Sep 9, 2015 | RAHB News |
What do you think about RAHB and RAHB services?
Thanks to the 900 members (that’s 35 per cent of RAHB members!) who responded to the 2014 Member Satisfaction Survey, now we know!
Here are some of the things we learned from you:
- 69% of you are satisfied or very satisfied with RAHB services while 3% of you are dissatisfied with RAHB services.
- Brokers and Managers are more likely to be satisfied with RAHB services, while salespeople are less likely.
- Those of you in very small or medium-sized offices are most likely to be satisfied with RAHB services.
- The higher the level of education you have, the less likely you are to be satisfied with RAHB services.
- RAHB’s top three strengths are communication, MLS® and information
- RAHB’s top three weaknesses are cost, membership, communication
Why does this information matter?
Now that the Directors and RAHB staff know how you feel about the service you receive, what services are important to you and what you expect from the association, we can work toward improving our track record, improving service and meeting your expectations. We are here, after all, for you.
Can 900 people really represent the opinions of 2700 members?
They can! The 35 per cent response rate has given us strong, reliable and meaningful information. The survey was designed and conducted by Framework Partners Inc., a professional polling company with, incidentally, extensive experience in polling for real estate associations across Canada.
In pollster-speak, the response rate of 35% is consistent with a margin of error of +/- 2.7% 19 times out of 20. In layman’s terms, that’s pretty accurate.
Where can you get more information about the survey results?
On August 18, RAHB members had the opportunity to learn more about the survey results by attending a presentation by Alec Milne of Framework Partners Inc. The event was also webcast so those who couldn’t make it to the presentation could still watch.
A brief summary of Alec’s presentation can be viewed at rahb.ca/framework/summary.pdf, or you can watch a video rahb.ca/framework/.
More information about the results of the survey will also be printed in REALINFO over the next few months.
So now what?
Your Board of Directors, committee members and staff also met with Alec Milne to gain an understanding of what all the information means. From that meeting, they developed a number of recommendations for short- and long-term actions which address meeting member expectations and increasing member engagement.
You can expect that the results from the Member Satisfaction Survey will be part of every Board decision about member services going forward.
How does RAHB compare to other associations?
Framework Partners has worked with other real estate associations to determine their levels of member satisfaction.
Framework compared RAHB’s level of member satisfaction with nine other real estate associations. Other associations’ member satisfaction ranged from a high of 76 per cent (two associations) to a low of 58 per cent. At 69 per cent, RAHB is tied for fourth place, at only seven points off the top mark.
Sep 9, 2015 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
RAHB Average Price by District – (#) Residential Unit Sales
Hamilton
Hamilton West, 10 – 12
Hamilton East, 23, 24, 27 – 29
Hamilton Centre, 13, 14, 20 – 22
Hamilton Mountain, 15 – 18, 25 & 26
Burlington, 30 – 36, 38
Outlying
Flamborough, 40, 43 – 45
Dundas, 41
Ancaster, 42
Waterdown, 46
Stoney Creek, 50 – 52
Glanbrook, 53
Grimsby, 54 -55
West Lincoln, 56
Smithville, 57
Dunnville, 61
Cayuga, 62
Calendonia/Hagersville, 63 & 70
Onieda/Seneca, 71 & 64
Rainham, 65
Canborough/Dunn, 60
Moulton/Sherbrooke, 60
Sep 9, 2015 | REALTORS Care® |
Royal LePage State is partnering with Marz Homes and Player’s Paradise to provide the site for the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society of Canada’s second annual Muck MS Canada – Hamilton Mud run.
This challenging and fun event will be held Saturday, September 26.
The course is 5 kilometers in length and consists of 15 muddy obstacles. The course is meant to test participants’ skills as they run, climb, jump, crawl, and most importantly – get dirty.
Individuals and teams can enter on the MuckMS.ca website, for $70 a person, or $80 to be first out the gate. Group discounts may be available for teams of over 10 members.
For more information about Muck MS Canada – Hamilton Mud and to register, visit muckms.ca.
Sep 9, 2015 | CREA/OREA/RECO News |
The Canadian Real Estate Association has updated its FINTRAC (money laundering) resource materials. Changes include
- Clarification on the types of records that need to be kept to satisfy the obligation to keep records of measures taken to monitor a broker’s business relationships.
- Revisions to reflect FINTRAC’s recently published Guidance on the Risk-Based Approach to Combatting Money laundering and Terrorist Financing and the recent Supreme Court of Canada FINTRAC decision with respect to lawyers.
- More information on suspicious transaction records and reports.
- Minor formatting changes to CREA forms.
Revised CREA forms, which incorporate the changes, are available for download now on REALTOR Link® and are now available on WEBForms®.
*****
As a result of a new FINTRAC course developed by the Real Estate Knowledge Network (REvia), CREA will be discontinuing its own Money Laundering 101 course, currently offered by a third party and accessible via REALTOR Link®, as of December 31, 2015.
The new REvia course represents a significant improvement over CREA’s existing course as it is available in both English and French, contains broker and agent streams so that the law is explained in light of specific responsibilities, is more user-friendly, and contains numerous quizzes and helpful examples to help ensure that information members need to know is retained.
For more information about the new REvia course, go to http://www.revia.ca.
Sep 9, 2015 | CREA/OREA/RECO News |
As part of his election platform, Prime Minister Steven Harper announced his intention to increase the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP) withdrawal limit from $25,000 to $35,000.
Since its inception in 1992, the HBP has helped 2.8 million Canadians to purchase their first home. Over the 23 years the program has been in place, however, the purchasing power of the HBP has been steadily eroded by inflation. CREA, through it’s annual PAC meetings with MPs, has lobbied for an increase to the withdrawal limit.
Sep 9, 2015 | CREA/OREA/RECO News |
Real estate lawyer Mark Weisleder offers the following information about Bill 55 and bidding wars. This information was published in Mark’s newsletter and is reprinted with permission.
There is already confusion with respect to how real estate brokerages are to comply with Bill 55 and use the new Form 801 in a bidding war. Here are 5 things to know:
What was the main purpose behind Bill 55 in the first place?
The main purpose was to stop unethical practices when conducting bidding wars. For example, saying that you had another offer in order to trick a buyer into offering more than they intended to bid. You should keep this in mind when you say or do anything in a bidding war.
Why do we have Form 801?
The main purpose of completing Form 801 is so that the listing brokerage can keep a record of every offer that is presented by a buyer brokerage and not accepted by the seller without having to keep a copy of the actual offer itself. This form can then be used as proof later if someone claims that you misrepresented having received another offer.
Can a buyer brokerage still register an offer?
The answer is yes. However, in order to register an offer, the buyer salesperson must know that the offer exists. In my opinion, this means that the buyer brokerage must have the original agreement signed by the buyer in their possession when they register an offer.
Can a buyer still change their mind once an offer is registered?
The answer is yes. Until the offer is communicated to the seller by personal delivery, fax or email, it can be withdrawn by the buyer.
Can the listing brokerage ask a buyer brokerage to complete and send Form 801 if they want to register an offer?
The answer is no. This is what is causing the most confusion. It is not appropriate for a buyer brokerage to complete Form 801 and send it in to a listing brokerage BEFORE they intend to actually submit the offer. By doing so, they would be telling the listing brokerage in advance the identity of the buyer. In my opinion, it is sufficient for a buyer brokerage to just send something in writing to the listing brokerage confirming that they have an offer which they intend to present later. They can identify the property but not the buyer name. For a listing brokerage, if you have this information in writing from a buyer
brokerage, you can then inform others that you have received a registered offer. However, be careful to also state that no actual offer has been received.
Sep 9, 2015 | Member Services |
Professional Development
Held at RAHB – 505 York Blvd. – Lower Level
C – Chambers Room M – McCullough Room
Matrix Computer Training
Tuesday, September 22 – C, 9 a.m. – Noon
Tuesday, October 14 – C, 9 a.m. – Noon
Matrix Transition Training
Members
Monday, September 14 – M, 2 p.m.
Administrators
Wednesday, September 16 – M, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Thursday, September 24, 10 a.m. – noon SOLD OUT
Monday, October 5 – M, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
HST for the Real Estate Professional
Thursday, September 17 – M, 10 a.m. – Noon
Commercial Numbers
Thursday, September 17 – M, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Spring into Style with Home Staging
Monday, September 21 – M, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ethics and Business Practice
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 27 – 29, M
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., $595 + HST
Designation Courses:
Accredited Senior Agent (ASA) Designation
Tuesday and Wednesday, September 15 & 16 – M,
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., $299 + HST
To register for these courses, contact Angela at angelam@rahb.ca or call 905.529.8101 x233
Board of Directors, Committee and Task Force Meetings
Held at RAHB – 505 York Blvd. – First Floor
T – Thompson Room P – Purnell Room
Board of Directors
Thursday, September 10 – T, 9 a.m.
Nomination
Friday, September 11 – T, 9 a.m.
Golf Task Force
Friday, September 11 – P, 9:30 a.m.
Awards Task Force
Wednesday, September 16 – T, 9:30 a.m.
Auction Task Force
Wednesday, September 16 – T, 1 p.m.
YRN
Friday, September 25 – T, 10 a.m.
Upcoming Events
Professional Development Days
October 6 – 8, 2015
RAHB McCullough Rooms (lower level)
RAHB Office Closures
Monday, October 12, 2015 for Thanksgiving Day
Aug 10, 2015 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
RAHB Average Price by District – (#) Residential Unit Sales
Hamilton
Hamilton West, 10 – 12
Hamilton East, 23, 24, 27 – 29
Hamilton Centre, 13, 14, 20 – 22
Hamilton Mountain, 15 – 18, 25 & 26
Burlington, 30 – 36, 38
Outlying
Flamborough, 40, 43 – 45
Dundas, 41
Ancaster, 42
Waterdown, 46
Stoney Creek, 50 – 52
Glanbrook, 53
Grimsby, 54 -55
West Lincoln, 56
Smithville, 57
Dunnville, 61
Cayuga, 62
Calendonia/Hagersville, 63 & 70
Onieda/Seneca, 71 & 64
Rainham, 65
Canborough/Dunn, 60
Moulton/Sherbrooke, 60
Aug 10, 2015 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
Aug 7, 2015 | MLS®, Stats & Technology |
(August 6, 2015 – Hamilton, Ontario) The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) reported 1624 sales processed through the RAHB Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) System in July. While this was no record-breaking month, sales were still 4.4 per cent higher than the same month last year and 27.1 per cent higher than the historical 10-year average.
There were 1,968 properties listed in July, a decrease of just under one per cent compared to the same month the year prior. The lower number of listings plus the increase in sales left the end-of-month listing inventory 13.7 per cent lower than last July.
“It’s still all about lack of inventory,” said RAHB CEO Ross Godsoe. “After three record-breaking months in a row, there is just over two months of listing inventory – a sure indicator of a continued seller’s market.”
Seasonally adjusted* sales of residential properties were 5.9 per cent higher than the same month of the previous year, with the average sale price up 5.7 per cent for the month. Seasonally adjusted numbers of new listings were six per cent higher than the same month the year prior.
Seasonally adjusted data for residential properties for the month of July, 2015:
Actual overall residential sales of 1564 units were 4.8 per cent higher than the previous year at the same time. Residential freehold sales were 6.4 per cent higher than last July while sales in the condominium market decreased by 1.7 per cent.
“The sustained seller’s market is particularly evident in the condominium market,” added Godsoe. “Sales may have been down compared to last year, but so were new listings. There isn’t even a month and a half of inventory in the condo market, and the sales-to-new-listing ratio is an astounding 96 per cent in that sector.”
The average price of freehold properties showed an increase of 4.9 per cent compared to the same month the previous year; the average sale price in the condominium market increased by 7.7 per cent when compared to the same period.
The average sale price is based on the total dollar volume of all properties sold in the RAHB market area. Average sale price information can be useful in establishing long term trends, but should not be used as an indicator that specific properties have increased or decreased in value.
The average days on market decreased from 36 to 33 days in the freehold market and from 39 to 30 days in the condominium market when compared to the same month the previous year.
Year to date, sales are 12.2 per cent higher compared to the same period last year; listings are six per cent higher than last year and the average sale price is 7.8 per cent higher for the period.
Every community in RAHB’s market area has its own localized residential market. Please refer to the accompanying chart for residential market activity in select areas in RAHB’s jurisdiction.
*Seasonal adjustment removes normal seasonal variations, enabling analysis of monthly changes and fundamental trends in the data.
Established in 1921, the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington (RAHB) represents more than 2,700 real estate brokers and sales representatives from Hamilton, Burlington and outlying areas. Members of the association may use the REALTOR® trademark, which identifies them as real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics. The association operates the local Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) and provides ongoing professional education courses for its members. In addition, RAHB is an active participant in the Home Ownership Affordability Partnership (HOAP) and holds an annual auction in support of local charities. Advertisements of local MLS® property listings and information about the services provided by a REALTOR® can be found at www.REALTOR.ca. More information about RAHB is available at www.rahb.ca.
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Aug 7, 2015 | Member Services |
Professional Development
Held at RAHB – 505 York Blvd. – Lower Level
C – Chambers Room M – McCullough Room
Computer Training Level 1
Tuesday, August 11 – C, 9 a.m. – Noon
Wednesday, August 26 – C, 9 a.m. – noon
Bill 55 – Bidding War
Monday, August 17 – M, 10 a.m. – Noon
How Money Works – Lunch and Learn
Tuesday, August 25 – M, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
HST for the Real Estate Professional
Thursday, September 17 – M, 10 a.m. – Noon
Commercial Numbers
Thursday, September 17 – M, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Spring into Style with Home Staging
Monday, September 21 – M, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ethics and Business Practice
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 27 – 29, M
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., $595 + HST
Designation Courses:
ABR® – Accredited Buyer’s Representative
Wednesday and Thursday, August 26 & 27 – M,
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., $299 + HST (two day course)
Accredited Senior Agent (ASA) Designation
Tuesday and Wednesday, September 15 & 16 – M,
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., $299 + HST (two day course)
To register for these courses, email Angela at angelam@rahb.ca or call 905.529.8101 x233
Upcoming Event
Professional Development Days
October 6 – 8, at the association office
Tuesday, October 6
50 Top Sales Tips – Michael Appleton
10 a.m. – Noon
The Four Pillars of Income in Real Estate
– Michael Appleton, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, October 7
GeoWarehouse: New Product Update
– Theresa Corin, 10 a.m. – Noon
Social Media Sales Funny – Rebecca Mountain
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Thursday, October 8
When Things Go Wrong – Mark Weisleder
10 a.m. – Noon
Estate Planning – Ed Ounpuu, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
To register for these courses, email Angela at angelam@rahb.ca or call 905.529.8101 x233
RAHB Office Closures
Wednesday, August 19 at 3 p.m. and reopening
Thursday, August 20 at 8:30 a.m.
Monday, September 7, 2015 for Labour Day
Aug 7, 2015 | CREA/OREA/RECO News |
OREA will be bringing you six new Emerge events across Ontario in 2015. Stay tuned for the exciting topics that will be covered and OREA’s great book give-away from Debra Trappen – Fire up! Taking Your Life and Business to 11.
Ottawa – September 17, 2015, The Shaw Center
Peterborough – October 8, 2015, Holiday Inn Peterborough Waterfront
Sudbury – October 21, 2015, Holiday Inn Sudbury
Burlington – November 5, 2015, Holiday Inn Burlington Hotel & Conference Centre
Stratford – November 26, 2015, The Arden Park Hotel
Mississauga – December 8, 2015, Mississauga Convention Center
