June 2014

There is a bit of panic going on regarding the new Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (aka CASL). I have received several emails recently from various companies and organizations asking that I "provide consent," "opt-in" or "confirm subscription." Some from companies I know I have subscribed to and others I know I have not subscribed to and a few that lie somewhere in between (implied consent).

For any company that has been doing legitimate email marketing up until now, legitimate meaning you have a double opt-in subscribe form on your website, then you need not worry, you have received explicit consent and are acting within the CASL. The following section from CASL explains it clearly: Knowing that people and businesses may need to change their

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Many Extraordinary Successes  Come From Painful Beginnings – Pulling Yourself Up By Your Bootstraps Darren Hardy of Success Magazine recently shared a story of early struggles of RE/MAX co-founder and chairman Dave Liniger. “Dave told me some of the wildest “bootstrap beginning” tales that I’d ever heard. And this one stood out: Back in early days of RE/MAX, Dave was in mid-pitch of recruiting an agent for his team when there was a knock on the door. His secretary discreetly informed him that a man was trying to repossess the firm’s IBM Selectric typewriter. Liniger owed $142 on the $200 machine. RE/MAX was on the ropes. Hoping to bankrupt Dave and RE/MAX, his competitors—threatened by the company’s innovative and disruptive model (100 percent…

Searching for a condo has a newly developing option for condo buyers, Smoking or Non! Smoke-free Housing B.C. has been pushing for a ban on smoking in buildings for 10 years, but advocates say the concept is starting to take off with more than 100 apartment buildings now entirely smoke-free. Less than 15 per cent of B.C. residents smoke, but nearly half live in close quarters in condos and apartment buildings. One smoker can affect a lot of neighbours. Imagine lying on your couch, watching TV, breathing in smoke. Imagine having dinner breathing in smoke, going to bed, breathing in smoke, working out everyday breathing in smoke. Jack Boomer with Smoke-Free Housing B.C. says it's an issue that's gaining traction. "As people recognize in their workplace,…

We are seeing the trend continue of increased sales and stabilized prices with an increase in sales reported for the month of May over both the previous month and the same month last year. The number of total listings listed for sale increased to 4,672 at the end of May, down marginally from 4,783 at the end of May last year. With over 700 sales in Greater Victoria in May from a total number of listings of just under 4,700 we are continuing to experience a balanced market with about 15% of the listings available selling during the month. While interest rates remain low, the CMHC rule changes are having an impact. We had several specific clients who were qualified, ready, willing and able to purchase who now are not. One affected by the tightening of the…