By: Adam Feldman, CAMS, CAMS-RM, CSC, Guest Contributor The rise of virtual currency If you’ve followed the news lately, you’ve probably noticed the increased prominence that virtual currencies are gaining on the global financial landscape. A 2019 study estimated that 9% of the global population owns Bitcoin, while British Columbia alone is home to 229 …
On May 4 and 5, over 80 attendees from all around BC participated in BCREA’s Government Liaison Days. At this virtual conference, attendees learned about how the government can improve housing supply as well as energy efficiency in homes. REALTORS® then met with their MLAs to discuss the impact in their communities. Energy efficiency Realtors …
In March, amendments to the Real Estate Services Act (RESA) received Royal Assent, paving the way for a single financial services regulator in BC, including real estate. On May 19, the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) announced that the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (OSRE) and Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) …
With the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada’s (FINTRAC) latest regulatory amendments coming into effect on June 1, BCREA will retire the one-page BCREA Individual Identification Information Record as of May 31. The FINTRAC amendments redefine when brokerages enter into business relationships and as such, this one-page form will no longer meet brokerage’s …
On this month’s episode of Open House by BCREA, we are joined by Adam Feldman, an Anti-Money Laundering Advisor with The AML Shop, who shares an overview of the new or revised anti-money laundering regulations that come into effect on June 1, 2021, and how they will impact real estate practice. These changes were introduced by …
In a caveat emptor, or buyer beware, jurisdiction such as BC, buyers are required to conduct their own due diligence to satisfy themselves as to the condition of the property they are acquiring. They often employ experts such as home inspectors and environmental, structural and geotechnical engineers to assist them in this regard. These experts …
May 25th was an exciting day for all of us as Premier John Horgan, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Minister of Health Adrian Dix announced details of BC’s four-phase restart plan. After more than a year of uncertainty and concern about the health and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones, brighter days …
In case you haven’t heard, the Financial Transactions & Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) has introduced new and revised regulatory requirements that come into effect on June 1, 2021, that will impact your real estate practice and anti-money laundering obligations. To ensure you’re ready for these changes, BCREA has created a series of short …
By: Adam Feldman, CAMS, CAMS-RM, CSC, Guest Contributor If you remember last week’s post, starting on June 1, 2021, brokerages will need to determine if an individual with whom they are dealing is a politically exposed person (PEP). A PEP is an individual who holds a senior position in a government, military, judiciary or international …
On May 19, the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA) published a status update regarding the integration of the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (OSRE) and Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) into the BCFSA to create a single regulator for BC’s financial services sector. In the news release published on its website, …
In April’s episode of Open House by BCREA, our monthly podcast for REALTORS®, host Tony Joe and his guest, Research Co. president Mario Canseco, discussed the results of a recent public opinion survey which asked British Columbians about their thoughts on the current hot housing market. Their conversation – like the poll itself – covers …
Updated on May 12, 2021, to reflect that the Land Owner Transparency Registry is now publicly searchable. The Land Owner Transparency Registry, or LOTR, is a publicly accessible registry of information about individuals who have an indirect interest in land that is held through corporations, trusts and partnerships. Here are ten things REALTORS® can learn …
By: Adam Feldman, CAMS, CAMS-RM, CSC, Guest Contributor What is a PEP? If you’ve been following the regulatory changes that are coming into effect on June 1, 2021, you might be aware that, under circumstances described in the next section, brokerages will be required to determine if an individual is a PEP. But what is …
FINTRAC: What’s Changed Using LOTR Last updated: June 1, 2021 Overview New and revised regulatory amendments from the Financial Transactions & Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) are now in effect and BCREA has created this resource page to help REALTORS® and brokerages understand their new FINTRAC obligations and how to use BC’s Land Owner Transparency …
For the complete news release, including detailed statistics, click here. Vancouver, BC – May 12, 2021. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 13,683 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in April 2021, an increase of 312.3 per cent over April 2020 when the onset of …
BCREA would like to thank all the REALTORS® who participated in this year’s annual Government Liaison (GL) Days live sessions on May 4 and 5. Realtors from across the province convened virtually to learn about policies to address the two issues of improving housing supply and energy efficiency in homes. In addition to discussion around …
Update: This post was updated on May 5, 2021 after a review of suggested protocols. REALTORS® are encouraged to read the updated version below. Selling a tenant-occupied property is always more complicated than selling an owner-occupied property. Selling a tenant-occupied property during a global pandemic adds another layer of complexity. As a REALTOR®, you have …
Update: This post and the Safer Showings documents referenced below were updated on May 5, 2021 to align with Provincial Health Officer orders and directives up to and including April 2021. Real estate professionals must continue to adapt to protect themselves, consumers and communities from COVID-19. While provincial restrictions do not directly impact REALTORS® ability …
The British Columbia Real Estate Association acknowledges that our head office is located on the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish Nations of Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam). We also acknowledge the other 195 First Nations in British Columbia, as these are the lands we each call home.
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