Rick Crouch, Broker Sotheby's International Realty Canada

08/21/2026

Whenever and wherever I can, I always tried to make a point of volunteering and giving back.

Once again I am again pleased and am looking forward to volunteering at this year's Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance car show on Sunday September 20th. Not only am I a car enthusiast but proceeds from the Cobble Beach Concours d'Elegance go directly to two main healthcare organizations: the Sunnybrook Foundation (supporting the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre) and the Brightshores Health Systems Owen Sound Foundation (formerly Owen Sound Regional Hospital Foundation). Sunnybrook took great car of my day, so I have a personal connection there.
This is a great event with something for everyone from horseless carriages to antique and classic cars, muscle cars, motorcycles plus specialty and experimental cars you seldom see anywhere.
Prior to Sunday’s show, Saturday has Cars and Coffee in downtown Owen Sound where a wide variety of car will be on display. Admission for spectators is free; car owners pay a nominal entry free with the money again going to charity. We take my wife’s 1980 Corvette and always meet some nice people as w tour about the cars on display.
This is just another event that makes living in the Southern Georgian Bay area so enjoyable.

08/04/2026

When I enterd the real profession over 25 yeas ago, I was under no illusion that it was an "easy business" in which to succeed.

By then I had bought and sold several homes as the result of job relocations including one in the U.S. To coin a title from one of Clint Eastwood's movies I had dealt with "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" in real estate agents. In setting out in what was a seoncd career and based on my personal expereince, one of my goals was simply to do the basic things required as a REALTOR® really well. I have never veered from that path and as shown in this just received client testimonial it has served both myself and my clients well.

"Greetings Rick ! We are so grateful to you for being SO proactive and thorough handling our real estate journey.

In such a depressed housing market filled with uncertainty, and given the plethora of houses for sale just on our street all with inflated asking prices, its incredible that you got us sold in less than a week WITHOUT price reduction so typical of most sales.

A HUGE THANK YOU for your professionalism and guidance through what was a very complicated sell and buy process. We will recommend your services to everyone we hear of looking for a wonderful agent.

You gave new meaning to the concept of 'customer service!"

Sincerely - Debbie and Paul C. (Midland)

08/03/2026

MLS® condominoum sales in the Southern Georgian Bay area through the first half of 2026 remain overall, relatively consistent despite weaker sales in both May and June. See my mid-year Condo Communique market report to learn what Buyers and Sellers need to know in the current market.

07/26/2026

How do you spend your Saturday night? My first attempt at making butter tarts with a long term secret family recipe. Plain, raisin and pecan.

I think I have many talents. We are about to find out if this can be added to my resume. LOL

07/22/2026

The first half of 2026 has confirmed what many Buyers and Sellers have already sensed, the Southern Georgian Bay real estate market like many orhers has become more balanced, more competitive, and far more strategic than the extraordinary market we experienced during the COVID 19 pandemic.

While activity in June delivered modest year-over-year improvements in both the number of homes sold and overall dollar volume, the broader picture tells a different story.

Cliick the link below for a full report of the information you need to know whether selling, buying or both in today's changing real esatet landscape.

The first half of 2026 has confirmed what many Buyers and Sellers have already sensed, the Southern Georgian Bay real estate market like many orhers has become more balanced, more competitive, and far more strategic than the extraordinary market we experienced during the COVID 19 pandemic. While Jun...

07/19/2026

Wildfires Don't Recognize Borders 🌲
As smoke continues to drift across Canada and the United States, it's easy to assume the fires are confined to one country—or to believe the political rhetoric surrounding them. The reality is far different.
The forests of northern Minnesota and northwestern Ontario form one of the largest continuous wilderness areas in North America. When lightning ignites dry forests during periods of extreme heat, low humidity, and strong winds, wildfires spread according to the forces of nature—not international boundaries.
In my latest blog, I take a closer look at the facts behind the current wildfire situation, explain how fires have crossed the Canada–U.S. border in both directions, and why the evidence does not support claims that this is simply the result of neglect by one government or the other. Instead, it is a story of shared challenges, extraordinary cooperation between Canadian and American firefighters, and the realities of managing one of the world's largest wilderness ecosystems.
If you're looking for a balanced, evidence-based perspective on what's really happening, I invite you to read the full article and share it with others.
What are your thoughts? Do you think enough attention is being given to the science behind wildfire behaviour rather than the politics?

A shared wilderness, a shared challenge, and why this is not a story of government neglect. Real estate is not confined to our homes, our weekend retreats, recreational destinations, our places of work, workship and elsewhere. It the very plant that we all all call home. Over the past week Canada ha...