Mar 24, 2020 | Uncategorized |
While the provincial government has included “Land registration services, and real estate agent services and moving services” among the list of essential businesses that can continue to operate during the current provincial state of emergency, RAHB emphasizes that this does not mean it is business as usual. We can’t state strongly enough that If the measures advised by health government and officials, such as social distancing and self-isolation, are to be effective, compliance by everyone is essential. Full stop.
That being said, RAHB recognizes that the typical way of conducting business and the rules around how business is conducted are not 100 percent suited to a virtual world.
With this in mind, during the Ontario COVID-19 state of emergency, RAHB is temporarily relaxing MLS® Rule & Regulation: SECTION 2 – MLS® LISTINGS 2.10 (i).
What does this mean in practice?
- A listing will not be suspended because a property is not available for in-person showings or inspections.
- As in-person showings are temporarily prohibited, virtual showings are permitted instead.
- By complying with direction from public health agencies at the national and provincial levels, RAHB members are individually and collectively helping to slow the spread of COVID-19, thereby protecting themselves, their families and their communities.
What else do I need to know?
- Let other REALTORS® know about your virtual showings by including this information within the REALTOR® or public (Client) remarks section of a listing.
- Remember that REALTOR® contact information is not permitted within the REALTOR® or public (Client) remarks section of a listing – as per RAHB’s MLS® Policies Miscellaneous #5 and #6.
- There are a variety of online and virtual tools that can easily be accessed to conduct business remotely with REALTORS®, buyers and sellers.
What are some tips and best practices for hosting a virtual open house?
- Stick to a schedule – start planning now for your current listings and future virtual tours. FaceTime and Google Hangouts are great options. If you want your open house to be viewed by the public, social media offers “Live” features that are a great way to reach a wide audience (i.e., Facebook Live or Instagram Live).
Practice – trial runs are crucial to make sure both your technology is working and your virtual open house layout is perfect. Walk and pan around the room slowly to reduce pixilation on your video.
There is no such thing as being too descriptive – be sure to use as many descriptive words as possible to help a home buyer envision themselves living in the space.
If you have any questions, please contact the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or [email protected].
Mar 24, 2020 | Uncategorized |
The Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) purge is a feature included in the updates for the Matrix 8.4 Series.
Effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the CMA purge will run nightly and automatically purge any CMA that you have created in the past and have not modified in the last 180 days. If you have any CMA’s that you do not want to lose through the nightly purge, reopen it and resave it by Wednesday, and it will save for another 180 days.
Should you have any questions, please call the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or e-mail [email protected]
Mar 24, 2020 | Uncategorized |
Due to overwhelming agent demand and a desire for the safest possible showings for all concerned, ShowingTime will be updating all current listings and the default for new listings to be “No Overlapping Showings” so that by default two showing agents won’t be scheduled to be in the same property at the same time. Agents and offices can change their defaults later when or if they deem it appropriate, but we want to make sure that the default assumption on any listings in the ShowingTime system is “no overlap” unless specifically designated by the listing agent or listing office.
Any questions can be directed to the MLS® Help Desk 905.667.4650
Mar 24, 2020 | Uncategorized |
Due to COVID-19, many TREB staff will be working remotely and will no longer be accepting Interboard Listing Requests via Fax to the Board’s head office. Instead, all relevant documents should be sent to [email protected].
Mar 24, 2020 | Uncategorized |
If you are attempting to call the RAHB office and cannot get through, we have set up temporary phone numbers.
Reception:
Regular: 905.529.8101
Temporary: 905.963.1064
MLS® Help Desk:
Regular: 905.667.4650
Temporary: 905.481.0354
RAHB staff thank you for your patience during this time.
Mar 24, 2020 | Uncategorized |
In support of measures advised by government and health officials, the physical RAHB office is closed, with all staff working remotely during our regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What Does This Mean for RAHB Members?
- The MLS® Help Desk is open during regular business hours. You can reach us at 905.667.4650 or [email protected].
- We are accepting general calls through our regular business number at 905.529.8101. If you have any questions, please call during regular business hours or leave a message; we will assist you in any way we can.
- We have become aware that some members have been experiencing trouble while trying to get through to RAHB using the regular office phone number and MLS® support number. If you are experiencing troubles, please try the following numbers as an alternative – MLS Support at 905.481.0354 or reception at 905.963.1064.
- All in-person member meetings, events and education of any kind are postponed or will be conducted via teleconference.
- The Realty Shoppe is closed for in-person shopping and in-person account payments; however, we are taking orders via phone and e-mail, which will be fulfilled once the office reopens. You can reach us at 905-529-5979 or [email protected].
- Online payments are highly encouraged; cheque payments may be dropped off in the RAHB mailbox, however processing of these payments may be delayed; cash payments are not permitted.
- RealTrack service is not accessible.
- OREA testing at the RAHB office has been cancelled until further notice.
Thank you for your patience as we all work together to keep our communities safe, while navigating extremely difficult and often unforeseen circumstances.
For Information/Updates on RAHB’s operations:
For updated information on COVID-19 as it relates to RAHB, please visit our blog page at https://blog.rahb.ca/coronoavirus-covid-19-information/. We will keep members informed as further decisions about RAHB business operations are made.
Mar 23, 2020 | Uncategorized |
RAHB strongly encourages REALTORS® have virtual showings. One way you can show other REALTORS® that you have a virtual showing is to include this information within the REALTOR® or public (Client) remarks section of a listing.
But, please remember that REALTOR® contact information is not permitted within the REALTOR® or public (Client) remarks section of a listing – as per RAHB’s MLS® Policies Miscellaneous #5 and #6.
If you have any questions, please contact the MLS® Help Desk at 905.667.4650 or [email protected].
Mar 23, 2020 | Uncategorized |
Today, your Board of Directors met virtually to discuss how RAHB can support members during this time. As has been decided by other boards and association across Canada, the RAHB Board of Directors is deferring decision on changes to membership dues and fees until such time as the Board of Directors has clear information on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the real estate industry and the Premier’s emergency measures to close all non-essential businesses.
We understand that this is a very uncertain time for everyone. No one is immune to the anxieties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. RAHB has not yet received word that payment collection will be deferred or waived by any of our service providers, and as such RAHB has a responsibility to meet our contractual obligations at this time. It is also the Board of Directors’ duty to secure the future of the Association on behalf of members, and with this comes the onus of having to make very difficult decisions at important junctures.
We want you to know that, as always, if you have any questions about your billing or would like to discuss the status of your account, please don’t hesitate to contact RAHB staff at 905.529.8101.
Mar 23, 2020 | Uncategorized |
This past weekend, RAHB Brokerages and REALTORS® showed true leadership as they cancelled open houses across our market area. President Kathy Della-Nebbia manned the phones all weekend, speaking directly with Brokerages and REALTORS® about the importance of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ontario emergency declaration.
Kathy was gratified to note that many REALTORS® understood the importance and urgency, and were already in the process of cancelling open houses. The RAHB IT and MLS® departments worked with members to quickly remove the open houses from our MLS® system and REALTOR.ca.
Thank you to all of the RAHB REALTORS® and Brokerages who made the health and safety of our community a priority this past weekend, and are doing the right thing by following the recommendations of government and health officials. This was a collaborative approach and a solution to an unenforceable rule.
Mar 23, 2020 | Uncategorized
The RAHB Board of Directors continues to make the safety of members and the public its main priority. At an emergency meeting earlier today, the Board of Directors renewed this commitment by reiterating that it is the position of the REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington that no further open houses should be held by RAHB members during the Ontario COVID-19 state of emergency. To reinforce this stance, RAHB is immediately suppressing the open house function in Matrix.
RAHB continues to support and follow the direction of the Premier of Ontario and the Chief Medical Officer of Ontario, and will provide members with more information about how REALTORS® are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as it becomes available.
Thank you for your understanding during this uncertain time.
As outlined in previous communications, RAHB does not have the authority to direct members to cancel open houses – only the provincial government or the real estate regulator can mandate an end to open houses.
Mar 19, 2020 | Uncategorized |
In an effort to keep members informed of RAHB’s office operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, we are providing regular updates.
Please note, that our office operational status has changed:
RAHB Status Update:
- Due to the progression of COVID-19 throughout Ontario, and based on guidance from government and public health authorities, we have changed our operational status.
- As of Thursday, March 19, the physical RAHB office is closed, with all staff working remotely during our regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- A virtual emergency meeting of the RAHB Board of Directors is taking place early next week to discuss financial measures RAHB can take to support members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please know that your Board of Directors is committed to assisting members and doing everything it can to help members get through these unprecedented times.
What Does This Mean for RAHB Members?
- The MLS® Help Desk is open during regular business hours. You can reach us at 905-667-4650 or [email protected].
- We are accepting general calls through our regular business number at 905.529.8101. If you have any questions, please call during regular business hours or leave a message; we will assist you in any way we can.
- All in-person member meetings, events and education of any kind are postponed or will be conducted via teleconference.
- The Realty Shoppe is closed for in-person shopping and in-person account payments; however, we are taking orders via phone and e-mail, which will be fulfilled once the office reopens. You can reach us at 905-529-5979 or [email protected].
- Online payments are highly encouraged; cheque payments may be dropped off in the RAHB mailbox, however processing of these payments may be delayed; cash payments are not permitted.
- RealTrack service is not accessible.
- OREA testing at the RAHB office has been cancelled until further notice.
For Information/Updates on RAHB’s business operations:
For updated information on COVID-19 as it relates to RAHB, please visit our blog page at https://blog.rahb.ca/coronoavirus-covid-19-information/. We will keep members informed as further decisions about RAHB business operations are made.
Sincerely,
Carol Ann Burrell, CEO
REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington
Video Message From RAHB President Kathy Della-Nebbia
Public Health Recommendations:
For information on COVID-19 – including current state, vulnerable populations, additional resources, etc. – please visit the Public Health Agency of Canada website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html.
Please be diligent in keeping up-to-date and following the recommendations and guidance of our health officials and governments.
Recommendations for RAHB REALTORS®:
REALTORS® can be particularly vulnerable to sickness, as you are in constant contact with a variety of different clients and potential clients. A single open house can equal hundreds of interactions. While it is within the purview of your brokerage to make any final decisions, it is strongly recommended that you consider the following advice:
- Cancel, reschedule and/or limit showings and open houses, especially if the occupants of the home are ill.
- If showings and open houses proceed:
- Limit the use of washrooms in the home.
- Have cautionary signage and messages at the entrance of each property.
- Ask potential open house attendees to not attend if they are sick.
- Have hand sanitizer available for attendees of open houses for their and your protection.
- Limit touching physical items throughout a home during open houses and showings.
- Encourage homeowners to thoroughly clean their homes with disinfectant after showings and open houses.
- Ask attendees to e-mail you their contact information, as opposed to writing it down at the open house to limit sharing of pens, etc.
- Ask attendees of showings or open houses to notify you if they become ill within two weeks of the open house or showing.
- If an attendee becomes sick or is diagnosed with COVID-19, be sure to communicate this with the homeowner, other open house or showing attendees, their REALTORS® and RAHB.
- Refrain from greeting others with handshakes or hugs.
- Encourage fellow REALTORS® to provide information digitally.
- Be sure to regularly sanitize your phone, tablet, or any other digital devices you use.
- Avoid sharing items such as pens, paper, phones, tablets, etc.
- If you are over the age of 65, severely limit your interactions with others, and stay home.
Mar 19, 2020 | Uncategorized |
Information related to the efforts to mitigate the outbreak of COVID-19 is constantly evolving. First and foremost, we recommend REALTOR® members follow the guidelines and precautions set by Canada’s public health authorities. See Health Canada’s website for comprehensive coverage.
In ongoing discussions with government officials from various departments and agencies, we continue to emphasize the unique challenges facing REALTORS® as economic measures to support self-employed Canadians and small businesses are considered. The result of these advocacy efforts since the emergence of COVID-19 are captured below.
- Government introduced the Emergency Care Benefit, providing up to $900 bi-weekly for up to 15 weeks, to workers, including the self-employed, who are quarantined or sick with COVID-19, as well as those who are taking care of a family member who is sick with COVID-19, but do not qualify for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits. Application for the Benefit will be available in April 2020 through the Canada Revenue Agency My Account secure portal, My Service Canada Account, or through an automated application process by telephone.
- Also announced was the Emergency Support Benefit, which will provide up to $5 billion in support to workers who are not eligible for EI and who are facing unemployment. This will be available to Canadians who are self-employed; more details will be provided in the coming days.
- For small businesses, government will provide a temporary wage subsidy for a period of three months, equal to 10% of remuneration paid during that period, up to a maximum subsidy of $1,375 per employee and $25,000 per employer. The subsidy is available to corporations eligible for the small business deduction, as well as non-profit organizations and charities.
- Businesses will also be allowed to defer, until after August 31, 2020, the payment of any income tax amounts that become owing between now and September 2020. This applies to tax balances due, as well as instalments, under Part I of the Income Tax Act. No interest or penalties will accumulate on these amounts during this period.
The full list of measures announced by the government today is available here. It is expected the House of Commons will be recalled next week to pass the emergency economic measures.
While all the details of the various programs announced today are not yet available, the Governor of the Bank of Canada concluded today’s press conference with the assurance that “if people need the support, they will get it.” We will continue to monitor the evolution of these programs and continue to advocate on behalf of REALTORS®.
Canada’s six largest banks also announced financial relief for Canadians impacted by the economic consequences of COVID-19, including up to a six-month payment deferral for mortgages and the opportunity for relief on other credit products.
If you have any questions, our Government Relations team remains available to members and board and association staff.
