Latest news with #RoyalLePageBenchmark
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Royal LePage Benchmark Partners with Virtuo to Elevate the Agent and Client Experience
Partnership enables one of Alberta's leading brokerages to empower agents to deliver seamless, personalized, AI-empowered homeownership journeys. CALGARY, AB, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Virtuo, the AI-powered agent and buyer success platform that streamlines the homeownership journey, announced today a strategic partnership with Royal LePage Benchmark. Alberta's high-performing real estate brokerage will leverage Virtuo to equip their agents with an all-in-one platform to grow their business and enhance client experiences. With more than 200 agents, Royal LePage Benchmark is the largest Royal LePage franchise in Alberta and has built a reputation for excellence since its founding in 1978. Led by Corinne Lyall, the brokerage is committed to equipping its agents with innovative tools to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and live by its vision of "Helping You Is What We Do ®." "We are always looking for ways to support our agents in providing an exceptional client experience," said Lyall, Broker and Owner of Royal LePage Benchmark. "Virtuo gives our agents instant access to all brokerage tools in one platform while delivering a differentiated experience to their clients. This partnership is an investment in our agents and their success." Virtuo combines AI-driven technology with a human-led approach to enhance every stage of the homeownership experience. To date, Virtuo has helped 30,000 homebuyers transform the most stressful aspects of moving. HomieAI™ is designed specifically for individual agents and the homes they represent, delivering personalized insights and answering questions instantly, 24/7. Unlike generic chatbots, it draws from unique data provided by the agent, brokerage, and property to create a tailored experience for both clients and real estate professionals. Benchmark agents will benefit from Virtuo's AI-powered platform that delivers access to all the brokerage's tools, consistent branding and the ability to offer a differentiated experience that begins as soon as their clients go under contract on a home and extends through their homeownership journey. "Our collaboration with Royal LePage Benchmark marks a pivotal moment in real estate innovation and a shared vision of empowering agents with smart technology to create outstanding customer experience," said Virtuo Co-Founder and CEO Casey Kachur. "By leveraging AI to augment the personal touch, we're setting a new standard for real estate professionals, not just improving the agent and client experience – we're redefining it." About Royal LePage BenchmarkRoyal LePage Benchmark is a respected, award-winning, family-owned real estate brokerage based in Calgary, Alberta. With a proud history dating back to 1978, we've served Alberta communities for over 45 years. Originally launched under the Realty World brand, the company evolved under the leadership of founder Jan Lyall and her daughter Corinne Lyall, who became Broker/Owner in 2008. Today, Royal LePage Benchmark is home to over 200 full-time REALTORS® and a robust support team across multiple Alberta locations, including Calgary, Cochrane, Strathmore, Airdrie, and Fort McMurray. The brokerage has been nationally recognized with the Royal LePage Canada Brokerage of the Year (2020), Prairies Brokerage of the Year, and several National Technology, Charitable, and Recruiter of the Year awards. Led by Corinne Lyall and a dedicated leadership team, Royal LePage Benchmark is known for its commitment to professionalism, agent development, community involvement, and integrity. With a legacy of excellence and innovation, we continue to support our clients and REALTORS® with the tools, coaching, and culture to thrive. For more information, visit About VirtuoVirtuo is the leading AI-powered home concierge platform, streamlining the homeownership journey for builders, brokerages and service providers. By seamlessly integrating advanced technology with personalized service, Virtuo ensures a smooth experience from contract to move-in and beyond. Learn more at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Virtuo Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Cision Canada
23-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Royal LePage Benchmark Partners with Virtuo to Elevate the Agent and Client Experience
Partnership enables one of Alberta's leading brokerages to empower agents to deliver seamless, personalized, AI-empowered homeownership journeys. CALGARY, AB, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Virtuo, the AI-powered agent and buyer success platform that streamlines the homeownership journey, announced today a strategic partnership with Royal LePage Benchmark. Alberta's high-performing real estate brokerage will leverage Virtuo to equip their agents with an all-in-one platform to grow their business and enhance client experiences. With more than 200 agents, Royal LePage Benchmark is the largest Royal LePage franchise in Alberta and has built a reputation for excellence since its founding in 1978. Led by Corinne Lyall, the brokerage is committed to equipping its agents with innovative tools to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and live by its vision of "Helping You Is What We Do ®." "We are always looking for ways to support our agents in providing an exceptional client experience," said Lyall, Broker and Owner of Royal LePage Benchmark. "Virtuo gives our agents instant access to all brokerage tools in one platform while delivering a differentiated experience to their clients. This partnership is an investment in our agents and their success." Virtuo combines AI-driven technology with a human-led approach to enhance every stage of the homeownership experience. To date, Virtuo has helped 30,000 homebuyers transform the most stressful aspects of moving. HomieAI™ is designed specifically for individual agents and the homes they represent, delivering personalized insights and answering questions instantly, 24/7. Unlike generic chatbots, it draws from unique data provided by the agent, brokerage, and property to create a tailored experience for both clients and real estate professionals. Benchmark agents will benefit from Virtuo's AI-powered platform that delivers access to all the brokerage's tools, consistent branding and the ability to offer a differentiated experience that begins as soon as their clients go under contract on a home and extends through their homeownership journey. "Our collaboration with Royal LePage Benchmark marks a pivotal moment in real estate innovation and a shared vision of empowering agents with smart technology to create outstanding customer experience," said Virtuo Co-Founder and CEO Casey Kachur. "By leveraging AI to augment the personal touch, we're setting a new standard for real estate professionals, not just improving the agent and client experience – we're redefining it." About Royal LePage Benchmark Royal LePage Benchmark is a respected, award-winning, family-owned real estate brokerage based in Calgary, Alberta. With a proud history dating back to 1978, we've served Alberta communities for over 45 years. Originally launched under the Realty World brand, the company evolved under the leadership of founder Jan Lyall and her daughter Corinne Lyall, who became Broker/Owner in 2008. Today, Royal LePage Benchmark is home to over 200 full-time REALTORS® and a robust support team across multiple Alberta locations, including Calgary, Cochrane, Strathmore, Airdrie, and Fort McMurray. The brokerage has been nationally recognized with the Royal LePage Canada Brokerage of the Year (2020), Prairies Brokerage of the Year, and several National Technology, Charitable, and Recruiter of the Year awards. Led by Corinne Lyall and a dedicated leadership team, Royal LePage Benchmark is known for its commitment to professionalism, agent development, community involvement, and integrity. With a legacy of excellence and innovation, we continue to support our clients and REALTORS® with the tools, coaching, and culture to thrive. For more information, visit About Virtuo Virtuo is the leading AI-powered home concierge platform, streamlining the homeownership journey for builders, brokerages and service providers. By seamlessly integrating advanced technology with personalized service, Virtuo ensures a smooth experience from contract to move-in and beyond. Learn more at
Calgary Herald
12-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Downsizing shapes up differently for gen Xers in Alberta
Article content The next crop of new retirees plans to do things differently than those before them, at least when it comes to real estate. Article content 'We've got people near retirement age, looking to downsize after their kids are grown and have moved out and they're looking for less space,' says Natosha Wareham-Bakker, realtor at Royal LePage Benchmark in Cochrane, who also works in Calgary. Article content Article content Article content 'But many are going into that next stage with a mortgage because housing prices are not what they were 20 years ago.' Article content Article content A new survey from Royal LePage of realtors and retiring homeowners supports what the local realtor is seeing among new retirees. It shows that of those Canadians retiring in the next two years, nearly three in 10 will carry a mortgage. Article content What's more, 46 per cent of all nearly retired respondents plan to downsize before or shortly after retiring. Article content In its survey of realtors, Royal LePage found real estate agents estimated about four in 10 near retirees planning to downsize will move to a standard condominium whereas one in four plan to move to an age 55-plus community. Article content In Alberta, however, realtors note not having any near-retirees planning to move to a condominium, while 50 per cent indicate moving to a 55-plus community. Article content Article content 'In Alberta, there is a lower average instance of downsizing than in other parts of the country,' says Anne-Elise Cugliari Allegritti, national director of research and communications at Royal LePage in Vancouver. Article content One reason for that lower rate could be the preference for downsizing in the province, whereby they are not looking at the abundant apartment condominium options as much as they seek villa-style 55-plus communities. Article content 'There is less supply and more competition to find that right-sized property,' she adds. Article content Downsizing clients are indeed favouring bungalows and villa-style homes with typically one floor of living space, Wareham-Bakker says. Article content 'The 55-plus communities are appealing to people who don't have to rush to work every day,' she says, noting these often new developments are amenity rich.
Calgary Herald
01-05-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Supply to remain tight for affordable single-family homes
Article content Article content A new report forecasting real estate resale activity in Canada, including Calgary, reveals that prices are expected to increase by the end of the year amid economic uncertainty related to tariffs. That will dampen demand somewhat, but prices still will be boosted by a lack of affordable choice in most markets. That's especially so in Calgary, the Royal LePage Q1 2025 Home Price Update and Market Forecast shows, where the average price is expected to climb three per cent by year's end over 2024 to nearly $710,000. Article content Article content That's among the lowest percentage growth forecasts in the report, which predicts the national average price will climb five per cent to nearly $861,000. Article content Article content 'We're in a more stable market than we were,' says Corinne Lyall, Broker/owner of Royal LePage Benchmark in Calgary. To that end, first quarter data from the Calgary Real Estate Board shows the market exhibited balanced conditions between supply and demand in all four housing segments. Article content What's more, sales had fallen 17 per cent yet to date ending March 31, while inventory had increased 83 per cent. And the benchmark price — the cost of the typical home in Calgary — had just gained 0.1 per cent year over year to reach $587,709. Indeed, it's a good news story for buyers, who had faced much more challenging conditions a year ago, and it's largely reflected in the forecast for all of Canada's major markets, says Vancouver real estate agent Adil Dinani, spokesperson for Royal LePage West. Article content 'If you're a buyer and you do have confidence in your employment situation, the market is pretty attractive,' he says. The Royal LePage report reveals that the average price of a home in Canada was up 1.5 per cent year over year in Canada — an increase below inflation — to $829,400 in the first quarter (Jan. 1 to March 31) of 2025. Article content Article content At the same time many markets are seeing more supply than in recent years. Article content 'For the first time in 10 years, we have more than 16,000 listings in the Greater Vancouver Area,' he says. Article content Calgary buyers, too, have more choice, especially in the city's condo market. Article content 'Our rental market is growing,' says Lyall, noting the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. data from last fall shows vacancy among purpose-built rentals climbing to 4.8 per cent from the year before at 1.4 per cent. Article content 'People have more choice, and so they tend to rent instead of buying a condo,' Lyall notes, explaining why the housing segment — the least costly of all types — has seen a drop in demand. Condominium apartment resales fell 29 per cent YTD, the most of any segment. Article content Yet the market remains tight for the most in-demand housing type — single-family detached homes, at least affordably priced ones. Article content The benchmark price for a single-family home in Calgary, as of March 31, was about $760,000, CREB statistics from the first quarter show.
