Please note the REIBC office will be closed December 24 at 12PM and we will re-open on January 6, 2020. Happy holidays everyone, we wish you all the best in 2020.   

Meet-A-Member

Whether you have years of experience or are new to the industry, REIBC is your key to career advancement and connection with the real estate industry. Professional members have achieved the RI Designation, which provides employers and clients with instant confirmation of advanced levels of education and experience.

Here are two of our RI's:

Jon Burbee

In 1993 I was working in environmental services projects for the federal government. This initial exposure led me into a career path with the Canadian Armed Forces as a Construction Engineering Officer featuring roles in facilities maintenance, asset management, and capital project delivery. Since leaving the military in 2011 I’ve continued to work in the public sector in corporate real estate functions ensuring that my organizations had the real estate to sustainably support business requirements.

After five years in a role managing the owned portfolio of the provincial government (less health and education sectors) from Victoria, I recently moved into a role with Service BC that will allow me to develop some new perspectives on operating a multi-channel service delivery organization. Still based in Victoria, this organization excels in delivering programs from in-person service centers, contact centres, and through web services. These services include everything from personal digital identity, corporate registries, to hundreds of programs generated across the provincial government for citizens and businesses.

I am very interested in the possibilities offered by property technology (PropTech). It’s both exciting and alarming to think about how digital technology has influenced real estate such as the short-term housing market, the impact of online shopping on retail center demand, the growth of PropTech business models such as Zillow, or even perhaps what the advent of autonomous vehicles will have on parking assets. I am curious about the potential implications of “being digital” in the real estate sector and am building my knowledge base in areas such as customer service channel strategies, digital financial systems, and corporate digital identity. My current role immerses me in an environment that will help me adapt to a changing real estate landscape.

The fascinating thing about real estate and the RI community is the diversity of career fields. This suits me as I’m a generalist by nature. The path that led me to the DULE program at UBC Sauder and eventually REIBC was the opportunity to learn a more of the fundamentals of some of the other specialties of real estate; essentially to better know what I don’t know. Being part of the RI community allows me to connect with others in the sector professionally and keeps me current with industry trends.

I believe that for the foreseeable future, real estate has a central place to the well-being of society and individuals. We also have the opportunity to mitigate risks to climate and the environment caused by what’s been built. Even though the business is likely to continue to evolve, my sense is that there will need for bricks and mortar as part of the solution.

Jon lives with his family in Victoria. He enjoys coaching youth sport and is active through endurance sport, paddling local waters, and recreational hockey.

Providence Ngirimpuhwe

I started my Real Estate Career as an appraiser with BC Assessment in 2016. I am currently working as an ICI Appraiser with BC Assessment in the Lower Mainland region. When I came to Canada 5 years ago, real estate was a hot topic in every conversation and at social gatherings, especially in Greater Vancouver. As someone with a background in finance and economics trying to start a career in a new country, I was intrigued by the big role that real estate plays in the economy, which is why I decided to start a career in the real estate industry. I wanted to do something related to economics and finance and found the appraisal job to be in line with all three of my interests (real estate, economics and finance). On weekends I like to go hiking, watch soccer or spend time with my young son. He’s almost two years old and keeps me busy… he loves cars, so I spend a lot of time trying to keep him out of traffic!

 

REIBC News

 Real Estate Board Update and Holiday Reception - Kamloops 

The December 5th Real Estate Board Update and Holiday Reception in Kamloops was a wonderful event. Trevor gave an interesting talk, a history of MLS and evolution of real estate today and how realtors are using technology in their day to day works – tracking postal codes to determine where buyers are coming from.  KADREA developed this application and so was the only real estate board in Canada doing this – now there is interest from CREA to adopt same application.  Trevor also talked about how realtors today are giving back to the community with involvement invarious activities – A Path to Home, Dragons Den Jr. for students, School District 73 fitness activity and now doing Kindness Kits working with a local thrift store for gifts for people in need.  Wendy spoke about the local statistics, average home prices have increased, sales activities have increased -would seem to be a Sellers’ market as more inventory is needed. The door prize winners were: Tanya Cokran and Trevor Koot! We also had the pleasure of having the Mayor of Kamloops - Ken Christian and Councillor -  Kathy Sinclair in attendance.

(Pictured: Speaker Trevor Koot, Mona Murray, RI and Speaker Wendy Rouge)

Real Estate Board Update and Holiday Reception - Terrace 

Members of the Real Estate Institute and guests met the evening of December 5th in Terrace for a fun and informative holiday reception. Graham Pitzel from Re/Max in Kitimat provided attendees with extensive information regarding the BC Northern Real Estate Board. His in-depth presentation included both facts regarding the Board as well as a market overview of Northern BC. Emphasis was placed upon the real estate market in the northwestern area of the province and the effects of the LNG Canada project in Kitimat. After the presentation, attendees participated in open discussions centred mainly upon the past, present and future of the Terrace and Kitimat markets. 

 (Pictured: Speaker Graham Pitzel)

 

2019 Presidents' Luncheon

REIBC's Presidents Luncheon was on December 12th, it was a interesting and insightful luncheon. CEO of Translink - Kevin Desmond spoke about Translink's upcoming projects and the future of public transportation in the lower mainland. He shared information about the cost aspect as well as the planning portion of projects. Kevin Desmond and David Podmore, RI had a fire side chat relating some of the things Desmond mentioned back to the real estate industry. 

 (Pictured: CEO of Translink - Kevin Desmond)

We had the pleasure of recognizing one of our Past Presidents Charles Johnstone, RI with his 30-Year award. Congratulations Charles!

We recognized our Honorary Members, Honorary Membership is to recognize and celebrate those individuals for their distinguished and outstanding service in the real estate industry and are appointed by the Board of Governors. Stan Hamilton and Michael Goldberg hold this title. 

We then had the Award of Excellence. The Award of Excellence is a formal recognition of members by their peers who have distinguished themselves over their careers and have contributed significantly to the advancement of the Institute, to the broader real estate industry and to their individual communities. We had a number of these distinguished individuals in attendance: 

Graham Allen, RI
John D'Eathe, RI
David Podmore, RI
Calvin Ross, RI
Dougal Shewan, RI
Judi Whyte, RI

Four lucky winners were selected for our door prizes: 

Scott Russell, RI, won 2 tickets to a Canucks game and a nights stay at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Katie Lee won 2 tickets to a Canucks game and a nights stay at the Exchange Hotel.
Randy Wenger won a free year of REIBC Webinars.
Blaire Chisholm won a Keg gift certificate.

Thank you to all who attended and a special thank you to the 2019 President Luncheon sponsors:

Real Estate Foundation of BC
Boughton Law
Downtown Surrey BIA 
Landcor Data Corporation 
Real Estate Council of BC
UBC
AEC Property Tax Inc.
BC Assessment

(Pictured: Brenda Southam - EO of REIBC, Kevin Desmond, David Podmore, RI and President Susan Antoniali, RI)

Upcoming REIBC events

Vancouver Island Social & Market Housing Event : Where are we now? And where are we going? 
January 31, 2020 
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 
Tigh-Na Mara Resort and Spa
Parksville, BC 
Register Now!

Career Opportunities

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