Apr 21, 2020 | Uncategorized |
It has come to RAHB’s attention that users are posting URLs for a pre-recorded walk through or a virtual tour, rather than a Virtual Live Stream Tour on REALTOR.ca.
You are reminded of the following:
- The posted URL only remains active in the time period you specified; and then disappears.
- Virtual Live Stream Tours are advertised on REALTOR.ca and intended as a real time walk through of the property, with the Listing Salesperson available to answer questions at that time of the Virtual Live Stream Tour.
Below is how your Virtual Live Stream Tour is advertised on REALTOR.ca:
Pre-recorded videos should only be placed under the “Virtual Tour URL” or “Additional Images URL” in Matrix as shown below:
If you will be hosting a Virtual Live Stream Tour, you may enter the date, time and URL under “Open Houses” in Matrix as shown below:
Should you have any questions, please contact the RAHB MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or [email protected].
Apr 17, 2020 | Uncategorized |
The Burlington City Council’s next meeting will be on Monday, April 20 at 9:30 a.m.
This council meeting will see Burlington senior staff providing an update about the financial impacts of COVID-19 and seek Council’s endorsement of a three-month strategy that prioritizes which City services will be provided through to the end of June 2020.
Financial impacts of COVID-19
A report detailing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the City of Burlington’s budget will be presented. This report will include:
- Estimated revenue impacts of $7.6 million to June 30, 2020;
- Estimated expenditure savings of $5.2 million to June 30, 2020;
- Cash flow projections to June 30, 2020;
- Future financial modelling to identify pressures, dependent on the length of the pandemic, and recovery scenarios.
Municipalities are required to approve a balanced budget; however, the City of Burlington can have a shortfall or surplus in a given year. A shortfall can be offset by:
- Using reserve funds;
- Increasing taxes in the next year; or
- Reducing expenditures during the year of the anticipated shortfall. This is what Burlington is attempting to do to mitigate a shortfall at year-end.
Apr 17, 2020 | Uncategorized |
The City of Hamilton has reached out to RAHB with an urgent need regarding housing for individuals and families currently in shelter and/or hotels. Please see below for a message from Paul Johnson, Director, Emergency Operations Centre at the City of Hamilton.
Dear Housing Partner,
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Hamilton is committed to supporting Hamiltonians and taking every precaution to keep our community as healthy and safe as possible.
As you may have noted during the City’s COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall on Wednesday night, keeping housing placements moving is one of ways we hope to accomplish this; connecting individuals who are at-risk and/or experiencing homelessness to support and appropriate resources, which includes permanent housing.
We need your help. The City is looking for private market rental units to fill an immediate need: to house individuals and families currently in shelter and/or hotels who could move in with minimal supports. For some people, we will be able to match them up with the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit that took effect April 1. We are asking landlords who have a vacant unit that is move-in ready to work with the City to create long term tenancies with financial support.
Working together on housing placements will achieve a number of goals:
- Create more assured rental income with a longer-term tenant
- Foster a sustainable investment
- Provide additional supports for these new tenants
- Contribute to the shared community goal of preventing the spread of COVID-19
Thanks to additional support from both the federal and provincial governments, we have an opportunity to provide financial supports in the long term to help facilitate housing plans.
If you have any available units for rent and/or would like additional information, please contact [email protected].
I want to thank you in advance for stepping in to help our community during this unprecedented crisis. We are all in this together.
Sincerely,
Paul Johnson
Please click the link to read Paul Johnson’s letter: Apr-17-20 – Housing Call Out
Apr 17, 2020 | Uncategorized |
The Hamilton Chamber of Commerce is asking for Hamilton’s business community to provide feedback on the impact COVID-19 has had on their business, the effectiveness of existing programs and initiatives, and options or suggestions on policy, programs and initiatives that should be considered in the short term.
To participate in the survey, please click the button below:
Apr 17, 2020 | Uncategorized |
On April 15, CREA released their national statistics and chose to focus on seasonally adjusted data, while highlighting individual markets across the country. For the release, please visit https://www.crea.ca/news/canadian-home-sales-and-listings-down-in-march/.
RAHB, as well as several other associations/boards across Canada, reported an increase in the number of sales month-over-month (actual) from February to March 2020; however, the seasonally adjusted numbers published by CREA show decreases. For example, RAHB reported a 10 per cent increase in the number of sales (actual) from February to March of this year, while CREA reported a decrease of 24.9 per cent in sales (seasonally adjusted) for the same time period.
The media published CREA’s release and data, but did not explain that the data was seasonally adjusted. For the CBC article, please visit https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/crea-march-real-estate-1.5532748.
We are working with CREA to correct any media that have not properly identified and explained seasonally adjusted data; however, this has caused confusion among REALTORS® across Canada, as well as in the eyes of the public.
RAHB has contacted CREA and asked that they:
- Emphasize that their data is seasonally adjusted.
- Include a clear definition of seasonally adjusted data.
- Provide a clear explanation of the difference between seasonally adjusted data provided by CREA and actual data provided by boards/associations.
- Focus on data at the national level, allowing boards and associations to publish regional data.
RAHB and other boards and associations use actual data in statistics releases, and refrain from focusing on seasonally adjusted data as it is quite complicated for the public to understand. CREA does provide a high-level explanation on their website – https://www.creacafe.ca/seasonally-adjusted-mysteries-revealed/.
Below are some points RAHB members can use to explain CREA’s seasonally adjusted data with clients:
- The majority of regional boards/associations – including RAHB – publish raw data within their monthly market statistics reports to show the actual activity that took place within any given month.
- CREA uses seasonally adjusted data to identify trends.
- Seasonal adjustment strips out normal seasonal fluctuations that otherwise affect data, and levels the playing field for each month.
- CREA states that using seasonally adjusted data makes every month 30 days with four weekends and no holidays.
- The effect of seasonal adjustment is that it reduces readings for months which normally get a seasonal lift, and boosts them for months which normally see a seasonal slump.
- Seasonally adjusted data is how governments, financial institutions and market analysts look at the figures.
- Seasonally adjusted statistics result from raw data being fed into a complicated computer model.
RAHB uses actual data because:
- Actual data is the raw data collected in any given time period.
- Raw data shows the confirmed/real activity that took place during any given time period.
- Actual (raw) data is generally easier to understand.
- Publishing actual (raw) data allows REALTORS® to analyze their specific section of the market.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
Apr 14, 2020 | COVID19 |
On April 8, Minister Morneau further explained the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).
The Federal Government is responding to concerns of the business community by amending previously announced conditions about the proposed CEWS:
- To measure revenue, compare the revenue of March, April and May 2020 to that of the same month of 2019, or to an average of the revenue earned in January and February 2020.
- For March, the Federal Government proposes to make the CEWS more accessible by reducing the 30 per cent benchmark of revenue losses to 15 per cent. For April and May, a business will need to demonstrate a 30 per cent loss, once again. This is to recognize that many businesses did not begin to be affected by COVID-19 until partway through March.
- In recognition that the time between when revenue is earned and when it is paid could vary between sectors, employers are now allowed to measures revenues either based on accrual accounting (as they are earned) or cash accounting (as they are received).
Additionally, the Federal Government is proposing that employers who are eligible for the CEWS be entitled to receive a 100 per cent refund for certain employer-paid contributions to EI and the Canada Pension Plan.
To learn more about the The Canada Emergency Response Benefit and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, please click here.
To read about the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (April 3), please click here.
Apr 8, 2020 | Uncategorized |
Just a reminder that RAHB received notice from TRREB stating that, on April 30, 2020, TRREB is retiring CONNECT.
Following the receipt of TRREB’s notice, RAHB staff have been engaged in discussions with the remaining CONNECT member Boards and Associations to explore future collaboration and data sharing opportunities via IntraMatrix.
RAHB is committed and open to reciprocal data sharing with other Ontario Boards and Associations. Currently, RAHB has data sharing agreements in place with ORTIS and the Ontario Collective. The Ontario Collective and ORTIS are in the final stages of merging their efforts and implementing a new Matrix system for all of their users. RAHB has been working with ORTIS/OC and Corelogic to test the updated data share, which will be launched with the newly merged system. Once testing has been completed, RAHB members will then have access to all ORTIS and Ontario Collective listings within Matrix.
Apr 8, 2020 | Uncategorized |
The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed the way REALTORS® do business. Orders from local governments and recommendations from public health officials alike have inspired resourceful agents to seek new ways to serve their clients.
With the ever-changing environment, REALTORS® have been giving virtual showings to their clients using a variety of methods including group video conferencing tools, 360-degree views of the home and prerecorded video tours.
To help accommodate these new kinds of appointments, ShowingTime has added a new appointment type, Virtual Showing, for showing REALTORS® to use when requesting a showing. By selecting this option, the showing REALTOR® is indicating to the listing REALTOR® that their client would prefer a virtual showing of the property. The showing REALTOR® can also add a note for the listing REALTOR® indicating which streaming video technology they prefer to use for the showing (FaceTime, etc.).
Reference ShowingTime’s Virtual Showing Guide for help getting started and for more information on virtual showings, check out ShowingTime’s resource page.
Apr 7, 2020 | Matrix, MLS®, Stats & Technology |
Users may advertise virtual live stream open house through Matrix and REALTOR.ca.
To advertise a virtual live stream open house, please follow the instructions below:
- Login to Matrix
- Click the blue “Input” tab
- Under “Quick Modify”, select the listing
- Click “Open Houses”
- Enter the “Start Date”
- Enter the “Start Time” and the “End Time”
- The open house “Type” automatically will default to “Virtual”
- Under “Virtual Open House URL” enter or paste your live stream open house URL
The date and time of your virtual live stream open house will be displayed on the REALTOR® Full Report, under the photos as shown below:
Users can use the “Open House” search in Matrix to review a live stream open house list.
All virtual live stream open house URLs entered into Matrix will also be displayed on REALTOR.ca for the public as shown below:
For more information from CREA on adding a live stream open house to your REALTOR.ca listing, please click here.
If you have any questions, please contact the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or [email protected].
Apr 7, 2020 | RAHB Advantage |
In an effort to support its clients, The Personal is offering an auto insurance premium discount to clients who are staying at home. As people are currently driving their vehicles less, The Personal wants to reflect this situation, offering this discount to clients whose commuting habits have significantly changed and who are only using their vehicles for essential trips to such places as the pharmacy or grocery store. This discount is open to people who, for example, are now working from home or have lost their job, or to anyone who is self-isolating. The discount will be calculated over a three-month period and will be in proportion to the annual mileage declared on their insurance contract. Eligible clients who are interested in receiving this rebate should apply at by May 31 at https://www.thepersonal.com/. This news can be found on our dedicated landing page at https://www.thepersonal.com/covid-19-en
In addition, using a personal vehicle for delivery purposes will be temporarily covered under auto insurance policies for The Personal clients. No additional insurance premium will be required, whether someone is doing the deliveries as a volunteer or as an employee of a restaurant, pharmacy or grocery store. No action is required; this relief measure automatically applies to all auto insurance policyholders. This coverage does not apply to people who offer delivery services through third party apps and services like UberEats, Skip the Dishes or DoorDash.
As well, since the current situation is forcing many people to work from home, The Personal has decided to temporarily raise the coverage limit under home insurance contracts for goods used to work from home (e.g., ergonomic chair, computer equipment) to $10,000. No action is required; this additional coverage automatically applies to all home insurance policyholders.
These relief measures are on top of those previously announced. For example, adding liability coverage for a borrowed or rented vehicle at no extra charge for auto insurance policyholders returning early from the US in a rental car. As well, clients who are experiencing financial difficulties because of COVID-19 may continue to receive insurance premium payment relief measures. Each situation will be handled on a case by case basis.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to assure you that we are here for you. For more information, we invite you to visit our dedicated web page at thepersonal.com/covid-19
Apr 6, 2020 | Uncategorized |
The Government of Ontario has updated it’s list of non-essential businesses in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Although real estate services are still considered essential, the government has prohibited the hosting of open houses effective 11:59 a.m. on Saturday April 4, 2020.
Real estate brokerages, brokers and salespeople must cease hosting and attending open houses. In addition, it is strongly recommended that brokers and salespeople follow the direction of health officials by limiting showings to situations where they are absolutely necessary.
In addition, the government added requirements for short-term accommodation rentals. After April 4, short term rentals can only be provided to individuals who need housing during the state of emergency.
For more information on virtual showings please click here.
Apr 3, 2020 | Government Relations |
If you intend to apply for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), you can get started by familiarizing yourself with the application process and registering for your Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) My Account prior to applications opening on Monday, April 2020.
Please apply during your allotted window, as designated by the CRA:
| If you were born in the month of |
Apply for the CERB on |
Your best day to apply |
| January, February or March |
Mondays |
April 6 |
| April, May, or June |
Tuesdays |
April 7 |
| July, August, or September |
Wednesdays |
April 8 |
| October, November, or December |
Thursdays |
April 9 |
| Any month |
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays |
|
How to know if you will qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit if you previously had an income and is someone who is not working because of COVID-19 (directly or indirectly).
As REALTORS®, you should expect to be asked for supporting documentation later in the application process.
In addition to the CERB and the CEWS, the government has taken steps to stabilize the real estate sector through several other measures:
- The Bank of Canada lowered its target for the overnight rate to 0.25 per cent;
- The Bank of Canada will be purchasing ~$500 million in mortgage bonds per week;
- A deferral of GST and HST remittances and customs duty payments;
- Launch of the Canada Emergency Business Account which provides interest-free loans of up to $40,000 to small businesses to cover their operating costs;
- Export Development Canada will guarantee new operating credit and cash flow term loans that financial institutions can extend to Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises, up to $6.25 million;
- A co-lending program for small and medium-sized enterprises.
