Marketing yourself has always been a critical part of being a REALTOR®, but the most effective vehicles, tools, and techniques shift with the times. 

So how have social media, AI, and personal branding changed the marketing game for Realtors today, and what should you be doing to stay on top of your marketing efforts?

On this episode of the Critical Path podcast, host Jesse Lalime gets into the finer points of effective digital marketing with Constant Contact Senior Director of Vertical Integration Stephanie Alfonso. 

Learn more about Constant Contact

Want to learn more about our partnership with Constant Contact and our member discount? Check out the Constant Contact page in the Business Tools section of our member website.

Real estate never stands still.

New technology, government policies, global events, and changing consumer expectations all play a role in shaping the profession. And as the landscape changes, so do the needs and behaviours of the home buyers and sellers you serve.

So, how do you prepare not just for the challenges you’re facing today, but for what comes next?

In the latest episode of The Critical Path, host Jesse Lalime sits down with Ashley Smith to explore how AI is changing search, visibility, and the way REALTORS® connect with consumers. Together, they discuss why adapting to change matters more than ever and what you can do today to stay ahead.

You can find the Google presentation Ashley mentioned in the podcast here.

Today’s homes are evolving rapidly behind the walls. Energy efficiency, electrification, indoor air quality, climate resilience, and smart technology are increasingly influencing how homes perform and what they cost to own.

As REALTORS®, what should you understand about new home technologies, and what can you help your clients look for when evaluating a home?

In the latest episode of the Critical Path, host Jesse Lalime speaks with Sprucehill Homes founder Erik Jensen in a wide-ranging conversation that covers some of the latest in new home building tech, key considerations when undertaking renovations and upgrades, and how Realtors can best advise their clients. 

If a client asked you today if their title is still valid because of what they’ve heard about the Cowichan case decision, would you know how to respond?

On the latest episode of the Critical Path, we welcome two lawyers from DLA Piper, Wally Braul and Josh Jantzi, for a deep dive into the Cowichan case.

What have the courts actually decided? What remains to be determined? When will we have more answers?

Please note this episode was recorded just hours before the Supreme Court of Canada’s May 28, 2026 decision declining to hear an appeal in the Wolastoqey Nation case. This episode also runs longer than usual to allow for a fuller discussion. 

For many REALTORS®, real estate is more than a job. It’s a business, a lifestyle, and often a seven-days-a-week commitment.

That kind of pace can be rewarding. But it can also make it difficult to prioritize something that underpins everything else we do: our health.

Accessing timely, coordinated healthcare can also be a challenge for self-employed professionals who don’t have access to traditional workplace benefits. That’s why Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) has partnered with Advica Health to offer members a new option designed with busy professionals in mind.

In the latest episode of The Critical Path, host Mark Moldowan sits down with Kevin Brady, founder of Advica Health, to talk about this new program and what it could mean for your well-being.

At GVR, we've been talking about Service Re-Imagined a lot. You hear about it every time we deliver a new service, tool, or partnership that delivers real value to you, your business, and your clients.

From things like our partnerships with BCFSA, Payload, and TELUS, to new profile and payment self-serve options on our member website, 2025 was a busy year for GVR. And in addition to all that, we've continued to work on the bigger long-term projects in our Service Re-Imagined plan.

In an annual tradition to kick off the new year at the Critical Path, the latest episode features GVR CEO Jeff King. In a wide-ranging chat, Jeff and host Jesse Lalime cover everything from last year's wins, work you can expect to see completed in 2026, and the outlook for your professional association in what is likely to be another difficult market this year.

Change is the only constant in real estate, and at Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), it’s at the heart of everything we do. From transforming how we serve members to leading new conversations on professionalism and housing, GVR is reimagining what a modern professional association can be.

In this episode of The Critical Path, host Jesse Lalime sits down with GVR’s Chief Corporate Development Officer, Craig Munn, to talk about how innovation and professionalism are shaping the association’s future.

Munn shares how GVR’s Service Re-imagined initiative is already improving the member experience, while major efforts continue behind the scenes to expand and elevate that work. He also explains what “corporate development” means in the GVR context and why partnerships are key to achieving GVR’s long-term goals.

In our society, everyone has a right to an adequate place to live. We view it as a human right in Canada and, as such, housing policy in our country is developed and enacted by our governments at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels.  

One thing everyone can agree on is that there are serious issues – the speed (or lack thereof) of delivering housing, managing costs to keep housing affordable, and the fact that Canada is not building enough housing fast enough to keep up with its growing population.  

Our guest on this episode of the Critical Path is on the front lines of this critical work. Scott Aitchison is the Conservative Party of Canada's MP for Parry Sound - Muskoka and he handles the housing file in the shadow cabinet in Parliament.  

Scott discusses his unique perspective to housing policy as a former REALTOR® and mayor, the challenges of getting each level of government on the same page with housing policies, and solutions for how to address Canada’s housing crisis.  

Shifting consumer expectations and technological advancements are transforming the industry. Sound familiar? 

It’s happening everywhere, not just real estate, and the mortgage industry is no different. So, what are the changes in consumer habits and the new ways they can leverage technology for a better experience securing a mortgage? 

On this episode of the Critical Path podcast, we welcome mortgage veteran Don Scott, the founder and CEO of Frank Mortgage, to share his insights and perspectives on how the mortgage industry is shifting and how REALTORS® fit in. 

A challenging 2025 market is showing signs of emerging strength in the waning summer months. Are the signals real, or is there more at play?  

On this edition of the Critical Path podcast, we ask Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR) Director of Economics and Data Analytics, Andrew Lis, to peer into his crystal ball for an idea of what the final months of the year have in store for the Greater Vancouver housing market.  

Andrew also discusses the nuances of certain statistical measures and offers insights into the most effective way to interpret and use GVR’s statistical offerings. 

Picture this: You’ve just been sued by a former client who claims you misrepresented the square footage of their basement. You hired a professional measuring company; there’s no way the measurements were wrong, right?

And now your mind is filling up with thoughts of going to court and the potential hit to your business reputation. You’re panicking, and you’re not sure what to do next.

Your very first step should be to reach out to the Real Estate Errors and Omissions Insurance Corporation (REEOIC) of BC. When REALTORS® in BC face litigation, REEOIC is there to provide you with insurance, protection, guidance, and more.

REEOIC’s Executive Officer Leslie Howatt joined the Critical Path to share more details about how coverage works, free tools all members can take advantage of, how you can protect against common pitfalls that lead to litigation, and a few of REEOIC’s more unique cases. 

It’s no secret that affordability is a major challenge in Metro Vancouver. Despite efforts from all levels of government, many Metro Vancouverites are still feeling the sting of the housing crisis.

That’s why some REALTORS® are exploring a different kind of approach.

This week, we’re joined by Larry Traverence and Joseph Maclean from Four Pillars Community Housing. They’re building what they call a Realtor-led movement to turn real estate offices into places where homeowners, small investors, and nonprofits can get expert help to add garden suites, multiplexes, or redevelop underused land.

Their goal? Train Realtors to become community housing ambassadors. It’s an ambitious vision, and one we’re unpacking in today’s conversation.

Reputation is everything in real estate.

That’s why our regulator, the BC Financial Service Authority (BCFSA) has been working on a new discussion paper called Strengthening Consumer Confidence, set to release in the coming weeks.

This paper outlines many ways BCFSA will be looking to reassess our current regulatory system to increase consumer confidence in the market. It’s a meaty topic, and that’s why we invited BCFSA CEO Tolga Yalkin to give us a preview of the paper, and what their priorities will be.

Cybersecurity is one of the biggest, and fastest growing threats facing businesses today, and our profession is a prime target for cyber criminals.

In a recent report examining real estate brokerages in BC, most were found to be significantly below average when it came to cybersecurity, and over a quarter were found to be critically at risk for an attack.

That’s why the Real Estate Errors and Omissions Insurance Corporation has partnered with globally-recognized cybersecurity company Dynarisk to offer free tools to all REALTORS® and brokers across BC to help mitigate these risks.

In this episode of the Critical Path, we sit down with Andrew Martin, CEO of Dynarisk, to talk about cybersecurity, and what Realtors can do to keep their data, and their clients’ data, safe from hackers. 

The Account Executive model is a key component of the Service Re-Imagined initiative at Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR). The role will blaze a new trail for the way GVR engages and supports our broker community.

As GVR's first Account Executive, Brian Spencer will lead the way. Brian's a former Realtor who brings extensive insider knowledge to his new role along with a drive to enhance member professionalism through tailored support.

In this episode of the Critical Path, Brian walks us through what members can expect from GVR's Account Executives now and in the future. 

The paths women in real estate tread can be very different than that of men. From personal safety issues and gender bias, to navigating invisible labour, there are unique challenges to becoming successful that all women face.

The Canadian Women in Real Estate Foundation, known as CWIRE, is building a community and offering women the resources and tools they need to find success in their real estate businesses. CWIRE's founder, North Vancouver REALTOR® Jacquie McCarnan, joined the Critical Path to discuss these issues and more.

Last year saw a pivotal shift in our profession, laying the groundwork for a future where we strive to set the standard for professionalism and innovation.

To do that, GVR is working through a process called Service Re-Imagined, which launched last year. This process will fundamentally shift the way your professional association operates to better serve you and your clients.

In our latest Critical Path, we sit down with GVR CEO Jeff King to discuss Service Re-Imagined, and give you an update on what you can expect to see in 2025.

Earlier this year, Greater Vancouver REALTORS® recruited Ash Anil to a newly-developed, senior leadership role – the Chief Membership Officer (CMO).

With his years of experience in customer experience, Ash is looking to identify the tools and technology, systems, and process improvements necessary to provide exceptional customer service to our members.

In our latest Critical Path, we sit down with Ash to discuss his role, and how it will transform the member experience at GVR.

The MLS® is both our most important tool and our greatest achievement. As technology continues to progress at a breakneck pace, the MLS® will need to adapt and innovate to continue to serve our needs.

That’s where ICE comes in.

ICE, the provider of our MLS® platform Paragon, has big plans to stay on the cutting edge, and we recently sat down with two ICE representatives, Lucie Fortier, Executive VP of MLS® Solutions, and Leslie Cobb, Product Owner, MLS® Solutions, to discuss these plans and get a sneak peek at what’s coming next.

New episodes each month

The Critical Path is released monthly.

Make sure to subscribe to GVR Podcasts to get the latest episodes of the Critical Path.

Missed the last episode? Check out Shaping the future of REALTOR.ca with CREA CEO Janice Myers.

REALTOR.ca is one of the most important tools we as REALTORS® have to market our MLS® listings.

But the site is at a crossroads. To keep up with the times, REALTOR.ca needs more funding.

One approach has been presented by CREA – to make REALTOR.ca a wholly-owned for-profit entity.

This week on the Critical Path, we sit down with Janice Myers, CREA’s CEO, to discuss why they believe this is the correct move.

New episodes each month

The Critical Path is released monthly.

Make sure to subscribe to GVR Podcasts to get the latest episodes of the Critical Path.

Missed last the episode? Check out our PacificWest special.