New Brunswick Archives - REM

Agent spotlight: Q&A with New Brunswick top agent Jeremie Fontaine

REM Editorial Team — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 09:05:45 +0000

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.

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Four years running: Dieppe, N.B. Exit Realty brokerage gets highest-grossing single location office ranking

REM Editorial Team — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 05:01:21 +0000

Exit Realty Associates’ Dieppe, New Brunswick office was recently named #1 Highest Grossing Office (Single Location), and #1 Highest Producing Office – Real Estate Transaction Sides (Single Location).

Led by broker/owner, Parise Cormier, and sales manager, André Malenfant, Exit Realty Associates has been serving the greater Moncton area since 2000. 2023 is the fourth consecutive year it has achieved the highest-grossing office ranking for a single location across all Canada and U.S. Exit offices.

The awards were given at the Exit Realty Corp. International convention held at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, California. The company’s founder and chairman, Steve Morris, co-chair, Tami Bonnell, CEO – Canada, Joyce Paron and CEO – USA, Craig Witt, led the event.

“It is not by accident that a person becomes a gold medalist, and to achieve it year after year is a testament to dedication, discipline and drive at the most extraordinary level,” says Paron.

“Parise is liked, loved, respected and held in the highest regard by everyone around her, and she has earned every bit of it. Exceptional leaders surround themselves with exceptional people, and Parise has done this with her brokerage’s management, administration and real estate professionals.”

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New Brunswick boards vote in favour of amalgamation

REM Editorial Team — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 04:02:32 +0000

In a significant development for New Brunswick’s real estate industry, all five local boards have voted in favour of amalgamation, setting the stage for the establishment of a new provincial board.

Voting results

At special member meetings held on Jun. 22, 2023, each board in New Brunswick voted on motions to amalgamate and approve the bylaws of the new provincial board.

Members had the opportunity to vote on the amalgamation agreement and the acceptance of consolidated bylaws. All boards received majority approval for both. Voting was open to approximately 1,400 realtors in the province.

Amalgamation agreement results

Fredericton: 160 votes in favour, 101 votes against
Moncton: 183 votes in favour, 41 votes against
Northern: 43 votes in favour, nine votes against
Saint John: 158 votes in favour, eight votes against
Valley: 23 votes in favour, three votes against

According to the approved bylaws, an initial board of directors will be appointed, comprising representatives from all the amalgamating boards. Once these appointments have been finalized, all members will be informed of the board’s composition.

Next steps involve the transition process, including establishing a single MLS, standardizing membership and accounting systems, gaining formal approval from the New Brunswick Real Estate Association (NBREA) and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), and determining an operating name for the new board.

The new board will commence operations on Jan. 1, 2024.

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New Brunswick real estate boards to vote on amalgamation

Mario Toneguzzi — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 04:02:59 +0000

Leading up to the upcoming vote on whether New Brunswick’s five real estate boards should amalgamate, realtors across the province have expressed a highly positive sentiment, according to recent surveys.

The vote, involving approximately 1,400 realtors, is scheduled for Thursday.

The surveys for the Amalgamation Committee found:

73 per cent agreed that a strong regional or provincial board is essential to the provision and oversight of member services for New Brunswick realtors;
79 per cent said it will benefit organized real estate in the province;
76 per cent of the respondents believe a potential merger will be good for organized real estate in their local area;
65 per cent believe it will benefit their business directly; and
70 per cent were excited about the new opportunities resulting from a potential merger.

The five local boards that would merge to become one provincial board include the Real Estate Board of the Fredericton Area, Inc., Saint John Real Estate Board, Greater Moncton Realtors du Grand Moncton, Northern New Brunswick Real Estate Board and Valley Real Estate Board.

The benefits of amalgamation

Luke Moffett, executive officer for the Greater Moncton Realtors du Grand Moncton and executive officer of the Saint John Real Estate Board, said members have provided direction that they would like to have a vote on amalgamation.

“It’s been a trend in Canada for the last 10 or 15 years that boards have been merging,” said Moffett. “We’re one of the last provinces to kind of have the conversation.”

The benefits of amalgamation, according to Moffett, include creating a more unified MLS experience for both members and the public. Currently, each board has its own MLS rules, bylaws, and forms, leading to inconsistencies. By streamlining these processes, the province can establish consistency and provide enhanced services and value to its members.

“Each board has things that they do really, really well, and (we’re) trying to take the benefits from each board and create a strong board, a stronger voice for realtors and a stronger organizational structure.”

A committee consisting of directors from each board was formed to guide the amalgamation process. The committee aims to assess the benefits and consequences of merging. The official website lists the following benefits:

Standardization of bylaws, governance, policies, and processes for members
One MLS, common MLS rules and regulations, and standardized processes
Improved strength of internal administration
Ability to utilize potential economies of scale
Bringing boards together in a single region for the good of the industry and a stronger realtor voice
Elimination of duplications of processes, software, and administration
Better communications capabilities, methods, and platforms
Increase in value of the larger Association to the REALTOR®
Increase in the quality of programs, products, and services
Ability to move quickly on new opportunities and concepts
Increased market data
Improved experience for the public

Member concerns

While the amalgamation process has garnered substantial support, Moffett acknowledged that resistance exists due to anticipated changes. He emphasized that the best aspects of each board would be incorporated into the amalgamated entity, resulting in a strong organization that addresses concerns and serves the needs of all realtors.

“The process started with the president of each board exploring what their members felt first, or what the members wanted them to do. The board of directors didn’t take any position when this process was launched. They went out to the members. They did surveys. And they got a 34 per cent participation rate in the province.”

Michael Power, chair of the Amalgamation Governance Committee, shared that legal counsel was engaged to review the bylaws of each board. A simple majority will determine the decision for each board.

Power explained, “There are some pockets of resistance, but we got an independent survey company to put together the questions to ask about what people felt about it, what they thought we had to get right, what concerns they had, if any. There was a whole opportunity for write-ins.”

The committee acknowledges the remaining issues, such as concerns over lockboxes and fees from specific boards, and is actively working to address them. Open communication channels are being established to provide comprehensive information and clarity to realtors, ensuring that their decisions incorporate their specific concerns.

The voting process

The voting process will be conducted by an external firm, with each board holding a meeting on Jun. 22. Members will vote on amalgamation and the acceptance of consolidated bylaws. The voting will remain open for the entire day, and the results are expected to be announced on the same day.

Mario Toneguzzi

Mario Toneguzzi is a contributing writer for REM. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald, covering sports, crime, politics, health, faith, city and breaking news, and business. He now works on his own as a freelance writer for several national publications and consultant in communications and media relations/training. Mario was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list.

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Sunday real estate sales now legal in New Brunswick

REM Editorial Team — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 05:00:36 +0000

Now you can buy real estate on Sundays in New Brunswick.

The Days of Rest Act and Exemptions Regulation had previously allowed the viewing but not the selling of real estate on Sundays. The original legislation was passed more than 40 years ago, before Sunday shopping and seven-day-a-week commerce was introduced in the province.

The issue was first raised by the New Brunswick Real Estate Association two years ago, when a review of the regulations discovered ambiguities between the legislation and the regulations, says the association. The regulations made New Brunswick the only province in Canada where real estate transactions could not be completed legally on a Sunday.

In proposing the revision, NBREA research found that most open houses were scheduled on weekends, which left Realtors in the province in limbo if a client wanted to sign a contract after visiting a home on a Sunday, the association says. There was a risk that an Agreement of Purchase and Sale for the transaction of real estate could be found by a court to be unenforceable, simply because the contract was signed on a Sunday.

In a 2019 survey of Realtors in the province, 62 per cent of respondents said they had frequently or occasionally signed and dated a listing agreement for a Sunday. Just over 68 per cent said that, in the past two years, they had frequently or occasionally presented offers to sellers that had been submitted by other Realtors and dated on a Sunday, says NBREA.

The legislation to update the regulations was introduced in the provincial legislature by Jeff Carr, the minister of environment and local government in November. It went through the legislative committee process in March and was passed after third reading earlier this month. The changes were given Royal Assent on June 18th.

NBREA says its government relations team, which worked hard on this file for last two years, deserves thanks.

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