REALTOR® NEWSREALTOR® NEWS
April 29, 2020
COVID-19: What you need to know



Featured News

Attend our virtual annual general meeting on May 7

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We’ve shifted this year’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) to a virtual event to ensure appropriate physical distancing.

This year’s AGM will be held online next Thursday, May 7, at 10 a.m. Members will be able to participate and vote on motions and resolutions at the meeting. 

Register online (log-in required) or call 604-730-3090 or email memberservices@rebgv.org.  

We’ll send you the access link no later than 24 hours prior to the meeting. 

Read our AGM package before the meeting. 

We hope to see you there!

What you need to know

Access and connecting to the AGM webinar

  • Use a desktop computer or a laptop computer, not a mobile device. A device with Windows 10 or a MacBook Pro with the latest version of MacOS (Catalina) is recommended. 
  • A highspeed internet connection is required. A wired connection is preferable to a wireless connection.
  • You’ll need the most up-to-date versions of the Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox web browsers. Chrome and Firefox are the preferred web browsers. Older versions will not work, nor will Internet Explorer.
  • Video and audio for members will be disabled.
  • Get more info on system requirements here.

Q&A periods

  • Q&A will be available during scheduled times.
  • You can submit questions using the Q&A button from the chat icon.

Voting

  • You'll vote on resolutions using the polling feature from the chat icon.
  • You'll see vote results from the 'Closed' tab in the polling feature from the chat icon.

Support

We'll share more support resources and information in the coming days.

Need help? Call us at 604-730-3020.

COVID-19 info and resources for you, your employees, and your clients

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The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted our lives and the way we do business.

To help, we’ve compiled information and resources to help you understand how to operate in today’s market and what government assistance is available for you, your employees, and your clients.

REALTOR® resources

Errors and Omissions Insurance (E&O)  Learn more

Conveyancing during COVID-19  Learn more

Provincial government's rental support measures, landlord restrictions, and eviction moratorium rules  Learn more

Realtors are an essential service  Learn more

REBGV strongly recommends no Open Houses  Learn more

MLS® rule change for showings  Learn more

COVID-19 FAQ: Dealing with contracts and disclosure requirements  Learn more

COVID-19 and the housing market  Learn more

Social media updates 

For the latest information on COVID-19 and how it's affecting Board operations, the profession, and the market, follow us on social media.


Client resources

We’ve created an article to help buyers and sellers understand what to expect during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Learn more.

Board President Ashley Smith discussed how the real estate community is adapting during the pandemic and how the public can work with their Realtor in today’s environment. In the article, Ashley goes over the innovations Realtors are using to help serve their clients during this crisis. Read it here.


Government financial support programs

The federal government has announced a series of measures to help support small businesses through the COVID-19 crisis.  Learn more.

For Realtors

Federal programs for Realtors and brokerages

Federal programs for clients

Provincial programs for Realtors and brokerages

Provincial programs for clients

Local government programs

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Listen to our new audiobooks and earn PDP hours

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We’ve created a series of audiobooks for members that qualify for self-directed PDP hours. The first of these books is called Business Etiquette for REALTORS®, featuring the Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer.

This hour-long audiobook highlights best practices to follow in your interactions with clients and other members. Learn how to deal with conflict and get tips on how to provide outstanding service to your clients.

Kim Spencer leads you through some critical “Do’s and Don’ts” of real estate etiquette. You’ll learn from the mistakes of others, and the secrets of some respected and successful Realtors.

We’ll give away 15 of these audiobooks to members who complete this survey.

Autoprop webinars

The makers of Autoprop are offering free live webinars twice a week.

These one-hour sessions also qualify for self-directed PDP hours and cover a range of topics, including:

  • Leveraging Autoprop reports to keep lines of communication open with your clients
  • Land assembly prospecting
  • Autoprop Enterprise features

You can take these webinars as often as you’d like, but only your first session will qualify for self-directed hours in your current cycle.

Click here to view the calendar and to register.

If they'd said yes instead of no, we'd have had a deal

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There’s more than one way to skin a cat, as they say. There’s always a deal to be made if you can find the right people. A favourite mentor of mine, Al, used to say, “If they’d said yes instead of no, I’d have had a deal.” What a guy, I love that remark. It’s one only someone in sales can really appreciate.  

Sitting here, at my dining room table, waiting for divine inspiration in the face of a looming copy deadline, I’m thinking about suitable and timely topics that might interest you. Even with my creative process occasionally sidelined by increasingly frequent Zoom meetings, punctuated with the occasional member question, there’s still ample time to think about what to write.  

Who knew I’d be so very pleased to hear the phone ring? Not as many rings as usual, but there seems to be some life out there, suggesting to me the patient isn’t dead. They might be in the ER, looking for some oxygen and meds, but that’s still a long way from being in the morgue.  

This is Metro Vancouver, remember, one of the most desirable places on planet Earth to live. I’d be more worried if we lived and worked in a place where developable land is abundant without a stampede of buyers clamouring to buy a piece of paradise. That isn’t the case here, but current statistics do tell a tale. A robust early March market has changed to a slower April one. We know there’ll be a rebound but, in the meantime, what’s a member to do? Bills must be paid and even if these are manageable, it’s important to give purpose to our days by following a plan. 

In most markets focusing your efforts on taking listings is key. Working with buyers in normal markets can be hit and miss. We’ve all got the scars to prove it. While not ignoring your prospecting for listings effort (because who wouldn’t want a serious, motivated seller with an immediate need to sell their realistically priced and showable home right now?), it strikes me there’s room for some additional focus on prospecting for buyers, something we don’t usually do as much.  

Buyers just always seem to be there. It’s listings that are usually harder to find. But in this market, a lot of buyers have gone to the sidelines, waiting to see what the market will do first, not wanting to make a mistake by timing the market wrong. And while this is a prudent strategy, it isn’t one that often leads to a really good result.  

Contrarians try to do what others aren’t doing, meaning, they sell when everyone else is buying and they buy when everyone is selling. Think about this: If you have a savvy buyer willing to leap when others won’t, wouldn’t this be a good thing? 

Just like a hot, well-priced showable listing, a buyer with the motivation and means to buy right now has got to be a good prospect to work with. The problem is, how do you find one? 

Think about what you’ve been doing to find sellers. Would any of what you do work just as well for finding serious, motivated buyers? Sure it will. You just need to identify these buyers and develop a suitable pitch to get them off the sidelines, turning them from spectators to participants. 

There isn’t enough room in this column to get too detailed. But obviously, you’ll need to do some advertising and make a lot of direct contacts to find the kind of buyer who has the stones and the means to make a buy in this market. 

Your client list would be a good place to start. (Remember to adhere to anti-spam legislation).  

Contact everyone on your list, reminding them of the old real estate adage, “you buy up in a down market.” Think about ways you can seed this idea with buyers. Do they understand that moving up to a more expensive place costs less in real dollars now than when the market is hot? Expensive properties often take a bigger market hit than more affordable ones in slow markets. This means that if you buy up in a down market, the price differential is smaller than it is in a hot market. 

And, when times are tough, motivated sellers can be more flexible. Plus, you probably won’t have as much competition from other buyers and their agents at offer presentation time. You’d also have a good selection of product to show your buyers, unlike markets where listings are scarce.  

See? That’s a good story to tell your buyers. 

So, if you’d normally advertise your hot listing to all and sundry in a good market to attract buyers, why not turn things on their head by advertising your hot buyer to sellers in a slower market? For example, you could advertise your serious, motivated buyers by profiling them in your advertising. (Obviously, you wouldn’t reveal personal and confidential information). This aside, what could be wrong with advertising five of your potential buyer profiles prominently on your website, suggesting that motivated sellers and/or their agents should connect with you? 

This could work. It once did for me. In a market where buyers were scarce, I had a seller who was really in a bind. One day he called to tell me he knew someone who had the motivation and means to buy his place. (What a great seller to have had. I cherished that guy.) He wanted me to write a contract of purchase and sale for him as seller to present to this motivated buyer. In other words, the opposite of what we usually do, when buyers make offers to sellers. I’d been twiddling my thumbs all week so I jumped at the chance to take this weird journey with him. We wrote the offer and I solemnly presented it to the buyer through his agent. Sadly, it didn’t go anywhere because the buyer had other fish to fry. But there’s no reason why this idea couldn’t work for you.  

Or, have you considered selling a place by agreement for sale? Do you have motivated buyers without the necessary cash or ability to satisfy traditional lenders? I’ll bet you do.  

With lenders being more tight-fisted lately, a sale made by way of an agreement for sale might be just the ticket. “Huh,” you’re saying, “What’s an Agreement for Sale?”  

Unlike a traditional sale with a mortgage where the buyer goes on title as the owner, with the lender appearing as a charge-holder, an agreement for sale leaves the seller on title, with the buyer being a charge holder with the right to clear off the seller’s name from title when the loan is paid.  

This is a nice security for sellers who have clear title properties, especially those who’d like to derive a steady stream of payments on top of a goodly down payment from the buyer. An agreement for sale might work here.  

The length (term) of the agreement is up to the seller and the buyer. If the buyer stops making payments, the seller can follow a legal process similar to what happens when a borrower defaults under a mortgage, for example, a court-ordered sale or foreclosure. Since I’m not a lawyer, there may be more about agreements for sale that you and your clients need to know before considering one. So, as always, present this as an option suggesting your client get legal advice and then instruct you.  

Another option you could talk to your sellers about is offering seller-take-back mortgages as a way of helping buyers to get their foot in the door. Check with a mortgage professional and lawyers about this first. 

See? You’ve now got something new to talk about in your buyer profile advertising. I can see your ad now: “Sellers, are you looking for a really serious, motivated buyer who has the means to buy your place? I’ve got five hot buyers right now. Give me a call, I’d be happy to see if we can make a match.” 

There’s more than one way to skin a cat. In today’s column, we looked at three. If you have numbers four and five, let me know and I’ll look at writing about them in a future column. And, circling back to our column’s title, getting someone to say yes instead of no requires some flexibility in approach, now more than ever. Think creatively. You never know whether a new approach will work until you give it a try. 

Top Tips: Two reminders 

1. Open houses  

Inviting people to come in and take a look in-person is strongly discouraged, as we know. I’ve received a few calls this week from members pointing out colleagues who, they think, are still holding open houses. It turns out most were virtual open houses with showings, for example, being held between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with the member live-streaming tours every 15 minutes. There were, however, some “real” open houses being held. Not cool, under the current health emergency. Doing so is not only a potential health risk to members, their families and everyone they deal with, it’s a reputational issue for the profession. We’re all judged by the actions of a few, as we learned to our dismay in 2016. Let’s not have a repeat performance please. 

2. Showing requirements for Rules of Cooperation, 3.22 

These have been suspended for the time being. However, the technical requirements still apply if there are to be delayed showings, or showings subject to accepted offer, these must be approved by the seller in writing by noting them on the listings’ Schedule A, along with a heads-up reminder to members in the listings’ Realtor Remarks and a Direction Regarding Presentation of Offers form if required. 

COVID-19 government support, deferring property taxes, and anti-spam updates

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Government benefits, subsidies, funding 

Here’s up-to-date information on benefits, grants, subsidies, payment and tax deferrals, and more available from governments and private industry for businesses and individuals experiencing financial loss due to COVID-19. 

Read more.  

Applying to defer property taxes? Municipalities say good-bye to paper 

If your clients plan to defer their property taxes, let them know they’ll have to apply online. Municipalities throughout the province no longer accept paper applications. Here’s how to request a deferral online. 

Read more

Update on anti-spam in the time of COVID-19 

COVID-19 has temporarily sidelined open-houses and in-person networking. But before you decide to go looking for clients online, take a few minutes for this reminder on Canada’s anti-spam legislation (CASL). 

Read more

ICYMI: Add your livestream showing links to Paragon

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You can now add a link to your livestream showing or open houses in Paragon.   

The links you add in Paragon will flow through to REALTOR.ca. If you want to add or change a livestream open house link that you’ve posted on REALTOR.ca, you’ll need to do so in Paragon. 

You’ll soon be able to add this information to your VOWs and MLS® Reciprocity websites. 

Livestreaming provides a virtual opportunity to show a home to clients and potential buyers through a live video feed.  

Remember to only enter livestreaming showing and open house links and not virtual tour links in this section of Paragon.

A virtual tour is not considered a live video feed and shouldn’t be used in place of a livestream.

Live video feeds offer potential buyers interactivity with the host to, for example, ask to see a room again that they’d previously seen during the livestream showing. 

Virtual tours are pre-recorded videos that don't offer interactivity with potential buyers and should be entered in the virtual tour section in Paragon. If you need help entering virtual tours, call the Help Desk at 604-730-3020.

How to add a livestreamed open house to your listing 

Click here for a guide that shows you how to add your livestreamed open house to your listing. Click here for a guide on searching for livestreamed open houses.  

Need help? Call the Help Desk at 604-730-3020 or email support@rebgv.org.

Ron Antalek honoured with this year’s Canadian REALTORS Care® Award

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Ron Antalek has been honoured with the Canadian REALTORS Care® Award for his outstanding contributions to his community of Maple Ridge.

Ron’s a second-generation REALTOR® with more than 30 years of experience. In 1989, he put his burgeoning career as a schoolteacher on hold to work alongside his father and sister in real estate. At first, Ron intended to return to teaching after a short leave of absence, but he discovered he could parlay his passion for education into guiding families on their real estate journey while taking advantage of the flexibility of the profession to get involved with charities in his community.

In 2006, Ron made a personal donation of $1 million to the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation in tribute to the local hospital where his mother had worked as a nurse and where he has seen many members of his family benefit from great health care. “The hospital has been there for my family,” says Ron. “It came from the heart.”

In 2009, a portion of Ron’s donation was used to establish a new psychiatric unit at Ridge Meadows Hospital.

“Mental illness continues to be misunderstood in our society and often doesn’t attract the attention of donors,” explains Laura Butler, executive director of the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation. “Ron is to be commended not only for the size of his donation but also for his willingness to have the funding directed to mental health, an area of great need.”

Ron’s gift to the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation was instrumental in the creation of the Antalek Family Psychiatry Unit, which serves the mental health needs of adult patients within the hospital walls. Years later, further funds from his donation were used—in conjunction with an effective matching campaign, spearheaded by Ron—to help launch Foundry Ridge Meadows, a youth wellness centre in the community that provides young people with access to mental health support.

Ron has served on the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation Board of Directors since 2009 and has been its chair since 2012.

The impact of Ron’s leadership and generosity are felt throughout his community. As Vicki Kipps, executive director of Maple Ridge–Pitt Meadows Community Services, explains, “Our community—its youth, businesses, non-profits, hospital, and so many more—is much stronger due to the deeply engrained and selfless giving he demonstrates on a daily basis.”

Ron hopes that by accepting CREA’s Canadian REALTORS Care® Award 2020 and sharing his story, he might inspire others to give volunteering a try. “What is your passion? What makes you feel warm inside? What can bring a tear to your eye? Pursue that as a volunteer,” he recommends.

In Ron Antalek’s honour, the Canadian Real Estate Association has donated $5,000 to the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation.

Other News

New discipline decisions available

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Stay on top of the work your Board does to uphold and enforce professional standards within the profession and resolve disputes between members.

Our Professional Conduct Committee (PCC) investigates alleged member breaches of the REALTOR® Code and our Rules of Cooperation. Click here to review the PCC’s latest ruling (C18-14).

The Real Estate Council of BC regularly publishes their disciplinary decisions. Click here to review them.

BCREA’s COVID-19 acknowledgement form available on WEBForms

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BCREA’s new COVID-19 Notice and Acknowledgement form is now available on WEBForms

This optional form explains the changes to how REALTORS® are providing services during the COVID-19 pandemic and recommends that clients stay apprised of the latest public health orders. It also recommends that clients seek independent legal advice before entering into any agreements.

Click here for a guide on how to use the form.

Real Estate Council temporarily extends late renewal period

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The Real Estate Council of BC (Council) has temporarily extended their late renewal period from 90 days to 180 days, but only if your license expires between April 22 and June 30, 2020.

Council’s late renewal process allows licensees to choose to remain unlicensed, with the option to reactivate their license at a cost of $50, for up to 90 days from the date their license expires.

This extension only applies to you if your license expires between April 22 and June 30.

Visit Council’s website for more details. 

REBGV past presidents elected to national leadership positions at CREA

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Past REBGV President Phil Moore (2018-19) was elected to the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) Board of Directors at the national association's virtual annual general meeting last week.

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After the meeting, CREA’s directors met and elected past REBGV President Jill Oudil (2017-18) to serve as their vice-president for the 2020-21 term.

Congratulations to Jill and Phil!

Obituary: Daniel Warren and Rachel Sadri

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It is with great sadness and deep loss that the families of Daniel Warren (RE/MAX City Realty) and Rachel Sadri (Oakwyn Realty) announce the deaths of their children and siblings. On March 14, 2020, Daniel and Rachel decided that the best place to have a wedding is in heaven as they passed away in a boating accident on the way to the family’s off-grid cabin on Pitt Lake.

On that day, Daniel showed true heroism. First, as he was driving and as the boat began to tip and roll over, he yelled to open the zipper of the boat cabin, so that all the passengers could escape. Three people were able to survive (including his father Glenn) and be rescued; secondly, Daniel swam toward Rachel instead of swimming toward the boat in an attempt to save her. Sadly, Daniel and Rachel did not survive.

Along with family, Daniel and Rachel also leave behind their best friend, Daniel Kim. They were truly more than best friends; they were kindred spirits. Not only did the two Daniels share the same name, they both bought the same BMW car, and often wore the same clothing.

Daniel’s last real estate legacy was having his last two sales being multiple offers as a seller’s agent, and Rachel’s last sale was winning a multiple offer as a buyer’s agent.

The family has established a foundation to remember Daniel and Rachel. It is called “The Daniel and Rachel Foundation”. Donations to the foundation will receive a tax receipt. The goal of the foundation will be to financially help new people wanting to enter the real estate business by paying for course and education fees. If you want to donate to the foundation and receive a tax receipt please send an email to danielwithrachel@gmail.com.

About Daniel Warren

Daniel, son of Glenn Warren, the owner/manager of RE/MAX City Realty, was born August 30, 1993. He became an agent five years ago at the age of 21 and soon after Rachel left university to join him as a REALTOR® as well. Daniel was promoted to Assistant Manager approximately six months ago and really thrived in that position. He had much technical knowledge and helped agents with Webforms, social media, and other technology related questions. He quickly gained tremendous knowledge regarding the legal aspects of real estate by taking well in excess of the required PDP courses (24 points). Daniel really enjoyed helping colleagues and many of them called him in the evening and on weekends when they were struggling with questions and problems. Daniel helped his father run the real estate office and was a very valuable and supportive part of the management team and did many of the tasks his father was not adept at. He took care of many office management tasks and did them well. Daniel was an REBGV medallion member in 2017 and 2018. Daniel was well respected by many people who knew him for his knowledge, dedication, love of live, his organization skills, his love of nice clothing. He really appreciated nice food and always had suggestions on a good place to eat at! Many times he went out of his way to help someone or give them guidance.

In his spare time, Daniel loved boating, adventures, the outdoor life, driving his ATV and hunting. Daniel was an excellent marksman and is in the BC Wildlife Record book for the 1,057th largest moose ever harvested in BC at an amazing 610 yards. He also loved spending time at the family’s off-grid waterfront cabin.

Daniel and Rachel met in elementary school, were high school sweethearts in south Burnaby, and have been together since then. They were excited about their upcoming marriage. Rachel was so proud of her engagement ring, which Daniel picked out very carefully. Daniel was a beloved son and is greatly missed by all those he loved and who loved him.

About Rachel Sadri

Rachel was born September 23, 1993 and began her real estate career in March 2016 with the support of Daniel. Rachel not only went out her way to help her clients, she also became their best friends.

Rachel brought joy to every room that she entered. Rachel was a person with a heart so kind that everyone else’s needs came before her. She loved caring for those around her; no matter how much was going on in her own life, others came first. On birthdays, holidays, and special occasions, she always made sure that others are celebrated and people brought together.

Rachel is known for her love of her heels. She is also known for her laugh; you KNOW she is in the building because you can hear her laugh echoing joyfully. Playfully teasing people was a joy to her, and telling stories with so much animation, giving people stomach cramps from laughing so hard. Rachel doesn’t talk with her mouth; she talks with her whole body. Her driving skills...she will get to the destination from the same starting point safely long before you do. And anyone that knows Rachel knows her love for Starbucks Coffee, and her recent new love, the Dyson hair dryer.

Family, Rachel wanted to have five kids within two-three pregnancies and was banking on the twin gene in her family to make it happen. She once said, maybe she can do it in one pregnancy! Family is extremely important to her and she always looked forward to the day when she could start hers.

Rachel is always giving and never expects anything in return.
Rachel is the glue that brings everyone together and keeps them bonded.
Rachel is the honey that brings sweetness and joy to others.
Rachel is the shoulder that you can lean on.
Rachel is the roof that keeps everyone safe and together.
Rachel is the needle that helps mend relationships no matter how many times she might poke herself.
Rachel is the loving daughter, sister, friend that we will all miss and the memories of her will last forever.

REALTORS Care®: Share your stories!

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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, members have pitched in to help keep frontline staff safe.

  • John Lu of Royal Pacific Realty donated 15,000 masks last week to the Provincial Health Services Authority for distribution throughout BC.
  • Vivian Yu and her brokerage, Oakwyn Realty, are fundraising for surgical masks and hand sanitizers to help protect Vancouver healthcare workers. Click here to donate.

During these extraordinary times, food takes on a greater importance, especially for front-line workers who can be too busy to eat. 

  • Sayed Najibi, Royal LePage West Real Estate Services, and his partners provided lunch for 200 healthcare workers at the Royal Columbian Hospital last week to say thank you.
  • Michelle Porter, Engel & Volkers Vancouver, provided 150 meals to Vancouver and North Shore front-line workers and first responders. She then got her colleagues involved, and they raised $13,000 to deliver more than 600 meals. 

It’s not only front-line workers who need help. If you’d like to provide food to those in need, please reach out to Food Banks BC.

Do you know of a Realtor who’s helping others during this time? If so, we’d like to know more.   

You can either share a post on social media, using #RealtorsCare, or email your story to fyouatt@rebgv.org.   

Keep up the good work!

Reminder: Map your listings on Paragon

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Please be aware that any listings entered on Paragon must now be manually mapped. This online resource shows you how to do this.

This change improves the quality and accuracy of listing data by ensuring the listing appears in the correct location when it’s brought up in searches on Paragon and on public websites like Realtylink.org and REALTOR.ca.

It also gives your Board ownership of the geo-code, which will open opportunities for us to provide more innovative solutions and products in the long term.

Need help? Call the Help Desk at 604-730-3020 or email support@rebgv.org.

New sub area boundaries in Ladner/Tsawwassen in May

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In consultation with members, we're introducing sub area changes in Ladner/Tsawwassen. The changes go into effect May 12.

We’ve created map that slides between the old and new boundaries so you can see where the changes are happening. Click here to view it.

If you’ve saved searches in Ladner/Tsawwassen, you’ll need to update them on or after May 12. If you’ve embedded links from REBGV Stats Centre that reference a sub area that’s changing, you’ll also need to update those links on or after May 12 as well.

Need help? Call our Help Desk at 604-730-3020.

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