A couple important reminders....

• Thank you to those who have renewed their memberships. If you have not yet renewed, your membership expired on March 31st. You still have time to renew without penalty. Don't forget to login and renew.
  
  
• The AIC-BC & REIBC Valuing Diversity Conference is taking place from May 10-12 at the Delta Grand Okanagan Conference centre in Kelowna. Registration closes at the end of this week, so register now! 

Meet A Member

Meet Karen Benson, RI

I started my Real Estate Career in 1991 as a Royal Bank Mortgage Specialist and in 1999 joined REIBC as a student member, at that time I also began my career as a sub-mortgage broker with Complete Mortgage Services.  While working as a mortgage broker, I completed UBC’s diploma program in Urban Land Economics by correspondence and in 2000  became a Professional RI Designated member of the Institute.  In 2008 I applied for my Real Estate License and started selling Real Estate with the RE/MAX Bulkley Valley brokerage.  In 2010 I obtained my Associate Broker license.  I am currently a licensed Associate Broker with RE/MAX Bulkley Valley, in addition, I am a licensed Sub-Mortgage Broker with Verico Complete Mortgage Services.  My office is located in Smithers, B.C.

I have always had a passion for Real Estate, and I find fulfillment in doing my very best for my clients.  The combination of Realtor and Mortgage Broker services allows me to find the right home for my clients while ensuring they receive the lowest possible rates for their financing.

Last year, my daughter Janet joined me as a Real Estate partner.  Janet is a licensed Realtor and has a diploma in Interior Design.  You can find our website at teambenson.ca.   In my spare time, I do enjoy travelling with my husband.  We will be celebrating our 35^th anniversary this year.

Meet Dorin Danci, RI

I started my career in Real Estate as a GIS Technician contractor with BC Assessment in 2005, working for Translink’s Parking Tax Project.  After the cancellation of the Parking Tax in 2008 I moved to the Appraisal side. I’ve worked as strata, ICI, and residential appraiser ever since. In my current position at BC Assessment I am a residential appraiser responsible for assessing the single-family dwellings in New Westminster.

Before I turned to real estate I worked in the forestry sector. After emigrating to Canada from Romania in 2001 I realized that with the high rate of unemployment in the BC forestry sector at the time I needed a change. I first chose mapping, having done my education at BCIT and then moved to Appraisal and finished my education at UBC.  I enjoy being a real estate practitioner and find it rewarding to work with many assessment stakeholders including property owners, realtors, developers, municipalities and many others.

A new career and a new country was a daunting experience. The RI proved to be the fastest route towards becoming a professional and I’m happy about this as it has helped me meet and work with extraordinary people from the industry.

In my personal life, my wife and I live in Vancouver and have two school age kids - a girl and boy - who occupy most of my time outside of work. I also enjoy skiing and love to hit the slopes as often as I can!

Would you like to be profiled in next months' newsletter? Let us know!

REIBC News

REIBC Chapters across the province celebrated the Week of Recognition on April 17th, 18th, and 19th. Members who have been with the Institute for 5, 10, 15, and 20 years were recognized in the Cariboo, Fraser Pacific, Kootenay, Nanaimo, Thompson-Okanagan, Vancouver and Victoria Chapters. 

Cariboo / Northwest Prince Rupert

On April 17, 2018 members of the Northwest/Prince Rupert chapter and the Cariboo chapter met in Prince George to celebrate the annual RI recognition event. It was a fun evening, filled with good food and drinks and a presentation from one of our members Keenan Hopson on the economic outlook for Prince George. Of course the main event was the recognition awards which were given out to: Dan McElheron(20yrs);Catherine Seel (10yrs);Jamie Hofferd(5yrs);Keenan Hopson(5yrs);Teria Penner(5yrs);Beau Rossel(5yrs);Jessica Taylor(5yrs)

Fraser Pacific

Members of the Fraser Pacific Chapter gathered at the Browns Social House in Langley for this years recognition dinner. Amongst the recipients present were those celebrating their 5, 10 , 15 and 20 year anniversary as members of REIBC.

Kootenay

The Kootenay Chapter enjoyed appy’s and beverages at the Hume Hotel in Nelson on April 18th, our event was attended by: Sean McGinnis (Nelson), Diane Renz (Cranbrook), Brandon Tanner (Cranbrook), Ramaish Shah (Nelson), Michael Bancroft  (Nelson), and Trudy Carbonneau (Cranbrook).

Nanaimo

Nine chapter members including Cindy Nesselbeck, REIBC governor for Vancouver Island, attended a lunch to recognize the members.  Leighton Kirkbridge and Michael Englouen celebrated 5 year membership, Nancy Skeels, 10 years and Evelyn Kaatz, was a member for 20 years with REIBC before her retirement this year.  Congratulations members!

Thompson-Okanagan

On Thursday April 19, the Thompson Okanagan members met at Mission TapHouse.We enjoyed an evening of good food and drink, along with excellent company. Mark O’Donnell and Patricia Rantucci were both recognized for 5 years of service with REIBC; Doug Gilchrist (Governor) presented them with their certificates. Also being recognized by the Thompson Okanagan Chapter:  Ross Spina (20 years), Don Currie (15 years), Mark Koch and Blaine Porsnuk (both for 10 years); and Ross Jolly, Evan Young and Amanda Kennedy for 5 years

Vancouver

On Thursday, April 19th, the Vancouver Chapter held their Recognition Week Event at the Blackbird Public House in downtown Vancouver.  Thank you to all of you who came out to support our members celebrating 5,10,15, and 20 year milestones!  A great evening full of networking, pub fare and fun.  Here’s to another year! Recipients in attendance: Kelly Rankin, Laura West, Eddy Ma, Robert Greene, Joanna Dlin, Keith Maclean-Talbot, John Castle, Daniel Chau, Amy Lamb

Victoria

The Victoria Chapter met for drinks and appetizers at 5th Street Restaurant & Pub to celebrate years of service milestones for several local members. Congratulations to all of our 5, 10, 15, & 20 year members!  A big thank you to all of those RI’s who were able to attend

The REIBC congratulates and thanks all of it's members for their commitment to Real Estate Institute of BC. 

Click here for a full list of recipients.

Charity Golf Tournament

Registration for the 25th Anniversary REIBC Charity Golf Tournament is well underway! This years' tournament is taking place on June 18th, 2018 at the Richmond Country Club.   Click here to register.

Over the past 25 years, the REIBC has donated more than a half a million dollars to charity thanks to the generous support of many sponsors, some of whom have participated in the tournament from the very beginning.  

Are you unable to attend as a golfer but would still like to participate? We ask you that you please consider donating to our silent auction. All monies raised during both silent and live auction are donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation  to help grant wishes to kids facing life-threatening illness.

Let's make a record this year! Click here to register or donate!

REIBC Events

Webinar 
Speaker: Ramin Seifi, RI
Langley Township : Integration & Harmoney
May 23, 2018 12:00 pm - 1:00pm PST
Register here 

AIC-BC & REIBC Valuing Diversity Conference, 2018.
May 10-12, 2018
Delta Grand, Okanagan Resort
1310 Water Street, Kelowna
Check out the program here.
Registration

Career Opportunities

Property Management Agent – TransLink

Senior Property Administrator - Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

Property Valuator - Negotiator - City of Coquitlam

Property Administrator - Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

Property Representative- Property Sales Services - BC Hydro

Manager, Facilities - Seaspan ULC

Property Management Agent - TransLink

Members Seeking Employment

Are you looking for employment? If you are an Associate, Professional or Nominee member looking for a career - tell us a little about yourself here.