SPECIAL REPORT
YOUNG GUNS 2018 JONATHAN POPOWICH RE/MAX iRealty Innovations Calgary, AB Age: 35
Jonathan Popowich has never shied away from a challenge. A former firefighter, Popowich has been finding fresh solutions for homebuyers for the past nine years. Despite being known for his innovative approach to real estate, Popowich says his success is rooted in some of the industry’s more traditional practices. “Our goal is to make every one of our clients feel like they are our only client,” he says. “When a client has a baby, we want a baby gift on the doorstep before they get home from the hospital. If you do what you say you’re going to do and you are a nice person, the results come naturally.” Those results speak for themselves: Popowich has won RE/MAX’s Diamond, Titan and Chairman’s Club awards and is currently the company’s number-two agent in all of Alberta.
TRAVIS BOUGHNER Sutton Group Heritage Realty Ajax, ON Age: 32
According to Sutton Group’s Travis Boughner, to be happy, agents must find what it is about real estate that gets their hearts pumping. “Uncover what it is that you love about this business – whether it be door-knocking, cold-calling, open houses or other forms of connecting with people – and exploit it,” he advises. “Exploit what you love about this business because you can’t do everything that everyone tells you to do – nor can you often afford to.” Boughner’s prior experience as an advertising sales consultant has proved invaluable in establishing him as one of Sutton Group’s top agents in the Durham Region. He has won the company’s Elite, Pinnacle and Platinum awards and was named Rookie of the Year in 2015.
JAKE SHERBININ
Century 21 Mountainview Realty Castlegar, BC Age: 22
One of the youngest of this year’s Young Guns, Jake Sherbinin has already made a splash in the small community of Castlegar, BC. Sherbinin’s early success demonstrates that there are plenty of opportunities for rookie agents willing to work for them. “Put in the hours and hard work, and the business will follow,” he says. “I was once told it’s like rolling a snowball down a hill. At first, it’s pretty slow and tough, but once you get it built up, it starts rolling and building – sometimes more quickly than you can keep up.” Sherbinin believes in the power of adhering to a schedule, which has kept his business growing. “I try to have a solid morning routine,” he says. “I try to get all of the big tasks done before noon, leaving the afternoon for appointments and closing deals.”
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PETER KOSTECKI RE/MAX Twin City Realty Kitchener, ON Age: 33
For Peter Kostecki – the number-three agent in an office of 115 – the key to success is delivering white-glove service. From choosing the right clothes to settling on the right offer, Kostecki believes agents who win are the ones who go the extra mile. “There are many great agents out there, but the majority don’t have the right mindset,” he says. “People are paying a ton of money for you to serve them. Earn it!” But Kostecki also warns agents not to get caught up in their own hype and become the arrogant caricature most consumers associate Realtors with. “Diplomacy is key,” he says. “Kill them with kindness. Eventually things will come full circle and you’ll come out on top.”