The History of
The Nature of Real Estate
Founded in 2007, The Nature of Real Estate was born out of Suze Cumming’s desire to bring a fresh, principled approach to real estate coaching and professional development. With decades of experience as a high-performing agent in Toronto, Suze recognized a critical gap in the industry—agents were hungry for meaningful, high-level training that prioritized ethics, strategy, and mastery over outdated sales tactics.
The Early Years: A Bold Vision
The journey began in Whistler, British Columbia, where Suze combined her passion for adventure with her deep knowledge of real estate. In its earliest iteration, The Nature of Real Estate took top REALTORS® into the wilderness for Wilderness Explores, immersive leadership and negotiation retreats designed to push participants beyond their comfort zones. These experiences were transformative, laying the foundation for a coaching philosophy rooted in resilience, adaptability, and authentic connection.
Evolving with the Industry
As the real estate landscape evolved, so did The Nature of Real Estate. The company expanded beyond in-person retreats to offer robust negotiation training in classrooms across the country. The early negotiation course, known as the CNE and the MCNE were the most sought-after courses ever offered in real estate. They consistently sold out at real estate boards in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (Trreb) at one point considered pausing the courses as they were causing aggressive behaviour as members fought for the final spots in the classes.
When Covid hit, the team at The Nature of Real Estate pivoted fast and created an effective online learning platform, providing REALTORS® across Canada with access to cutting-edge training in negotiation, leadership, and business development. The focus remained the same: elevating the profession by equipping agents with the skills they need to succeed in an increasingly complex market.
The success of the training at The Nature of Real Estate is a result of the development of negotiation training programs that challenged the industry’s traditional mindset. By incorporating principles from Harvard Business School and the International Coaching Federation, Suze crafted a curriculum that gave REALTORS® an edge—not through aggressive sales tactics, but through skilled, principled negotiation.
A Commitment to Excellence
Today, The Nature of Real Estate is recognized as a leader in real estate education, offering advanced negotiation training, consulting, and professional development for ambitious REALTORS®. The company’s flagship certification programs and live training courses attract high-caliber professionals who seek not just to survive in real estate, but to excel.
At its core, The Nature of Real Estate remains driven by the same principles that sparked its creation: integrity, mastery, and a commitment to pushing the industry forward. With a growing community of professionals who share this vision, the company continues to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to be a successful REALTOR® in today’s world.
Looking Ahead
As real estate continues to change, so too will The Nature of Real Estate. With an ever-expanding suite of training programs, consulting services, and community initiatives, the mission remains clear: to empower REALTORS® with the knowledge, confidence, and ethical foundation needed to thrive in an unpredictable market.
From its roots in the wilderness to its place at the forefront of professional real estate education, The Nature of Real Estate is more than a company—it’s a movement, one that continues to inspire and elevate the industry one agent at a time.