Each Wednesday, Real Estate Magazine shares insights, experiences and advice from top-performing agents across Canada. If you’d like to contribute or nominate a colleague or team, send us an email.

At just 29 years old, sales representative Jeremie Fontaine has already reached impressive milestones in his seven-year career with EXIT Realty Associates in Dieppe, NB. 

For the fifth consecutive time in his real estate career, Fontaine recently attained EXIT Realty Corp. International’s Top Lister in North America award. Fontaine was also inducted into the company’s Emerald Circle, recognizing his accumulation of 750 deals in his tenure with the brand, as well as the Titanium award for closing over 150 deals in the company’s production year ending June 30, 2025.

With a portfolio of income properties and a renovation company, Fontaine is now expanding his real estate services to Prince Edward Island.

Real Estate Magazine: How did you first get into real estate?

A: I was buying rental properties for myself. If I’m doing it for myself, I may as well receive commission. 

Q: When did you decide to pursue production as a solo agent — and why?

A: Efficiency. Only I can guarantee the exact same level of quality and care throughout my businuess.

Current snapshot

Brokerage: EXIT Realty Associates

Markets served: New-Brunswick/Greater Moncton area

2024 production: 162 Transactions. I don’t measure success in terms of volume. I’d say $40 million with the average sale price in my area.

YTD 2025 production so far: Transactions: 117 so far and 35 pending.

Building a business

Q: What were the first three key systems or investments you made that changed your business?

A:  Social Media, consistency and real-life exposure (for sale signs, etc).

Q: What are your top three sources of leads today?

A: Referrals of previous clients, social media and sign calls.

Q: What is your approximate breakdown of your marketing budget by channel?

A: Mostly run social media ads and post with boosts, not a set allocated budget. It depends on the property and what I feel is needed to get it moving and sold.

Q: What is your typical response time goal?

A: Two hours, however, no email, text or phone call is left unanswered by the end of the day. I won’t go to bed until I’ve touched base with everyone.

Q: Approximate percentage of revenue reinvested into marketing: 

A: Depends on the listing, but I’d say 15 per cent per listing. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

Q: Do you track cost per lead, cost per appointment, cost per deal? Which number matters most?

A: I do not. I focus on clients and relationships, and the rest follows suit.

Q: How long does it typically take from first contact to an accepted offer or signed listing agreement?

A: Depends on location, but I’d say on average three months for this area of the province.

Q: What behaviours do you reward in yourself? What gets cut from your calendar?

A: I genuinely am a social person, so for me this doesn’t feel like work. I do tend to limit work hours to four to six hours on weekends and 10 to 12 on weekdays.

Q: How do you navigate Canadian compliance rules?

A: Yearly training with the New Brunswick Real Estate Association (NBREA) and trying to keep myself updated on new terms.

Q: If a solo agent has $5,000/month to invest, where should it go for the next six to 12 months?

A: Targeted ads. Based on your market/community, either online or mailouts.

Quick hits

Q: Favourite Canadian market insight people don’t believe (but your data proves):

A: When sales of cars and pleasure crafts, such as boats, campers, RVs and other recreational vehicles, are strong, it usually means the housing market is strong. When those sales slow down, it can be a sign that the housing market is softening.

Q: One tech you’d fight to keep:

A: Facebook

Q: One marketing hill you’ll die on:

A: Constant exposure on social media.

Finish this: ‘Agents fail because…’

A: Because they believe that this is handed to them and that it’s easy. The truth is, hard work is showing up and being consistent day after day.

Finish this: ‘Solo agents win because…’

A: They show up, continuously work, even with small actions repeatedly, until they obtain success.

The post Agent spotlight: Q&A with New Brunswick top agent Jeremie Fontaine appeared first on REM.

Each month, REM shares the charitable works and good deeds of Realtors across Canada. Have something you’d like to share? Email your news to editor@realestatemagazine.ca by the 26th of each month, and don’t forget to include a photo!

Royal LePage North Heritage Realty raises over $37,000 for women’s shelters

Royal LePage North Heritage Realty proudly announced that its 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament raised over $37,000 in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. Every dollar will go directly to YWCA Genevra House in Sudbury and Haven House women’s shelter on Manitoulin Island.

“I am exceptionally proud of our team for far surpassing this year’s fundraising goal and for once again helping make a real difference for local families seeking safe shelter,” said Luc Bock, broker of record.

He added, “We know there is much work to be done in ending intimate partner violence in Canada, but our brokerage is steadfast in our commitment to funding the hope and healing of those affected in our community.”

Royal LePage Royal City Realty raises $37,000 at Summer Soirée for local shelter

Royal LePage Royal City Realty raised $37,000 at this year’s Summer Soirée in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. All funds will go directly to Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis to support critical services for women and children escaping intimate partner violence.

The annual event, championed and led by broker of record Jeff Morley, has raised $165,000 since it began in 2018.

“We are deeply grateful to our amazing community for joining us for this elegant evening under the stars, which will truly make a difference in the lives of so many local families,” said Gillian Atkinson, broker/manager. “Our Royal City volunteers, led by Lisa Klempner and a dedicated group of agents, are the magic that makes this event possible.”

EXIT Realty marks $8M milestone through Spirit of EXIT charitable giving

EXIT Realty Corp. International has surpassed $8 million in donations through its Spirit of EXIT Charitable Program, highlighting the company’s dedication to community impact across North America.

“This milestone is a testament to the collective generosity and passion of our EXIT family, who continuously seek out ways to make a difference beyond real estate,” said Tami Bonnell, co-chair of EXIT Realty.

The program matches funds raised by local offices to support causes meaningful to them. In 2024, donations supported children, community programs, medical support, veterans, Habitat for Humanity, medical research, cancer initiatives and animal welfare.

A portion of each transaction fee is held in trust and matched up to $3,000 per initiative.

“Since stepping into the directorship earlier this year, I’ve seen firsthand the courage and heart behind these efforts,” said Sharron Richardson, vice-president of broker services. “Their commitment to creating meaningful change in their communities is truly inspiring.”

The post Good Works: Realtors giving back in July 2025 appeared first on REM.

The sound of broken hearts could be heard all over his beloved city of Ottawa, in locker rooms, arenas, and in the homes and businesses of the many clients, colleagues, and friends he had. They broke clear across North America through his EXIT Realty network and echoed into the Canadian Parliament where the Honourable Mona Fortier, M.P. rose in the House of Commons to share how A.J. made Ottawa a better place calling him, “a respected entrepreneur, a community builder, a generous mentor, and a tireless force for good in the national capital region.”

We at EXIT have been so proud and fortunate to have a professional of A.J.’s calibre and influence with us for the past 21 years of his career.

In a heartfelt tribute of her own, EXIT Canadian CEO Joyce Paron spoke of how A.J. shined with his own light, bringing laughter (and his signature sunglasses and dance moves) wherever he went, saying, “You will be deeply missed A.J., and we will carry your spirit with us in all that we do in the days and years ahead. You have left a legacy of love….You demonstrated an extraordinary ability to make time for people, regardless of who they are, because you understood that your presence is the most valuable gift you can offer to another human being.”

A lasting legacy

With a natural talent for people and bringing them together, A.J. excelled in the business of real estate. He had a profound impact on EXIT’s entire national network and found success in his many roles.

Dear friend and franchisee Maggie Tessier of EXIT Realty Matrix said of him, “There will never be another A.J. He was, in every facet of his life, the true G.O.A.T.” It was at her office, and under her mentorship, where A.J. first got his start as an agent, then office manager, before taking on regional ownership, where he worked tirelessly to share the EXIT spirit, which he so aptly exemplified across eastern Ontario.

He maintained that his early real estate success came from learning from one of the best. He was a huge advocate for the importance of being coachable, a key personal ingredient he brought to every arena of his life thanks to his love of sports.

While hockey was his passion as the owner of the Flames de Gatineau in Quebec, he was involved in supporting several youth sports organizations both through coaching and sponsorships. He believed strongly in the character-building experiences found through sport, in teamwork, and in empowering the next generation.

A.J.’s eldest son and daughter both turned real estate into the family business. Francis, following his father’s path, obtained his real estate license and joined the same EXIT Realty Matrix brokerage, while Helenna joined forces with her dad as the regional administrator to assist with the many day-to-day tasks of running the business and communications with the corporate office. 

A.J. was loved by many, and he also had many loves in his life, his family, his faith, his community, philanthropy, coaching and sports, as well as real estate. His wife Chantal recently posted of the declaration of A.J. Plant Day on April 23rd by the city of Ottawa, where she and their four children, Francis, Helenna, Emillia, and Quinn attended the occasion with A.J.

She expressed her pride in her husband and his everlasting efforts, sharing a light-hearted laugh explaining, “When I met A.J. in Bonnyville, Alberta, he was part of 10 community groups. I had to join at least six of them so I could enjoy time with him.”

To Chantal and all of A.J.’s family, our hearts are with you, we mourn with you, and we thank you for sharing him with us. A.J. has left an indelible mark.

Melanie Robitaille

Melanie Robitaille is a senior staff writer and graphic designer at EXIT Realty Corp. International.

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The Realtor’s Role in Affordable Housing looks at affordable housing and housing affordability, two different and important issues, according to the corporation. The report states:

Affordable housing generally refers to housing (that) people with low-to-moderate incomes can afford. However, in markets like Toronto, where… home prices (average) $1,254,436…even people with generous annual incomes are finding it difficult to save a traditional 20% down payment and afford to own a home.

The corporation is sharing its members’ insights on the hot-button issue and looking at how real estate professionals can apply their existing skillset to affect real change. Key takeaways include how service, volunteerism, education and advocacy can move the needle to create change and opportunity for those searching for an affordable home.

Serve

• • Research the provincial housing authority to find funding opportunities.
  • Consider what municipalities are doing to increase affordable housing options in the community.
  • Research charitable organizations, meet with their directors and learn about their programs.

Volunteer

• • Support non-profit organizations involved in creating affordable housing (e.g. Habitat for Humanity) through volunteering and fundraising efforts.

Educate

• • Host homebuyer education classes.
  • Offer your skillset as an educational resource through community organizations or places of worship.
  • Partner with other industry professionals (e.g. mortgage brokers) to help answer questions.

Advocate

• • Advocate for or consider investing in the development of more multi-family housing.
  • Lend your expertise and advocate for zoning changes that permit the building of multi-family housing complexes, mixed-use commercial/residential and the conversion of shopping malls to affordable living spaces.

“Real estate professionals are in the trenches every day; collectively, we have one of the strongest voices for change,” says Tami Bonnell, author of The Realtor’s Role in Affordable Housing and co-chair of Exit Realty. “We can be the voice for change in our communities by advocating for the development of more solutions.”

The post Defining the realtor’s role in affordable housing appeared first on REM.

“Anthony’s passion for working with real estate professionals started in 2001, teaching consistent, measurable strategies to agents and grew to impact thousands of real estate professionals across North America,” says the company in a news release.
The Engagement Leader initiative appoints volunteer agents in Exit brokerages. Anthony shares a monthly tip about Exit’s tools and resources for them to teach to their peers during office meetings and one-on-one.  The company says this initiative has been widely successful, both for teaching agents how to use the company’s resources and with adoption. There are hundreds of engagement leaders in Exit offices across the U.S. and Canada, the company says.

The post Annette Anthony appointed director of corporate engagement at Exit Realty appeared first on REM.

“Exit is all about the human element. Our philosophy is to build our own technology designed to serve the people behind the device and behind the transaction,” says Exit Realty co-chair Tami Bonnell.

Recently Exit completed the rollout of its enhanced Exit Agent/Office Websites, a fully branded and automated system that requires no configuration and can integrate any real estate professional’s existing web domain name, the company says.

That followed the launch of Exit Edge, a single-point-of-entry system that gathers and integrates data from the Multiple Listing Service to provide “faster and more accurate market forecasting,” it says.

Later this year, Exit plans to launch two more pieces of the framework, intended to improve agents’ efficiency and to better connect partners.

“We build effective technology,” says John Packes, Exit’s chief technology officer. “The goal of effective technology is to create the highest return on tech minutes invested. We want our people to be able to spend as little time as possible using our technology to get the maximum reward.”

The company created a position solely to oversee training and education on its technology. Annette Anthony, the company’s VP of technology engagement, heads a team who respond to individual needs at the brokerage level and ensure that all users are comfortable with the technology, on their own devices, before engaging with their clients.

“Technology and data should help, not hinder, talented agents and brokers,” Bonnell says. “That’s why we create the tools real estate professionals need to be at the top of their game, and we ensure that our people are competent and comfortable with those tools.”

The post Exit Realty launches new proprietary technologies appeared first on REM.

A portion of every transaction fee received by Exit Realty is applied to charity. Through the program, Exit associates can raise money for local, approved, registered charities and apply to have those funds matched from the company’s pool of funds.

“Our associates support charities across a wide spectrum of needs, including medical support and research, children’s services, community and veteran support, animal welfare and more,” says Tami Bonnell, co-chair of Exit Realty.

The pandemic caused many charities to pivot and Exit associates adapted to meet their needs. “We have worked with Easter Seals for several years now locally. The past two years, they have not been able to host their traditional Easter Seals Telethon where they raise most of their funds. We felt it was time to step up and truly help this amazing cause,” says Kristen Trembinski, regional owner of Exit Realty Northern Ontario and broker/co-owner of Exit Realty Lake Superior.

Trembinksi and her team hosted their own telethon to raise money, generating $5,000 in donations, which Exit’s head office matched for a total of $10,000.

Bonnell says the matching program is a way for the company’s agents “to raise money for the causes that speak to their heart knowing their company is behind them. Potentially every community where an Exit office exists can be positively impacted. It’s more than a win/win.”

The post Exit Realty’s charitable support program reaches $6.8 million appeared first on REM.

The honour was announced during the company’s annual awards event recently broadcast across the U.S. and Canada. Tessier also achieved the Million Dollar Circle and the Platinum Award. Her real estate sales team, the Tessier Team, achieved the ranking of #3 Team in North America for the second consecutive year, and her brokerage was named the Fifth Highest Grossing Office (Multiple) in North America. All awards were tabulated for the production period of July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

“Maggie Tessier is an icon in the real estate industry,” says Joyce Paron, CEO of Exit Realty Corp. International’s Canadian Division. “She has been more instrumental than just about anyone I know in the number of real estate agents whom she has empowered to become real estate champions. It is said that the teacher learns the most, and in Maggie’s case, her drive, work ethic and value-driven experience for both her clients and her agents have propelled her to incredible heights.”

Kyle Johnson

Kyle Johnson, a sales representative with Exit Realty Associates in Dieppe, N.B. received the Top Unit Producer Award. He also achieved the Million Dollar Circle, the Titanium Award in recognition of closing more than 150 real estate transaction sides, and he was inducted into the Ruby Circle in recognition of closing 500 real estate transaction sides during his career with Exit.

“We knew Kyle was on track for big success when he launched his career with Exit Realty and became the Canadian Rookie of the Year. He is committed to being the best in the industry,” says Paron. “Kyle is breaking records in his real estate community, and I expect more records will fall as he keeps striving for the next level of achievement. He is a champion beyond compare and his work ethic is second to none.”

Tanya Myre

Tanya Myre, associate broker with Exit Realty Matrix, also received the Titanium Award and was inducted into the Ruby Circle. Her real estate sales team, the Tanya Myre Team, achieved the ranking of #9 sales team in North America, the first time her team has ranked in the top 10.

“Real estate markets are cyclical and those professionals who can pivot to represent their clients’ changing needs regardless of the market will thrive,” says Tami Bonnell, co-chair, Exit Realty Corp. International. “It’s because of the dedicated service our agents like Tanya provide to their clients that Exit has continued to expand across both the U.S. and Canada. We are proud of her accomplishments and extend our congratulations and best wishes for her continued success.”

Jeremie Fontaine

Jeremie Fontaine, a sales representative with Exit Realty Associates in Dieppe, N.B. received the Top Lister Award. He was also honoured with the Titanium Award.

“Jeremie started his real estate career with Exit Realty in the spring of 2018 and what he has accomplished in such a short period of time is nothing less than outstanding,” says Paron. “He is a shining example of the opportunity for younger people to consider a career in the real estate industry. Jeremie brings tremendous service to all that he does and it’s no surprise his star is rising so quickly.”

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