Mar 24, 2017 | CREA/OREA/RECO News |
Do you understand the real estate forms you are using?
OREA has developed a library of video tutorials to help you understand and use OREA’s standard forms.
The tutorials are short, easy-to-follow guides designed to provide crucial information when you need it. You can find OREA’s growing list of tutorials at any time via the webinar and tutorial archive on OREA’s website (orea.com – log in as a member, then choose “Standard Forms” from the menu on the left). As well, OREA staff are on hand to help you navigate the tutorials – you can reach them at standardforms@orea.com.
Mar 24, 2017 | Member Services |
As a RAHB member, you are held to a high standard of professionalism. You have to abide by the regulations and Code of Ethics in REBBA 2002, the CREA REALTOR® Code and the RAHB MLS® Rules and Regulations and Policies. That’s a lot of regulation!
It’s no surprise that, especially with the busy real estate market we have now, there are times when rules are forgotten and the Golden Rule – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, which is the basis for the REALTOR® Code – gets a bit tarnished. When that happens, other members – and sometimes buyers and sellers – are affected. As everyone knows, just one bad experience with a REALTOR® will leave an impression with a buyer or seller that will be hard for every other REALTOR® to overcome.
If you are in a situation where another member has acted contrary to what is required or expected of a real estate professional, you do have a remedy: you can make a formal complaint to RAHB or to RECO, depending on what occurred.
What’s the difference?
RAHB can deal only with complaints that are violations of RAHB’s MLS® Rules and Regulations or Policies, or those parts of the REALTOR® Code which do not have counterparts in REBBA 2002. If another member’s actions violate any regulation of REBBA 2002 or the Code of Ethics found in REBBA 2002, then only RECO can proceed with the complaint.
Why make a formal complaint?
Unlike just talking about what happened to you and/or your clients and customers over the water cooler and being upset about it, making a formal complaint can actually accomplish something. If it is a matter RAHB’s Professional Standards Committee can investigate, the member who violated rules and regulations, policies or the REALTOR® Code can be disciplined for his or her actions. Apart from the pain of paying a fine, there is also a lesson learned about what is appropriate – or not appropriate – behaviour.
It is the same with complaints to RECO for violations of REBBA 2002 and the Code of Ethics – the member can be ordered to pay a fine or take additional courses that are relevant to the infraction.
Everyone benefits when members’ improper behaviour is formally reported to RAHB or RECO: when unethical behaviour is not tolerated, it makes REALTORS® look that much better to buyers and sellers, and you get to better serve your buyers and sellers when everyone is playing by the same rules.
What’s involved in making a complaint to RAHB?
If you wish to make a complaint about another member, you will have to do it in writing by completing the Professional Standards Complaint Form (found under Member Services in REALTOR Link® or here
When you fill out the form, you will have to name the person you believe violated one of the rules, policies or the REALTOR® Code and explain the situation.
The Professional Standards Committee will review your complaint to determine whose jurisdiction the complaint falls under: RAHB’s or RECO’s. If the complaint falls under RAHB’s jurisdiction, a file will be opened. Researchers will be assigned to the case and will interview both you and the member being accused of improper behaviour.
As a member of RAHB, you can make use of this valuable member service to improve your working conditions with your clients and customers, and to make sure they see you and all REALTORS® as the professionals you are.
Links to:
REBBA 2002 and the Code of Ethics
http://www.reco.on.ca/about/resources/rebba-2002-regulations-code-conduct
RAHB MLS® Rules and Regulations
http://rahb.ca/ByLaw/2016/09152016RAHBRulesRegulations.pdf
RAHB MLS® Policies
http://rahb.ca/MLS/2016/December2016MLSPolicies.pdf
REALTOR® Code
http://www.realtorlink.ca/content/realtorlink/crea/en_CA/about/realtor–code-of-ethics/articles.html
Mar 24, 2017 | Member Services |
Call to Action:
Lawyers can… Accountants can… Mortgage brokers can… REALTORS® CAN’T.
It’s time to treat REALTORS® fairly. It’s time to permit Personal Real Estate Corporations in Ontario.
ISSUE
Currently, Ontario real estate salespeople are prevented by the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act (REBBA), 2002 from incorporating their businesses through a personal real estate corporation (PREC).
ONTARIO LEGISLATION IS DISCRIMINATORY
Other regulated professions, including chartered accountants, lawyers, health professionals, social workers, mortgage brokers, insurance agents, architects and engineers, can all form personal corporations.
OTHER PROVINCES
Since 2008, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Nova Scotia have all moved to allow real estate salespeople to incorporate.
NO COMPROMISE TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
Real estate salespeople who form personal corporations will continue to be subject to all professional and ethical obligations under REBBA, 2002.
SOLUTION
OREA calls on the Ontario government to amend REBBA, 2002 to permit real estate salespeople to incorporate. Allowing personal real estate corporations will help REALTORS® with their small businesses, level the playing field with other regulated professions and harmonize the practice with other provinces.
MPP Todd Smith has reintroduced Bill 104, the Tax Fairness for Realtors Act, 2017, which is being co-sponsored by MPP Mike Colle and MPP Catherine Fife. The bill, if passed, would allow Ontario REALTORS® to form personal real estate corporations (PRECs).
Tell your MPP to support the Tax Fairness for Realtors Act, 2017.
Take action now: http://www.realtortaxfairness.ca/
Mar 24, 2017 | REALTORS Care® |
To register click here
Mar 24, 2017 | Member Services |
Pick up a good book from the Realty Shoppe!
Dialogues To Success by Michael Appleton
Language and systems designed to maximize your earning potential in residential real estate! Twenty years of extensive research compiled into one volume.
$39.95 ea
Foundations For Success by Stephen Silver
Featuring an eight-week program to real estate success. This workbook outlines a path to help new agents become successful in the shortest time, and to help veterans in a slump get back to basics with a set plan and new skills.
$35.00 ea
Put the Pen Down! by Mark Weisleder
What homebuyers, sellers and salespeople need to know before signing on the dotted line.
$19.04 ea
Real Estate Advertising Made Easy by Jamie Edwards & Mary Ellen Randall
The original “mix and match” real estate ad writer. Personal promotion – effective public relations and techniques – open Houses for profit.
$19.04 ea
Real Estate Salespeople, BEWARE! by Mark Weisleder
Protect your clients – Increase your success on every deal!
$29.95 ea
The Happy Agent by Ross Wilson
Find harmony with a thriving real estate career and an enriched personal life. Discover immediately implementable step-by-step marketing and presentation protocols, principled smart tools, and get answers to popular questions like how to transition from the low-production majority to the high-producer minority.
$24.00 ea
The Millionaire Mindset for Real Estate Agents by Richard Fournier
Learn how to rediscover your hidden potential, create your own success blueprint, use the goal setting strategies of the super-achievers and sustain a ‘millionaire mindset” with daily personal development tips.
$18.00 ea
Please Note: Final Sale policy in effect on all published books.
REALTOR® CONNECTIONS 2017
Congratulations to the lucky winners of gift baskets from the Realty Shoppe.
Lily Cerminara-Clairmont (Re/Max Escarpment Realty Inc., Brokerage – Winterberry Dr.)
Jeff Hewson (Century 21 Aberwin Realty Inc.)
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
T.: 905.529.5979 F.: 905.529.7109
E.: realtyshoppe@rahb.ca
* All applicable taxes are extra. Prices subject to change.
Mar 24, 2017 | Member Services |
Soliciting business by email
RAHB has lately been hearing from members that their sellers have been receiving random emails from other members offering their services.
Please remember that under Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), you may not solicit business by sending emails to people who are not your clients if you do not have a previous relationship with them or do not have their consent to communicate with them.
Learn more about CASL guidelines in CREA’s flow chart at http://bit.ly/2m30YuP (via REALTOR Link®)
You can also find more detailed information about the CASL on CREA’s REALTOR Link® page – just go to REALTOR Link® > CREA > Resources and Compliance > Compliance Resources > Anti-Spam (CASL).
Offers in a hot market
It’s a hot market right now – with relatively few listings and high demand, members are reporting multiple offers in the double digits and prices being driven up as a result.
We have received a number of calls from frustrated RAHB members and buyers who report they have been in situations where the listing salesperson has either suggested a price for an offer – usually well above the listed price – or indicated their offer should be, for example, $10,000 higher than their original offer in order to be successful.
While it may appear the listing salesperson is being helpful, they are in fact disclosing information about offers already received for the property. To suggest an increase or a figure that should be offered discloses that there is already an offer that would be unsuccessful if the suggested amount was offered.
You are reminded that RAHB’s Rules and Regulations specifically state that members may not disclose any terms of any offer to anyone:
Section 12 – Trading Procedures, Sub-section 12.03
Under no circumstances may the terms of an Offer be disclosed to anyone other than the parties to the Offer or their authorized representatives. The Brokerage must not disclose these terms to its own salespeople, other Brokerages, or other prospects. An Offer is confidential document and must be treated as such.
Offering “helpful” advice about how much an offer needs to be to be successful is clearly contrary to the RAHB Rules and Regulations, and is unfair to the buyers whose offers should not be used as bargaining tools.
Mar 24, 2017 | Member Services |
Did you know ….
The City of Hamilton offers a number of financial incentives for property owners, developers and, in some cases, tenants to help offset costs of redevelopment, conversions and other improvements to brownfields, heritage structures, buildings and properties located within particular areas of the city.
The programs available are:
- Development Charges (offered exclusively in downtown Hamilton)
- Hamilton Downtown, Barton and Kenilworth Multi-Residential Property Investment Program
- Barton and Kenilworth Rebate of some planning and building fees
- Barton/Kenilworth Tax Increment Grant program
- Barton/Kenilworth Commercial Corridor Building Improvement Grant program
- Hamilton Tax Increment Grant program
- Office Tenancy Assistance program
- Commercial Corridor Housing Loan and Grant program
- Commercial Property Improvement Grant program
- Hamilton Heritage Property Grant Program
- Hamilton Community Heritage Fund Loan program
- BIA Commercial Property Improvement Grant program
Hamilton also offers several environmental programs under the Environmental Remediation and Site Enhancement (ERASE) Community Improvement Plan. These programs are designed to encourage and promote brownfield redevelopment. Most ERASE programs are available throughout the City of Hamilton.
- ERASE Redevelopment Grant (ERG) program
- Development Charge Reduction Option
- ERASE Tax Assistance program
- ERASE Municipal Acquisition and Partnership program
- ERASE Study Grant program
- LEED Grant program
- Downtown Hamilton/West Harbourfront Remediation Loan program
For complete details about these programs, check out Hamilton Economic Development’s website at www.investinhamilton.ca.
Mar 24, 2017 | Member Services |
RAHB’s annual premier member event, REALTOR® CONNECTIONS AGM, Conference and Trade Show, was held Thursday, March 9, 2017 at the Grand Olympia Convention Centre!
Here’s a brief look back at the day:
RAHB Annual General Meeting
- Justin Podmoroff of Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services joined RAHB in the fall of 2016 and became our 3,000th Justin received a gift basket and was recognized at the RAHB AGM
- MLS® Chair Nikola Bucalo discussed what the MLS® Committee accomplished last year and what is on its work plan for 2017
- CEO George O’Neill provided an update on RAHB’s new Matrix MLS® System
- Audit Committee Chair Bob van de Vrande presented the audited financial statements for 2016
Find the MLS® report and audited financial statement in the 2016 RAHB Annual Report here.
Knowledge Pods
Knowledge pods were divided into three streams – Commercial, Professionalism and Technology – and featured:
- Rebecca Mountain: 3 Keys to Lead Generation
- Mark Brodsky: 2017 Marketing Trends
- Kelvin Kucey: RECO Update
- Bruce McPherson: Real Estate and Drones
- Sue Rimac: New Interactive Zoning Lookup Tool
- Gregory Klump: CREA MLS® Home Price Index (HPI)
- Lucie Brusse: What You Need to Know When Selling a Tenanted Property
- John Davidson & Stephanie Mazhari: Update: Halton Region Economic Development
Trade Show
- 44 suppliers of goods and services filled the Exhibit Hall and foyer
- The Road to Success contest challenged those attending REALTOR® CONECTIONS to collect stickers from all 44 exhibitors. The prize: a $50 Pearl Hospitality Group gift card.
Keynote
REALTOR® CONNECTIONS wound up with keynote speaker Stuart Knight’s motivational address on the Four Conversations for Success. Each member left with a reminder of the four conversations. Find the outline of Stuart’s presentation here.
Representatives of the Charity Auction Task Force collected donations to The Children’s Fund. Anyone who donated $100 was eligible for a draw for tickets to see Coldplay in August and all other donations were eligible for a draw for a $50 Pearl Group Hospitality Group.
Representatives of the Charity Golf Tournament took early registrations for the annual charity golf tournament on May 18, 2017 at Beverly Golf & Country Club. Members who signed up at REALTOR® CONNECTIONS went home with a little something to use in the tournament.
Members of the Member Engagement Committee conducted an informal survey about member communications and helped direct members to the various activities and contests.
Winners!
Members who went home with prizes and gifts:
Debora Agro (Royal LePage State Realty) – draw for 2018 RAHB dues
Dennis Tian (Apex Results Realty Inc.) – $50 gift card for the Pearl Hospitality Group (Road to Success contest)
Penny MacKenzie (Keller Williams Edge Realty)- Tickets to Coldplay (Charity Auction Draw)
Vicki Steele (Royal LePage Macro) – $50 gift card for the Pearl Hospitality Restaurant Group (Charity Auction Draw)
Lily Cerminara-Clairmont (Re/Max Escarpment Realty Inc.) and Jeff Hewson (Century 21 Aberwin Realty Inc.) – Realty Shoppe Gift Baskets valued at $180 each
The Hamilton Spectator – Winner of the Best Booth Award (for exhibitors)
Mar 23, 2017 | Member Services |
Mar 23, 2017 | Member Services |
What You Need to Know About Tarion – Amy Lewis
Friday, March 31, 2017
10 a.m. – Noon
Free
Power of Sale – Lou Radomsky
Thursday, April 13, 2017
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
$30+HST
New Interacative Zoning Lookup Tool – Sue Rimac
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Free
SRES® – Seniors Real Estate Specialist® – Gareth Jones
Monday, May 1 & Tuesday, May 2, 2017 (2-day course)
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
$325+HST
ABR® Accredited Buyer’s Representative – Gareth Jones
Monday, May 15 & Tuesday, May 16, 2017 (2-day course)
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
$325+HST
iPad Agent – Amyn Chagan
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
9 a.m. – Noon
$79+HST (Early Bird prior to May 10); $99+HST regular price
Master Open House – Amyn Chagan
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
$79+HST (Early Bird prior to May 10) $99+HST regular price
Insurance Concerns for Buyers – Lou Radomsky
Friday, May 19, 2017
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
$30+HST
Agency – Practical Facts for Dealing with Buyers – Hugh Foy
Monday, May 29, 2017
10 a.m. – Noon
$30+HST
Tax and Estate Planning – Peter Bowen
Lunch and Learn Workshop
Monday, June 5, 2017
10 a.m. – Noon
Free
Successful Email Marketing – Mark Brodsky
Monday, June 12, 2017
10 a.m. – Noon
Free
REIC 2600: Ethics and Business Practice – Mary Jones
Monday, June 19, 2017 – Wednesday, June 21, 2017 (3-day course)
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
$625+HST
All courses will be held in the McCullough room at the RAHB office (lower level). To register, or for more information, contact Angela at 905.529.8101 x233 or angelam@rahb.ca.
Mar 23, 2017 | RAHB News |
The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington extends a warm welcome to its newest members from January 24 to March 21, 2017!
Jennifer Hansen
Apex Results Realty Inc.
Sharon Caetano
Bradbury Estate Realty Inc.
Dale Murphy
Century 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd.
Khalid Bajwa
Century 21 New Age Realty Inc.
Nicola Caruso
Ashlee McLean
Coldwell Banker Community Professionals
Ira Greenspoon
Com/Choice Realty
Sal Mohammad Alizadeh E.
Homelife Professionals Realty Inc.
Don Henderson
Keller Williams Complete Realty
Jamie Buckrell
Sandra Naccarato
Nicole Burns
Karl Wulf
Keller Williams Edge Realty
Boby Singh Multani
LEADEX Realty Inc.
Devin Todd Keller
Raechel Roganowicz
The Listing House Real Estate Brokerage
Myka Wroblewski
Mick Neale
RE/MAX Aboutowne Realty Corp.
Dave Bartolacci
Joshua Bennett
Helen Cen
Sarah Donnelly
Zaya Oshana
Kevin Wen
Jessica Zimmer
RE/MAX Escarpment Realty Inc.
Victoria Fiore
Scarlett Strati
RE/MAX Escarpment Frank Realty
Jacob Campagnaro
RE/MAX Escarpment Lisa Weber Realty Inc.
Samantha Sposato
Rachael Hensen
RE/MAX Garden City Realty Inc.
Betsy Wang
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Inc.
Sonia Sandhu
Right At Home Realty Inc.
Sabrina McCaig
Olivia Rapson
Angelika Zammit
Royal LePage Burloak Real Estate Services
Michael Hesson
Royal LePage Macro Realty
Sal Difalco
Royal LePage State Realty
Rudy Carneiro
Filomena Dias
Oksana Holubiez
Anabela Serra
Royal LePage Supreme Realty
Alex Irish
Sotheby’s International Realty Canada
Benjamin Clarke
StreetCity Realty Inc.
Visalinh Saythavy
Stonemill Realty Inc.
Mar 23, 2017 | RAHB News |
Congratulations to Fred Amalfi (Right at Home Realty Inc.) on his recent retirement after 43 years of RAHB membership!
The Association would like to recognize members who have recently retired after achieving 40+ consecutive years of RAHB membership. If you know of a member who should be recognized, please contact Camryn in Membership at camrynh@rahb.ca or 905.529.8101 X251.
