6 REM APRIL 2013
Splashy lead-off for Canada Realty
Roots of Re/Max Continued from page 3
“I wanted to prove myself,” she says, reflecting her mother’s earlier, youthful feelings. She worked as a mobile mortgage specialist at RBC for two years and became a mortgage broker. She got her real estate licence in 2005 and sold real estate for three years, becoming an award-winning sales associate with Re/Max Professionals. Her uncle, Michael Polzler, recruited her to Re/Max OntarioAtlantic Canada’s head office to work in franchise development. She is currently the broker of record for the family firm in Etobicoke, responsible for agent productivity and the long-term growth of the company. Leah, 31, and her husband, Paul, are the parents of one-year-old Jackson. She says she was totally influenced to get into real estate by her
Cover photo: MARKO SHARK
is in marketing and promotions, and for the launch of Canada Realty he showcased some of the relationships he has built. As a video of Samdeo chatting with actor Charlie Sheen played during the reception, other guests attending included Michael Tait of WN Pharmaceuticals, Andrew Hamblin of AirSprint Private Aviation, a private aircraft provider and lawyer Larry Ellis of Cassel Brock. “It speaks volumes if you have a great network of friends,” says Samdeo. “For me, real estate is always something I wanted to do. I grew up in the Jane and Finch area in Toronto. I was on my own from when I was 16-years-old and I vowed then that I would always have a place to live. I think that’s where the passion for real estate came from,” he says. Broker of record Iri bought his first condo when he was 22, grandfather, who told her that it was important for her to make something of herself and to do it on her own so she would have something to call her own. “He was an excellent mentor,” says Leah. She also describes her parents as role models, and when asked to describe the benefits of having parents and a grandparent in the business, Leah says she never feels judged. “We have open and honest conversations and I don’t feel that I have to hold back.” As a “talent scout” for Re/Max, one of her goals is to recruit younger people into the company and help make their jobs easier through technology and support systems. A snowboarder who loves to exercise and travel, Leah is mindful of the family dynasty and admits there is a lot of weight on her shoulders to do well. “I just want to make my family proud,” she says.
Christopher Samdeo
obtained his real estate license at 25 and became a broker at 28. He’s been working in the industry for eight years. He says he believes the company can expand across the country within five years. “We think we can bring a fresh face and a fresh image to real estate that will make Canada Realty a household name,” he says. At the event, Samdeo used his contacts to create a great signing bonus for the first three sales reps to join the company – a trip to New
Christopher Alexander, sales rep, Re/Max Professionals Like his mother, uncle and older sister, 27-year-old Christopher Alexander grew up in the real estate business. As a Grade 10 student, Christopher did a school project that initially sparked an interest in real estate. He remembers thinking at the time that he might enjoy a career in the business. During summers in high school he worked for his family’s company in
Publisher HEINO MOLLS email: heino@remonline.com
Editor in Chief JIM ADAIR email: jim@remonline.com
Director, Sales & Marketing DENNIS ROCK email: dennis@remonline.com
Distribution & Production MILA PURCELL distribution@remonline.com
Manager, French Edition MICHEL CHEVALIER michel@remenligne.com
Art Director LIZ MACKIN
Digital Media Manager WILLIAM MOLLS web@remonline.com
Graphic Design SHAWN KELLY Brand Design SANDRA GOODER
Arius Iri
Joe Carter
York City on one of AirSprint’s private jets for a stay at the Trump Tower in New York. “We have a lot of fun,” he says. “We don’t do a project where we don’t have fun. Carter says he is pleased to work as a spokesperson for Canada Realty. “I don’t just lend my name out to anybody,” he says. “In the last three or four years, we have done some pretty good deals with Webber Naturals, Blackberry and the TD Bank. It’s about loyalty and
not just chasing the money. It’s making a name for yourself and being out there in the community and giving back to the community.” A little known fact is that Carter and his wife Diane are both Realtors. “I just use my license for referrals,” Carter says. “Diana is an interior designer. She likes to find old houses and fix them up. Two years ago we built one of the first LEED certified green homes in Kansas City. She’s very talented.”
the accounting department. But he attended Carleton University and got a BA in Art History. When he decided he did not want to pursue a career in teaching, his mind reverted to the thought that he had in high school, about working in real estate. He also admits today that his grandfather Frank had an influence on his career choice. “I knew he had a dream for me and my sister to get involved in Re/Max Professionals,” Christopher says. So he entered the business and worked his way up through various administrative positions with Re/Max until he became licensed in 2010. Today, after three years of selling, he declares that he loves the business. “I want to make my mark as an agent before considering other growth opportunities,” he says. “My grandfather instilled in me that I’d have to make it on my
2255B Queen Street East, Suite #1178 Toronto, ON M4E 1G3
Phone: 416.425.3504 www.remonline.com www.remenligne.com
REM complies fully with the Canadian Real Estate Association's Rules for Trademarks (CREA Rule 16.5.3.1) REALTOR® and REALTORS® are trademarks controlled in Canada by The Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) and identify licensed real estate practitioners who are members of CREA. MLS® and Multiple Listing Service® are trademarks owned by CREA and identify the services rendered by members of CREA. REM is published 12 times a year. It is an independently owned and operated company and is not affiliated with any real estate association, board or company. REM is distributed across Canada by leading real estate boards and by direct delivery in selected areas. For subscription information, email distribution@remonline.com. Entire contents copyright 2013 REM. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The opinions expressed in REM are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 1201-1223
REM
own; nothing would be handed to me.” Christopher believes that any success he might enjoy in the business is up to him because “the consumer cares what I can do for them.” He believes that the marketing tools and negotiating skills he has developed came from the best teachers and mentors: his family. When asked what it’s like to have his mother as “the boss”, he maintains that she listens to him and often takes his advice. “We value each other’s opinions and expertise,” he says. Christopher, who is single and lives in downtown Toronto, is an avid snowboarder and traveler. He also enjoys basketball, gatherings at the family cottage at Pine Lake in the Muskokas, and he is an active participant with his family and colleagues raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. REM Printed by Metroland Media Group, Ltd. ® A certified FSC SFI Printer Printer
A
splashy private reception in the penthouse at the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Toronto, with an appearance by World Series baseball hero Joe Carter, launched the country’s newest real estate brokerage, Canada Realty Inc. The new firm is owned by president and CEO Christopher Samdeo and broker of record Arius Iri. Initially they hope to attract 25 sales reps as they launch the firm in downtown Toronto, offering both residential and commercial services. “We have a big vision but we’re going to start small,” says Samdeo, adding that he “wants my agents to feel they can grow from the residential side to the commercial side. We’ll give them opportunities to learn the commercial business.” The firm will offer 100-per-cent commissions. Samdeo’s background
By Jim Adair