IN THIS ISSUE

Friday, May 7, 2010

News & Announcements

· Information on BMO mortgage fraud case

· CREB® financial statements now posted

· View the Annual General Meetings’ minutes on REALTORLink®

· CREB® employment opportunity

· Residential Measurements Workshop

· Member survey prize winners

· Get the Dirt on Remediation Certificates (Webinar)

· CREB® Statistics Seminar

· MLXchange End User Survey indicates most users satisfied with the program

· REALTORLink® poll results

Business Practices Issues Briefs

· Providing feedback after a showing

CREB® Education Calendar

News Clippings (May 1 – 7, 2010)

REALTOR® Changes

Calgary and Area Stats Update

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

INFORMATION ON BMO MORTGAGE FRAUD CASE

Recent media reports presented what is being referred to as one of the largest alleged cases of mortgage fraud in Canadian history. According to the reports, the Bank of Montreal (BMO) is suing hundreds of people in Alberta, including lawyers, real estate industry members, businesses and four of its own employees. They allege the bank was the target of a sophisticated fraud operated by 14 inter-connected groups. The documents claim the scheme generated at least $140-million, about $70-million of which was for phoney mortgages.

Various local media have reported on the topic over the last few days. The articles are available in our weekly media clippings package under the 2010 BMO Mortgage Fraud section. The media clippings are available on REALTORLink® under the ‘News & Classifieds’ section.

CREB® takes mortgage fraud very seriously and would, if required, cooperate with RECA and law enforcement agencies to assist in any investigation related to mortgage fraud. CREB® is committed to ensuring its members follow the highest standards or professionalism and the REALTOR® code of ethics.

We will keep you informed about this matter as more details surface. If you have any questions regarding CREB® rules and regulations, the REALTOR® code of ethics or the real estate act, please contact Don Dickson, manager, business practices at don.dickson@creb.ca or Karla Feil, business practices administrator at karla.feil@creb.ca.

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CREB® FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOW POSTED

CREB®’s first quarter interim report financial statements are now available on REALTORLink®. To access the document go to ‘About My Board’ under ’Reports’.

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VIEW THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS’ MINUTES ON REALTORLink®
The minutes for the March 30, 2010 Annual General Meetings are now available on REALTORLink® under the ‘About My Board’, ‘Reports’ section.

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CREB® EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB®) currently has an opening for a Commercial/Rural Manager. This is a senior level position. Please click here for further details. Anyone interested in applying for this position can send their resume to hr@creb.ca . The closing date for this position is Friday, May 21, 2010.

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RESIDENTIAL MEASUREMENTS WORKSHOP

May 20 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)

Cost $52.50, click here to register.

During this workshop, we re-examine how to approach measuring different styles of homes using CREB®'s Measurement Guidelines. Step-by-step procedures for measuring properties in a variety of housing styles will be illustrated in class; bi-level, multi-stories, split levels, architecturally designed homes, as well as features including bay windows, cantilevers, and dormers. Learn the reasoning behind the guidelines and why you should be measuring the property yourself. Furthermore, you will understand how home measurements affect you as the agent, your client, and the entire real estate industry.
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MEMBER SURVEY PRIZE WINNERS
Thank you to those who took the time to complete our member survey. Your feedback is appreciated and will help us to provide you with better service in the future. A full list of prize winners is now available here. If you’re a winner, we kindly ask that you wait to be contacted by CREB®. We will contact you via e-mail to arrange for prize delivery.
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GET THE DIRT ON REMEDIATION CERTIFICATES (WEBINAR)
Get the scoop on remediated land. Join Cindy Chiasson, Executive Director of the Environmental Law Centre, on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 12:00 pm to learn more about remediation certificates.
Topics will include: What is a remediation certificate? Do I need one? How do I get one? What protection will it give me? Where can I get more information about remediation certificates?

Click here to register for the webinar session.

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CREB® STATISTICS SEMINAR

May 26 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)

Cost $52.50, click here to register.

Learn to use CREB®’s statistics to better price your listings, which will help you get bigger price reductions and quicker sales. Join former CREB® president Kevin Clark for a session on how to interpret CREB®’s statistics. The presentation will also touch on the basics of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher to create powerful and successful presentations.

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MLXchange END USER SURVEY INDICATES MOST USERS SATISFIED WITH THE PROGRAM
In the recently completed MLXchange End User Survey, commissioned by MarketLinx, users of MLXchange were asked how satisfied they were with MLXchange. Of 258 respondents from CREB®, 61 (23 per cent) gave the program a seven out of 10 and 61 (23 per cent) gave it an eight out of 10. Seven respondents (2 per cent) gave it a 10 out of 10, and just nine respondents (3 per cent) gave it a one out of 10. The full survey is available on REALTORLink® in the ‘About My Board’ section under ‘Surveys’.

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REALTORLink® POLL RESULTS
In the latest poll on REALTORLink®, we asked if you use the 000 RES Condo Agent Detail View when looking at condo listings on MLXchange to see the Registered Size Includes information. Of the 455 members who voted, 154 (34 per cent) said yes they use it, 122 (27 per cent) said no they don’t use it, and 179 (39 per cent) said they didn’t know about it. Check out REALTORLink® for this month’s poll question: How did you learn about the CREB® Member Survey?

BUSINESS PRACTICES ISSUES BRIEFS

PROVIDING FEEDBACK AFTER A SHOWING
Buyer representatives are not obligated to follow up with a seller’s representative following a showing. A buyer’s representative should not provide any information about his/her clients or their opinions to anyone without consent (a seller’s consent should be in writing). This would be a breach of the duty of confidentiality owed to the client by virtue of the buyer representative’s agency relationship with the buyer. This in no way precludes the buyer representative from offering his/her thoughts with regard to the property, provided this information is only shared with the seller’s representative. From a professional standpoint, you could politely respond with a statement saying you do not make a practice of providing information after a showing unless a client is further interested in a property.

CREB® EDUCATION CALENDAR

Condo Designation Course

Certified Condominium Specialist (CCS) (3 days)
June 8, 15 & 22 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Cost $336.00

Real Estate Brokers Program

Commercial Real Estate (2 days)
May 13 & 14 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)
Cost $273.00

Real Estate Mortgage Financing (2 days)
June 1 & 2 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)

Cost $273.00

Professional Development

Real Estate Update 2009 - 2010

May 10 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)

May 27 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)

June 2 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)

June 23 (9:00 am – 4:00 pm)

Cost: $78.75

Workshops, Seminars & Information Sessions

CREB® Residential Measurements Workshop

May 20 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)

Cost $52.50

CREB® Statistics Seminar
May 26 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)

Cost $52.50

The Digital REALTOR® - Level 1
May 26 or June 7 (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm)

Cost $52.50

Home Inspection Information Session

June 17 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)

Free to attend – Limited seating

Condo Basics Workshop
June 21 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
Cost $52.50

The Digital REALTOR® - Level 2

June 24 (1:00 pm – 3:00 pm)

Cost $52.50

Open Exam Dates

May 19 (12:00 pm – 4:00 pm)

June 2 (12:00 pm – 4:00 pm)

June 23 (12:00 pm – 4:00 pm)

Alternative dates for all Provincial Qualifying Exams.

NEWS CLIPPINGS

The news clippings for the week of May 1 – 7, 2010, are available on REALTORLink®’s home page under the ‘News & Classifieds’ section.

Featured stories include:

· Single women are keen to buy and now is the perfect time, survey says (National Post, May 1, 2010)

· Calgary home sales to simmer, not sizzle this year (Calgary Herald, May 4, 2010)

· BMO sues over alleged fraud in mortgages (National Post, May 6, 2010)

REALTOR® CHANGES

The following individual was approved as a broker:
Warren Phipps, Mountain Park Real Estate

New Agents:

Tara Di Vincenzo, RE/MAX Landan Real Estate

Jaspreet Gill, CIR Realty (NE)

Catherine Chow, CIR Realty (DT)

Kevin D’Costa, CIR Realty (NE)

Transfers:

Shafina Manji from CIR Realty (NE) to The Real Estate Company Ltd.

Linda Maciver Olsen from Sutton-Partners Realty Group to RE/MAX Real Estate (Central)

Angela Hall from CIR Realty (NW) to The Real Estate Company Ltd.

Nicolas Spragg from CIR Realty (NW) to The Real Estate Company Ltd.

Patti Stephens from Sutton Group Canwest to Chris Bolt International Realty

Julie Rozon from RE/MAX House of Real Estate to RE/MAX Real Estate (Mountain View)

Amin Samji from Discover Real Estate Ltd. to Century 21 Bravo Realty

Karen Jackson-Tkachuk from RE/MAX Real Estate (Mountain View) R.E. to The Real Estate Company Ltd.

Farhat Maqsood from CIR Realty (NE) to Residential One Real Estate

Marjuri Salazar from MaxWell Westview Realty to MaxWell Capital Realty

Terminations:

Joann Kalantzis, First Place Realty

Re-entry:

Tracey Budge, Keller Williams Realty South

Jim Jackson, Real Estate Professionals Inc.

Brad Fenniak, CIR Realty (S)

Larry Corrigall, Residential One Real Estate

Cody Nudd, RE/MAX House of Real Estate

Deborah Cockx, Discover Real Estate Ltd.

Gary Lam, Residential One Real Estate

Leanne Shannon, Discover Real Estate Ltd.

Victor Wong, Discover Real Estate Ltd.

Reid Henuset, Keller Williams Realty South

James (Kevin) Tapp, Discover Real Estate Ltd.

Omolola Adekeye, Keller Williams Realty South

Brian Ross, Keller Williams Realty South

Mut Kang, CIR Realty (NE)

Doolin Fizzell, CIR Realty (NE)

Jo Kinna, Residential One Real Estate

Muhamamd Kahloo, CIR Realty (NE)

Ana B. Filipovic, MaxWell Canyon Creek

Avtar Singh Malhi, CIR Realty (NE)

Associates: 5,142

Brokers: 245

Totals: 5,387

METRO STATS UPDATE (May 1 – 5, 2010)

2010
2009

Calgary Metro – Single Family

Sales
188
222

New Listings
516
384

Inventory
5,158
4,278

Sales to New
36%
58%

Sales to Inv
4%
5%


Calgary Metro – Condominium

Sales
89
96

New Listings
248
190

Inventory
2,533
2,098

Sales to New
36%
51%

Sales to Inv
4%
5%


Towns (Outside Calgary)

Sales
59
64

New Listings
157
150

Inventory
2,728
2,610

Sales to New
38%
43%

Sales to Inv
2%
2%


Country Residential – Acreages

Sales
13
7

New Listings
44
71

Inventory
1,046
839

Sales to New
30%
10%

Sales to Inv
1%
1%


Total MLS®

Sales
354
391

New Listings
997
809

Inventory
12,101
9,825

Sales to New
36%
48%

Sales to Inv
3%
4%

SP >= LP
12
31

Avg. $ Ovr LP
3,462
3,294

Max. $ Ovr LP
18,100
50,100

SP = LP
6
15

% of SP to LP
97.03%
96.43%

 

CREB® Talk is also available online on the home page of REALTORLink®.

For improved convenience, we are now providing CREB®Talk to you in email format. There is no need to login and you can even read CREB®Talk on your BlackBerry or PDA. We will be making further improvements to this format in the coming months. We welcome your feedback and comments at communications@creb.ca.