The commercial, which will run from Aug 23 through the week of Oct 18, is part of the $2 million fall advertising campaign that CREA uses to promote its nearly 100,000 agents and brokers. Some believe the flashy commercial is an attempt to bolster public opinion of CREAs members in light of an ongoing court battle.

The association is being brought before the Competition Tribunal with allegations of non-competitiveness in regards to their monopolizing of the popular Multiple Listings Service (MLS). Currently, in order to have a home listed on the MLS you have to hire the services of a professional Realtor. The issue here is if you want to sell your home on your own, you are not able to use the MLS service. (Follow the link below for more about the court battle)

Association president, Georges Pahud, states the commercial is just part of an ongoing strategy to create awareness for the importance of using a REALTOR, not a response to the court battle. Either way, the timing of the commercial, which is the most costly endeavor since CREA begin its advertising campaign in 2006, could not be better as they try to regain public favor.

A disturbing trend that is developing is the sharp increase in strategic defaults. A strategic default is when a homeowner defaults on their mortgage, which is higher than the value of the property, despite having the financial means to make the payments. Previously, actions such as a strategic default, or an outright foreclosure, would have a negative social stigma attached to them. Now, because they are commonplace they have become acceptable, and in some cases encouraged.

If we could just be content, much of the country's financial woes would be alleviated. Making the decision to purchase a house is exciting and stressful, but once the deal is done a sense of pride and accomplishment is bestowed upon the new homeowner and their family. Once settled in the house, personal changes are made that transform the house into a home. At this point, should the value of the property really matter? Just because the mortgage is greater than the property's worth, does that make it any less a home? The reasons for owning a home go far beyond that of a financial investment and a chance to get a return on that investment. Can you put a cost on uprooting your family from their home simply because the value has decreased? Is the stress and worry really worth it?

Being content with the things we have could save us all a lot of grief. After all, when we bought that new home, or car, or set of golf clubs were they not the greatest things ever, and something to brag about? So why, just because a newer model or style hits the market, do we feel compelled to upgrade? Being content is akin to living within one's means; if you are constantly striving for things you cannot afford you will never be content. Of course this goes against our country's capitalist ideals of always wanting more, but if we could limit our lifestyles to the things we can afford the state of the nation would be far better off.