VOW — Virtual Office Website

A Virtual Office Website (VOW) is a REALTOR®'s website that displays MLS® listing data to consumers who have registered and agreed to terms of use. In BC, VOW registration is a requirement set by real estate boards to access full listing details, including sold prices, not simply a marketing tactic. VOW functionality is governed by real estate board policies and the Real Estate Services Act (RESA), SBC 2004, c. 42, which regulates licensed trading services. Verify current VOW board requirements with your REALTOR® or the British Columbia Financial Services Authority (BCFSA).

Registration is required by BC real estate boards, not individual REALTORS®, to control access to MLS® data and ensure consumers agree to terms of use before viewing detailed information such as sold prices. This requirement helps protect the integrity and accuracy of MLS® data under Real Estate Services Act (RESA), SBC 2004, c. 42, and BCFSA licensing rules. Registration also allows the REALTOR® to provide personalized listing updates while complying with board data-display policies. Verify current VOW registration requirements with a BC REALTOR® or the real estate board in your area.

A VOW typically collects your name, email address, and phone number; some may ask for additional contact or search preferences. In BC, personal information collected through a VOW is subject to BC's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), SBC 2003, c. 63, which governs how private-sector organizations collect, use, and disclose personal information. The REALTOR® must obtain your consent and explain how your data will be used. Review the VOW's privacy policy and terms of use before registering, and verify privacy practices with the brokerage or a BC privacy lawyer if you have concerns.

Yes, if you have provided express consent during VOW registration. Under Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), SC 2010, c. 23, commercial electronic messages require prior express or implied consent, and you must be able to unsubscribe easily. BC REALTORS® must also comply with CASL and the BCFSA Rules under the Real Estate Services Act (RESA), SBC 2004, c. 42, which govern licensee conduct. Review the consent language in the VOW terms of use, and verify current CASL and BCFSA compliance requirements with a BC lawyer or the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) if needed.

Once registered, you can view full MLS® listing details including property descriptions, photos, listing prices, days on market, and sold prices (subject to board policies). The Real Estate Services Act (RESA), SBC 2004, c. 42, requires licensees to provide accurate and timely information to clients and customers, and real estate boards set specific rules on what VOW data may be displayed. Some boards may restrict certain data fields; verify current display permissions and data accuracy with your REALTOR® or the applicable BC real estate board.

No. VOW registration grants you access to MLS® listing data on a REALTOR®'s website; it does not create a client relationship or buyer representation agreement. Under the Real Estate Services Act (RESA), SBC 2004, c. 42, and BCFSA Rules, a formal written service agreement (e.g., a Buyer Representation Agreement) is required to establish a client relationship with defined duties of disclosure, loyalty, and confidentiality. Registering on a VOW may make you a 'customer' receiving limited services, not a client. Verify the nature of your relationship and any agreements with the REALTOR® or a BC lawyer before proceeding with a transaction.

Sold prices displayed on a VOW are drawn from MLS® data, which is generally updated by REALTORS® after a sale completes; however, timing and accuracy depend on board data-entry practices and individual licensee compliance. The Real Estate Services Act (RESA), SBC 2004, c. 42, and BCFSA Rules require licensees to provide accurate information, but data may have a lag or clerical errors. Always verify sold-price data and comparable sales with your REALTOR® or a BC appraiser before relying on it for pricing or valuation decisions.

No, unless the VOW terms of use explicitly permit it. Real estate board VOW policies typically prohibit redistribution, scraping, or public sharing of MLS® data to protect the proprietary nature of the database and comply with copyright and licensing rules. The Real Estate Services Act (RESA), SBC 2004, c. 42, governs licensee data use, and boards enforce data-display restrictions. Review the VOW terms of use carefully, and verify permissible use of MLS® data with the REALTOR® or the applicable BC real estate board before sharing.

Offering a VOW is optional; not all BC REALTORS® or brokerages maintain a VOW-compliant website. Real estate boards set VOW policies, and individual licensees choose whether to invest in the technology and comply with board data-display and registration requirements under the Real Estate Services Act (RESA), SBC 2004, c. 42. If a REALTOR® does not offer a VOW, they may provide MLS® data through other permissible channels (e.g., email, in-person). Verify whether a specific REALTOR® or brokerage offers VOW access by asking directly or reviewing their website.

Most VOWs provide an account-management or unsubscribe link; alternatively, contact the REALTOR® or brokerage directly to request account deletion. Under BC's Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA), SBC 2003, c. 63, you have the right to request correction or deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements. The REALTOR® must comply with PIPA and any contractual terms of use you agreed to at registration. Verify the brokerage's data-retention and deletion policies, and consult a BC privacy lawyer if you encounter difficulties removing your information.