What We Do for Realtors
Become a Housing Ambassador: Lead the Solution in Your Community
As a realtor, you’re already your community’s trusted advisor on property value, market conditions, and homeownership. But what if you could expand that role, becoming the expert who helps homeowners unlock their property’s potential to create housing, generate income, and address the affordability crisis? With new gentle density legislation opening tens of thousands of opportunities for ADUs and Multiplex development, realtors who understand this emerging market will lead the next wave of housing solutions.
The Real Estate Professional's Role in Housing Access
For decades, realtors have been the bridge between property owners and possibility. You understand neighborhoods, assess feasibility, navigate complex regulations, and guide clients through major financial decisions. Now, legislative changes across Canada, particularly BC’s gentle density legislation, have created a massive opportunity that most homeowners don’t yet understand.
The numbers tell the story: In Vancouver alone, tens of thousands of residential properties can now add secondary suites, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs like laneway homes), duplexes, or multiplex developments. These aren’t just theoretical opportunities. They’re real properties with real potential. But homeowners need guidance to navigate zoning, understand financing, assess market demand, and make informed decisions.
That’s where you come in. As a realtor, you already have the trust, local knowledge, and professional skills to become a housing ambassador, someone who doesn’t just list and sell properties, but helps unlock their full potential to create homes and income.
The Canibuild Platform: Your Digital Partner
Our AI driven platform by Canibuild enables realtors to act as trusted guides for Citizen Builders that want to take advantage of new, gentle density housing opportunities. This digital platform gives you and your clients instant access to the tools needed to explore property development potential:
Instant Feasibility Assessment:
Quickly determine if a property can support an ADU, duplex, up to a sixplex based on lot size, zoning, and current regulations.
Zoning and Regulation Guidance:
Navigate the complex landscape of municipal bylaws, setback requirements, and permitting processes with clear, actionable information.
Financing Calculator:
Help clients understand project costs, potential rental income, and financing options, including community bonds (~2% interest) that make projects more affordable.
Expert Network Connection:
Link clients directly to, manufacturers, general contractors, permitting specialists and financing resources, with a special focus on gentle density development (SSMUH).
Canibuild doesn’t replace realtor expertise. It amplifies it. You remain the trusted advisor while gaining tools that position you as the go-to professional for housing development opportunities in your market.
Gentle Density Course with Greater Vancouver Realtors
We’ve partnered with the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® to offer professional development training that equips you with the knowledge to become an ADU and Multiplex specialist. This course covers:
- Understanding BC’s gentle density legislation and municipal implementation
- Identifying properties with development potential
- Assessing financial feasibility and return on investment
- Navigating the development process from concept to completion
- Connecting clients with financing, including community bonds
- Marketing and presenting development opportunities to homeowners
As Vancouver and municipalities across BC implement gentle density policies, realtors who complete this training will be positioned as the experts homeowners turn to when exploring their options. This isn’t just professional development, but market positioning that differentiates you from competitors.
ADUs: The Opportunity You Need to Understand
What Are ADUs?
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—also called laneway homes, garden suites, or carriage houses—are self-contained residential units located on the same lot as a single-family home. They can be detached structures, garage conversions, or basement suites, typically ranging from 400-1,000 square feet.
Under new legislation, hundreds of thousands of homeowner scan now add housing to their properties. It’s not just laneway homes—many lots can now support duplexes, triplexes, up to sixplex where only single-family homes existed before.
The Opportunity for Homeowners (and for You)
For homeowners, ADUs and gentle density offer:
- Housing for family members (aging parents, adult children)
- Rental income to offset mortgage costs or fund retirement
- Increased property value through added units
- Participation in solving the housing crisis while building generational wealth
For realtors, this represents:
- New service offerings beyond traditional buying/selling
- Expanded client relationships as a Community Housing Ambassador
- Additional commission opportunities from property transformations
- Leadership role as housing solution experts
The homeowners who would benefit most from ADU/Multiplex development often don’t know where to start. They need a trusted professional who can assess potential, explain options, and guide the process. That’s you.
Why This Matters Now
The housing market is shifting. Traditional buy-and-sell transactions continue, but the real growth opportunity lies in helping property owners unlock development potential. Realtors who position themselves as housing ambassadors and gentle density specialists will:
- Build deeper, longer-term client relationships
- Establish themselves as community thought leaders
- Generate referrals from satisfied clients whose properties now house families and generate income
- Participate meaningfully in solving Canada’s housing crisis
You’re not taking on “more”—you’re stepping into what’s next. Expand your expertise in an emerging market where you’re already the trusted professional, and benefit from the biggest construction opportunity BC has ever seen.
Ready to Become a Housing Ambassador?
Join the growing network of realtors who are leading the housing solution in their communities. Whether you’re exploring the Canibuild platform, interested in our Gentle Density course, or want to understand how to integrate ADU and multiplex specialization into your business.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us.