We are continuing to work in earnest to advance and raise the level of professionalism across the real estate profession.

Following the recommendations from our professionalism white paper that we released last year, we have launched initiatives focused on:

• elevating entrance standards, 
• expanding member education opportunities, 
• revising our discipline processes to promote greater accountability within the membership, 
• exploring different approaches to advertise the value of the Realtor to the public,
• providing more transparent and comprehensive housing market information and statistics, and
• contemplating minimum practice requirements to help ensure members remain practice ready and able to comply with the changing legal and regulatory requirements within real estate.   

All of this work is underway. I have presented to different boards, associations, regulators and other real estate organizations in Canada to find like-minded partners who also seek meaningful change in these areas. 

Some of these initiatives will take time to advance depending on the depth of collaboration and stakeholder engagement needed.

There are, however, opportunities for us to show leadership and move forward today. Our MLS® system is the most fundamental example. The system is a key engine driving our housing market, the data we rely on, and the processes we follow to facilitate trading.

When the information added to the system is incorrect, incomplete or abruptly removed, the system is weakened. When, for example, a listing is posted with inaccurate square footage, or it fails to have the required strata documents, public trust in our profession and our MLS® suffers. 

We can do better, both within the membership and at GVR. We are dedicating more resources to oversee data quality on the MLS® and examining new ways to hold those who upload inaccurate or incomplete listings to a higher standard of accountability.

First and foremost, we must follow and enforce the rules already in place. As Section 3.06 of the Rules of Cooperation states, “It is the responsibility of every member to provide to other members clear, accurate and factual information concerning any listing by such member.”

We cannot up our game in this area alone. We need all members and brokerages to lend their support. 

We ask all members to commit to meeting your obligations in the listings you post. It is equally important to notify us if you see other listings with inaccurate or incomplete information.

In a listing on Paragon, click the “correction” button any time you see inaccurate or missing information or documentation on the MLS®. While we may not be able to respond to these notifications instantly, rest assured that we will review anything you flag for us to correct.

The MLS® is our most valuable asset, and it’s up to us all to keep it accurate and robust. Let’s work together to make that happen.

Sincerely,

Jeff King
CEO
Greater Vancouver REALTORS®