Meet A Member

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Meet Nancy Skeels, RI

It was not only the natural beauty of Vancouver Island that drew me to the Island I was also told there was cheap housing, which there was at that time, so in 2007 I moved from Vancouver to Nanaimo.  Shortly thereafter I started work at the City of Nanaimo and began taking my Diploma in Urban Land Economics from the University of British Columbia.  After graduation and obtaining my RI designation, I was promoted to a Property Agent position.  In my role I assist with the management of the City’s land inventory, right-of-way and property acquisitions and disposals leasing and licensing.  I became a chapter committee member when I was an REIBC student member and over the years  have had a lot of fun planning many pub nights and education day events.   When I’m not in the office, I can be found renovating, cooking and enjoying the Island’s great outdoors.

Meet Rav Punia, RI

My career in Real Estate began when I joined BC Assessment in May of 2008 as an appraiser in the Abbotsford office.  What a year to join a real estate organization!  The global financial crisis that engulfed the world that fall was a time period that will live in my memory forever.  To say that it posed some challenges in the assessment valuations, in light of all the financial market uncertainty, would be an understatement.  I learned a great deal about the functioning (and failures) of markets when cycles turn.

The next few years certainly were interesting ones as an appraiser to track the real estate market’s movements thereafter.  I was fortunate to be able to gain experience with a range of property types including residential, acreage and development land valuations.  By 2012, I had successfully completed my Diploma in Urban Land Economics at UBC and a year later got a promotion to become a Senior Appraiser in a commercial real estate portfolio, still in Abbotsford.  I continue to work in that capacity today.

In the past few years, I have served as Chapter Chair for the RI’s Fraser Valley Chapter.  More recently, I continue to help serve as a Chapter Committee Member for the newly renamed/merged Fraser Pacific Chapter.  I have enjoyed contributing to organizing and attending RI events at the chapter level over the years.   It has been a great way to meet and learn about the diverse career and personal backgrounds of our membership.  My interactions at these events have always been fun and positive experiences.

Prior to joining BC Assessment and the REIBC, I worked as a public school teacher at the middle grades level across the Lower Mainland.  When I was ready for a career change, my geography degree from SFU and some experience as a real estate agent, seemed to line up well with the appraiser position needs at BC Assessment.

Outside of work, my limited free time is dedicated to my 10-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son, whose after-school activities keep me hopping from soccer fields to ice rinks, and the fast food joints in between.  In between, I do try to get out for light jogging and bike riding sessions.

I’m proud of being a part of the REIBC and happy to share a bit about myself with you.

REIBC News

Rudy Nielsen, RI

Long time REIBC member, Rudy Nielsen, RI was recently awarded the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce Platinum Award for Innovation. Rudy is the President of Landcor Data Corporation and recently celebrated his 45th year as a member of the Institute. 

The Platinum Awards are a celebration that recognizes businesses and individuals whose achievements and contributions in the community distinguish them from their peers. Landcor, as a member of the New Westminster Chamber of Commerce was nominated for Innovator of the Year and Landcor can proudly say that we were the chosen recipient this year over Electra Meccanica, Mugo Web and Pink Ribbon Bakery (who are very impressive companies as well).  There were 10 awards presented during the evening.  

The event was presented by Douglas College and the Innovator award was presented to Landcor by Vancity.  The gala was held at the RedLounge at the Starlight Casino.

2017 REIBC Presidents Luncheon

The REIBC's Annual Presidents Luncheon took place on December 14th, at the Four Seasons Hotel. With over 200 people in attendance the REIBC was proud to host one of it's largest events to date. Our guest speakers  Masters of Real Estate: Avtar Bains, President, Premise Properties; Neil Chrystal, President & CEO, Polygon Homes; and moderator David Podmore, RI, Chairman & Founder, Concert Properties, shared stories of their experience in the industry and thoughts on real estate in Vancouver today. 

We also gave away some great door prizes. The winners were Nick Davies from the Real Estate Foundation of BC who won two tickets to a LA Kings Vs. Vancouver Canucks hockey game; Jillian Mann, RI, from GWL Realty Advisors won two hockey tickets to watch the Montreal Canadians play the Vancouver Canucks; Kieran Kandola from Concert Properties won a two night stay at the Executive Inn in Squamish, and Mona Murray, RI from Colliers International won a full conference registration, hotel stay, and travel voucher to attend the 2018 AIC-BC & REIBC Valuing Diversity Conference. 

A great big thank you to our Title Sponsor, The Real Estate Foundation of BC; Venue Sponsor, Landcor Data Corporation; Table Brochure Sponsor, The Society of Notaries Public of BC; Student Sponsor, Stewart Title; Photography Sponsor, The Real Estate Council of BC; and Table Sponsors, AEC Property Tax, BC Assessment, Concert Properties, Polygon Homes Ltd, Shato Holdings Ltd, and UBC Sauder School of Business Real Estate Division. 

2017 Chapter Holiday Events

Fraser Pacific Chapter, December 5

The Fraser Pacific Chapter organised a social to mark the amalgamation of former North Fraser Chapter and Fraser Valley Chapter.  Real Estate professionals  from local government, BC Assessment and other private sector organisations got together at the Langely Events Centre for a chance to mingle, network and socialise.  Attendees also enjoyed a good game of hockey between the Vancouver Giants and Portland Winterhawks. For Chapter Chair Umesh and his wife Babita, this was their first live hockey game!

Vancouver Chapter Holiday Reception, December 7

Another REIBC Vancouver Chapter Holiday event is in the books!  A special thank you to Campbell & Pound, the Altus Group and BC Assessment for your sponsorships again this year.  Your generosity is invaluable to us, and we couldn’t do it without you! Once again, our evening was spent at the Vista 360 Lounge at the Pinnacle Hotel in Vancouver.  Attendees were served a variety of hot and cold canapés and we had several winners for this years’ door prizes!

Our grand prize of a two-night stay at the Watermark Beachfront Resort went to our nominee member Zhal Sean! Congratulations! A $50 gift card to the Keg restaurant went to Sheila Sontz (Dexter Realty)! Congratulations! A $25 gift card to Starbucks went to Justin Allin (Garnett Wilson)! Congratulations! A $25 gift card to Tim Hortons went to Past President Andrea Fletcher (Lee & Associates Commercial Real Estate)! Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone who came out to support REIBC and enjoy an evening out with colleagues from the industry! Also, a special thank you to our Vancouver Chapter Committee members (Jennifer Dennis, Valeria Lifanova, Edwin Yan, Orville Lim and Richard Sirola) for your help in planning this event!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! – Rhiannon Carpentier, REIBC Vancouver Chapter Chair

Industry News 

BCREA Announces New CEO

On December 18th, 2017 The British Columbia Real Estate Association Board of Directors announced that Darlene Hyde, ICD.D, CAE, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of BCREA effective January 22nd, 2018.

You can read the full press release here.

REIBC Events

Webinar: How Workforce Housing can Help the Homeless
January 25, 2018 12:00pm -1:00pm
Guest Speaker: Mukhtar Latif, CEO and Chief Housing Officer, Pomegranate Housing Consultancy
Register here

Upcoming Webinars:
February 22, 2018 - Brad Currie, RI, Verico Coastal Pacific Mortgage Brokers: Mortgage Rule Changes
May 31, 2018 - Ramin Seifi, RI, Township of Langley: Township of Langley Markets & OCP.

Save the dates! More details and registration will come in the new year.

AIC-BC & REIBC Valuing Diversity Conference, 2018.
May 10-12, 2018
Delta Grand, Okanagan Resort, Kelowna
SAVE THE DATE - Registration will open in January!

REIBC Chapter Events

Chapter Week of Recognition
April 16 - 20, 2018
More info to come...

Career Opportunities

Manager of Compliance - Real Estate Council of BC

Director, Education & Licensing - Real Estate Council of British Columbia

Lease Manager - Ministry of Citizens’ Services

Director, Real Estate Services - BC HOUSING

TransLink Property Management Agent – FTT (approx. 1 year) - TransLink

Property Negotiator I - City of Vancouver

Property Negotiator II - City of Vancouver

Members Seeking Employment

We recently launched a new page on the REIBC website for members looking for employment. If you are an Associate, Professional or Nominee member looking for a career - tell us a little about yourself here.

 

Please note: The REIBC office will be closed on December 22nd at  5pm and will re-open on January 2, 2018 at 9am.