CANADA 6-14-21

CANADA EDITION

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FRESH NEW APPROACHES TO CONTENT MARKETING

Small Yard?

BIG STATEMENT: How To Make The Most Out Of Micro Outdoor Spaces

3 SUREFIRE METHODS THAT MAKE FOR A PRODUCTIVE MEETING

Easy Blog Topics For Your Real Estate Blog COVER STORY

SAYED NAJIBI

5 Things You Can Do TO ACHIEVE YOUR BIGGEST GOALS FEATURED AGENTS

CHRIS COSTABILE LYNDON SOMMERT CASSANDRA AURORA DOLORES TRENTADUE & SONYA TORRES DWAYNE MUIR MARLA JANZEN STACEY CAMPBELL TIFFANY KHUU

E a r n Tr u s t B e f o r e B u s i n e s s

CANADA EDITION

LYNDON

DOLORES TRENTADUE & SONYA T CASSANDRA AURORA

For the past seven years, Dolores sleeves and do whatever it takes Dolo Quebec-based Top Agent Cassandra Trentadue and Sonya Torres, Realtors® Prett 15 20 25 26 Aurora – of Sotheby’s International the house look fantastic.” know and Team Leaders at the Trentadue Realty Quebec – is the kind of realTorres estateGroup with RE/MAX All-Stars agent any buyer or seller wouldRealty, want have been taking the Ontario There are an entire hostPart of realand estate market by storm. Ranking that come into play when muni on their side. Honest, hardworking a withinathe RE/MAX Top 100 Teams Cassandra’s ascension in the invol straight shooting, Cassandra has built re in Canada and placing as the #1 Overorgan stellar reputation as a trusted advocate industry, and chief among of them all Team in Stouffville, they are ready th and advisor for her many grateful clibe her expert negotiation skills and excited to go the extra mile for and D SAYED NAJIBI CHRIS COSTABILE LYNDON DOLORES TRENTADUE ents. Having created herSOMMERT businesseach on and a CASSANDRA comprehensive and thoughtful every one of their AURORA clients. builda MARLA JANZEN STACEY CAMPBELL & SONYA foundation of integrity and solid industry to marketing her TORRES listings, which o Dolores was the first to get intoand the Sony Marla Janzen has the experience, the passion, knowledge, there are few better clients to stage their home suited to help buyers includes her considerable Staying in implementation touch with pastofclients Stacey Campbell began her real estate with her business, earning her drone licensefootage, in 1998. their and the skill to provide her clients with optimize the space.

Using achieve dreams of home ownership and for33 sell- is important, talents. “Myand clients34 appreciate the mile 29 in 2007.

30right in extra career “I gottheir a great job She soon found herself looking for a partnerStacey to help checks dedication to provid excellent customer service and to negotiate ers to reach – and often exceed professional photography, and customized – their financial them tolong make surethetheir looks machine amazi regularly after sell.house Stacey out of university, and that was when I better serve property, hergoals. growing list of clients. well-oiled the best deal on their behalf. Marla’s passion videos for each Marla does “When you’re a Sometimes ge says.

“When they see me transform their staysays, in touch authentically. investing in real estate,” Stacey everything a solo agent, it can besays, she explaining never want to losehom th for real estate began at an early started age. “The in her power to givetough,” her“Iclients Prior to her real estate career, Cassandra worked as a see the effort I put into it.

I don’t just put ua her thought process.

In the meantime, Sonya had “We’re all about the best life takes Being able to have the relationship recalls.

“Throughout that time, I really joke in my family is that, as a kid, I used to broad visibility to attract competitive offers. been looking for a change.

She decided to get her multiple Realtors® t successful designer, a background that richly informs ing and bring a photographer in.

I actually m with my clients is very fulfilling.Just I feelask Tiffany look through the homes for sale enjoyed section ofthe real estate and would In her firstlicense. year with eXp, Marla earned their After watching several agents its in value.” the area, and nothing falls thro her current job and provides exceptional additional house show lucky.”of houses while working full-time.” top honor, the Icon Award, in very she and her bu the newspaper,” Marla says. Withflip a passion recognition she decided to reach out and reconnect with Dolores. value says, to her“Iclients.

“It was Iand wasafter, working in Eventually, Stacey had invested for interior design and a strong background herwhile salesSoon volume achievements.

This Valerie Guay the two women reconnected and have Outside of work, Son likes to giveKHUU back her commuinyears enough that JANZEN I could design and was stillmake very year, young,” she recalls, speaking withto Cassandra, oneenjoy can’t in sales, Marla DWAYNE has seventeen of property shebeen is already on “that track Stacey to When shatter her MUIR MARLA STACEY CAMPBELL TIFFANY busy ever since. food.

They Realty and gett M whether means enthusiasm participating transition doing to real decided doestate somefullflips.previous It was sales whilerecord.

I was doing nity,notice thethat genuine she “Our holds on the sand. fam experience in the industry, whichthe gives her I to 2018, they kne B e f oan r e Binvaluable usiness “In this it caninbejob. veryAsked difficultabout to findwhat somesaysRed Sonya.

They bot the annual Keller Williams For 14 Stacey hasI had always knowledge and time.” long-term thisyears that now, I realized that hadindustry, a passion element she enjoys th curve would body who you really mesh with both personally and trying new restaurant Day event, or donating on her own to been helpingfor herhomes. clients Iachieve their perspective.

Marla centers gratitude as a core value, and initially decided to get my real estate she grows thoughtful for a moment before b from athat Sonya, “but every- food related COVID-19 both had plenty is thankful she iscomponent,” ablethe to be asays source local Manitoba Harvest bankto real estate goals. license simply to help myshe own flips, butbusiness friends and “For me, it’s about the gratification of see thing was really seamless.”

Now a Realtor with eXp Realty, Marla works with eleven of support and guidance in her clients’ lives.

“Whether throughout the year.

When she is not working or having paid o family began calling me to help them look for real clients satisfied and happyLooking and appreciating to the future 22) SMALL YARD? BIG 5 FRESH NEW agents, as well4) as with several building firms, including they’re looking to buy or sell, it’s always an integral giving back, Stacey loves spending time with her Stacey servesestate, all of so Winnipeg, as well as the surother companies.

But grow. running a brok I ended up selling homes full time has andsince do for into them.”

The partnership grown a thriving team They would lik Westbow Construction, on development projects.

“IAlmost made allmoment,” Marla says.

“It’s such a blessing when I can family and friends. rounding areas. of her business comes STATEMENT: HOW APPROACHES TO of ten full-time Realtors® and ten additional staging, the of eastwork, or north, never looked back.” complex, andTO we put atolot en the switch a year and a half ago because I’m growing my clients, get them more for their property, &or administrative ease their stress, or from repeat and referral an impressive feat renovation, members.

Serving the expanding their thriv team into building a business that would MAKE THE MOST OUT OFinvestment CONTENT MARKETING business,” Marla says. “eXp Realty has been atoperfect fit, anddemystify theshe process.”

When shearea is not busy helping herjust anorth Stouffville in the York region, Currently Stacey is building teamofoftheagents who side of t that speaks the trust confidence inspires.

That was in 2006, and since then Cassandra has built offering me great opportunities for“Being growth.”

Marla serves clients, Marla’s blended family keeps her happy busy, Greater Toronto area, the Trentadue MICRO OUTDOOR she can mentor andand “help themTorres getSPACES toTeam the nextrenovating, level.” and sellin able understand people is continues a skill that’s atothriving business that to grow year after 14) and 5 THINGS YOU Saskatoon, Canada, the surrounding communities. and she loves to spend time with her husband and children.

That dedication has paid bu includes in-house staging and renovations inhigh-quality their that off. we’veVIP’s gone throu Above all, she continues to provide serreally helpedyear. me inCurrently real estate.

I’m very caring and overseeing an equally dedicated team services.

They are prepared in to work with any clients, anything.

It’s made u She has been recognized for her sales and success with yearmain two,thing and in is this on pace to double aga vice for her clients.

“The business understanding people’s 27) EASY BLOG CAN DO TO ACHIEVE ofoftwo other situations.” licensed brokers, Cassandra can whether Marla’s local ormake international.

Between all members, numerous awards, and has been a Top Producing Agent, Ambitious and result-oriented, plans for the future having and already achieved the high isspeaks that you have toteam belanguages. authentic be yourself,” the team seven different the impressive claim growing that the her entirety of TOPICS FOR YOUR YOUR BIGGEST GOALS both at eXp and at her previous company. In 2016, she include team andher herconsidsales, and providing To learn more a Stacey says, “It’s important to focus on how we Stacey says. “That’s where you will find the most have seen throughout their careers.

It’s Sonya received the Marketing Excellence Award erable from business the more exposure forrepeat her building is based upon clients,partners. referrals“I have a lot of REAL ESTATE BLOG success.

Be patient, work hard for your clients, and make people feel.

If people feel understood and The majority of the team’s business comes from repeat whatfor can be accomplished when owners Trentadue Torres Warman & Martensville of Commerce. the word-of-mouth. gratitude,” Marla“Isays.

“I’m for family, andOn positive think a lotgrateful of that hasmy 18) 3 Chambers SUREFIRE METHODS and referral services.

Sonya laughs, explaining, “We it will pay off.” appreciated, it’sthe an first enjoyable process.” email ceos@ and pursue it with passion.

“Valerie and recommendation of past clients, she was named my city, for my clients, and for my business.

As I grow to do with my personality and theliveexceptional ser- 44,000. You have to live under in a town of about MAKE A THAT or visit Tre Trusted Saskatoon RealtorFOR for www.TrustedSaskatoon. and expand, I will continue to show gratitude every day business marriage,” Tiffany laughs. vice I provide,” says Cassandra, awhen asked how rock not to know who we are.” com, a listing of local businesses known forhas their in thetoworld.”

PRODUCTIVE MEETING she managed inspire such impressive levels of outstanding customer service and their higher standard trust and loyalty amongst those she works with. She Tiffany’s path began when she got for client care. Additionally, Rate My Agent ranked Marla Forinmore Cassandra Aurora also points to her design talents and aesthetic, which license 2010about and became a CIR Age third out of over 500 real estate agents in her area. please call 514-293-2277 or enables her to present every one of her many listings out in New Home Development, runni email caurora@sothebysrealty.ca in the most favorable light possible. “I just roll up my Fax 310-734-1440 Along with Phone her awards310-734-1440 and honors, Marla’s |high repeat for Developers. She moved to Century2

DWAYNE MUIR

ED IBI

t

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marketing, with a personalized landing page created for each listing. “Through the same platform I use to stayTIFFANY in touchK with people, I can look at migration patterns of who is coming to ou area, so I can utilize that information to advertise to those markets.” Al properties are also listed on the MLS CONTENTS as well as social media.

After the transaction, clients leave CHRIS COSTABILE glowing about time When he decided on hisreviews career path backtheir in 1992, together.

One recently said, only “Dwayne Lyndon Sommert wasn’t asking for much: that helped us buy our housea in Dieppe he get to spend the rest of his lifefirst making positive 2018, when it came to sell impact on theinlives of and others.

“That’s thetime beauty of we would not consider going with anyone else.potential Dwayne als above all this business.

Every transaction has the and his made up, bothallow the buying selling process n rest assured to team lift people them toand begin a new life totallyfrom seamless.

He position. is very approachable, knowledgeable way, with no a better And the relationships thatto h and referral rate is a testament to her client-centered that, adding property management mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com approach. “My clients appreciate my honesty and 2012. While she was engaged inbusy the pr and genuine!

Dwayne able towhether work around our integrity,” Marla says. of “What I truly pride myself build—it’s on isin any lifewas changing, you’re buyer, No portion this issue may be we reproduced manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher.

Top Agent Magazine ing VIP, she managed property for seve when my clients say, ‘Weby know howPublications busy you are,GA, butInc. weAlthough precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top is published Feature sold real estate, and her children. schedules tooropinions help us orsell our house, and farraised exceeded feel like we’re your only client.’

That kind of feedback agent. aToRealtor Agent Magazine cannot be heldseller, responsible for expressedBeing facts supplied by its authors. is a gift for which makes me very proud. In everything I do, I strive to be find out more about Stacey Campbell, To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. for my clients always.” our expectations!” email stacey@staceysellshomes.ca, m thethereplatform “It wasn’t that easy,” Tiffany admits. “M I’m grateful, and a responsibility I here take Published in the U.S. To find out more about Marla Janzen, her website call 204-232-5663, or visit worked ourselves to the bone to make th please call 306-341-3699, visit marlajanzen.com, To marketis her the clients’ listings, Marla leverages social illiams very seriously.”

I love people, and helping them find a h or email marlajanzen.realty@gmail.com media, a strategy that has earned her awards. She works through periods of my life when I didn’ When Dwayne isn’t working, he’s staying involved in the I don’t think 2 Agent Magazine so I knowTop well the sense of security h canRed bring and how important community through Williams’ isbua vide the best It wasn’t easyKeller at first.

Lyndon gotDay, intowhich theit is for www.

Copyright Top Agent M

www.realtor.ca/agent/1671979/stacey-campbell-15-scurfield-boulevard-winnipeg-manitoba-r3y1g3 www.

https://

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mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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5 Fresh New Approaches to Content Marketing A couple of weeks ago we were conducting a workshop when we were asked two excellent questions about content marketing:

• People

don’t want to hear from a roofing company every day. So how do you produce fresh and interesting content for social media that goes beyond your core services and yet ties back to your business?

• Can

you extend your social media presence and content to include personal things (like your hobbies) and how does that affect your overall business image?

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The workshop attendee who asked the first question was right. Almost no one wants to hear from any company every day… especially if all the content is about products and services…and yes, even if they’re giving helpful tips and information. Does that mean you should stop producing excellent daily content related to your business? No, of course not! Content is created for two reasons.

First, to provide knowledge, expertise and even entertainment to your ideal customers in order to achieve top of mind awareness as an authority in your industry. And second, to produce SEO-rich results that keep you at the top of search engines. You must strike a

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balance between the two, and try to include content that draws people in by being super interesting and entertaining….and yes, sometimes personal.

To help answer those content questions above, here are five different types of content (beyond the traditional stuff) that can give your brand a fresh, unique and balanced approach:

1. PHILANTHROPIC Your community efforts say a lot about who you are, and people will make an extra effort to do business with you as a result of this connection. We’ve consulted business owners who are very hesitant to promote these efforts because they don’t want it to seem as though they are exploiting the charities and organizations—and most especially because they don’t do it for the promotional aspects. They do it to give back. I ask you to keep this in mind. Nonprofit and charitable organizations very often have small marketing budgets. Not only do they rely on outside marketing forces to promote their initiatives, they would likely be forced to close their doors without that support. That means that when someone with a strong brand and presence promotes them, it’s a highly trusted and personal connection, and you can’t buy that kind of support. In other words, they not only need you to promote them, they want you to promote them. But your instincts are correct. It’s not about you. So just make sure your entire content focuses on the organization you’re helping, what they do for the community and how Top Agent Magazine

others can join in the cause. Then it becomes a huge win for all.

2. HOBBIES You bungee jumped from four of the tallest bridges in the U.S. In your spare time, you go fly fishing. You love playing chef and use only locally grown, organic foods. Your friends are always begging you to go to Vegas with your card shark talents. You’ve done mission work in Africa and would like to start your own group. You almost played professional baseball. You have an insane talent for gardening design or bass guitar.

Your family works at a soup kitchen once a month. Ok…you get the picture. And two more words. Reality TV. People are interesting…and people are interested in interesting people. We remember others based on these unique traits. And most of all, people love the story behind the face. Don’t be afraid to share your hobbies. Quite often, it’s the first thing that will personally connect you to a prospect.

3. CREATIVE CONNECTION This one is perhaps our favorite. While we can’t imagine seeing something come across our news feed from a landscaping company every day, imagine this for a moment. What are we always told to remember in this hectic world? Stop and smell the roses, right? So what if…a landscaping company posted a beautiful flower each day, just to remind you to ‘stop and smell the roses’. And at the bottom of that photo (small print), you included

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the type of flower and type of environment needed to make it flourish (moist soil, full sun, etc.). And then, of course, watermarked it with your logo….and a title like, “Sam’s Daily Reminder: It’s Time to Stop & Smell the Roses”. You could even include some great, thought-provoking quotes. It has the personal connection (Sam), the business connection (flowers & logo watermark) and a cool creative connector (pause the meetings and paperwork to take a moment and appreciate life by noticing this beautiful flower). This is a great idea for staying ‘top of mind’ and connecting business with the kind of creative messaging people wouldn’t mind seeing every day.

4. EXPERIENCES This one is similar to hobbies from the personal aspect, but instead of something that identifies us like our hobbies, our experiences are random happenings that can have great interest and meaning to our audience.

Whether you have a unique experience buying a new car or a fateful conversation with a stranger in the airport, if you feel it ties into a life lesson or business lesson you’d like to share, by all means do. The lesson is to keep your radar up 24/7. Any experiences you have which relate to your

ideal customer are an opportunity to connect beyond the business world. And when we do that, we become a part of the family.

5. INFLUENCERS “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”. You’ve probably heard that saying, and the same is true whether you are a teenager or a business owner. Maybe you’ve learned a lot of your business knowledge from Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Warren Buffet…or you like to quote Benjamin Franklin. Perhaps you have some mentors you’d like to recognize and tell why they’re important to you. Sharing the people and things that influence us is what makes us human. No matter how successful your business, you didn’t get there alone. People and circumstances shaped you along the way. Recognizing others for their contribution in our lives, large or small, is important in staying connected and grounded.

We hope these five types of content help you to put a fresh spin on what you share with your audience, whether personal or professional. We believe you must have the combination of both to build an incredible brand.

Tonya Eberhart is the Branding Agent to Business Stars and founder of BrandFace®, LLC. Michael Carr is America’s Top Selling Real Estate Auctioneer & BrandFace® partner. Together, they focus on personal branding and marketing designed to help real estate professionals become the face of their business & a star in their market. BrandFace® for Real Estate Professionals is a book, professional speaking series and an exclusive workshop for agents, and is currently active in 18 U.S. states, Canada and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.BrandFaceRealEstate.com.

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SAYED NAJIBI E a r n Tr u s t B e f o r e B u s i n e s s Top Agent Magazine

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SAYED NAJIBI Having previously worked as a financial advisor & mortgage specialist, Top Agent Sayed Najibi is well versed in all aspects of the lending and real estate process and uses his knowledge to guide clients into making the best decisions.

As the lead of the Sayed Najibi Group at Royal Lepage West R.E.S brokerage in Vancouver, Sayed Najibi & his team takes an educational approach to the real estate process. “Our business promise is ‘Earn Trust Before Business’. Trust is 8

something that you cannot buy, you have to earn it. When it comes to real estate that means telling your clients the positive & negative upfront, so that you can equip them with the right information, and they can make their decision based on facts.”

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No surprises later.

Having previously worked as a financial advisor & mortgage specialist at one of Canada’s largest financial institutions, Sayed is well versed in all aspects of the lending and real estate process and uses his knowledge to guide clients into making Top Agent Magazine

the best decisions. Always looking out for their best interest, he focuses on building enduring relationships with buyers and sellers. “When people ask me how the business is, I always say that as long as our clients like us, it will always be good, no matter what market we are in. If the individuals we work with felt like we 9

cared and did a good job, then we know they will return for repeat business and refer us to others, and our business will continue to grow,” he explains, and adds, “We never look at our clients as just another transaction, or commission in the bank. We think about the relationship first, that’s fundamental for us, along with an honest and open engagement.”

Our Google reviews are like our Olympic medals which we aim to get Gold (5 stars review) after a deal is done.

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Sayed and his team work hard to stay up to speed on the newest tech advances so that they can utilize them in their marketing.

Sayed and his team work hard to stay up to speed on the newest tech advances so that they can utilize them in their marketing.

They currently use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for promoting listings. “We work hard to stay ahead of the curve with technology and social media to make our business efficient and up to date for our clients. Sayed & his team have an experience of closing upwards of $250 million in real estate & mortgage transactions.

It’s this type of dedication that earns Sayed & his team the following awards: • Royal Lepage National Top 35 Under 35 Top Agent Magazine

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• Royal Lepage Red Diamond (National Top 5%) • Royal Lepage Presidents Club • Royal Lepage Master Sales Medallion Award (2018-2020) • Royal Lepage 2017 Regional & National Rookie Award (closing 45 deals in his first year) Aside from his commitment to clients, Sayed is also deeply involved with his community. “One of our business values is giving back. We donate to food banks in the community, and when COVID-19 hit we focused on giving back to the frontline healthcare workers. We also donate on the behalf of our clients to charities of their choice.”

When he’s not working or giving back his time, Sayed loves to read and meet new people. “This job is perfect for me because I love socializing and spending time with people. So regardless of whether I’m working or not, that’s what I’m doing. I’m an extrovert at heart.”

Going forward Sayed is focused on becoming a coach and mentor for his

team as he looks to bring in additional agents and expand the business to close 100+ deals. “Our future vision is to have a team & firm that’s a one-stop shop for our clients where we provide them the highest quality of service from beginning to end. That includes resale, presale, construction, renovation, new development, and private lending. We want to do it all for our clients.”

For more information about Sayed Najibi, email sayed.najibi@outlook.com, visit , or call (604) 649–6520. z

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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 consideration 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 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 14

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 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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CHRIS COSTABILE

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CHRIS COSTABILE

Chris Costabile, owner of Revel Realty brokerage in Brantford, approaches every real estate transaction with the same amount of care and passion. “Trust, loyalty, and honesty are crucial to a successful transaction. I treat all my clients like family,” he says.

As he navigates clients towards their goals, Chris is intent on ensuring that buyers and sellers receive an elite level of service. For him that means providing them with a variety of options to choose from when it comes to buying or selling a home.

“We have a few different programs that our clients really enjoy. Most recently we rolled out the concierge program that allows clients to do renovations on their home so that we can increase the value and sell it for top dollar.” His diligent work and dedication to help clients has resulted in a wide network of repeat and referral clients thanks to whom 16

Chris completes anywhere between 65 to 85 transactions per year, with a sales volume range anywhere between 40 to 60 million. This year he’s on pace to complete a staggering 75 million.

Forming long-lasting relationships and continuing to be a resource for clients even after a transaction is over is imperative for Chris. “I stay in close touch with my clients. We host four parties every year, we do a charity golf tournament,

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a Christmas bash, and we leave cool little quarterly gifts on their doorstep,” he says.

When it comes to marketing Chris is a big believer in out of the box solutions. “I love to get creative with videos and interesting ways to market properties. And of course, we always have professional photography, drone videos, and a large social media presence.”

Motivated by the knowledge that he has power to help change people’s lives, Chris works relentlessly to make his clients’ visions a reality. “Helping people achieve their real estate goals is extremely rewarding. I also have a competitive spirit and love the thrill of getting the deal done.” His passion for helping people isn’t limited to just his clients. He believes in giving back to his community and is involved with multiple charities and organizations, including a shelter for women and children affected by domestic violence, the local food bank, and various youth sports leagues.

Outside of work, Chris loves to spend his free time surrounded by family and his Bulldog puppy. “I have a big, blended family of five kids, and we enjoy just hanging out by the pool and having fun.” He also collects sports memorabilia.

In the future Chris looks to continue expanding his business while always providing the highest level of service to his clients. “Real estate is changing fast, and I’m thrilled to be part of the movement that revolutionizes the industry. Our modern boutique brokerage provides personalized service and offers full support and marketing strategies for our agents. And most importantly we have unique opportunities for clients to not just own properties, but to live the lifestyle that they want to achieve.”

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To learn more about Chris Costabile email chriscostabile@revelrealty.ca, or call (519) 865–9517 Copyright Top Agent Magazine 17

3 Surefire Methods that Make for a Productive Meeting Sometimes a business meeting can achieve exactly what it sets out to do: communicate, assess actions, set goals, or otherwise. Other times, meetings can feel like a drain on your time and energy, and only advance your agenda in marginal ways. While meetings are an integral form of communication in the professional world, how can you ensure that they are both productive and worthwhile?

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The truth is, it takes intentioned planning to make a meeting a success. A well-curated meeting makes partners and employees feel unified as a team, excited about what’s to come, and motivated to achieve a collective goal. With that in mind, consider a few approaches below to maximize your next meeting and ensure that all parties involved leave with a renewed sense of direction and inspiration.

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1. Create a detailed agenda in advance Oftentimes meetings are scheduled with a loose goal in mind—to hash out the terms of a contract or to strategize a new marketing campaign, for example. To ensure your meeting is productive, time-efficient, and achieves its end, create a detailed agenda in advance. This means breaking down your overarching goal into pieces and outlining what’s required to complete each component. You might also consider making time blocks for each respective component, so there is a clear structure and hierarchy in place. Not only does this ensure that time is used wisely and evenly, but it also creates order and momentum for the greater task at hand. What’s more, you’ll want to distribute this detailed agenda in advance of your meeting, so that all attendees will be familiar with the format and delineated goals of your gathering. This will set a professional tone, while keeping team members and conversation on task.

2. Reserve off-topics ideas and comments for later Too many meetings are derailed when an off-topic question or comment is made and hijacks the attentions of attendees. While it’s natural that outlying issues may arise when all team members are gathered, you can ward off distractions by creating a so-called holding area for off-topic talking points. This holding area will serve as the receptacle for any off-topic or lower priority addendum, and you can create a chunk of time towards the end of your meeting to readdress those Top Agent Magazine

points separately. Once you’ve achieved the highest priority goals of your meeting, you can then return to the items in your holding area. Note: be sure to familiarize your staff with this approach so that the expectation is already in place and interruptions won’t distract from your meeting’s true intent.

3. Conclude every meeting with a brief summary and action items The very last thing you should do before concluding your meeting is to reemphasize the main takeaways of your gathering and outline a specific list of action items. Again, successful meetings are clear and give attendees a sense of direction. That’s why reiterating action items—or next steps in need of completion—to each respective employee is an essential component of a productive meeting. Likewise, summarizing main takeaways unifies a team’s understanding of what’s important and why the meeting was called in the first place. Ending on a concrete yet proactive note helps launch team members toward the next event in their day and gives them a sense of confidence as they tackle their duties.

Meetings don’t have to be a formality or a bore. When planned and executed with incisiveness, they can inspire your talent roster and streamline productivity in your office.

Especially in the world of real estate, ensuring everyone is on the same page and doing their jobs effectively is key to success and longevity. Put a little planning into your next meeting, and you’ll save yourself valuable time and energy as you move forward.

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LYNDON SOMMERT

When he decided on his career path back in 1992, Lyndon Sommert wasn’t asking for much: only that he get to spend the rest of his life making a positive impact on the lives of others. “That’s the beauty of this business. Every transaction has the potential to lift people up, allow them to begin a new life from a better position. And the relationships that we build—it’s life changing, whether you’re buyer, seller, or agent. Being a Realtor is a gift for which I’m grateful, and a responsibility that I take very seriously.”

Edmonton, Alberta, having helped close over $200 million in transactions during that time. He currently leads a team of two other agents, and together they do between 60 and 80 transactions a year. Ninety-five per cent of that business comes from repeat clients and referrals. Moreover, he’s coached over 2000 agents towards their own success since 1997, through his company Advance Real Estate Training Inc.

It wasn’t easy at first. Lyndon got into the industry, only to discover how quickly markets could change. He dropped out shortly during slow markets in 1993 and 1995, but remained determined. “I saw other agents succeeding where I wasn’t, and that bothered me. I studied it by meeting many of the top agents and found out there were six common denominators that all successful agents shared. I began practicing those habits, and the rest is history.”

Thirty years of history, in fact. Lyndon is now a huge success as a Realtor with eXp in 20

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“Two of the most important things are to make sure the clients’ experience is enjoyable and successful, plus staying in touch beyond the closing to provide any needed services. If I’ve done my job right, clients are happy to hear from me because of the great relationship I’ve built with them. There’s a list of other things necessary to providing quality service, but those two represent the basic principles.”

Because the industry is constantly changing, Lyndon has always employed expert help to deal with marketing. “My job’s to be out there assisting clients, making sure I’m on top of the latest developments so I can give them the information they need to make good decisions.

My team makes sure our listings get maximum exposure on all of the social media sites, our MLS, and whatever other mediums we might need to use given the type of market we’re in.

Our marketing is excellent! For buyers, we pride ourselves on finding the best deals that suit the client’s needs and negotiating the most favorable price and terms.”

When not working, Lyndon’s family comes first.

“My fiancé and I have five children between us, so we’re getting together with them every chance we get. Activity wise, I really enjoy getting out in nature, especially to ski and motorcycle. I’m also a huge fan of both car racing and baseball, and I have a goal of visiting all of the race courses and baseball diamonds across North America.”

Lyndon has no plans to retire. He has a passion for real estate and hopes to continue recruiting and training new agents for eXp Realty. “It’s such an incredible company because it’s all about the agents and not the brokerage. Once other agents see the unique features the company has for them and their clients, it’s really a no brainer. At the end of the day, what I love most is building those relationships. Many, many clients and agents have become long-term friends and business partners. I feel blessed. It really doesn’t get better than this.”

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Contact Lyndon at 780-498-1966 or email Lyndon@aret.ca

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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 22

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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CASSANDRA AURORA Quebec-based Top Agent Cassandra Aurora – of Sotheby’s International Realty Quebec – is the kind of real estate agent any buyer or seller would want on their side. Honest, hardworking and straight shooting, Cassandra has built a stellar reputation as a trusted advocate and advisor for her many grateful clients. Having created her business on a foundation of integrity and solid industry knowledge, there are few better suited to help buyers achieve their dreams of home ownership and for sellers to reach – and often exceed – their financial goals.

Prior to her real estate career, Cassandra worked as a successful designer, a background that richly informs her current job and provides exceptional additional value to her clients. “It was while I was working in design and was still very young,” she recalls, “that I decided to do some flips. It was while I was doing this that I realized that I had always had a passion for homes. I initially decided to get my real estate license simply to help my own flips, but friends and family began calling me to help them look for real estate, so I ended up selling homes full time and never looked back.”

That was in 2006, and since then Cassandra has built a thriving business that continues to grow year after year. Currently overseeing an equally dedicated team of two other licensed brokers, Cassandra can make the impressive claim that the entirety of her considerable business is based upon repeat clients, referrals and positive word-of-mouth. “I think a lot of that has to do with my personality and the exceptional service I provide,” says Cassandra, when asked how she has managed to inspire such impressive levels of trust and loyalty amongst those she works with. She also points to her design talents and aesthetic, which enables her to present every one of her many listings in the most favorable light possible. “I just roll up my Top Agent Magazine

sleeves and do whatever it takes to make the house look fantastic.”

There are an entire host of factors that come into play when assessing Cassandra’s ascension in the real estate industry, and chief among them would be her expert negotiation skills and her comprehensive and thoughtful approach to marketing her listings, which of course includes implementation of her considerable staging talents. “My clients appreciate the extra mile I go for them to make sure their house looks amazing,” she says. “When they see me transform their home, they see the effort I put into it. I don’t just put up a listing and bring a photographer in. I actually make the house show its value.”

When speaking with Cassandra, one can’t help but notice the genuine enthusiasm she holds for her job. Asked about what element she enjoys the most, she grows thoughtful for a moment before replying “For me, it’s about the gratification of seeing my clients satisfied and happy and appreciating what I do for them.”

For more about Cassandra Aurora, please call 514-293-2277 or email caurora@sothebysrealty.ca Copyright Top Agent Magazine 25

DOLORES TRENTADUE & SONYA TORRES For the past seven years, Dolores Trentadue and Sonya Torres, Realtors® and Team Leaders at the Trentadue Torres Group with RE/MAX All-Stars Realty, have been taking the Ontario real estate market by storm. Ranking within the RE/MAX Top 100 Teams in Canada and placing as the #1 Overall Team in Stouffville, they are ready and excited to go the extra mile for each and every one of their clients.

Dolores was the first to get into the business, earning her license in 1998.

She soon found herself looking for a partner to help better serve her growing list of clients. “When you’re a solo agent, it can be tough,” she says, explaining her thought process. In the meantime, Sonya had been looking for a change. She decided to get her license. After watching several agents in the area, she decided to reach out and reconnect with Dolores.

Soon after, the two women reconnected and have been busy ever since.

“In this industry, it can be very difficult to find somebody who you really mesh with both personally and from a business component,” says Sonya, “but everything was really seamless.”

The partnership has since grown into a thriving team of ten full-time Realtors® and ten additional staging, renovation, & administrative members. Serving the Stouffville area in the York region, just north of the Greater Toronto area, the Trentadue Torres Team includes in-house staging and renovations in their services. They are prepared to work with any clients, whether local or international. Between all members, the team speaks seven different languages.

The majority of the team’s business comes from repeat and referral services. Sonya laughs, explaining, “We live in a town of about 44,000. You have to live under a rock not to know who we are.”

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Dolores adds, “It’s all word of mouth.

Pretty much everybody in town knows of us.”

Part of their prominence in the community comes from both of their involvement in local events and organizations. Sonya sits as the Chair of the Stouffville Business Chamber, and Dolores acts as president at the building that houses the team’s offices.

Sonya and Dolores also contribute their clients’ loyalty to the team’s dedication to providing a personal touch. “We’re a well-oiled machine, but at the end of the day we never want to lose that personal touch,” Dolores says.

“We’re all about the people.” Each listing includes multiple Realtors® to ensure that nothing is missed, and nothing falls through the cracks.

Outside of work, Sonya and Dolores love trying new food. They enjoy getting out to the beach and relaxing on the sand. “Our families are very much integrated,” says Sonya. They both look forward to getting back to trying new restaurants and traveling when restrictions related to COVID-19 lift.

Looking to the future, Dolores and Sonya are ready to grow. They would like to open an additional location to the east or north, and they are looking forward to expanding their team. They are also moving into the investment side of the business through purchasing, renovating, and selling properties. Dolores says, “Now that we’ve gone through a pandemic, I feel we can do anything. It’s made us stronger.”

To learn more about Dolores Trentadue, Sonya Torres, and the Trentadue Torres Group, call 905-640-3131, email ceos@trentaduetorres.com, or visit TrentadueTorres.com www.

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Easy Blog Topics for Your Real Estate Blog Today, blogging looks a lot different than it did back in 2007, when the platform was just beginning to take off. Successful bloggers don’t choose blog topics on a whim. They think strategically and develop pillar content that their target audience will come back to again and again.

Real estate bloggers should be less concerned with whether the same post already exists (it does) Top Agent Magazine

than with how they can be more informative and helpful than their competition. Your personality is likely the thing that your clients connect with, and your blog is another place where you can let it shine.

Pillar content refers to those evergreen posts that never get old because they are always timely.

Think about those questions that you’ve had to

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answer a hundred, if not thousands of times— that’s your pillar content. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could direct your clients to a blog post or, better yet, they discovered the answer on your website rather than you having to constantly repeat yourself?

Or maybe you helped a client sell their house for much more than they were expecting by conducting a series of small and inexpensive renovations. Tell your readers how you did it.

Evergreen Content

Your clients are likely new to the area. Inform them about upcoming community events or mom-and-pop shops they may have never heard of. Are there hiking trails or parks nearby?

What’s the best place to grab a cup of coffee before work or a beer after? You can spotlight these places regularly as a monthly series.

This should really make up the bulk of your content. The possibilities are endless, and you could easily come up with an entire year’s worth of content with only a few hours of brainstorming.

Here are some examples: You could provide your readers with a list of questions they should ask when interviewing a realtor, the steps to becoming a real estate investor, real estate facts all first-time homeowners should know, steps new parents should take to prepare their home for a baby, recommended vendors for home maintenance, or common real estate terms defined.

You could explain to your readers what they need to know about home staging, which home renovations add the most value to their home, how to research schools or crime rates in specific neighborhoods, what a home association is, or how to start flipping houses and buying foreclosures.

Case Studies Sometimes realtors work with a client for years before they are ready to buy a home. Personal finance blogs are a thing for a reason. People want to see exactly how someone else achieved a shared goal. If you have a close relationship with a client who you helped become a homeowner, consider interviewing this client and writing up a case study that shows exactly how the two of you worked together to achieve this goal.

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Stay Local

There are plenty of real estate news outlets that will be posting about the state of the market—but they won’t be talking about your specific community, and that’s where your blog comes in.

Of course, if you only blog about community functions or properties on the market, then as soon as that event is over or that listing is sold, your content ceases being useful.

The best real estate blogs balance their content by posting a little about all the above. Maintaining a high-quality blog means your prospective clients don’t need to visit several websites to have their questions answered because you’ve done the work for them. It’s a tool that helps you make a great first impression.

If you still need help coming up with blog topics for your real estate blog, consider sending a survey out to your clients. You can send it via email and post it on social media. Ask your clients what real estate problems they need help solving and write your content with their responses in mind.

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DWAYNE MUIR Creative, energetic and passionate about real estate, Dwayne Muir has quickly become a prominent agent in the greater Moncton area. Having spent more than 20 years in the corporate sector, specializing in sales and customer service, he felt his skills would translate well in the real estate world. Now with his own team of four people, it’s clear his experience and knowledge have helped him flourish.

“80 percent of my business derives from repeat clients and referrals,” he says. “I have strong connections with my buyers and sellers. I care deeply for each person I serve, and put their goals above all else.” When working with Dwayne, one can rest assured that they will be guided every step of the way, with no questions left unanswered.

Dwayne credits his brokerage for giving him the platform to provide unparalleled service. “Keller Williams is the best company I could be with,” he says. “I don’t think I could work with anyone else. They provide the best training, and having access to that has allowed me to go from being a single agent to having a team.” Additionally, Keller Williams allows him to stay in contact with his past clients. Utilizing an integrated platform called Command, he reaches out regularly to everyone he’s served. “I keep in touch with clients by phone, text, email and client events to name a few. We show them what’s going on in their neighborhoods, I want them to know I care about what’s going on in their world.”

Whether he’s helping a buyer find their first home, or preparing a game plan for a listing, Dwayne does everything possible to help his clients have a smooth journey. For his buyers, this includes getting to know them and taking the time to understand exactly what they are looking for. He then begins the search, and doesn’t stop until the ideal home is found. Meanwhile, his sellers enjoy exceptional

marketing, with a personalized landing page created for each listing. “Through the same platform I use to stay in touch with people, I can look at migration patterns of who is coming to our area, so I can utilize that information to advertise to those markets.” All properties are also listed on the MLS, as well as social media.

After the transaction, clients leave glowing reviews about their time together. One recently said, “Dwayne helped us buy our first house in Dieppe in 2018, and when it came time to sell, we would not consider going with anyone else. Dwayne and his team made both the buying and selling process totally seamless. He is very approachable, knowledgeable and genuine! Dwayne was able to work around our busy schedules to help us sell our house, and far exceeded our expectations!”

When Dwayne isn’t working, he’s staying involved in the community through Keller Williams’ Red Day, which is a day devoted to giving back. He also loves spending time with family, playing sports, or enjoying the outdoors.

With the continuous growth of his business, Dwayne is also spending time planning for the future. “My goal is to create a solid team that will continue to thrive even after I retire,” he says. Wherever his path leads, he’s no doubt enjoying the journey. “I trust and care for people just like I would my own mom. This is a very caring and opportunistic type of career, if you take it seriously and apply the right systems and models, you can become very successful.

I am extremely grateful to have worked with many true professionals within the real estate industry. I would like to thank each and every one of them for their assistance and guidance to make every one of my customers, whether buying or selling, have the best experience that they could ever imagine. Thank You.”

For more information about Dwayne Muir, please call 506-962-2210 or email dwaynemuir@kw.com Top Agent Magazine

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MARLA JANZEN Marla Janzen has the experience, the passion, and the skill to provide her clients with excellent customer service and to negotiate the best deal on their behalf. Marla’s passion for real estate began at an early age. “The joke in my family is that, as a kid, I used to look through the homes for sale section of the newspaper,” Marla says. With a passion for interior design and a strong background in sales, Marla has seventeen years of experience in the industry, which gives her an invaluable knowledge and long-term perspective.

Now a Realtor with eXp Realty, Marla works with eleven agents, as well as with several building firms, including Westbow Construction, on development projects. “I made the switch a year and a half ago because I’m growing my business,” Marla says. “eXp Realty has been a perfect fit, offering me great opportunities for growth.” Marla serves Saskatoon, Canada, and the surrounding communities.

She has been recognized for her sales and success with numerous awards, and has been a Top Producing Agent, both at eXp and at her previous company. In 2016, she received the Marketing Excellence Award from the Warman & Martensville Chambers of Commerce. On the recommendation of past clients, she was named the first Trusted Saskatoon Realtor for www.TrustedSaskatoon. com, a listing of local businesses known for their outstanding customer service and their higher standard for client care. Additionally, Rate My Agent ranked Marla third out of over 500 real estate agents in her area.

Along with her awards and honors, Marla’s high repeat and referral rate is a testament to her client-centered approach. “My clients appreciate my honesty and integrity,” Marla says. “What I truly pride myself on is when my clients say, ‘We know how busy you are, but we feel like we’re your only client.’ That kind of feedback makes me very proud. In everything I do, I strive to be there for my clients always.”

To market her clients’ listings, Marla leverages social media, a strategy that has earned her awards. She works 30

with her clients to stage their home and optimize the space. Using drone footage, professional photography, and customized videos for each property, Marla does everything in her power to give her clients broad visibility to attract competitive offers.

In her first year with eXp, Marla earned their top honor, the Icon Award, in recognition of her sales and volume achievements. This year, she is already on track to shatter her previous sales record.

Marla centers gratitude as a core value, and she is thankful that she is able to be a source of support and guidance in her clients’ lives. “Whether they’re looking to buy or sell, it’s always an integral moment,” Marla says. “It’s such a blessing when I can get them more for their property, or ease their stress, or demystify the process.” When she is not busy helping her clients, Marla’s blended family keeps her happy and busy, and she loves to spend time with her husband and children.

Ambitious and result-oriented, Marla’s plans for the future include growing her team and her sales, and providing more exposure for her building partners. “I have a lot of gratitude,” Marla says. “I’m grateful for my family, for my city, for my clients, and for my business. As I grow and expand, I will continue to show gratitude every day in the world.”

To find out more about Marla Janzen, please call 306-341-3699, visit marlajanzen.com, or email marlajanzen.realty@gmail.com https://

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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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STACEY CAMPBELL Stacey Campbell began her real estate career in 2007. “I got a great job right out of university, and that was when I started investing in real estate,” Stacey recalls. “Throughout that time, I really enjoyed the real estate and would flip houses while working full-time.”

Eventually, Stacey says, “I had invested in enough property that I could make the transition to doing real estate fulltime.” For 14 years now, Stacey has been helping her clients achieve their real estate goals.

Stacey serves all of Winnipeg, as well as the surrounding areas. Almost all of her business comes from repeat and referral clients, an impressive feat that speaks to the trust and confidence she inspires.

“Being able to understand people is a skill that’s really helped me in real estate. I’m very caring and understanding of people’s situations.”

Stacey says, “It’s important to focus on how we make people feel. If people feel understood and appreciated, it’s an enjoyable process.”

Staying in touch with past clients is important, and Stacey checks in regularly long after the sell. Stacey says, “I stay in touch authentically.

Being able to have the relationship with my clients is very fulfilling. I feel very lucky.”

Stacey likes to give back to her community, whether that means participating in the annual Keller Williams Red Day event, or donating on her own to the local Manitoba Harvest food bank throughout the year. When she is not working or giving back, Stacey loves spending time with her family and friends.

Currently Stacey is building a team of agents who she can mentor and “help them get to the next level.”

Above all, she continues to provide high-quality service for her clients. “The main thing in this business is that you have to be authentic and be yourself,” Stacey says. “That’s where you will find the most success. Be patient, work hard for your clients, and it will pay off.”

To find out more about Stacey Campbell, email stacey@staceysellshomes.ca, www.realtor.ca/agent/1671979/stacey-campbell-15-scurfield-boulevard-winnipeg-manitoba-r3y1g3 call 204-232-5663, or visit her website here www.

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TIFFANY KHUU Sometimes getting to our best life takes a leap of faith.

Just ask Tiffany Khuu. When she and her business partner Valerie Guay started VIP Realty and Management in 2018, they knew the learning curve would be steep. “We both had plenty of experience, having paid our dues with other companies. But running a brokerage is more complex, and we put a lot of work, energy and faith into building a business that would thrive.”

That dedication has paid off. VIP’s business doubled in year two, and is on pace to double again in 2021, the team having already achieved the highest sales they have seen throughout their careers. It’s an example of what can be accomplished when owners share a vision and pursue it with passion. “Valerie and I call this our business marriage,” Tiffany laughs.

Tiffany’s path began when she got her Realtor’s® license in 2010 and became a CIR Agent. She started out in New Home Development, running showrooms for Developers. She moved to Century21 not long after that, adding property management to her business in 2012. While she was engaged in the process of forming VIP, she managed property for several companies, sold real estate, and raised her children.

“It wasn’t easy,” Tiffany admits. “Me and Valerie worked ourselves to the bone to make this happen. But I love people, and helping them find a home. I’ve gone through periods of my life when I didn’t own a home, so I know well the sense of security homeownership can bring and how important it is for building a happy life. It brings me a lot of joy to help people get there.”

That empathy hasn’t gone unnoticed by clients. VIP’s repeat business and referral rate is already at 50 per cent, a tribute to the company’s core values. “It starts with respecting people. All of our clients receive the same attention and care regardless of what kind of service we’re providing.” VIP is a full service brokerage representing clients all over Alberta, with a focus on Calgary and the surrounding area. Tiffany and Valerie employ six other people to help with their property management, lease management, and condominium lease management along with the traditional real estate services.

They’re very active in their community too, supplying tuition and equipment for local children’s sports groups. They also conduct food drives for needy families, and deliver gifts to assisted living residents during the holidays, excepting the Covid year. Valerie works with the CREB Charitable Foundation to provide additional aid to organizations like Habitat for Humanity.

When she’s not working or donating her time, Tiffany enjoys hiking, fishing, and travel. She also loves music and live theatre. “Basically, anything creative, anything outdoors!”

VIP has grown steadily, and Tiffany and Valerie were recently nominated for recognition in the Top 40 Under 40. They ‘re on track to become a multimillion-dollar company in five to seven years, and are currently recruiting more Realtors® to help them manage the growth. It’s been a journey worthy of the leap.

“I hope to use our experience to inspire other young mothers or people who have come from difficult circumstances to never stop believing in themselves,” Tiffany says. “To encourage them to keep moving toward their dream.”

Contact Tiffany Khuu at 403-399-8658 or email Tiffany@viprealtyandmanagement.com

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