Did you know? Always answers to every question!

Did you know?

The MLS system in Canada is geographic. It doesn't matter where the listing agent lives or which Board the agent works under...what counts is the location of the property that is listed. Thus, if a Calgary realtor has a listing on Salt Spring Island, for example, that listing will appear under "Salt Spring".

A Victoria listing appears under Victoria, Duncan under Duncan, Parksville under Parksville, Sechelt under Sechelt, Kelowna under Kelowna...etc etc etc. Thus, all Salt Spring Island listings are immediately available to a consumer doing an internet/MLS search...doesn't matter where the realtor is located, or what Board affiliation they have chosen.

Did you know?

A few years ago, the Boards allowed something referred to as a private client service...this simply means that if you encounter a realtor, as a buyer, and they say they can send you other information on a regular basis, if you give them your email address, then you will be added to their "drip feed" option...a listing in that realtor's area you want to know about can be "dripped" your way, without the realtor's input...it's a Board service then. This is not seen by a consumer unless that consumer has encountered that realtor, and been added to their "list". Also, it will only "drip" information, unedited, from that specific Board...in a grey area, with more than one Board affiliation possibility, this means that the information will be Board specific and so will be "partial".

For best results, always look at the MLS system...it's the total information!

Did you know?

The Southern Gulf Islands are in what is called a "grey area". They are on the edges of more than one Board jurisdiction, and so a realtor can choose, if on a Gulf Island, which Board to affiliate with. For example, Galiano, Mayne and Saturna Islands listings are often only processed via the Vancouver Board. However, one company on Mayne chooses the Victoria Board, in order to input the listings to the MLS system. Pender and Salt Spring are often processed through the Victoria Board, although some realtors choose to affiliate with the Vancouver Board. Thetis and Gabriola Islands are mainly affiliated with the Vancouver Island Board.

Remember, the consumer sees only the MLS, and a search of a specific area will find a listing in that area, regardless of a realtor's Board affiliation.

For 18 years I chose the Victoria Board affiliation (1300+ realtors belong to the Victoria Board, in total). Now, I am choosing the Vancouver Board (10,000+ realtors work under the Vancouver Board, in total). There are more real estate agent "eyes" on my listings, then, in the Vancouver Board, which means an increase in potential referral business. Since all MLS listings are geographically sorted, my decision to affiliate with the Vancouver Board is for increased exposure to realtors.

Did you know?

I am the branch office of a Whistler based real estate company...also with offices in West Vancouver, White Rock, etc. As an individual realtor, I am a part of the Luxury Real Estate group out of Seattle, an international partnership arrangement. As a Regent for this group, I am immediately in touch with 90 plus major companies, globally. It is not a franchise model, but a partnership model. What does this mean? It allows innovation, and that is good for the consumer. I have had a local presence (since 1989), & both live and work on Salt Spring Island, with a local office, and I also have created productive national and international connections. These connections are specific...not just a company logo on a business card. I actually have those connections and all of my listings benefit from this exposure. A logo on a business card doesn't mean that the realtor handing it out is actually using that...it has to be paid for. I do step to the plate and pay to create this exposure for my listing clients.

Did you know?

We are now in that post-internet world. It is a global village, just as Marshall McLuhan envisioned. A franchise model of business, with each office independently owned and operated, under an umbrella label, is a 20th Century form...it requires adherence to that franchise format. It is about control of information by the franchise, and the agent was in charge of disclosing same. The 21st Century is more about the consumer, and about freedom of information/innovation, in my opinion. There are now many ways to search information, and the MLS in Canada is also under pressure to release their control over information. The role of a real estate company and a real estate agent, then, has changed dramatically and will continue to evolve. More information about what this means to you? Call me!

Did you know?

Markets are cyclical...we have been in a downmarket for some time. Some experts suggest since 2006. Certainly, since Fall of 2008, the surround sound has been the collapsed economic situation and its resulting chaos. Perhaps we are now in year seven of a seven to ten year cycle...if so, this implies uptick. Are you ready for this shift? Call me, and let's discuss the opportunities that abound.

Did you know? There are always questions...together, let's find the answers!

liread33@gmail.com