Meet A Member

John Castle, RI

Hello. I started my career in the Real Estate Industry when I took a job as a Temporary Appraiser for BC Assessment at the Peace River Office in Dawson Creek. I immediately found that I enjoyed the variety of work and the balance between field and office duties. After a year in Dawson Creek, I transferred to the Prince George area office as a full time appraiser. During my time there, I became a Senior Appraiser. I was a member of that office for 18 years before transferring to the Vancouver office in 2014. I continue in my Senior Appraiser position on the Major Industrial Properties team. I really enjoy the specialized nature of this work and the challenges it provides. I am responsible for the Thompson/Okanagan and Kootenay regions. I am very involved in training. I enjoy working with new employees and am always happy to aid in their career advancement. I have previously been quite involved with the Institute at both the Chapter and Board level. I am a staunch supporter of RI. I am proud of the work I have done for the Institute and value the connections I have made with RI staff and fellow members. In my own time I like to hike, play golf and cheer on my beloved Boston Red Sox. My family continues to grow as my wife and I recently welcomed our 5th grandchild who was born on June 8th. I expect to retire within 5 years and look forward to “after work” life.

Karen Doyle, RI

I started my real estate career with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in 1985 (called Ministry of Highways back then) in the Property Services department as a Property Clerk and then as a Property Management/Land survey coordinator. I enrolled in the Urban Land Economics program through UBC in 1995 while working full time and raising a family. I became a member of the Real Estate Institute in 2000. In 2003 I left the Ministry to work at the City of Kamloops as a Property Coordinator in the Real Estate division, which was a very positive experience.

In 2006 I returned to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure as a Property Acquisition Coordinator where I am currently responsible for managing property acquisition activities and delivery of property for projects within the Southern Interior Region out of the Kamloops Regional Office.

I love the diversity of my job as there is never a dull moment. My position covers all aspects of real property acquisition including negotiation, researching land tenure, valuation, appraisal review, business valuation review, legal surveys, property management, disposition, road closures and conveyance. As well, I get to meet wonderful people and see many parts of the Province due to the vast area of the Region.

While I have enjoyed my career over the years, there is nothing as good as becoming a Grandma! I am the proud grandmother of a precious little girl who is now 20 months old.

REIBC New Board Members

On June 14, 2018 the REIBC held their AGM. There are three new Governors joining the Board this year and they are:

Umesh Chand – Fraser Valley District
Douglas Page – Vancouver Island District
Valeria Lifanova – Vancouver District
Watch for the Summer Edition of Input for more information on these RIs.

We also say so long to Past President Greg Steves and Fraser Valley District Governor – Russell Cooper. Thank you for your work and dedication to the Institute.

REIBC Members receive awards from the Real Estate Institute of Canada

REIBC has many members that carry many designations. There are a number that carry designations from the Real Estate Institute of Canada and have received awards this year.

The Pursuit of Excellence Awards program recognizes and celebrates individual and organizational initiatives that advance professionalism in the real estate industry and / or promote REIC. Award recipients demonstrate the spirit of excellence.

REIC Community Services Award
Mercedes Wong receiving the Real Estate Institute of Canada Community Services Award.

REIC Finance Member of the Year Award
Michael LaPorte, CRP - NLD Consulting

Congratulations to these members for these accomplishments.

2018 Notary Installation

On June 13 the Society of Notaries Public of BC held their 2018 Installation and Awards at the Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel. This annual event celebrates the successful completion of the notary education program. The REIBC presents a plaque and $500 to the student who received the Highest Mark – Contracts Examination.

This years’ winner of the REIBC Award, as presented by President-Elect Daniel John (pictured), was Roman Svirshchevs’kyy.

Roman was born and raised as the only child in a very loving home in Ukraine. He moved to Vancouver, BC in 2010 to explore the endless opportunities in this beautiful province where he met his wife Lauren. They have one energetic son, Xander, who is now three years old and are happily expecting their second baby this summer.

Roman attained a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Customs and Finance in Ukraine. Roman is a keen tennis player and avid cyclist, recently completing the Gran Fondo race in Whistler and the Ride to Conquer Cancer, where the latter was a particularly personal and meaningful journey for him. He also takes pleasure in teaching his son how to swim, ride his bike, and play tennis.

REIBC 2018 Charity Golf Tournament

Emily’s wish came true because of you.

Each wish that you help us grant carries the wish child and their family from a place of uncertainty to a place of hope.

Here is Emily’s Circle of Joy wish story with our heartfelt gratitude for helping us share the magic of a wish with so many inspiring kids.

Click here to read story

Winning team photo

The 2018 Golf Tournament took place on June 18, 2018. The weather was fantastic and all 140 golfers had a great time. We had a number of winners this year with the winning team being that of TEAM 10B, headed by our own Judi Whyte.

In second place was team 14A of Masters Building Services Ltd with team captain, Todd Mikl and in third place was team 5B from Urban Analytics Inc, with team captain Michael Ferreira.

 

Other winners were:

• Ladies Longest Drive – Joan Bird of Superior Fire & Flood Restorations
• Ladies KP – Adena Waffle of Concert Properties Ltd.
• Mens Longest Drive – Dave Bird of YP Next Home
• Mens KP – Doug Niemi of Niemi LaPorte & Dowle Appraisals Ltd.
• Longest Putt went to team 14A – Masters Building Services Ltd.

The Most Honest Team this year was given to team 12A headed by Scott Ullrich of Gateway Property Management.

Congratulations to everyone who participated and stay tuned to see how much we raised for Make-A-Wish Foundation of BC & Yukon.

Industry News

On June 20, 2018 REIBC received information on a White Paper that is being circulated by the Minister of Finance. This white paper is a consultation paper for the draft Land Owner Transparency Act. You can check out the information at Information can also be found at http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/pld/fcsp/consultLOTA.htm and https://news.gov.bc.ca/ministries/finance.

Career Opportunities

Property Valuator - Negotiator - City of Coquitlam

Property Management Agent - TransLink

Senior Property Administrator (Leasing/Property Management) - Vancouver Fraser Port Authority

Real Estate Asset Manager - BC Housing - BC Housing

Director of Legal & Compliance - Real Estate Council of British Columbia

Property Agent - City of Surrey

Manager, Legal Services - Real Estate Council of British Columbia

Manager, Information Technology - Real Estate Council of British Columbia

Property Manager - M'akola Housing Society

Senior Licensed Authorizations Officer - BC Public Service

REIBC News

Did you know that if you are unable to catch a webinar we record them? They are on our website under Events and Webinar Recordings. Cost is $34.99 for members and little more for non-members. You don’t have to worry about not being able to stay on top of the latest issues as you can listen at any time.

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.