The MLS® is more than just a marketing platform – it’s a vast database of vital housing statistics. But numbers on their own don’t tell a story.

That’s where Greater Vancouver REALTORS®’ Director, Economics and Data Analytics, Andrew Lis comes in.

In our latest episode of the Critical Path, we sit down Andrew discuss how Realtors can harness statistics, what stories the numbers tell, and what new products your association is working on. 

Commercial real estate is a difficult niche. Beyond real estate trading experience and expertise, commercial practitioners need to have a deep understanding of finances, risk mitigation, investment principles, and more.

That’s where the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) Institute comes in.

In our latest episode of the Critical Path, we sit down with Steve Da Cruz, CCIM to discuss Greater Vancouver REALTORS®’ partnership with CCIM and how a designation can help boost your career goals, practical advice on how to enter the commercial real estate profession, and how CCIM courses can benefit residential Realtors. 

Professionalism is a key part of Greater Vancouver REALTORS®’ (GVR) strategic plan.

But how do we attain our goal to become more professional?

With his retirement on the horizon, we sit down with Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer to discuss the initiatives set in place to improve professionalism in real estate, and how the real estate profession has changed in his nearly 50 years in the business.

Did you know Greater Vancouver REALTORS®, in partnership with INTEGRIS, is offering members an optional pension plan?

For PRECs, this unique pension plan can provide tax-deductible investment room and thus tax-saving opportunities well above what’s available under the RRSP and TFSA programs.

To learn more about this plan, we sat down with JP Laporte, INTEGRIS CEO, to go over the plan and what it means for you.

Find out more about the pension plan here: https://membernews.gvrealtors.ca/my-profession/new-partnership-to-provide-personal-pension-plan-investment-oppo.html

Note, this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not legal or financial advice. We encourage you to discuss this plan with your legal or financial advisors.

The Critical Path, a new interview-based podcast presented by Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), is now available in our existing podcasting stream on all major podcast networks.

Through candid discussions with industry leaders, the Critical Path offers practical insights on the crucial pathways to success in Greater Vancouver.

The in the inaugural episode, we interview our CEO Jeff King about GVR’s latest strategic plan that sets a new mission for GVR: Leading professionalism and innovation in real estate.

Ben Franklin once said, “Drive your business. Let not your business drive you.” But for REALTORS®, who are in the people business, this advice can be a difficult line to walk. What your client wants may put you on the wrong side of our rules.

In episode 9 of Standards Matter, we look at a case where a client’s request went a little too far, and a Realtor’s reluctance to say “no” had dire consequences.

This episode also features advice from REBGV’s Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer on how to walk the fine line between customer service and professional standards. He also discusses the “why” behind the rules, giving his perspective on the reason behind the standards we work within.

Each episode of our Standards Matter podcast reviews real disciplinary cases from REBGV’s Professional Conduct Committee to help you understand the issues and scenarios that cause some members to breach the rules of our profession.

If you’re a Realtor with a question about rules, standards or professionalism in real estate that you’d like us to answer on the podcast, email standardsmatter@rebgv.org.

Social media has become an indispensable tool for REALTORS® in Greater Vancouver and beyond, serving as a means of marketing and networking. However, the blurred lines between public and private spaces on social media can pose risks.  

In episode 8 of Standards Matter, we delve into two real estate cases that highlight how professional standards intersect with social media. 

This episode also features advice from REBGV’s Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer on best practices for Realtors navigating social media. He tackles questions such as whether it is acceptable to vent about another Realtor's conduct online, the concept of privacy within social media groups, and how to differentiate oneself without disparaging others. 

Each episode of our Standards Matter podcast reviews real disciplinary cases from REBGV’s Professional Conduct Committee to help you understand the issues and scenarios that cause some members to breach the rules of our profession. 

If you’re a Realtor with a question about rules, standards or professionalism in real estate that you’d like us to answer on the podcast, email standardsmatter@rebgv.org. 

REALTORS® are facilitators, who work in a unique cooperative, yet competitive profession that allows them the flexibility to serve their clients’ unique needs. But what happens when two Realtors have different ideas of what constitutes “service”?

In the latest episode of REBGV’s professionalism podcast, we look at cooperation and reputation, and how frustration over a colleague’s business model can escalate into damaged reputations and fines.

This episode also features advice from REBGV’s Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer on how to deal with conflict with other Realtors.

Each episode of our Standards Matter podcast reviews real disciplinary cases from REBGV’s Professional Conduct Committee to help you understand the issues and scenarios that cause some members to breach the rules of our profession.

If you’re a Realtor with a question about rules, standards or professionalism in real estate that you’d like us to answer on the podcast, email standardsmatter@rebgv.org.

The MLS® is the most powerful marketing tool available to advertise your listings – but is it a REALTOR®’s duty to ensure the listing’s information is correct? And what happens if the information in a listing is wrong?

In the latest episode of REBGV’s professionalism podcast, we look at due diligence in listing information, and how misrepresenting your listing is at best unhelpful to your client, and at worst, fraud.

This episode also features advice from REBGV’s Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer on what liabilities you may face when it comes to listings information, and how you can protect your client and your business.

Each episode of our Standards Matter podcast reviews real disciplinary cases from REBGV’s Professional Conduct Committee to help you understand the issues and scenarios that cause some members to breach the rules of our profession.

If you’re a Realtor with a question about rules, standards or professionalism in real estate that you’d like us to answer on the podcast, email standardsmatter@rebgv.org.

In this episode, we look at the professional conduct process through a case of defamation and public shaming.

How does the Professional Conduct Committee come to their decisions? How do they decide a proper punishment? And how do they weigh the damage done by misconduct with the consequences to the parties involved?

We answer these questions and more with Ethic Guy® Kim Spencer.

Each episode of our Standards Matter podcast reviews real disciplinary cases from REBGV’s Professional Conduct Committee to help you understand the issues and scenarios that cause some members to breach the rules of our profession.

If you’re a REALTOR® with a question about rules, standards or professionalism in real estate that you’d like us to answer on the podcast, email standardsmatter@rebgv.org.

In the latest episode of REBGV’s professionalism podcast, we look at all things security. Our clients trust us with their homes. What happens if we fail to live up to this trust? The answer is covered as we explore a disciplinary case that revolves around lockbox security.

This episode also features:

-       Advice from REBGV’s Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer, and

-       Cyber security and privacy tips from expert Steve Chapelle. 

If you’re a REALTOR® with a question for the podcast, email standardsmatter@rebgv.org.

In our latest episode, we cover a case that explores communication, its vital role in the real estate process, and how managing expectations using accurate, surgical language can help you avoid complaints.

This episode also features a discussion about communication best practices and multiple offer situations.

If you’re a REALTOR® with a question for the podcast, send it to standardsmatter@rebgv.org. We may answer it in the next episode!

In our latest episode, we cover a case that involves altered listing contracts, MLS® integrity, and how not knowing when to say "no" to clients can put you offside with your professional obligations.

This episode also features: 

·      Advice from REBGV’s Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer. 

·      Your questions on professionalism.  

If you’re a REALTOR® with a question for the podcast, email standardsmatter@rebgv.org. 

In the inaugural edition of the Standards Matter podcast, we explore a case of good intentions gone wrong and how, in real estate, asking for forgiveness rather than permission can result in disaster.

This episode also features:

-       Advice from REBGV’s Ethics Guy® Kim Spencer, and

-       Answers to member questions from lawyer Kaitlin Smiley. 

If you’re a REALTOR® with a question for the podcast, email standardsmatter@rebgv.org.