RAHB’s Latest Updates
CEO Announcement
Dear fellow RAHB members,
On behalf of your Board of Directors, I am pleased and proud to announce that we have hired a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Carol Ann Burrell will join the RAHB team as CEO on Monday, October 7. Carol Ann comes with many years of experience in association management. She has earned an Honours B.A. in English and History from the University of Toronto – University of Trinity College, a Public Relations Certificate from Humber College, and is a Certified Association Executive through the Canadian Society of Association Executives.
Below is a list of her experience:
- The Outcome Group – President – November 2003 to Present
- Real Estate Institute of Canada (REIC) – Executive Director & CEO – January to February 2018
- REIC – Associate Director (part-time contract through Outcome Group) – January to December 2017
- Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners – Project Manager (part-time contract through Outcome Group) – January to November 2017
- Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology – Executive Director (full-time contract through Outcome Group) – February 2004 to December 2017
- Canadian Association of Exposition Management – Executive Director – September 1991 to January 2004
Carol Ann also served for 13 years in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve, is a 3rd degree black belt in Goju-Ryu karate and holds the title of senpai.
We look forward to working with Carol Ann and learning from her leadership experience.
I would like to thank the CEO Selection Committee (names listed below) and our recruitment firm, Optimum Talent, for their diligent and thorough work in helping to find Carol Ann.
- Bob Van de Vrande, President, Apex Results Realty Inc. (Chair)
- Kathy Della-Nebbia, President-Elect, Royal LePage State Realty
- Lou Piriano, Director-at-Large (Immediate Past-President), L. Piriano Real Estate
- Ann Forbes Arndt, Member-at-Large, Royal LePage Macro Realty
- Don Robertson, Member-at-Large, Com/Choice Realty
- Conrad Zurini, Member-at-Large, RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.
We owe a debt of gratitude to interim CEOs, Kim Sanders and Carolyn Infurnari, for keeping the RAHB ship on course and thriving since April. Kim, Carolyn and RAHB staff worked tirelessly to ensure RAHB members experienced no gaps in service during this time of transition, and I thank them for their professionalism and hard work.
Carol Ann should be in attendance at ProDev+ on Wednesday, October 9, and if you would like to welcome her to RAHB I recommend you purchase your tickets at https://www.rahb.ca/prodev-
Please don’t hesitate to contact the RAHB Office at 905.529.8101 if you have questions.
Bob Van de Vrande, B.Comm., M.B.A., B.Ed.
2019 RAHB President
REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington
RAHB Christmas Closure
Below are the dates RAHB will be closed in December for the holiday season:
December 24 – at noon
December 25
December 26
December 27
December 31 – at noon
January 1 2020
Change to Townhouse and Attached Row Unit Picks
Currently when entering a residential listing in Matrix you have the option of selecting “Townhouse” or Attached Row”.
Effective Thursday, September 19, 2019 these two fields will be merged into one and renamed “Townhouse/ Row House”. This change will be reflected on all historical records, and will automatically update any of your Saved Searches and Auto Emails.
Should you have any questions, please call the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.
Realty Shoppe Closure
The Realty Shoppe will be closed on Wednesday, October 9. Plan to see us in the Exhibitor Hall at ProDev+ at the Burlington Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Centre. There will be special deals, gifts with purchase, draws and giveaways!
RAHB dues deadline September 30, 2019
The fourth quarter for 2019 RAHB dues have been billed and e-mailed to you as part of your August monthly invoice. Please note that dues are payable no later than September 30, 2019.
Full Member
$125.00 – RAHB dues (October – December 2019)
$28.75 – OREA dues (October – December 2019)
$77.50 – CREA dues (October – December 2019)
$30.06 – HST
$261.31 – Total
Acceptable methods of Payment are:
In Person: Visa, MasterCard, Interac, cash or cheque
By Phone: Visa or MasterCard
Online through Matrix: Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Visa Debit http://my.rahb.ca
Online: CIBC/PC Financial, Royal Bank, Scotia Bank, TD Canada Trust – for assistance to set-up, please contact Karin at 905.529.8101 x 258 or karinc@rahb.ca
A reminder about notifying RAHB of terminations in your office
Brokerages are responsible for notifying RAHB when members in their office resign or otherwise leave. Notice must be received by RAHB within seven business days of the member leaving. If notice is delayed beyond the seven business days, the Brokerage will be assessed a penalty of $50 per incident. (RAHB Bylaw, Article 4, Section 1.02.)
Please Help Us Raise Funds for Hurricane Dorian Victims
Hurricane Dorian has caused extensive devastation on the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama in the Bahamas. At least 50 people lost their lives and an estimated 2,500 are still missing. According to the United Nations, 70,000 people are now homeless and need immediate humanitarian relief.
Please be advised that CREA has just launched a fundraising campaign in support of the Canadian Red Cross’ Hurricane Dorian Appeal, as directed by the REALTORS Care® Committee. CREA is encouraging the REALTOR® community to make tax-receiptable donations using their REALTORS Care®-branded fundraising page: http://www.redcross.ca/dorian/
CREA would appreciate your help in spreading the word about their campaign to encourage donations and amplify our message that REALTORS® from across Canada are here to help. Please visit the REALTORS Care® Facebook Page, Twitter and Instagram accounts to find content you can easily share with your social networks.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Changes to RAHB Rule and Regulation 10 – 10.03 and MLS® Policies and MLS® Marketing 1 and 8
RAHB Rule and Regulation, Section 10 Advertising – 10.03
All RAHB members must comply with all City Bylaws when placing signs on properties. As each Municipality has their own specific times and locations, this amendment clearly outlines that all signs placed on properties must comply with all Municipal and Provincial sign legislation.
10.03 Signs giving notice of sale, rent, lease, development, exchange or open house shall not be placed on any property by more than one Brokerage, unless authorized by the Seller. Signs may only be erected on locations that conform with municipal and provincial sign legislation, all applicable laws, regulations, codes and bylaws. A Member shall not interfere with another Brokerage’s sign, unless such property is subsequently listed by said Member.
If a written complaint is received by RAHB, it is forwarded to the Professional Standards Committee for an investigation. Following an investigation by the Professional Standards Committee, the matter may be forwarded to a Discipline Hearing Panel. At a Discipline Hearing, the member may be fined a financial penalty for non-compliance of RAHB MLS® Rules and Regulations.
RAHB’s MLS® Marketing Options Policies
Some general housekeeping changes were made to RAHB’s MLS® Marketing Options Policies #1 and #8 as shown below:
- Members may list:
- A property on the MLS® system on as up to 5 different property information forms types with only one contract being required; the appropriate listing fee for each Property Information Form will apply; or
- Members may list a commercial property on multiple Commercial Property Information Forms with only one contract required provided each form has a different “Commercial Property Type” selected.
- Multiple Contracts and PIF’s Single Property; when a Sale is being reported on a listing, all additional listings must be cancelled by way of a Cancellation of Listing Agreement signed by the Seller and Broker. The cancellation must be received by RAHB processed the same day as the report of sale or a $100 fine will be levied to the member for each listing. This includes listings offered for sale and lease.
Should you have any questions, please contact the MLS® Help desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca
RAHB REALTORS® Release August 2019 Statistics
Hamilton, ON (September 3, 2019) – The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported 1,067 sales of residential properties located within the RAHB market area were processed through the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System in August 2019. August sales are down from July and June of this year, as well as August of 2018; however, the 2019 year-to-date number of sales is up 10.2 per cent over 2018. The average price for residential properties increased by 6.4 per cent from August 2018 to $599,589.
Please click here to read the full release.
Follow the links below for:
- Residential Market Activity for RAHB Area
- All RAHB Residential Market Activity and HPI Report (17 pages)
- RAHB Residential Market at a Glance
- Social Media Stats Kit
- Stats Map for Entire RAHB Area
- RAHB Commercial Activity
- Residential + Commercial Activity for RAHB Market Areas
- Historical Chart
Burlington
- Residential Real Estate Market Activity Table for Burlington
- Burlington Market Activity and HPI Report (72 pages)
- Burlington Area Map
Halidmand
- Residential Real Estate Market Activity Table for Haldimand
- Haldimand Market Activity and HPI Report (58 pages)
- Haldimand Area Map
Hamilton
- Residential Real Estate Market Activity Table for Hamilton
- Hamilton Market Activity and HPI Report (197 pages)
- Hamilton Area Map
Niagara North
- Residential Real Estate Market Activity Table for Niagara North
- Niagara North Market Activity and HPI Report (31 pages)
- Niagara North Area Map
New Matrix Features for Teams
The message below is sent on behalf of the RAHB MLS® Committee.
RAHB’s Board of Directors recently approved to have the following new features added in Matrix, effective Tuesday, October 1, 2019.
- “My Team Active Listings” link
If you belong to a team you can now have this additional link visible in the “My Listings” widget on the home page, which displays all your team’s listings. - Team Names Appearing on Display Reports
If you belong to a team, your team name will display on all display reports. If members click on the team name, a list of all the team members will display. - Market Share Report – Teams Only
Provides a link for teams to generate on the fly a Team Market Share report.
As always, if you have any questions about these new Matrix features, please contact the Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.
Welcome New Members
We extend a warm welcome to RAHB’s newest members who joined our association between July 31 and August 27, 2019!
Mitchell Press
Maureen Smith
Homelife Professionals Realty Inc.
Sam Kwon
Keller Williams Complete Realty
Megan Beam
Kallee Henselwood
Mark JamesKeller Williams Edge Realty
Kim Kucher
Linda Davies Real Estate Ltd.
Sue Nori
One Percent Realty Ltd.
Deep Singh
Michael Bedioui
AnnMari Mayelian Massihi
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.
Carole Ann De Silva Piques
RE/MAX Garden City Realty Inc.
Danilo Jokanovic
Alex Vanderlaan
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc.
Paul Strome
Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services
RAHB Web Payments
Please be advised that RAHB web payments will be unavailable tomorrow (Thursday, August 29) between 9 a.m. and 12 noon as we upgrade the system.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
If you have any questions, please contact Karin in the RAHB office at 905.529.8101 x258.
A Message From Your RAHB President
Dear fellow RAHB members,
ORTIS and the Ontario Collective (OC) are currently working to establish a joint MLS® system for their combined membership. I am pleased to inform you that RAHB has been successful in obtaining confirmation from the Transition Board of the combined ORTIS/OC group regarding an extension of the data-sharing agreement we currently have with ORTIS.
RAHB and ORTIS entered into a data-sharing agreement in August 2017, and this will extend to the Boards and Associations of the OC once the new entity is officially established. This will ensure that RAHB members, and all members of the ORTIS and OC Boards and Associations, will enjoy uninterrupted access to region-wide data for the foreseeable future.
We believe that data-sharing with ORTIS has worked very well over the past two years, providing members of RAHB with full access to ORTIS data, and all members of ORTIS with full access to RAHB data. The current members of ORTIS are:
- Brantford Regional Real Estate Association
- Cambridge Association of REALTORS® Inc.
- Guelph and District Association of REALTORS®
- Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS®
- Niagara Association of REALTORS®
- The Oakville, Milton and District Real Estate Board
- Simcoe and District Real Estate Board
- Barrie and District Association of REALTORS®
- Huron Perth Association of REALTORS
- Mississauga Real Estate Board
Below are the Boards and Associations of the OC, to which RAHB members will also have uninterrupted data access once the combined ORTIS/OC MLS® system is established:
- Bancroft & Area Association of REALTORS®
- Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association Inc.
- London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®
- North Bay Real Estate Board
- Northumberland Hills Association of REALTORS®
- Peterborough and The Kawarthas Association of REALTORS® Inc.
- Quinte & District Association of REALTORS® Inc.
- REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound
- Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS®
- The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®
- Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board
- Woodstock-Ingersoll & District Real Estate Board.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank RAHB members for your patience and support during our discussions with ORTIS. I am also grateful to ORTIS and the OC for continuing our partnership. This agreement reflects a well-established, industry-
And I would also like to take this opportunity to remind RAHB members that the RAHB Office is closed on Monday, September 2 for Labour Day. I hope you all have a wonderful and safe long weekend.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the RAHB Office at 905.529.8101 if you have questions.
Bob Van de Vrande, B.Comm., M.B.A., B.Ed.
2019 RAHB President
REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington
Kathy Della-Nebbia
2019 RAHB President Elect
REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington
“Buyer to Verify” Comments in Remarks
Recently, RAHB has been receiving complaints through the “Report Data Errors” link in Matrix regarding comments in the remarks – specifically remarks stating the “Buyer or Buyer’s Agent to verify specific information” with regards to room measurements, taxes, legal description, etc. These statements do not release the listing REALTOR® of any responsibility and accountability for the accuracy of any information contained in a MLS® listing.
The following is from RAHB’s MLS® Rules & Regulations:
Section 1 – MLS®, Sub-section 1.04 Responsibilities/ Penalties
(c) (i) The Listing Brokerage and the Listing REALTOR® are responsible for the accuracy and correctness of an MLS® Listing and for submitting the Listing Agreement to the Association as requested. The Listing Brokerage and the Listing REALTOR® are required to ensure that all information in the MLS® Listing provided to the Association, including, but not limited to, the District/Neighbourhood Code, Address (street and municipality), Property Type and the Tax Roll Number, is accurate and correct. All listings shall comply with the REALTOR® Code, the Act, the Bylaws of the Association, these Rules, and any other rule or regulation or policy of the Association.
Below is a Registrar’s Bulletin dated March 17, 2015 by Joseph Richer, Registrar of the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) on this subject:
Should you have any questions please call the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or e-mail support@rahb.ca.
REALTOR.ca iOS & Android App Updates
On Wednesday, August 21 at 10 a.m. the REALTOR.ca iOS & Android App underwent a scheduled update.This update included bug fixes and performance enhancments for both the REALTOR.ca iOS and Android mobile applications, including fixes and improvements to the open house features.
IntraMatrix
RAHB is pleased to announce that work has been ongoing to provide additional access to listing information from neighbouring Ontario Associations/Boards. As part of this work, RAHB has recently signed an agreement with the Ontario Collective group.
The Ontario Collective is comprised of Bancroft & Area Association of REALTORS®, Kawartha Lakes Real Estate Association Inc., London and St. Thomas Association of REALTORS®, North Bay Real Estate Board, Northumberland Hills Association of REALTORS®, Peterborough and The Kawarthas Association of REALTORS® Inc., Quinte & District Association of REALTORS® Inc., REALTORS® Association of Grey Bruce Owen Sound, Southern Georgian Bay Association of REALTORS®, The Lakelands Association of REALTORS®, Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board and Woodstock-Ingersoll & District Real Estate Board.
On Monday, August 26, 2019 all RAHB members were granted access to the Ontario Collective Matrix system through “IntraMatrix”. IntraMatrix can be easily accessed through the Matrix top menu by clicking on the “IntraMatrix” tab.
IntraMatrix provides RAHB members the following functions:
- Enter contacts
- Create auto e-mails
- Create saved searches
- Search, print and e-mail listings
- Prepare a CMA
- Search property history
- Create Matrix statistical reports
*Please note*
IntraMatrix brings you into a separate Matrix system. This means your contacts, saved searches, auto e-mails, CMAs and cart information from RAHB’s Matrix system will not be available in the Ontario Collective system. The information you create will be unique to each specific system.
While working with any listings on the Ontario Collective system some differences to keep in mind are:
- Statuses
- In addition to the “Sold” status, there is a “Leased” status when a listing has been leased.
- “Conditional” statuses are not broken out as “CS” – conditionally sold, or “CN” – no more showings, as is in the RAHB Matrix.
- Listing Reports
- RAHB Matrix reports were customized based on member feedback and may appear slightly different in IntraMatrix.
- My Listings
- Your listings within the “My Listings” widget on the RAHB Matrix will not be visible when you view the “My Listings” widget in IntraMatrix
There is a phone number listed at the top of Intramatrix (AnswerLink Support), which is only available to Ontario Collective users. If you have any questions, please contact the RAHB MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or support@rahb.ca.
Matrix Upgrade
Matrix upgraded on Wednesday, August 21 at 2:30 a.m.
The upgrade included a new feature titled “Reorder Search Results Using Drag and Drop”. This new feature in the search results screen allows users to manually reorder rows using drag & drop. There will be a “Drag & Drop” handle icon in the left-most column of display grids. To use the feature, users will click and hold on this icon, then drag the highlighted row to desired location, the release. Printed reports, e-mails and export will use the manually sorted order.
Limitations
- Drag & Drop is only supported in grids, it is not supported in Single-Line displays
- Clicking on a column header will override manually sorted rows
- CMA Comparable tab supports Drag & Drop for manual sorting. Note: When the CMA button is pressed in Search Results – that sort order is nor carried over to the CMA Comparable tab
- Driving Directions will not use manual sort order, Directions will automatically calculate shortest route between addresses, however you can reorder properties within the Directions screen
- Drag & Drop is not supported in Matrix Mobile
- Drag & Drop may not be supported on some mobile and tablet devices in Full Desktop mode
- Drag handles are only visible when all results fit on a single page. Drag handles will be hidden when more than one page of results are displayed. Users have the option to display more rows on a single page usually up to 100 rows (sometimes more) by changing the Display n per page. Manually reordering result sets on multiple pages of results is not supported.
Importance of Data Accuracy
It is important the information displayed in Matrix is accurate and correct. If you are viewing listing data and are concerned there may be inaccurate information being displayed, RAHB encourages all users to report any inaccuracies.
To facilitate this, there is a “Report Error” link available in Matrix on each REALTOR® Full display at the top of the page. This link, when selected, will open a window where the listing address and MLS® number is auto-populated. There will be a “Subject” drop down menu that you will be required to choose from.
Under the area labeled “Concern”, type in any data inaccuracies with the listing and click the “Submit” button. Any errors reported will remain confidential. MLS® staff follow up on all Report Errors that are submitted and any necessary changes to the listing data are made either by the Listing Salesperson/Brokerage or directly by MLS® staff. You can also choose to receive a copy of the report that you are sending.
Should you have any questions regarding the “Report Error” link, please call the MLS® HelpDesk at 905.667.4650.
Client Meetings & Staying Safe
We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that when meeting with clients/potential clients to always stay vigilant about meeting locations and times. If you feel a situation is uncommon or strange, please listen to your instincts and reschedule to a more public location or your office.
Ensure you notify the proper authorities and RAHB, if needed. Watch NewsReal for upcoming courses that RAHB offers on REALTOR® safety and self-protection.
Habitat Home Build Day – All Spots Full
Thank you everyone who volunteered to participate in RAHB’s Home Build Day for Habitat for Humanity Hamilton.
We had a wonderful response from RAHB members and all spots have now been filled.
We will be sure to post photos from the day within an upcoming NewsReal.
Changes Made to RAHB’s MLS® Marketing Options Policies
Change to RAHB Rule and Regulation, Section 10 Advertising – 10.03
RAHB Rules and Regulations, Section 10 – Advertising, Sub-section 10.03 has been amended. All RAHB members must comply with all City Bylaws when placing signs on properties. As each Municipality has their own specific times and locations, this amendment clearly outlines that all signs placed on properties must comply with all City Bylaws.
10.03 Signs giving notice of sale, rent, lease, development, exchange or open house shall not be placed on any property by more than one Brokerage, unless authorized by the Seller. Signs may only be erected on locations that conform with municipal and provincial sign legislation, all applicable laws, regulations, codes and bylaws. A Member shall not interfere with another Brokerage’s sign, unless such property is subsequently listed by said Member.
Changes Made to RAHB’s MLS® Marketing Options Policies
RAHB’s MLS® Marketing Options Policies have been amended as shown below due to changes with the listing forms and business rules, which allow users who have been granted broker load privileges to cancel their own listing(s).
1.Members may list:
- A property on the MLS® system on as up to 5 different property information forms types with only one contract being required; the appropriate listing fee for each Property Information Form will apply; or
- Members may list a commercial property on multiple Commercial Property Information Forms with only one contract required provided each form has a different “Commercial Property Type” selected.
8.Multiple Contracts and PIF’s Single Property; when a Sale is being reported on a listing, all additional listings must be cancelled by way of a Cancellation of Listing Agreement signed by the Seller and Broker. The cancellation must be received by RAHB processed the same day as the report of sale or a $100 fine will be levied to the member for each listing. This includes listings offered for