June 2, 2010

(Surrey, BC) – Property buyers continued to see an increase in selection while sellers faced more
competition as listings grew and sales decreased on Fraser Valley’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in
May.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board posted 1,477 sales in May, a decrease of 2 per cent compared to the
1,501 sales processed on the MLS® during May 2009. At the same time, the Board received 3,457 new
listings, taking the number of active listings to 11,411, an increase of 14 per cent compared to the 10,047
listings available during May of last year.

Deanna Horn, president of the Board, puts the numbers into context. “May’s sales were 16 per cent below
our ten-year average, 1,760 sales for that month. Considering how busy the market has been in the last
decade that represents solid sales activity, slower yes, but steady.

“What’s changed most is the increase in inventory. The last time this many homes were available on
Fraser Valley’s MLS® in May was in 1995.”

Horn adds, “Tremendous selection allows buyers the luxury to find the right home, comparison shop and
gives their REALTORS® the ability to negotiate hard on their behalf.

“For sellers, getting specific advice about home values in your local neighbourhood is crucial in a
competitive market.”

In May, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes was $515,375, a 10.6 per cent increase
compared to $465,939 in May 2009. The average number of days to sell a detached home in May was 43
days, one day faster than it was in May of last year.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in May was $328,295, a 10.1 per cent increase
compared to $298,308 in May 2009. Townhomes in May sold on average 27 days faster than they did a
year ago – 39 days compared to 66 days in 2009.

The benchmark price of apartments increased by 8.6 per cent year-over-year going from $232,170 in May
2009 to $252,221 in May 2010. The average days to sell in May for apartments in the Fraser Valley was
51 compared to 69 days during the same month last year.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,989 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

May 4, 2010

(Surrey, BC) –The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) saw close to record levels of listings in April, in addition to strong sales and prices.

Deanna Horn, president of the Board, says, “This is a typical, healthy spring market for the Fraser Valley. We received an abundance of new listings in all price categories giving buyers tremendous opportunity, while sellers saw a typical detached home sell in an average of 40 days for 13 per cent more than in April of last year.”

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board received 3,760 new listings in April compared to 2,477 new listings received during the same month last year, an increase of 51.8 per cent. The new inventory increased the number of active listings to the second highest April on record, reaching 10,635, with only April 1995, at 11,891, offering more selection.

Along with the surge in listings, April sales remained strong, similar to the same month in 2007 and 2008, finishing with 1,793 total units sold, an increase of 38.7 per cent compared to the 1,293 sales sold in April of last year when the market was beginning to recover.

“A number of factors are motivating buyers. Spring is one of the most popular times of year to house hunt, plus interest rates are edging up and buyers are inquiring about the upcoming Harmonized Sales Tax in BC.”

Horn explains, “The Fraser Valley will offer savings when the HST comes into effect because many new homes in our region fall under the new housing rebate threshold.”

Thanks to lobbying efforts by REALTORS® and other housing industry advocates, the threshold to receive the maximum BC new housing rebate was increased to $525,000 from $400,000, the government’s originally proposed limit. Horn says, “It’s important for buyers to know that the majority of new townhomes and apartments in the Fraser Valley cost less than $525,000, including some single family detached homes.”

In April, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes was $520,423 – reflecting all residential sales on the MLS®, of which approximately 10 per cent were new homes. That benchmark price is 13.1 per cent higher than it was in April 2009, when it was $460,229.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in April was $326,367, a 10.6 per cent increase compared to $295,078 in April 2009. The benchmark price of apartments increased by 8.3 per cent year-over-year going from $230,337 in April 2009 to $249,453 in April 2010.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,978 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

April 6, 2010

(Surrey, BC) – With plenty of selection and relatively modest price increases, buyers are enjoying a healthy spring market in the Fraser Valley. The Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) recorded 1,565 sales in March, an increase of 30 per cent over February’s sales and an increase of 56 per cent over the 1,006 sales processed March of last year.

Deanna Horn, president of the Board says, “March sales volumes can fluctuate as much as the weather, and this year’s reached the mid-point between the highs and lows seen over the last decade.

“However, available listings were near the peak, meaning buyers had lots to choose from and were clearly taking advantage of great buying opportunities.”

There were 3,395 new listings entered onto the MLS® in March, slightly higher than in March 2009, when 3,028 new listings were added. Altogether, there were 9,828 active listings on the MLS® at the end of March, on par with the 9,832 active listings one year ago.

The ratio of sales compared to active listings, which indicates the type of market, reached 16 per cent in March, representing a buyer’s market. This is up from last year’s 10 per cent but a far cry from the 25 per cent ratio in March 2007, when the Fraser Valley was in a seller’s market.

“Prices are closing in on the record highs we last saw in spring 2008, so it’s no surprise to see the increase in listings as sellers position themselves to move up or downsize into a smaller residence using their home equity for their purchase.”

In March, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes was $514,787, an increase of 11.9 per cent from the March 2009 price of $459,841.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in March was $326,307, a 10.3 per cent increase compared to $295,809 in March 2009. The benchmark price of apartments increased by 8.6 per cent year-over-year going from $227,188 in March 2009 to $246,673 in March 2010.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,990 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

March 2, 2010

(Surrey, BC) – Not even the most engaging Olympics in Canadian history could completely slow the appetite for house hunting, according to the most recent statistics from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

The Board’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) recorded 1,204 sales in February, an increase of 23 per cent over January’s sales and an increase of 77 per cent over the 682 sales during February of last year.

Deanna Horn, president of the Board explains, “Although the phones were quieter and we did experience less traffic at open houses, we were surprisingly busy given how much everyone, including REALTORS® were enjoying the Games.

“Buyers are aware of two key changes that could impact their purchasing ability. The new mortgage rules coming in April, plus the Harmonized Sales Tax in July, so the ‘Olympic effect’ we were expecting wasn’t as deep.”

The Board’s MLS® received 2,879 new listings in February, an average of 144 per business day, providing buyers with 14 per cent more selection than they had the previous month. The number of active listings in February was 8,485, 12 per cent fewer than were available during February last year.

Horn adds that the combined strength of listings and sales currently is stabilizing Fraser Valley home prices. “Overall, we’ve seen modest price gains for the last three months. The benchmark price for all residential types combined increased less than one per cent from January to February.

“When you have a healthy level of inventory, it puts less upward pressure on prices and creates a stable, balanced market.”

In February, the benchmark price for Fraser Valley detached homes was $508,136, an increase of 11.3 per cent from the February 2009 price of $456,683.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in February was $324,708, a 9.8 per cent increase compared to $295,731 in February 2009. The benchmark price of apartments increased by 7.8 per cent year-over-year going from $228,091 in February 2009 to $245,879 in February 2010.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,981 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

February 2, 2010

(Surrey, BC) - The Fraser Valley experienced a return to typical home sale levels plus an early surge in new listings in January, according to the latest figures from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

Paul Penner, President of the Board said, “Compared to last January, the market has returned to balance. Consumers continue to take advantage of the affordability created by lower interest rates.”

There were 981 sales processed on FVREB’s Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in January, an increase of 152 per cent compared to the same month last year when 389 sales were processed. There was also a 46.8 per cent increase in new listings, 2,941 compared to 2,003 during January last year.

On a month-to-month basis, sales decreased 22 per cent in January compared to December, while new inventory more than doubled, going from 1,453 new listings in December to 2,941 in January. This increased overall inventory by 14 per cent in one month.

Penner added, “If I were house-hunting right now, I’d be pretty excited. There is more selection and potentially less competition over the next few weeks.

“Some buyers will put their house-hunting on hold during the Olympics creating an advantage for those who don’t want to wait.”

While residential benchmark prices, as determined by the MLSLink Housing Price Index (HPI), continued to recover, they remain 3 per cent lower than in spring 2008. The price in January for the three main residential property types combined was $446,671 compared to $460,682 in May 2008.

In one year, the benchmark price for detached homes in the Fraser Valley increased by 10.8 per cent going from $452,145 in January 2009 to $500,931 in January 2010.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in January was $317,719, a 7.6 per cent increase compared to $295,339 in January 2009. The benchmark price of apartments increased by 10.4 per cent year-over-year going from $220,595 in January 2009 to $243,470 in January 2010

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,964 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

January 5, 2010

(Surrey, BC) - Results from Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in December reflect the real estate story of 2009: recovery.

“In 12 months, we went from the worst January in 20 years to the third best December,” said Paul Penner, President of the Board. “Home buyers took Boxing Day shopping to new levels with some Fraser Valley REALTORS® showing multiple homes per day between Christmas and New Years.”

According to Penner, a significant portion of the 148 per cent increase in activity in December’s sales, 1,260 compared to 508 in December 2009, can be attributed to first-time home buyers confident with the current economic conditions and taking advantage of all-time low interest rates. “An informal poll of our members in December revealed 40 per cent of home sales were by first-time buyers when it would normally be in the 25 per cent range.”

The trend overall for 2009 was one of increasing sales, decreasing inventory and prices rebounding. The Board’s MLS® processed 16,721 sales in 2009, compared to 13,194 the previous year, an increase of 26 per cent. However, it received 15 per cent fewer new listings during the same time period – 30,221 in 2009 compared to 35,651 in 2008. Over the year, the number of active listings for buyers to choose from dropped by 34 per cent going from 9,960 properties in December 2008 to 6,534 in December 2009.

“We’re seeing the combined effect of fewer homes being listed, which is normal for this time of year, a flurry of buying activity, plus a decrease in the number of new homes being built. This has put pressure on prices in the Fraser Valley, particularly on homes in the lower to mid-range markets,” explained Penner.

The MLSLink Housing Price Index (HPI) benchmark price for detached homes was $497,732 in December compared to $464,189 in December 2008, an increase of 7.2 per cent. Although prices have gradually recovered, they have not yet reached the previous benchmark high of $513,798 in May 2008.

The benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses in December 2009 was $318,174, a 7.4 per cent increase compared to $296,296 in December 2008. That price also last peaked at $335,991 in May 2008.

The benchmark price of apartments decreased by 0.3 per cent year-over-year going from $237,786 in December 2008 to $237,157 in December 2009. It’s previous high was in April 2008, at $260,037.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,961 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

December 2, 2009

(Surrey, BC) - The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) processed 1,522 sales on its Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) in November, an increase of 200 per cent compared to the 507 sales during the same month last year and only 10.7 per cent less than in October.

“Interest rates continue to be a strong motivator resulting in unseasonably high real estate sales for this time of year,” said Paul Penner, President of the Board.

“We typically see both sales and listing activity slow in November as people start to get ready for the holidays and we did experience that on the listing side, but not in sales. This was the second busiest November Fraser Valley REALTORS® have seen in ten years.”

The number of active Fraser Valley listings in November decreased 5.4 per cent from October, dropping to 8,334 listings. This represents a 29.4 per cent decrease from last year. The MLS® saw 2,093 new listings come on stream in November, 26 per cent fewer than were received in October, however, 12 per cent more than were received in November last year.

The benchmark price of a detached home in October was $497,697, an increase of 6.5 per cent compared to November 2008, when it was $467,497.

The benchmark price of townhouses increased 2.3 per cent from $308,647 in November 2008 to $315,890 last month. The benchmark price of apartments also increased year-over-year by 1.9 per cent, going from $231,498 in November of last year to $235,842 in November 2009.

“Although prices are edging up, buyers seeking value and lifestyle continue to find both in the Fraser Valley,” said Penner. “In November, 70 per cent of all homes and 46 per cent of single detached homes sold for under $500,000, indicative of a diverse housing stock across our six communities.”

Although Fraser Valley’s MLS® received 7 per cent more new listings in October than it did in September, the strength in October’s sales reduced overall inventory. In October 2009, Fraser Valley property hunters had 8,807 listings to choose from, compared to 11,715 in October last year – a decrease of 25 per cent.

Penner says the average days on market in the Fraser Valley remains competitive: 56 days on average for single detached homes; 46 days on average for townhomes; and, 58 days on average for apartments.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,968 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

June 8, 2009

(Surrey, BC) – The White Rock RCMP credit Realty Watch, the community crime prevention program of Lower Mainland REALTORS®, for helping them locate a missing, vulnerable senior within one hour of asking for their assistance.

The RCMP issued a press release at 10:05 am, Thursday morning, May 28, 2009 asking the public for help in locating a 91 year old female, suffering from dementia, missing from her care home in White Rock, BC since the early morning.

At 10:29 am, they contacted the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board requesting it issue a Realty Watch “fan-out” – a text message that is sent simultaneously to its 3,000 members – only used in urgent circumstances such as missing people. At 10:50 am, every REALTOR® in the Fraser Valley received a 300-character message including the woman’s description, location last seen and an appeal to be on the lookout.

At 11:28 am, Cst. Janelle Canning, Media Liaison officer with the White Rock RCMP, sent a follow-up email to Realty Watch. “Thanks so much, we have located the female with your REALTOR’S® help! Yeah, Realty Watch!”

That REALTOR® was Dan Korness of Royal LePage Northstar Realty in Surrey. His story illustrates why REALTORS® are an excellent public safety tool for police. They’re always on the move, spread across all neighbourhoods and are equipped with communication devices.

On the morning the senior was reported missing, Korness was showing a house on 20th Avenue in South Surrey. He was outside with his clients when an elderly woman walking nearby on the sidewalk, stumbled and fell. Another passerby reached her first then everyone joined in to offer assistance. Other than a few scrapes, she appeared to be okay, but to be on the safe side, an ambulance was called.

An hour later, Korness was now kilometres away at a different White Rock listing when he received the Realty Watch fan-out text message for a missing person. The description strongly resembled the elderly woman that had fallen… in particular her age, hair colour and white sweater.

“I just put two and two together. So I called the police telling them that I thought the missing senior they were looking for might be at the Peace Arch Hospital and told them the story of what happened in front of the house.”

The White Rock RCMP took down his information, including the fact that he was a REALTOR® and member of Realty Watch, then contacted the hospital to confirm that it was indeed the missing woman, who was recovering nicely from her fall and would be returning safely to her care home.

“Realty Watch was instrumental in locating her,” says Cst. Canning. “We’d like to offer special thanks to Dan Korness and all REALTORS® for caring for their communities by participating in this program.”

This is Realty Watch’s third success in the Fraser Valley – REALTORS® spotted a runaway boy in 2000 and a missing teen in 2006. Over 12,800 REALTORS® in Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Chilliwack participate in the program. Find more information at www.realtywatch.net.

May 11, 2009

(Surrey, BC) – Efforts by Fraser Valley REALTORS® to promote public interests have resulted in two national awards from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, the sixth largest in Canada out of 95, received CREA’s 2008 Ethics Award at its annual general meeting in Ottawa, April 3, for its Excellence through Ethics program.

Three weeks later, at CREA’s Political Action Committee (PAC) Days, on April 27, the Board was also the recipient of the Most Innovative PAC Program Award in recognition of efforts in lobbying all levels of government to raise homebuyers’ awareness of the challenges in determining whether a property was ever used as an illegal drug operation. Board President, Paul Penner, accepted the award on behalf of all Fraser Valley REALTORS®.

“Many people think that what REALTORS® do is put up For Sale signs, list properties on the Multiple Listing Service® and negotiate contracts. We do all of those things and more.

“First and foremost, our job as a licensed REALTOR® is to protect the best interests of our clients. What we’re doing at our professional association in Fraser Valley that is unique, is focus specifically on key areas important to our clients, such as safety and ethics.”

Penner says, although their work is motivated by the goal to become better REALTORS®, “We’re absolutely thrilled to see our efforts recognized nationally by our peers – in fact, other Boards in Canada are already calling us for information to implement similar programs.”

The FVREB hosted a forum last fall, attended by over 100 stakeholders involved in the issue of marijuana grow-ops and clandestine drug labs and their impact on housing and communities. Fraser Valley REALTORS® would like to see consistent methods of reporting whether a property was an illegal drug operation and consistent standards of remediating them.

Penner reports that, “We will have a task force in place by summer that will work towards a solution so that consumers are able to readily find critical information on properties they’re considering purchasing.”

Regarding the Board’s Excellence through Ethics strategy, he says it has expanded significantly since it was launched in 2007, “because our members rank adherence to high ethical standards as their highest priority.”

The strategy includes a recognition program for REALTORS® who go ‘above and beyond’ for their clients, a REALTOR®-specific, high level Ethical Leadership training program that has already graduated over 40 Fraser Valley members and mandatory ethical education for all REALTORS®.

March 9, 2009

(Langley, BC) - RE/MAX Colonial Pacific Realty Ltd. in White Rock is the recipient of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s REALTORS® Make Good Neighbours Corporate Award for its outstanding community contribution outside of the real estate profession in 2008.

Receiving individual awards for their community contribution last year are: Marion Brooks of Royal LePage Wolstencroft, Langley, Bill Campbell of RE/MAX Little Oak Realty, Mission and John Glazema of BC Farm & Ranch, Abbotsford.

The honours were presented by Board President Kelvin Neufeld during the Board’s Annual General Meeting held on February 18 at the Coast Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley.

“These awards recognize that we don’t just trade in real estate,” Neufeld told the audience of over 500 REALTORS®. “Over 70 per cent of REALTORS® in BC contribute to the quality of life of their communities through volunteering. Our REALTORS® Make Good Neighbours recipients are the cream of the crop – each contributing over 500 hours a year to helping others.”

Marion Brooks volunteers for the Langley Hospital Auxiliary and also works on the executive of Murrayville’s Community Hall. Her biggest passion, however, is being the lead organizer of a dance fundraiser for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and Langley’s Ishtar Transition House – an organization that protects women and their children – raising over $5,000 in 2008.

In Mission, Bill Campbell helps care for end-of-life patients at the Mission Hospice and also offers support for their families. As well, he volunteers for the RCMP in their Victim Services unit, taking calls at any time, day or night, to help victims of crime cope. He also drives for Operation Red Nose and sits on the board of the Mission Folk Music Festival Society.

Abbotsford’s John Glazema founded and directs not one, but four charitable organizations all providing assistance to the vulnerable: the Gateway Benevolent Society, the BC Farm and Ranch Foundation, the Malachi 3:10 Foundation and the Abilitas Foundation, which is building a barrier-free respite lodge for special needs individuals and their families to use at no charge. The lodge, located between the Coquihalla Lakes and Merritt, is scheduled to open in the summer of 2010.

RE/MAX Colonial Pacific has been intricately involved with its ‘hometown’ of White Rock/South Surrey ever since it started out as Colonial Pacific Realty back in 1980. The brokerage has contributed over $100,000 to the Children’s Miracle Network as well as contributed in 2008 to Peace Arch Community Services and the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation. In addition, the office awarded six scholarships to local schools and supported youth sports including soccer, swimming, basketball and football. Then there were the donations and sponsorships to every major community event hosted on the peninsula. And this list doesn’t even include the volunteer work the brokerage’s 74 agents do as individuals.

Al Hippsley, RE/MAX Colonial Pacific Realty’s Managing Broker, celebrates his 20th anniversary with the company this year. “Our REALTORS® take tremendous pride in supporting our community because the beneficiaries are our clients, friends and neighbours.

“It really is about reciprocal giving. Anything that makes our community a better place, improves where we live too.”

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board launched the REALTORS® Make Good Neighbours Awards in 2002 to honour community volunteering by REALTORS®. Recipients are selected based on the amount of time they spend volunteering, level of responsibility undertaken as volunteers and overall impact of their efforts within their communities. The selection panel is composed of people outside the real estate profession, who work in local charities and non-profit associations.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 2,925 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

February 19, 2009

(Langley, BC) - Marylou Leslie, associate broker of RE/MAX Performance Realty in Delta, is the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s John Armeneau Professional of the Year for 2008.

A REALTOR® of 19 years, Leslie received the Fraser Valley Board’s highest achievement at its Annual General Meeting held February 18, at the Coast Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in the real estate profession.

Leslie believes it is her responsibility, as a veteran of the profession, to not only continually advance her real estate knowledge, but also help guide and educate her fellow REALTORS®. Like John Armeneau before her, she is well-known amongst her colleagues for helping newcomers in the industry with real estate law, procedures and contract knowledge.

“I’ve always believed that the more we know, the greater value we bring to our clients. Since our profession is continually evolving, I’ve always felt compelled to be a life-long learner and share my knowledge as a way that I could give back.”

Leslie has volunteered on behalf of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board for 18 consecutive years, including more than a decade serving on one of the Board’s key committees, Business Practices. She is also one of 40 Fraser Valley REALTORS® who has completed advanced ethical training with the responsibility of sharing that education with her colleagues.

Kelvin Neufeld, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, presented her with the coveted award, “Through Marylou’s unwavering commitment to her clients and to her profession, she exemplifies what it means to be a professional REALTOR®.”

Leslie is the 24th Fraser Valley REALTOR® to be recognized as the Professional of the Year. The award was renamed in honour of John Armeneau in 1996, also a North Delta REALTOR® who for over two decades was a role model and mentor to other Fraser Valley REALTORS®.

February 19, 2009

(Surrey, BC) - Members of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board elected their 2009/2010 Board of Directors at an annual general meeting held at the Coast Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley on February 18.

Officers serving for the coming term:

• President: Paul Penner, RE/MAX Little Oak Realty, Abbotsford
• President-Elect: Deanna Horn, RE/MAX Treeland Realty, Langley
• Vice President: Sukh Sidhu, RE/MAX Little Oak Realty, Abbotsford

Directors:

• Christine Caldwell, Landmark Realty, Abbotsford
• Jorda Maisey, Homelife Benchmark Realty, Langley
• Mohamed Mansour, Sutton Group – Medallion Realty, Surrey
• Bonnie Moy, HomeLife Benchmark Realty, White Rock
• Scott Olson, Macdonald Realty Olympic, Surrey
• Ray Werger, Royal LePage Coronation Park, Surrey

Also serving on the Board of Directors, elected prior to the AGM:

• Ian MacLennan, Century 21 Seaside Realty, White Rock (chair Commercial Executive Council);
• Ron Todson, RE/MAX Little Oak Realty, Mission (chair Brokers Council)

Past President Kelvin Neufeld, Macdonald Realty Olympic, Surrey will serve as an ex-officio member of the Directorate.

The 2009 recipient of the John Armeneau Professional of the Year award is Marylou Leslie, of RE/MAX Performance Realty in Delta. This award is the highest honour the Board bestows, recognizing outstanding leadership in the real estate industry. Fraser Valley’s new Board of Directors takes office on March 1, 2009

January 5, 2009

(Surrey, BC) - December’s sales statistics from the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s Multiple Listing Service (MLS®) reflect the real estate story of 2008: change. Sales of all property types for the year declined 30 per cent in the Fraser Valley; however, sales for the month were down almost 50 per cent compared to December 2007 – punctuating how the move to a buyers’ real estate market, similar to changes overall in the economy, took place in the second half of 2008

Residential benchmark prices, the value of a ‘typical’ Fraser Valley detached home as determined by the MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI)*, decreased 6.5 per cent this year, with December showing the seventh consecutive monthly decline. The benchmark price was $496,391 in December 2007 compared to $464,189 last month. That price has decreased 9.7 per cent since May 2008 when it was $513,798.

The HPI benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses decreased by 8 per cent in one year, going from $322,295 in December 2007 to $296,296 in December 2008, while the benchmark price of apartments decreased from $247,822 to $237,786, a - 4 per cent change in one year.

“Prices could not have continued to increase at the pace they were over the past six years,” says Kelvin Neufeld, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “The change in the real estate cycle has created tremendous opportunities for consumers right now and they’re starting to recognize that fact.

“Fraser Valley REALTORS® were already seeing home sales in early December surpass those of November, signaling that buyers recognize the current advantages of price reductions combined with historically low interest rates and inventory at record levels.”

Fraser Valley’s total sales volume in 2008 was 13,194 compared to 18,862 in 2007. Over the course of the year, Fraser Valley REALTORS® listed 35,651 properties, an 8 per cent increase compared to 2007’s 32,953 listings. The number of active listings at year’s end finished at 9,960, 50 per cent higher compared to 6,646 active listings in December 2007.

Year-to-date average prices of single-family detached homes in the Fraser Valley increased 3.4 per cent going from $520,317 in December 2007 to $537,960 in December 2008. In one year, the average price of a townhouse increased 3.6 per cent going from $322,578 in 2007 to $334,259 in 2008. The average apartment price increased 5.8 per cent, reaching $229,488 in 2008 compared to $216,990 in 2007.

* The MLSLink® Housing Price Index (HPI), established in 1995, is modeled on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which measures the rate of price change for a basket of goods and services including food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. Instead of measuring goods and services, the HPI measures the change in the price of housing features. Thus, the HPI measures typical, pure price change (inflation or deflation).

The HPI benchmarks represent the price of a typical property within each market. The HPI takes into consideration what averages and medians do not – items such as lot size, age, number of rooms, etc. These features become the composite of the ‘typical house’ in a given area. Each month’s sales determine the current prices paid for bedrooms, bathrooms, fireplaces, etc. and apply those new values to the ‘typical’ house model.

December 12, 2008

(Vancouver, BC) - With a combination of heightened media coverage and old fashioned Canadian spirit, the 14th annual REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive overcame tough economic conditions, to reach near record-setting totals. REALTORS® from Squamish to Chilliwack collected 3,957 bags of blankets and warm winter clothing, representing only a six percent decrease from last year’s 4,215 bags.

“The final numbers are heart warming because in times like these, the instinct is to tighten the belt,” says Dave Watt, President of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver. “The flipside of that view is that now is a more important time than ever to be generous, and our results show that people in the Lower Mainland agree.”

Initially, the numbers weren’t promising. The Blanket Drive was slated to run from November 24 to December 1. However after just a few days, REALTORS® reported a significant downturn in donations – by as much as 40 per cent in some areas – and this after local charities had appealed for all the help they could get due to the economic downturn and dwindling supplies.

“One thing you can always count on with REALTORS® is when the going gets tough, we get going,” affirms Kelvin Neufeld, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “We pushed hard to get the word out to the media, our offices, our clients and we’re grateful it worked.”

Thanks to the ‘final-hour’ media support including excellent community newspaper coverage and radio and television interviews, REALTORS® decided informally to extend the collection as donations began to pile up. The Fraser Valley had their best Drive ever, surpassing their all-time high by more than 200 bags. Chilliwack, only in its second year of participation, saw donations increase by 300 percent to a total of 519 bags.

“Both the quality and volume were amazing this year!” says Trude Kafka, President of the Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board. “The public understands that when we give in difficult times we are always rewarded for our generosity.”

Over 30 local charities across the Lower Mainland benefit from the REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive. Donations are distributed for free and stay within the communities in which they are donated, or if the volumes are too large, are shared with the nearest community in greatest need. For a list of all charitable recipients and more information, go to www.blanketdrive.ca.

November 7, 2008

(Langley, BC) - Anticipating fallout from the global economic downturn, Lower Mainland charities are asking REALTORS® to collect up to 50 per cent more donations of new and gently used warm clothing and blankets during this year’s 14th Annual REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive, November 24 to December 1.

Kelvin Neufeld, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board confirms the demand for assistance is at its highest level ever, “Our local charities are facing a number of challenges. Their current supply of clothing and blankets is already depleted because our communities have seen a steady increase in the number of working poor and homeless.

“Now with economic uncertainty on the horizon, many of our charities that used to put a cap on donations have told us it’s unlimited this year. They’re asking REALTORS® and members of the public to please give everything we can.”

Dave Murray, Manager of the Abbotsford Food Bank explains, “We’re now serving 5,000 people a month at our facility, 18 per cent of whom are working poor adults, 60 per cent are single parents. Their money goes to rent, food and utilities. They don’t have money for clothing, which is why we rely on the REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive for donations of these warm, quality items.”

For the first time, charities have provided detailed wish lists of what they need most including: clean, gently used blankets, sleeping bags, winter coats, jeans (size 34 and smaller), sweat pants, hoodies, long-sleeved shirts and in particular socks. With socks however, and other important basics like underwear, gloves and tuques, charities are appealing to REALTORS® and the public to buy these items new to tuck in with their bag of gently used donations.

Dave Watt, President of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver explains how the REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive has become a major contributor that local community services depend on, “When we first started, we were a small group of Greater Vancouver REALTORS® collecting mainly on behalf of the homeless living in Vancouver’s east side. Fourteen years later, we now supply over 30 charities from Squamish to Chilliwack with literally thousands of bags of donations.”

“It’s amazing to know that something so simple as putting a warm coat, blanket and jeans in a bag and taking it to a real estate office can make such a difference,” says Trude Kafka, President of the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board, participating in the Drive for its second year.

“These are the most vulnerable people in our communities. They deserve the very best we can give.”

Support the 14th Annual REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive. Drop off your clean, gently used (or new) blankets, coats and warm clothing at participating real estate offices. For a list of drop-off locations throughout the Lower Mainland, visit http://www.blanketdrive.ca/or contact the Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Chilliwack and District real estate boards.

October 17, 2008

(Langley, BC) - REALTORS® are leading an effort to achieve standardized reporting and remediation of properties that have been used as illegal drug operations (IDOs) in Fraser Valley communities.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) hosted a forum, October 16, attended by over 100 stakeholders involved in the issue of marijuana grow-ops and clandestine drug labs and their impact on housing and communities. The event was held at the Coast Hotel and Convention Centre in Langley.

“Currently, it‘s very challenging for anyone – home buyers, REALTORS®, landlords, property managers – to effectively research a property’s history,” said FVREB President Kelvin Neufeld. “There are inconsistent methods of reporting whether a property was a grow-op and inconsistent standards of remediating them. We’d like to see that changed so that people are able to readily find that information on properties they’re considering purchasing.”

To generate discussion and encourage ideas, the FVREB commissioned a white paper outlining the issue and the hurdles faced by seekers of information. Experts in the areas of crime, health and safety, and administration were asked to share their knowledge during the forum. Speakers included: Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis; Chilliwack Mayor and Fraser Valley Regional District Chair Clint Hames; Dr. Ray Copes, Director of the Environmental Health Division, BC Centre for Disease Control; Surrey Councillor and Representative of the Union of BC Municipalities Barbara Steele; and Dr. Darryl Plecas, RCMP University Research Chair in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of the Fraser Valley.

In attendance were REALTORS®, fire and police representatives, mayors, councillors and municipal staff, insurance brokers, home inspectors and other interested parties.

At the forum’s conclusion, Neufeld invited the panel of experts and participants to form a task force to work towards finding a solution to better protect the public.

“REALTORS® feel that by achieving this goal, we’ll be able to make a positive difference in our communities and improve the quality of life of our clients – people who deserve a safe, protected home.”

July 3, 2008

REALTORS® across Canada are now required to collect personal identification information from their clients in order to comply with federal legislation.

These new federal laws and regulations took effect June 23, 2008 and are aimed at combating money laundering and terrorist financing activities. As part of the federal Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA), financial institutions and REALTORS®, among other professionals and services, must identify customers who conduct financial transactions.

Under the new rules, REALTORS® must obtain, record, and retain the personal information of their clients, including their full legal name, address, date of birth and occupation. To do this, they will ask for a government-issued identification document such as a driver’s licence, passport, or residency card. You should not provide your Social Insurance card as identification.

“The public needs to be aware that REALTORS® are asking for this personal information to comply with the new federal laws," said Kelvin Neufeld, president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board . “The information received will not be used in any commercial way and will not be provided to anyone except in response to a request from the federal agency responsible for compliance.”

The regulations are enforced by the federal agency known as the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or FINTRAC.

REALTORS® are to track the amount and source of funds received during the course of a real estate transaction. The Act also requires that these identification records and FINTRAC reports be kept for five years.

If the client is a corporation, that information must include corporate documentation and the names of the corporation directors. REALTORS® are further obligated to ascertain whether a third party is involved in a given transaction.

These new compliance requirements affect even a buyer or seller not using the services of a licensed real estate practitioner or lawyer. If a REALTOR® is involved in the transaction, he or she must make best efforts to verify the unrepresented buyer or seller’s information.

Also under the new FINTRAC regulations, REALTORS® need to verify the personal information of clients with whom they have no face-to-face interaction. One way to do this is for the broker office to hire an agent in the area where the client is located. That agent must then meet the client, verify the identification of the client, and provide the information to the office actually handling the transaction in Canada.

What you need to know about this new federal law.

While Bill C-25 is Canada’s newest legislative attempt to curtail money laundering and terrorist financing, we have had legislation since 2001 that required designated industries in Canada (including real estate) to report suspicious transactions and large cash transactions of $10,000 or more.

Money laundering

Money laundering is the process used to disguise the source of money or assets derived from criminal activity. This illegal activity can include drug trafficking, smuggling, fraud, extortion and corruption. Criminals must launder the profits and proceeds from these crimes to be able to enjoy them. The scope of criminal proceeds is significant; the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimated that some $500 billion (U.S.) is laundered worldwide each year.

Terrorist financing

Terrorist financing operates somewhat differently from money laundering. While terrorist groups do generate funds from criminal activities such as drug trafficking and arms smuggling, they also obtain revenue through legal means. Supporters of terrorist causes may, for example, raise funds from their local communities by hosting events or membership drives. In addition, some charity or relief organizations may unknowingly become the route where donors contribute funds that may eventually be used to commit a terrorist act.

How does FINTRAC assist law enforcement and security agencies?

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, or FINTRAC, collects, analyzes and discloses financial information and intelligence on suspected money laundering and terrorist financing activities. It was created as part of a Canadian government initiative to fight money laundering and terrorist financing. Although it operates at arm’s length from law enforcement, FINTRAC's primary role is to provide law enforcement agencies with information to help them with their investigations.

FINTRAC is required by law to protect the personal information it receives from unauthorized disclosure.

Who must report to FINTRAC?

The following persons and entities must report suspicious and certain other transactions to FINTRAC:

• real estate brokers and agents;
• financial entities including banks, credit unions, trust and loan companies and agents of the Crown that accept deposit liabilities;
• life insurance companies, brokers or agents;
• securities dealers, portfolio managers and investment counsellors who are provincially authorized;
• persons engaged in the business of foreign exchange dealing;
• money services businesses;
• accountants and accounting firms when carrying out certain activities on behalf of their clients;
• casinos; and
• individuals and any entity importing or exporting currency or monetary instruments (such as a money order) of $10,000 or more.

Additional information about this federal initiative, the federal legislation, and the role of FINTRAC in the reporting system is available at http://www.fvreb.bc.ca/www.fintrac-canafe.gc.caor call toll-free: 1-866-346-8722.

June 17, 2008

(Surrey, BC) –Nineteen REALTORS® from across the Lower Mainland are the first graduates of a pioneer training program in advanced ethical leadership. The graduates were recognized at a ceremony attended by over 150 industry and community stakeholders at the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, June 16.

REALTORS® already subscribe to a strong Code of Ethics and Standards of Business Practices, however, Facilitators in Ethical Leadership in Real Estate is an innovative new program that will see graduates initiate and guide discussions on ethics with colleagues at office meetings, special workshops and one-on-one coaching and mentoring.

Of the 80 participants who attended introductory workshops, these 19 were selected to move on to intensive leadership training. They also worked with the program creators to develop a concept for expanding the program.

The resulting document, The REALTOR’S® Guide to Standards of Excellence, describes 26 core competencies REALTORS® strive to attain in their personal and professional relationships. These high level ethical competencies are divided into three pillars - personal, social, and global – and include characteristics such as conflict management, collaboration, trustworthiness and stewardship.

“The core concepts of this document are not new – REALTORS® have embodied these attributes for many, many decades,” says George Jacobs, a real estate professional for more than 25 years and one of the program graduates. “What is new, particularly in these technological times, is our determination to initiate in-person dialogue and re-open networks that have perhaps become less personal with the rise of email and text messages.”

This initiative is in response to REALTORS® requests of both the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. The program was developed specifically for REALTORS® by Dr. Desmond Berghofer and Dr. Geraldine Schwartz of the Institute for Ethical Leadership, a Vancouver-based learning centre that teaches the importance of ethical leadership to all disciplines.

Graduates: Calvin Crawford, Derek Drew, Jamie Fecteau, Stewart Henderson, Deanna Horn, Vic Hryhirchuk, Ishaq Ismail, George Jacobs, Marylou Leslie, Jorda Maisey, Terry Newman, Ei-Leen Ong, Rosario Setticasi, Rycarda Smith, Terri Smith, Deborah Spicer, Dianne Swintak, Ron Todson and Vijay Virk.

April 22, 2008

(Surrey, BC) – Fraser Valley REALTORS® discovered how much fun it is to raise money incognito. Decked out in their finest Mardi Gras masks, over 600 REALTORS® and guests raised $10,356 in support of their community food banks during a private masquerade ball on March 8.

The 2008 Medallion Club event, which celebrates annually real estate sales excellence in the Fraser Valley, included a silent auction with only 35 items, ranging from gift certificates to golf clubs to a one-night getaway. The auction raised an impressive sum to help fill food bank coffers.

“It was a bidding frenzy,” recalls Kelvin Neufeld, president of the Fraser Valley Board. “Knowing that the funds were going to community food banks in the Fraser Valley was a huge motivator and it encouraged us to keep increasing our bids, even on the smaller items, right to the very last second.

“We’re experienced negotiators and very comfortable with numbers, therefore on behalf of such a great cause we happily put our skills to work.”

Accepting the donation on behalf of all Fraser Valley food banks, Marilyn Herrmann is the Executive Director of the Surrey Food Bank. “We want to extend an enormous thank you to Fraser Valley REALTORS® and their guests for such a timely and generous gift.

“We typically have a critical need to restock our shelves in April because our holiday donations have dwindled. With our ability to purchase food at a discounted rate, this $10,000 will extend even further to helping people in every Fraser Valley community.”

There are six members of the Canadian Association of Food Banks in the Fraser Valley, serving Abbotsford/Mission, Langley, North Delta, Surrey, and South Surrey/White Rock. For more information regarding BC member food banks and how to offer support: www.foodbank.bc.ca.

The REALTORS® Care Foundation is the national, non-profit foundation of the Canadian Real Estate Association that facilitates the outstanding community work and fund-raising activities that REALTORS® contribute across Canada. For more information, go to http://www.realtorscare.org/.

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February 29, 2008

(Surrey, BC) – HomeLife Benchmark Realty in White Rock is the first real estate company to receive the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s new 2007 REALTORS® Make Good Neighbours Corporate Award. The honour was presented during an annual award ceremony recognizing outstanding community service, held at Northview Golf & Country Club on February 27.

Three individual REALTORS® were also recognized for their volunteer work outside the real estate profession: Jack MacDonald of Royal LePage Northstar Realty in White Rock, Sue Marples of Lighthouse Realty in Abbotsford and Sylvia Roberts of Royal LePage – Wolstencroft in Langley.

HomeLife Benchmark Realty (White Rock) was recognized for its community support: establishing four high school scholarships, sponsoring the Tour de White Rock and Crescent Beach Triathlon, donating to numerous White Rock/South Surrey events, backing the Semiahmoo Minor Hockey Association, and working with Peace Arch Community Services to help families in need at Christmas.

The 24-year-old real estate office established a community fund in 1989. The offices’ REALTORS® contribute 70 per cent of the funding, and the office the remaining 30 per cent.

“Our REALTORS® are proud of what their fund has accomplished over the years,” says Len Doray, Managing Broker. “For us, giving back is win-win because we all live, work and play here, so anything that improves our community’s quality of life helps us too.”

The Fraser Valley Board’s individual award recipients were also recognized for the impact their giving has had on their communities. White Rock’s Jack MacDonald and Abbotsford’s Sue Marples give tirelessly to the Salvation Army – Marples regularly helps out in the soup kitchen and MacDonald delivers food hampers and distributes clothing on behalf of the Thrift Store. In addition to numerous other volunteer activities, both donate time every week visiting the sick or the elderly, offering companionship and helping with errands.

Langley’s Sylvia Roberts is a volunteer visionary in her community. Every Friday, she hosts an activity night for troubled youth, sponsors two community dinners annually for the homeless in Cloverdale, and is a volunteer counselor. Roberts also organizes Fraser Valley’s Patchwork Quilt Project that raised over $100,000 in 2007 to help financially challenged youth attend post secondary school.

“The value of what REALTORS® contribute to Fraser Valley communities is immeasurable,” says Jim McCaughan, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “Nationally, almost 70 per cent of REALTORS® volunteer in their communities, more than double the national average for volunteerism. Our REALTORS® Make Good Neighbours award recipients are good people doing good things. We couldn’t be more proud of them.”

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board launched the REALTORS® Make Good Neighbours Awards in 2002 to honour community volunteering by REALTORS®. Recipients are selected based on the amount of time they spend volunteering, level of responsibility undertaken as volunteers and overall impact of their efforts within their communities. The selection panel is composed of people outside the real estate profession, who work in local charities and non-profit associations.

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February 21, 2008

(Surrey, BC) – David Rishel, managing broker of RE/MAX Little Oak Realty in Abbotsford and Mission, is the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board’s John Armeneau Professional of the Year for 2008.

Rishel, a Fraser Valley REALTOR® of 22 years, managing broker for over 10 and long-serving volunteer for the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is known for his integrity, high standards of business practices and commitment to mentoring REALTORS® in his offices.

The Cloverdale resident was genuinely shocked to hear his name announced at the Board’s annual general meeting on February 20 in Langley. “You always think others are more deserving and that what you do isn’t unique.

“My personal motto in work and life has always been the ‘Golden Rule’ – do unto others as you would have others do unto you. It doesn’t matter what profession you’re in, nothing is more important than cultivating trust and respect with the people you serve.”

Recipients of this award have demonstrated leadership, a commitment to professionalism and continuing education, dedication to the advancement of the real estate profession and community involvement.

Since 1995, Rishel has served on various Board committees before becoming a director in 2001 and then President in 2006. He has also served on numerous local and provincial task forces within the real estate industry. His charitable endeavours include fundraising activities for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society supported through the two brokerages he manages.

“We want our new licensees to look to REALTORS® like David and our other professional award recipients to learn from them and emulate them,” says Jim McCaughan, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “They make the rest us proud to say, I am a REALTOR®.”

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February 21, 2008

(Surrey, BC) – Members of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board elected their 2008/2009 Board of Directors at an annual general meeting held at the Coast Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley on February 20.

Officers serving for the coming term:
President Kelvin Neufeld, Macdonald Realty Olympic, Surrey;
President Elect Paul Penner, RE/MAX Little Oak Realty, Abbotsford;
Vice President Deanna Horn, RE/MAX Treeland Realty, Langley

Directors:
Betty Novak, Sutton Group – West Coast Realty, White Rock;
Bonnie Moy, HomeLife Benchmark Realty, White Rock;
Scott Olson, Macdonald Realty Olympic, Surrey;
Sukh Sidhu, RE/MAX Little Oak Realty, Abbotsford;
Rycarda Smith, Hugh & McKinnon Realty, White Rock;
Ray Werger, Royal LePage Coronation Park, Surrey

Also serving on the Board of Directors, elected prior to the AGM:
Ian MacLennan, Century 21 Seaside Realty, White Rock (chair Commercial Executive Council);
Ron Todson, RE/MAX Little Oak Realty, Mission (chair Brokers Council)

Past President Jim McCaughan of Landmark Realty Corp., Abbotsford will serve as an ex-officio member of the Directorate.

The 2008 recipient of the John Armeneau Professional of the Year award is David Rishel, of RE/MAX Little Oak Realty in Abbotsford and Mission. This award is the highest honour the Board bestows, recognizing outstanding leadership in the real estate industry. Fraser Valley’s new Board of Directors takes office on March 1, 2008.

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February 7, 2008

(Surrey, BC) – In one of the largest single donations to Vancouver’s Electronic Recycling Association (ERA), Fraser Valley REALTORS® have donated over 1,000 electronic items for recycling or refurbishing, keeping them out of Lower Mainland landfills.

The first-ever electronics recycling event for members of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) was held January 28 - 31. REALTORS® dropped off, among other items, 111 computers, 138 monitors, 182 printers/faxes/ scanners, 146 pieces of stereo equipment/VCRs/DVDs and cameras, 92 keyboards, over 75 phones and even one microfiche reader.

“In planning the event, we thought we’d be a perfect fit for helping the environment. REALTORS® are community-minded, plus we’re a major consumer of technology because it’s how we service our clients,” said Ray Werger, chair of the Board’s technology committee and a REALTOR® with Royal LePage – Coronation Park Realty.

However, Werger said they couldn’t possibly have anticipated the response. ERA initially sent a one-tonne truck to pick up the donations, but had to also dispatch a three-tonne truck.

“We were running out of space for the items,” Werger said. “Some of the donations like laptops, scanners and cell phones were surprisingly new, so they will be greatly appreciated by whoever receives them next.”

“We accept donations of all sizes, but larger corporate donations can make a significant difference,” said Joanna Trebon, ERA’s operations manager. “This donation will keep literally tonnes of waste from hurting our environment.

“We look forward to more community round-ups in hopes of collecting more computers and laptops to fulfill hundreds of charity requests. We thank the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board for their hard work in arranging this successful event."

ERA is a non-profit organization that collects old computers and electronics and recycles or refurbishes them for local schools, charities, not-for-profit groups, libraries, elderly homes and other community organizations. In a 2003 report, Environment Canada revealed that computers, phones, AV equipment and small household appliances account for more than 140,000 tonnes (or 4.5 kg per capita) of waste in Canadian landfills each year.

For photos of FVREB’s electronic recycling event, please contact laurie.dawson@fvreb.bc.ca. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is a professional association of 3,115 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

December 14, 2007

(Surrey, BC) In true Canadian style, Lower Mainland REALTORS® and members of the public didn’t let a few snow and rain storms interrupt their mission – to warm up the season for the most vulnerable in our community by collecting warm clothing and blankets during the 13th annual REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive.

Over 12,500 REALTORS® from the Sunshine Coast to Chilliwack participated in the Drive, taking place from November 26 to December 3, collecting a record-breaking 4,199 bags of donations, an increase of 4.5 per cent compared to the previous high of 4,015 bags set in 2005.

Incredibly, more than half of the donations came in at the last minute. Jim McCaughan, president of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board explains, “We knew by day four after that first major snowstorm that we were behind where we wanted to be, so our REALTORS® really pushed to get the word out through email, interviews and word of mouth that given the weather conditions, these donations are needed more than ever.”

Volunteer REALTORS® from every region worked together for the betterment of the entire Lower Mainland. For example, Burnaby and Vancouver real estate offices received over 100 bags of donations just after Surrey REALTOR® Baljit Sandhu completed an interview on Channel M television. Sing Yeo, a veteran Blanket Drive volunteer in West Vancouver and a director with the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, received 200 new blankets from a generous repeat donor, the Chinese REALTORS® Association of BC.

The president of the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, Brian Naphtali noted, “It was an exceptionally appropriate donation. This winter is expected to be one of the coldest we will experience in the Lower Mainland. Rest assured that these blankets will be put to good use for individuals and families in need in Vancouver.”

Over 35 charities in the Lower Mainland received the donations with two in Chilliwack newly added this year, thanks to REALTORS® in that region joining the Drive for the first time. Trude Kafka president of the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board commented, “I think people who donate appreciate knowing that they’re helping their neighbours. We were thrilled to find out that Chilliwack Community Services will be helping street youth and Ruth and Naomi’s Mission will be distributing our donations to adults.”

The REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive is a joint effort between the three Lower Mainland real estate boards. Donations are distributed for free and stay within the communities in which they are donated, or if the volumes are too large, are shared with the nearest community in greatest need. For a list of all charitable recipients and more information, go to http://www.fvreb.bc.ca/www.realtorscare.org.

In Greater Vancouver contact: Eileen Day, Communications Manager, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
Tel: 604.730.3000 email: eday@rebgv.org

In Fraser Valley contact: Laurie Dawson, Communications Coordinator, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board
Tel: 604.930.7600 email: laurie.dawson@fvreb.bc.ca

In Chilliwack & District contact: Steve Lerigny, Executive Officer, Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board
Tel: 1.604.792.6795 email: cadreb@telus.net

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November 1, 2007

(Surrey, BC) REALTORS® are stepping up their support to clothe and cover the homeless and help disadvantaged families in the Lower Mainland as the need increases both in and outside of Greater Vancouver’s larger urban communities.

A 24-hour snapshot survey of the homeless in 2004 revealed 87 people in Chilliwack were without a decent place to live. Mission had 75 facing the same challenges and in Abbotsford, a significant 226 people were “sleeping rough.” That was three years ago – what would it be today?

This is why members from the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB) are joining their colleagues from the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) and the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) in the 13th Annual REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive that runs from November 26 to December 3 across the entire Lower Mainland.

“Chilliwack’s homeless problem doesn’t compare to that faced by Vancouver or Surrey but one additional person in need is one too many,” says Hanne Selby, Past President of CADREB. “The increase that we’re seeing in our smaller communities is worrisome and we are thrilled to be able to help in any way that we can.” The 2005 Homeless Count for Greater Vancouver showed that the number of homeless people in the South Fraser region grew by 133 per cent in three years.

Last year, REALTORS® collected 3,365 bags of blankets, sleeping bags, tarps, winter coats and warm clothing on behalf of over 30 local charities, ranging from Sea to Sky Community Services in Squamish to the Mission Christmas Bureau and many in between.

“The REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive is now one of the largest, most important annual collections of warm clothing and bedding in the Lower Mainland,” says Brian Naphtali, President of REBGV. “In the Fraser Valley, this one-week event filled the shelves of Nightshift Street Ministries in Surrey with enough supplies to last them not only through Christmas but to April.”

Support the 13th Annual REALTORS® Care Blanket Drive. Drop off your clean blankets, winter and/or water proof coats and warm clothing (in particular for men but also for women and children), at participating real estate offices. Donations are distributed locally and for free.

For a list of drop-off locations throughout the Lower Mainland, visit www.realtorscare.org or call the Greater Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Chilliwack and District real estate boards.

In Greater Vancouver contact: Eileen Day, Communications Manager, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver
Tel: 604.730.3000 email: eday@rebgv.org

In Fraser Valley contact: Laurie Dawson, Communications Coordinator, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board
Tel: 604.930.7600 email: laurie.dawson@fvreb.bc.ca

In Chilliwack & District contact: Steve Lerigny, Executive Officer, Chilliwack & District Real Estate Board
Tel: 1.604.792.6795 email: cadreb@telus.net

October 10, 2007

(Surrey, BC) – Members of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board extend their gratitude and appreciation to the Surrey RCMP for their swift apprehension of suspects involved in the recent confinement and robbery of a Surrey REALTOR® and their extensive communication with the real estate profession during the investigation.

“When something this serious happens to one REALTOR®, it affects all of us,” says Jim McCaughan, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. “Because the Surrey RCMP has such a strong community focus, our members have been included throughout this investigation and in turn, have been able to provide assistance to the police. It’s been effective, open dialogue with results.”

In a Media Advisory today, the RCMP credited the REALTOR® involved in the October 2 incident with assisting investigators in tracking down the suspects so quickly. They also praised Lower Mainland REALTORS®’ crime prevention program: Realty Watch. The Fraser Valley Board sent a text description of the two suspects to its 3,000 plus members the day after the incident.

On October 5, two males were apprehended and now face a number of charges including Robbery and Unlawful Confinement. They bound, gagged and robbed the REALTOR® while she was showing them a home.

“As professionals, we tend to put our clients’ needs first and sometimes don’t stop to think about our own personal safety. When incidents like this occur it brings the risks we take to the forefront,” explains McCaughan. “I’m confident members of the public will understand why their REALTOR® may take precautions like asking first-time clients to meet in the office or bringing another colleague to a showing.”

Those are only two of the recommendations Fraser Valley REALTORS® receive in a personal safety guide that the Board issues to its members and posts on its internal website. Realty Watch also promotes REALTOR® safety, community safety and offers a service to Lower Mainland police forces whereby REALTORS® are extra ‘eyes and ears’ in the community. For more information, go to www.realtywatch.net.

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is a professional association of 3,052 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

June 22, 2007

(VANCOUVER, BC) - Law enforcement and the real estate industry celebrated a milestone in Surrey today - the quadrupling in size of an already impressive community crime prevention program.

Representatives from key Lower Mainland police and RCMP detachments—including Chief Constable Jamie Graham from the Vancouver Police Department (VPD)— joined REALTORS® from Whistler to Hope and everywhere in between to acknowledge that Realty Watch has developed into one of the most powerful allies for law enforcement in the Lower Mainland.

With the recent addition of REALTORS® from Greater Vancouver participating in the Realty Watch fan-out program, along with their colleagues from the Fraser Valley and Chilliwack, Realty Watch now offers law enforcement 12,000 extra ‘eyes and ears’ in time-critical cases such as child abductions or missing persons in areas where police most need extra resources, community neighbourhoods.

“REALTORS® were one of the first groups of professionals to activate a program of this type. The more eyes and ears helping police the better,” explains VPD Chief Constable Jamie Graham. “Of all the people we have to worry about, we don’t have to worry about REALTORS®. [They’re] on our side.”

Police alert the real estate boards of a missing person or suspicious vehicle, and then within 15 minutes a text message called a Realty Watch fan-out is issued to every REALTOR® on their cell phones, Blackberries or PDAs.

It was a White Rock father, Paul Cameron who originated the concept of a REALTOR® fan-out. When his 15-year-old daughter Pamela, who would later the same day be found murdered, went missing in 1994, he phoned his REALTOR® to ask how all real estate agents could be alerted to be on the lookout for her. Now living in Waterdown, Ontario, Paul Cameron was not surprised to hear about Realty Watch’s expansion.

“REALTORS® are such a logical resource to help, so I expected the program would mushroom. Particularly because it’s not just about finding missing children like my daughter. I knew there was potential for growth for helping seniors and other missing people,” says Cameron. “Community safety has to come from the bottom up.”

Realty Watch now receives police activated fan-outs monthly. Successes include helping police find missing persons in 2000, 2005 and 2006. White Rock REALTOR® Bonnie Moy started volunteering for the program in 1995.

“Year after year, we’ve increased police and public awareness of our program. Our dream is to see Realty Watch go provincial and then national,” which Moy says is more than possible. “Why not? REALTORS® are the perfect resource to help. We’re spread out through all neighbourhoods, we’re always on the move, and we’re constantly looking at houses and properties.” For more information on Realty Watch, please visit www.realtywatch.net.

Information and photos of all Fraser Valley Real Estate Board listings can be found on the national, public website www.mls.ca. Using the services of a REALTOR®, who has detailed access to the private MLS® database, is the most effective way to purchase your new home. The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is an association of 3,021 real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

March 1, 2007

(Surrey, BC) – Dougal Shewan, managing broker of Royal Lepage Wolstencroft Realty in Langley, is the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board's John Armeneau Professional of the Year for 2007.

A REALTOR® of 31 years and immediate past-Chair of the Real Estate Council of BC, Shewan received the Fraser Valley Board's highest achievement at its Medallion Club Awards Banquet held Saturday, February 24, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver. The award recognizes outstanding leadership in the real estate profession.

Shewan began his career in 1976 with his father at Shewan Real Estate Ltd. in Langley. After a decade of honing his professional skills, he decided to start giving back to the profession he loves. Shewan has been serving as a volunteer at various levels of the profession ever since, starting with the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board.

"I always tell my licensees that it's important to always give something back. It helps you become a better REALTOR® because you see, share and experience things that you wouldn't otherwise learn."

Shewan's most influential years in organized real estate were the six years he volunteered for the Real Estate Council of BC, serving first as a Council member, and then Vice Chair and Chair from 2000 to 2006. Under his leadership, Council implemented requirements as demanded by the new Real Estate Services Act that took effect in BC on January 1, 2005, including the licensing requirement of strata managers which took effect on January 1, 2006.

Jim McCaughan, President of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board says, "Dougal Shewan exemplifies what it means to be a professional REALTOR®. In every position he's held in real estate, he continually raises the bar, setting an example for all Fraser Valley board members."

The Fraser Valley Real Estate Board is a professional association of real estate professionals who live and work in the communities of North Delta, Surrey, White Rock, Langley, Abbotsford, and Mission.

March 1, 2007

(Surrey, BC) – Three members of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board received a 2006 REALTORS® Make Good Neighbours Award, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to their communities in the past year.

The REALTORS® are: Dorit Dopson and Jorda Maisey both of Homelife Benchmark Realty, Walnut Grove in Langley, and Bill Thomas of RE/MAX Performance Realty in Delta. The Board announced the recipients at the annual award ceremony at Northview Golf & Country Club on February 28, 2007.

Dorit Dopson believes "volunteering on a consistent basis is the best way to strengthen my community." She has been a member of Beta Sigma Phi since 1979 and is currently the Langley Area Council President. Thanks to their many fundraising activities, her 14 chapters helped raise funds for the Langley Family Services Building fund. Dorit also donates time to the Langley Hospice Society, the Children's Hospital Miracle Weekend Telethon, the Canuck Place Hospice and the Salvation Army.

Jorda Maisey donates her time to Langley Stroke Recovery, the Langley Food Bank and the Rotary Club of Langley. In each organization, she has made a difference. Her Rotary Club received an international award while under her leadership. At the Food Bank, she is developing a training/assistance program for the homeless. At Stroke Recovery, she helps to rehabilitate people's motor skills. "I donate my time because I love people. There is a time in everyone's life when a little positive help can make a difference. Just knowing that there are people who try to understand, can help someone pick themselves up and keep going."

For nine years, Bill Thomas has been giving his time to the needy in downtown Vancouver and Whalley through Friendship Providers in Action, a church-based volunteer organization. Every week, Bill helps to distribute food to the hungry and collect and distribute clothes to the homeless. In addition, he participates in a prison ministry counseling program called M2W2. Bill's life was altered irrevocably a year and a half ago when his son died in a traffic accident. However, he has continued to give to others during his own time of need. "I am thankful that I've been able to continue my ministry, even if it has been in a more limited way than in the past. I hope that one day I'll be strong enough to do more."

The REALTORS® Make Good Neighbours Awards were created in 2002 to honour community volunteering by REALTORS®. Recipients are selected based on the amount of time they spend volunteering, level of responsibility undertaken as volunteers and overall impact of their efforts within their communities. The selection panel is composed of people outside the real estate profession, who work in local charities and non-profit associations. Photos of the award recipients are available upon request.