toronto Real Estate Board for one year. The past six months have really been a great trial by fire as I have had my busiest Spring in my Real Estate career plus chairing two committees at the Board, doing some teaching (Blogging and Social Media) and being part of the...Continue Reading...

A Lesson in Social Media Gone Wrong!

Over one year ago now we decided that three of us would go on  a Cruise from Santiago Chile' to Rio de Janeiro on Holland America Cruise Lines at Xmas and spending an extra five days in Antarctica. It was a wonderful experience and one we will not forget. For the most part, Holland America was a great host as well but... One of the main reasons we chose Holland America is that two of the three of us are addicted to...Continue Reading...

Some Great Information About The Power of Social Media…

I am sure you have seen these before but this one has some great points...do you need to be convinced about Social Media or that the world is changing? [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIFYPQjYhv8[/youtube]Continue Reading...

Cabbagetown: Rick McCarthy is Coming to the JetFuel Cafe’

Rick McCarthy was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1941. A 7th-Dan Black Belt in Shotokan Karate, McCarthy has trained for 25 years with both Kancho Takemasa Okuyama and Renshi Shah Franco at their Toronto dojos. While working with the renowned Franco, McCarthy discovered a correlation between Brazilian Ju-Jitsu and the evolution of his own half-century career as an artist. “I see my painting and my fighting as being one and the same,” McCarthy says, “a struggle for existence.” Rick McCarthy www.rickmccarthytheartist.com Rick...Continue Reading...

Today’s Rant: In Praise of Term Limits

For a good part of my life I have been involved in volunteer organizations. From an early age volunteerism was encouraged by my family. It is something that has given me a lot of joy as well as a huge education in what is the potential of the human spirit. I was lucky enough to work with June Callwood  or as we used to call her, Saint June. She was responsible for many of the community services that support Torontonians. I...Continue Reading...