Lanscaping Course – Regina

Potential real estate buyers should not be discouraged if they find the home of their dreams does not have a beautiful space. Landscaping is one of the easiest things to change, and buyers may be able to negotiate a lower price based on the unappealing lawn. Additionally, there is help out there for even the most novice green thumb. A class is being held in Regina to assist homeowners increase the attractiveness of their outdoor areas. Buyers looking to find their diamond in the rough should contact one of the agents at www.exitrealtyfusion.com.

The Regina Horticulture Society is proud to offer an inexpensive way to learn about basic landscaping. On January 26, Sandra Shiels will be presenting a class on Landscape Design and the woody ornamentals that are native to Regina. Those who come to the meeting can expect an introduction to the basic concepts of landscaping, and to learn the steps needed to create their own designs. Sandra, a member of the society, is eager to teach both members and non-members about this valuable topic.

This class would be perfect for any homeowner looking to increase the curb appeal of their property. It is free to members of the society. Non-members will pay $5. The meeting will be held at Neil Balkwill Centre and starts at 7:30pm. Those attending this class should also consider being a part of the Perennials and Ground Covers class offered by the Society in March.

The Regina Horticulture Society is a well known charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of the citizens of Saskatchewan through horticulture. The Society offers a place where green thumbs of all types can come together and share their knowledge about their horticulture interests. RHS puts on a number of events and classes  year round. Their website is http://www.reginahortsociety.com.

Basic Landscaping – Sandra Shiels

Location: Neil Balkwill Centre

Date: January 26, 2012

Time: 7:30 P.M.

Celebrate Canada with EXIT Realty Fusion!

EXIT Realty Fusion of Regina is not only one of the fastest growing real estate companies in Saskatchewan, it continues to find ways to change the face of how real estate is done in a fashion that will bring nothing but smile to the faces of its clients.

A wholly Canadian owned company with thousands of franchises throughout the United States and Canada, EXIT Realty has won awards on both national and international fronts for its many innovations. EXIT Realty Fusion of Regina was last year named the best new company in Saskatchewan by the prestigious ABEX awards handed out yearly by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. And EXIT Realty Fusion EcoBroker™ Loretta Hughes was honored for her innovative approach to real estate at the annual international convention of EXIT Realty in Dallas, Texas last October.

So, it’s not surprising that EXIT Realty Fusion, its agents and its front office staff, are connecting in a positive way to celebration our Canada Day Week.

EXIT Realty Fusion will stage its first Canadian Open House day on Saturday with its growing list of agents fanning out through Regina and area to show off houses you will be impressed by. Not only that, if you visit one of the open houses, your name will go into a draw to win a fabulous Canada Day gift basket.

See the homes in the event and maps – plus sign up your OWN home!

EXIT EcoBroker® asked to Speak Once Again!

Loretta Hughes, co-owner of EXIT Realty Fusion and Saskatchewan’s only EcoBroker® has once again been asked to speak at an EXIT Realty convention.

She previously has been a featured speaker at EXIT Realty’s International Convention in Washington, D.C. She also spoke at last year’s Canadian Franchisee Conference in Niagara Falls, Ont. She received a special award from EXIT owner Steve Morris at EXIT’s International Convention last year in Dallas Texas. And, now she has been asked to speak at EXIT’s Canadian Franchisee Conference in Banff.

Loretta and her husband Bob Hughes started EXIT Realty Fusion in Regina a little over three years ago. In that time, the company has grown to about 40 Agents as well as several front office staff members. EXIT Realty Fusion was named the winner of the prestigious ABEX Award as the best new venture in Saskatchewan in 2010.

“We have done really well, and it is always nice to see that the success in our growth is being recognized by awards such as the ABEX and by being asked to tell our story at our company’s conventions and meetings,” Loretta said. “But, really, what is says is that we have a wonderful group of Agents who are devoted to their clients and we have a tremendous group of front office people who are devoted to making everybody’s job easier. We have been accepted by the people of Regina, whether they’re buying or selling homes, and for that we are so thankful. We have worked hard to get their trust. And, we will continue to work even harder. We also take great pride in being as involved in as many community charities as we possibly can be.”

EXIT is a Game Day sponsor with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and has been front and centre at fund-raisers for Special Olympics Saskatchewan, Breast Cancer, MS, kids’ charities and so on. EXIT raised about $30,000 this year for Z99’s Radio-thon.

Warm Your Heart and Your Stomach!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

The season’s second major snow storm sat itself over Regina for about 24 hours on Wednesday, November 10^th, dumping as much as 20 centimetres of snow in some places. Combine that with a well-muscled northwest wind and rather warm temperatures, for here anyway at this time of the year, and you had every reason to stay indoors and watch it all happen.

But the blustery weather wasn’t enough to keep Regina’s EXIT Realty Fusion agents from fulfilling a commitment to their community. EXIT Realty Fusion had promised to send out some of their folks to help Habitat for Humanity build a house in the North Central area of the city.

So, armed with hammers and saws, seven of the hardy EXIT souls showed up at 9 in the morning in the height of the storm and worked steadily for three hours in helping Habitat for Humanity get the house built. Those wearing the EXIT Realty Fusion banner included Loretta Hughes, Mike Boyce, Curtis Bonar, Alix McLellan, Shirley MacFarlane and Kim Mergaert.

“It wasn’t the nicest of days and we very easily could have said we would do it some other time,” said EcoBroker® Loretta Hughes. “But this was for charity and it was important to get out there and help out. We wanted to do it. It was fun and it was rewarding. But most of all, it was doing our part to help a great cause. We are very fortunate in that we have good jobs, family and homes. Not everybody has that. We said when we started out three years ago we were going to be a part of the community, and this is just one way to help out.”

EXIT Realty Fusion no sooner had finished its Habitat contribution than the wheels went into motion for its next project, which comes on Saturday, November 13^th.

EXIT Realty Fusion is partnering with Rosewood Park Alliance Church in support of Operation Christmas Child, and this weekend they will be collecting gifts and money that will be used to ensure that as many needy children as possible have a merry Christmas. At every EXIT Realty Fusion Open House held throughout Regina from 1:00pm – 5:00pm this Saturday, the public is welcomed to fill up their Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes.  Each open house will have empty shoe boxes to be filled and whoever donates gifts or cash to the charity will be entered in a draw to win a free cruise for two to the Caribbean or Mexico.

For more information on Operation Christmas Child, and for ideas of what to put in the boxes, please visit Samaritan’s Purse website at http://www.samaritanspurse.ca/occ/.  Remember for every shoebox sent there needs to be a donation of $7 to cover shipping costs.  The Big Open House Event is hoping for a successful response from the public.

Check Saturday’s newspaper for a complete list of open houses that will be held in support of Operation Christmas Child Drive.

bobhughes@sasktel.net

Read Bob’s column at www.exitrealtyfusion.com

Wow! ABEX New Ventures Award!

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce held its annual gala banquet for the prestigious 2010 ABEX Awards on Saturday night in the Delta Hotel in Regina before over 700 provincial business people.

And EXIT Realty Fusion, Regina’s youngest but fastest growing real estate company, were the stars of the night when they won the New Venture Award, an amazing accomplishment when you remember the company is less than three years old.

In accepting the award, co-owner Bob Hughes told the crowd, “I have never seen a group of people come together as a team as quickly as our people have. We have wonderfully dedicated and talented agents and a front office team that is truly the glue that holds it all together. And the exceptional training EXIT offers sets us apart from everyone else.”

Reached in Dallas, Texas, where she was attending the international convention of EXIT Realty, EcoBroker® Loretta Hughes said, “This is so gratifying and so humbling. I never thought we would have this sort of success in such a short period of time. But we have been so lucky to attract truly quality people to our business, and that has been the difference. And our growing list of clients have responded to this in a gratifying way. Now, we have the inspiration to continue to grow. We all now have seen first hand what hard work and dedication can lead to. I really believe that we have only just begun. I want to thank the Saskatchewan Chamber Chamber of Commerce for organizing these awards. President Steve McLellan has done a fantastic job with the chamber. These awards are so important because they do give businesses an idea of where they stand, where they are. Just being named a finalist in the New Venture category was so exciting and so rewarding.”

EXIT Realty Fusion Big Open House Event

Click the banner above – or -
Visit our website at www.exitrealtyfusion.com and click on the Open House link to see all the homes we are showcasing!

EXIT Realty Fusion Nominated for ABEX Award

The real estate industry in Saskatchewan stood up and took note of a stunning accomplishment by the new kid on the block, EXIT Realty Fusion of Regina.

The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce announced that EXIT Realty Fusion had been chosen as one of five finalists for the ABEX award under the New Venture category. This came in a year in which the ABEX awards received more nominations than ever, and the chamber described this year’s nominations procedure as one of the toughest ever.

The ABEX awards are the most prestigious business awards offered in Saskatchewan.

EXIT Realty Fusion EcoBroker™ Loretta Hughes welcomed the news from the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. “Although we have been in business for just under three years, we have worked very hard to build our company and its reputation as one that is ethical and hard working,” she said. “We have a wonderful front-office staff and a dedicated sales force. Our people really care about our clients and our community. I am so proud of what they have accomplished. We are growing, faster than we imagined. This news that we are an ABEX finalist is very humbling and very gratifying.”

The ABEX awards will be presented at a gala dinner on October 30th at the Delta Hotel in Regina. For more information on the ABEX awards go to www.saskchamber.com

A Night at the Diplomat

By Bob Hughes

It was the strangest of venues. And it was the most unlikely cast of characters. But, when it all ended, in a rousing piano display that reached so many crescendos you ran out of hairs to stand up on the back of your neck, it was like climbing a mountain of raw yet stirring music, one mountain after another, until finally, joyfully, you reached the peak.

Next week in Regina, Thursday I think it is; there will be a concert performed at the Centre of the Arts that will be quite like nothing this city has ever experienced before. It’s called “An Evening with Family and Friends” and will be in honour of long time Regina patrons of the arts the gracious Doris Knight and the incomparable Jacqui Shumiatcher.

What is tantalizing about it is the mix of performers. There will be a renowned pianist from Cuba, a celebrated guitarist from Regina and a heart-throb singer from Regina who celebrates the life and times and songs of Elvis Presley. Yeah, Rory Allen, but you will see him performing in a light you will never have seen him perform in before.

Rory will be teaming up with Cuban pianist Frank Fernandez and Regina’s surreal Jack Semple in what will be an evening to remember.

We got a brief preview of what to expect the other night at Nicky and John Makris’ restaurant, the Diplomat. With a full house of diners, the Diplomat became a mini concert hall. And what a show these three guys put on, bringing the restaurant patrons to their feet at least three times in a 40-minute set that was simply thrilling.

Have you ever seen Rory Allen croon his way through “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes? Or, Jack Semple belt out “Somewhere over the Rainbow?” No. Well, the crowd at the Diplomat did.

But, baby, you ain’t seen nuthin’ until you’ve seen Frank Fernandez making love to the keyboard. He is one of a kind. His rendition of Ave Maria was almost to weep over. But his finale was one that transcended the evening, his fingers dancing and darting, charging and caressing, electrifying as they took the audience from one level of exhilaration to another.

It was an inspiring preview to what will be coming, in much bigger form, on Thursday, September 9th, at the Centre of the Arts.

Mashing With Mona

There’s little doubt that EXIT Realty Fusion has established itself, in just three short years, as a force in Saskatchewan real estate. But, if there is one thing that owners Bob and Loretta Hughes have insisted on is that EXIT Realty Fusion must be seriously involved in the community and community events.

It is one thing to participate in various charitable fund-raisers, which is always good. Business people should play in the many golf tournaments that adorn the charity calendar.

But at EXIT Realty Fusion, we go a step further. Our people have happily taken on the task of organizing new fund-raising golf tournaments that benefit some of the great charities.

The first was the George Reed Golf Tournament for Special Olympics Saskatchewan. Bob Hughes was the Tournament Director and Loretta was on the committee which included outstanding Regina business and community leaders. The tournament was organized in about three months, yet the field was filled at 144 golfers who enjoyed their day at the Wascana Golf and Country Club. The evening saw entertainment provided by Rory Allen and Jack Semple and a lineup of Special Olympians. As well, four soldiers who had recently returned from Afghanistan were honoured at the banquet and received three standing ovations.

Now, here comes EXIT Realty Fusion agent Mona Crandell with a tournament of her own. Mona, of course, is the wife of former Rider quarterback and current offensive coach Marcus Crandell. But at the rate this lady is going, soon people will be saying Marcus is the husband of Mona Crandell.

Mona’s mother has MS, and Mona wants to do something about this dreadful disease. So, she is spear-heading a group that is putting together the first annual tournament in aid of MS. It will be held at the Tor Hill Golf Course on Thursday, September 16th. It’s going to be a blast. You don’t want to miss what will not only be one of the last charity tournaments of the year, but one of the best.
You can get information on entering by contacting Mona at mona@exitrealtyfusion.com you won’t be sorry if you do, and you’ll be supporting a wonderful cause.

***To be a part of the exciting EXIT Realty Fusion Team, talk to Sarah Kemmere today at 306.352.3948 ext 5 or contact her at sarah@exitrealtyfusion.com ****Visit our website at www.exitrealtyfusion.com

EXIT Enters the Great Green North – by Bob Hughes 8/30/10

ELK RIDGE, Saskatchewan – When you turn off Highway 2 and onto the road that takes you to this place in the bush, your eyes are awakened by the vista laid out before you. The highway is bordered by deep green bush and tall pine and fir trees that have stood as sentinels for decades and decades. Deer with their fawns chewing grass in the ditches ignore the cars as they pass by and an occasional elk will be spotted, majestically standing aside the forest.

But is not until you make the turn into the Elk Ridge Resort that your senses spring alive and you feel as if you have entered a whole new world, one you never knew existed in this province.

That moment comes when you head left towards the resort, up a slight rise in the land, and there before your eyes stands one of the most magnificent lodges ever built. It sits overlooking 27 holes of golf that can’t be surpassed for beauty and tranquility. And, throughout the area that is Elk Ridge are cabins that are for rent, huge houses, condos and townhouses. Elk Ridge wants to be known as a four-season resort, and it is getting there as word spreads about this vacation and residential jewel perched on the edge of the Prince Albert National Park and only 10 minutes away from the charming and enchanting Waskesiu.

The resort got its beginning in 1993 with the building of a 36-hole golf course. It’s all, the whole complex is, a coming true of a dream held by a quiet yet determined man named Arne Petersen, who, by himself, is a story that needs to be told. A self-made man, this was his vision: To go into the bush, the deep thick bush, and carve out a wonderland that can be enjoyed by everyone.

It was at this resort in north of Saskatchewan that the staff and agents from EXIT Realty Fusion, Regina’s fastest growing real estate company, found themselves on the weekend. EcoBroker™ Loretta Hughes is big on two things: Training for her agents, and teamwork. “You can get to your destination a lot quicker if everybody is pulling in the same direction,” she said. “And it’s a lot easier if all of us get along, respect each other and are willing to help each other.”

The training is something EXIT Realty Fusion never stops doing. And Loretta is a believer that agents and staff should get together away from the office and away from the city. So, last weekend they all headed up to Elk Ridge for what turned out to be a simply marvelous weekend. And, it wasn’t all about training.

On Friday night, the EXIT folks attended “A Taste of Elk Ridge” wine and food event in the main lodge. There were people there from throughout the province and Alberta as well as Elk Ridge residents. The EXIT Realty Fusion people got to meet Arne Petersen, who thanked them all for coming, and made sure they were enjoying the rooms, cabins and condos they were staying in.

Saturday saw the office staff and agents, and their spouses and guests, attend a seminar in a building aside the golf course. It was conducted by a super trainer named Angel Tucker. Angel is a contract employee EXIT Realty International and conducts seminars throughout EXIT franchises in the United States and Canada. She spent much of Saturday talking and inter-acting with those in attendance about personality profiling, and those who were there said it was simply amazing. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever been to. It will help me so much,” said one agent.

Angel flew to Saskatchewan from her home in Valdosta, Georgia, of all places. Some might remember Valdosta as the home of Saskatchewan Roughrider receiving great Rhett Dawson, who teamed with the iconic Ron Lancaster to get the 1976 Riders to the Grey Cup game. Angel promised to wear the Saskatchewan Roughrider sweater she was given by EXIT Realty Fusion when she got home. Who knows, she might run into Rhett, and wouldn’t that be a conversation?

Angel is one of the top training people in North America and is in constant demand. Her ability to teach while maintaining the attention of her audience is an amazing attribute. But that is what EXIT Realty is all about, getting amazing people to come together, learn and get better.

The weekend ended with a barbecue of pork chops and chicken at the cabin EXIT Realty Fusion owners Bob and Loretta Hughes rented for the weekend.

All in all, it was a special weekend for everybody, in both a professional and personal way. And, when they left for home on Sunday, they were wondering where next year’s retreat would be held.

Read Bob’s Column every week at www.exitrealtyfusion.com