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Buzz with excitement at BUZZ Calgary AMPLIFY 2026, The Professional Standards Summit

Tue, 12 May 2026 12:36:47 -0600

This year, the BUZZ Calgary Conference will once again feature a number of CREB^® leaders and members as speakers, including CEO and President Alan Tennant and Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie.

New this year are the first BUZZ Calgary awards, which recognize Top Performers, Top Brokerages, Top Proptech Innovators, and Association Executive Leaders who are having a significant impact on the real estate industry and elevating professional standards.

You’ll also hear keynote speaker Don Inouye, CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Canada (REIC), touch on professional standards and the future of the industry, and leave with tips on how to better deliver the services your clients expect in 2026.

The conference will take place June 18, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carriage House Hotel and Conference Centre in Calgary.

Learn more about the conference here.

Office closure: Monday, May 18

Tue, 12 May 2026 12:22:03 -0600

CREB^® will be closed for the Victoria Day statutory holiday on Monday, May 18.

This closure extends to all of CREB^®, including the Member Services Centre. Pillar 9™ Help Desk will also be closed.

Please note: The CREB^®Help Desk will be open on Saturday, May 16, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, May 19. Click here for CREB^®’s hours of operation and here for CREB^® statutory holidays.

Happy May long weekend!

City of Calgary updates that matter to REALTORS®

Tue, 12 May 2026 12:02:00 -0600

The City of Calgary continues to support CREB^® REALTORS^® through practical, timely education that connects municipal processes to everyday real estate work.

Over the past several years, City teams have delivered sessions on topics including tax assessments, subdivisions and development processes, permits, short-term rentals and secondary suites. These updates are designed to help REALTORS^® stay informed, understand evolving requirements and navigate regulatory changes with greater confidence.

By breaking down complex municipal processes into practical guidance, these sessions help reduce uncertainty, support professionalism and contribute to smoother transactions for REALTORS^® and their clients. CREB^® appreciates the City of Calgary’s ongoing partnership and commitment to member education.

Learn directly from the City of Calgary

Members can access City updates and educational resources through:

• City of Calgary home and small business webinars recordings.
• City of Calgary YouTube channel
• The Municipal Connection webinar series available through the CREB^® webinar library.

Upcoming City of Calgary session

Commercial Multi-Family Application Process (online) – Register here
Date: Thursday, May 21 | 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Navigating the commercial multi-family building permit process can be complex. This session will provide Calgary real estate professionals with an overview of the application process, including key review stages, common causes of delays and the information required for a complete submission. Participants will also learn how to avoid common application issues, access City resources and navigate municipal requirements more effectively.

Other sessions coming soon

• Short-Term Rentals – Coming this July
• Clean Energy Program – Coming this October
• City Partners in Planning – Coming this fall

Watch Upcoming Courses for additional City of Calgary sessions and updates.

CREB® Boots, Buckles & BBQ returns July 7

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:05:48 -0600

Dust off your boots and bring your best western flair—CREB^® Boots, Buckles & BBQ is back on July 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join your fellow CREB^® members at CREB^® Campus for one of the summer’s most anticipated events. This high-energy afternoon brings together connection, celebration and Stampede spirit in a relaxed, outdoor setting.

Whether you’re catching up with colleagues, making new connections or simply soaking in the atmosphere, Boots, Buckles & BBQ is your chance to step away from the day-to-day and enjoy Calgary’s favourite time of year—together.

What to expect

This year’s event features something for everyone:

• Live music and a lively outdoor atmosphere
• The Saloon, serving cold drinks
• A hearty western menu, plus dessert, candy and ice cream stations
• Interactive games and activations throughout the event
• A rodeo ticket draw for the Stampede finals, along with additional prizes

Sip for a cause

Every drink makes a difference.

One dollar from each drink purchased at the Saloon will be donated to the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation, supporting initiatives that strengthen our community.

Dress to impress

Bring your western A-game—this is your moment to shine!

The Best of Boots & Buckles competition celebrates standout style, with fun nods to both Stampede and REALTOR^® flair. Whether you’re classic cowpoke, modern western chic or full Stampede glam, come dressed to showcase your personal curb appeal.

Wrangle your compadres for a chance to win a team prize. Non-member friends can join the fun for $30.

Spots are limited, so secure your place and join us for an afternoon of connection, community and Stampede fun!

Celebrate your REALTOR® Community at Diamond Gala

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:34:22 -0600

Prepare your best outfit and dancing shoes! The Diamond Gala is coming up soon on June 20 at Spruce Meadow's Congress Hall.

As CREB^®’s most prestigious event of the year, Diamond Gala honours excellence in real estate through the Long Service and Honourary Life Member awards, as well as the REALTOR® of the Year - T.W.H. (Bill) Saunders Memorial Award, the CREB^® Volunteer of the Year – Marilyn Jones Memorial Award, and Rookie Volunteer of the Year - Glenna Marshall-Roth Award.

With a delicious dinner, entertainment, and the incredible company of the CREB^® REALTOR^® community, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

Tickets are $89 per person and are on sale until June 5 while quantities last. Every year, this event sells out, so make sure you grab your tickets on time!

Event agenda:

• 5 p.m. – Registration & Cocktail Hour
• 6 p.m. – Dinner
• 7 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
• 9 p.m. – Networking & Entertainment
• 11 p.m. – Event ends

Dress code: Dress to impress! Black tie optional.

Please note: When registering yourself and others, use the dropdown to choose who you want to sit with, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Out of respect for the seating preferences of those who register early, table reassignments may not be possible.

For questions about the event, please contact events@creb.ca.

Asian Heritage Month

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:12:25 -0600

It’s Asian Heritage Month! This May, we acknowledge and celebrate the diverse culture and history of Asian communities in Canada and their many achievements and contributions.

The theme for Asian Heritage Month 2026 is: “Honouring Asian Canadians: Stories that Built Canada”.

This recognizes the essential contributions Asian Canadians have made to Canada’s social, cultural, and economic life across generations.

In addition, this theme highlights the numerous ways in which Asian individuals, families and communities have helped build Canada and how their stories are a foundational part of our national history.

We encourage all members to learn more about Asian Canadian communities and how they continue to help shape Canada. Here are some events to check out around the city.

Educational resources

Save on client gifts this Spring

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:02:36 -0600

The CREB^® Affinity Program offers numerous discounts and savings from over 30 businesses. Check out the newest additions, deemed ideal for clients this spring and summer season.

Sparta Movers

Sparta Movers offers 10% off local services and starter packing boxes kit. The company also provides local and long-distance relocations, commercial and office relocations, packing and custom crating, and vehicle and pet relocation.

Rest easy knowing their services include a secure, climate-controlled warehouse for both short-term and long-term storage.

Visit their website or call 587-848-4178 for more information.

The Urban Painter

CREB^® members receive 10% off professional painting services from The Urban Painter.

With over 15 years serving Calgary and area, The Urban Painter offers high-quality interior and exterior painting for residential and commercial properties. Their services also include professional finish spray work such as kitchen cabinets, bannisters and other detailed surfaces.

To access your discount, please contact Michaela Lundquist at michaela@theurbanpainter.com or via phone at 403-999-9082. Don’t forget to mention you’re a CREB^® member!

Venti3

Venti3 offers CREB^® members 25% off all products and services, including custom graphic apparel such as tee shirts, hoodies, aprons, and branded merchandise.
By choosing Venti3, you can create personalized designs featuring your own logo, slogan, or unique graphic idea. Custom apparel can also be a thoughtful gift option for clients as a thank-you or closing gift.

Use discount code CREB25 when ordering on their website. Alternatively, contact info@venti3.ca or call 403-620-4798.

Heritage Calgary marks 25 years with new report

Tue, 05 May 2026 09:45:50 -0600

Heritage Calgary is marking its 25th anniversary with the release of a new report, Heritage Calgary at 25: From Vision to Impact, exploring the organization’s history and the evolution of heritage conservation in Calgary.

Established under the Calgary Heritage Authority Act in 2000, the organization has played an ongoing role in identifying, evaluating, and promoting Calgary’s historic places. In 2019, the Calgary Heritage Authority rebranded as Heritage Calgary and now serves as a civic partner, advising city council on matters related to heritage and maintaining Calgary’s Inventory of Evaluated Historic Resources.

Commissioned with support from the Alberta Real Estate Foundation and Chalmers Heritage Conservation, the report examines how heritage conservation has developed in Calgary, including the policies, partnerships, and community efforts that have shaped the city’s built environment over time.

For CREB^® members, the report offers valuable insight into heritage properties and the communities they’re part of. A stronger understanding of Calgary’s built history can support more informed conversations with clients, particularly when working with older or historically significant homes.

The full report is now available on Heritage Calgary’s website.

Learn more about the ins and outs of listing heritage properties:

2026 CREB® AGM Highlights

Tue, 05 May 2026 09:14:00 -0600

Thank you to all members who attended CREB^®'s 2026 annual general meeting on April 28. Participation at the AGM is an important opportunity for members to participate directly in CREB^®’s governance. If you missed the meeting, here are some of the highlights.

Bylaw amendments

Members voted on and approved all four of the bylaw amendments that were proposed:

• 6.2 Election and Term: The voting window in board elections was extended from 24 hours to 72 hours.
• 6.4 Composition of the Board: The brokerage representation limit on the board of directors was increased from two directors from the same brokerage to three.
• 6.4 Composition of the Board: The franchise representation limit on the board of directors was increased from three directors from the same franchise to four.
• 2.4 Bylaw Amendment: Reference to a position at Service Alberta was updated from “Director” to “Registrar.”

Click here to read more about the bylaw changes that members voted on.

Recognition of retiring directors

At this year’s AGM, we recognized two CREB^® directors whose terms have come to an end. We thank them for their service and commitment and wish them the best.

• Lori Olijnyk, CREB^® Director from 2020 to 2025
• Marco De Iaco, CREB^®’s first Public Director from 2024 to 2026

2025 Annual Report

If you haven't already, we encourage you to read CREB^®’s 2025 annual report for a full review of CREB^®'s, CIBS’ and the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation’s achievements last year.

For past AGM meeting minutes, audited financial statements and other important AGM documents, visit the AGM page on CREB^®Link.

Online Q&A

We thank all attendees who asked questions. Due to time constraints, some questions from online attendees were not answered before the AGM closed. We are pleased to provide answers to those questions below.

Q: Who are the scrutineers for board of director elections?

A: Associate CEO Lisa Latchford and Chief Corporate Services Officer Tammy England are serving as election scrutineers. They were selected based on their skills, experience, and arm’s length position from the election cycle and its associated processes. This helps ensure an objective review of all stages of the election, including verification of notice, nomination, and voting outcomes. As it relates to election matters, CREB^® has strong internal controls including a member-led Audit & Finance Standing Committee. Election processes are also regularly reviewed by our Governance Standing Committee and Board Development & Leadership Standing Committee.

Q: Can the board share if there is evidence or data to support that extending the voting window to 72 hours may increase member participation? Has that work been done?

A: At this time, there is no data indicating that extending the voting window to 72 hours will increase member participation. The proposed bylaw amendment was brought forward to provide members with additional flexibility and opportunity to participate in the voting process.

The Board Development and Leadership Standing Committee (BDLSC) deliberated on the extension of the voting window on multiple occasions and ultimately determined that the extension from 24 hours to 72 hours was an appropriate balance.

Along with this recommendation, the BDLSC outlined the importance of reviewing this change to measure the impact of the extended voting window on voter engagement. A communications strategy will also be developed to raise awareness and continue supporting member participation in future votes.

Q: What resources or evidence has the board presented to indicate that the composition rules have caused a reduction in participation?

A: At this time, the Board does not have quantitative or statistical evidence demonstrating that the composition rules directly caused a reduction in participation. It is not possible to conclusively measure this impact, as members who were ineligible under the existing rules may have self selected not to seek nomination based on those eligibility requirements. As a result, the Governance Standing Committee’s assessment was informed by observed outcomes and experience rather than formal participation data.

Recent election cycles provided practical examples of these limitations. The November 2025 election presented challenges due to the number of eligible candidates from a single franchise competing for a limited number of Board positions. Similarly, the December 2025 by election did not receive any eligible candidates, as those who had expressed interest were ineligible under the existing composition restrictions.

Further information on this bylaw amendment can be found here.

We have also seen several occasions in the past five years where a candidate receiving a higher number of votes had to be set aside due to bylaw restrictions. The board and standing committees felt this was an important change to embrace a best-person philosophy. As always, we remain committed to ongoing improvement and evaluating how these changes are working in practice.

Q: Can you share why directors are leaving?

A: Directors resign and are very occasionally removed from roles for many reasons, and those reasons are private information to that individual. CREB^® respects the privacy of directors who choose to step away from volunteer service and does not disclose their reasons.

To minimize director turnover, CREB^® has a number of processes in place to ensure potential new directors are fully aware of the expectations and requirements of the director role. Plus, we have an extensive onboarding program that includes peer support and professional development investments.

Q: How does increasing brokerage/franchise concentration on the board address member concerns about transparency, director resignations, litigation, and lack of trust? Is this solving participation, or avoiding a failure in governance?

A: We see these as separate issues, and it’s important not to conflate them.

The proposed amendment to the brokerage and franchise limits was intended to ensure that qualified and capable members are not excluded from board service solely because a numerical threshold has been reached. Broadening eligibility supports stronger participation and helps ensure the board benefits from the best available talent, regardless of brokerage or franchise affiliation. This change is about inclusion and representation—not avoiding scrutiny or accountability.

From time to time, questions arise about director resignations or legal matters. These circumstances do not, on their own, signal a failure in governance. Board decisions are made thoughtfully, in good faith, and with appropriate advice where required. As these matters reach their natural conclusions, and where disclosure is permitted, members will have the opportunity to review the outcomes directly. Directors also step down or very occasionally are removed for a variety of reasons, and CREB^® respects their privacy.

CREB^® values transparency and trust. While questions have been raised by a small number of members, we believe it is important to respond thoughtfully. Transparency means sharing the right information at the right time particularly when legal processes are ongoing. Good governance also means listening to all perspectives, following established policy and process, and making decisions that serve the long term interests of the entire membership.

In short, expanding eligibility for board service is meant to strengthen participation and access to leadership, while maintaining accountability. Strong governance relies on both fairness and oversight, and this amendment is designed to support the board’s effectiveness in service of all members.

The fact that litigation has been initiated does not, on its own, confirm a problem with governance. In Canada, the legal process exists to allow claims to be tested, responses to be provided, and decisions to be made based on the facts. Once that process has begun, it must be allowed to run its course. If the outcome identifies areas where governance should evolve, we welcome that guidance as part of our ongoing commitment to improvement.

Q: What is behind all these legal and governance challenges?

A: We cannot speculate on how these legal and governance matters may be connected. That determination is best left to the appropriate legal processes, and we trust that greater clarity will come in due course.

If we missed any questions, or you have something you wish to ask, you can post it here or email it to: Susanita.deDiego@gmail.com or Alan.Tennant@creb.ca.

Celebrating Mental Health Month with CREB®'s Health and Wellness Resources

Tue, 05 May 2026 08:39:24 -0600

May is Mental Health Month, so we thought we’d do a round up of some of the health and wellness resources that are available to CREB^® members.

Health and wellness resources on CREB^®Link

Last year, we introduced a new Health & Wellness section on CREB^®Link to connect you with the many CREB^® and community resources available to you, including:

• Community supports you can access for mental health and substance use issues
• CREB^® resources such as videos and webinars on anxiety, burnout and more
• The REALTOR^® Assistance Program that’s available to members and their families
• Workplace safety for REALTORS^®, including information from CREA, NAR and the my-eforce REALTOR^® Safety App that CREB^® provides to all members at no cost
RAW: REALTOR^® and Assistant Wellness Peer Support Program

Earlier this year, the Connecting Members Standing Committee launched the REALTOR^® and Assistant Wellness (RAW) peer support program. Safe, confidential and facilitated by CREB^® members for CREB^® members, RAW meetings are held the first Thursday of every month (the next one is this Thursday, May 7) at the CREB^® Campus.

If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, other mental illnesses, alcohol use or any form of addiction, or any of a number of issues, we invite you try out a meeting.

Click here to find out more about RAW on CREB^®Link.

Mental Health Month events

The Calgary section of the Canadian Mental Health Association has a number of events and activities planned for Mental Health Month that are centred around health, wellness and connection. Check out the calendar of events to discover everything from a river walk to RAIN meditation, pot painting to poetry, and drumming to drama games.

Investment, Resilience, and Innovation: Lessons from Greg Houston

Tue, 05 May 2026 08:37:00 -0600

In this episode of CREB^®Cast, Sam Randhawa interviews broker-owner and former CREB^® President, Greg Houston, who shares his 1972 start in real estate, early experiences and the launch of his own brokerage.

Greg reflects on market booms and busts, the oil embargo and early-80s crash, and how real estate investing helped him build stability. He discusses serving on the Calgary Real Estate Board, including as president in 1989, industry changes from paper listings to modern tech, and the need to be discerning amid AI and misinformation.

Highlights include his long-term ownership philosophy, community involvement, and being the first donor to the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation.

Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube.

What the heck is governance, really?

Tue, 05 May 2026 08:27:01 -0600

While talking with a long-term member recently, I had an “a-ha” moment when the discussion turned to the topic of governance and he said, “I love being a REALTOR^®, but I don’t get all this talk about governance; what the heck is governance, really”?

At member-driven organizations such as CREB^®, governance is a word that is often mentioned at meetings, in strategic plans and in member communications. What we don’t often hear are discussions about what the heck governance is, what it isn’t, and what good governance looks like. Most importantly, not much is said about why it matters to you, a busy REALTOR^® out there earning a living.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll answer those questions and more in this series as we explore aspects of CREB^®’s governance and how they affect you.

To break this down, we’ll start with something we all know and see. Naturally, when we hear the word “governance” our first thoughts go to how the government works (or doesn’t, but that’s another article). However, the term governance also applies to many different types of non-government organizations, from private companies to professional organizations such as CREB^® to the charities that the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation funds and even the Foundation itself.

The CREA Leadership courses that are available to all members define governance as “the rules and practices by which the board of directors ensures accountability, fairness, and transparency in its decision making….The rules for governing are defined in the association’s by-laws and other governance documents.” At CREB^®, the board of directors is elected by members, so you all have a direct role in the organization’s governance, too.

As an analogy, let’s take your brokerage. A good brokerage has strong, focused leadership whose vision aligns with the agents and staff who all call it “their” brokerage. The key right from the start is that you won’t have a strong culture and viable long-term outlook if the leadership is going in one direction and everyone else in another. There may not be elections, but agents and staff can and do vote with their feet.

The next thing you observe about great brokerages is that they have strong systems, policies and processes to keep things organized and efficient. You could say these govern how the operational affairs of the brokerage are managed or overseen by the people who are accountable. Although most people wouldn’t refer to this as brokerage “governance,” that is essentially what it is. Various levels of government also have oversight of the brokerage in the form of financial and other filings, which in effect measure whether the brokerage’s governance meets required standards in these areas.

Just like there isn’t one right way to run a brokerage, there is no definitive right or wrong way to do governance at an organization such as CREB^®. Understanding how an organization’s governance works—and why it works that way—is the first step towards ensuring it is delivering what you need, whether it is your brokerage, your real estate board or any other organization in your life.

Over my 26-year career as a REALTOR^®, I was a broker and I had brokers work for me. I always had the approach that I worked “at” a brokerage, and the broker was there to work for the agents. In the short time I was a broker, I quickly learned the importance of not only listening, but being open about the limitations our tiny brokerage had in serving our agents. Managing expectations is a challenge in every business and CREB^® is no different.

Some of the offices I worked at in Airdrie were small, some medium sized and for a time, I was at one of the largest Calgary brokerages—believe me, I had thoughts on how well each was run or governed. The brokers I learned the most from, and who had the best operations, were extremely good listeners and even better at welcoming suggestions.

Listening is a key part of effective governance, as well as operations, and that will be the topic of my next article. In the meantime, does the analogy to brokerage operations help explain what the heck governance is, really?

I look forward to exploring the question: “What the heck is governance” with you in the comments below, at our events, on the phone or you can pop by my office in the SW corner of the main floor at CREB^® Campus. Let’s get the conversation started!

Alan.Tennant@CREB.ca
403-461-2987

2026 Community and Transformation Grants are now open

Tue, 05 May 2026 07:30:00 -0600

The CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation (CRCF) has opened grant applications for 2026, supporting housing- and shelter-related initiatives across Calgary and area. The foundation is awarding a total of $360,000 in funding this year through its Community and Transformation Grants.

The Foundation is awarding a total of $360,000 in funding this year to support housing- and shelter-related initiatives across Calgary and area.

The two grant streams are designed to support projects of varying scales and help organizations keep people housed and improve housing quality for those who need it most.

“Access to safe and stable housing is essential for strong communities,” said Christian Twomey, Chair of the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation. “These grants allow the REALTORS^® who belong to the Calgary Real Estate Board the ability to support organizations that are making a meaningful difference for vulnerable Calgarians.”

Since 1987, CREB^® REALTORS^® have collectively invested more than $9.8 million into communities across Calgary and the surrounding area through the Foundation, supporting over 165 non-profit organizations focused on housing and shelter.

Community Grants
The Community Grant funds major repairs or renovations to existing housing or shelter spaces to help keep people housed in the community.

Transformation Grants
The Transformation Grant provides funding for minor renovation projects to existing infrastructure to improve housing quality for the community's most vulnerable residents.

Organizations in Calgary and surrounding areas are encouraged to review the grant funding guidelines and apply before the June 30, 2026 deadline.

The pot is growing: Increase your impact with the Spring 50/50

Mon, 04 May 2026 15:56:00 -0600

Every Spring 50/50 raffle ticket helps the CREB^® REALTOR^®Community Foundation invest in housing and shelter initiatives across Calgary and area.

Led by local REALTORS^®, the Foundation has invested more than $9.8 million in local communities since 1987, supporting over 165 local non-profits.

In 2025 alone, the Foundation awarded $1,298,695. This includes a three-year, $1 million commitment to the Calgary Dream Centre.

When you buy a ticket, you are not just taking a shot at half the pot. You are also supporting housing and shelter initiatives across the community.

The raffle is open to both CREB^® members and the public, and it only takes a minute to get involved.

• Ticket sales close May 27 at 11:59 p.m.
• Draw date: May 28

Get in while the pot — and the impact — keeps growing.

REALTORS Care® Day – Last call for registrations

Mon, 04 May 2026 15:52:00 -0600

There’s still time to take part in REALTORS Care^® Day on May 12 at the Calgary Dream Centre, but registration closes May 7.

This hands-on volunteer day brings CREB^®members together to support spring clean-up projects that help keep the Dream Centre’s facilities and program spaces ready to serve those who rely on them.

The Calgary Dream Centre is a recipient of the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation’s $1 million three-year Legacy Grant, supporting the development of safe, accessible housing for vulnerable Calgarians.

If you’re able to join us, we encourage you to secure your spot before registration closes.

Can’t attend? You can still help make an impact by donating clothing, non-perishable food items, and personal hygiene products to support Dream Centre residents. Donations can be dropped off at CREB^®’s member desk until May 11 or brought directly to the Dream Centre on May 12.

We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful day!

Clean energy improvement program

Mon, 04 May 2026 15:33:00 -0600

The Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP) is a financing program run by Alberta Municipalities that loans residential property owners up to $50,000 of the upfront costs of energy-efficiency and renewable energy upgrades. Click here to see the complete list of eligible home upgrades.

Participants repay the loan over time through a Clean Energy Improvement tax added to their property tax bill. The financing is tied to the property—not the owner—and may be transferred to a new owner if the property is sold.

Don’t get caught off guard by the financial responsibilities that come with a property that has participated in CEIP. Know where to look for this information to help prepare your client for a smooth transition.

Contact the City of Calgary at ceip@calgary.ca to determine whether a CEIP loan is attached to a property before listing or writing an offer.

Payment terms

Owners have up to 20 years to pay back CEIP loans, based on the lifespan of the upgrades chosen. View the program’s full Terms and Conditions here.

Things to consider when selling a property with a Clean Energy Improvement loan attached to it:

• The seller must disclose the Clean Energy Improvement agreement to their REALTOR^® and prospective buyers.
• The Clean Energy Improvement tax appears on the property’s tax certificate and as a line item on the annual property tax bill.
• The tax can be transferred to the new owner or paid off in full.
• Before listing a property or making an offer on a property outside of Calgary, check with the municipality to confirm whether CEIP loans are offered.

When purchasing a property with a Clean Energy Improvement tax:

• The seller should provide the buyer with a copy of the Clean Energy Improvement Agreement, which outlines the upgrades made to the property.
• The buyer should decide whether to assume the repayments or require the seller to pay the balance in full.
• To assume the payments, the buyer and seller must sign the Assignment, Novation and Release form (Schedule E in the Clean Energy Improvement Agreement), available on the City of Calgary website, and submit it to the city.
• Buyers should be aware that any outstanding repayments may remain on the property after possession, regardless of whether the required paperwork has been completed.

The City of Calgary has created a helpful resource for buying or selling a property with a CEIP loan: Buying or selling a home info sheet.

With demand for energy-efficient homes on the rise, and programs such as the CEIP available to support upgrades, be sure to look for signs of financial obligations tied to the property. These may include liens and caveats on title, as well as amounts shown on the property tax bill.

If you would like to learn more, the City of Calgary provides additional information on Clean Energy Improvement taxes in the “Resources” section of its webpage, Clean Energy Improvement Program (CEIP).

Balanced conditions in the city, except for apartment-style units

Fri, 01 May 2026 11:00:49 -0600

In line with seasonal expectations, both sales and inventory levels trended up relative to March’s activity. Despite this typical monthly rise, April sales totalled 2,104 units, six per cent lower than levels reported in 2025.

“Sales were expected to ease this year as our market transitioned away from strong demand that was driven by previously rapid migration growth. Improved supply choice across the entire housing spectrum has reduced the urgency among potential purchasers, helping our market shift away from seller’s market conditions to more balanced conditions,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB®’s Chief Economist. “However, the trend of limited supply choice in the detached market continues, while conditions favour the buyer in the apartment condominium market.”

With 3,829 new listings in April, the sales-to-new-listings ratio remained at 55 per cent, supporting a modest monthly gain in supply. Inventory levels reached 5,973 units, nearly two per cent higher than levels reported last April. Overall, the months of supply remained just below three, representing relatively balanced conditions. However, this ranged from just over two months for detached homes to over four months for apartment-style homes.

The unadjusted total residential benchmark price trended up compared with March, reaching $568,800. The monthly gain was mostly associated with seasonal improvements, which is expected heading into the spring market. Monthly gains were higher in the detached and semi-detached segments. Overall, compared with the previous year, prices remain three per cent lower, with modest year-over-year declines in the detached and semi-detached sector, while declines neared nine per cent for apartment-style units.

So far in 2026, conditions have varied, ranging from seller’s market conditions and price growth for detached homes in some parts of the city to buyer’s market conditions and price adjustments in the apartment condominium sector.

To read the full stats release on April’s housing market for Calgary and surrounding areas, click here.

Find sharable monthly stats from CREB® on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.

Click here to view the full City of Calgary monthly stats package.

Click here to view the full Calgary region monthly stats package.

Join us for the AGM today!

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:48:00 -0600

How did CREB^® perform in 2025? What’s the financial situation at CREB^®? Get answers to these and other questions you may have at the Annual General Meeting today, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at CREB^® Campus or online.

Why attend the AGM?

• Learn organizational highlights and financial updates from 2025
• Engage in the decision-making process and vote on bylaw changes at CREB^®
• Discover our strategic direction for 2026 and beyond
• Make your voice heard and ask questions/provide feedback to the board
• Network with fellow CREB^® members and industry professionals

AGM Agenda

• 1:00 p.m. – Meeting kick-off and welcome remarks
• 1:05 p.m. – Critical Illness Benefit Society AGM
• 1:40 p.m. – CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation AGM
• 2:15 p.m. – CREB^® AGM
• 3:15 p.m. – CREB^® Member Satisfaction Survey Results: Alec Milne, Framework Analytics
• 3:45 p.m. – Networking reception begins
• 4:30 p.m. – Event ends

Proposed Bylaw Amendments

Your active involvement is essential in shaping the future of CREB^®'s governance. By participating in the AGM, you have the opportunity to influence bylaw amendments.

This year, the proposed amendments include:

6.2 Election and Term: Extending the voting window from 24 hours to 72 hours
6.4 Composition of the Board: Increasing the brokerage representation limit from two to three
6.4 Composition of the Board: Increasing the franchise representation limit from three to four
2.4 Bylaw Amendment: A housekeeping change to update the reference to a position at Service Alberta

Click here to review the current bylaws and the full details of the proposed amendments.

For further information on the event details and proposed bylaw amendments, please visit the AGM page CREB^®Link.

Please note that registration is complimentary, and all members who join the meeting in person or online will be able to vote and make comments.

AREA condominium form updates

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:36:26 -0600

AREA recently updated provisions within its condominium contracts and schedules, as described in the table below.

The table uses Clause 8.2 from the Residential Resale Condominium Property Purchase Contract as an example; however, the complete list of affected forms and the applicable clause numbers is provided below the table.

The changes are shown in red in the middle column, with a brief explanation in the right-hand column.

Original Clause	Updated Clause	What this means
(4) copies of the following, to the extent that they exist: h. a statement from the condominium corporation setting out the criteria used to determine unit factor allocation (if not already addressed in the information statement);	(4) copies of the following, to the extent that they exist: ~~h. a statement from the condominium corporation setting out the criteria used to determine unit factor allocation (if not already addressed in the information statement);~~	This statement has been removed and is no longer required, if applicable, as part of the Condominium Documents.
(6) copies of reports prepared for the condominium corporation by professionals since the date of the most recent reserve fund study, including professional engineers but excluding reports requested and obtained by the corporation’s legal counsel in relation to actual or contemplated litigation;	(6) copies of reports prepared for the condominium corporation by professionals since the date of the most recent reserve fund study, including professional engineers but excluding documents that are subject to legal privilege ~~reports requested and obtained by the corporation’s legal counsel in relation to actual or contemplated litigation;~~	Clarifies the exclusion of documents that are subject to legal privilege.
New content	(10) any technical analysis prepared under section 21.2 of the Act and Part 3.2 of the Condominium Property Regulation;	Added to include documents not previously covered.
New content	(11) any Notice of Proposed Chargeback or Statement of Chargeback served on the seller, if applicable;	Added to include documents not previously covered.

Forms affected

• Exclusive Seller Representation Residential Condominium Schedule (clauses 4 to 11)
• Residential Resale Condominium Property Purchase Contract (Clause 8.2)
• Country Residential Condominium Property Schedule (Clause 3.1)
• Agricultural Purchase Contract Condominium Property Schedule (Clause 3.1)
• Commercial Purchase Contract Condominium Property Schedule (Clause 3.1)

Join us for upcoming condo courses

It’s always good practice to stay current on the complexity of condominium listings. Attend the following upcoming courses to keep up to date:

• June 9, 2026 — Certified Condominium Specialist
• June 23, 2026 — Condo Documents Essentials

Click the course title to find out more about what you’ll learn and to register.

Introducing our new series: What the heck is governance?

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:17:00 -0600

Governance can sound like the kind of word that belongs in a boardroom—or a textbook. At CREB^®, governance is simply the framework that helps us make decisions, stay accountable to members, and keep the organization moving in a clear, consistent direction.

And because it quietly shapes so much of what members experience, it deserves a plain-language conversation.

We will get into this more in next week’s article, but for now think of governance as ensuring that the bylaws and policies the Board of Directors approves are translated into workplace practices and procedures that must be followed. It’s the CEO’s job to make sure this happens. As CREB^®’s President and CEO, one of my responsibilities is to ensure that appropriate governance practices are in place and effective.

Thus, I am excited to launch What the heck is governance . . . because it gives us a chance to slow down and explore a topic that’s often mentioned but rarely explained.

Rather than trying to squeeze a complex subject into a single update, we’re going to take a series approach—one idea at a time—so it’s easier to follow and helps you see how governance connects to your work.

What we’ll cover

What governance is (and what it isn’t)
How decisions are made at CREB^®—and who is accountable for what
How member input is gathered, considered, and used
Transparency: what you can expect to see, and why some things look the way they do

The role of listening vs. talking (and why that balance matters)
- How governance evolves over time while staying grounded in consistent policies and processes
- Anything else that strikes our fancy…

Where and when you’ll see it

New articles will appear weekly under the CREB^®Chat banner in CREB^®Talk. Each piece will build on the last, but you’ll also be able to read them as standalone articles—so you can jump in at any time.

An intentional, well-paced conversation

Our goal isn’t to rush to conclusions or talk past one another. It’s to create space for a thoughtful, member-focused conversation—one that respects your time and acknowledges that not everyone starts with the same context.

As you read along, we invite you to reflect, share questions, and stay with the series as it unfolds. The best governance conversations are the ones that are clear, curious, and grounded in how we serve members.

Feel free to reach out with your suggestions for topics or if you have anything you want to discuss. You can pop by my office on the main floor, in the SW corner of the CREB^®Campus, or contact me directly at Alan.Tennant@CREB.ca or 403-461-2987.

Supporting respectful, professional dialogue on CREB®Talk and CREB®Link

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 09:05:00 -0600

In last week’s edition of CREB^®Talk, we shared the results of the poll on whether comments in CREB^®Talk and CREB^®Link should be left on or turned off. The message from the poll was clear: members value the ability to comment, ask questions, and share perspectives on CREB^®Talk and CREB^®Link—and we are committed to keeping that space available.

After taking time to reflect on the feedback shared—both through the comment function and from members who reached out directly—it is clear that open dialogue is valued.

Providing a place for discussion on topics that affect members is ultimately the reason comments were enabled in CREB^®Talk and CREB^®Link. As we move forward, it’s equally important that we are clear about the shared role we all play in protecting the quality and professionalism of those conversations.

Why comment guidelines matter

CREB^®Talk and CREB^®Link are professional platforms intended to support open, respectful conversation among REALTORS^®. Commenting is not about agreement, it’s about contributing perspectives in a way that advances understanding, dialogue, and trust within our membership.

To facilitate these discussions, we have comment guidelines that are designed to:

Encourage diverse viewpoints shared respectfully
Ensure conversations remain constructive, professional, and relevant

These guidelines apply consistently—whether a comment is supportive, critical, or questioning.

What our comment guidelines say (and what they mean)

In practical terms, comments should:

Focus on ideas, issues, or decisions—not individuals
Be professional in tone and language, even when expressing disagreement
Avoid assumptions about motives, character, or intent
Contribute meaningfully to the topic being discussed

Comments do not need to be complimentary or supportive—but they do need to be respectful, factual, and appropriate for a professional audience.

Occasionally, comments may be removed. This is not about silencing dissent—it is about upholding shared professional standards. A comment may be removed if it:

Is personal, derogatory, or accusatory
Discredits or targets identifiable individuals or groups
Contains inflammatory, defamatory, or harmful language
Moves from expressing an opinion into speculation or allegation
Undermines respectful dialogue or the credibility of the forum

The decision to remove a comment is made with great care and with the goal of maintaining a space where all members feel safe to participate.

These expectations are not new. They are grounded in existing professional obligations:

CREB^® Rule 5.01 – Member Communication requires members to be solely responsible for the content they transmit and prohibits communications that are unlawful, harassing, defamatory, abusive, misleading, or harmful in nature.
Article 21 of the REALTOR^® Code – Conduct Unbecoming establishes that REALTORS^® must not engage in conduct that is unprofessional or unbecoming of the profession—even outside the direct provision of real estate services.

Together, these standards reinforce the importance of professionalism, accountability, and respect in all member communications.

A practical example: Questionable vs. constructive

The example below shows how framing and word choice can help ensure comments are constructive, professional, and aligned with our shared expectations.

Questionable comment:

“This rule change is stupid and clearly shows that the people making these decisions don’t understand how we actually work.”

Why this is problematic:

While the comment reflects frustration, it shifts from critiquing the rule itself to attacking the intelligence and competence of those involved. Labeling the rule as “stupid” and questioning intent or capability personalizes the issue and can shut down productive dialogue.

Reframed constructive comment:

“I’m concerned that this new rule may create unintended challenges in day to day practice. I’d appreciate more insight into the rationale behind it and whether practical day to day impacts were considered.”

Why this works:

This version raises the same concern but does so in a respectful, issue focused way. It avoids inflammatory language, invites explanation, and creates space for discussion—supporting a more productive and professional exchange.

Our shared responsibility

The strength of CREB^®Talk and CREB^®Link depends on all of us. Open dialogue and professionalism are not competing values—they are mutually reinforcing.

We encourage members to:

Speak up
Ask questions
Share perspectives
Challenge ideas respectfully

By doing so, we maintain a forum that reflects the professionalism of REALTORS^® and supports healthy, productive dialogue for the entire membership.

Our industry reflects a wide range of perspectives, and it’s natural that members will not always agree with every decision or direction taken by CREB^®. A key responsibility of the organization is to thoughtfully balance these diverse views in its decision-making. All viewpoints are valued and carefully considered, even when the final decision ultimately takes a different path.

Thank you for continuing to engage thoughtfully and respectfully.

Key takeaways from amendments to the Condominium Property Act

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:36:03 -0600

The Government of Alberta has announced amendments to the Service Alberta Statutes Amendment Act, 2024, introducing significant changes to the Condominium Property Act. Below are key takeaways.

A new Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal

A new Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal (CDRT) began operations on April 1, 2026, providing condominium owners and boards with an alternative to court for resolving disputes.

The CDRT provides dispute resolution support through a streamlined process that may include mediation or adjudication, where required.

For more information on the CDRT, click here.

Chargeback process

Chargebacks are now treated like condominium contributions if allowed by the condominium corporation’s bylaws. This means you can be billed for costs, such as for damages or rule violations, and those charges are as enforceable as your monthly condo fees.

The amendments establish requirements for issuing a chargeback, including due diligence by condominium boards to determine responsibility for costs. A board must pass a resolution to issue a chargeback to a unit owner and must provide notice within 90 days of the board becoming aware of the chargeback. Unit owners then have 30 days to respond.

Voting

The amendments introduce a simplified voting framework for condominium corporation meetings, although the condominium bylaws still dictate the voting method to be used.

1. Owner vote: Each owner gets one vote per unit they own. You can use this voting method if the condominium bylaws allow it or don’t say anything about voting. IF the bylaws already set a different voting method, then you must follow that method instead.

2. Unit factor vote: Replaces the term “poll voting” and refers to voting based on unit factors assigned to each unit.

Technical analysis

All new condominium builds will require a technical analysis to be completed within four years of the first unit being occupied.

This requirement does not apply to buildings occupied before Feb. 26, 2026.

Additional protections to board members

If someone sues a board member personally for something they did (or didn’t do) while acting for the condominium, and the case is unsuccessful, the court may now order that person to pay the board member’s legal costs.

Looking for more details?

To learn more about the amendments, click here.

Check out these courses to learn more about condominiums:

Virtual staging vs. virtual enhancing: How to avoid misrepresenting a property

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:50:00 -0600

With an abundance of powerful staging tools available, it’s easy to get creative and unintentionally push image edits beyond what accurately reflects a property.

To avoid misrepresentation, it’s important to understand the difference between virtual staging and virtual enhancing, and how to elevate property photos without making material changes.

What is virtual staging?

Virtual staging means adding virtual unattached goods (chattels) of realistic size to property photos in order to give perspective on room dimensions.

Examples of acceptable virtual staging include:

• Staging a master bedroom with a queen- or king-size bed and nightstands that would realistically fit the space
• Staging a dining room with a table suited to the room size, chairs that don’t crowd walkways, and a simple centerpiece

When virtually staging a property, ensure the items included would realistically fit the space to avoid unintentionally creating the impression that an area is larger than it is.

Tip: Disclose the use of virtually staged images in the public remarks (refer to CREB^® Rules Part III, 2.04(g)).

What is virtual enhancing?

Virtual enhancing means virtually changing, adding, or augmenting features on property photos that would materially affect the property value. This may include walls, or changing the layout, locations, size, or type of windows.

Virtually enhanced images, or any images that may misrepresent a property, are not permitted on the board’s MLS^® System.

Examples of virtual enhancing include:

• Replacing carpet with hardwood flooring
• Moving appliances, sinks, or plumbing fixtures
• Adding windows, skylights, beams, fireplaces or built-ins that do not exist
• Altering a property to show it in a better state of repair than its current condition

Reminder: While it can be helpful to illustrate potential renovations, these images must not be used to advertise the property in the listing photos. If shared, they should be uploaded to the supplements section and clearly identified as renovation concepts.

The risks of using AI to edit listing photos

Using AI to virtually stage property photos may appear simple, but it introduces important risks.

Once an image is uploaded to an AI tool and altered, ownership of the resulting image becomes unclear. To upload images to Pillar 9™, you must confirm you have the right to grant ownership of those images. If copyright becomes unclear, this representation cannot be made.

AI tools may also make unintended changes. For example, they may alter house numbers, replace appliances or remove an entire room, as the tool may interpret these changes as enhancements. These changes can be difficult to detect.

To avoid misrepresenting a property, avoid using AI to edit listing photos.

Case study:

In one instance, a real estate agent posted digitally altered photos on the MLS^® System by adding furnishings not present in the property, without disclosing the photos were digitally modified, and showing the property in a better state of repair than it was. This resulted in $1,000 in regulator fines under the Real Estate Services Act.

While this penalty was not a result of violating the CREB^® Rules, this example demonstrates that consumers and industry members rely on MLS^® System images to meet reasonable standards and maintain trust and credibility.

Have questions?

Contact the Member Practice team at advice@creb.ca.

2026 Foundation Grants opening soon

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:41:14 -0600

The CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation (CRCF) is set to open grant applications for its Community and Transformation Grants on May 1, 2026. This year, the Foundation will award a total of $360,000 in funding.

Each of the grant streams supports projects of varying scales and funds local housing- and shelter-related initiatives for those who need it most.

Community Grants

The Community Grant funds major repairs or renovations to existing housing or shelter spaces to help keep people housed in the community.

Transformation Grants

The Transformation Grant provides funding for minor renovation projects to existing infrastructure to improve housing quality for the community's most vulnerable residents.

“CREB^® REALTORS^® are deeply connected to the communities they serve,” said Christian Twomey, chair of the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation. “Through these grants, CREB^® members are proud to support local organizations working every day to keep people housed and improve housing conditions for those who need it most.”

Non-profit organizations in Calgary and surrounding communities are encouraged to review the CREB^® grant funding guidelines and determine eligibility.

Applications are open from May 1 to June 30, 2026, and can be found here.

Roll up your sleeves for REALTORS Care® Day

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:47:35 -0600

CREB^® members are invited to take part in REALTORS Care^® Day on May 12 at the Calgary Dream Centre, a hands-on volunteer opportunity that supports an organization working to strengthen housing and community programs in Calgary.

During the event, members will support spring clean-up projects that help keep the Dream Centre’s facilities and program spaces ready to serve those who rely on them.

This REALTORS Care^® Day builds on the Foundation’s partnership with the Calgary Dream Centre, which received the CREB^® REALTOR^®Community Foundation’s $1 million, three-year Legacy Grant in 2025 to support the development of safe, accessible housing for vulnerable Calgarians.

Members who are unable to attend the volunteer day can still take part by donating clothing, non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products to support the Calgary Dream Centre and its residents. Donations can be dropped off at CREB^®’s member desk until May 11 or brought directly to the Dream Centre on May 12.

By volunteering or donating, CREB^® members continue to demonstrate the leadership and community commitment that REALTORS^® bring to Calgary and area.

Help strengthen our impact – sign up here by May 7 to secure your spot!

What members told us about comments on CREB®Talk

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:03:31 -0600

Thank you to all members who took the time to share their perspectives—whether through the comments function on CREB^®Talk or by reaching out to us directly. We appreciate your engagement and the thoughtful input provided over the past week.

Poll participation

• 133 responses
• 49 responses were received before a technical fix to the poll was made on April 8, and 84 after the fix

Poll analysis

Responses were received both before and after a technical fix was implemented, which required careful review to assess the reliability of the results. Analysis of the pre and post fix responses shows consistent overall support for keeping comments enabled.

Overall results (133 completions):

• Leave comments on: 125 (94%)
• Turn comments off: 8 (6%)

Pre technical fix results (49 completions):

• Leave comments on: 41 (84%)
• Turn comments off: 8 (16%)

Post technical fix results (84 completions; fix implemented just before noon on Wednesday, April 8):

• Leave comments on: 84 (100%)
• Turn comments off: 0 (0%)

A clear majority of responses were received after the technical issue was resolved, lending additional confidence to the results. Credibility is further supported by the consistently low number of responses favouring turning comments off, both before and after the fix.

Overall, the results send a clear and consistent message: members strongly support keeping the comment function enabled.

What we’re doing

We heard you. Comments will remain enabled on CREB^®Talk and CREB^®Link articles.

Members consistently told us that they value the ability to share perspectives, ask questions, and engage in dialogue through comments. That feedback matters.
What we heard from you

Beyond the poll results, some members took the time to comment or contact us directly. While not every comment is reflected below, we want to play back the key themes we heard clearly and respectfully.

High level themes included:

• Turning comments off is seen as limiting communication rather than improving it
• Fair and consistent moderation matters more than silencing discussion
• Members value diverse perspectives even if they differ from their own
• Open commenting is viewed by many as important to transparency, accountability, and good governance
• CREB^®Talk is seen as a rare and valuable forum for open member dialogue
• There is a strong desire for more member engagement—especially during times of organizational change
• Concerns were raised about poll integrity and clarity, particularly around technical issues and process transparency
• Respectful, professional discourse is essential; unmanaged behaviour can undermine dialogue
• Some members emphasized personal responsibility and self regulation to maintain constructive discussion

What happens next

We are taking the time to carefully digest what you’ve shared. There’s a lot to consider—some feedback reinforces what’s working well today, some highlights opportunities for improvement, and some may warrant deeper thought and further engagement.

Honouring member input means taking it seriously, reflecting on it thoughtfully, and being willing to evolve where it makes sense.

Our goal remains the same: to create a safe space where all members feel comfortable sharing their perspectives professionally and respectfully.

CREA motions and regional director election results

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:11:00 -0600

Regional delegates from across the country gathered today at the Canadian Real Estate Association’s (CREA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) to vote on two recommendations affecting member dues.

The results of the vote were as follows:

• The recommendation to introduce a two per cent annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to member dues beginning Jan. 1, 2027, was approved by delegates, with 58.6% voting in favour.

• The recommendation to implement a $30 per member annual special assessment for two years to rebuild the Legal Defense Fund was approved by delegates, with 55.5% voting in favour.

CREB^®’s voting delegates were Board Chair Susanita de Diego and Chair-Elect Matt McBean, as directed by the CREB^® Governance Manual, Section 4.1.3 Relationship and Engagement Policy. (Click the link to go to the full CREB^® Governance Manual or scroll down to read the policy at the end of this article.)

In deciding to vote in favour of these motions, Board Chair de Diego and Chair-Elect McBean considered a number of factors, ranging from internal CREB^® matters, emerging issues in the Canadian real estate industry, and various forms of member feedback.

The latter includes the March poll that was used as a temperature check of member sentiment, discussions with CREB^®'s volunteer leaders at the board and standing committee levels, and conversations with members.

“It’s an honour to represent CREB^® and our members at this annual gathering of the Canadian real estate industry,” said Board Chair de Diego. “When I connect with REALTORS^® and our industry partners from across Canada, I can’t help but feel proud to be part of a community that is working together to strengthen the profession and deliver meaningful value to the members we serve.”

“As one of Canada’s larger real estate boards, CREB^® has a strong voice at the CREA AGM,” said Chair-Elect McBean. “Ultimately, the voting on the motions represents the collective voices of REALTORS^® across Canada, which makes the entire industry stronger.”

New Alberta/NWT Regional Director

The CREA AGM also included an election for the Alberta/NWT Regional Director on its board. Congratulations to Jennifer Lucas on being elected the Alberta/NWT Regional Director on the CREA Board of Directors.

Details of CREA recommendations and other AGM updates can be found at: https://member.crea.ca/resources-compliance/2026agmresources/

CREB^® Governance Manual, Section 4.1.3 Relationship and Engagement Policy

The Board and its Directors will foster robust dialogue, encouraging an environment which invites multiple perspectives from all Directors and generates innovative and strategic conversations leading to the best possible decisions.

In advance of CREA meetings, every effort will be made to anticipate potential amendments and discussion. Where this is not possible or discussion on the floor generates new information, CREB^®’s representatives may act or not act as long as the decision is consistent with CREB^®’s Mission, Objectives and Policies.

In the absence of a stated position by CREB^®, or in the event of new information coming to light, the representatives of CREB^® are empowered and encouraged to take positions and/or vote on behalf of CREB^® at events, such as AGMs, provided such a decision is consistent with CREB^®’s Mission, Objectives and Policies.

Be part of the REALTOR® community: Exclusive leasing at CREB® Campus

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:48:17 -0600

CREB^® is offering a limited number of lessee opportunities within CREB^® Campus—inviting businesses that complement and enhance the member experience to become part of the Campus community.

Located at the heart of CREB^®, Campus is more than a place to work. It is a hub where members can work, learn and connect—between appointments, during professional development and while engaging with peers.

A space designed for members—and supporting businesses

CREB^® is focused on curating a mix of lessees who add meaningful value to members through real estate-related products and services. Ideal partners will align with CREB^®’s values and contribute to a professional, collaborative environment that supports members in their day-to-day business.

Lessees gain access to a professional setting that supports both their business and connection to the broader real estate community, including:

• Dedicated workspace within CREB^® Campus
• Access to bookable meeting rooms for client meetings and collaboration
• Reliable wi-fi, printing and on-site amenities
• A central location aligned with the REALTOR^® brand

This is an opportunity for businesses to establish a consistent, polished presence while being directly connected to the members they serve.

Staying connected to the REALTOR^® community

Leasing space at Campus means being part of CREB®’s active member environment. With regular events, training sessions and networking opportunities taking place on-site, lessees are positioned to engage with members in meaningful and relevant ways.

Eligibility considerations

To maintain a professional, collaborative environment and avoid potential conflicts of interest, leasing opportunities are intended for businesses that complement—rather than compete with—CREB^® services.

Please note, CREB^® members are ineligible to lease an office (even for non-real estate businesses they own).

Learn more about eligibility requirements.

Recommend a lessee

Do you know any businesses that would align with CREB^®’s values and be interested in supporting the member experience, send them to the CREB^® Office Leasing page on creb.com.

Contact the CREB^® Campus team at campus@creb.ca for more information on availability, pricing and next steps.

Lessee spaces are limited (three available) and expected to fill quickly.

Council approves repeal of blanket rezoning

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 11:44:00 -0600

Calgary City Council has approved bylaw amendments to repeal blanket rezoning and restore land use districts and property designations to their pre-2024 state.

The changes reverse the citywide residential rezoning that came into effect in August 2024 and will take effect on Aug. 4, 2026, allowing time for system updates and application intake.

Certain properties will be exempt, including those with approved or in-progress development, building permit or subdivision applications.

Learn more.

CREB^®’s advocacy efforts

CREB^® advocated for the repeal of blanket rezoning, reflecting feedback from members brought forward by the Government Relations Standing Committee (GRSC) and approved by the Board of Directors.

As part of these efforts, CREB^® met with policy analysts from the Office of the Mayor, hosted two meetings with councillors in advance of the public hearing, collaborated with a community coalition of planning and development experts and community association leaders, and presented at the hearing to ensure the voice of members was represented.

Members of the GRSC also wrote to their city councillors to advocate on CREB^®’s position. This work is foundational to the committee’s scope of responsibility and to deepening our relationship with local elected officials.

To view the Calgary Housing Market Analysis presentation shared at the public hearing by CREB^®’s Chief Economist, Ann-Marie Lurie, click here.

First-time home buyers' tax rebate on new homes

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:01:26 -0600

The Government of Canada implemented the GST rebate in 1991, but new to our industry is the First-time home buyers’ rebate (FTHB rebate). This article provides an overview of the new rebate and outlines the requirements for listing a new home on the Board’s MLS^® System.

First-time home buyers’ rebate

To qualify for this rebate, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Not have lived in a home that you, your spouse or your common-law partner owned or jointly owned, whether in or outside Canada, as your primary residence at any time during the calendar year or in the previous four calendar years
• Not have previously received an FTHB GST/HST rebate, and nor has your spouse or common-law partner

This rebate applies to new or substantially renovated homes intended as the individual’s primary residence. Depending on the value of the home, the individual could recover up to 100 per cent of the GST paid, to a maximum of $50,000.

• For homes valued at $1 million or less, the rebate is up to 100 per cent (maximum $50,000)
• For homes valued Between $1 million and $1.5 million, the rebate is gradually reduced
• For homes valued at $1.5 million or more, no rebate is available.

Eligible home buyers may benefit from both the FTHB rebate and the GST rebate on a new home.

New home listings on the MLS^® System

When working with a new home builder and listing a property on the MLS^® System, the same guidelines apply as those for the GST Rebate.

As outlined in the CREB^® Rules, GST, where applicable, must be included in the list price on all MLS^® listings for residential property. The list price for a new home must include GST before any FTHB and GST rebates are applied.

Once the purchase agreement has been signed, and before marking the listing as sold, you must complete the following steps in order:

1. Enter the following in the Private Remarks:
“Sold price reflects purchase price before FTHB (and GST rebate, if applicable).”

2. Enter the final selling price, including any applicable tax rebates, in the Close Price field.

Example:

A property listed for $750,000 and sold for $750,000:

• Step 1: Add the following to the Private Remarks field:

“Sold price reflects purchase price before FTHB (and GST rebate, if applicable).”

Step 2: Enter $750,000 in the Close Price field when updating the listing status to sold

If you have any questions about listing or reporting requirements for a new home, contact the Member Practice team at advice@creb.ca.

Spring into big wins!

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:56:15 -0600

Our Spring 50/50 raffle is back April 13! This spring, grab your tickets, give back, and you could win half the pot.

The CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation’s spring 50/50 raffle is now live, supporting non-profits like the Calgary Dream Centre and Highbanks Society that deliver critical housing and shelter-focused programs and initiatives across Calgary and area.

Every ticket purchased helps fund initiatives that create housing, keep people housed, and improve housing and shelter quality for those who need it most. In 2025 alone, the foundation awarded $1,298,695, which included a three-year, $1 million commitment to the Calgary Dream Centre.

This raffle is open to CREB^® members and the public, so help us spread the word!

• Ticket sales close: May 27 at 11:59 p.m.
• Draw date: May 28

Powered by Calgary and area REALTORS^®, the CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting local non-profits that deliver housing and shelter solutions for vulnerable Calgarians.

Get your tickets today and be part of the impact — and good luck.

Reminder: Shredding Day returns April 17

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:51:00 -0600

Clear out old files and protect sensitive information at CREB^®’s Shredding Day, returning April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CREB^® Campus.

Secure, on-site shredding makes it quick and easy to dispose of documents and stay organized this spring.

Arrive early—churros and hot chocolate will be available inside Campus from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., while supplies last.

What you can shred – Click here to see the full list.

Take a few minutes to gather your materials and stop by Campus to check one more thing off your list.

Date: April 17
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: CREB^® Campus

Help shape the future of CREB®: Proposed Bylaw Amendments at the AGM

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:44:00 -0600

This CREB^®Cast episode breaks down the proposed change to Bylaw 6.4, which addresses board composition ahead of the member vote at the AGM happening on Tuesday, April 28 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at CREB^® Campus and online.

Mariangela Avila, Chair of the Governance Standing Committee (GSC) and Shelagh Krause, Director Liaison for the GSC, explain the current limits at the board level—no more than two directors from one brokerage and three from one franchise may serve on the board—and the proposal to increase those caps by one (to three and four) to better reflect today’s brokerage environment.

Members can access AGM materials, including additional proposed bylaw amendments, by clicking here.

Save your spot at the AGM!

This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube.

Stay up to date: New ARLO enhancements announced

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:02:00 -0600

New enhancements to the Alberta Registry of Land Online (ARLO) system have been announced. These updates will be implemented in April, and are designed to improve efficiency, usability, and access to registry products.

ARLO will eventually replace SPIN II; however, a closure date for SPIN II has not yet been announced.

Members can create an account to search titles quickly and save condominium plan searches for future reference. Since pulling title is an integral part of the selling and buying processes, these updates are expected to make this task quicker and easier to manage.

What’s new?

ARLO Pro accounts updates:

1. ARLO Pro accounts will be linked to existing Land Titles and Surveys charge accounts. This eliminates the need for per-transaction credit card payments and provides a more efficient billing option. Charge accounts linked to an ARLO Pro account will be invoiced monthly.

2. Organizations can set up ARLO Pro accounts to manage users, permissions, and account details in one place.

3. Organizations can assign account administrators to manage user access and connect, request and maintain charge accounts within ARLO. Self-service account management also allows administrators to invite organizational users, assign roles, update contact information and view billing details for all organizational transactions.

Survey plan search updates

Survey plans can be searched using the search tool by:

• plan number
• standard and non-standard ATS

Survey plans can also be located visually using the map tool by:

• plan number
• standard and non-standard ATS
• polygon (area) search
• hovering over or selecting plans directly on the map

Tip: Previously purchased survey plans can be accessed through order history.

We encourage CREB^® members to explore ARLO and take advantage of these enhancements to improve efficiency and usability. For questions or assistance, visit ARLO’s Contact Us and Help Center pages for support.

Sharpen your edge in Calgary's condo market with the CREB® C.C.S. designation

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:52:38 -0600

Condominiums represent a major part of Calgary’s housing market. To confidently guide clients through condo transactions, you need practical knowledge that reflects the market you work in.

The CREB^® Certified Condominium Specialist (C.C.S.) designation delivers training designed specifically for Calgary REALTORS^®.

Why take the C.C.S. program?

• Calgary-focused training: Learn condominium legislation, market dynamics and transaction realities specific to Calgary and surrounding communities.

• Interactive classroom learning: A three-day, in-person course with small class sizes (approximately 30 REALTORS^®), allowing for discussion, collaboration and real-world problem-solving.

• Practical, real-world knowledge: Build confidence analyzing condominium bylaws, understanding unit boundaries and common property, and navigating resale, new construction and conversion condominiums.

• Learn from industry experts: Gain insights from professionals working in condominium law, development, property management and real estate practice in the Calgary market.

• Tools you can continue using: Receive a comprehensive course binder and ongoing online resources through Padlet to support your work after the course ends.

• Strong member value: CREB^® members receive preferred pricing on the course.

When you earn the C.C.S. designation, you’re not just completing a course – you’re gaining locally relevant expertise and demonstrating to clients that you have specialized condominium knowledge.

For REALTORS^® working in Calgary’s growing condominium market, the C.C.S. designation provides practical training that goes beyond theory and supports your success in real transactions.

Don’t miss the next course, running June 9 to 11.

Should commenting on CREB®Talk articles be turned on or off?

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:58:00 -0600

CREB^®currently encourages members to post comments on most articles in CREB^®Talk and CREB^®Link News and Updates. The intent is to foster open, constructive and respectful dialogue between members.

However, according to member feedback, this dialogue is sometimes dominated by a few voices and/or disrespectful and bullying comments that shut down the conversation because other members are worried about being the target of mean-spirited replies or worse.

Over time, we have seen the number of constructive conversations in the comments decrease, and the frequency of disrespectful and bullying comments increase. The result has been a stifling of the rich, thoughtful discussions members once had in the comments.

We ask you to take the poll below to decide whether commenting on articles should continue to be allowed. The poll will run for one week, closing at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, with the results announced that day in the CREB^®Talk email newsletter.

The results of the poll will be binding. If the majority of respondents say to leave the comments on, they will be left on. If the majority say to turn comments off, they will be turned off. Our priority is to ensure CREB^® is an industry leader in how we communicate with transparency and through open, two-way dialogue. This means our articles will provide contact information for direct follow-up questions and we will continue to monitor your feedback and conduct polls from time to time to confirm member sentiments.

Don't forget: Shredding Day returns to CREB® Campus April 17

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 08:30:42 -0600

Looking to clear out old files and protect sensitive information? CREB^®’s Shredding Day is coming up April 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at CREB^® Campus.

With longer days and sunnier skies, it’s the perfect time for a spring reset—time to Marie Kondo your files, spark a little joy, clear the clutter and make space for what matters most.

CREB^® Campus is where members come to work, learn and connect, and Shredding Day is a practical way to support your business—helping you stay organized, protect client data and focus on what matters most.

Secure, on-site shredding services will be available, making it quick and convenient to drop off your materials.

What you can shred – Click here to see the full list

Take a few minutes to gather your documents, then stop by Campus to check one more thing off your list.

Date: April 17
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: CREB^® Campus

From REALTOR® to volunteer leader

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:53:00 -0600

In this episode of CREB^® Cast, host Sam Randhawa sits down with former CREB^® Board Chair and 2022's Honourary Life Member Award recipient, Lorna Hamm.

In this interview, Lorna talks about a 38-year real estate career, how technology reshaped the business, and why volunteering at CREB^® can fast-track your network, influence, and understanding of how decisions get made.

Lorna shares a candid take on real estate as "a way of life," balancing family, flexibility, and being on call—plus memorable stories from the field. The conversation also spotlights Lorna's pivotal role in launching Calgary's Children's Cottage, a crisis nursery providing up to 72 hours of safe care for kids when parents are in crisis, and her continued community leadership in retirement.

This episode is also available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and YouTube.

Celebrate diversity at the International Block Party!

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:37:25 -0600

Join us at CREB^® Campus on June 2 for the International Block Party—a celebration of the cultures, traditions and global perspectives that make up our membership.

Don’t miss out! Explore the global street market, enjoy international-inspired cuisine and connect with fellow members while discovering new traditions, travel ideas and cultural insights from around the world.

Drop in anytime between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 2 for an incredible cultural experience.

Get involved

Interested in hosting a table or performing on the cultural stage?

Members are invited to take part by hosting a cultural table or performing on our cultural performance stage. Showcase your heritage through food, traditions, music, dance or interactive experiences, and help bring this vibrant event to life.

Email campus@creb.ca by May 15 and let us know which country you would like to represent. Our team will follow up with next steps.

Trends differ based on property type

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 08:14:36 -0600

Supply conditions in March varied significantly depending on property type. Inventory levels saw a typical monthly rise, but compared with long-term trends, inventory remained well above the 10-year average for both row and apartment-style units and well below trend for detached homes. This is not a surprise given the pullback in detached housing starts last year despite record-high apartment-style starts.

There were 1,881 sales in March, up from the previous month, but still 13 per cent lower than levels reported last year and below long-term trends for March. The decline in sales is mostly due to pullbacks in apartment-style activity, where increased supply choice and slower migration is spreading demand across a wider range of supply. Meanwhile, detached sales have also slowed compared to long-term trends, likely due to limited supply choice in some city districts.

“When considering total residential housing statistics, conditions appear to be relatively balanced as sales, new listings, inventories and prices all trended up over the previous month as we start to move into the spring market,” said Ann-Marie Lurie, CREB®’s Chief Economist. “However, when we look deeper, we are seeing a market that ranges from tighter conditions for detached homes to the apartment sector, where conditions tend to favour the buyer. As expected, this is supporting upward momentum in detached prices and downward pressure in the apartment condominium sector.”

The total unadjusted benchmark price in the city was $565,600, up nearly one per cent compared to February but down by more than four per cent compared to last year. After the first quarter, benchmark prices posted modest to stable conditions for lower density homes. However, apartment condominium prices continued to slide, dropping another three per cent in the first quarter compared to the fourth quarter of last year.

To read the full stats release on March's housing market for Calgary and surrounding areas, click here.

Find sharable monthly stats from CREB® on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok and YouTube.

Click here to view the full City of Calgary monthly stats package.

Click here to view the full Calgary region monthly stats package.

Notice of 2026 AGM

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:32:00 -0600

Join us on Tuesday, April 28, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at CREB^® Campus (300 Manning Road NE) or online via CREB^®Link for our 2026 Annual General Meeting!

At the AGM, we’ll be presenting board highlights from the Critical Illness Benefit Society, CREB^® REALTOR^® Community Foundation, and CREB^®.

Why should you attend?

• Learn organizational highlights and financial updates from 2025
• Engage in the decision-making process and vote on CREB^® bylaw changes
• Discover our strategic direction for 2026 and beyond
• Make your voice heard and ask questions/provide feedback to the board
• Network with fellow CREB^® members and industry professionals

AGM Agenda

• 1:00 p.m. – Meeting kick-off and welcome remarks
• 1:05 p.m. – Critical Illness Benefit Society AGM
• 1:40 p.m. – CREB^® REALTOR^®Community Foundation AGM
• 2:15 p.m. – CREB^® AGM
• 3:15 p.m. – CREB^® Member Satisfaction Survey Results: Alec Milne, Framework Analytics
• 3:45 p.m. – Networking reception begins
• 4:30 p.m. – Event ends

Please note: The agenda may be subject to change.

Can’t make it in person? This event is hosted in a hybrid format so you can also participate online.

Click here to read the 2025 annual report. More AGM support documents will be available on the AGM page on CREB^®Link in the coming days. For questions about the event, please contact events@creb.ca.

CREB® welcomes Craig Watt as public director

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:50:21 -0600

CREB^® is pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Watt as public director to its board of directors, effective April 1.

Craig joins the board alongside newly elected directors Julie Bowser and Rick Campos, following the recent by-election. Together, they will support the board in advancing CREB^®’s strategic priorities and governance work.

The role of public director brings an external, consumer-focused perspective to board discussions, supporting a broader understanding of risks, opportunities and the evolving real estate landscape.

“We are delighted to welcome Craig to the CREB^® Board of Directors,” said Susanita de Diego, CREB^® Chair. “His extensive experience in public policy, stakeholder engagement and governance will bring valuable insight as we continue to advance our strategic priorities and serve our members.”

The Board Development and Leadership Standing Committee (BDLSC), supported by staff, led a comprehensive recruitment process, reviewing a strong pool of candidates.

“Craig stood out for his depth of experience and his ability to navigate complex policy environments,” said Jesse Sinclair, chair of the BDLSC. “His background in government relations and industry engagement will strengthen the board’s perspective and support informed, forward-looking decision-making.”

Craig is a senior people leader and public policy professional with deep connections in Canada’s energy industry. He has held senior operational, policy and communications roles with Calgary-based business associations, including Enserva, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP).

For more than a decade, and under seven different Ministers of Energy, Craig served as special representative in the Alberta Department of Energy, helping ensure Alberta’s broad energy ecosystem remained connected to government officials in Edmonton.

He previously operated his own business as an importer of fine wine, beer and spirits for more than a decade. "Having grown up around the real estate industry, I'm excited to join CREB^® as a public director and to be able to support the work REALTORS^® do guiding people through the biggest financial decision most people will ever make," Craig explained of his interest in joining the CREB^® board.

An active volunteer in his community, Craig has volunteered as a hockey coach, campaign chair and board member for numerous organizations. His experience in governance, stakeholder engagement and strategic leadership will support CREB^®’s continued focus on meeting member needs, maintaining the highest standards of financial stewardship and strengthening the profession.

Please join us in welcoming Craig as he begins his term with CREB^®.

CREB®'s obligations as a member-board of CREA

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 09:30:30 -0600

As a member of CREB^®, AREA and CREA, you have some rights and obligations that are entrenched in the bylaws of each organization.

The structure of our industry links these three organizations, with CREB^® established as a member-board of both AREA and CREA. As a member-board, we have rights and obligations that are established in bylaws, rules and policies, just as CREB^® members have rights and obligations that are set out in our bylaws, rules and policies.

I’d like to talk about CREB^®’s rights and obligations as a member-board of CREA, some of which were brought up in the comments section of the article Results of member poll on CREA's cost-of-living adjustment and special assessment. We see the comments section of our articles as a place where members can discuss the article to enhance their understanding or to seek specific clarity. Some other issues have also been raised in the comments, so I’ll cover a few of those in this article, as well.

Before we do that, let’s note that CREA, AREA and CREB^® are separate, but interconnected entities.

CREA, AREA and CREB^® create their own policies and processes. When it comes to announcements about resignations from our board of directors, our practice at CREB^® has been that we announce a departure as part of the announcement of a by-election. This seems like the logical flow of information and, based on feedback from members over the years, seems to hit the mark. These announcements rarely provide much detail and only include the letter of resignation in unusual circumstances.

Sarah Johnston resignation from CREA board of directors

Based on the commentary in the Results of member poll article, we asked for and received CREA’s and Sarah Johnston’s permission to share the message she sent out announcing her resignation from the CREA Board of Directors. Whenever someone moves on from an organization, it is up to them to disclose that to others – we would all expect the same respect and treatment. Members should be circumspect in any commentary on this message and if any interpretation is needed, to please contact Sarah directly. From our perspective, we recognize and appreciate Sarah’s call to do better.

By the way, in seeking CREA’s approval to share this message, we were informed: “CREA does not have any expectations that Board and Associations notify their members if a CREA Director resigns. With respect of Sarah’s resignation email, this email was not prepared, approved or distributed by CREA”.

As an organization, we believe consistency and clarity in how governance matters are communicated is important. Ensuring members receive timely and accurate information supports trust, accountability, and informed engagement across all levels of organized real estate. Over the past year, there have been a number of leadership changes within our broader real estate community, which further underscores the importance of clear and consistent communication practices.

Misquoting of CREA’s minutes

In a 2024 CREB^® Talk article titled Is CREB^® competing with RASCA, I paraphrased a section of the minutes from the October 19/20, 2023, CREA Board of Directors meeting. In one of the recent comments there was an assertion that those minutes had been misquoted, along with some excerpts of the minutes in question. With CREA’s permission, CREB^® members can view those minutes here and judge for themselves.

Note that CREA’s approval for us to share the minutes from this meeting included this note:

“CREA’s permission is not required by CREB^® to distribute CREA’s minutes. CREA’s By-Laws and Rules obligate CREA to make available minutes of CREA board meetings upon request by Boards and Associations. There is nothing in CREA’s By-Laws and Rules regarding further distributing them. That said, we hope that Boards and Associations are mindful that the minutes may contain sensitive information and are not intended for broad distribution. If CREB^® chooses to distribute the minutes, we encourage CREB^® to redact all sections of the minutes that you believe are not relevant to the point you wish to make.”.

CREA Financials

At the 2:00 mark in the video Pre-AGM Member Webinar Recording on the CREA AGM Resource page, CREA CEO Janice Myers begins addressing CREA’s financial sustainability. This video and their other materials detail the reductions in spending that resulted in the surplus in 2025 of $2,325,649, not the higher figure speculated about in CREB^®Talk comments.

The CREA materials repeatedly make the case for the value they provide for member dues, but the cost savings are not enough to fund the legal defense challenges we are all facing, or to maintain service levels in an inflationary environment. We encourage interested members to dig into the materials CREA provided to fully understand the case they are making, or you could reach out to a member of the CREA Board of Directors if you have any specific questions.

Why does CREB^® allow negative comments to be posted on articles?

First, we are one of the only boards we know of that provides the comment feature on most of our articles. If you know of some organizations that also do this, please let me know so I can be sure I’m making accurate comparisons.

Some people have asked why comments are turned off for some articles. The simple answer is that articles that may prompt discussions around sensitive legal matters typically have the comments turned off. Others have asked why we recently allowed comments to be posted on an article that were off topic.

To answer that great question, let’s go back to why we have the ability for members to post comments: this is a member-to-member area, so we will always lean towards enabling members to use their voices and minds. Some people post statements that are challenging and frankly, in some cases, hard to read – but they need to be seen, provided they meet the criteria set out in our posting guidelines.

We all have opinions and some people are better than others at expressing them constructively. Some folks have a knack for bringing up recurring themes, theories, or favorite topics. The bottom line is that these interactions must always maintain a professional tone. But even if a post is borderline, our approach is to lean towards welcoming member voices.

If any members have any specific questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or drop by my office in the SW corner of the main floor of the CREB^® Campus. My team and I are always here for you and look forward to delivering value to you at every opportunity. Raising the bar of professionalism is needed in all aspects of our world. Having these discussions, even the difficult ones, is part of that. It’s no different than our members using client feedback to improve their business. For us, being open to constructive criticism enables us to improve and grow.

In our current membership structure, CREB^®’s rights and obligations as a member-board of CREA are well documented and they centre our obligation to our members. There can be conflicting interests that our board of directors must navigate so they represent our interests in the most effective way overall. We all must recognize that representing a majority of members on any given issue doesn’t mean everyone will be satisfied. This is a fact of life for every association; we must manage scarcity of resources and work hard to hit the mark as much as possible for as many members as possible. Being perfect is not the goal, satisfying our members is. According to our member surveys, we hit the mark more than we miss it.

Please continue to give us your feedback on the CREA proposal and please never hesitate to reach out to us directly with your questions, comments or ideas.

Alan Tennant
CREB^® President and CEO
Email: alan.tennant@creb.ca
Cell: 403-461-2987

ICYMI: 2026 Board By-election results

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:18:15 -0600

The results are in for the 2026 Board By-election.

Thank you to the 623 members who participated by casting their votes and to every candidate who put their name forward to help shape the future of our organization and the real estate profession.

The CREB® Board of Directors is as follows:

Susanita de Diego, Coldwell Banker Mountain Central, Chair
Matt McBean, CIR Realty, Chair-Elect
Kurtis Bain, CIR Realty, Treasurer
Bob Jablonski, RE/MAX First, Director
Murray Scotton, Century 21 Masters, Director
Shelagh Krause, RE/MAX Complete Realty, Director
Craig Watt, Public Director
Rick Campos, RE/MAX First, (newly elected)
Julie Bowser, Realay, Director (newly elected)

For more information on the election results, click here.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with CREB^® Associate CEO, Lisa Latchford, at lisa.latchford@creb.ca

Amended provincially harmonized rules take effect July 1, 2026

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:17:00 -0600

Last week, we outlined amendments to the provincially harmonized rules approved by all 10 Alberta boards. These rules are included under Parts II and III of the CREB^® Rules.

The harmonized rules are included in Parts II and III of the CREB^® Rules and will be updated on April 2, 2026. Enforcement of the new rules begins July 1, 2026.

In summary

The changes may affect your business practices in the following ways:

• “Coming Soon” signage is now included in time-sensitive marketing and must be removed once the listing is added to the MLS^® System.

• In a multiple-offer situation, confirm the seller’s instructions in writing.

• Photographs taken by a third party are protected by intellectual property laws. Ensure you have a written ownership transfer agreement with your photographer for each property you list. This helps protects you from potential liability when photographs are uploaded to the MLS^® System and used beyond. CREB^® will provide an ownership transfer form for members prior to the July 1, 2026, effective date.

• Do not remove listing data, including photographs, before changing the status to pending, sold, expired or terminated. This information is vital to the property’s history.

Specific changes to the rules can be found here.

Read last week's CREB^®Talk for more details.

For questions about the amendments and how they affect your practice, contact our Member Practice team at advice@creb.ca.

Chat with CREB® Chief Economist Ann-Marie Lurie

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:09:14 -0600

Gain market insights while enjoying a coffee and an exclusive meeting with CREB^®’s Chief Economist, Ann-Marie Lurie, at the CREB^® Campus.

There are two dates that still have availability to schedule 30- or 60-minute sessions to discuss data, specific markets or the latest stats release.

• May 7
• June 3

If all spots are booked, be sure to check back for potential cancellations.

Click here for more information and to book a session.

Get more support for your medical bills with CIBS

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:07:00 -0600

The Critical Illness Benefit Society (CIBS) helps qualified CREB^® members who face hardships associated with medical costs due to a life-changing illness.

This one-time, tax-free benefit of $12,500 is delivered to qualified members several working days after a claim is approved.

To date, CIBS has supported 389 CREB^® members, providing $4,275,000 in critical need benefits.

Please note: Members have a maximum of two years from the date of diagnosis to submit a claim, and the claims process is easy and confidential.

To learn more about qualifications and the claim process, click here.

Office closure: Friday, April 3

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:01:26 -0600

CREB^® will be closed on Friday, April 3 for the Good Friday statutory holiday. This closure extends to all of CREB^®, including the Member Services Centre and CREB^® Member Support. The Pillar 9 Help Desk will also be closed.CREB^® Member Support will reopen on Monday, April 6 with regular office hours.

Staying home? Click here to check out events happening in Calgary this weekend.

From all of us at CREB^®, have a happy and safe long weekend!

Meaningful member engagement beyond polls

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:40:00 -0600

Last week, we shared the results of the non-binding member poll regarding CREA’s proposed two per cent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) dues increase and the $30 special assessment for the Legal Defense Fund.

We appreciate those who took the time to participate. In total, 109 responses were received.

As part of our review, we identified that it was possible for members to submit more than one response. Even assuming all responses were unique—the findings do not meet the threshold for statistical reliability. The low response rate was not the outcome we had hoped for; however it is important to recognize that a single opinion poll is just one of several inputs that inform Board decisions. Directors approach these matters with care, drawing on previously reviewed comprehensive meeting materials, additional independent review and research, ongoing industry knowledge, and the perspectives shared by members, all as part of our responsibility to act in the best interests of the membership.

Your Board of Directors is tasked with providing direction to the Chair and Chair-Elect to vote at the upcoming April 14 CREA AGM, based on all of the information they have available to them. This is not a decision we take lightly. Directors will continue to consider member perspectives as part of their deliberations, and we welcome your input. Please feel free to comment on this article or reach out directly—your feedback remains important and will be considered right up until the vote is called.

With an important topic like this, it seems like an opportune time to review the ways CREB^® consults members on various topics and how the organization uses that information.

A few examples of how we’ve consulted with members from the past few months include in-person engagement at the Professionalism Summit on Dec. 8, the member satisfaction survey conducted by a third-party research firm, and the in-house poll on the CREA motions.

How all this feedback makes its way into decisions can depend on a number of factors. For instance the member insights we heard at the Professionalism Summit were summarized in the Elevating the REALTOR^® Profession: Learnings from CREB^®’s Professionalism Summit report and will inform activities by staff, standing committees and the board of directors in the implementation of the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan’s goal to elevate the REALTOR^® profession. These activities include seeking more member feedback through a series of micro-summits.

The member satisfaction survey results are more quantitative and include answers to questions that have been consistently asked in the survey through the years. This provides an objective scorecard of what CREB^® is doing well, as measured by members, and where we can focus efforts for improvement. Because the survey is conducted by a respected third-party research firm (Framework Analytics) using established industry best practices, the results are highly accurate, representative of all of our membership, and readily actionable. Join us at the CREB^® AGM on April 28 to see Framework present the results in detail!

In-house polls, such as the recent poll about the motions at the CREA AGM, aren’t as accurate or actionable, because they usually don’t have enough respondents to be truly representative of the entire membership. That’s why we use them to do a temperature check: how important is this subject to members based on the number of respondents? Among those members, are opinions one-sided or more balanced?

Decision makers—whether it’s the board of directors or staff—consider this temperature check alongside a host of other information in arriving at a decision that they think is best for the organization as a whole.

CREB^®’s Board of Directors want to hear from you directly—whether in a public forum such as the comments on CREB^®Talk articles, a quick email, a face-to-face conversation at CREB^® Campus, or we can meet at your office. Book a CREB^® In Your Community visit and we’ll come to you.

Voting starts tomorrow for the 2026 Board By-election

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 10:54:10 -0600

Voting opens for the 2026 Board By-election at 3 p.m. tomorrow on the CREB^®Link election portal.

We extend our sincere thanks to all the candidates for their dedication and for sharing their vision for CREB^®. The organization relies on volunteer leaders like you to provide good governance and ensure we’re meeting member needs.

We encourage all members to cast your vote and make your voice heard. Your vote is essential to determining CREB^®‘s future.

Voting opens at 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, and closes at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 26. All CREB^® members can vote.

Action required: Changes to Matrix and CREB^®Link login access took effect March 24. Members who have not enrolled in the new authentication system (Auth0) will be required to do so the first time they log in by selecting “Forgot password” and follow the prompts. This change will not compromise the voting process.

(Note: If you already enrolled in Auth0 following direction from Pillar 9™ earlier in March, you will be required to use the Auth0 password you selected at that time.)

To avoid delays or being unable to access CREB^®Link when voting opens, members are strongly encouraged to complete enrolment before 3 p.m. on March 25.

If you encounter any problems changing your password, contact the Pillar 9™ Support Center:

• Phone: 587-430-2991 or 866-377-8217

• Email: support@pillarnine.com

If you encounter any issues when voting, contact CREB^® Member Support at support@creb.ca or 403-781-1379.

CREBTalk RSS Feed

Buzz with excitement at BUZZ Calgary AMPLIFY 2026, The Professional Standards Summit

Office closure: Monday, May 18

City of Calgary updates that matter to REALTORS®

Upcoming City of Calgary session

Other sessions coming soon

CREB® Boots, Buckles & BBQ returns July 7

What to expect

Sip for a cause

Dress to impress

Celebrate your REALTOR® Community at Diamond Gala

Event agenda:

Asian Heritage Month

Educational resources

Save on client gifts this Spring

Sparta Movers

The Urban Painter

Venti3

Heritage Calgary marks 25 years with new report

2026 CREB® AGM Highlights

Bylaw amendments

Recognition of retiring directors

2025 Annual Report

Online Q&A

Celebrating Mental Health Month with CREB®'s Health and Wellness Resources

Health and wellness resources on CREB®Link

Mental Health Month events

Investment, Resilience, and Innovation: Lessons from Greg Houston

What the heck is governance, really?

2026 Community and Transformation Grants are now open

The pot is growing: Increase your impact with the Spring 50/50

REALTORS Care® Day – Last call for registrations

Clean energy improvement program

Payment terms

Balanced conditions in the city, except for apartment-style units

Join us for the AGM today!

Why attend the AGM?

AGM Agenda

Proposed Bylaw Amendments

AREA condominium form updates

Original Clause

Updated Clause

What this means

Forms affected

Join us for upcoming condo courses

Introducing our new series: What the heck is governance?

What we’ll cover

Where and when you’ll see it

An intentional, well-paced conversation

Supporting respectful, professional dialogue on CREB®Talk and CREB®Link

Why comment guidelines matter

What our comment guidelines say (and what they mean)

A practical example: Questionable vs. constructive

Our shared responsibility

Key takeaways from amendments to the Condominium Property Act

A new Condominium Dispute Resolution Tribunal

Chargeback process

Voting

Technical analysis

Additional protections to board members

Looking for more details?

Check out these courses to learn more about condominiums:

Virtual staging vs. virtual enhancing: How to avoid misrepresenting a property

What is virtual staging?

What is virtual enhancing?

The risks of using AI to edit listing photos

Case study:

Have questions?

2026 Foundation Grants opening soon

Community Grants

Transformation Grants

Roll up your sleeves for REALTORS Care® Day

What members told us about comments on CREB®Talk

Poll participation

Poll analysis

What we’re doing

What happens next

CREA motions and regional director election results

New Alberta/NWT Regional Director

CREB® Governance Manual, Section 4.1.3 Relationship and Engagement Policy

Health and wellness resources on CREB^®Link

CREB^® Governance Manual, Section 4.1.3 Relationship and Engagement Policy

Staying connected to the REALTOR^® community

CREB^®’s advocacy efforts

New home listings on the MLS^® System

Why does CREB^® allow negative comments to be posted on articles?

Voting opens at 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 25, and closes at 3 p.m., Thursday, March 26. All CREB^® members can vote.