May 26, 2014
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Failure to Discover Facts and Fulfill Duty to Client
When presenting the Title Search to the Buyers, although the Respondent recommended they speak to a Lawyer for the details, he did not personally investigate the charges listed on title to determine their relevance. If he had done so he would have discovered that their desired R.V. parking was restricted in the area, as well, there was a requirement of the developer to disclose the close proximity of a landfill upon sales of such lots. The City of Kelowna file which contained information regarding an outstanding permit on the property was also not considered.
To read the disciplinary results of this case, click here.
Members are reminded that reports of disciplinary action taken by the Board are for the information and education of members only. This information is not of a public nature, and any Member found to have shared this information with the public will be severely dealt with by the Professional Conduct Committee.
April 7, 2014
ETHICS ALERT: Person(s) of Interest Continues to Target Women!
Members are once again advised that a "person or persons of interest" is continuing to target female REALTORS® in the Board area. A new report has just been received from Vernon.
A Vernon Member has advised that "Daniel Saunders" contacted her on Sunday, April 6th about viewing a listing, and talked about possiby providing her with "more listings" suggesting that he had property to sell. The conversation was awkward and uncomfortable so she put him off – especially after recognizing the name from past alerts. She contacted the RCMP in Vernon to report the incident and made note that he has been targeting women.
It is not certain if "Daniel Saunders" (of Vernon) and "William Simpson" (known to police in Vernon) are the same person but there are many similarities in past encounters with each -- including references to huge inheritances and an interest in high-end, remote properties. They both seem to be very unstable, could be dangerous and continue to focus on female REALTORS® -- sometimes making inappropriate comments, sexual suggestions and requests that are disturbing.
To date, at least five female Members in the North Okanagan and Shuswap (Armstrong, Enderby, Salmon Arm, Vernon) have been contacted by one of these men with this latest report received one day ago in Vernon (Sunday, April 6th).
It is important that anyone encountering either "person of interest" contact their local RCMP to report the incident as a possible investment scam or sexual harassment, and to advise that the person(s) has been targeting female REALTORS® in the Okanagan and Shuswap, and active since the fall and earlier this year.
Please remain on high alert and be on the look-out for either man. Stay vigilant and continue to keep your personal safety at top of mind.
If they visit your office or contact you via phone, please email details to Jan Bauman at [email protected].
NOTE: Reports and descriptions received by OMREB to date have been compiled and included in a new Alert that has been emailed to Managing Brokers for office distribution and posting.
Click here to download a copy of March 26th Alert.
March 26, 2014
ETHICS ALERT: Scam Update - Person(s) Still Targeting Female REALTORS® in Board Area!
Members are advised that a "person or persons of interest" with a possible inheritance scam who targeted female REALTORS® last fall and earlier this year are still active in the community.
It is not certain if "Daniel Saunders" and "William Simpson" (known to police in Vernon) are the same person but there are many similarities in past encounters with each -- including references to huge inheritances and an interest in high-end, remote properties. They both seem to be very unstable, could be dangerous and continue to focus on female REALTORS® -- sometimes making inappropriate comments, sexual suggestions and requests that are disturbing.
To date, at least four female Members in the North Okanagan and Shuswap have been contacted by one of these men with the latest report received two days ago. It is important that anyone encountering either "person of interest" contact their local RCMP to report the incident as a possible scam or harassment.
Please remain on high alert and be on the look-out for either man. Stay vigilant and continue to keep your personal safety at top of mind. If they visit your office or contact you via phone, please email details to Jan Bauman at [email protected].
NOTE: Reports and descriptions received by OMREB to date have been compiled and included in a new Alert that has been emailed to Managing Brokers for office distribution and posting.
Click here to download a copy of this Alert.
January 10, 2014
ETHICS ALERT: Person of Interest in Local Scam Targeting REALTORS® in Board Area
OMREB has been alerted about a person operating in the North Okanagan and Shuswap who purports to be looking for property, and has targeted REALTORS® and other well-meaning citizens for assistance. He seems to be on the move to other towns and zones in our Board area, so we are alerting Brokerages to be on the look-out.
The person in question is man is described as being casually dressed, in his mid-40's, Caucasian with dark hair, about 5"10" tall, and may be missing some front teeth. He goes by the name of "William Simpson" and is known to RCMP in Vernon who have been contacted as well as the Armstrong Detachment. Similar inquiries received from a man calling himself "Daniel Saunders" from Vernon are likely from the same person.
So far, he has contacted real estate offices in Armstrong, Enderby, Vernon, and the Shuswap to inquire about or to view property. Some appointments were cancelled or put off by the Agents when they had a hunch there may be a scam involved.
CONTACT RCMP: Members are advised to report this kind of suspicious behavior to the RCMP in their area so they can investigate and open or update files on such persons of interest. The more reports they have, the easier it is to go after them for fraud.
If you have had contact with this person regarding listings in your area, please email details to: [email protected]
Click hereto download and print reports and descriptions received by OMREB to date.
NOVEMBER 21, 2013
ETHICS NOTICE: Law Society Alert- Bad Cheque Scam (Names and Documents List)
Fraud alert… A local OMREB Member and Broker have reported that a person going by the name of Derreck Terry from England has been making offers on properties in Kelowna and subsequently provided cheques to Trust Accounts that have turned out to be fraudulent. He has since been reported and added to the Law Society of BC’s cheque fraud list.
Members in all Zones are encouraged to be on the alert for similar scams and to check out the list provided by the Law Society in case they are approached by similar scammers. This list is usually updated at least once a week, so check back often for new additions and updates.
http://www.lawsociety.bc.ca/page.cfm?cid=2392&t=Bad-cheque-scam:-Names-and-documents
NOTE: The LSBC list includes different names and documents that fraudsters have used in BC. For convenience, these names are sorted alphabetically by ruse. However, because a fraudster may use the same name in a different ruse, you will want to check the complete list of names sorted alphabetically. In the list containing the ruses, the names are hyperlinked to any publication with related information or documents. Of course, new names appear regularly -- usually with a Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo email address.
Be sure to follow the links provided online to help you learn more about how to protect yourself from bad cheque scams.
Click here for PDF of this alert.
June 13, 2013
ETHICS NOTICE: RCMP Alert - Online Rental Scam!
The Kelowna RCMP has issued a media release regarding the proliferation of online rental scams in the Okanagan area -- inserted below and forwarded to OMREB Managing Brokers for office posting/distribution and mention at upcoming Sales Meetings.
Any Members running across suspicious rental ads or having them brought to their attention by clients are encouraged to report them directly to the RCMP for investigation.
Kelowna - Scammers are looking to capitalize on the housing rental market by offering counterfeit online deals to prospective tenants.
Online rental scams appear to be on the rise in Kelowna as fraudsters look to cash in on people looking for their next home. The scam starts with a counterfeit rental listing online with photos and details sometimes copied from a previous legitimate listing. The rent is often reduced so as to entice potential tenants and no application is ever turned down. The con-man will then get the victim to send the damage deposit, typically via money transfer, which can be claimed instantly anywhere in the world, and are virtually untraceable. Once the money is paid, the new tenant discovers there actually isn't any rental.
There have been at least two such listings identified recently in Kelowna and likely many more that have yet to be revealed.
Prosecution of these types of frauds tend to be extremely difficult, if not impossible, as contact is usually made through email only, fraudulent information is used in the listing and the scammer may not even be in the country.
Some tips to avoid being scammed:
• Is the price too good to be true? Check rental rates in the area as fraudsters will often try to ensnare multiple victims with unbelievably low prices.
• Are they the owner or property manager? Be sure to view the rental with the property manager or owner.
• Are they just communicating with you via email? Beware if they don’t want to talk to you on the phone.
• Exercise extreme caution before wiring deposits or rent payments using a money wiring service, especially to foreign countries. Money wiring services are very popular for internet scams.
• Do not, under any circumstances, give out personal information such as your Social Insurance Number, bank account, or credit card numbers.
• Ask the neighbours about the landowner and history of the property. Neighbours are a great source of information regarding the owner and property and can often confirm their identity.
For more information on frauds and scams, go to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website:
http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/
MAY 3, 2013
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Solicitation Prior to Expiry and Principal Broker Responsibility
The Respondent knocked on the door of an active listing which had a sign at the front of the property and a lockbox on the door, and when no one answered the door, he slid a flyer under the door with his contact information.
Click here
MAY 3, 2013
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Solicitation Prior to Expiry and Principal Broker Responsibility
The Respondent knocked on the door of an active listing which had a sign at the front of the property and a lockbox on the door, and when no one answered the door, he slid a flyer under the door with his contact information.
The flyer did not contain any disclaimer to the effect that it was not intended to solicit the listing. Although instruction was given at the Brokerage’s Sales Meeting that morning to deliver the flyers to the surrounding neighborhood, no cautionary education was given re: solicitation. Both Representative and his Managing Broker were issued a Letter of Caution and a Consent to Discipline.
Discipline Report for First Quarter 2013: Click here to read the disciplinary results of this case (pages 5 through 7). Two cases previously posted (March 14/13) are included in this quarterly report (pages 1 through 4).
NOTE: For reference purposes, this document has been posted to REALTORLink > Professional Conduct & Ethics > Disciplinary Decisions, and will be archived to OMREB News tab > Ethics.
Members are reminded that reports of disciplinary action taken by the Board are for the information and education of members only. This information is not of a public nature, and any Member found to have shared this information with the public will be severely dealt with by the Professional Conduct Committee.
MARCH 14, 2013
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Failure to Follow Multiple Offer Procedures
When the Complainant’s REALTOR® called the Respondent to inform her that they had an offer to present, the Respondent failed to inform her that another offer was still under consideration by the Sellers and in counter offer stage open until later that day.
Since this was then technically a Multiple Offer situation and the other offer in play was from the Respondent, the Respondent neglected to arrange for Broker Representation for the Seller as specified in Regulation 7.34 Multiple Offers. The Respondent in
acting as a dual agent had information gleaned from the Seller's response to a previous offer to prepare a second offer for her Buyers, potentially putting her Buyers at a competitive advantage.
To read the disciplinary results of this case, click here. ( First quarter 2013 decisions appear in one report and will be included in the Spring 2013 e-newsletter later this month.)
NOTE: For reference purposes, this document has been posted to REALTORLink > Professional Conduct & Ethics > Disciplinary Decisions, and will be archived to OMREB News tab > Ethics.
Members are reminded that reports of disciplinary action taken by the Board are for the information and education of members only. This information is not of a public nature, and any Member found to have shared this information with the public will be severely dealt with by the Professional Conduct Committee.
MARCH 14, 2013
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Failure to Use Trademarks and Solicitation Disclaimer
The Respondent sent out a mass email to a targeted neighborhood without either ensuring that the recipients of these emails were not already listed with another Registrant, or including a disclaimer that he was not intending to solicit. Also, the advertisements in the flyer did not include the MLS® Logo even though they were listed on MLS®.
To read the disciplinary results of this case, click here. ( First quarter 2013 decisions appear in one report and will be included in the Spring 2013 e-newsletter later this month.)
NOTE: For reference purposes, this document has been posted to REALTORLink > Professional Conduct & Ethics > Disciplinary Decisions, and will be archived to OMREB News tab > Ethics.
Members are reminded that reports of disciplinary action taken by the Board are for the information and education of members only. This information is not of a public nature, and any Member found to have shared this information with the public will be severely dealt with by the Professional Conduct Committee.
January 16, 2013
RECBC ADVISORY: Member Suspension
Members are advised of the following Real Estate Council of BC’s 30-day suspension of an OMREB Member's Trading Serviceslicense -- January 16 through February 14, 2013.
Click here for details.
November 28, 2012
RECBC ADVISORY: Member Suspension
Members are advised of the following Real Estate Council of BC's 7-day suspension of an OMREB Member's Managing Broker's license (November 28 through December 4, 2012 -- extended from November 21 through 27).
Click here for details.
November 2, 2012
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Manufactured Homes/Conscientious Service
The Respondent was contacted by the BC Safety Authorities stating that a proper number, electrical sticker, or correct permit was not on record for the manufactured home he had just listed.
The Respondent advised that he had been the Buyer’s Agent for the property previously in
2009. He advised the Hearing Panel that based on the Seller’s word, his observations of the property (specifically the electrical panel), and using his notes and other information from when he represented the Sellers on their purchase of the property in 2009, he input into the MLS® system the Electrical Label number that he had noted was the same from his previous inspection of the property. Despite some diligence to investigate the permits and the electrical status of the property after being contacted by the BC Safety Authorities and OMREB, he leaned upon the word of the Seller that no electrical changes had been made and continued his investigation of facts without putting the listing on hold.
The Hearing Panel found that rather than attempting to verify information, the Respondent should have placed the listing on hold immediately after becoming aware that there were questions about the property from the Safety Authority and the OMREB. The Panel found that the Respondent undertook improper due diligence prior to activating the listing given that the information he had was quite dated, and that he did not take all the appropriate steps to verify the electrical information he had on file.
The Panel determined that as part of his due diligence prior to activating the listing, the Respondent should have contacted the Safety Authority at the outset to seek assistance and guidance in ascertaining the true circumstance of the property. They also determined that the Respondent should have sought guidance immediately from his Managing Broker after being contacted by the Safety Authority..
To read the disciplinary results of this case, click here.
Members are reminded that reports of disciplinary action taken by the Board are for the information and education of members only. This information is not of a public nature, and any Member found to have shared this information with the public will be severely dealt with by the Professional Conduct Committee.
November 1, 2012
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Avoid Controversies with Other REALTORS®
The Respondent who is an OMREB Member filed a complaint on behalf of his client against another Member of the Board regarding a multiple offer situation wherein his client was one of the unsuccessful Buyers and that client felt he was out funds as a result.
The Respondent did not understand that when he filed the complaint with the Board on behalf of his client that he became the Complainant in the matter and not his client. When his client continued to contact him about what was happening with the complaint, he directed his client to the Board for information on the progress of the file; however, OMREB would not provide information to his client because his client was not the complainant on file.
After the Board’s decision, in order to alleviate his client’s agitation (wherein his client was threatening legal action against him and the real estate board), the Respondent forwarded a copy of the Board’s disciplinary report to his client as way of letting his client know that something had been done. His client, however, then used the discipline report provided by the Respondent to threaten legal action against the REALTOR® involved in the discipline report.
The Panel determined that the Respondent was not aware that he would be breaching regulations when he made the disclosure; however they determined that was not an excuse for his action. They determined that he should have called the Real Estate Board himself to better understand the situation and should have involved his Managing Broker in making such enquiries.
To read the disciplinary results of this case, click here.
Members are reminded that reports of disciplinary action taken by the Board are for the information and education of members only. This information is not of a public nature, and any Member found to have shared this information with the public will be severely dealt with by the Professional Conduct Committee.
October 31, 2012
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Manufactured Homes
The Respondent and Managing Broker were unable to provide any documentary evidence that a manufactured home had the appropriate CSA certification or any evidence of approval and permits for any additional wiring. REALTORS® representing sellers must undertake due diligence prior to listing the property on the MLS® system.
Such diligence would include visual inspection and queries of the Seller or local Safety
Authority to ascertain if such modifications had the appropriate permits and/or contractor authorizations that would ensure the original CSA continued to be valid or rendered it invalid in which case another inspection number or certification mark may apply.
A Co-Listing Agent is equally liable for all representations made about and for a listing that he/she is on record for.
To read the disciplinary results of this case, click here.
Members are reminded that reports of disciplinary action taken by the Board are for the information and education of members only. This information is not of a public nature, and any Member found to have shared this information with the public will be severely dealt with by the Professional Conduct Committee.
October 30, 2012
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Reporting of Sales
The Respondents were found to have several data integrity issues including: late reporting for listing sales, failure to provide documentation for changes to the listing price, reporting the wrong selling brokerage and salesperson. An audit of several of the brokerages files was conducted as per OMREB Regulation 7.15 wherein a number of potential issues were identified.
To read the disciplinary results of this case, click here.
Members are reminded that reports of disciplinary action taken by the Board are for the information and education of members only. This information is not of a public nature, and any Member found to have shared this information with the public will be severely dealt with by the Professional Conduct Committee.
October 29, 2012
DISCIPLINARY DECISION: Discrediting Another Registrant
The Respondent had applied a watermark to four listings contained in a flyer with the words “No Bo”. Though explained as an “inside joke”, this flyer was distributed to the public and brought to the attention of the Complainant.
This type of conduct between Members does not elevate the profession in the eyes of the
public and does not display professional integrity and courtesy towards other Members.
To read the disciplinary results of this case, click here.
Members are reminded that reports of disciplinary action taken by the Board are for the information and education of members only. This information is not of a public nature, and any Member found to have shared this information with the public will be severely dealt with by the Professional Conduct Committee.
September 14, 2012
BUSINESS PRACTICE REMINDER: Pro-Competitive Conduct!
There have been recently some potentially concerning issues brought to the attention of the OMREB by Members about the practices of other Members. Potential competition issues are not within the jurisdiction of the real estate board to investigate. However, the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board fully supports the Principles of Competition, and considers it an important duty to educate all its Members in matters relating to and in support of pro-competitive conduct in compliance with the federal Competition Act.
To ensure that all of our members continue to compete vigorously and fairly, it is
important that all members conduct themselves in compliance with competition law.
This means that REALTORS® need to remember three basic rules:
• Don’t collude. Make independent business decisions without discussion,
consultation, or agreement with competitors.
• Don’t discriminate. Do not discriminate against competitors or other persons, or attempt to convince others not to do business with competitors or other persons, because of their pricing policies.
• Don’t mislead. Do not mislead the public in your advertising. Ensure that your advertising is truthful, accurate and, if making performance claims or statistical claims, supported by facts.
NOTE: This reminder is a repeat of the June 11th Alert posted to MATRIX and emailed to Managing Brokers for office distribution and discussion at office Sales Meetings. Click here for Memo sent to Managing Brokers today.
For more information, please go to http://www.realtorlink.ca/content/competition/, download the Real Estate Competition Guide from the publications page on REALTOR Link®, or contact Janice Myers at [email protected]
August 8, 2012
ETHICS NOTICE: Carriage Homes - HPO Insurance!
Recently it came to OMREB’s attention that there are a number of carriage/coach homes in Kelowna that were given building permits from the City of Kelowna without the requirement to have new home warranty insurance in place in order to receive the permit.
This could affect carriage/coach homes that were given occupancy permits from 2002 until as recently as thisyear. The city of Kelowna did start to require the insurance beginning November 1, 2009. Although the Homeowner Protection Office (HPO) did have the requirement for insurance during that time, they have agreed not to pursue
enforcing that requirement.
The Homeowner Protection Office reminds our Members to use the HPO’s online searchable New Home Registry at http://www.hpo.bc.ca/new-homes-registry or to call the HPO office at 1-800-407-7757 to check whether a home has the appropriate HPO documentation in place prior to it being offered for sale.
OMREB strongly recommends that Members make the proper inquires regarding this insurance and fully disclose in your offer to purchase that the carriage/coach has or has not any new home warranty coverage.
Click here for Ethics Memo with reprint of HPO communication. This memo will be archived on OMREB's new Professional Conduct and Ethics page on REALTORLink (Education Memos > 2012).
June 11, 2012
BUSINESS PRACTICE ALERT: Pro-Competitive Conduct!
There have been recently some potentially concerning issues brought to the attention
of the OMREB by Members about the practices of other Members. Potential competition
issues are not within the jurisdiction of the real estate board to investigate.
However, the Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board fully supports the Principles of
Competition, and considers it an important duty to educate all its Members in
matters relating to and in support of pro-competitive conduct in compliance with the
federal Competition Act.
To ensure that all of our members continue to compete vigorously and fairly, it is
important that all members conduct themselves in compliance with competition law.
This means that REALTORS® need to remember three basic rules:
• Don’t collude. Make independent business decisions without discussion,
consultation, or agreement with competitors.
• Don’t discriminate. Do not discriminate against competitors or other persons, or attempt to convince others not to do business with competitors or other persons, because of their pricing policies.
• Don’t mislead. Do not mislead the public in your advertising. Ensure that your advertising is truthful, accurate and, if making performance claims or statistical claims, supported by facts.
Click here for Memo sent to Managing Brokers today, or read continuation of text below.
In addition to refraining from conduct that is prohibited by the Competition Act,
REALTORS® should also avoid using language that could create the appearance of
illegal activity - this is what is known as “loose language”, which is any
conversation or phrase that can be interpreted as anti-competitive by nature. For
example, members should never suggest to others that they should not do business
with a particular competitor because of that firm's pricing policies, or because
other brokers/agents will not co-operate with that firm or business.
Conversations between competitors about the setting of commission rates, statements
which might imply that commission rates have been or should be fixed, or that a
particular broker or business has been or will be boycotted, could all raise
competition concerns. Members should never be involved in any boycott of a
competitor, or try to threaten or induce a third party supplier, such as a local
magazine or other company, to not do business with a low pricing competitor.
Remember that you have a duty to act in your client’s interests, and to let them
know about properties which may be of interest. Disclosure and communication with
your client is the key. A helpful solution might be a Buyer-Broker Agreement to
ensure that you receive a level of compensation which you and your clients agree is
appropriate.
In relations with the public, promote your firm’s track record, detail your
marketing or negotiating expertise, explain the functions and the value of the
services performed by a real estate professional to defend your qualifications – but
use the language of competition, not conspiracy.
The penalties under the Competition Act can be severe – imprisonment, fines,
administrative monetary penalties, or court orders placing restrictions on a
company’s activities.
The real estate industry is, and always has been a competitive one. Over 100 Boards
and Associations have over 100, 000 REALTORS® who compete every day to help
Canadians with one of the most significant financial decisions they will ever make –
the buying and selling of a home.
Stories about new entrants or business models are common – innovation in this
industry is continuous and for many years there have been all sorts of business
models out there, including ones based on simple postings to Boards MLS® Systems.
CREA, OMREB and its members believe in offering a range of services. Each consumer
is unique and has unique needs, but whatever those needs may be, there is a REALTOR®
who can offer an appropriate level of service.
For more information, please go to http://www.realtorlink.ca/content/competition/, download the Real Estate Competition Guide from the publications page on REALTOR Link®, or contact Janice Myers at [email protected]
June 8, 2012
SCAM ALERT: Council Issues Fraud Warning!
The Real Estate Council of BC sent the following Fraud Warning to all managing
brokers in the province yesterday (June 7th) re: Kin Hang Cheung. This information is being passed on to our Members as the fraudulent cheque scam appears to be province-wide and is still ongoing.
Council has advised that in less than 24 hours after distributing this notice, three
separate contact incidents were reported: one from Denman Island, one from the
Fraser Valley area and one from Kelowna.
Click here for RECBC Alert.
April 26, 2012
BOARD ETHICS NOTICE: Reminder to Secure Properties!
It has been brought to the attention of your Board that some Members when showing properties are not being diligent in ensuring the property is secure upon departure.
Some examples include: leaving a lockbox open with front door key left in; leaving sliding glass doors open; leaving front doors unlocked; and not calling the listing representative prior to showings.
As the spring market becomes more active, haste must not trump professionalism as it leaves a poor impression with Sellers.
Please review the recent article entitled, Reminder - The Three Cs of Courtesy, Communication, Common Sense, posted earlier this week along with the Discipline Report (Monday, April 23rd). Click here to view.
NOTE: See April 23rd posting below for the current Professional Conduct Report and all four accompanying articles.
April 23, 2012
BOARD ETHICS NOTICE: Professional Conduct Report and Articles!
OMREB’s Professional Conduct Committee is pleased to release its April "Discipline Report" and four related Business Practice articles for Members' attention.
Click on file name to open and download:
• 04_2012 Disciplinary Decision (Committee report for April 2012)
• Memo-Decommissioning mobile electrical
• Memo-Regulation 7.13
• Memo-Written Offers
• Reminder-The three C's
Please note that these documents have also been posted to OMREB's new Professional
Conduct and Ethics page on REALTORLink where Members can find information related to matters dealt with by the Committee ("Disciplinary Decisions"), as well as
current and archived Ethics "Education Memos", download various "Complaint Forms"
(forms and processes), and refer to "Professional Standards - Rules and Regulations"
(REALTOR® Code, OMREB Regulations, mediation-arbitration guidelines, and link to
RECBC Professional Standards Manual).
February 9, 2012
ETHICS NOTICE: Social Media - Be Smart and Be Respectful!
The Board has become aware of several inappropriate postings on Facebook by Members.
In addition to authenticity and transparency, good judgment is critical for anyone using social media within an
organization. As a REALTOR® and a Member of a professional organization, you need to think about the consequences
when making a posting to any social networking site. Make no mistake about these venues. They are in the public
domain and discoverable.
All of the Articles in the REALTOR® Code apply to the use of Social Media. Using your public voice to personally attack, trash or embarrass another Member, your Brokerage or your Board will not be tolerated. In the future, inappropriate postings on Facebook or Blogs will be brought to the Professional Conduct Committee for review and penalties may be applied.
Please remember everything on the internet remains there indefinitely. You are all part of a professional
organization. The reputation of our entire group in the eyes of the public is impacted when these instances occur.
Click here to review BCREA’s Guidelines regarding the use of a social networking site.
June 21, 2010
RECBC ADVISORY: OMREB Member Suspension
Members are advised of the following Real Estate Council 14-day suspension of an OMREB Member's license. Click here for details.
April 15, 2010
MEMBER ADVISORY: Buyer Alert!
Please be advised that the Real Estate Board is aware of a male individual who has entered into a number of contracts to buy property in and around Kelowna dating back approximately two years. The individual has not completed any of these deals that we are aware of, and has left many Sellers in the lurch. As far as we know, this is limited to Kelowna and area (Central Zone). However, all Brokers have been advised.
Click here for important Advisory regarding a Buyer that Members should be aware of.
September 23, 2009
CHATTELS OR FIXTURES?
Lately the subject of chattels and fixtures has come up. Apparently some sellers get confused as to what they should be leaving in the home for the new owner. The argument whether an item is a chattel or fixture is really not the issue.
Click here for a memo reminding REALTORS that even the smallest item should be noted as to be included or excluded on the contract.
September 22, 2009
BUSINESS PRACTICE CONSENT ORDER &
ARBITRATION HEARING DECISION!
Please be advised as per OMREB Regulations, Members are to be made aware of Business Practice Hearing results and/or consent orders for educational and learning purposes. Click here for details of a recent consent order signed by an OMREB Member.
Please be advised that in a recent Arbitration Hearing, the panel advises Members that they should be mindful of the Board’s Mediation and Arbitration Guidelines to avoid costly hearings. Click here to view the results of a recent Arbitration Hearing.
Click here to review OMREB’s Mediation Arbitration Guidelines.