CANADA 4-20-20

CANADA EDITION

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Tips to Make New Hires a Long-lasting success

Small Yard?

Big Statement: How to Make The Most Out of Micro Outdoor Spaces

3 EASY AT-HOME

DIY PROJECTS TO INCREASE PROPERTY VALUE

FEATURED AGENTS

MARIO CYR VICTORIA ZHANG COVER STORY

Tara Knoblauch

CANADA EDITION

VICTORIA ZHANG Despite9the fact there are more men19 in business than ladies, it does not mean ladies have fewer chances to become a leader. Victoria Zhang’s amazing successful story is an inspiration to us all, which proves success doesn’t depend on a gender or culture.

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extremely impo erty in the best emotionally at little details can not only sellin people plan futu

Victoria came to Toronto with two suitcases “Selling a hom when she was 24 years old. Settling in a excellent proble new country isn’t an easy feat,CYR especially if ation skills. Clie TARA KNOBLAUCH MARIO VICTORIA ZHANG you have no ties to anybody. Eleven years consultant to pr later, she became a popular charitable real their decisions,” estate broker and certified stager in Toronto.

She has achieved unstoppable momentum, consistently One client left a glowing ranked among top 0.3% Toronto realtors since 2018*, experience, saying, “Victo CONTENTS being a top 40 under 40 Re/Max agent, honored as a Her professionalism, cust member of Re/Max Hall of Fame. She has earned FRI approachable personality i designation, demonstrating her mastery of advanced 4) 5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO 15) 3 EASY AT-HOMEhome DIY higher than the pric andGOALS skills in legal and regulatory TO issues. hours, explaining to us why ACHIEVE YOURknowledge BIGGEST PROJECTS INCREASE when our home was in the m PROPERTY VALUE She really started from zero. No one knew who she was. did make it after. She was a 6) SMALL YARD? BIGgave her a listing or buyer. English is not her No one STATEMENT: HOW MAKE 20) 5 TO MAKE HIRES people,” Vic nativeTO language.

How did she reach theTIPS top much faster NEW “I like helping Passion for helpingApeople and persistence!SUCCESS of many community org THE MOST OUTthan OFothers?

MICRO LONG-LASTING Her personality makes her stand out in the real estate to donate a portion of eac OUTDOOR SPACES industry. “I like buying with Victoria because she’s Hospital foundation every y energetic, patient, never pushed us toward a property,” her client said. “I’m more interested in finding a prop- “Even though the market i erty my clients are comfortable with and establishing a frighten me because I am on long-term relationship,” Victoria said. said Victoria.

Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440

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mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com “Compared to buying a home when representing a Victoria continued to deve No portion of this issue may be reproduced any manner whatsoever without priorisconsent of the publisher.

Top Agent buyer, sellinginrepresenting a homeowner definitely assistants and marketing co Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published on acannot morebeelevated scale,” Victoria said. or“You shouldby itsing her clients with the best materials, Top Agent Magazine held responsible for opinions expressed facts supplied authors. understand yourto potential buyers, consistently come up To subscribe or change address, send inquiry mag@topagentmagazine.com.

Published in the U.S. with clever ways to reach them, drive traffic to the prop- Victoria’s successful story erty, show them why it’s a worthwhile asset. Moreover, can still make it, even if it you should be able to help them envision a sense of in your favor. It is not abo space and lifestyle that meshes with the property. It is attitude.

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5 Things You Can Do To Achieve Your Biggest Goals If there’s one thing successful people can agree on, it’s that setting goals has been key to their success. Whether you’re creating a five year plan or just settling on what you want to achieve by the end of the day, setting goals gives you the focus and direction you need to complete even the biggest tasks.

But there is a method to setting them. It’s a process that takes careful thought and con4

sideration up front, which is then combined with the hard work necessary to implement your plan. Luckily there are proven methods to goal setting that you can start using immediately.

1. MAKE YOUR GOALS SPECIFIC

Yes, it’s fun to think in grand terms of where you want to end up in life and in your career, but it’s better to have a specific

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Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. goal like “Increase my sales by 25%”, than “Get rich.” When a goal is clear and specific, it allows you to figure out the exact steps you need to take to accomplish it. The more general it is, the more paralyzed you might be when it comes to figuring out what to do since, the choices may be overwhelming.

2. MAKE IT ATTAINABLE

Making attainable goals might seem boring, I mean afterall, you want to dream big! But you don’t want to suffer through the disappointment of not reaching your goal, something that may not even be possible at this stage in your life to begin with. One solution to that is creating goal levels. You can have the dream goal, but underneath that you have the realistic goals that are setting up a foundation for achieving the big one.

Things that are attainable still take work and effort to achieve. Those small victories will keep you motivated and encouraged to go for the bigger dreams. And don’t forget, those little goals may have been things you wouldn’t have gotten done if you didn’t set out to achieve them, so be proud!

3. PUT A PLAN OF ACTION IN WRITING

Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. There is something about seeing things in writing and crossing them off the list that is oddly satisfying.The daily goals are especially Top Agent Magazine

important in regards to building up those good habits. The first few weeks of your plan of action are critical when it comes to your long term success. Reaching a goal is something you are doing every day, all throughout the day, in numerous ways.

Achieving goals is all about creating good new habits.

4. MAKE IT MEASURABLE

This is key, since you definitely want to reward yourself for a job well done, and having a goal that is measurable in some way is a sure way to know. Maybe it’s to increase your lead generation or to cut expenses, whatever the case, have a measurable test you need to meet, as well as a time frame. Then calculate what you have to do to reach that goal. Not only should your goal be specific, but the plan and the measure of success should also be set in stone.

5. ADJUST AS YOU GO

You can have all the best laid plans, and you still might quickly realize that what you thought would help you reach your goal, might not be cutting it. Commitment to reaching your goals is good, but commitment to a plan you know isn’t going to work is not only a waste of time, but will be a devastating blow to your motivation.

Sticking to a plan everyday means adjusting it accordingly.

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Small Yard? Big Statement: How to Make the Most Out of Micro Outdoor Spaces When house-hunters compile their lists of musthave home items, a dreamy backyard space is often near the top. After all, who doesn’t want an outdoor oasis of their very own? From summer barbecues to open space for your dog to frolic— everyone has their own aspirations when it comes to creating the perfect backyard paradise. But as homebuyers seek properties deeper within city limits, and Millennials opt for properties with 6

urban amenities and access, home-connected outdoor spaces are becoming a bit smaller in stature.

Of course, size isn’t everything when it comes to outdoor space. Even balconies, rear patios, and ultra-tiny yards can provide homebuyers with the outdoor reprieve they crave—even on a smaller scale. For a few ideas that can help you envision all the possibilities of a micro outdoor space, read on for inspiration.

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Think vertically.

When space is at a premium, think up instead of out. In other words, make the most of small spaces by capitalizing on your backyard, balcony, or patio’s overhead height. Mood-setting string lights, hanging pocket or wall gardens, floating shelves, and modern overhead hangings can create a sense of privacy and luxury without cluttering the square footage on the ground.

Soothing sounds set the mood.

Upgrade the look of structural components.

Not in love with your patio pavers? Don’t have the sweetest view off your balcony? Whatever your small backyard living space gripe may be, there’s always a solution if you go back to the basics. Consider the structural components of your outdoor space that you aren’t in love with and there’s likely an affordable, eye-pleasing solution. For instance, plenty of home goods Top Agent Magazine

retailers make a variety of punchy or luxe outdoor rugs that can disguise stained or lackluster outdoor flooring. Power-washing is another great solution for old grime and dirt that’s an eyesore. Don’t have a great view? Planting ivy on bare walls, installing adjustable mood lighting, or hanging planters can create a more inviting ambiance.

While there may not be room for a swimming pool or pond in a micro yard or balcony, you can still bring the calming presence of water to your outdoor oasis. Fountains run the gamut in sizing and price, making this amenity an easy acquisition. What’s more, a running fountain not only adds a soothing sound to your space, but it also helps drown out noise from the street or the neighbors—making your space entirely your own and stress-free.

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Don’t compromise on your culinary dreams.

If you love to entertain in outdoor spaces or relish the chance to man the grill—small outdoor spaces don’t have to trip you up. Grill options (both propane and charcoal) come in a range of sizes, many of which can be outfitted securely to balcony posts or be tucked away and out of sight when out of use. Consider nesting tables or those with a removable leaf to adjust your seating and dining options depending on company.

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Another trick? A small, oscillating fan can keep air flow moving in a small space during grill season—and can be easily affixed to walls or posts, as well.

Don’t let yourself or clients be discouraged by spaces with more limited square footage in outdoor areas. Furniture and design trends have already begun shifting toward providing better small-space options, and at the end of the day, a backyard space is all about providing an area for relaxation. With a few well-placed, strategic choices, you can still have it all.

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Tara Knoblauch

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Tara Knoblauch Top Agent Tara Knoblauch serves anywhere within a 100 km radius of Saskatoon. “A lot of times there aren’t a lot of agents available to the small towns. I want to make sure those communities are getting good service, so I don’t mind the travel.”

Tara Knoblauch didn’t start off with real estate in mind. In fact, she had a totally different career for eleven years as a power engineer, which often took her far from her home in Saskatoon to points all over Saskatchewan and Alberta. But one day, she realized she 10 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

needed a change. “I knew I needed to start a new chapter, so I could come home, meet someone, start a family, all that good stuff.”

Naturally, though, making such a drastic switch took a little adjustment. Over the past Top Agent Magazine

three years, Knoblauch has worked with a real estate coach to help her fine-tune her skills. A structured, organized person, Knoblauch follows a schedule to the letter every day, even pencilling in time to prospect for new business. “I think that commitment to that routine and that discipline is what has Top Agent Magazine

gotten me so busy and allows me to ensure that I’m keeping in touch with my clients at all times.”

And when she says “all times,” she means it. Besides the standard holiday card, she calls her clients and has a conversation with 11 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

“The decisions aren’t up to me, it’s up to them. It’s getting to know your clients, understanding their needs, and helping them to get what they want. I love people. That’s the best part of the job” each one about four times a year, and she even throws an annual client appreciation party.

As of January, Knoblauch is now heading into her fifth year in real estate, working with one assistant and potentially one more by the middle of the year: her fiance, who is currently working on obtaining a license. They serve anywhere within a 100 km radius of Saskatoon.

“A lot of times there aren’t a lot of agents available to the small towns,” she explains. “I want to make sure those communities are getting good service, so I don’t mind the travel.”

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Knoblauch says that about 90% comes from referrals. “If you’re doing a good job in real estate, that should be where most of your clients come from.” For Knoblauch, the client is the main concern. “I’m not driven by the sales.

I don’t care about the numbers, I want my clients to be happy.” For her, the crux of her job is about anticipating and meeting the needs of clients, no matter what. “The decisions aren’t up to me, it’s up to them. It’s getting to know your clients, understanding their needs, and helping them to get what they want,” she says.

“I love people. That’s the best part of the job, Top Agent Magazine

is getting to know them.” She also appreciates the diversity of her clients and their needs.

“It’s different every single day.”

At the same time, Knoblauch never loses sight of the practical, business end of things.

“I understand that the job is sales, so I treat it as a sales job. You have to always be filling your pipeline, looking for new people and Top Agent Magazine

talking to new people.” And she has no illusions about the less glamorous aspects, either.

“Rejection is part of the game, and it’s scary, but you’re always going to find somebody if you put the effort in.”

This year, her goal is to focus more on digital marketing to expand her client base. In the past, she relied on listings, social media, Copyright Top Agent Magazine 13

and even going door-to-door to advertise new properties.

Now working with EXP, she’s excited about the opportunities that are coming up this year. Simply put: “I want to grow, and I want to help more people.”

And she already is. At EXP, Knoblauch is also now a Certified Mentor, providing guidance

to new agents. “All the new agents in my province come to me,” she says, “and I love it, because it’s another way I can help people.

And it’s rewarding. They make their first sale and they’re so excited, and it gets me excited about real estate all over again.”

To learn more about Tara Knoblauch, email taraknoblauchrealty@gmail.com, visit taraknoblauch.exprealty.com, or call 306-230-8545 https://

http://linkedin.com/in/kristindaly

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Top Agent Magazine

3 Easy At-Home DIY Projects to Increase Property Value Most homeowners have a lengthy list of chores and bit projects they intend to accomplish around the house. Oftentimes, those to-do items are completed piecemeal over a long stretch of time, or else sometimes not at all. However, when it comes time to prepare a home for market, all those tasks begin to pile-up and overwhelm. The Top Agent Magazine

list of things to do before the photographer comes or the first open house is held might seem endless, but not if you tackle just a few things here and there as you go. These sorts of projects—easy, DIY, at-home tasks you can accomplish in a few hours or less, with tools you most likely have on hand— go a long way with marginal effort.

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Complete a quick rehab of closets and storage areas Many agents advise clients to declutter and depersonalize their spaces ahead of professional photography and home showings. The idea is to provide prospective buyers with a neutral palette. Not only does this allow them to imagine their own lives unfolding within those four walls, but it also helps make a home’s square footage stand out. One way to add visual space to your home without calling in the contractor is to declutter common storage areas and closets. When buyers can get a complete look at a closet’s capacity, or a pantry’s depth, or the garage’s full functional potential, they get a better sense of a home’s potential and thus, its value.

In that vein, consider decluttering and cleaning your high-traffic storage spaces: the garage, pantries, closets, attics, and basements. Besides, organizing and discarding unwanted items help you prep for a move anyway, while giving potential buyers a peak at how spacious your home really is.

Add easy curb appeal with a bit of sweat equity Sure, curb appeal can arrive in the form of a new mailbox, pathway lighting, or updated house numbers, but it can also come cheaper than that. Curb extends to the upkeep of your lawn, landscaping, and home’s façade, and there are plenty of ways 16

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you can give these zones a refresh without spending anything but time. Keeping your front and back yard green and uniform adds a lux layer to exterior square footage.

Likewise, polishing the outside of your windows, trimming hedges, and sweeping the walkway can make a tidy and wellcared for first impression. There are other measures you can take too. Planting wildflower seeds in empty beds, or collecting some landscaping rocks to frame mulched areas can add a bit of character to your residence. Repainting the front door, ensuring trees are trimmed, and keeping back patios Top Agent Magazine

neat and uncluttered also underscore a home at its finest, which is ripe for buyers to snatch up.

Transform tiled spaces into sparkling clean surfaces.

Bathrooms and kitchens are where sellers can stand to add plenty of value in the process of selling a home. While pricey renovations might be out of the question for some, there are still affordable and time-effective ways you can transform for these spaces for the better. Cleaning,

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bleaching, or redoing your tile grout—in either kitchens, bathrooms, or other tiled spaces—can give these high-trafficked areas a new lease on life. Ensuring windows, mirrors, stainless steel appliances and backsplashes are streak-free and polished also demonstrate to buyers that your home is well-cared for and practically move-in ready. Sometimes, the devil is in the details. You might consider relining drawers, changing out knobs and fixtures,

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or else decluttering cabinets and shelves for a fresher look.

No matter the challenges ahead as you prepare your home for sale, completing a few small tasks every weekend or so can put you miles ahead of the competition.

Without spending a dime, you can add serious value to your home’s bottom line, setting you up for success as you begin your own home-shopping adventure.

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MARIO CYR Mario Cyr had been interested in real estate for a time, but it took a friend to get him started. “One of my good friends called me up and said he got injured in a motorcycle accident and wanted to take some courses in real estate. I’d been thinking about it for a few years but wasn’t quite ready. But when he told me he wanted to do it, we jumped right in taking courses, and I started real estate in 2008 in Quebec and 2011 in Ontario.”

Today, Mario is licenced in both Ontario and Quebec.

In Quebec, he and his friend work as partners, but he’s on his own in Ontario. He focuses his business towards Ottawa and Montreal, and sees at least a 50% repeat and referral rate. “A lot of my business is people who are around me, like family members and friends.” To stay in touch, he mainly sends out emails and letters.

He used to be really into newspaper ads when it came to marketing. “Now I’ve shifted from newspapers to my professional page on Facebook,” he says, and he also utilizes a number of other online platforms. And it’s been paying off: Mario has been winning awards regularly during his time with ReMax. He’s also been growing his business in several directions, taking advantage of the market differences in the different cities he serves.

And it’s clear he loves the business. “I’ve only ever had two jobs,” he says. “I like that I get to be flexible. I work seven days a week, still, I love what I do.

I love being in public.” Even though he works seven days, the job still allows him to be available for his four kids, two of whom are on the Autism Spectrum.

“Pretty much all my spare time is spent with my kids.

I’m very family-oriented.”

Mario is community-oriented, too, serving meals at an Ottawa mission, as well as making donations on each Top Agent Magazine

of his commissions. “I try to do things for the community. I sponsor a few Hockey Teams and the Children’s Miracle Network. Each time I sell something, about $75 goes to a [charity]. I try to be as helpful as I can.”

Right now, Mario is focusing on balancing his two offices in the two provinces. “I’m looking to shift a little more towards focusing on business in [Ottawa].

Owning 2 other businesses aside from real estate gives me the extra edge and force for the commercial side that really developed itself as being my force.

Entrepreneurs appreciate the fact that I get what they are saying because I live it everyday myself. Serving families is so rewarding and is not work for me at all,” he says.

“People appreciate the kind of work I do,” Mario says.

“I’m not a salesman. A lot of people work for their own pockets, not for the clients. I always think of the buyer or the seller more than myself. It’s not the sale that’s so important, it’s the client getting what they want. I really work with my client. I don’t just make a sale and get a commission and move on. I find the right house and the right property.”

To learn more about Mario Cyr, please email remaxmario13@gmail.com, or call (613) 677-0588

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5 Tips to Make New Hires

a Long-lasting Success Bringing a new employee into the mix is process commonly known as onboarding. The idea behind onboarding is to make the transition from new hire to team member as efficient and pain-free as possible. However, polling shows that some 31% of entry-level and intermediate level hires leave their new posts within just six months of starting. The question is: why?

The hiring and training process is time-intensive and doesn’t come cheap. This means that making 20

a good match for the long haul requires more than just assessments of skill and personality. To ensure a talented new hire sticks around and is truly positioned for success, the onboarding process must be executed with the same care applied during hiring. For a few ideas on how to make the most of the onboarding process, consider the tenets below as you guide your new hire toward long-lasting success within your company.

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1. Be honest about the scope of the role

2. Build in some perks

Let’s say you’re looking to add a new buyers agent or loan processor to your team. You write up the position’s responsibilities, but neglect to mention that you want the new hire to handle a host of administrative tasks, as well. Maybe it doesn’t seem important enough to outline in detail, as it’s the sort of thing the rest of your does. Miscommunications like these are a leading reason why new hires leave their roles.

If there isn’t clarity and transparency about a position’s true responsibilities, then new hires may become quickly disillusioned and seek out greener pastures.

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While stocking the breakroom with bagels every Friday may seem like a small gesture, it’s often those little morale-boosting moves that build loyalty and comradery among the team. Bike-to-work incentives, subsidized gym memberships, and benefits that match the needs of your employees—all are ways to demonstrate appreciation and investment in your team.

Likewise, the right candidate will return the favor and invest his or her energies into their new role.

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3. Get a sense of big-picture career plans

4. Keep the lines of communication open

Another reason new hires move on may have nothing to do with you or your office. In fact, many hires in entry-level or even intermediate roles have doubts about their long-term vision.

That’s why it’s important to be upfront from the beginning regarding a candidate’s five-year plan and ultimate dream job. Maintain realistic expectations when asking these questions, but use it as an opportunity to gage a candidate’s seriousness about the real estate or mortgage industry. Why this line of work over another?

Emphasizing industry longevity and career growth during the interview process can save you drama down the road.

Take a proactive approach in communicating with your new hire. Take time to check in regularly during the first six months of his or her addition. If you can, make time to train new hires yourself—if only for a part of the onboarding process. You’ll forge a deeper professional bond and create an avenue for further questions. All in all, make it clear that you’re personally invested in their presence and talents, and that you care what they have to say. That way, if any issues or doubts arise, you can stay on top of it and work out a solution, rather than lose a new employee.

5. Give new hires meaningful work to do It’s natural to keep the kid-gloves on with new hires, but don’t let that stop you from giving them a chance to shine. New team members will feel empowered and motivated if given meaningful projects to focus on. Don’t relegate their daily duties to busy work as they build experience.

Instead, task new teammates with something challenging, or that draws on a specific skill you hired them for. You’ll instill confidence, demonstrate your commitment to their growth, and with any luck—keep them around for the long haul.

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Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

VICTORIA ZHANG Despite the fact there are more men in business than ladies, it does not mean ladies have fewer chances to become a leader. Victoria Zhang’s amazing successful story is an inspiration to us all, which proves success doesn’t depend on a gender or culture.

extremely important to position each property in the best light in order to get buyers emotionally attached. Taking care of all little details can leave a big impression. I’m not only selling a home but also helping people plan future life.”

Victoria came to Toronto with two suitcases when she was 24 years old. Settling in a new country isn’t an easy feat, especially if you have no ties to anybody. Eleven years later, she became a popular charitable real estate broker and certified stager in Toronto.

She has achieved unstoppable momentum, consistently ranked among top 0.3% Toronto realtors since 2018*, being a top 40 under 40 Re/Max agent, honored as a member of Re/Max Hall of Fame. She has earned FRI designation, demonstrating her mastery of advanced knowledge and skills in legal and regulatory issues.

“Selling a home requires an agent to have excellent problem-solve ability and negotiation skills. Clients are hiring a professional consultant to provide them advice in making their decisions,” Said Victoria.

She really started from zero. No one knew who she was.

No one gave her a listing or buyer. English is not her native language. How did she reach the top much faster than others? Passion for helping people and persistence!

Her personality makes her stand out in the real estate industry. “I like buying with Victoria because she’s energetic, patient, never pushed us toward a property,” her client said. “I’m more interested in finding a property my clients are comfortable with and establishing a long-term relationship,” Victoria said.

“Compared to buying a home when representing a buyer, selling representing a homeowner is definitely on a more elevated scale,” Victoria said. “You should understand your potential buyers, consistently come up with clever ways to reach them, drive traffic to the property, show them why it’s a worthwhile asset. Moreover, you should be able to help them envision a sense of space and lifestyle that meshes with the property. It is

One client left a glowing review about their selling experience, saying, “Victoria is a lady of her words.

Her professionalism, customer-focused attitude and approachable personality impressed us. She sold our home higher than the price we told her. She spent 3 hours, explaining to us why we shouldn’t lower the price when our home was in the market for a long period. She did make it after. She was a record breaker.”

“I like helping people,” Victoria said. She is a supporter of many community organizations. She promised to donate a portion of each transaction to Sick Kids Hospital foundation every year.

“Even though the market is changing, it doesn’t really frighten me because I am on the best business platform,” said Victoria.

Victoria continued to develop her business by adding assistants and marketing coordinators to ensure providing her clients with the best service and results possible.

Victoria’s successful story is to let you know that you can still make it, even if it seems like the odds are not in your favor. It is not about the ability but about the attitude.

For more information about Victoria Zhang, please call 416-838-9626 or email victoria@victoriazhangteam.com Top Agent Magazine

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