For Immediate Release Vancouver, BC – April 16, 2021. The British Columbia housing market is currently experiencing a heightened level of activity, leading to increased competition and a trend of prospective purchasers submitting unconditional offers, at times without having financing secured. In a competitive market it’s important that consumers continue to focus on the due diligence associated …
The Land Owner Transparency Registry (LOTR) becomes publicly searchable on April 30 and guidance from the Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) on how to use LOTR in real estate practice is coming soon. BCREA will support brokerages and REALTORS® in adapting their practice in accordance to the RECBC guidance once it’s available. In the …
On Friday, April 9th, the Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) and the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (OSRE) released a press statement encouraging British Columbians to be aware of the potential risks and do their research before making an offer on a home. In the release, RECBC’s Chief Executive Officer Erin Seeley …
By Katja Gallagher, Education Coordinator, BCREA Are you a new REALTOR®, managing broker or have many years of experience in the profession? Would you like to share your insights concerning the unique needs and challenges of new Realtors? If so, we want to hear from you! BCREA has launched the Practice-Ready REALTOR® Project that seeks …
To view the Mortgage Rate Forecast PDF, click here. Highlights Mortgage rates increase as economic growth expectations revised higher Growth in the Canadian economy set to take-off in 2021 Bank of Canada remains on hold but may be tested by increased inflation Mortgage Rate Outlook Canadian 5-year bond yields jumped in February and are now …
For Immediate Release Vancouver, BC – March 23, 2021. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) is pleased to announce that North Vancouver REALTOR® Dan Morrison was elected as its 2021-2022 Chair at the BCREA Annual Meeting on March 23, 2021. “Realtors showed tremendous leadership over the past year, as they adapted to the COVID-19 …
To view the Market Intelligence Report PDF, click here. Summary Findings: Growth in home prices is a function of many factors and those factors do not always impact prices to the same degree Shocks to housing demand and interest rates are the largest contributors to fluctuations in home prices, but provincial and municipal governments have …
To view the full Commercial Leading Indicator PDF, click here. The BCREA Commercial Leading Indicator (CLI) reached a new high since the start of the series in 1999. The CLI rose from 139 to 144 in the fourth quarter of 2020, representing the second consecutive increase after four consecutive quarterly declines. Compared to the same …
Starting in 2016, the real estate profession has seen numerous regulatory changes, including increased fines, new regulations, greater involvement from the Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) and the elimination of limited dual agency. As a result, I have tried to focus many of my more recent articles on discipline decisions of RECBC. While discipline …
If you own or manage a real estate brokerage, it’s important to regularly review your insurance policy to ensure it meets your needs and adequately protects you and your brokerage. When reviewing your policy, there are three often-overlooked issues you may want to consider or raise with your insurance broker: Does your commercial general (third-party) …
The Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (OSRE) invites REALTORS® and others to give input into the regulation of real estate teams by participating in a survey open until Friday, April 2, 2021. OSRE has been working with the Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) to consider how to enhance the regulation of teams …
On Tuesday, February 9, the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (OSRE) announced five preliminary recommendations to support managing brokers as part of a report into the role of managing brokers in real estate transactions. The study was completed in collaboration with the Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) and with input from BCREA, …
Today, the Office of the Superintendent of Real Estate (OSRE) and the Real Estate Council of British Columbia (RECBC) announced changes to the Real Estate Rules to expand the use of administrative penalties (APs). OSRE first proposed these rule changes in September 2020, in a consultation that attracted nearly 600 responses – including a detailed …
It has now been over two years since Canada moved to legally regulate the production and sale of cannabis for recreational use. While households can legally have up to four cannabis plants each, with exceptions made for those who have a license to grow medical cannabis, questions remain about the duties of real estate agents …
Effective April 1, 2021, The Real Estate Council of BC (RECBC) will increase their biennial licensing fees from $1,800 to $2,000. RECBC members approved the proposed increase on January 18, following a short consultation beginning in December 2020. The new fee structure will be implemented, subject to objections from Minister of Finance Selina Robinson. Licensing …
To view the BCREA Housing Forecast Update PDF, click here. Vancouver, BC – January 25, 2021. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) released its 2021 First Quarter Housing Forecast Update today. Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) residential sales in the province are forecast to rise 15.6 per cent to 108,680 units this year, after recording …
For the complete news release, including detailed statistics, click here. Vancouver, BC – January 13, 2021. The British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) reports that a total of 93,953 residential unit sales were recorded by the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in 2020, an increase of 21.5 per cent from the 77,350 units sold in 2019. The …
2020 was an eventful year that required BCREA to adapt to many unexpected challenges. As with most British Columbians, the COVID-19 pandemic required changes how we conduct our practices. We have learned just how resilient and adaptable BC’s Realtors can be, showing leadership and coming together to help flatten the COVID-19 infection rate. Below are …
To help BC’s economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, many CleanBC rebates are doubled until December 31, 2020. These initiatives will help homeowners save energy and will also help the province meet its new emissions target rate to be 16 per cent below 2007 levels by 2025. The increased rebates are available for: switching from …
After the BC NDP won a majority of legislative seats, Premier John Horgan has announced the new provincial cabinet. The BC NDP’s cabinet positions will play a key role in economic recovery and are an important conduit for BCREA to advance our advocacy issues. Below is a summary of ministerial appointments affecting real estate. Hon. …