Meet the candidates for our 2020 Board of Directors election

Online voting will be open from January 15 through February 2 in our 2020 Board of Directors election. During this period, you can find election resources on Paragon and the www.rebgv.ca home page. Just look for the REBGV Votes button (pictured above) on these websites.

There are 10 members running to fill five vacancies this year. They are:

Doug Dang Amex Broadway West Realty Recommended	Harvey Gill RE/MAX City Realty	Rahim Jivraj RE/MAX Crest Realty	Daniel John Sutton Group – Seafair Realty Recommended
Chris Lee Royal Pacific Realty Corp.	Michael Mitsiadis Royal Pacific Realty Corp.	Adam Pospischil Pospischil Realty Group Recommended	Danielle Roy Five Sails Realty Recommended
Stephan Sun Saba Realty Ltd.	Jason Wood Pacific Evergreen Realty Ltd.

You can review the candidates in detail on our website here. 

Recommended candidates explained

The Board Development Committee (BDC) recommends candidates for the REBGV election. The BDC’s mandate is to guide a year-round process to ensure there are candidates with the necessary competence, character and commitment to choose from in each election.

• Click here to review a list of commonly asked questions about the BDC and the candidate recommendation process.
• Click here to watch a two-part video series with BDC members answering commonly asked questions about candidate recommendations.
• Click here for an infographic that details the work of the BDC.

CREA extends read-only access to the old WEBForms through January

The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) has extended members' access to the read-only version of the old WEBForms through the month of January. 

While this extension gives you more time to move your transaction kits (old contracts) over to the new WEBForms, you'll still need to use the new platform for any new transactions. 

We encourage you to invest the necessary time you need to learn the new WEBForms as soon as possible. We've created several resources to help you with this change. 

Eight steps to working with WEBForms

This video series takes you through the key elements of our WEBForms course:

• Accessing CREA WEBForms 2019 (PDF | Video)
• Navigating CREA WEBForms 2019 (PDF | Video)
• Creating templates in CREA WEBForms 2019 (PDF | Video - Sales template; Video - Listing template)
• Creating transactions from templates in CREA WEBForms 2019 (PDF | Video - Sales transaction; Video - Listing transaction)
• Working with clauses in CREA WEBForms 2019 (PDF | Video)
• Customizing CREA WEBForms 2019 (PDF | Video)
• Standalone forms in CREA WEBForms 2019 (PDF | Video)
• Migrating your transaction kits to CREA WEBForms 2019 (PDF | Video)

WEBForms webinars

• Creating a Transaction
• Adding Clauses to a Form

WEBForms manuals

• Read our step-by-step training manual to learn how to use the new system.
• Find forms by category and by the organization responsible in our directory of the forms. 
• Learn how to update out-of-date forms in your templates by reading this guide.

WEBForms course

• Register for a date and time that works for you.

Other resources

• Our Transition Guide has everything you need to move from the old WEBForms to the new system.
• CREA’s resource page has more information, guides, and how-to videos to help you learn the new system.

Extended Help Desk hours

We’re extending our Help Desk hours in January to help you make this change. Our team will be available:

• Weekdays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Weekends: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

You can contact our Help Desk at 604-730-3020 or support@rebgv.org.

CREA's Help Desk is available:

• Weekdays: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Weekends: 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

You can contact CREA's Help Desk at 1-888-237-7945 or support@crea.ca. 

Reporting issues

Since the launch of the new WEBForms, members have identified a few bugs and other issues with the system.

While this is a CREA initiative, our focus is on getting you the information and resources you need to minimize the impact of this change. We’re documenting every bug and issue you send us and sharing that feedback with both CREA and Lone Wolf, the company that created the new WEBForms platform.

Please continue to report issues you encounter to both CREA (support@crea.ca) and our Help Desk (support@rebgv.org). You can also call our Help Desk with other WEBForms questions at 604-730-3020.

Education and PDP resources at your fingertips

Real estate is a fast-moving profession. It’s important you continue to learn and develop throughout your career so you can successfully assist your clients and stay on the cutting edge.

With that in mind, we encourage you to review our revised Education and Technology Support section of www.rebgv.ca. You’ll find a wealth of resources to help you understand the revamped Professional Development Program (PDP), review your responsibilities and options, and find answers to frequently asked questions.

Here’s what else you’ll find:

My PDP status and course history

Track your education history and review your PDP compliance. Note that all existing PDP credits you completed in your current cycle have been converted to hours within the new PDP framework.

My registered courses and events

See what courses and or events you’ve registered for.

My course materials

Access online course materials once you’ve registered for your course. These materials will remain available for 30 days after the date you attended the class. Don’t forget to download and/or save any materials you want to keep!

PDP education requirements

Find an explanation of the PDP requirements you must satisfy to maintain your Board membership.

PDP policies and REBGV regulations

Learn more about PDP policies and REBGV regulations to help you understand what’s expected of you.

FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the education services and support we provide.

PDP self-directed hours application form

Use our new online form to report and submit self-directed learning opportunities or accredited learning that you’ve completed through other course providers. Self-directed learning carried out at REBGV does not need to be reported. We’ll track your PDP hours and update your education history for you.

Courses and events calendar

Our courses and events calendar shows upcoming courses, locations, registration information, and cost.

Course catalogue

Our course catalogue describes the various accredited and self-directed courses available to you. Refine your search by course topic and/or location using the left-hand sidebar on this page.

Instructor profiles

Read bios of all of our instructors.  

Other course providers

Review the list of available accredited course providers. Local educational institutions, including UBC's Sauder School of Business, provide a range of courses for real estate professionals.

Note: Not all courses from these providers are PDP accredited. If in doubt, contact us at education@rebgv.org or 604-730-3087. 

To report accredited or self-directed PDP hours you’ve completed at another course provider, please complete this form and attach proof of completion. 

Education news

Read articles about new, revised, and upcoming PDP courses and events.

Questions?

Call us at 604-730-3087 or email education@rebgv.org. We’re here to help.

The Ethics Guy®: "Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone else planted a tree a long time ago"

Our Board and the multitude of services we provide—the MLS® system, standard form contracts, help desk, member services, government relations and advocacy, communications, REALTORS Care® and community outreach, and more—are the result of members’ suggestions and hard work since the Board was established in 1919.

Let’s thank all those members who, in years gone by and those today, have contributed so much to our Board and our profession. They planned for the future and, as a result, we’re where we are today.

These thanks, I hope, are a nice lead-in to some thoughts about the new year and all it will bring.

First, in your personal planning for 2020 business, the new year isn’t a bad time to audit your business practices with regulator and legal risk-management in mind. For example, when taking a new listing, have you thought about all the steps involved in getting that listing in front of buyers and other members? Of these steps, what needs to be double-checked, reviewed, or changed?

Ditto for putting deals together. Think about the bumps in the road you may have encountered last year. Could any have been avoided with a change or two in what you did? It wouldn’t hurt to think about how you could have achieved a better result when a transaction didn’t go as well as you’d hoped. And for the many times you did succeed, I hope you took time to enjoy your success and consider what you did to make it happen. Are you planning to incorporate lessons learned, both good and bad, into your business practices this year?

In 2020, I want to produce more Top Tip videos, focusing on what I’ve written about in this column, and I’ll be passing on the input from you to the regulators, whenever I get the opportunity.

I’ll also be continuing work with other staff members on the Rules of Cooperation, which were amended in November 2018 and January 2019 (the January 2019 changes to accommodate VOW websites.) With a view to making your “rules of engagement” as good as they can be, we keep a laundry list of the suggestions you give us throughout the year.

I wish you all a very successful 2020. Last year finished on a positive note with the market heating up, so let’s hope 2020 brings more smiles for everyone.

Top Tip: Clearing up confusion on counter-offers

The Professional Conduct Committee occasionally asks that I bring practice issues to members’ attention.

There’s been a discussion among some members and their managing brokers on counter-offers—specifically, what to do if a client isn’t accepting the counter-offer price (or any contract term, for that matter). The best practice procedure to follow is:

1. Draw a line through the price or term that your client isn't accepting.
2. Write in the new price (or term) your client wants.
3. Have your client initial beside the new price (or terms) on the contract.

Property assessments down, speculation tax rate up, and BC government backs off strata rental bylaw ban

Property assessments down

BC property owners received their 2020 assessment notices last week. Assessments for both strata and detached homes were down throughout the region, with a few exceptions. We’ve compiled a detailed table on Greater Vancouver municipalities and information on how to appeal an assessment.

Read more.

Speculation and vacancy tax increases; strata rental tax exemption extended

The BC speculation and vacancy tax (SVT) tax rate for foreign owners and satellite families rose to two per cent on December 31, 2019, up from 0.5 per cent. The 0.5 per cent rate remains the same for British Columbians and other Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are not members of a satellite family. Here are the details including exemptions.

Read more.

Government backs off strata rental bylaw ban

The BC government has backed off on making a decision about whether to repeal or amend legislation that would change rental bylaws for strata corporations.

Read more.

REBGV surprises five local charities with holiday donations

A group of REBGV representatives surprised five local housing-related charities last month with holiday treats and $10,000 donations on behalf of the REALTORS® of Greater Vancouver.  

The money came from investment income accrued over the years from our charitable fund at the Vancouver Foundation.  

About 25 years ago, the Board established this fund to grow over time and ultimately be used to support local charitable activities.   

“Our original investment with the Vancouver Foundation has earned over $50,000. What better time to distribute these funds than during the holiday season in our 100th year in business!” Ashley Smith, REBGV president said. “Because of the foresight of our leaders nearly three decades ago, we had this opportunity to give back to the people in our communities who need it the most.”   

Our REALTORS Care® Task Force, a group comprised of volunteer REALTORS®, helped determine the best approach for disbursing these funds.   

The Task Force recommended that the Board use the money to make $10,000 donations to the five local charities that we`ve supported the most, over the years, through our REALTORS Care® Shelter Drive. 

“The recipient charities do outstanding work,” Brad Scott, REBGV CEO said. "To visit and surprise these organizations with our donations was a humbling and heart-warming experience. I encourage all members to learn more about the good work that these five charities do.”  

Here are the recipient charities we visited:

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	Covenant House, Vancouver Covenant House provides shelter and services to the region’s homeless and at-risk youth. They help young people aged 16 to 24 who have fled physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Learn more about Covenant House.  L to R: Brianne Newsome, Development Officer, Covenant House; Colette Gerber, REBGV President-Elect; Ashley Smith, REBGV President; Tracy Brown, Director of Development, Covenant House
	Cythera Transition House, Maple Ridge Cythera provides transitional housing, counselling, education and access to community resources to women and children impacted by domestic violence. Learn more about Cythera Transition House.  L to R: Teresa Green, Executive Director, Cythera Transition House; Colette Gerber, REBGV President-Elect; Taylor Biggar, REBGV Vice-President.
	Lookout Society, North Vancouver The Lookout Housing and Health Society provides services to adults who cope with a variety of mental and physical challenges. They operate shelters from 32 sites in 11 municipalities across the Lower Mainland.  Learn more about the Lookout Society. L to R: Colette Gerber, REBGV President-Elect; Paul Harmon, North Shore Housing Centre Manager, Lookout Society; Ashley Smith, REBGV President.
	Tri-City Transitions, Coquitlam Tri-City Transitions offers shelter and support services for women and children fleeing family violence in the Tri-City communities.  Learn more about Tri-City Transitions. L to R: Carol Metz-Murray, Executive Director, Tri-City Transitions; Taylor Biggar, REBGV Vice-President; Colette Gerber, REBGV President-Elect.
	YWCA Munroe House, Vancouver Munroe House is a second-stage transition house for women, and their children, who have experienced abuse. They offer support services and have 10 self-contained apartments where families can stay. Learn more about YWCA Munroe House. L to R: Colette Gerber, REBGV President-Elect; Kathy Lilyholm, Associate Director, YWCA Munroe House; Ashley Smith, REBGV President.