Member Update June 2, 2020
REBGV joins provincial government’s anti-racism campaign
The REBGV has joined BC Lieutenant Governor Janet Austin’s #DifferentTogether pledge. Supporting this campaign means standing against racism and hate and promoting respect and opportunity for people from all backgrounds in BC.
The pledge states:
Our B.C. is inclusive and respects people of all ethnicities, cultures, and faiths and their contributions to our collective well-being.
Our B.C. holds diversity as a fundamental value at the heart of the success, strength and resilience of our communities, workplaces, schools, public and private institutions.
I pledge to uphold and promote these values and I commit to speaking up to oppose racism and hate in all its forms.
Our education team is researching how we can develop effective training for our profession that would help us further the goals of this campaign.
We encourage you to support the pledge. Learn more about the campaign here.
We’ll share more details on what we’re doing to support and participate in this campaign in the days and weeks ahead.
Get expert economic and housing market insights at June 9 virtual event
Gain a deeper understanding on how COVID-19 is impacting BC’s economy and housing market at our next virtual event on June 9 at 10 a.m.
Hear from the BC Real Estate Association's Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson and Marty Pospischil, president of the Pospischil Realty Group.
Brendon and Marty will discuss the key factors influencing the market, longer-term economic projections, and tips to help REALTORS® thrive in both today's environment and the post-pandemic recovery.
Registration for this free event starts tomorrow, June 3. Watch for the email in your inbox.
Nearly 300 members participated in our first virtual event on May 27 which featured Barry Trischuk, CEO and founder of Endurance Financial Services, on financial management tips REALTORS® should know during this pandemic.
Realtylink.org traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels
As the provincial government eases restrictions to re-start the economy, hopeful home buyers have returned to Realtylink.org, your Board’s public-facing home listings site.
Visitors to the site increased 32 per cent in May compared to April. Last month’s traffic was also up eight per cent compared to May 2019.
Visitors are spending more time on the site, looking at and sharing more listings, and are coming back to the site more often.
In our May housing market report, that we released today, we reported that home prices have remained steady throughout the pandemic and home buyers and sellers are becoming more comfortable operating and abiding by today’s physical distancing requirements. Click here to read our May stats release.
BC government announces commercial eviction ban
The BC government announced a ban yesterday on commercial evictions for businesses eligible for the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program, but whose landlords choose not to apply.
The Emergency Program Act (EPA) will protect eligible businesses from evictions due to unpaid rent payments through to the end of June 2020 and will be extended as long as CECRA is in place.
The EPA also restricts landlords from terminating lease agreements and repossessing goods and property.
You can read the announcement here.
Applying for CECRA
CECRA provides forgivable loans to landlords to help lower rents for small businesses and cover owners’ operating costs.
Register using the new CECRA portal.
For more information on CECRA, read this FAQ.
REALTORS® helping their communities during the pandemic – share your stories!
REALTORS® across Metro Vancouver have pitched in to help their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Most recently, Tina Mak of Coldwell Banker Westburn Realty in Burnaby, along with other members of Asian Real Estate Association of America, Vancouver chapter, have donated to food banks throughout Metro Vancouver as part of the association’s charitable giving program.
Click here for more on the great work our members have done to help front-line workers and others in need during this extraordinary time.
If you have a story to share, let us know! Email Fiona Youatt at fyouatt@rebgv.org.