CREB^® Member Practice has identified a trend in complaints and is offering tips to get members back on track with the CREB^® Rules. Each week we'll feature a different topic. Learn about what’s going on by reading our tips and integrating these practice requirements into your business.

Creating advertisement videos of other member’s listings

Having the opportunity to showcase some amazing homes on the market is just one of the exciting aspects of being a REALTOR^®. With the chance to have viral videos to your followers at a click of a button, social media is such a powerful tool. However, it is mindful to know the rules and regulations behind advertising listings. If it’s your listing and part of your marketing strategy, as long as you have written permission from your sellers, there’s no problem.

However, if you’d like to advertise another member’s listing, you must take further steps before recording a video. For example, obtaining videos that could contain personal information requires consent (this is the recording part), and disclosing that information requires additional consent (this is the advertising part). Having permission to obtain and disclose information of this nature is important to ensure you’re aligned with the Personal Information and Privacy Act.

Additionally, CREB^® Rule Part II 6.02 requires members who want to advertise other members’ listings through promotional advertising videos to have written permission from the seller and the seller’s brokerage. We’ve been hearing many concerns that agents book showings only to record themselves touring the house and then post those videos online without the necessary permissions. So please don’t do it without permission.

Take away tips

If it’s your listing:

• Be aware of what you capture on video and post to social media. For example, before showcasing that amazing garage full of expensive tools and outdoor adventure gear, you may check that your sellers are ok with others seeing these types of valuables go through social media.
• Make sure personal information and confidential items are put away. For example, utility invoices on the counter or pictures of grandkids on the fridge might be things the seller should put away before any recordings.

If it’s another member’s listing:

• Reach out to the listing agent and let them know you’d like to share their property with your network through video.
• Get written permission from the seller’s agent and ask them to work with you to get the seller’s permission in writing as well. 

Have you encountered this type of situation? CREB^® Member Practice wants to assist members, create more awareness of the rules and promote developing business practices that support the industry and the REALTOR^® reputation. Contact CREB^® Member Practice at crebmp@creb.ca for more information or to advise us of practices not aligned with the rules.