Gurcharan
(Garry) Bhaura’s busy term as president of the Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB)
is drawing to an end and there’s something he’s really looking forward to once
it’s over.
“Relaxing,”
he says.
Representing
the largest organized real estate organization in the world apparently doesn’t
leave much room for that, especially given the current local challenges around
government regulation of the marketplace and housing affordability and supply.
“There’s a
lot going on behind the curtain,” says Bhaura, laughing. “Never a dull moment.”
He knew
going in that heading up TREB would mean he’d have limited time for his family
and his brokerage, Century 21 President
Realty in Brampton, Ont.
“I told them
I needed a year to represent the membership, that I have the opportunity to do
something for others and better the industry,” he says. “My team and family have
been wonderful and supportive.”
His term as
2018/2019 TREB president finishes at the end of June. In the meantime, he’s
preparing for Realtor Quest, Canada’s largest real estate conference and trade
show, being held May 29 and 30 at the Toronto Congress Centre. With its
networking and educational opportunities, Bhaura expects that hosting it will
be a highlight of his year as president.
Born in
India, he’s the first South Asian president in TREB’s almost 100-year history.
At age 20, he arrived alone in Canada in search of opportunity with a B.A.
under his belt. Once here, a diploma in microcomputer business applications and
electronics soon followed. So did an unintentional name change. His given name
is Gurcharan, but one of his teachers had trouble pronouncing it and dubbed him
Garry, which stuck.
Although he
says he never looked back after moving here, it’s clear he must have. He
recalls “tough times and odd jobs,” including driving a taxi for awhile. But
when he got into real estate he realized he’d found his calling. He’s been in
the business almost 20 years now, the last half of those as broker of record
for Century 21 President Realty.
When he was
working as a top-producing agent, Bhaura told his broker that he had no
intention of leaving… unless he opened his own brokerage one day.
Those words
turned out to be prophetic. And this time Bhaura really didn’t look back.
“I am wired
to have my own business,” he says. “Being an entrepreneur is in my family
background. Business is a priority in my family.”
Even his
former broker was pleased.
“He came to
my grand opening and blessed me,” says Bhaura. “There’s a saying in Punjabi,
‘When the student is growing, the teacher is proud.’”
Bhaura has
built Century 21 President Realty from scratch into one of the franchise’s top
30 offices in Canada, and while doing so he’s made a name for himself as an
authentic leader.
Inman News
stated: “Bhaura maintains excellent retention rates in a highly competitive
marketplace due to the culture and esprit de corps resident in his brokerage.”
Due to his
success and philanthropy, Bhaura is currently a nominee for the RBC’s Top 25
Canadian Immigrant Awards. He says that in all things, business included, he
does his best then “leaves the rest,” trusting that things will end positively.
It’s hard to
believe he’s that laid back though, given his many achievements.
For starters
there’s the workplace he’s created for his 150 agents – a state-of-the-art,
open-concept ‘dream office’ brimming with amenities and natural light (because
it’s been proven to boost productivity).
“I put my
agents’ interests in front of everything. I provide better tools, better
services and leadership. I am not profitable if they aren’t… I believe in
communication and relationships, instead of just marketing.”
When
recruiting, he looks for agents who are professional, honest, open minded,
technologically savvy and entrepreneurial.
“I can groom
many things, but you can’t teach entrepreneurial spirit,” he says.
A proponent
of education (“the most important weapon we can have”), community service,
volunteerism and organized real estate, Bhaura has held leadership positions at
numerous non-profits as well as on the TREB board.
“I believe
your time is the most important asset you can give,” he says. “When you give
back, good things come to you too.”
Like Forrest
Gump, Bhaura seems to have an endless supply of these personal mottos. Others
include:
“Learn,
engage and network to grow;” “Your network is your net worth;” and “Coming
together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is
success.”
The last
seems particularly fitting in his role as president of TREB, which involves a
great deal of travel, advocacy and engagement with Realtors, all levels of
government, policy makers, industry leaders and stakeholders.
He says he
believes the future of organized real estate is bright and that the Greater
Toronto Area – despite concerns about housing supply and affordability – is on
the right track with plenty of demand and “moderate growth in prices and
sales.”
Among the
biggest issues impacting Realtors as he sees it are “government interference
and regulation.” This has led to such measures as the mortgage stress test on
federally regulated lenders, he says, which has made it more difficult to
obtain a mortgage, consequently slowing sales and “sidelining” many people from
entering the market.
“It’s time
for the stress test to be re-visited by the government,” says Bhaura, adding
that this is a key TREB initiative. “I believe they are listening.”
Having
pushed for positive change as president, he’s pleased to have received feedback
from some members commending TREB on connecting more with its membership.
Those will
be fond memories this summer, when he finally gets a chance to put his feet up.