Featured News
Time's running out - register for our March 30 AGM today!
Don't miss our March 30 virtual annual general meeting (AGM), featuring one of North America’s most sought-after real estate speakers – Rob Hahn.
As the head of 7DS Associates and the man behind the Notorious ROB real estate blog, Rob’s established himself as one of the most thoughtful and provocative real estate commentators today.
Hear from Rob himself about why you should attend our AGM:
Don’t miss Rob’s presentation – click here to register now!
AGM details
Don't miss out! Our AGM starts at 10 a.m. on March 30. This free meeting is your chance to hear how the Board has adapted to the COVID era from Chair Colette Gerber and CEO Brad Scott.
Click here to download the AGM package.
To help us prepare, please confirm your attendance with Member Services by calling 604-730-3090 or emailing memberservices@rebgv.org. You can also register online (login required).
Technical details
You'll receive the link to the meeting closer to March 30. We recommend you join the meeting early, using the link we send you, to test the audio and video with your system.
Mobile devices will not work to access the AGM. You need to use a desktop or laptop computer with a highspeed internet connection. A computer with the latest Windows 10 or MacOS (Big Sur) operating system is recommended.
You’ll need the most up-to-date version of the Chrome, Edge, Safari, or Firefox web browsers. Microsoft’s Internet Explorer web browser will not work.
We look forward to seeing you online!
New requirements to submit strata listings in effect April 12
Starting April 12, strata listings submitted to the Board for processing must be accompanied by one of the following:
- strata documents for the property under contract; or
- proof that strata documents for the property under contract have been ordered (i.e. a copy of the ‘Request for Strata Corporation Records and Documents’ form, or equivalent signed and dated request form); or
- a copy of the seller’s written instructions to the listing agent that the agent is not to obtain and/or release some or all of the required strata documents for the property and detailing where the cooperating agents are to obtain those documents (i.e. directly from the seller or directly from the strata corporation, in which case the listing agent must provide to a cooperating agent the seller’s written authority to do so, in accordance with Section 6.04(c) below). The listing’s REALTOR® Remarks must include a notation if this option is in effect.
Our MLS® staff will contact members who submit strata listings that don't meet these requirements. The listing will not be processed until these requirements are fulfilled.
Any agent-loaded or Broker-loaded strata listing is expected to meet the same standard, meaning Managing Brokers will need to ensure copies of these documents accompany the listings on file at their brokerage.
These requirements are found in Section 6.04 of the Rules of Cooperation. Here’s Section 6.04 for reference:
6.04 Strata Properties
(a) Unless otherwise instructed by the seller in writing, for each strata MLS® listing, the Listing Brokerage shall at the time of taking the listing obtain current relevant strata corporation documents including but not limited to two (2) years of strata council minutes and strata corporation minutes, registered strata corporation by-laws, financial statements, registered strata plans, and information concerning special assessments, either proposed or levied.
(i) A copy of the Request for Strata Corporation Records and Documents shall be retained on file in the office of the Listing Brokerage. The Listing Brokerage shall produce any such documentation upon request by the Board.
(ii) Unless otherwise instructed by the seller in writing, a copy of the registered strata plan must be posted by the Member to the MLS® System as an associated document within 24 hours of the listing becoming active on the MLS® System. A copy of the seller’s written direction must be provided to the Board upon request. See also 3.12 Consent to Post Documents to the MLS® System
(b) Unless otherwise instructed by the seller in writing, the Listing Brokerage shall, upon request by a Cooperating Brokerage after the seller and buyer have an accepted Contract of Purchase and Sale, provide to the Cooperating Brokerage current relevant strata corporation documents including but not limited to those documents referred to in (a) above and a current Information Certificate (Form “B”).
(c) In the event that the Listing Brokerage has received written instructions from the seller not to provide all or some of the documents described in (a) and (b) above to buyers and Cooperating Brokerages, a notation to that effect must be included in the REALTOR® Remarks, and, where the seller is not providing such information directly to buyers and Cooperating Brokerages, the Listing Brokerage shall provide written authority from the seller to the Cooperating Brokerage to obtain the Form “B” and other pertinent information directly from the strata corporation. The responsibility for the cost of these documents should be detailed in the appropriate condition clause in the Contract of Purchase and Sale.
Questions? Call James Lindow at 604-730-3085 or email jlindow@rebgv.org.
Livestreaming versus virtual tours – what you need to know
Paragon and REALTOR.ca both offer options to showcase your listing using livestreaming open houses and virtual tours. Here’s a breakdown:
How livestreaming differs from virtual tours
Livestreaming has become a popular option for members to showcase homes through a live video feed. This offers potential buyers interactivity with the host to, for example, ask to see a room again or to zoom in on a particular feature.
Virtual tours are pre-recorded videos that are uploaded to websites like YouTube. These videos display properties and their features but don't offer interactivity with potential buyers.
How do I set up a livestreaming link or virtual tour?
You can add links to your Paragon listings that direct the public to your livestream showings. The links you add in Paragon flow through to REALTOR.ca, Realtylink.org and other listing websites.
Click here for a guide on how to do this.
Remember to only enter livestream showing and open house links, and not virtual tour links, in this section of Paragon. Virtual tours are entered in their own field.
Get tips on holding livestreaming open houses
We held an event about hosting livestreaming open houses. Watch it below for some helpful tips.
Livestreaming providers
Get a list of approved livestreaming providers at the end of our help guide.
If you need help entering your livestream open house link or virtual tour link, call our Help Desk at 604-730-3020 or email support@rebgv.org.
What’s it going to take? A public shaming?
As this infernal COVID-19 pandemic drags on, this has become clear: We’ve learned how to function virtually when necessary; we’ve learned to live with much higher stress levels; and some of us have encountered the stress of dealing with a market where inventory is low and aggravation is high.
Dr. Henry’s daily health and safety edicts have now become, for some, like wallpaper—they’re there, but we don’t notice them as much as we once did when they were new. This is unfortunate because I’m increasingly concerned about our individual and collective reputational risk that COVID-19 has brought to our front door.
There’s the risk of getting sick and the steps we take to avoid this. There are the risks of dealing remotely with others and all the communication challenges that brings. There are also the physical health risks that come with the current environment made much worse if we don’t follow the COVID-19 rules. It’s our civic duty, in my opinion, to do our bit to not spread this blasted virus around. And it’s our duty as professionals to meet or exceed both Dr. Henry’s public health orders and the expectations of those around us.
Which is why, when I get yet another call from a frustrated member saying another member has thumbed their nose at the rules, I start tearing at what’s left of my hair. You’d think it would be relatively simple to get members and their clients to follow the rules in the middle of a pandemic. But I’ve been in the rules business for long enough to know while the majority of us obey rules (usually, because they want to and not because they fear punishment), there are always some who don’t and never will. It’s like this in all walks of life.
So, I ask, what’s it going to take to get scofflaws to pay attention? Will it take the glare of the media’s giant camera with a reporter’s microphone stuck in a member’s face after being caught holding a “real” open house, not distancing enough, or running around without a mask? Or will it take public shame and professional derision that will come from colleagues who may have once respected you?
What about social media’s kangaroo court? Do you think it will be lenient? I doubt it, and your reputation will be in shreds in no time at all. Think about all the advertising dollars and hard work you did to establish your reputation. It could be gone in an afternoon with you, forever more, being branded as “that guy who got caught holding an open house.”
Do you think it’s a small risk? Think again. When the CEO of the country’s largest pension fund decided to fly to the Middle East for a holiday and a COVID-19 jab, he was out of a job the very next week. Ditto for the casino CEO who flew to the Yukon with his wife so they could both get their jabs. Oh, and then there are the politicians who thought they could get away with flying somewhere over Christmas. The outcry was immediate. Some were outraged. Do you want this to happen to you? Politicians and CEOs have pensions. You don’t.
Honestly folks, I can’t wave a magic wand and get everyone to follow the rules. If you won’t do this for me, please do it for yourself and your colleagues.
Top Tips
“A figment of my imagination”
A member wrote to express his frustration at members who may be inputting incorrect room size information into their new listings. Whether this is done with the intention of changing the information later when the room sizes can be confirmed or it’s due to inattention or a lack of care, it constitutes a breach of the Rules of Cooperation, the Realtor® Code, and the Real Estate Services Act. And, of course, it carries with it potential liability in court. When the Rules of Cooperation were revised last year, Rule 3.06 was amended to require members to declare “the source of the measurements referenced in the listing.” The rule doesn’t specify what suitable sources of measurements are. I think though, these would be floor plan companies, blueprint drawings, and even the members using their measuring tape if the resulting measurements are accurate. What is not okay is using as a source of measurements “a figment of my imagination.”
Pricing the property: A polarizing topic explained
In this throwback video from 2019, Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer speaks with long-time real estate lawyer Brian Taylor about the often polarizing topic of pricing or “underpricing” a listing. Given that this remains a conversation topic today, we thought we’d share Kim and Brian’s advice.
More on the GST and title searches
The GST and title searches – what you need to know
More than 600 members attended a webinar about two important topics: the GST and title searches.
The GST
Here’s our up-to-date GST fact sheet, which covers the GST on new housing, rebuilds, resales, rebates, and more.
Title searches
When you find a buyer a suitable property, a key obligation is providing the buyer with a title search because it discloses exactly what they’re getting.
Need help with Paragon or WEBForms? New support resources are available
To reflect recent advances in Paragon functionality, we’ve developed a new range of support resources to help you.
Our new step-by-step manual features an optimized table of contents to help you find the information you need. This resource gives you easy-to-follow guidance on all Paragon tasks, including the Collaboration Centre. Try it for yourself here and don't forget to bookmark the link for future use.
You can also click on the Paragon Help Resources button (pictured here) in the Paragon Centre Panel to access the latest version of this workbook, as well as other help resources.
For those who prefer a demonstration from an instructor, we’ve recorded a new series of free tutorial webinars, with more coming soon. Please note these are not eligible for self-directed hours as they’re not trackable. These recordings are designed mainly for new members, but are also useful as a refresher. Find the videos here.
For those who need help with WEBForms, we’ve also updated the support manual for this service. It provides the information you need to work as efficiently as possible with functionality like templates, transaction kits, and clauses. You can find this resource here.
We’ll share more support resources for WEBForms and CMAs in the coming weeks.
Other News
ICYMI: REBGV course registration, brokerage transfers, lockbox, other services unavailable March 31 until April 6
At the end of this month, your Board will complete the transition to a new customer relationship management (CRM) system. This change will modernize the core system we use to serve you every day.
During the transition period, some of our regular services won’t be available.
From 5 pm on March 31 until April 6*, you won’t be able to:
- Make changes to your membership (e.g., transferring between brokerages, changing phone numbers)
- Register for an REBGV course or event
- Purchase or sign up for a lockbox
(*Note that most of these dates fall over the Easter long weekend, which runs from April 2-5 this year.)
Additionally, there will be delays processing new member applications starting March 22, 2021.
If you anticipate needing any of these services within this blackout period, we ask that you plan ahead.
Services like Paragon, WEBForms, and Autoprop will not be affected by this change.
This move to a new CRM will allow us to serve you better and enhance your ability to access our services, and your account information, online.
This change is a significant technical undertaking, so we ask for your patience if it takes staff a little longer to process your administrative requests related to PDP, Medallion, brokerage transfers, or lockboxes in the first week of April as we complete the transition.
We’d like to thank you for your assistance and understanding.
Check out SentriLock’s new website and mobile app features
Our lockbox provider, SentriLock, has updated its website and mobile app. Here are the highlights:
The ‘My Listings’ section of the website has been redesigned for a more intuitive user experience. The new listing summary grid contains a photo of the property, the address, listing status, listing REALTOR®, list price, and easy links to assign lockboxes to properties and generate access codes. You can also add new listings and edit existing ones.
There’s also a place for you to add details about the lockbox and other property info, including alarms or showing instructions from the sellers.
The SentriKey mobile app now includes ‘My Listings’ so you can do all of these things on the go!
You’ll also find new options for your system preferences including profile and account settings, and an easier way to add team members.
Watch the video below for details:
Generating mobile access codes (MACs)
You’ll now be required to be with the lockbox to generate a MAC. You won’t be able generate MACs from your office if the lockbox is on a property.
Remember to assign your lockbox to a listing. You’ll still be able to open the key compartment and release the shackle if you own the lockbox. However, other members will be unable to perform these tasks if you haven’t assigned your lockbox to a listing.
Questions? Call SentriLock at 1-877-736-8745.
Register for one of our upcoming online events!
We're adding new member events all the time. Register for one of our virtual member engagement events today - here are the details:
Community Plan Update - City of Burnaby
The City of Burnaby is developing new community plans for the Bainbridge and Lochdale neighbourhoods. The goal is to create unique, complete, mixed-use urban villages, with opportunities to explore different land use options, as well as changing and reinvesting in existing buildings.
These community plans coincide with other initiatives that’ll play a key role in shaping Burnaby's future, including the Climate Action Framework and Burnaby Transportation Plan Update.
Join us on March 25 at 10 am for presentations from City of Burnaby Community Planner Andrew Yu, and Senior Planner Jesse Dill, that’ll update you on these new developments.
Call Member Services at 604-730-3090 or email memberservices@rebgv.org to register for this event.
Home Inspections 101 with Tom Munro
Join us on March 26 at 10 a.m. for a free event to learn more about the home inspection process. Ashley Smith and Morgan Browne will host our Home Inspections 101 event featuring Certified Home Inspector Tom Munro of Munro Home and Commercial Inspections Ltd.
Tom’s presentation will cover:
- The role of home inspectors – what they do, what experience they bring, and how they do it.
- The home inspection process – how the process may differ between inspectors, what results to expect.
- The things a home inspection could expose that would cause a client to walk away from a purchase.
Call Member Services at 604-730-3090 or email memberservices@rebgv.org to register for this event.
The impact of global events on real estate industry partners
Join us online for an overview of the impact COVID-19 has had on the real estate industry from the perspective of home buyers and sellers, and mortgage brokers and lenders.
Our presenter is Ed Karthaus. He’s the Executive Vice-President for Sales and Marketing – Residential Lending with Home Trust Company, one of Canada’s leading financial services institutions focused on real estate.
Ed will discuss:
- How the rapid adoption of technological solutions helped pave the way to a record year for real estate sales, despite challenging circumstances.
- How exceptional service to your clients will remain a top priority with the rise of technology.
Common calls to the Help Desk answered - March 24, 2021
How do I map my listing?
Listings in Paragon must now be manually mapped. To do this, choose ‘Listings’ from the navigation bar in Paragon. Then, under ‘Maintain’, choose ‘Listings’ to see a list of your active properties. Click ‘Select an action’ on the column farthest to the right, then ‘Change Geocode’. Now you can verify that the listing is mapped accurately. Click on the pin if the listing is mapped correctly. If it’s not, drag the pin to the correct location and click ‘Save’. For a more visual walkthrough, refer to this help guide.
Dan Morrison elected as BCREA Chair for 2021-22
Congratulations to REBGV past-Chair (2015) Dan Morrison of Sothebys in North Vancouver on being elected as Chair of the BC Real Estate Association! Dan joins Chair-Elect Janice Stromar of Royal LePage Nanaimo Realty, Past Chair Anthony Bastiaanssen of RE/MAX Kelowna, and BCREA Chief Executive Officer Darlene Hyde as 2021-22 BCREA Officers.
BCREA also welcomes new REALTOR® director Ashley Smith (another past REBGV Chair) and new public director Liza Aboud. Returning Realtor directors include Tim Ayres (Sooke), Darren Close (Kimberley) and Gianpiero Furfaro (Sun Peaks). Public directors Catherine Aczel Boivie and Kam Raman are also returning.
REALTOR® safety resources
When on the job, it's important to make your personal safety a priority.
Here are two personal safety resources to consider:
PROTect personal safety app
PROTect is a safety app for Realtors and other remote workers created by REBGV member Merideth Schutter. It lets you create a trusted circle of contacts that the app will notify if you miss a scheduled check-in or activate an SOS alert.
This free app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Click here to learn more about PROTect.
Women’s Personal Safety Team workshops
The Vancouver Police Department’s Women’s Personal Safety Team offers two free virtual workshops each month. Each workshop lasts approximately two hours and reviews the personal safety tips and tactics all women should know. Watch their video below:
Check out the web page for more information on these workshops, including upcoming dates and how to register.
Stay safe: Your Board and police continue to hear from female Realtors receiving threatening, lewd messages
An unknown man is continuing to harass Female Realtors through lewd phone calls, texts, and video chats.
We’re in contact with the police to help coordinate information about these calls. If this person has contacted you or another female Realtor you know, please file a report with your local police then contact Mark Moldowan at mmoldowan@rebgv.org or 604-730-3153 with the case number.
If you’re reporting to the Vancouver Police Department (VPD), they have detectives from the Criminal Harassment Unit working on the case. If you’re contacted by this person, report it to the VPD and quote file number 2021-4768 so your report will be included in their investigation. If you live outside Vancouver, let your local police know about the VPD investigation quoting the same file number.
If you’re reporting to North Vancouver RCMP, please contact Cst. Soyoung Moon at 604-349-9141 and mention it’s related to the REBGV harassment case. They’re also looking for any North Vancouver based Realtors who have been contacted by this harasser and haven’t yet filed a report.
Please stay safe out there.