Last updated: August 22, 2026
This policy explains how karastephens.ca uses cookies and similar browser technologies. It should be read with the Privacy Policy, which explains how Kara Stephens, REALTOR®, handles personal information more generally.
What cookies are
Cookies are small text files or values stored by your browser. They can help a website remember a choice, maintain a secure session, measure activity, or recognize a browser over time. Similar technologies include browser storage, tags, pixels, and cookieless measurement signals.
How this website uses cookies
The website uses necessary cookies for core functions. Optional analytics cookies are used only after you allow the Analytics category. Advertising or other marketing cookies will not be enabled unless the website presents an appropriate choice and you consent.
Necessary website cookies
These cookies support security, privacy preferences, website sessions, form operation, caching, and access to MLS® listing content. They are not used to build an advertising profile and cannot all be disabled through the website’s preference control because the related features would not operate reliably without them.
| Cookie or technology | Purpose | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
client_tools_cookie_consent | Stores your optional-cookie choices and the applicable policy version. | 180 days |
SSESS… | Maintains a secure first-party website session where a session is required. | Browser session |
STYXKEY_disclaimer_accepted | Records acceptance of the terms required before accessing CREA DDF® listing content. | About one day for a visitor |
karastephens-listing-uuid | Provides the random browser identifier used for CREA’s required DDF® listing measurement after the listing-content agreement is accepted. | 30 days |
NO_CACHE | Prevents a personalized MLS® access response from being served incorrectly from cache. | About one day |
WordPress may also set authentication and preference cookies for authorized website administrators. Those cookies are not part of the ordinary public visitor experience.
CREA DDF® listing measurement
The MLS® listings section receives listing content through CREA’s Data Distribution Facility (DDF®). CREA requires participating listing websites to record listing activity through its Analytics Web Service API. After you accept the separate listing-content agreement and view a DDF® listing page, the website uses a karastephens-listing-uuid cookie containing a randomly generated identifier. It expires after 30 days.
A listing View event sent to CREA includes the listing identifier, website destination identifier, and the random browser identifier with the destination identifier appended. The referring URL may also be included. The website does not add your IP address as an analytics event parameter and does not include form answers. This measurement reports the visibility and use of DDF® listing content. It is a condition of the imported MLS® listing feature after you accept the listing-content agreement, and it is separate from the optional Google Analytics and HubSpot choices described below.
Google Analytics
When you allow Analytics cookies, Google Analytics may measure pages viewed, sessions, referring sources, approximate location, and browser or device information. Google Analytics commonly uses first-party cookies such as:
_ga, used to distinguish visitors, with a Google default duration of up to two years; and_ga_<container-id>, used to maintain session state, with a Google default duration of up to two years.
Browser restrictions or Google Analytics settings may shorten those durations. The website uses Google Consent Mode to communicate your choice. When Analytics storage is denied, Google Analytics does not read or write its analytics cookies. Depending on Google’s consent-mode configuration, Google may still receive limited cookieless signals that do not use an analytics cookie or persistent visitor identifier.
HubSpot tracking
The website may use HubSpot’s tracking code to understand visits and connect website activity with an inquiry. HubSpot tracking must be connected to the website’s consent choices before it is enabled. When HubSpot tracking is active and you allow Analytics cookies, HubSpot may collect page visits, timestamps, IP address, browser identifiers, and referral information. Common HubSpot tracking cookies include:
| Cookie | Purpose | HubSpot’s typical duration |
|---|---|---|
__hstc | Main visitor and visit-history cookie. | 6 months |
hubspotutk | Represents a visitor and may associate a form submission with prior website activity. | 6 months |
__hssc | Tracks activity within a session. | 30 minutes |
__hssrc | Helps HubSpot determine whether a new browser session has started. | Browser session |
The cookies HubSpot sets can vary with the features enabled and HubSpot may change their names or durations. If HubSpot chat, advertising, or other features are added, the consent notice and this policy will be reviewed before those features are enabled.
HubSpot forms are separate from tracking cookies
When you intentionally submit a contact, showing, or newsletter form, the information may be delivered to HubSpot to respond to your request or manage your subscription. That form delivery can occur without optional tracking cookies. If a valid HubSpot visitor cookie is present with the required consent, its identifier may be included with a form submission. Form information is governed by the Privacy Policy and the consent shown on the applicable form.
Advertising and future services
The website does not currently present an optional Marketing category. If Google Ads, HubSpot advertising tools, social-media pixels, personalization tools, or another service requiring marketing consent is added, the website will add the appropriate consent choice and update this policy before that tracking is enabled.
Other analytics, embedded content, maps, video, scheduling, or website tools may be introduced in the future. A new provider will not be treated as covered merely because this policy mentions future services. Its purpose, consent category, and material cookie practices will be assessed and disclosed when it is configured.
Managing your choices
You can accept, reject, or choose available optional categories in the website’s cookie notice. You can reopen the privacy preferences control at any time to change your choice. The website also treats a supported Global Privacy Control signal as a request to reject optional categories when no prior choice has been stored.
Rejecting optional cookies does not disable CREA’s required DDF® listing measurement after you accept the separate listing-content agreement. To avoid that measurement, do not accept or access the imported listings section.
Changing your preference applies to future optional tracking. Some cookies created after an earlier consent may remain until the website or provider removes them, they expire, or you delete them using your browser settings. Blocking or deleting necessary cookies may cause the MLS® terms notice, privacy notice, or other website functions to appear again.
Changes and contact
This policy will be updated when the website’s material cookie or tracking practices change. Cookie names and durations may also change when a provider updates its technology.
Questions about this policy may be sent to kara@karastephens.ca or by phone at 250-859-4891.