REIC NEXT WinnersREIC Next is a national student pitch competition to give students the opportunity to showcase their ideas and perspective while trying to answer pressing issues about the state of the real estate industry.
Each recipient submitted a 30-90 second video answering a question in 1 of 4 categories. |
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2026
Grand Prize Winner
Gaurav Dongol
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Gaurav earned the overall winner and grand prize for presenting a thoughtful, data-driven solution to one of the real estate industry's most pressing challenges: public trust. The judges agreed that his proposal of a national trust-rating system showed insight,and originality with practical application.
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Category Winners
Policy/Future of Housing
The Question: If you were Prime Minister, what legislation would you introduce to meaningfully improve housing affordability in Canada?
Perfecto Villalba
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Perfecto was recognized in this category for his well-researched and balanced policy proposal addressing housing affordability. Judges praised his thoughtful attention to policy details, and practical approach to increasing housing supply while supporting low-income homebuyers. His ability to pair ambitious solutions with targeted implementation considerations made his proposal standout.
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Property Management
The Question: How could property managers navigate conflicting interests between tenants, owners, and investors better?
Kusal Amarathunge
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Kusal's winning submission focused on one of the most important yet often overlooked elements of property management: trust. His proposal centred on using transparency and documentation to strengthen landlord-tenant relationships, with a practical platform that records maintenance, inspections, and communication. Judges felt his submission offered a meaningful and realistic approach to reducing conflict, increasing accountability, and building confidence between all parties.
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Finance/Investment
The Question: What financial solutions or products would make homeownership more attainable and accessible for Canadians?
Kelly Diep
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Kelly was recognized for her innovative approach to helping first-time buyers achieve homeownership. Judges praised her strong understanding of the challenges facing younger generations and her creative rent-to-own model, which balances the flexibility of renting with the opportunity to build equity. Her thoughtful analysis, practical solution, and confident delivery made her the standout winner in the Finance & Investment category.
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Sales
The Question: How would you build and maintain trust with buyers and sellers in today's real estate environment?
Gaurav Dongol
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Gaurav was selected for his innovative and well-supported proposal to strengthen trust in the real estate industry. Judges praised his ability to identify a genuine industry challenge, support his argument with data and research, and present a practical solution through a proposed National Trust Score. His presentation stood out for its originality, actionable ideas, and industry-wide perspective on transparency and accountability.
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