With over a year of using RECA’s RMS (Residential Measurement Standards), some members are asking how these measurements affect property style identification in Matrix™ – particularly with above and below grade measurements. 

Remember, RMS does not determine what the style of a home is and is strictly a standardized measurement guideline. To ensure you enter bungalows property in Matrix™, check out the tips below. 

Definition of a bungalow

Bungalows are traditionally defined as a single storey detached structure. While there are variations on this property type, such as raised bungalows, this standard definition will apply in most instances.

What this means

A two-storey townhome can not be identified as a bungalow – even if the first-floor measurement can’t be included in the RMS Total Above Grade because it sits slightly below grade at the back.

A single storey condo that sits on a two-storey townhome, or a single storey detached home with a second storey loft, can not be identified as bungalows either.

As a reminder, it is important to be as accurate as possible in the Matrix™ input form. Misidentifying the style of a home could be considered misrepresentation under the Rules^®CREB and the Real Estate Act. 

What’s been updated

To support members and ensure accurate database information, multiple storey properties can not be identified as bungalows Matrix™.

This will help ensure unintentional errors are not made when members select an appropriate property style. It will also ensure accuracy when the data is pushed to REALTOR.ca, which only identifies properties by the number of stories and not by style.

Please note, this is a Matrix™ update to property type selection, not a change in policy.

Tips for searches

When you search for properties that are one and half storeys, your search should include that parameter as well as the term bungalow. By using multiple search fields, you can find properties that have been identified with different styles, as well as properties that may have been misidentified.

Remember, multi-storey properties currently identified as bungalows in the system are most likely identified as single storey properties on REALTOR.ca.

Want more information on advanced search functions in Matrix™? Register for CREB^®’s Matrix™ Step 2 course.

For further questions, please contact CREB^® Member Practice at MP@creb.ca.