Meet the New CEO of REALTOR.ca: A Conversation with Scott Neil
If you haven’t heard by now, REALTOR.ca has a new head of the household.
Before we get into job descriptions and big-picture thinking, we wanted to give you the opportunity to get to know Scott Neil as the person, not just the CEO.
Scott joined REALTOR.ca in January, previously serving the role of CEO at Kijiji.
During his first week in Ottawa, Scott balanced settling into the job, getting to know the REALTOR.ca team, and yes, house hunting.
We sat down with him for a candid Q&A about what drew him here, how he sees REALTOR.ca’s role within Canada’s real estate landscape, and where he’s excited to take things next.
And because no introduction is complete without a few curveball questions, we also put Scott in the hot seat for a quick round of 60 Seconds with Scott, covering everything from work to life outside the office. (Take a guess what he wanted to be growing up!)
Why REALTOR.ca, and why now?
REALTOR.ca Living Room: “What drew you to REALTOR.ca at this point in your career?”
Scott Neil: “This is a once in a career opportunity in Canada. REALTOR.ca is one of the most trusted brands in the country and millions of Canadians rely on it at one of the most important moments of their lives. There is a strong foundation here and a real opportunity to build on it and make a meaningful impact for both Canadians and REALTORS®.”
From listings to real life
Living Room: “You recently relocated to Ottawa. How has the transition been… and are you using a REALTOR® or REALTOR.ca?”
Scott: “We are still in the process of relocating, but REALTOR.ca has been a big part of that journey. We used REALTOR.ca to sell our home in Huntsville and now to find a rental in Ottawa while we get to know the city. Our REALTOR® in Huntsville was outstanding and made what could have been a stressful process feel simple and well managed. That experience really reinforced the value of the platform and the professionals behind it.”
Living Room: “When you’re not working, how do you like to spend your time?”
Scott: “I am a very active person and I love being outdoors. I spend as much time as I can cycling, hiking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. My wife and I also really enjoy discovering new restaurants and spending time with friends and family.”
Leading with trust
Living Room: “What makes REALTOR.ca uniquely important in Canada’s real estate landscape?”
Scott: “REALTOR.ca is not just the leading real estate site in Canada — it is the authority. Canadians rely on us for accurate, transparent, and trusted information. REALTORS® rely on us to connect them with serious buyers and sellers. We are the marketplace that brings both sides together in a way no one else can.”
Living Room: “As the No. 1 real estate site in Canada, what responsibility comes with that position?”
Scott: “With that position comes a tremendous responsibility. We have a duty to protect the trust Canadians place in us while continuing to evolve and grow the platform. When we put users first and deliver real value, it also creates strong outcomes for REALTORS® and allows us to keep investing in making the platform even better.”
Living Room: “How do you think about innovation while maintaining trust and accuracy?”
Scott: “Trust, transparency, and accuracy are not barriers to innovation. They are the foundation of it. By using technologies like AI and machine learning in thoughtful ways, we can give Canadians better insights, better experiences, and even more confidence in the information they are using to make important decisions.”
Looking ahead
Living Room: “What excites you most about where REALTOR.ca can grow next?”
Scott: “What excites me most is expanding REALTOR.ca beyond just search and listings into the full home journey. From discovering and planning, to buying or renting, to moving, owning, living, and eventually selling, we can be the destination for everything connected to a home. That is a powerful opportunity.”
Living Room: “The real estate industry is navigating a lot of change. How can REALTOR.ca support Canadians during uncertain moments?”
Scott: “During uncertain times, people need clarity and trusted guidance. REALTOR.ca provides reliable data, transparent information, and access to professional REALTORS® who can help people understand their options and make confident decisions. That stability really matters when things feel uncertain.”
Living Room: “What role do REALTORS® play in maintaining trust and confidence in the marketplace?”
Scott: “REALTORS® are at the heart of trust in Canadian real estate. They bring expertise, ethics, and accountability to every transaction. REALTOR.ca gives Canadians the data and the listings, but REALTORS® provide the guidance and human judgment that turn that information into confident decisions. Together, that is what keeps the market working.”
What comes through clearly in talking with Scott is a deep respect for the role REALTOR.ca plays in people’s lives and for the professionals who help guide them through it.
As Canadians continue to navigate a changing real estate landscape, REALTOR.ca remains focused on what has always mattered most: trust, accuracy, and helping people make confident decisions about home.
We’re excited to have Scott leading the way — and we’re just getting started!
