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Open houses now permitted in BC under new guidelines: What you need to know

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The real estate boards and associations in the province, together with the Real Estate Council of BC (Council), have removed the recommendation that REALTORS® not hold open houses that had been in place since mid-March. This change to permit open houses comes with new safety guidelines for you to follow.

Click here to read the new open house safety guidelines in the joint announcement that the BC Real Estate Association and Real Estate Council of BC issued on July 7.  

“This change doesn’t mean a return to pre-pandemic practices,” Colette Gerber, REBGV Chair said. “Since the pandemic began, Realtors have been adopting new technologies and practices to follow through on our responsibility to do what we can to help prevent the spread of illness. This responsibility hasn’t changed. If you and your clients choose to hold an open house, you’ll need to strictly follow the safety measures that your profession and regulator have carefully crafted in consultation with WorkSafeBC.” 

New safety procedures

The new safety practices for open houses focus on documenting consent, enforcing public health protocols, and employing enhanced cleaning and hygiene practices. These include:

  • documenting your client’s consent to hold the open house and to the agreed safety procedures
  • limiting the open house to serious buyers using technology to pre-screen them
  • requiring that attendees wear masks and other personal protection equipment when appropriate 
  • keeping two metres or six feet of physical distance between everyone in attendance at all times
  • using marked signage and instructions, at all entrances and elsewhere, that remind attendees to follow required health protocols
  • employing sanitary protocols after each open house
  • keeping a log of visitors for contact tracing 

Watch our new video with 2018 Professional Excellence Award winner Josh Bath. In it, Josh walks through some of the new safety protocols you need to consider. 

Open houses re-enabled on MLS®

To help you with this change, we’ve re-enabled the open house function in Paragon. Call our Help Desk at 604-730-3020 if you need help entering your open houses.

Attend our event on open house and other safety protocols Friday

Join us at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 10 for a virtual discussion to learn about the safety protocols and open house practices Realtors in BC should be following during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Get more details from representatives from WorkSafeBC and the Real Estate Council of BC. Click here to learn more about this event and to register.

Public communication

Here’s an article about this change that you can share with your clients. This public-facing article will help your clients understand what to expect at a future open house.

Click here to read and share this CTV News article on this change that features comments from REBGV Chair Colette Gerber.

Open house signage

We’ve developed signage you can use to guide open house attendees. These posters are intended to cover Council and BCREA’s signage recommendations.

These include:

  • Reminders to wash your hands and keep physical distance
  • Instructions to "look not touch"
  • Guidelines on who can enter 

Click here to download them. 

PPE suppliers

We've also developed a list of potential suppliers for personal protective equipment and sanitizing products. 

Click here to download the list of suppliers. 

Understanding consumer and REALTOR® safety and open house protocols

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Join us at 9:30 a.m. this Friday, July 10 for a virtual discussion to learn about the safety protocols and practices REALTORS® in BC should be following during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • When can I hold an open house? 
  • What rules must I follow?
  • What personal protective equipment should my clients and I wear? 
  • What resources are available to help me?

Get answers to these and other questions from representatives from WorkSafeBC and the Real Estate Council of BC.

Our expert panel includes: 

  • Trudi Rondou, Senior Manager, Prevention Programs, WorkSafeBC
  • Marty Douglas, Professional Standards Advisor, RECBC 

There’s no cost to attend this virtual event. Click here to register.  

Missed our last virtual events?

On June 23, over 500 members joined our virtual event that took a deeper look at strata insurance issues many people have been facing recently. Panelists Frank Chong of the BC Financial Services Authority, Rob de Pruis of the Western Insurance Bureau, Tony Gioventu of the Condominium Home Owners Association, and Danielle Russell of CapriCMW shared their insights and offered advice you can share with clients.

Click here to watch a recording of the event, and watch for more details about our follow-up Q&A event with Tony Gioventu on July 23 soon. 

On June 9, 580 members took in our Recession and the BC Housing Market virtual event featuring BCREA Economist Brendon Ogmundson and Marty Pospischil, president of the Pospischil Realty Group. Brendon and Marty offered their insights into the current state of the market and what a post-COVID-19 recovery might look like.

Click here to watch a recording of the event.

On May 27, nearly 300 members joined our virtual event on financial management during COVID-19 which featured Barry Trischuk, founder of Endurance Financial Services. Barry discussed financial management tips REALTORS® should know during this pandemic.

Click here to watch a recording of the event.

Relaxed eviction rules now in place; existing tenant eviction orders can be enforced

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Landlords with existing eviction orders can now, if necessary, take tenants to court to enforce the order as part of the provincial government’s recent relaxing of tenancy rule restrictions that were implemented at the beginning of the pandemic. 

The relaxed rules also immediately allow landlords to: 

  • issue a Notice to End Tenancy for any reason other than unpaid or late payment rent, subject to a notice period
  • enforce a writ order; 
  • enter a rental suite with 24-hour notice without the tenant’s consent, as long as they follow health guidelines like physical distancing, cleaning, and wearing masks when appropriate;
  • personally serve documents to tenants; and 
  • restrict access to common spaces for COVID-19 related health reasons. 

Click here for more information on current tenancy regulations.

Lockboxes and one-day code etiquette

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In my experience, members have varied and sometimes strongly held views about lockboxes and one-day codes.  

We hear them talking about the “right” way to deal with them and/or what your Board ought to be doing that it isn’t doing now. These conversations take place via many channels: Voice, email, text, chat rooms, and on the Board’s Facebook page, to name a few. It’s all good. Members having civil (not insulting) discussions about what they think is right is entirely healthy, and the Board wouldn’t want to be seen as stifling a debate unless it becomes unpleasant, anti-competitive, or out of hand. 

We try to walk a fine line between giving members the support they need to develop their business in a way that works for them and enforcing the necessary rules and guidelines required to keep everyone roughly in line.  

To my mind, the key is not to over- or underregulate. Depending on your political sympathies, your opinion on regulations will probably be somewhere on the scale from “there should be a rule for everything and let’s come down hard on every bit of wrongdoing” (with those rules being written down in a big fat manual) to “let’s have general rules to keep things in line, trusting that members are usually well intentioned, and, if they’re not, we can manage them with the general rules we have.”  

I’m not a political scientist, but you often see various applications of these extremes in how different nations write their laws and enforce them.  

Dictatorships on both the left and right of the political spectrum have tons of rules, rigidly enforced because the people are not trusted by those in power. Democracies tend to trust the people to do the right thing and generally tend to leave them alone. A vast oversimplification, I know. But it’s the same at the Board: We have both prescriptive rules and edicts for everything along with heavy-handed oversight and more general rules and guidelines enforced with a lighter touch. Associations like real estate boards tend to the lighter touch. Regulators and the police tend to the heavier hand. 

It’s a constant balancing act. For example, some members want the Board to require every member to have a lockbox card. Others don’t want a card. They need occasional access to lockboxes using a one-day code. As they say, different strokes for different folks. Some areas of town use lockboxes. In others, lockboxes are as scarce as toilet paper was two months ago. Some members expect a buyer’s agent to "do their job” and to be there for showings, inspections, and appraisals. Some buyer’s agents expect the seller’s agent to "do their job” by making a one-day code available on demand.  

As an aside, and since we’re talking about who’s job it is to do what, here’s what my favourite lawyer, Brian Taylor, has to say about the “whose job it is to do stuff” question: “It’s an agent’s job to do whatever is necessary to advance his client’s interests whether or not that something is inconvenient or a task normally done by the other side.” (I can feel the hackles rising now, but I thought this worth pointing out).  

What the Board hopes is that members will, as professionals and colleagues, approach bumps in the road with some give and take, in the interest of their clients’ and their colleagues’ goodwill. 

The Board’s lockbox rules are in the Rules of Cooperation, in Section 10 – Lockboxes and Access Codes. The use of the SentriLock system also requires members’ compliance with its Terms of Use. (Good reading if you’re an insomniac!) 

When using lockboxes, your access card, or the SentriLock app, please consider the following: 

  • Carefully review and follow Section 10 of the Rules of Cooperation. 
  • Members are not required to have a lockbox or a lockbox key. Although, if you work in an area where lockboxes are used, having both (and the SentriLock app for convenience) is a good idea, in my opinion. And, if you are taking a buyer to a property outside of your normal trading area and lockboxes are used there, I’d recommend getting a lockbox key and/or downloading the SentriLock app to use while you’re working with that buyer. The minimum subscription is 30 days and $16. You can always return it to the Board when you return to work on your home turf.  
  • If you use lockboxes, be prepared for an occasional request from a buyer’s agent for a one-day access code. It may be tempting to tell them you think they should have their own key, but in the interests of smoother dealings, I suggest saving that conversation for later. Talk to your seller about lockboxes and one-day code security. And remember, under  Rule 10.1 b, since November 1, 2018, you’ve been required to have your seller’s consent to install a lockbox and give access to it on your listing’s Schedule A.  
  • If your listing has a lockbox, a buyer’s agent may want you to show your listing to the buyer, without the buyer’s agent being there. This makes some members’ blood pressure rise and the veins stand out on their forehead. Think about how you’ll deal with this request in advance. You could start by discussing the situation with your seller and to then putting the seller’s instructions on the listing’s Schedule A. For example, if your seller isn’t comfortable with the added liability risk coming from you showing someone else’s buyer your listing without the buyer’s agent being there, the seller could instruct that “a buyer’s agent must attend all showings, inspections, and appraisals,” on the Schedule A.  
    • Telling a buyer’s agent you won’t show your client’s listing if their agent isn’t there without specific instructions from your client is a potential agency risk. And, speaking of risk, what extra risk might there be when a buyer is shown a property by the seller’s agent without the buyer agent being there?  
    • Sellers (and their agents) might prefer to have buyer agents be the ones making representations about the seller’s property. And, for buyers, if they start blabbing about how much they like the place or reveal personal information to the seller’s agent, it could harm the buyer’s position. This could happen when a buyer’s agent isn’t there. A buyer’s agent could say to the buyer in advance, for example, “Listen, when we’re in the house or the other agent is around, limit your conversation to questions about the property and the weather. Don’t say anything about yourself or show how much you like the place.” 

Eight ways to better use lockboxes 

  1. Don’t argue about whether another member is professional/ unprofessional for having or not having a lockbox, key card, or SentriLock app. 
  2. Show up when an appointment’s been made or cancel the showing so the seller’s agent isn’t left hanging. 
  3. Be on time for the showing; the seller may be waiting. 
  4. Take a picture of yourself and the buyers at the property—at the front door or in the kitchen, for example—and then text the photo to the seller’s agent. This is considered a nice touch. (You can ask your buyers to turn their faces away for privacy reasons). Some members require this step to give the access code. It’s a good idea, in my opinion. 
  5. Leave a business card (not a solicitation piece) on the kitchen counter to let the seller know someone has been there. 
  6. Turn off the lights, turn on the alarm, and secure the place. Text the seller’s agent to let them know you’re leaving. 
  7. Observe the multitude of COVID-19 health safety protocols, including discussing in advance who is bringing the gloves, masks, and release forms to the showing. 
  8. Members: Thank each other for the showing, giving feedback. Feedback isn’t required, but many seller agents appreciate it. 

Finally, here are helpful videos available on SentriLock’s YouTube channel

Lockbox 

SentriKey app 

Strata insurance, laneway homes, and lobbying efforts

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Government begins regulating strata insurance 

Escalating strata insurance premiums have been affecting many of BC’s 1.5 million strata owners. As a solution, the BC Ministry of Finance brought in new legislation to help mitigate rising costs.

Read more.

Laneway homes create affordable housing

A key way for seniors and young families to stay in expensive neighbourhoods is to live in laneway homes. Where are they permitted? Our updated matrix details which communities.

Read more.

Advocating on your behalf

Members of your Board’s government relations committee actively advocate on behalf of property buyers, sellers, owners, and REALTORS® in annual meetings with provincial MLAs. Here’s what we did this year.

Read more.

Innovation Series: Watch our video interview with BCREA Economist Brendon Ogmundson

Our new Innovation Series of videos is aimed at helping REALTORS® discover new practices, tools, and knowledge.

In our latest video, we feature BC Real Estate Association Chief Economist Brendon Ogmundson. We asked Brendon about the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the real estate market and the trends that'll shape the market moving forward. We also spoke to Mortgage Broker Angela Calla about how COVID-19 is changing the mortgage market. Watch the videos below. 

Other News

ICYMI: REBGV’s Vancouver office re-opened in a limited capacity

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The REBGV office on Spruce Street in Vancouver has re-opened for a limited number of staff. While the office remains closed to walk-in traffic, members can make appointments for in-person services if needed.

We’ve implemented different safety measures at the office to ensure we’re following all public health orders and guidelines set out by WorkSafeBC.

This includes spacing out staff workstations to ensure physical distancing requirements, installing plexiglass shields, providing hand sanitizer stations throughout the building, and adjusting the office layout to avoid crowding in smaller spaces, such as hallways.

Our Schoolhouse Training Facility in Coquitlam and the classrooms in our Vancouver office remain closed. Our full course complement, however, remains available to you virtually.

Making an appointment to visit our office  

As has been the case since March, you can contact any REBGV staff member today and access any of our services virtually, which eliminates most needs for you to visit the office in the near future. (Click here for our staff and services contact list.)

Should you need to come to the office, please follow these steps:

  • Contact the person or department you need to see to set up your appointment. You’ll need to complete a health questionnaire.
  • When you come to the office for your appointment, enter from the lobby doors on Spruce Street or via the elevators from the parking garage.
  • Please sanitize your hands and proceed immediately to reception to sign in.
  • You’ll be required to wear a mask for the duration of your visit. We recommend you bring your own; one will be provided for you if you don’t have one.
  • Keep two metres (six feet) of physical distance between yourself and others while in the building. Always read and follow the signage posted around the building.
  • When your appointment is finished, please sign out at reception.

If you have questions, please call us at 604-730-3000.

Share our June stats reports, videos, and resources

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We released our latest MLS® housing market report last week. The June 2020 numbers show that home buyers and sellers are becoming more comfortable operating in today’s market with sales up nearly 65 per cent from May. Home sellers are listing more homes for sale, and prices are continuing to hold steady through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

There are several ways you can share our statistical resources with your clients:

  • Share our June 2020 housing report to give your clients the full picture of what’s happening in today’s market. 
  • Our Stats Centre Reports (login required) provide monthly housing reports for every area in Metro Vancouver. These reports are great at highlighting market activity for clients looking for properties in specific communities.
  • REBGV Stats Centre (login required) lets you create custom charts and graphs to share with your clients using ten different metrics. This tool also drills down to the sub-area level so you can create charts and graphs for specific neighbourhoods.
  • Share REBGV Chair Colette Gerber’s recent interview on Global BC where she discusses the latest market trends.

We’ve also developed articles on our public website, www.rebgv.org, to help your clients better understand recent market activity and what to expect when working with a REALTOR® during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Get a deeper connection with your clients with HomeSpotter’s new Activity Feed

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HomeSpotter gives you access to MLS® data on the go and lets you connect directly with your clients through a branded version of the app you share with them.  

The latest addition to the app is the Activity Feed. This feature notifies you any time your clients take certain actions within your shared app. You’ll get real-time notifications when: 

  • the status changes on a property you’ve marked as a favourite; 
  • your client marks a property as a favourite within the app; 
  • your client marks a property they don’t want to see again within the app; and 
  • your client makes refinements to their searches. 

If you use HomeSpotter and the device you use automatically updates your apps, you should already have access to the Activity Feed. If your device isn’t set to automatically update your apps, you’ll need to apply the update manually. Call our Help Desk at 604-730-3020 if you need help. 

What’s HomeSpotter? 

HomeSpotter is our mobile app that connects you to MLS® data on the go. The app is available at no cost to you in the Apple App and Google Play stores.   

HomeSpotter delivers access to your saved searches, contacts, and listing carts from any mobile device. You can upload new photos to a listing and, if you have Agent Modify privileges, you can edit remarks in your active listings. You can also perform common MLS® tasks such as searches and scheduling appointments via Touchbase.  

HomeSpotter helps you stay connected with your clients virtually through a portal you set up with them in the app. Your clients can access the portal through their own version of the app that they set up from a link you send to them.   

Learn more about HomeSpotter’s latest update in a free webinar on July 15 at 12 noon. You can also visit our online HomeSpotter resources

Get on course: Learning online

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To protect our members, staff, and instructors from the spread of COVID-19, we started offering courses as online webinars in mid-March. Since then, we’ve offered 136 courses online for about 7,490 participants. We've received positive feedback on our online courses.

Here’s what some members have said:

  • “This was my first time taking an online course. I actually learned more than in an in-person class. I felt more comfortable asking questions during an online class”
  • “I recommend that all courses held be online”
  • “It is very convenient, avoiding rushing in and out of the classroom. I can see all participants’ comments and so believe online modules can provide more information than classroom ones in the same amount of time.”
  • “I would rather take all remaining courses online. I saved the travel time. It was actually better than the in-person environment.”

We‘ll continue to offer live online webinars for the time being. 

If you’re new to online courses, there’s a good chance you’re also new to Zoom. We’ve created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Zoom Attendees to help guide you through this new user learning experience. 

The FAQ will be provided to you as a link in your webinar email that we send you in advance of your course.

Questions? Contact us at 604-730-3087 or education@rebgv.org

We look forward to seeing you online!

Obituary: Kashif Sheikh

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REALTOR® Kashif Sheikh passed away in a tragic accident in June. He was 46. 

Kashif was with his wife and four children at the Mill Creek waterfall in Kelowna to celebrate Father’s Day when his daughter slipped and fell into the water. He immediately went into the water after her.  

She was able to make it back to shore, but Kashif wasn’t. When emergency workers finally pulled him from the water, they were unable to resuscitate him.  

Originally from Pakistan, Kashif was first licensed with Team 3000 Realty in Vancouver before moving to Nationwide Realty Corp. in Surrey. 

Friends and colleagues remember Kashif as a warm and friendly family man who was always smiling and quickly made friends wherever he went. He enjoyed playing cricket and spending time with his children.  

He's survived by his wife and four children, and many other relatives, colleagues, and acquaintances. Friends and family have set up two GoFundMe pages to support Kashif’s young family during this tragic time: Kashif Sheikh’s Family Fund and To Support Kashif’s Family. The funds raised from both pages will go to the family. 

Take the latest BC Chamber of Commerce pulse check survey

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Since the beginning of physical distancing protocols, the BC Chamber of Commerce has been looking for feedback from the business community on the effects of COVID-19. Their fourth survey in this series is closing on July 13.

Please take some time to give your feedback.

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