The Real Deal: Industry highlights for August 2026

(Top row: Traci Tempany and Keith Monahan, Sam Ishak, Dennis Roberts and Nicole Pohl. Bottom row: Michael Altneu, Patricia Houlihan, Nikki Grella and Kelsey Gliddon.)

Each month, REM shares brokerage expansions and conversions, leadership appointments and other key industry moves. Have an announcement to share? Email your news to editor@realestatemagazine.ca by the 26th of each month, and don’t forget to include a photo!

Leadership appointments and hiring announcements 

Remax names Michael Altneu vice-president of luxury

Remax has named Michael Altneu its new vice-president of luxury, with a mandate to expand and refine the company’s luxury real estate program, The Remax Collection.

Altneu, who is based in Los Angeles, joined Remax in May after five years leading Coldwell Banker’s global luxury division. In that role, he oversaw the company’s luxury marketing platform and specialist certification program.

He previously served as senior vice-president of marketing at Douglas Elliman, where he oversaw a new development portfolio focused largely on projects in New York City and Los Angeles.

“I see tremendous possibilities ahead for Remax and The Remax Collection,” Altneu said. “We have a significant opportunity to build on the power, scale and global reach of the Remax network while giving Remax agents an even stronger competitive advantage in the luxury market.”

Altneu’s plans for the program include potential partnerships, expanded services and greater visibility for the brand.

In the last week, Remax has become part of the newly-formed Real Remax group, following the acquisition of the legacy franchise by The Real Brokerage. 

Teranet appoints Sam Ishak as chief information officer

Teranet has named veteran technology executive Sam Ishak as its new chief information officer, bringing more than 20 years of experience to the role.

Ishak will lead Teranet’s technology strategy, including the continued development of its digital infrastructure and use of data, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Teranet is a Canadian property technology company and operates Ontario’s electronic land registration system.

“Technology has its greatest impact when it helps people do their jobs better — not by replacing expertise, but by enhancing it,” Ishak said. He added that his focus will be on using technology to “reduce friction, strengthen security and enable better decisions” while maintaining trust in the property industry.

Prior to joining Teranet, Ishak served as chief information officer at FCT, where he led technology modernization initiatives supporting business growth, operations and customer experience.

Expansions and conversions

Engel & Völkers expands into Peterborough and Kawarthas

Engel & Völkers has expanded its Ontario presence with the opening of a new location in Peterborough serving the city and the surrounding Kawarthas region.

Engel & Völkers Kawarthas Port Credit is led by licence partners Traci Tempany and Keith Monahan, who have been business partners for more than 20 years and have nearly five decades of combined real estate experience.

“With today’s competitive real estate landscape, combining our deep local knowledge with Engel & Völkers’ global marketing platform allows us to deliver a truly differentiated experience,” said Tempany in a statement. 

The duo’s work spans residential properties, waterfront estates, acreage, investment properties and new developments.

“Peterborough and the Kawarthas represent an exceptional opportunity to expand the brand’s presence in one of Canada’s most distinctive lifestyle markets,” said Stuart Siegel, president and CEO of Engel & Völkers Americas.

The new office, located at 445 George St. N. in Peterborough, will serve clients across Peterborough and the Kawarthas, including the region’s waterfront and recreational property markets.

Century 21 In Town expands into North Vancouver’s Deep Cove

Century 21 In Town Realty is expanding into Deep Cove, a waterfront community in the District of North Vancouver, with the addition of longtime local real estate agent Patricia Houlihan.

Houlihan will retain her existing Deep Cove office, which will become a satellite location for Century 21 In Town.

Brokerage owner Michael LaPrairie said he had been familiar with Houlihan and her presence in the local market for years before approaching her about joining the company.

“Patricia knows what she wants, and she’s become a big help in the office,” LaPrairie said. “She participates, she adds value, and she’s a mentor for other agents.”

Houlihan, who was previously with Coldwell Banker Prestige Realty, said other companies had approached her about making a move, but she connected with Century 21’s Vancouver roots and the atmosphere at In Town.

The expansion comes as Century 21 Canada marks its 50th anniversary in 2026.

Royal LePage Frank expands into Stouffville with new office

Royal LePage Frank Real Estate has expanded its Ontario footprint with the opening of a new office in Stouffville.

The brokerage opened the location at 37 Sandiford Dr. earlier this month, building on more than 65 years serving communities across Ontario.

“Stouffville feels like a natural fit for us,” said Dennis Roberts, broker and owner of Royal LePage Frank. “It is a community built on connection, local businesses, family values and a strong sense of belonging, qualities that have always been at the heart of Royal LePage Frank.”

The brokerage says several agents on its team have called Stouffville home for years, bringing local knowledge and existing ties to the community. It also plans to recruit additional real estate professionals as the new office grows.

“We want to grow here by becoming part of the community,” said Vicki Sweeney, director of business development.

Royal LePage Frank will hold a grand opening for the new office on Sept. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Industry updates

ITSO, First MLS launch cross-border listing connection

Ontario real estate professionals will have access to property listings across Georgia through a new cross-border connection between Information Technology Systems Ontario (ITSO) and First Multiple Listing Service (FMLS).

The organizations have announced an IntraMatrix connection between their MLS systems, giving authorized ITSO users access to residential and commercial listings in Georgia, while FMLS members will be able to search listings across ITSO’s Ontario network. FMLS is one of the largest multiple listing service organizations in the United States.

“By opening up cross-border listing access, we are giving Ontario real estate professionals new tools to meet the needs of clients who are increasingly looking beyond local markets, as well as the ability to generate new referrals,” said Nicole Pohl, 2025-26 ITSO chair.

FMLS president and CEO Jeremy Crawford said the partnership could help Canadian buyers searching in Atlanta and across Georgia, while giving U.S. buyers greater access to Ontario listings.

The organizations say the initiative is part of a broader effort to expand access to MLS data across Canada and the United States. 

In late 2025, ITSO opened cross-border listing access with Miami Realtors. 

Awards and accolades

Three Canadians named to Coldwell Banker 30 Under 30

Three Canadian real estate professionals have been named to Coldwell Banker’s 2026 30 Under 30 list, which recognizes emerging talent from across the company’s international network.

This year’s Canadian recipients are Nikki Grella, sales associate with Coldwell Banker Elevate Realty in Georgetown, Ont.; Kelsey Gliddon, sales associate with Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Centre in Gravenhurst, Ont.; and Sakshi Bhamre, marketing director with Coldwell Banker Sarazen Realty Brokerage in Ottawa.

The three were among 30 recipients selected from Coldwell Banker’s global network of 93,000 affiliated agents across more than 50 countries and territories.

The annual program recognizes professionals under 30 working in a range of real estate roles, with candidates evaluated on factors including production, innovation, niche expertise, community service and leadership.

“Together, they show the breadth of talent shaping our industry,” said Karim Kennedy, CEO of Coldwell Banker Canada.

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