Technology Is Changing Real Estate

But Is Real Estate Keeping Up?

Vancouver Realtors are quickly becoming known through out the Real Estate community in North America for being progressive and early adopters of Web 2.0 technology.

Ian Watt was one of the earlier adopters in Vancouver and has began the task of challenging the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver and the Real Estate Council of BC to acknowledge the change in how Realtors do business. More importantly at how Realtors communicate with consumers. See his video on Agent Genius Magazine.

Full marks Ian!

The Board and Council govern Realtor's conduct from two different angles.

The Board is a member based group which is self governing in an effort to protect the reputation of its membership by attempting to ensure consistent and qaulity service to the consumer.

The Council is a governing body apointed by Government to provide strict guidelines to Realtors on how to conduct themselves in communicating with the public, advertising requirements, disclosure and how transactions will be documented and conducted.

Problem is these rules really cover the old school methods and do not apply to the new way of Web 2.0 and Social Media. Web 2.0 has the ability to be of immense benefit to the Real Estate consumer if done right.

The fear is that they will attempt to apply these existing rules to the new methods. This will lead to imperfect rulings and impede the progress towards a better service for consumers.

Hopefully the Board and Council will create a forum where there can be mutual dialogue and work towards a positive resolve.