07/28/2026
After many conversations and a great deal of reflection, I have made the decision to retire as Broker of Record and close Decoste Realty Inc., effective July 31st.
As I look back on the past 18 years, I do so with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
My real estate journey began in April 2008 with Century21 Action Power Team in Ottawa. Like every new REALTOR®, I was eager to learn, determined to succeed, and excited to help people achieve their dream of home ownership.
Only nine months later, an opportunity arose to join Rickerd Realty, where I had the privilege of working alongside Claire Rickerd. Claire became much more than a broker to me—she became a mentor. She generously shared her knowledge, experience, and wisdom, helping shape me into the REALTOR® and Broker I would become. I will always be grateful for everything she taught me and for the confidence she placed in me.
Then, in January 2014, I took the biggest leap of my career and opened Decoste Realty Inc.
Like any new business owner, I had hopes and dreams, but I never imagined just how much the brokerage would grow. Thanks to the incredible support of our community, the trust of our clients, and the dedication of the amazing REALTORS® who joined me along the way, Decoste Realty became more successful than I ever could have imagined.
Over the years, we had the privilege of helping hundreds of families buy and sell homes, farms, cottages, businesses, and vacant land throughout our region. More importantly, we built relationships that went far beyond the closing table. Many clients became friends, and many friends became clients. That trust is something I have never taken for granted.
While I'm proud of what Decoste Realty became, I'm even more proud of the reputation we built—a brokerage known for honesty, integrity, hard work, and always putting our clients first.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who stood beside me.
To my amazing wife, MJ, thank you for believing in me from the very beginning. Starting a brokerage was a leap of faith, and you never once doubted me. You stood beside me through the long days, late nights, endless phone calls, weekends away from home, and all the challenges that come with running a business. Your love, encouragement, patience, and unwavering support gave me the strength to keep moving forward. Every success I achieved was also yours.
To my children, Tristan, Hugo, and Mia, thank you for your patience and understanding throughout the years. So many family outings were interrupted by a phone call, a showing request, or someone stopping to ask a real estate question. You waited while those "quick conversations" turned into much longer ones, and you always understood that helping people was part of what Dad did. Thank you for sharing me with this profession.
To my father, thank you for the sacrifices you made without ever asking for recognition. While I was building my real estate career, you often carried the workload at the farm so I could answer calls, show properties, meet clients, and build my business. You gave me the flexibility to chase a dream while knowing the farm was in good hands. I will forever be grateful for that. Being able to return to the farm now and work alongside you again is something I will cherish.
A special thank you also goes to my assistant, Natalie, who has been by my side for almost ten years. You became a trusted teammate, a sounding board, and a friend.
To every REALTOR® who chose to be part of Decoste Realty, thank you for believing in our vision and helping build something we could all be proud of.
To my fellow REALTORS®, lawyers, mortgage professionals, home inspectors, appraisers, contractors and everyone I had the privilege of working alongside over the years, thank you for your friendship, professionalism, and support.
Most importantly, to every client who trusted me with one of the biggest decisions of their lives, thank you. Whether it was your first home, your forever home, your family farm, an investment property, or vacant land, it has truly been an honour to represent you. Thank you for your confidence, your loyalty, your referrals, and for allowing me to be part of such important moments in your lives.
As I reflect on this incredible journey, I don't think about the number of transactions completed or the milestones achieved. I think about the conversations around kitchen tables, the excitement of handing over keys to first-time buyers, helping families through difficult transitions, celebrating successful farm sales, the laughter, the friendships, and the countless memories that will stay with me forever.
It is time for me to return to the family farm full-time—a place that has always been part of who I am and where I know I am meant to be. While this decision is bittersweet, I leave with a full heart, countless memories, and immense gratitude for every person who has been part of this journey.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your friendship, your trust, your support, and for allowing me to do a job that I truly loved every single day.
It has been one of the greatest honours of my life.
With sincere gratitude,
Richard Decoste
