Guy Bezeau 2012 President

Finally it feels like summer – I was beginning to think it was never going to warm up! The summer warmth also makes me realize that we are now more than half way through the year, half way through my term as your President. What an exciting and information packed few months these have been. As President I've been fortunate enough to travel around the Island to meet many of you personally and to hear of your triumphs and tribulations. One of the other opportunities I've had has been to learn more about VIREB and the many programs and initiatives they are involved in that will directly impact the future of organized real estate on Vancouver Island. Allow me a few moments to share some of the initiatives that are either already underway or just about to launch.

VIREB REALTORS® are located right across Vancouver Island, from the Malahat to beyond Port Hardy. With such a vast coverage area it can be difficult to keep everyone informed and challenging for each REALTOR® to personally participate in educational and training sessions. With this in mind VIREB has embraced online and distance education. This starts with the new VIREB website which not only is much more user-friendly and contemporary in design than the old one, but also features a companion Open House website that is second to none. If you haven't had a chance check it out, I'm certain you will be impressed. But don't forget, this tool is as much for you to promote your Open Houses as it is for the public to find them. Make sure you make use of this new and intuitive tool.

VIREB is also at the leading edge of such national online initiatives as the Virtual College, a nation-wide online training system partnered with CREA and the Data Distribution Facility (DDF) which is a tool that allows you to load your listings once, but have them appear on a number of appropriate and approved websites automatically – saving you time and exponentially increasing your Internet marketing reach. VIREB is also a partner in the Futures Project, which is CREA's exploration of the future of our profession and how emerging technologies will radically alter how and where we will be conducting business in the years to come. I urge you to visit the CREA page on the REALTORLink® website and learn more about this exciting undertaking. The future is where we will be spending the rest of our lives, so you owe it to yourselves to learn where our profession is heading.

Let's also not lose sight of the importance of promoting REALTOR® Value to the home buying and selling public. That's where the REALTOR® Value Toolkit comes in. This collection of documents, training aids and video segments clearly spells out the 10 key, measurable values a professional REALTOR® brings to the table when it comes to real estate sales. A hard copy can be purchased directly from VIREB, but a free-to-download electronic set of these customized files is easily accessible through REALTORLink® - give it a look and see how you can incorporate this information into your marketing and listing efforts.

I could go on, but you get the idea. VIREB's main purpose is to facilitate and expand on the profession of real estate sales, while providing the most up to date tools for its member REALTORS®. I consider myself very fortunate to be your President at such a crucial and evolving time. Change is happening, rapidly, and I feel privileged to be in a position to see it all being developed and introduced. I'm looking forward to the coming months and to get to meet many more of you in the second half of my Presidency. Have a safe and prosperous fall season.

Respectfully,
Guy Bezeau

Since the last In-Touch Newsletter was sent, VIREB has received one Speak-up. This Speak-up pertained to the Open House feature of INTERFACE™ & INTERFACExpress™, suggesting there be a section on the computer for comments, such as "Open House presented by ____" and the date / time it is booked.

VIREB's Tech Department responded, advising that there is already a Comments field for the Open House section which could be used for this. The comments currently display on REALTOR.ca and will also display on the new Open Houses site.

The June Board of Directors meeting took place at the VIREB Boardroom. A Director/Staff barbecue was held in conjunction with the meeting as a way to welcome in summer.

Business Items:

• BCREA Leadership Conference: Held May 22 to 24, the BCREA Leadership Conference was held at the VI Conference Centre in Nanaimo. Most members of the Board of Directors were in attendance, as were VIREB's Bill Benoit, Darrell Paysen and Sue Lessard. Jim Stewart provided an update on the event which included a report on the second quarter housing forecast, alternations to the BCREA website dealing with HST to PST transition rules, and that a new dean has been appointed to the Sauder School of Business. Other highlights of the event included a presentation by Doug Devitre and another by Deb Grey.
• Premier's Dinner: President Elect Gary Gray, Past President Jim Stewart and Director Blair Herbert were all in attendance at the Premier's Dinner held June 5 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. More than 1,600 people took part in the event, with the real estate community being the largest group in attendance. The evening was viewed as a positive event.
• Managing Broker's Meeting: a Managing Broker's meeting was held at the VIREB Training Room June 14. Blair Herbert was the facilitator for the session which saw an excellent turnout. Discussion and positive feedback were highlights of the meeting.
• Investment RFP Proposal: Lee-Anne Harrison with Church Pickard delivered a comparison of RFP responses for VIREB's investment needs. They were asked to peruse the information and to forward any further questions to Executive Officer Bill Benoit. The Board will decide what direction to take in this regard at a future meeting – likely in September or October.
• Quality of Life: Director Heather Parker reported on the Quality of Life Symposium she and Staff Liaison Darrell Paysen attended in May. She was impressed with the speakers which included former BC Premier Mike Harcourt, Christy Dzikowicz from the Canadian Centre for Child protection and Dr. Jino Disastio from the University of Winnipeg who discussed downtown redevelopment. In addition Darrell Paysen delivered a report on his meeting with VIU to receive an update on the VIREB endowment. This fund has now grown to more than $156,000 with five bursaries / awards presently going out to deserving students.
• Professional Standards Committee: Director Frank Fairley advised that to date eight Professional Standards Committee files have been opened this year, with two more being carried forward from 2011. One file was at the time under investigation. In contrast, at the same point in 2011 there were 21 files opened. A formal meeting of the Committee will be held in the fall.
• MLS® & Technology: Directors Jason Finlayson and Jennifer Merrilees reported on a MLS® & Technology Committee meeting held June 19. Areas discussed included the pending launching of the Data Distribution Facility (DDF), the method in which Speak-Ups are being handled, an examination of the new VIREB website and its companion Open House website and the status of Designated Agency.
• Professional Development: Director Margo Hoffman provided an update. A Senior Real Estate Specialist Course held earlier in June at VREB was a success with 23 people in attendance. She also reported that VIREB was looking for a keynote speaker for its Professional Development Day planned for October 10. The BCREA Professional Development Committee will be holding a meeting in September to develop a plan from the information it had been collecting during the past two years.
• Communications: Director Corey Zaal delivered a report on VIREB's media presence, as well as its online Social Media footprint and the dollar value of advertising related to VIREB that had appeared in the public media. He also provided an update on the new VIREB website.
• Government Relations: Director Blair Herbert advised the Board he has put his name forward to sit on the CVRD Economic Development Committee. He also pointed out that information related to the $10,000 Home Owner Grant form was now available online.

Next: The next Board of Directors meeting will take place on Wednesday, September 19 in Duncan at the Cowichan Golf and Country Club in conjunction with a Zone 3 luncheon.

The annual VIREB Membership Survey provides a wealth of information that the Real Estate Board uses in planning its programs and services for the coming years. But this year's version of the survey also offered a much more tangible and immediate benefit to the VIREB membership in the form of a series of prizes donated by VIREB and a number of outside sponsors.

The big winner this year was Nanaimo's Marilynn Kennedy (Realty Executives) who won an iPad, courtesy of VIREB. "Really, I was just about to buy one," she said after being informed of her win. "You really know how to make a person's day!" Other winners include Mike Reeves (Royal LePage - Qualicum Beach), Maria Ng (RE/MAX of Duncan), Jackie Wood (Osborne Realty - Cobble Hill) and Brian Shaw (Royal LePage - Courtenay) who collectively won sign packages and training programs provided by QR Estates of Calgary. In addition, Ann Enright and Janice Hunt – both from Century 21 Icarus Realty in Nanaimo, won a gas card from Supra and a business card package from Elite Image in Nanaimo respectively.

RE/MAX of Duncan's Shannon Roome won a free WETT Inspection donated by Discovery Home Inspection of Nanaimo, Wendy Klyne (RE/MAX Lake Cowichan) won a business consultation from Clarity Corporate Consulting (Nanaimo), Erika Haley from Royal LePage Campbell River won a comforter courtesy of Coast Capital Savings Credit Union (Nanaimo) and Tracy Hopkins (Coast Realty – Courtenay) won a fine dining gift card from Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo. On top of all those prize winners, 30 members from across all of VIREB's zones won $5 gift cards from Tim Horton's – provided by VIREB.

In past years the annual Membership Survey would be staged by VIREB itself, but the 2012 version of the data collection blitz was designed and carried out by Framework Partners of Calgary who developed a custom survey for VIREB. Contacted by e-mail, more than 40% of VIREB Members took part in the survey, which is considered an excellent response. Framework Partners has had a great deal of experience with real estate having successfully completed similar surveys for numerous Real Estate Boards across the province allowing for a comparative analysis between Boards. Once analyzed and presented to the Board of Directors the 2012 Survey findings will be made available to the VIREB membership for its information.

VIREB REALTORS® are active supporters of the communities in which they live and work. They belong to community organizations, they participate in activities that make their neighborhoods better places to live and they donate huge amounts of time, energy and resources toward those efforts. That involvement is at the heart of the Quality of Life principles adopted by VIREB. Now we would like an opportunity to let other people learn about them.

The VIREB Communications Department is eager to hear about REALTORS® involved in community activities throughout Vancouver Island. To help promote Quality of Life initiatives, and to provide exposure for events and activities, the Communications Department is encouraging VIREB members to submit photos, articles, story ideas or any other materials that could be used to promote events involving REALTORS® and their communities. Not comfortable with writing an article? Then simply submit point form information about the event, activity or happening and the Communications Department will look after the mechanics of article creation.

Photographs with an accompanying short summary of information are especially welcome as they can be used on VIREB social media websites as well as in other vehicles such as the In-Touch newsletter. Activities that involve major financial donations or significant fund raising activities might also be used as formal media releases, which can be produced and distributed by the Department.

If you know of something coming up, or are a participant in an appropriate event please contact Communications Coordinator David Holmes at dholmes@vireb.com. Your efforts are making a difference in your community - so let us help share that achievement with others.

REALTOR® Awards - Nomination Forms Now Available

Do you know of someone who has done extraordinary things for their community? Is there someone who in your opinion exemplifies the very best in the profession of real estate? Are they too focused or humble to seek recognition for their efforts on their own? Then this is your opportunity to do it for them. The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) is once again on the hunt for nominations for the annual REALTORS® Care and REALTOR® of the Year Awards.

These two related but very different accolades are among the highest honors that VIREB can bestow on its membership. The REALTORS® Care Award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated a dedication to excellence and who have had a profound influence on the quality of life in the communities in which they serve. The REALTOR® of the Year Award also involves individuals who have played significant roles in their communities, but who have in addition directly influenced the positive image of Vancouver Island REALTORS® through their professional conduct and personal example.

VIREB's goal is to receive nominations from each of its six zones, with the winners to be announced during a special awards banquet to be held next February. Nomination forms have been produced and are available on REALTOR Link® under Board/Member Information > REALTORS® Care Awards Nomination Form or REALTOR® of the Year Nomination Form or click the following links:

Please take the time and download these forms and then fill them in with your chosen nominations. The individuals put forward represent the very best in the profession and their efforts should not go unrecognized. Take the time and nominate your local real estate community leaders.

The home buying (and selling) needs of clients 50+ are different from those of newlyweds. Learning about that difference and teaching REALTORS® to better serve the seniors market is one of the main focuses of the Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) course. The most recent edition of this Continuing Professional Education (CPE) course was held June 18th at the VIREB Training Room.

The only course of its kind planned for this year, the two-day session attracted a total of 23 REALTORS®, including one from the Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB). Provided by the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) the session was taught by Pili Meyer. By earning the SRES® Designation, REALTORS® are equipped to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients age 50+ through the major financial and lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home. A SRES® certified REALTOR® has received the special training necessary to assist clients interested in making life changing decisions – namely a real estate sale or purchase.

The course (worth nine PDP credits) focuses on the demographics and specialized needs of a mature client and offers insights into a number of different aspects of this highly specialized market. This Professional Development Program (PDP) course examined a wide range of issues from the implications of tax laws and probate rules for seniors, to learning to be a more effective communicator with the senior market. With the greying of the population and Vancouver Island's reputation as a retirement destination, the REALTORS® in attendance who earned a SRES® designation have better positioned themselves and their businesses to tap into this expanding market.

Special thanks are extended to the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia for funding the development of this course.

One of the constants of the profession of real estate sales is change. Changing markets, changing economies, changing regulations and changing technologies are the order of the day for working REALTORS®. Addressing that state of flux is the theme of the Professional Development Day being hosted by VIREB on October 10th.

Entitled: Your Evolving Business, Preparing for Tomorrow … Today! - the day-long training opportunity will be held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo. Event registration is slated to begin at 9:00 AM, with participants having access to a quartet of hour-long training sessions and a companion business tradeshow featuring 26 individual exhibitors. The educational portion of the day will run from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM and will feature presentations addressing such varied subjects as Technology Trends, Changing Consumer Needs, Advertising and Trademarks and Strata Management Issues.

The list of speakers is still being finalized, but the day promises to be one of timely and practical real world information. The day will also offer plenty of opportunity for networking and exchanging ideas with your peers. As an added benefit to VIREB members, the event has been specifically designed to meet BCREA's criteria for Category C – Member Board Education Events – meaning participants will be eligible for three (3) PDP credits.

The future is where you and your business will be operating, so come to the Professional Development Day this fall and better prepare yourself for the changes to come.

REALTORS® in Campbell River gave from the heart on Canada Day, and looked foolish doing it! The annual Canada Day Bed Race took to the streets of downtown Campbell River, raising a total of $780 for the Campbell River Hospital Foundation. "It was a hoot, and everyone had a terrific time," explained Byron Maier (RE/MAX Check Realty) and Team Captain of the All-REALTOR® racing team.

"We had about dozen or so members on the team, coming from offices all over town, not just from RE/MAX," he said. "We may not have won, but we did finish in second place – for the most money raised by a team. But raising money for the Foundation was the whole point, the serious element in all the fun."

Campbell River REALTORS® donated $250 from their advertising fund to the event. The 2012 edition of the Campbell River Bed Race saw more than a dozen teams compete, belonging to businesses from throughout the city. "We didn't have a lot of time to prepare our bed this year," Maier said afterward. "Now that I've had a taste of bed racing I'm sure we'll have a much higher performance model ready for next year."

For Sharon Jensen, having an opportunity to be involved with and exposed to different cultures is like being in a flower garden. "If you only have one kind of flower it can get pretty boring," she explained. "But when you have a wide variety of flowers, of different shapes and colors, you have something exciting and beautiful." That's one of the motivations behind her long term involvement with the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society in Nanaimo.

The Nanaimo REALTOR® (Century 21 Harbour Realty) had served on the Centre's Board of Directors for four years before being elected president at the registered charity's Annual General Meeting in late June. "There can be so many challenges for the new arrivals. For many of them coming to Canada is like landing on an alien planet," she said. "They may come here with University Degrees and 20 years of business experience but don't know how to get a library card or where to go to find a job. There is a lot to be done, but it can also be very rewarding."

Jensen was first licensed as a REALTOR® in her native California in 1971 where she worked in her family's real estate and property management business – all this while attending university. Having earned a Master's Degree in Educational Administration, she left real estate and spent some 25 years working in various school administration positions, including 12 years on Vancouver Island. In 2007, with her children grown and on their own, she returned to her real estate roots and once again became a REALTOR®. "My involvement with the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society is strictly a voluntary position as I make no money or carry out any real estate business through my position there," she explained. "I do it because of the opportunity of learning about other cultures and to simply feel good about doing something positive in the community."

When not looking after her real estate business or working with the Society, Jenson continues to draw from her education background. She serves as an instructor of the Applied Practice Course at VIREB and as an Adjunct Instructor in real estate fundamentals at Vancouver Island University (VIU). "It's an introductory course in real estate that I teach at VIU for entry finance students as part of the university's school of business."

Jensen does find that her various involvements can fill her day, but she still manages to keep her sense of humor about her work load. "Once in while I even get to do some real estate!"

They came, they built and then they won! VIREB's Joanne Russell, an MLS® Customer Service Representative, along with local long term community supporter The Buccaneer Inn, were the winners in the 'Grand Challenge Heat' during the Annual Silly Boat Regatta held July 15th at Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo. The winning crew of Swashbucklers was one of 42 nautical teams to participate, with nearly $100,000 raised for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre during the event.

The shoreline was crowded with an estimated 10,000 vocal supporters as the Buccaneer gang assembled and successfully raced their ingenious craft. Part of the rules for the event state your vessel has to be assembled on site just prior to the race, so the winners proved both sound shipwrights as well as fierce competitors. The winners are seen here posing around the statue of former Mayor Frank Ney whose piratical persona helped to put Nanaimo and its marine festival on the world stage. Joanne is the cutlass swinging scallywag second from the left on the bottom row. Congratulations to you and your winning shipmates! It was all in fun and all for a great cause!

Commercial Division Update

This year's Commercial Professional Development Day is quickly approaching ~ scheduled for Thursday, September 13 from 10:00 to 3:00 pm in the VIREB Training Room. (Coffee will be on at 9:30 am, so come early and network!) Cost to attend is $40 + HST for Commercial Division members and $60 + HST for non-Commercial Division members. Deadline for registration is: Friday, September 7, 2012.

Commercial Professional Development Day is a One-Day information and training event, geared towards members who deal in commercial real estate and those who have an interest in learning more about commercial real estate. Attendees are provided with practical and day-to-day information from a Commercial perspective.

This year a planning consultant and municipal lawyer have been secured for the morning session to discuss Zoning vs. Development permits, dealing with municipalities, syndications, bare trust, signing authorities, beneficial owners, red flags, and more – information relevant to the present economic climate! Breakout sessions will take place in the afternoon – "Commercial 101", for those interested in learning the basics in commercial; and a session on "Practical Aspects of Green Buildings". An Interaction & Exchange session will follow.

There is limited seating so please sign up early! The flyer and registration form can be found on REALTOR Link® under VIREB – Commercial – Forms – Commercial Pro D Day Flyer.

VIREB is now accepting Nominations for the 2013 Commercial Building Awards! Do you know of any buildings worth nominating for the 2013 Commercial Building Awards?

To be eligible, an investment, commercial or industrial building or renovation project must be located within the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board's jurisdiction (from the top of the Malahat to the Northern tip of the Island), and completed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012.

The Project Submission Form is posted NOW on REALTOR Link® under VIREB's Commercial – Commercial Building Awards – 2013. Winners of the 2013 Commercial Building Awards will be announced at a gala dinner on Thursday, April 18, 2013 at the Coast Bastion Inn, Nanaimo.

Venture Connect is an organization that is interested in working with Commercial REALTORS® to help attract potential buyers to their commercial listings.

With a large number of businesses ready to sell, a continuing buyer's market and the need for communities to maintain an active business community, Venture Connect acts as a support for real estate professionals and small business owners. How? Venture Connect assists in preparing businesses for sale by working with the seller to stage their business, prepare their financials, and create transitioning and marketing documents for buyer information. Once the information is gathered and the business is ready for the market, booklets are created that show off the business to potential buyers. With a unique partnership between Venture Connect and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), those booklets are distributed to PNP representatives, taken on foreign missions and shown at trade shows throughout the world.

Beginning in September 2012, foreign missions are slated for China, Korea, Ireland, Mexico, South Africa and the UK. In 2013, more missions are slated for India, the Philippines and Dubai.

To find out more, view samples and discuss details and pricing, please contact:

• Lori Camire, Manager and Director - lcamire@cfac.ca; or
• Evelyn Clark, Operations Manager - evelyn@ventureconnect.ca

… will be sent out to all Full Commercial Division Members the first week of October. Please consider volunteering your time as a Commercial Council member!

Designated Agency came into effect June 1, 2012, and with it came a number of changes related to listings and contracts. In essence the changes mean that all new listings can only be submitted using the new Designated Agency Contract. All existing listings written on the old contracts will no longer be extended. Any listings written on the old contracts will not have their expiry dates extended, but all other changes, such as taxes, dimensions, etc. will continue to be processed by the MLS® staff until they expire.

When these listings do expire, they can be resubmitted using the new Designated Agency MLS® Contract and a valid Data Input Form. Only then can the contract be re-entered into the MLS® system. Once the new MLS® number has been generated, the Listing Agent must upload the appropriate photos and links to what is essentially a new listing. The object of these changes is to see that all active listings on the MLS® system are processed using the current Designated Agency Contract. Your support will ensure that this transition phase will be as seamless as possible for all parties.

Most 2012 property taxes are now online in INTERFACExpress™ and INTERFACE™. The 2012 taxes should update automatically in INTERFACE™. If they have not updated in your copy of INTERFACE™, please download the latest INTERFACE™ full program installer from the Resources tab on INTERFACExpress™. We have received reports of certain taxes / assessments not appearing. If you notice a property missing from INTERFACE™ and it is also not visible in the Tax Search in INTERFACExpress™, please e-mail the address or PID number to techsupport@vireb.com so we can gather more information.

Recently we have had a number of calls where INTERFACE™ is showing an error message and crashes during the update. This was caused by a software update released to correct another problem. It appears that not everyone's version of INTERFACE™ updated properly and when it receives certain listings it will crash. The most effective way of fixing this is to remove INTERFACE™ using "Uninstall a Program" in the Windows Control Panel of your computer ("Add/Remove Programs" if you are using Windows XP). After uninstalling, sign into INTERFACExpress™ and download the most recent full program install from the Resources tab. VIREB technical support can help you through this process should you require assistance.

VIREB will begin watermarking all property photos shortly. This is so the photos can be tracked and unauthorized use of these photos will be prevented. Beginning in the next few weeks, VIREB will be adding "VIREB" followed by the MLS® number of the property to the lower right corner of the photos. Please make sure to keep your original copies of all photos as VIREB will be unable to provide un-watermarked copies should you require them.

We have modified our uploads to CREA to contain the required information for CREA's new Data Distribution Facility (DDF) and VIREB has chosen to opt-in for all three modules. We are currently working with CREA to schedule a go-live date for the DDF. Once we have this date, CREA will be scheduling training webinars for VIREB brokers and members.

If you have brokerloaded a listing recently, you will have noticed that there is a new field available called "DDF More Information URL" on brokerloaded listings. The DDF More Information URL field must contain a URL which begins with http:// and lead to a web-page which is specific to that property. It is not acceptable to use a general link to your website or a property developers website main page.

For more information on the DDF please go to the following link: http://www.realtorlink.ca/portal/server.pt/community/ddf_training_center/1136/intro/167638#

At this point the CREA helpdesk is the best point of contact for DDF related questions.

Access to the TechHelpline remote technology support system is one of the many value-added services available to VIREB members. Open during normal business hours Monday to Saturday, TechHelpline's support department is available to address concerns or problems encountered by members that are not related to VIREB's own online programs and services.

Thinking about purchasing some new technology and want some unbiased information? Having a problem configuring new computer hardware or software? Is your computer network making you lose sleep? Is your computer slow and needing its performance optimized? Then contact TechHelpline at 1-877-573-6168, via an online chat tool on REALTORLink® or by e-mail at info@techhelpline.com and prepare to be amazed!

There are a total of 1,009 members as of August 16th, 2012.

Office re-joining: Vertex Land Solutions, 5314 Bayshore Drive, Nanaimo, has re-joined, effective July 12, 2012.

Office closed: Aegis Realty Ltd., Courtenay, closed effective July 31, 2012.

VIREB - In Touch is VIREB's newsletter.  If you have any newsworthy information that can be included in future issues, please email  to VIREB’s Communication email address at: communications@vireb.com.  (VIREB retains all editorial rights).

Guy Bezeau, President, Re/Max Ocean Pointe Realty, Ladysmith
Bill Benoit, CRAE, CAE - Executive Officer
Darrell Paysen, CRAE - Manager, Member Services
David Holmes - Communications
Sheri Rosewall - Production
Published by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. Copyright 2012.