CANADA 5-31-21

CANADA EDITION

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WAYS TO WIN THE BATTLE AGAINST PROCRASTINATION THE DAILY SCHEDULE OF A SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE AGENT FEATURED AGENTS

NORMAN FUNK JONATHAN DESROCHES NADENE AASLA CATHERINE CROSSLEY MARGARET BAKER MARLENE BOYLE WALLY FAKHREDDINE

3 Mental Tricks That Will Take Your BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL 4 WAYS MENTORING UP-AND-COMING EMPLOYEES MAKES YOU A BETTER AGENT COVER STORY

VIVIAN YU

CANADA EDITION

H. Klassen wishes to congratulate

NORMAN FUNK 5

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CATHERINE CROSSLEY MARLENE BOYLE WALLY FAKHREDDINE MARGARET BAKER NORMAN FUNK VIVIAN YU JONATHAN DESROCHES NADENE AASLA

scary, Catherine feels she has found a niche Withona twenty-year careerReal in the medi-is in withbothprofessional photograph estate Wally Fakhreddine’s When W tssful,” see Margaret Baker any of working She markets her listings on social with families going through 25 26 29 31 field, Marlenedivorce. knows DNA. what means listin “My dad was in real estate ’st with billboards or buscal stop benches. media (IG-margaret_baker_c21 and FB- make herinvolve “It it comes down to being a for over videographers A lifelong resident of Brantford, to care people.

Elevengood years ago,and she heMargaretbakerc21) at Na its her style. But if you’re in for need of really as well on showcasing traditional each home 40 years, wanted to follow in asout, Stollery people communicator and me being started out in banking, where she buil transitioned from medicine into the real the local market, buyer’s agent oion helptoyou buy or sell a home, she’s very level-headed,” estate websites like Zillow or Realtor. his footsteps,” heexplains. explains.

Mission shereal As Although ® plished, twenty-year career with estate business.

Marlene’s listings closely, pair Realtor ca.

“I hire a professional photographer to who will be by your side g for a someoneWally who has goneknew through pro-land in the always he the would oldthe dauC though, found herself se capture best features the home. the way. “It’s not about the cess herself, clients withLast a she home that’s right for Ifofyou Catherine understands how industry at some point, all he the wanted to trytheofway, favorite on being featured for Canada path that better spoke to her entrepren year we also created video tours and 3D floor ,” Margaret explains.

“I’m about th ebody a transaction feel andpath the emotional “I love caring for people.”

Marlene out acan different first. “I opened up 2020, Marlene’s team received and take in Top Agent Magazine! and love of helping others.

After rea plans to make it easier to view homes during lasting friendship.

I enjoy being Double Diamond recognition in pr really roller coaster.

“It’s a very timeI couldn’t remembers, “When I got I was astarted, restaurant, but stressful eventually the pandemic.

I BOYLE always make sure the Realtor, listing she decided to e ople.” her family’s for people.

Helping them manage their looking forward to helping people buy in that business CATHERINE CROSSLEY MARGARET BAKER MARLENE anymore, WALLY FAKHREDDINE handle being But muc shows well online, because that’s where estate courses and quickly realized th biggest investment while emotionand sell their homes andso taking I earnedcare my license and hit the ground At a time when communities for are thes people begin their searchtry anyway.” reason into real estate ally and financially untangling can be estate Margaret gotof was a perfect fit.

Inspired, Naden them.” running.” Today he has his own top team through the Covid pandemic, expandi earned a Bachelor’s of very rewarding.

Working with families r.place.

Her She pivotstays into involved, her new career, and local she’s supporting Edwin H. Klassen, in isEdmonton, with the students CONTENTS Margaret gives backvast to her community Agriculture from the University of through of anyagents transition my passion.” mpany. strong since. “Ilocal knew I was capa andever promoting businesses in Lawyer & Partner Today, Marlene covers majority of hisshebusiness deriving from practici Durham can. In her previous community she was wan in 2002 where she then began working in the whenever enties, more,” she says.

“While quitting my munity. She also spreads the word and Northumberland/Kawartha, Ontario clients referrals. busines Neufeld Jodoin LLP 4) 3lonely MENTAL 16) WAYS TO aTHAT prominent member of her4Community Association and graduation.

“It was work and TRICKS Iworking didn’trepeat When she isn’t hard for her and clients, Catherine in the back room tainly theWIN scariest thing“Community I’ve ever done, her video series, C regions, working her own inde- “Iof have thechildren.

President the THE preschool board. She teamed up with of my husband worked sales prior graduating, and istoTAKE keeping up from withhad her six a big,BATTLE Id did reception and 26-3442 / in eklassen@snj.ca WILL YOUR BUSINESS hadAGAINST the full support “Know Your Neighborhood” in w officefamily with anow,” support that integrity andfrom communication skills someone a friend to fundraise an extraordinary amount forhave thefact, localWhether king people. pendent So Iblended decided to give realWally’s sheteam says.

Ranging six teriorwith administrator nj.ca and kids.

In even my bank TO THE NEXT LEVEL PROCRASTINATION highlights everything from businesses to loc three admin ahim marketing manager, o.” retire, Catherineincludes to eighteen, all ofassistants, herhelped children areflourish very athletic preschool that had a huge loss.

Recently moved insuffered thisandindustry.

“Honesty and property, sellthea lo manager at the time gave me parks, and events. an in-house stager.Catherine Inintegrity 2020, Marlene’s team was in sports. often found at the rink, elp move the rest ofand involved to is Saskatoon, she’s excited to get involved with her new is everything,” he explains.

“And integrity first house, those encouragement and confidence to w 7) 4 WAYS MENTORING 27) THE DAILY SCHEDULE ranked number one at ReMax Jazz Inc, one of the numattending hockey parties, driving to tournaments, and y natural transition, communityI too it’s been during ars later Margaret has built a successful businessis everything. tell although people what they difficult needthe toleap.” hear, theit. “There is no hid take UP-AND-COMING OF A SUCCESSFUL REAL ber-one brokerages in the Durham region.

Capitalizing When she’s not working, spend being deeply involved in the hockey community. pandemic.

When she’s not working, she can often askatoon, Martensville, Warman, and thewhich doesn’t always mean it’s what they wantbetofoundMarlene friendly,loves prompt a EMPLOYEES MAKES YOU ESTATE AGENT on success, Marlene recently expanded her team to with her family, boating, traveling, and taking at a soccer field, watching her children play the sport.

“I g area for Century 21 that Fusion, winning awards hear.” Wally has his buyer’s agents focus on advising We go above Today, Nadene issale. a Broker for a In her downtime, Catherine canlove oftengoing be found outside ients are every glad she include two sales representatives. cle rides with her husband. also for walks, gardening, and reading.

During company year.

She averages 30 to 40the client A BETTER AGENT and educating them so they Redline can makeProperties the at all times.”

Inc., where in well her yard walking An avidI enjoy skier, camping.” she has Okotoks, the summer, s annuallyCatherine and is already overor half of thather dogs. best decisions possible. With Wally mainly workingclients throughout she assists been both hitting the slopes ever since she was young. She ksquarter area. Ainborn-and2021. SheThe regards the career and business majority of Marlene’s comes from repeat Marlene concludes, “I love I’m doing. I’m with sellers, he aims to help them get the Brantfordmost and thewhat surrounding and her family love going out toforward, the mountains andto find more andasable to helpfit. her Going she wants ways to connect ny a perfect “Everyday in this business is Phone 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 and referral clients. Her for commitment to trulywith putting whereadvertising I areas. am. But, anfourteen entrepreneur, I’m alwa their property extensive and In as the years since spending time atme their especially enjoys with She her clients and create antoeven bettermyself, experience forhow I can help mak nd exciting! I love how real estate allows to cabin. the client first and forming trust-based relationships, improve asking mag@topagentmagazine.com | lake www.topagentmagazine.com anI agent, campaigns.

“Wekids havevery onerewarding ofbecoming the topand three taking their boat out marketing on the watching the them.

“This work has been have she has cultiections with people while advocating on their keeps satisfied homeowners coming back to work cess easier for my clients.” vated a $300k unique workflow around in allrelationships of Edmonton, which cost over wave surf orCentury waterski.

Always Catherine makes ase and No portion of this issue be reproduced insuch any active, manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher.

Topable Agent Magazine great with my clients.

I want to be also lovethe theamount team atmosphere thatmay 21websites with her.

Buyers searching for their dream home, and personalized service, possessing isover published Feature practice Publications Inc. Although precautions aregym taken to ensure accuracy of published materials, Top 13maintain years of hard work,” he the says.

“It sets xplaining why a by regular ofGA, working out at her local to that level of and interaction and quality ofour service vides. Even though we’re individual agents, itand sellers hoping for the best price can trust that with her Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. and referral clients. connecting with her community there. sellers apart from everybody as mag@topagentmagazine.com. my business continues to else, grow.”because we have much like a family.”

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to clients-first approach, Marlene will be with them every and then she brings much exposure on social media and Google. We Published U.S. way, bringingso stepinLooking ofthethe all her years extremely of expertise in omebuilder to give to the future, Catherine them forpleased their own individual homes, f the close relationship she forms with clients,create sitesisfor local market bear from start finish. Even She says,not “I have athemuch with in the the wayto her business has to grown. have after a great chooses to do traditional and that’s what “I makes us winners when it comes to a transaction closes, Marlene stays in touch with past 2 Top Agent Magazine ansense. look,“I’ve how put much balance right now between my family and my busia lot of time and money intolisting properties.” clients regularly. made to fit their but ness,” says.

“I’m really happy with the clients ebe(Margaretbaker.ca), most she of my business

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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3 Mental Tricks That Will Take Your Business to the Next Level It’s no secret that running a successful business requires careful planning and a tireless work ethic.

Beyond those obvious ideals, it also takes the right mindset in order to capitalize on professional opportunity. In the world of real estate and mortgage lending, mental fortitude is a major component to reaching the next level and achieving longevity in a sector that requires so much self-discipline. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a few key mental tricks you can employ to reinvigorate your working philosophy. Incorporate these techniques into your daily mindfulness routine and your business will surely benefit.

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Visualization helps you work efficiently and keep your cool.

This may sound like one of the oldest tricks in the book, but there’s a reason why Olympic athletes and those serving in first-responder positions use visualization as a time-honored mental technique.

Not only does visualizing your daily tasks help you organize your mind, but it amps up your ability to focus on what’s important. Visualization also helps reduce stress in the moment, since you’ve already created a mental expectation of the task ahead.

Whether you’re preparing for a negotiation or a pitch to new a client—visualization primes your brain and affords you an extra sense of control as you tackle your day.

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Distill concepts into their simplest terms for ultimate understanding.

As an agent or loan officer, you’re likely juggling numerous clients and commitments on any given day. That’s why it helps to distill your responsibil4

ities in clear, definitive terms. Let’s say you have a meeting set with a client to outline a marketing approach for their property. You may understand the broad strokes, but beforehand, try verbalizing the exact takeaways you’d like to impart to your client. This may seem obvious, but one of the best ways to clarify your communication and ensure your complete understanding of a subject is to explain it aloud in its simplest terms. This crystallizes your main point and can come in handy if you drift off-topic or need to double-down on your message.

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Accept that mistakes will be made.

While it’s natural to fear failure, sometimes the dread of making an error can overwhelm your ability to perform. As the saying goes: don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.

If you accept in advance that set-backs will occur, challenges will come, and things won’t always go accordingly to plan—you’ll be less confounded when hurdles do arise. What matters is keeping an even keel as you sort through unexpected delays or mishaps. Accepting that mistakes will happen allows you to shift your focus towards a solution or contingency plan. In other words, don’t spend your energy trying to achieve perfection. Aim high and work hard, but be in touch with reality: upsets are bound to occur. Accept this and you’ll be ready when they do.

The path to lasting success is ongoing, and there are bound to be challenges along the way. It takes mental fortitude to make it to the top, so keep these tricks in mind as you continue to grow as a person and a professional. Seeing situations in a new light can make all the difference as you adapt, evolve, and take your business to the next level.

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NORMAN FUNK Norm Funk began his career in farming and later the trucking industry; however, he soon found himself seeking an opportunity that better balanced his outgoing personality with his passion for helping others.

One day, a good friend and local Realtor® noted that Norm’s strong character would make for an ideal fit in real estate. Inspired, Norm decided to switch tracks and earn his license—and he hasn’t looked back since.

Today, he is a Realtor® for Delta Real Estate, where he assists clients throughout Steinbach, Winnipeg, and all of Southeast Manitoba. In the ten years since becoming an agent, Norm, whose slogan is fittingly “not your Average Norm,” has authored an accomplished career, specializing in everything from residential real estate to hobby farms and even agricultural land. But most importantly of all, he has cultivated a unique workflow around unmatched integrity and a tireless work ethic.

When listing a home, Norm prefers a diversified strategy. After helping his clients ready their property for the market, he shares it over a blend of targeted social media campaigns, third party outlets like the Winnipeg Regional Real Estate News, and print publications. Elsewhere, Norm is every bit as attentive when assisting his buyers. Utilizing his years of experience and acute knowledge of the region, he expertly guides his clients to the right investment for their needs. But for Norm, the deals are never finished, as he remains in touch well after closing to ensure his clients are fully satisfied in their new homes. “I truly enjoy connecting with people,” he says. “Rather than spending all day in front of a computer, I love to get out there and meet my clients.”

This genuine approach to client relationships has earned Norm a fantastic reputation throughout Manitoba, with the majority of his volume coming from repeat clients and referrals. And the key to his success? “Clients know they can feel comfortable with me. One of the best compliments I’ve received was when a friend said Top Agent Magazine

to me, ‘Norm, you’re a rare breed: You actually care about your people’ I always strive to meet that standard.”

Outside his career, Norm is involved with his community. An active member of the Springs Church, he has contributed to inner city initiatives such as Siloam Mission, an organization that fights the crisis of homelessness in Winnipeg. When he’s not with clients or giving back, he can be found or spending quality time with his family.

Meanwhile, Norm has strong plans for the future of his business. As his volume continues its steady growth, he intends on expanding his sphere of influence and fostering a referral base throughout the region. Always looking to refine his craft, he is currently enrolled in a course with Darren Hardy, and he looks forward to applying its lessons while uncovering new opportunities in the community he loves. “Real estate is often the most important deal someone makes in their lifetime,” Norm says. “So we agents have to educate ourselves constantly and make sure we’re properly supporting our people. At the end of the day, I want my clients to know I’m here for them, and I’m always trying to do better.”

To learn more about Norman Funk, please call (204) 380-3973, email norm@deltacanada.com, normn14c@gmail.com, or visit winnipegregionalrealestatenews.com/ realtors/profiles/11036

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Edwin H. Klassen wishes to congratulate

NORMAN FUNK

on being featured for Canada in Top Agent Magazine!

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Edwin H. Klassen, Lawyer & Partner

Smith Neufeld Jodoin LLP 204-326-3442 / eklassen@snj.ca www.snj.ca 6

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4 Ways Mentoring Up-and-Coming Employees Makes You a Better Agent In the world of real estate, there are always new agents joining the ranks. Even if you’ve been practicing for just a few short years, you’ve likely learned your fair share of lesson along the way. As an agent, much of your working philosophy is derived from first-hand experience and your work on the ground. This means that new agents are less prepared for the inevitable curveballs of the industry. That’s where you come in.

While mentorship is often pitched as a relationship that solely benefits the mentee, there is actually plenty to be gained from becoming a mentor. After all, personal growth goes hand-in-hand with professional growth, and becoming a mentor asks agents to thoughtTop Agent Magazine

fully explore and demonstrate their own ideologies, practices, and rationale. With that in mind, take a look at some of the benefits of mentorship below, and you’ll get a sense of why counseling new agents can be a boon to your own business.

Teaching lessons to others reinforces your own professional values.

Showing the ropes to young agents is a great way to brush-up on your foundational skills.

Verbalizing and demonstrating processes, or walking through the rationale behind negotiation tactics—all cause mentors to think through their established practices and outline in detail why they’ve chosen this route over an

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alternative. This helps older agents fine-tune their routines, while getting back in touch with the critical thinking that went into constructing those habits.

Mentorships allows you to see the big picture.

surely sharpen your ability as the head of a team. What’s more, you’ll be building skills of empathy, understanding, teaching, and constructive criticism. Working on those skills will better your practice and your ability to lead in your office.

After a lengthy industry tenure, it’s not uncommon for battle-worn agents to lose some steam and begin to burn out. By devoting some time to mentoring up-and-coming agents, you’ll get back in touch with your early days, remembering the excitement, the trials, and the hard lessons gleaned. Spending time with the next generation of real estate professionals can reinvigorate your practice, as seeing the business from the eyes of an eager amateur can inject energy into your working life.

You’ll benefit from seeing things from a new perspective.

Just as working with young agents can help you remember your career’s big picture, you may also benefit from working alongside someone with a new perspective. Young agents bring a different set of skills and awareness to their work, and established agents can benefit from a fresh take. If technology isn’t your strong suit, or you’re interested in tapping the Millennial homebuyer market, working with a younger agent is an excellent way to see through fresh eyes.

Mentoring young agents makes you a better leader.

As a mentor, you’ll often direct the flow of your professional relationship—figuring out which issues to tackle, making an agenda, and imparting lessons in a clear way. These are all characteristics of a leader, and acting in a position of authority as mentor can 8

While some may balk at the time commitment or energy required to take on a mentee or two, you might consider it an act of ongoing education or professional development. While your mentee will undoubtedly benefit from access to your expertise, there’s certainly much to be gained from taking the time to cultivate tomorrow’s real estate leaders.

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VIVIAN YU

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VIVIAN YU

Top Agent Vivian Yu serves the Vancouver area, from Burnaby to Coquitlam, including Delta, Langley, and all the way to Chilliwack Vivian Yu began her real estate career while working for a bank. “Because I worked in commercial real estate, I thought taking a real estate class would be a good idea,” Vivian recalls.

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“I gave it a try and ended up really liking it, and the rest is history.” Vivian left the bank and became a full-time real estate agent over 6 years ago.

Ever since then she has been helping Top Agent Magazine

clients achieve their real estate goals.

Vivian serves the Vancouver area, from Burnaby to Coquitlam, including Delta, Langley, and all the way to Chilliwack.

“I cover everything,” Vivian says. “I work mostly with first-time homebuyers as well as investors.” About 90% of Vivian’s business comes from repeat and referral clients, an impressive feat that speaks to the trust and confidence she inspires. “Clients appreciate my Top Agent Magazine

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customer service, and they know I truly care.”

An early experience with real estate shaped Vivian’s compassionate and caring attitude toward her clients. “When I was a kid I remember my mum wanting to buy a two-bedroom for us,” Vivian says. “She met with three real estate agents and they were all telling her that $500,000 couldn’t get her a two-bedroom, so she gave up on her dream and ended up not pursuing buying anything at all. This was 14 or 15 years ago, and I know now that had she been helped by a proper real estate agent, a two-bedroom would have been easily affordable for that price. Life would have been different if she had made that investment back in the day and if she had been given the proper guidance.”

Vivian hopes to provide her clients with a better experience than her mother had. “As I work in this industry I hope to be able to do better and have my clients’ best interests at heart,” she explains. “Buying a home is not a small investment. It’s going 12

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to affect you and them for the rest of their lives, and it’s not something that should be dismissed even if they have a smaller budget.”

When it comes to marketing listings, Vivian does everything possible to ensure maximum exposure. “When I put properties on the MLS I make sure we have photos, videos, and floor plans so that potential buyers can see everything online first, especially during Covid,” Vivian says. “I do Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime with interested buyers, and I promote across different platforms like Top Agent Magazine

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Facebook, Craigslist, and Instagram. I also reach out to the Chinese WeChat groups and put it on Vansky.”

Community involvement is important to Vivian, and she is active in the Kiwanis Club of BC. When she is not working, Vivian enjoys getting together with friends and trying new restaurants.

In the future, Vivian says, “Real estate will always be the main thing for me, but in the future I hope to branch out, own different businesses, and have a diverse portfolio of different ventures.” Her favorite part of working in real estate, she says, is “Being able to work with people I really like. I love doing something that helps people, and making a difference in someone’s life.”

For more information about Vivian Yu, email vyu@oakwyn.com, call 604.754.8989, or visit vivianyu.ca

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4 Ways to Win the Battle Against Procrastination One of the most common professional afflictions is procrastination. The funny thing is, everyone knows that procrastination is negative—it’s a waste of time, a creator of stress, and is entirely a problem of our own making. Still, knowing all of this doesn’t necessarily decrease our odds of procrastination. There are plenty of explanations we give when putting work off until the last minute. Perhaps you convince yourself that you work best under pressure, but it’s truer that you’re used to working under pressure by necessity. Maybe you’re a perfectionist and the fear of getting it all wrong puts you off from the task. Whatever the justification may be, overcoming procrastination requires some willpower and technique. With that in mind, take a look at a few tricks below to jumpstart your motivation and nix the last-minute time crunch.

After all, you owe it to yourself and your business to operate like a procrastination-free professional.

1. Make Your Intentions Known As realtors and mortgage professionals, you may serve as your own boss. So, when the time comes to complete a task and you put it off—perhaps you’re only disappointing yourself. This is easily remedied by making a new promise to try again tomorrow. On the other hand, it’s much harder to break promises and commitments to others. Try verbalizing your intent and commitment to your team, or to an assistant who can hold you accountable, or better yet—to a business partner or to a client. Make a hard deadline public and you’re likely to perform for fear of embarrassment or losing face. In a way, this puts the pressure of expectation on you, instead of the pressure of the ticking clock.

2. Take a Baby Step When tasks pile up, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

If you’ve got a number of items on your to-do list, including some heavy hitters that require a lot of attention and time, begin by taking on something simple. Identify an easily completed job that needs 16

attention and put it first in your queue. Duties that are straightforward and aren’t time-intensive can lead you to the rest of your to-do list, fueling you with the satisfaction of a task already complete. Even if it’s as small as returning e-mails, or dropping off your dry-cleaning, one simple thing off your list can inspire you to continue on to the next item in the spirit of productivity.

3. Work in Windows If work is the last thing you want to do and you can’t seem to self-motivate, make a compromise with yourself. Agree to work just fifteen minutes, and mean it. This tiny window of time is easy enough to complete, isn’t overwhelming, and you’ve already agreed to move on once time is up. The truth? Odds are that just fifteen minutes of active work will inspire you to keep going. After all, the most difficult part of procrastination is getting started. By putting in those fifteen minutes, you’ll trick yourself into diving into the action.

4. Switch Up Your Environment If you’re stuck in rut when it comes to procrastination and productivity, try changing your surroundings. If the office feels stale and stressful, take your work to the nearest coffee shop and try to tackle your tasks there. Perhaps the quiet, studious ambiance of a library can make you focus, or a picnic table outside the office can stimulate the senses.

Sometimes changing your scenery can breathe new life into your routine and give you the extra push you need to get work done.

There’s no one way to overcome procrastination. In fact, it’s likely a lifelong process of building discipline, finding techniques that work for you, and simply prioritizing your time more effectively. Don’t lose hope—remember these tricks and winning the war will be possible, even if you lose a few battles along the way.

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JONATHAN DESROCHES Top Agent Magazine®

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JONATHAN DESROCHES

Jonathan had his eye on a career in real estate since his early twenties but was unsure of making the leap into commission-based work at first.

After a period of exploring other careers, working in mortgage brokering and heavy-equipment finance. Jonathan made his start in real estate with the support of his partner and the help of a friend who was a top producer at Exit Realty Advantage.

Today, Jonathan is rounding out his first year as an agent with Exit Realty Advantage in Fredericton, New Brunswick. “It’s going far better than I would’ve thought for my first year!” says Jonathan. “It’s really exciting when I find the right house and see that my buyers love it, and when I can bring my sellers a great offer.”

Jonathan credits his extensive education in counseling and the mentoring he did in his undergrad, with enabling him to support his clients through their transaction. “Part of it is an understanding of their feelings and how intense it can be to buy or sell a house,” Jonathan says of how his background informs his effort to make each client feel that their concerns are heard and put them at ease. “A lot of my first-time homebuyers come back and say, ‘I thought buying or selling a house would be stressful, and you actually made it fun.’”

Jonathan has already generated a solid base of referral clients through networking with realtors in other areas and by impressing several clients early on when he stepped in to rescue sales that were at risk of not coming together.

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Along with his education in counseling, having worked in mortgage and renovation gives Jonathan a trove of knowledge he brings to serving his clients. But what sets him apart, is his commitment to integrity and honesty in his business. “My intention is to make the process go smoothly for my buyers and sellers, and to be honest, caring, and genuine with them.”

Jonathan keeps in touch with all his past clients, and many have become friends.

When it comes to marketing, Jonathan’s properties generate interest before they even post to MLS. Working with over eighty other realtors at his office, Jonathan takes advantage of lead time to spread the word on upcoming listings, connecting buyers’ agents through word-ofmouth to sell his properties quickly. Virtual tours, Facebook ads, and listings posted to sites syndicated through Realtor.ca also factor into every listings marketing campaign.

As a realtor who gives back, Jonathan contributes a percentage of each sale to the Canadian Cancer Society. He still mentors through connections made through his church and his university studies, working with youths, teaching home and life skills like cooking.

When he’s not working, Jonathan loves to travel and work with his hands on building projects, and enjoys hanging out with friends to take a break from work and recharge.

Looking to the future, Jonathan hopes to increase his volume and continue generating new business to build a solid infrastructure that could one day develop into managing a team. “When it comes to choosing a realtor, you have to find someone who clicks,” Jonathan concludes. “So at the end of the day you know you’ll feel comfortable through the entire process.”

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Find out more at homeiswhatido.ca.

Connect with Jonathan via phone at 506-444-1767 and via email at jon@exitadvantage.ca www.

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Laughs!

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NADENE AASLA Top Agent Magazine

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NADENE AASLA

A lifelong resident of Brantford, Nadene Aasla started out in banking, where she built an accomplished, twenty-year career with the CIBC. Along the way, though, she found herself seeking a new path that better spoke to her entrepreneurial spirit and love of helping others. After reaching out to her family’s Realtor, she decided to enroll in real estate courses and quickly realized that the industry was a perfect fit. Inspired, Nadene decided to pivot into her new career, and she’s been going strong ever since. “I knew I was capable of doing more,” she says. “While quitting my job was certainly the scariest thing I’ve ever done, I thankfully had the full support of my husband and kids. In fact, even my bank manager at the time gave me the encouragement and confidence to take the leap.”

the integrity and insight needed to facilitate any transaction with ease.

When listing a home, Nadene prefers a hands-on approach. Starting out, she helps her clients ready their property for the marketplace and provides them with a suite of professional photography, videography, and drone photography services and staging tips. Afterwards, she broadcasts her listings over both the Redline website, her own website, and a blend of digital and social media campaigns.

In the meantime, Nadene also promotes her listings to those in her professional sphere—all to

Today, Nadene is a Broker for Redline Properties Inc., where she assists clients throughout Brantford and the surrounding areas. In the fourteen years since becoming an agent, she has cultivated a unique workflow around personalized service, possessing 22

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make certain her transactions run as smoothly as possible while maximizing each clients’ value.

As an Accredited Buyer’s Representative, Nadene is just as committed to her buyers, leveraging her years of experience, in-depth knowledge of the Brantford area, and background in mortgage banking to guide each client to the right home for their needs. Even better, she remains in touch with her clients well after closing through check ins, postcards, gifts, and newsletters to ensure they are fully satisfied in their new homes. Through the years, this compassionate outlook has earned Nadene a tremendous reputation throughout Ontario, with the majority of her volume coming from repeat clients or referrals. “I believe in treating people the way I would want to be treated,” she says. “These transactions are not only a big deal for my clients, but also among the most exciting moments of their lives. So I always try to treat their purchase or sale as if it were my own.”

Outside her career, Nadene is tremendously active in her community, sponsoring organizations like the Lansdowne Children’s Center and events like the Desiree’s Angels Golf Tournament and Brantford Police Association Golf Tournament. She is also a member of Ladies Who Lead Brantford. When she’s not with clients or giving back, she can be found spending quality time with her family or competing in the women’s curling league at the Brantford Golf and Country Club.

Nadene also has strong plans for the future of her business. As her volume and referral base maintain their steady growth, she intends on scaling up her standards of service to meet the needs of even more clients. She also looks forward to mentoring her son, who has just launched his own real estate career. But more than anything, she is excited for the new clients and opportunities that lie ahead in her beloved hometown.

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To learn more about Nadene Aasla call 519-755-5252, email nadene.sold@gmail.com, or visit nadeneaasla.com www.

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CATHERINE CROSSLEY “Real estate doesn’t have to be scary, daunting, nerve-wracking, or stressful,” says Catherine Crossley, a top agent with Century 21 in Alberta. “I find that people bring a lot of baggage and trepidation to the table when it comes to shopping for a home or making a big investment. If you work through a transaction with somebody you align with personally, it can be really fun and exciting.”

Catherine has been involved in real estate for as long as she can remember. Her parents ran a small homebuilding company.

When Catherine was in her early twenties, she joined their business. “I started in the back room filing everything,” she says. “Then I did reception and accounting before moving into the interior administrator role.” When her parents decided to retire, Catherine pursued her Real Estate license to help move the rest of the inventory. She says, “It was a very natural transition, and a perfect fit for me.”

A decade later, and Catherine’s clients are glad she followed her passion. Based out of Okotoks, Catherine serves South Calgary and the Okotoks area. A born-andraised Calgarian, Catherine is ready and able to help her clients settle into the area.

“It comes down to my knowledge base and the amount of research I do,” Catherine says, explaining why over half her business comes from repeat and referral clients.

She dives deep into each property, and then she brings her expertise from her time as a homebuilder to give perspective buyers the full picture. She says, “I have a good sense of the way a property can look, how much it might cost, and what changes can be made to fit their needs. The research I do and knowledge of the industry overall I believe helps me give them insight as to how their investment will perform long term as well.”

Catherine feels she has found a niche working with families going through divorce. “It comes down to being a really good communicator and being very level-headed,” she explains. As someone who has gone through the process herself, Catherine understands how a transaction can feel and the emotional roller coaster. “It’s a very stressful time for people. Helping them manage their biggest investment while emotionally and financially untangling can be very rewarding. Working with families through any transition is my passion.”

When she isn’t working hard for her clients, Catherine is keeping up with her six children. “I have a big, blended family now,” she says. Ranging from six to eighteen, all of her children are very athletic and involved in sports. Catherine is often found at the rink, attending hockey parties, driving to tournaments, and being deeply involved in the hockey community.

In her downtime, Catherine can often be found outside in her yard or walking her dogs. An avid skier, she has been hitting the slopes ever since she was young. She and her family love going out to the mountains and spending time at their cabin. She especially enjoys taking their boat out on the lake watching the kids wave surf or waterski. Always active, Catherine makes a regular practice of working out at her local gym and connecting with her community there.

Looking to the future, Catherine is extremely pleased with the way her business has grown. “I have a great balance right now between my family and my business,” she says. “I’m really happy with the clients that I have and the organic way in which people have gravitated toward me and my style. It’s a really nice alignment.”

To learn more about Catherine Crossley, please call 403-463-3857, email Catherine.crossley@century21.ca, or visit century21.ca/Catherine.Crossley http://

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MARGARET BAKER You won’t see Margaret Baker on any of Saskatoon’s billboards or bus stop benches.

That’s not her style. But if you’re in need of someone to help you buy or sell a home, she’s the kind of Realtor® who will be by your side every step of the way. “It’s not about the transaction,” Margaret explains. “I’m about building a lasting friendship. I enjoy being around people.”

That’s the reason Margaret got into real estate in the first place. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Agriculture from the University of Saskatchewan in 2002 where she then began working in a lab after graduation. “It was lonely work and I didn’t enjoy it. I’d worked in sales prior to graduating, and had loved working with people. So I decided to give real estate a try.”

Sixteen years later Margaret has built a successful business serving Saskatoon, Martensville, Warman, and the surrounding area for Century 21 Fusion, winning awards with her company every year. She averages 30 to 40 transactions annually and is already well over half of that for the first quarter in 2021. She regards both the career and the company as a perfect fit. “Everyday in this business is different and exciting! I love how real estate allows me to build connections with people while advocating on their behalf. I also love the team atmosphere that Century 21 Fusion provides. Even though we’re individual agents, it feels very much like a family.”

Because of the close relationship she forms with clients, Margaret chooses not to do much in the traditional advertising sense. “I’ve put a lot of time and money into my website (Margaretbaker.ca), but most of my business comes from past clients or people they’ve recommended me to. I love educating people and guiding them through this process, and I think they can see my genuine love for this industry.” It doesn’t hurt that Margaret’s listings sell for 1.97 per cent higher and 28 per cent faster than the average agent in Saskatoon. She stays in touch with people beyond the closing, sending personalized notes on anniversaries, and celebrating important events in their lives.

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She markets her listings on both social media (IG-margaret_baker_c21 and FBMargaretbakerc21) as well as on traditional real estate websites like Zillow or Realtor. ca. “I hire a professional photographer to capture all the best features of the home. Last year we also created video tours and 3D floor plans to make it easier to view homes during the pandemic. I always make sure the listing shows well online, because that’s where people begin their search anyway.”

Margaret gives back to her community whenever she can. In her previous community she was a prominent member of her Community Association and the President of the preschool board. She teamed up with a friend to fundraise an extraordinary amount for the local preschool that had suffered a huge loss. Recently moved to Saskatoon, she’s excited to get involved with her new community too although it’s been difficult during the pandemic. When she’s not working, she can often be found at a soccer field, watching her children play the sport. “I also love going for walks, gardening, and reading. During the summer, I enjoy camping.”

Going forward, she wants to find more ways to connect with her clients and create an even better experience for them. “This work has been very rewarding and I have such great relationships with my clients. I want to be able to maintain that level of interaction and quality of service as my business continues to grow.”

Contact Margaret at 306-341-1021 or email Margaret.Baker@century21.ca Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

The Daily Schedule

of a Successful Real Estate Agent Everything you do should be intentional. A busy schedule isn’t the same thing as a productive schedule. Sometimes people write things like “find clients” on their to-do list, but finding clients isn’t actually a task. It’s a goal. Your daily schedule should be created with your goal in mind if you want to be a successful real estate agent, but a goal is too broad to add to your calendar.

Instead, you can break your goal down into projects, break those projects down into tasks, and schedule time in your calendar to complete each task. You’ll find that some of these projects will have an immediate impact on your business, and that those are the tasks that should be completed first.

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The fact is that as a real estate agent you can set your own schedule—if you’re not productive until 10am, then you don’t have to start your day until then. But having a daily schedule means that every day you have a running start on all those other agents who just “wing it.”

You don’t want to feel burned out and busy but like you’re simultaneously not getting a whole lot done. You can only keep up 70+ hour weeks for so long before your body breaks down and both your performance and income drop as a result.

Since every real estate agent’s operating hours look different, the following daily schedule is broken up by the suggested amount of hours you

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should spend on each task rather than specific times of day. However, certain tasks, like prospecting, appointments, and listing presentations should be performed at times when it’s most convenient for clients. If you’re an agent who likes to end their workday at 5 o’clock, remember that this is also the same time your clients are likely ending their day, meaning you might be unavailable for showings during the only time their schedule allows.

3.5 hours – This is that time of day that you should schedule all your appointments and listing presentations. If you are a newer agent, you might use this time instead to do more prospecting and appointment setting.

1 hour – Spend this time waking up, exercising either at home or at the gym, and eating breakfast.

2 hours – Now it’s time to unwind. Use this time to have dinner and spend time with you family. If you have children, this is usually the time of day when they are wrapping up homework assignments and getting ready for bed.

It’s important that you make time for these moments the same way you make time for your work.

2 hours – Use this time before you head to the office to develop a morning routine, if you haven’t already. You can meditate, journal, practice affirmations, or read personal development books to prepare for the day ahead.

1 hour – Once you’re at the office, spend this time to review the day’s schedule, catch up with your assistant or other colleagues, and check the latest industry news. This is also the time of day that you can role play to prepare for appointments.

1.5 hours – Spend this time prospecting and appointment setting.

1 hour – Now it’s time for a lunch break. If you’re a multitasker, you can also use this time to prepare for the afternoon and any meetings you have scheduled or connect with followers on social media.

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.5 hours – Look over the day’s schedule again and ensure you’ve checked every task off your to-do list. While you’re at it, be sure to review tomorrow’s schedule and goals too.

2 hours – Spend these last couple hours before you fall asleep to have quality time with your spouse or perform your self-care routines.

8 hours – Now it’s time for sleep—getting a full night’s rest is crucial if you want every day to be productive.

As you can tell, there’s still some wiggle room left in this schedule, but the important thing is to block out time every day so you can achieve your goals and help your clients.

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MARLENE BOYLE With a twenty-year career in the medical field, Marlene knows what it means to care for people. Eleven years ago, she transitioned from medicine into the real estate business.

“I love caring for people.” Marlene remembers, “When I got started, I was looking forward to helping people buy and sell their homes and taking care of them.”

Today, Marlene covers the Durham and Northumberland/Kawartha, Ontario regions, working from her own independent office with a support team that includes three admin assistants, a marketing manager, and an in-house stager. In 2020, Marlene’s team was ranked number one at ReMax Jazz Inc, one of the number-one brokerages in the Durham region. Capitalizing on that success, Marlene recently expanded her team to include two sales representatives.

The majority of Marlene’s business comes from repeat and referral clients. Her commitment to truly putting the client first and forming trust-based relationships, keeps satisfied homeowners coming back to work with her. Buyers searching for their dream home, and sellers hoping for the best price can trust that with her clients-first approach, Marlene will be with them every step of the way, bringing all her years of expertise in the local market to bear from start to finish. Even after a transaction closes, Marlene stays in touch with past clients regularly.

When it comes to marketing, Marlene’s listings never last long before a SOLD sign goes up in the yard. Under the direction of her marketing manager, Marlene’s listings reach a wide audience through expansive online engagement across a wide range of social media platforms. Expert staging and close collaborations Top Agent Magazine

with professional photographers and videographers make her listings stand out, showcasing each home at its best. In the local market, buyer’s agents follow Marlene’s listings closely, pairing their clients with a home that’s right for them. In 2020, Marlene’s team received the ReMax Double Diamond recognition in production.

At a time when communities are struggling through the Covid pandemic, Marlene stays involved, supporting local charities and promoting local businesses in her community. She also spreads the word through her video series, “Community Clips” and “Know Your Neighborhood” in which she highlights everything from businesses to local trails, parks, and events.

When she’s not working, Marlene loves spending time with her family, boating, traveling, and taking motorcycle rides with her husband.

Marlene concludes, “I love what I’m doing. I’m content where I am. But, as an entrepreneur, I’m always trying to improve myself, asking how I can help make the process easier for my clients.”

Find out more at marleneboyle.com. Connect with Marlene via phone at 905-926-5554 and via email at marlene@marleneboyle.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

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WALLY FAKHREDDINE Real estate is in Wally Fakhreddine’s DNA. “My dad was in real estate for over 40 years, and he wanted me to follow in his footsteps,” he explains. Although Wally always knew he would land in the industry at some point, he wanted to try out a different path first. “I opened up a restaurant, but eventually I couldn’t handle being in that business anymore, so I earned my license and hit the ground running.” Today he has his own top team of agents in Edmonton, with the vast majority of his business deriving from repeat clients and referrals.

Wally’s integrity and communication skills have helped him flourish in this industry. “Honesty and integrity is everything,” he explains. “And integrity is everything. I tell people what they need to hear, which doesn’t always mean it’s what they want to hear.” Wally has his buyer’s agents focus on advising the client and educating them so they can make the best decisions possible. With Wally mainly working with sellers, he aims to help them get the most for their property with extensive advertising and marketing campaigns. “We have one of the top three websites in all of Edmonton, which cost over $300k and 13 years of hard work,” he says. “It sets our sellers apart from everybody else, because we have so much exposure on social media and Google. We create sites for them for their own individual homes, and that’s what makes us winners when it comes to listing properties.”

Wally’s outstanding track record stands as a testament to just how superior his service is, with his team closing around 100 homes each year. He also has dozens of accolades, including his status as a Hall of Fame Agent, Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Platinum Award and is in the top 1% of all Edmonton real estate agents, amongst many other achievements.

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When Wally isn’t working, he’s staying involved in the community through the Stollery Children’s Hospital, The Hope Mission, or spending time with his 14-yearold daughter. “I’m a single father, and my favorite thing to do is go for walks with her and take her out for sushi, then ice cream.”

But much of Wally’s time is spent planning for the future, which means continuously expanding his knowledge. “We’re always students of real estate, we’re constantly practicing to improve and enhance our business.”

Whether someone is looking to invest in commercial property, sell a longtime family home, or buy their first house, those who work with Wally never regret it. “There is no hidden agenda with me. I’m all about friendly, prompt and constant service even after the sale. We go above and beyond our clients’ expectations at all times.”

For more information about Wally Fakhreddine, please text/call 780-238-7384 or view topedmontonrealestate.com, you can also email wallybuysell@gmail.com www.

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