CANADA 2-10-20

CANADA EDITION

Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker What the First Thing You Do After Work

SAYS ABOUT YOU

FEATURED AGENTS

LEA CATHCART MARC MARTIN REBECCA PERMACK

5 Lessons from Silicon Valley to

Modernize and Monetize Your Business

COVER STORY

ROGER GIRI

CANADA EDITION

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20 MARC MARTIN 23 REBEC LEA CATHCART

CP Martin hasdemonstrates a word thatRebecca sums Lea Cathcart arrived in realMarc estate that the neighb C up his approach to real estate: buildingbuy re four years ago. At the time, Lea the lifestyle prospective fo and first was a teacher, and when hishonesty. child- “I’m very upfrontclients ti very thorough,” Marc says.

“I really Beyond the office, Leaget giv hood friend Steve sold him his first su a legal background, I’mwhat and t local real estate so board, havin home, Lea instantly becamehave interim very particular in how I do my Committee, the Top MLS Com ested in the business. “I saw how Agent.

ROGER GIRI LEA CATHCART REBECCA PERMACK offers. a by-the-book type of Committee.

He goodMARC he wasMARTIN at it and the value of I’m Relations cutter syste personality.” baseball team and soccer te a Realtor and a real estate career,” gets the P sa enjoys time spentcustomize with his es w Lea remembers. The two of them now work alongside each Part of thatdren, honesty is anand honest Addison other. Lea has gone on to carve out his own reputation, forFinnley. their heA Rw warmth Marc has for his tostro keep momentum going known for his relationship-oriented approach, proven track that listen clients.

“My clients aren’t just clients,” he says.

“They sti business and relationships record, in depth knowledge and personal touch. make sure become family. And theyfeel remain that way keep mythe referra cared for,expanding whilefrom also bringing CONTENTS until they pass away.

Sure, I sold them a home W Today, Lea serves clientelebeginning across the Greater Victoria, continuing to grow our pers knowledge so that they get top do or IThere, listed their house, butthey’re what’s more than Lea th regionESTATE of British Columbia. heLESSONS has amassed a tial andimportant commercial” a 18) 5 FROM SILICON 4) PLAYING THE REAL looking for.” business almost exclusively driven by repeat and referral warehouse as well as two v the commission is the ongoing relationships.

And it’s not ya VALLEY TO MODERNIZE AND MATCHMAKER—FOLLOW THESE clientele who trust his capable eye,- my astute counsel, and heart of including town, “A passion o just me whole family is involved, myknowl he Rebecca’s experience and MONETIZE YOUR BUSINESS 8 DATING RULES TO ENSURE personal approach. After just Lea It’s wasmy recogVictoria and make sure they wifetwo andyears, daughter. real estate family.” da goes back twenty years; she ente YOU MATCH YOURnized CLIENT as an MLS Gold Award Winner, being in the top our great city,” he says. im an assistant to one of Vancouve WITH THE PERFECT10% HOME 21) WHAT THE FIRST THING of sales volume in hisThat region.

“To it’s all connection about sense ofme, familial has led Marc to a ha REALTORs® and has blazed her ow FOR THEM Now, witha four the relationship,” Lea says.terrific “I prioritize the quality ofWORK the That YOU DO SAYS return andAFTER referral rate. means lot inyears the of e tial real estate, becoming one of ahead, Lea Cathcart trust and confidence built with client whenYOU we’re areaa ABOUT he serves, from working Temiskaming to Kirkland Lake,consid M ® Royal LePage REALTORs in his chosen field.

“I really together.

I treat every purchase and sale as if it were mine which has a smaller population. Marc - who is a true th 13) CREATIVE MEDITATION FOR and serving the Tri-Cit advances in their lives,” L personally, and I guide myNortherner clients through from startCoquitlam toa community himself is part of with a popuan THE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL areas, Rebecca and her hand-picked of a property, purchase of a finish. My teaching background definitely set me up for a lation around 20,000, and with such a small community go their clients. the right investment, more hands-on, proactive approach educating giving thetobest serviceclients.” possible is make paramount.

“Volume rewarding.”

Lea believes In fact, education and instilling knowledge and confidence isn’t the most important thing here,” he says. “Here it’s hi “For us it’s not about the dollars we’s of knowledge and time he in his clients is a cornerstone of Lea’s working philosall about service.”

“It’s about connecting with the cli estate was a hobby of mine, ophy. “Trust is so important to this process,” he explains. servicetotime truly personalized.

We ma career passion.”

“Sometimes things go smoothly, andservice sometimes it’snaturally more And that comes Marc.

He and especially aand positive experience, and complicated—but my role loves is to to remain levelheaded, welcome new people to his small community.

“Itit doe transaction is over we stay throughout the process.

This provides clients a lot Phone 310-734-1440 | candid Fax 310-734-1440 makes it easier for them to integrate into the community,” conn thea deal they is done.

Ouron.” clients b of comfort, and the trust andMarc reliability I provide imparts says. “Knowing I’m someone can count mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com sense of security and confidence for my clients.” cheerleaders because they feel care No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher.

Top their goals andAgent feel about how Marc’s community involvement ensures he’sgood someone Magazine is published by FeatureWhen Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published it comes to marketing,everyone Lea and his team, The Victoria can orcount on. Hebyowns an enclosed cargo materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed facts supplied its authors.

Real Estate Team, leave notrailer stone that unturned.

“We’re super Those connections are important To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com.he happily lends out for free for anyone who comprehensive in our approach to marketing. Campaigns what her in real estate Published in the U.S. needs it. “It doesn’t have to be truly for a drives new transaction,” usually reserved for high-end properties we offer deeply for involved in communit he says. “It can be for something as simple as her bringing every listing of ours,” he says. “We maximize our clients’ mebringing give back to the community in their kids to college, or for items to commusale values and exposure with our custom marketing”. she says.

“Having success in this b nity events.”

Top Agent Magazine Individual websites, narrated videography, professional us to give backTotolearn the community more ab photography, and 3D Virtual tours for each of our listings, and I don’t see myself being able One such event that he founded and organized with call +1-250-217-089

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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Playing the Real Estate Matchmaker –

Follow These 8 Dating Rules to Ensure You Match Your Client with the Perfect Home for Them When you think a bit more about it, the ultimate goal of a real estate agent serving a client is really to match them up with the perfect house for them, almost the way a matchmaker tries to find two people that will fit well together as a couple. When people are looking for a house, they often treat the process as a quest for “the one” house that will fulfill their dreams of living in the house of their dreams. Don’t be fooled. It is always a search for “the one”, at least when it comes to helping a couple or family find a home.

When you look at your client’s search for a home in this manner, then you might begin to notice some pretty obvious similarities 4

between shopping for a home today and online dating. In this day and age most people live a substantial part entire lives online. People socialize with their friends on Facebook, they meet potential friends in forums and online communities, and we now even search for our perfect mate online. Shopping for a home also happens to usually start online. When they begin this search, make no mistake; they are looking for the “one.” These people then turn to you, the REALTOR® to play matchmaker for them. It is your job to wade through the pool of eligible homes (bachelors) and sort through all the ones that are too expensive, too nerdy, not cute enough, not smart enough, etc. until you find the “one.”

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It makes sense then to consult the tried and true practices in matchmaking that help those professionals find the right people for each other, and see if any of them could also apply for matching your clients with their dream home. You’ll find that these 8 dating rules may just show you the secret to matching your clients with the perfect home.

back to the store if you’re not happy with your new home. It’s best to first help your client get prequalified. This is a tangible step that shows they are ready to move on to a new home. You want to make sure they are completely over their love affair with their previous home. You can even ask them for a sign or proof that they’re ready to move on.

Who Is In and Not In Your Client’s League? Know Your Client’s Price Range:

Be Genuine, Not Superficial

When a person is looking for a mate, it is a waste of time for them to even consider those potential mates that are clearly out of their league. These people won’t even stop to give them the time of day.

In the world of real estate the idea is the same. There is no point showing your clients houses that they can’t afford and will simply lust after without having any real chance of purchasing the house. It is your job to keep your client ground in reality, and help them be realistic in terms of price when choosing their next home.

Never Let Your Client’s First Impression of a Home Rule Their Decisions

Make Sure Your Client is Ready to Move On From Their Last Dream Home You’re job is also to make sure that your client is truly ready to move on from their previous home. This is a long term commitment, and they need to be absolutely sure they actually want to buy a new house. You can’t simply take the receipt Top Agent Magazine

When trying to manage the many pitfalls of online dating, on inevitably goes on a date where the other person looks nothing like their picture online. That can be just as big of a problem when looking for a house. When clients show you a particular house they want to visit, ask them to name something about the house that they like other than the aesthetics. This way you can see if they are simply infatuated with the way the house looks in those pictures, or if there is a deeper interest in the home that could become a deeper connection between your client and the house.

When your client first sees a house they have already been lusting after in their mind, they’re often so excited to finally be looking at it, especially if it does in fact look as good as it did in the pictures.

Make sure to encourage them to take some time before making such a big com-

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mitment, and don’t let their excitement push them into making a rash decision. It is your job to keep them grounded in reality. Push for your clients to do an inspection to make sure the house isn’t hiding any dark secrets. Sometimes the most charming facade can hide tons of slime and deadly mold.

Follow Your Heart (or Gut) People often laugh at and ridicule the idea of love at first sight, but when it comes to homes, the phenomenon can certainly happen. Your client may just find their perfect dream home at the very first place you take them. If you have a client that does insist this is the case, then you don’t want to try and rationalize with them or talk them out of their decision. You do, however, want to make sure you are watching out for their interest and make sure your clients take all the necessary precautions before they jump in headfirst.

See What Other People See in The Home – Do They See What Your Client Sees?

Have you come to the conclusion that your clients are being blinded by all of the twinkling windows and crystal clear water glistening in the backyard pool, and can’t see that the house they’ve fallen in love with is really just a dirty animal (maybe a pig) dressed up in nice clothes and lipstick. Ask your client if they would be willing to look at the house again with 6

their close friends, family, and anyone else they trust for a second opinion there to see it with them. If the house really is a dud, they’ll be able to see past any personal bias your client might have to the truth. They will be able to help your client see through the shining facade

Celebrate the Happy Union!

When a couple gets married they tend to throw a big party and celebrate their union. The same goes for the closing.

Your clients have just essentially married the house of their dreams, and now it’s time to rejoice. Congratulate them on their new union. Show your support for their new homeowner status by going to their housewarming party.

Help Your Clients Maintain Their Dream Home & Ensure a Lifetime of Happiness You can’t just disappear after the transaction is finished. Become their realtor for life by showing your clients how to maintain their dream home. Act as their resource for other professionals they may need to maintain the house such as handymen, plumbers, electricians, etc. Show them how to keep up with home maintenance so they don’t ignore problems that surface and end up with a much larger issue than they started with. Help them make sure their dream home lasts so they can live happily ever after in their home for a lifetime.

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ROGER GIRI

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ROGER GIRI Led by Top Agent Roger Giri, 6Homes provides its clients a suite of full-service real estate solutions, ranging from residential, commercial, investment and rental properties.

Roger Giri always had a passion for real estate.

He started by investing in his own properties, renovating them and then putting the properties up for resale for a profit. This passion led to Roger sharing his success and tips with his family and friends, who also benefited with great success by investing in properties and doing 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

what Roger was doing, while regularly consulting with him along the way. These same family and friends suggested to Roger that he try his hand as a Realtor and start his own business, as he had a natural talent for it. This was the beginning of 6Homes, a full-service real estate company.

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Led by Roger, 6Homes provides its clients a suite of full-service real estate solutions, ranging from residential, commercial, investment and rental properties. 6Homes also offers renovations, property management, custom home building, and staging homes for resale. Roger developed a reputation for successfully delivering renovated projects on time, on budget, and of course with superior customer service. From early on, those who knew Roger would often hear him say, “I want to make a living selling and buying real estate. It feels natural and there just does not seem to be enough hours in the day to accomplish the things I want to do in this business. This does not feel like work to me, as I love what I do.”

When he was making his final decision to make this his career, Roger would tell himself, and his friends and family, “The stars and the moon are aligned, the timing is right for this business,” and Roger finally gave it a shot. The rest is history.

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Today 6Homes is expanding internationally due to Roger’s commitment, drive, and passion as well as the opportunity to offer his clients new products and diversify their real estate needs into other markets. Conversely, 6Homes offers international clients the opportunity to diversify and invest in Canada. Roger’s clients always remain his top priority.

In addition to operating 6Homes, Roger remains busy serving his clients across the Greater Toronto Area (“GTA”) by partnering with Sutton Summit Realty Brokerage. When asked why he works with Sutton Summit Realty versus another brokerage, Roger explains, “I have an incredibly supportive broker in Sutton Summit Realty, and they also provide me with an amazing back office. They make it easy for me to offer my clients a one-stop-shop solution as it relates to their real estate transaction needs. This allows Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

In addition to operating 6Homes, Roger remains busy serving his clients across the Greater Toronto Area by partnering with Sutton Summit Realty Brokerage — making it easy to offer clients a one-stopshop solution as it relates to their real estate transaction needs.

6Homes, my management company, and Roger Giri aka “King Realtor” to cover the whole 9 yards of real estate for my clients.”

With this infrastructure in place, Roger has built a successful business comprised of repeat and referred clientele who trust his multifaceted insight and personal touch. This is proven by his Platinum and President Awards, received year over year. “I strive to educate my clients, build a Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

personal connection, and I do my best to understand their wants, needs and goals,” he says. “I then guide my clients through the process and explain their options, and this transparent process is what gives my clients comfort in their final decisions.”

Through 6Homes, Roger leverages his renovation experience to serve clients and bring affordable homeownership to Toronto residents.

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Alongside one of his business partners who owns multiple residential condo units in the GTA, Roger launched a program which allows tenants to affordably buy their suite and simultaneously renovate it making it fresh and virtually brand new. This program is a win-win for both his clients and the existing tenants who become home-owners. There is a benefit to Roger as well, as once these new homeowners decide to upgrade to a new home, Roger gets the call.

When listing properties, Roger begins with a thorough consultation to gain an understanding of his clients need. He explains how he and his team operate, all to build trust with the client.

Once listed, he enlists professional photography, virtual tours, exposure across various online Top Agent Magazine

platforms, print advertisements, and networking through Roger’s extensive brokerage network.

Creative social media marketing efforts are also put in motion to give prospective buyers an immersive view of homes on the market. “I love the fact that I can educate clients and that they trust me with their biggest and most important investment–their home” explains Roger. “It’s one of the biggest and most important purchases people will make. Very often, I have to wear multiple hats such as real estate agent, psychologist, and consultant. At heart, I am simply a people-person, and I love helping my clients get the most out of this process.”

Outside of the office, Roger gives back through organizing holiday drives and global sponsorship Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

of children in need. In his free hours, he most enjoys spending time with family, travelling to exotic destinations, and enjoys the occasional round of golf.

As for the future, Roger intends on keeping the momentum going strong. He plans to add more team members in order to support many of the new projects he has in the works. Roger’s final

comment was, “I would like to continue to build on the success of 6Homes as well as my Realtor business by adding staff that can manage the growth. I don’t really think of this as a job, given that it is also my passion and, as corny as this sounds, it’s sort of in my DNA. You have to do what is important to you and when dealing with others, as I do in my business, you must do it with complete transparency and trust.”

To learn more about Roger Giri Email: roger@6Homes.ca or Info@6Homes.ca Direct number: 416 834 4532 Website: www.6Homes.ca Instagram: 6Homes.ca Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

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Creative Meditation

for the Real Estate Professional The real estate world can be an industry of intense emotional and psychological pressure. Deadlines, meetings, employee needs, client needs and a hundred other items on which one needs to focus on a daily basis can create an environment that is not only not conducive to mental well-being, but can be outright detrimental.

Learning to quiet the mind has been the focus of meditation for millennia. While those not familiar with the concept of meditation may instinctively think of yoga mats, incense, and chanting when the word “meditation” arises, there are in fact, many forms of meditation that can integrate quite Top Agent Magazine

easily into the daily hustle & bustle world of the busy real estate agent.

First, think about when you are alone each day. Here are some possible times to practice mediation during the work day: • When driving to the office in the morning • When driving to a showing or to meet a client • Before your open house begins • After the open house • Driving home in the evening 13

Repeating a mantra can be very calming, particularly when you are trying to rid yourself of negative, self-defeating thoughts.

These are just five examples of times when you can take advantage of meditation techniques to quiet your mind and, by extension, increase productivity. A calm mind is a more thoughtful, better tuned instrument.

Here are some examples of meditations you can try.

1

For when you’re driving, download and listen to any number of audio Guided Meditations available on the internet. YouTube has a generous selection of these, many of which are geared towards success in business.

2 Repeating a mantra can be very calm-

ing, particularly when you are trying to rid yourself of negative, self-defeating thoughts. It doesn’t matter what words you choose, as long as you feel good about your choice. “I am a success” or “I will approach all of my clients with love today” are two examples. Whatever works for you and gets you into the desired mindset.

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3 Something as simple as listening to pleasant music in your car can be considered meditation, provided it brings you to a place of comfort as opposed to one of spiritual discordance.

4 The most important thing, however, is to take time to find gratitude in everything you do. Count your blessings, be grateful the exciting career in real estate you have built for yourself.

Once you’ve mastered some of these techniques at quieting your mind, you can attempt to find some that work even better for you. Walking, plain silence, or even exercise can have meditative qualities and benefits if practiced on a regular basis.

When you’re truly feeling calm, your clients can sense this. And with this comes the feeling that you can be relied upon to stay focused and calm in any unforeseen circumstances. And in the world of real estate, that’s a highly prized commodity.

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LEA CATHCART Lea Cathcart arrived in real estate four years ago. At the time, Lea was a teacher, and when his childhood friend Steve sold him his first home, Lea instantly became interested in the business. “I saw how good he was at it and the value of a Realtor and a real estate career,” Lea remembers. The two of them now work alongside each other. Lea has gone on to carve out his own reputation, known for his relationship-oriented approach, proven track record, in depth knowledge and personal touch.

Today, Lea serves clientele across the Greater Victoria, region of British Columbia. There, he has amassed a business almost exclusively driven by repeat and referral clientele who trust his capable eye, astute counsel, and personal approach. After just two years, Lea was recognized as an MLS Gold Award Winner, being in the top 10% of sales volume in his region. “To me, it’s all about the relationship,” Lea says. “I prioritize the quality of the trust and confidence built with a client when we’re working together. I treat every purchase and sale as if it were mine personally, and I guide my clients through from start to finish. My teaching background definitely set me up for a more hands-on, proactive approach to educating clients.”

In fact, education and instilling knowledge and confidence in his clients is a cornerstone of Lea’s working philosophy. “Trust is so important to this process,” he explains.

“Sometimes things go smoothly, and sometimes it’s more complicated—but my role is to remain levelheaded, and candid throughout the process. This provides clients a lot of comfort, and the trust and reliability I provide imparts a sense of security and confidence for my clients.”

When it comes to marketing, Lea and his team, The Victoria Real Estate Team, leave no stone unturned. “We’re super comprehensive in our approach to marketing. Campaigns usually reserved for high-end properties we offer for every listing of ours,” he says. “We maximize our clients’ sale values and exposure with our custom marketing”.

Individual websites, narrated videography, professional photography, and 3D Virtual tours for each of our listings, is what Lea knows makes his listings stand out. What’s more, Lea focuses on curating an image for each property Top Agent Magazine

that demonstrates the neighborhood, wider community, and the lifestyle prospective buyers can expect.

Beyond the office, Lea gives back as a part of Victoria’s local real estate board, having served on the Public Relations Committee, the MLS Committee, and the Government Relations Committee. He has also started a local men’s baseball team and soccer team. In his free hours, he most enjoys time spent with his wife Jocelyn and two young children, Addison and Finnley. As for the future, Lea intends to keep momentum going strong as he continues to build his business and relationships in the years to come. “I want to keep expanding my referral base and business while also continuing to grow our personal investments, both residential and commercial” Lea and his wife own a commercial warehouse as well as two vacation rental properties in the heart of town, “A passion of ours is to welcome people to Victoria and make sure they have a fantastic experience in our great city,” he says.

Now, with four years of experience, and a bright future ahead, Lea Cathcart considers what he enjoys most about his chosen field. “I really enjoy helping people make advances in their lives,” Lea says. “Whether it’s the sale of a property, purchase of a first home, or helping someone make the right investment, playing a role in that is really rewarding.” Lea believes his clients truly value the amount of knowledge and time he shares with each of them. “Real estate was a hobby of mine,” he reflects, “and now it’s fulltime career and passion.”

To learn more about Lea Cathcart call +1-250-217-0892, email lea@vret.ca, or visit vret.ca or leacathcart.com www.

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Laughs!

Graham Harrop Graham Harrop Cartoons Cartoons

Putting the power of humour to work for you!

Putting the power of humour to work for you! grahamharrop.com 

grahamharrop.com  16

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5 Lessons from Silicon Valley to Modernize and Monetize Your Business Silicon Valley may be the region for disruptors, tech entrepreneurs, and futurists, but even the most forward-thinking, abstract companies are still businesses that have to keep tabs on their bottom line. There’s much to learn from America’s fastest-growing sector, and even if Silicon 18

Valley seems like a world unto its own, there are key lessons prime for adaption in your own endeavors. Below, consider a few ways to translate the trends and teachings of Silicon Valley for your own business, and reap the rewards in the process.

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1. Diversify your value Real estate is a business built on relationships, but your relationships will go stale if the only thing you communicate is you interest in making a sale. In order to sustain relationships for the long term, you’ve got to remain valuable to your clients beyond the transaction. Serve as a local resource, not just a salesperson or real estate expert. Ensure your marketing materials, social media presence, and communications offer useful, relevant, and original content your clients will benefit from. What’s more, vary your communications so that every time you reach out it’s not just about new business or a referral.

2. Company culture matters Silicon Valley tech giants always emphasize the importance of company culture—not just as a way of drawing and retaining talent, but also as a way to appeal to clientele. What are your company’s values? What do you stand for? How you’re positioned in the marketplace is becoming just as important as what you do and how well you do it. Your company culture is part of your branding, and your brand should feel clear and composed to clients eyeing your services.

3.Think big picture More and more, clients want to have an experience, not just a transaction. When it comes to buying a home, this means they care more about a property’s bedroom and bathroom count. As an agent, consider showcasing properties in terms of lifestyle. What neighborhood amenities are nearby? What opportunities are there for community involvement? How does public Top Agent Magazine

transportation stack up in the area? Before making the purchase of a lifetime, clients want to envision a complete lifestyle.

4. Leverage multiple platforms By now, you probably recognize that social media is not afterthought. Your social media presence should fit your brand and voice, interact across platforms, and actively engage with your audience. In other words, if you want to reap the benefits of social media, it’s not enough to post a few times a month and walk away. Active engagement means responding to comments, interacting with your followers’ profiles, and posting original content beyond a sales pitch.

Likewise, you’ll want to be active across multiple social media platforms and ensure that your profiles are interconnected. That way, you’ll be working from a unified voice and brand.

5. Reputations rule the roost Never underestimate the power of word-ofmouth marketing and testimonials. If you haven’t asked for feedback from past clients, and you aren’t sharing positive testimonials and reviews—you’re missing out on one of the most powerful tools at an agent’s disposal. You can pitch the virtues of your working style all day long, but those courting your business want to hear about positive experiences from the client’s perspective.

If you want to take your business to the next level and maximize the twenty-first century values of a company on the rise, look to the lessons of Silicon Valley to get your start. There are always opportunities to innovate, and doing so will help you break from your routine and stand apart from the pack.

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MARC MARTIN Marc Martin has a word that sums up his approach to real estate: honesty. “I’m very upfront and very thorough,” Marc says. “I have a legal background, so I’m very particular in how I do my offers. I’m a by-the-book type of personality.”

Part of that honesty is an honest warmth that Marc has for his clients. “My clients aren’t just clients,” he says. “They become family. And they remain that way from the beginning until they pass away. Sure, I sold them a home or I listed their house, but what’s more important than the commission is the ongoing relationships. And it’s not just me - my whole family is involved, including my wife and daughter. It’s my real estate family.”

That sense of familial connection has led Marc to a terrific return and referral rate. That means a lot in the area he serves, from Temiskaming to Kirkland Lake, which has a smaller population. Marc - who is a true Northerner himself - is part of a community with a population around 20,000, and with such a small community giving the best service possible is paramount. “Volume isn’t the most important thing here,” he says. “Here it’s all about service.”

Christmas concert fundraiser for Zack’s Crib at the Classic Theatre in Cobalt. “It will be a community center for ladies and gentlemen with mental health and addiction issues, and homelessness” he explains. “It was very successful, and that’s great because my community is so important to me.”

People can also count on Marc’s blog, https://marcrealestateguru.blog. “It focuses more on facts and honesty,” he says. “And I use it to demystify some of the language REALTORS® use. It’s important that my clients understand everything and that we’re all on the same page.”

When he’s not working Marc loves to get outdoors; there’s a cross-country ski trail right behind his back yard and he loves going snow-shoeing. In the summer he enjoys spending time outside. “I try to walk every day or do some sort of physical activity,” he says. “It’s important for me to stay healthy and at the same time have fun.”

Marc’s plans for the future are simple. “It’s the same as the plan for today,” he says. “Provide excellent service and be there for my clients when the need arises. My goal is to always protect my client.”

And that service comes naturally to Marc. He especially loves to welcome new people to his small community. “It makes it easier for them to integrate into the community,” Marc says. “Knowing I’m someone they can count on.”

Marc’s community involvement ensures he’s someone everyone can count on. He owns an enclosed cargo trailer that he happily lends out for free for anyone who needs it. “It doesn’t have to be for a new transaction,” he says. “It can be for something as simple as bringing their kids to college, or for bringing items to community events.”

To find out more about Marc Martin, visit marcmartinproperties.ca/meet-marc, call (705) 676-7799 or email him at marcmartin@royallepage.ca www.

One such event that he founded and organized with his family was this year’s Cocktails and Candy Canes 20

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What the First Thing You Do After Work Says About You We all have our routines. From that morning cup of coffee to a jog at the gym, it’s common to establish touchstones for our daily lives.

But have you ever considered what these habits tell us about ourselves? Our actions reveal much about our motivations and emotional life, so taking a second look at your first move at the end of the day can be telling.

With that in mind, see how you fare when it comes to post-workday habits...

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Break a Sweat After a long day of work, is your first instinct to strap on your sneakers and take off on a run? Do you stop off at the local yoga studio for an extended stretch? Maybe you head to the weight room to pump some iron. Whatever your exercise pick, if you’re inclined to sweat it out at the end of a long day, you’re likely a routine-oriented profes-

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sional who internalizes work-related stress. Of course, you’ve chosen a healthy release for all that pent-up tension, and you’ve discovered the power of endorphins. Once work hours are over, not everyone finds the motivation to stay active. This means you’re driven by routine, conscious of your emotional and physical health, and prefer to leave your cares at the gym, rather than bring them into your home oasis. However, it’s important to give your body a rest now and again, as recuperation time is not only beneficial for physical health, but can help prevent burnout for the long haul.

Flexibility is a skill, and one just as important to cultivate as rigid commitment. If you find yourself out of sorts if you miss just one day of working out, you might want to pay some attention to your routines and motivations, and rebalance your commitments and fitness routine accordingly.

Round-the-Clock Hustle If you’re the type to bring work home with you, you aren’t alone. While your motivation to work nonstop is admirable, it’s also important to make the mental transition from workplace to home, establishing the time to hustle and the time to relax. Just like those that hit the gym without fail after a long day, sometimes you’ll need to practice saying no. If your work life is indistinguishable from your personal life, it’ll be hard to catch a break and recharge.

This means burnout, frayed nerves, and missed details will soon be on the horizon. Of course, round-the-clock hustle is a strength, too. You’re passionate about your work, care deeply about doing things right, and failure is not an option.

Just make sure that you establish some foundational boundaries so that you maintain an 22

appropriate, healthy balance between your time at work and your time at home with the loved ones and hobbies you cherish. If making way for downtime isn’t easy, try penciling it in the way you would a work engagement. Dinner with a friend, a date night with a significant other, or a solo movie fest can be readily added to your calendar, and thus built in to your regimented schedule.

Turn to Food If your first instinct after work is to eat, it can say a few different things about your routine.

Perhaps you’ve been so on-the-go all the day that you haven’t had time for lunch. In this case, you might need to regiment your schedule with more purpose aimed towards downtime and self-care; food is fuel, after all. If you head home and gorge after an average day, you may be turning to food as a way to relieve stress.

In this case, you may need to reassess some of your post-work habits and find a healthier balance and outlet for your tension. Taking a walk, grabbing fresh ingredients for dinner, hitting the gym, or decompressing by catching up with a friend or a good book—all are healthier, more balanced ways of executing the transition from the office to the home. Pay attention to your consumption post-work. Determine how hungry or satiated you really are before making a grab for the nearest sustenance.

People decompress in all different ways after getting home from the office, but always remember that routines are telling. Don’t take your daily actions and impulses for granted. Examine the root behind your well-worn practices, and you may detect nuances at play beneath the surface that can you help you recalibrate for the better.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

REBECCA PERMACK Rebecca Permack focuses on building relationships with her clients first and foremost. “We really get to know our clients and what they need,” she tells Top Agent. “There’s no cookie cutter system where everybody gets the same treatment - we customize the marketing plan for their specific needs. We listen to what they want and make sure they are heard and feel cared for, while also bringing my experience and knowledge so that they get top dollar or the outcome they’re looking for.”

Rebecca’s experience and knowledge in real estate goes back twenty years; she entered the industry as an assistant to one of Vancouver’s top commercial REALTORs® and has blazed her own path into residential real estate, becoming one of the most successful Royal LePage REALTORs® in Canada. Based in Coquitlam and serving the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas, Rebecca and her hand-picked team work hard for their clients.

“For us it’s not about the dollars we’re making,” she says.

“It’s about connecting with the clients and making the service truly personalized. We make every transaction a positive experience, and it doesn’t end when the transaction is over - we stay connected for years after the deal is done. Our clients become our biggest cheerleaders because they feel cared for, they achieved their goals and feel good about how it happened.”

Those connections are important to Rebecca because what truly drives her in real estate is the ability to get deeply involved in her community. “This career lets me give back to the community in an impactful way,” she says. “Having success in this business has allowed us to give back to the community in a significant way, and I don’t see myself being able to do that in a salaried job.”

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Rebecca’s community support takes many forms. She spearheaded an online community information group that allows neighbours to connect, and she organizes an annual Easter Egg hunt that draws over 1200 kids and raises an average of $10,000 a year for a local women’s shelter. She’s donated public art to the community, sponsors a drop-in men’s basketball league and supports local school programs - all causes centered around boosting her community and bringing people together.

Even her leisure time is spent giving back to her community in various ways. Rebecca, her husband and their two dogs enjoy the outdoors, and their love of hiking has prepared her for the bi-annual Royal LePage Shelter Foundation’s Challenge for Shelter - a series of globe-spanning treks in locations like the Sahara Desert, the lava fields of Iceland and Machu Picchu.

“These hikes are unbelieveable fundraisers,” Rebecca explains. “Through these treks, our small group of participants has raised over $2.2 million for women and children fleeing domestic violence.”

Rebecca’s immediate focus is on growing her team organically. “We don’t hire just anyone who walks through the door,” she says. “They need to be outstanding at what they do and the right fit for our team culture, which means they’ll take care of our clients with the same level of personalized care that we do.”

To find out more about Rebecca Permack visit permackandassociates.com, call +1-604-219-5640, or email her at rebecca@permackandassociates.com www.

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