Last month the Association sent out a side-by-side comparison of our current MLS® Rules and Regulations and the draft Regional MLS® Rules. The communication wasn’t clear that the rules were still just a draft, and as a result there have been some concerns raised by members about these rules.
In the weeks since, your Board of Directors has been busy gathering feedback and information to ensure that all concerns are addressed before the final regional MLS® Rules are adopted. This has included:
Seeking input from the membership as a whole
Review by the MLS® Committee
Review by OREA’s legal counsel
Review by CREA’s competition counsel
Special Board meeting to discuss the Regional project
Sending correspondence to the Ontario Regional Technology & Information Services (ORTIS) advising that RAHB has concerns regarding certain provisions within the draft Rules before they are finalized, as well as for clarification on the process for providing input
Appointing a task force of RAHB members to review the Rules and draft recommendations to the Board of Directors
In addition to these measures, I met with the Presidents of the other seven associations on May 25 and the concerns raised by RAHB were common to all. I have no doubt that by the time the Regional MLS® Rules are adopted they will be better than the Rules we currently have in place.
On June 24, we are holding a General Membership Meeting to amend the RAHB Bylaw to separate the MLS® Rules. This serves to continue RAHB’s move towards good governance practices, and also serves to clear our final commitment to joining the Regional MLS® system. I need to be clear that this separation is a contractual requirement for our participation, and if we fail to amend the Bylaw, the other seven associations will continue without RAHB.
What this means is:
RAHB would remain on Fusion
We would lose our existing relationship with the STARRS group (Niagara, Brantford and Simcoe)
Your Board of Directors is committed to moving forward with the Regional project and we need your support to continue.
There have been rumours that members will see their fees increase when we move to the new MLS® system, however, thanks to the purchasing power of 7000+ REALTORS® your dollar will go farther! We’re happy to say that there is no fee increase projected despite a number of additional services being built in to the new system.
Integration of Teranet will provide seamless field population
ShowingTime, an integrated scheduling system, will connect appointments directly to the MLS® listings, and via its mobile app
Integrated statistics capabilities
Full accessibility on all devices and platforms
The Regional MLS® system and Matrix are being created to meet the needs of REALTORS® in southern Ontario. The regional system will offer you access to MLS® data from seven other real estate associations and more, as others come on board.
Matrix will give you fast access to the information you need, on any device, to better serve your clients.
Matrix will integrate programs and information you already use so it’s all at your fingertips.
The Regional MLS® System and Matrix are the future of real estate and your Board of Directors is committed to being part of that future.
I said earlier that theBoard needs your support in order to continue to be part of the Regional MLS® system. Here’s how you can help:
Come out to the General Membership Meeting on June 24 and ratify the Bylaw changes that will remove the current MLS® Rules and Regulations from the RAHB Bylaw. This is a contractual requirement for our continued participation in the Regional MLS® System; it is also good governance and something we would be asking you to do anyway.
Please do not assume that the Regional MLS® System is a done deal. It is not. If members do not approve the Bylaw changes at this meeting, RAHB will not be part of the regional system. It is important that if you are looking forward to the regional system, you be at that meeting and cast your vote to allow RAHB to continue moving forward.
Please feel free to contact CEO Ross Godsoe or myself if you have questions or concerns about the Regional MLS® System and Matrix.
I look forward to seeing you at the meeting on June 24!
Meeting Details:
Burlington Holiday Inn, 3063 South Service Road
9:30 a.m. – Registration 10 a.m. – Meeting
ShowingTime presentation following the meeting
If you cannot make it to the meeting, you can give your proxy vote to someone who will be attending. The form will be sent on June 12 with the official Notice of Meeting.
This article appeared in RECO’s ‘For the RECOrd’, April 24, 2015, and is reprinted with permission.
Clear communication leads to success
Communicating frequently. Providing sound, accurate advice. Making commitments and keeping them. These are the hallmarks of professionalism and key to your success as a real estate professional. As one registrant recently learned, even a typo can have big consequences.
Keeping your clients in the loop is not just a courtesy, it will tell them that you are on top of things and provide them with confidence that the transaction is unfolding as it should.
Even if the news isn’t great – like a showing that has been cancelled – it is best to keep the lines of communication open to show that you are following through on your professional commitments and doing your best to sell the home.
Failing to communicate properly with your client can have undesirable consequences and can certainly undermine your reputation as a professional.
A good example of a breakdown in communication between salesperson and a seller happened last year and required mediation to resolve the seller’s complaint to RECO.
In this case, the salesperson did not obtain any offers on the property after numerous showings. The salesperson, in an email to the seller, suggested reducing the asking price by $114,000. The seller couldn’t afford that reduction and asked the salesperson to cancel the listing agreement, but the Broker of Record refused to do so.
The seller complained to RECO, and the dispute went to mediation. During that process, the salesperson realized she had made a typo in the email to the seller – the reduction should have been $14,000 rather than $114,000. After the error was discovered, both parties agreed to a listing agreement for a $14,000 reduction in the sales price.
In this case, the misunderstanding was completely preventable. Had the salesperson met or spoken with the seller directly, chances are the mistake would not have been made. And, if a meeting or phone call wasn’t an option, a more careful reading of the email before it was sent off to the seller may have avoided the mistake. Even if the typo slipped through, when the seller asked to cancel the listing agreement, the Broker of Record could have taken a closer look at the situation and spotted the error.
Note: Parking is included. Safari Bus rates are in addition to the admission prices
Any ONE Operating Day May 3 – Oct. 31
Child (3+ less than 48” in shoes) $37
Senior (60+) $37
Adult (3 – 59 and over 48” tall) $42
Pay ONCE, Visit TWICE ticket: Valid for two visits by the same person May 3 – Oct. 31
All ages $55
NOTE: With the exception of special diet/need items and plastic bottled water, outside food and beverages are not allowed in the park. Tickets are not valid for Halloween Haunt. Parking is extra.
All ticket prices include HST, but do not include food, merchandise, lockers, tubes, rental pavilions, games and special events.
IN PERSON PURCHASES ONLY/FINAL SALE/NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES
Available in the Realty Shoppe – while supplies last
NEW item! Wall mount push button lock box
Wall mount key safe provides secure storage of keys or access cards
Convenient push button locking mechanism in familiar alpha/numeric telephone keypad format
Set your own combination using up to 12 letters, numbers, or both
Large buttons for ease of use, even in low light conditions
3-1/8in (79mm) wide durable metal construction
Large internal cavity and removable key hook prevents jamming
Protective weather cover prevents freezing and jamming
$26.40 each*
*All applicable taxes are extra. Prices subject to change.
________________________________________
The REALTORS® Association of Hamilton-Burlington’s 14th Annual Commercial Summit was held on Thursday, May 7, 2015 at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington.
The 100+ delegates were welcomed by Commercial chair-elect Hank Balfoort. The Summit’s proceedings were moderated by Professor Marvin Ryder from the DeGroot School of Business, McMaster University.
The full morning of education and updates began with a report from Ron Abraham, Commercial Committee Director for the Canadian Real Estate Association. Next, a panel of the region’s economic development representatives presented a range of updates and insights, including growth opportunities, business attraction and retention, and incentive and grant programs. The panelists representing Haldimand, Burlington and Hamilton were John Regan, Frank McKeown and Neil Everson. Keynote speaker Glenn Miller from the Canadian Urban Institute explored various means for realizing growth and development in infrastructure, downtown improvements, and transit, by exploring case studies and best practice evidence.
The event was complimented with a range of industry-relevant sponsors and exhibitors.
Delegates met for a morning of education and networking
Keynote speaker Glenn Miller
(l-r) Professor Marvin Ryder, Neil Everson, Frank McKeown and John Regan
Accredited Buyer’s Representative – ABR® Wednesday and Thursday, August 26 and 27, 2015
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day $299 +HST
RAHB Office – McCullough Rooms (lower level)
This course will give you the techniques, tools and resources to help you succeed as a buyer representative. Get
accredited as an ABR® and boost your referral pool!
Please note: ABR® and SRS® Seller Representative Specialist® designation courses require an elective course also be taken. The most popular from among the options is the SRES® – Seniors Real Estate Specialist®.
Register today, seating is limited.
Mark your calendar – Professional Development Days
RAHB will be holding Professional Development Days from October 6 – 8, at the association office.
Watch for further details coming soon!
All sessions held at the RAHB office, McCullough Rooms (lower level) For more information or to register, contact Angela at the RAHB office ([email protected] or 905.529.8101 x233).
Held at RAHB – 505 York Blvd. – Lower Level C – Chambers Room M – McCullough Room
Fusion Level 1
Tuesday, May 12 – C, 9 a.m. – noon
Tuesday, May 26 – C, 9 a.m. – noon
Tuesday, June 9 – C, 9 a.m. – noon
Tuesday, June 23 – C, 9 a.m. – noon
Broker Load
Thursday, May 7, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, May 21, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 4, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, June 18, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
New Member Orientation (by invitation only)
Friday, May 22 – M, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Friday, June 19 – M, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Master LinkedIn Bootcamp – 3CE’s
Tuesday, May 12 – M, 9 a.m. – Noon
Master Facebook – 3 CE’s
Tuesday, May 12 – M, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Introduction to Blogging – 3CE’s
Wednesday, May 13 – M, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
MASTER Open House – 3CE’s
Thursday, May 14 – M, 9 a.m. – Noon
iPad Agent – 3CE’s
Thursday, May 14 – M, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Articling Course
Principles of Mortgage Financing Tuesday – Thursday June 2 – 4 and 9 – 11 – M, 8:15 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
To register for these courses, email Angela at [email protected] 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
Government Relations
Thursday, May 14, 10:30 a.m., T
Member Relations
Thursday, May 21, 1:30 p.m., T
Charity Golf Tournament
Friday, May 29, 9:30 a.m., P
Upcoming Events General Membership Meeting Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Holiday Inn Burlington
3063 South Service Rd., Burlington
RAHB Office Closures Monday, May 18, 2015 for Victoria Day
RAHB members Charlotte Freeman (Ken Gies Real Estate Limited) and Todd Martin (RE/MAX Escarpment Realty) came up winners just for responding to the Canadian Real Estate Association’s 2015 member survey.
Charlotte and Todd each won a mobile power bank for completing the survey.
(left to right: RAHB CEO Ross Godsoe, Charlotte Freeman, Todd Martin, RAHB President Donna Bacher)
The RealTrack service is now available for all members’ use in the RAHB Resource Centre.
What is RealTrack?
RealTrack is a licenced database for searching commercial real estate transactions of $500,000 and over, for properties located in Ontario. Compiled from land title documents, telephone interviews, site visits and other sources, RealTrack collects, confirms and publishes the information of over 93,000 property transfers dating back to 1996. The database grows at a rate of 100-150 new transactions every week.
Property information includes:
address/location
transfer date
consideration details (cash and assumed/vtb debt)
party contact information
street level and aerial photos (with site boundaries)
dynamic maps
property descriptions including type, size and number of units
description of site boundaries
financing details
broker/agent contact information
Access to RealTrack in the RAHB Resource Centre is by chance or by appointment (one user session at a time). Contact Kathy ([email protected]) or Nancy ([email protected]) to reserve your time today!
Master LinkedIn Tuesday, May 12
9 a.m. – Noon
3 CEs
$99 + HST (Early Bird, must register prior to May 7),
$139 + HST Regular price
Master Facebook Tuesday, May 12
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
3 CEs
$99 + HST (Early Bird, must register prior to May 7),
$139 + HST Regular price
Introduction to Blogging Wednesday, May 13
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
3 CEs
$45 + HST
Master Open House – *NOTE CHANGE IN DATE* Thursday, May 14
9 a.m. – Noon
3 CEs
$99 + HST (Early Bird, must register prior to May 8),
$139 + HST Regular price
iPad Agent – *NOTE CHANGE IN DATE* Thursday, May 14
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
3 CEs
$99 + HST (Early Bird, must register prior to May 8),
$139 + HST Regular price
All courses held at RAHB office (McCullough Rooms, lower level). Register by email to [email protected]
Coming soon!
ABR® – Accredited Buyer’s Representative Get accredited as an ABR® (Accredited Buyer’s Representative) with this specialized course.
SRS – Seller Representative Specialist Are you ready to achieve a new level of professional growth and recognition? The SRS course elevates professional standards, enhances individual performance and recognizes real estate professionals who demonstrate the knowledge and skills essential for professionally and ethically representing sellers.
