ONTARIO 4-3-23

ONTARIO EDITION

5 Lessons from Silicon Valley to Modernize and Monetize Your Business

How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions and Up Your Productivity

Welcome Home: WORKING WITH RELOCATORS IN TRANSITION

FEATURED AGENTS

ANDREA STRANO MIKE SLOAN PAUL BOURQUE SANDIP RATH TRISTAN DUNDAS

COVER STORY

TABITHA ROURKE

Laughs!

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Welcome Home:

Working with Relocators in Transition People stage moves for all sorts of reasons.

From the joyous and pre-planned, to the unfortunate and unexpected, new chapters begin with the help of an agent. When you’re working with buyers from a different region, state, or country, the typical complications of a transaction can be compounded. So, what’s a savvy agent to do?

For starters, envision the big picture. Relocators have extra obstacles between them and 4

their dream home. They don’t necessarily know which neighborhoods are ideal for their lifestyle, what they should budget for utilities, what type of homeowner’s insurance is ideal, or how they can tour, let alone close, on a house from afar. All in all, it’s a tall order, but if you can manage a relocation transaction successfully, you could tap into a sizable pool of clientele. Think of it this way: if you’re the shining star of a relocator’s moving process, their word-of-mouth praise could be

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exponential. Likewise, a winning reputation within that client’s corporate sphere could lead to lucrative, stable referrals and partnerships for years to come. Here are a few key ways to help clients navigate the relocation process with minimal stress and maximum results.

Create a full-scale timeline for you and your client that makes expectations clear.

Moving is already one of life’s biggest stressors, but relocations have a dozen more moving parts that your average deal. Consider creating a master-plan of sorts to help you and your client visualize the steps required to achieve success in the midst of a relocation.

Even from afar, your client will be able to refer to the roadmap you’ve set. Likewise, this makes sure you and your client are on the same page regarding expectations, timelines, and checklists. Assemble an articulated, overarching gameplan also helps demystify the process and lower stress. Instead of clients wondering what’s next, what’s needed, who to call, and when to be ready—handy guidelines of your own devising will be at their fingertips.

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Attune your communication style so that nothing goes overlooked or miscommunicated.

Establish early on how your client prefers to communicate and which methods should be excluded. Also, make sure to outline what timeframes are ideal to communicate in, and how often they expect to hear from you with status updates or follow-ups. Some clients might prefer a more hands-off approach that lets you manage most details behind the scenes with updates only when progress is made. Most clients in the midst of a serious relocation, however, will prefer to be in touch more frequently. Customizing is key. If they prefer text messages and emails over calls, that’s a helpful detail to know from the outset. If they prefer face-to-face video chats or can only speak after business hours—those are also key parameters to work within. The less mystery and hassle, the better.

Be a local resource with vetted recommendations and vendors on-hand.

Relocating homeowners may not know the best neighborhoods and their amenities, or where the best school districts are, which areas are high-traffic, or where their dollar might stretch a little further. Identifying your clients’ goals can help narrow this field, but you’ll also want to be careful not to overwhelm them with information. After all, they’re taking on a huge life transition and making a move as an outsider. You’ll want to serve as a onestop-shop who can remove some steps and stress from their organizational obligations.

Have a contractor who can get a head-start on home projects while clients make the move?

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Excellent. Or, perhaps you can provide an out-of-state agent referral so that clients can sell their existing property in a timeline that works in conjunction with their new purchase. Make yourself a community expert and a connector, and you’ve won a client— and their referrals—for much longer than a single transaction.

Think outside the box when weighing variables.

Relocations aren’t your typical transaction.

You’ll need to do a bit more planning to avoid pitfalls along the way. For instance, have you considered how you’ll tour homes with clients if they live hundreds of miles away?

Are there time zone differences to factor in?

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If clients are relocating from another country, are there any special visa or naturalization considerations? How will their belongings travel? Are there pets to relocate? There are plenty of questions to ask and plan for, but the key is to be communicative and thorough up front. The more information and planning time you have, the smoother the transition will go.

There are certified real estate agent designations you can pursue that set you apart for your experience when it comes to relocations, but in lieu of those—arm yourself with the planning details and methods that will make your client a raving fan. In the process, you’ll up your game, create a happy client, and hopefully field similar business for years to come.

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TABITHA ROURKE

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Born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario, Top Agent Tabitha Rourke has built a strong reputation in her area for being knowledgeable, hardworking, and caring as a REALTOR® and broker.

Over the past fifteen years, REALTOR® Tabitha Rourke has worked in multiple positions within real estate, including being a part-owner of a brokerage for five years. Born and raised in Cambridge, Ontario, Tabitha has built a strong reputation in her area for being knowledgeable, hardworking, 8 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

and caring as a REALTOR® and broker. With a local’s perspective on home buying and selling, she is an expert in identifying the best areas and properties for her clients, whether they are first-time buyers or investors. As she looks to 2023, Tabitha is now more focused than ever on sales, building Top Agent Magazine

her business by putting her clients’ “While I work independently, we all needs first with every transaction. support each other in the office. They are really great people to be around,” Tabitha has been at her current broker- she explains. Her approach to real age for one year and loves the company estate isn’t focused on the numbers, culture and people she works with. but rather relationship building and

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90% of Tabitha’s business comes from repeat and referral clients, which she attributes to the fact that she never puts pressure on her clients to make hasty decisions. “I’m not salesy. I truly have my clients’ best interests at heart and want them to love their new homes,” she says. helping others. “I truly love what I do and it doesn’t feel like work at this point.”

90% of Tabitha’s business comes from repeat and referral clients, which she attributes to the fact that she never puts 10Copyright Top Agent Magazine

pressure on her clients to make hasty decisions. “I’m not salesy. I truly have my clients’ best interests at heart and want them to love their new homes,” she says. She frequently hosts client parties, takes them to dinner and sends gifts to show her appreciation. As far as Top Agent Magazine

her marketing outreach goes, Tabitha says social media and videos of listings are the most effective these days.

“I try to have the best video Reels on Instagram to keep the properties top of mind for my clients,” she explains.

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While Tabitha stays busy with work, she spends most of her spare time with her four-year-old daughter. She also loves going to her local F45 gym every morning, which she says is a supportive and fun community.

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As she plans for the future of her business, Tabitha has goals to increase her sales volume primarily to be able to help more people. Whether representing home buyers or sellers, she’s working towards giving clients the best

possible outcome. “I love being there for people during this important time in their lives. I will always strive to get my sellers top dollar for their listings,” she says. “It’s so rewarding when my clients are happy.”

For more about Tabitha Rourke, call 519–496–4219, email tabitha.rourke@engelvoelkers.com or visit her website: tabitharourke.evrealestate.com www.

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

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

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

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

3.Think big picture More and more, clients want to have an experience, not just a transaction. When it comes to buying a home, this means they care more about a property’s bedroom and bathroom count. As an agent, consider showcasing properties in terms of lifestyle. What neighborhood amenities are nearby? What opportunities are there for community involvement? How does public 14

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

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

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

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

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

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ANDREA STRANO Andrea Strano is an experienced and passionate real estate agent who has been serving the Haliburton County area for over a decade. Her career in real estate began in 2012, after a diverse background that included working in dentistry and running her own indoor cycling studio.

Andrea’s love for Haliburton’s natural beauty and lifestyle attracted her to the area. “It’s cottage country,” she explains. “There are lakes and forests, and it’s just a beautiful and peaceful natural setting to raise kids.”

Her entrance into the real estate industry was serendipitous, after she met and fell in love with a local agent named Jeff Strano. “So we ended up becoming a team together,” Andrea explains. Her deep understanding of the local market and her passion for fitness and teaching have made her a respected and reliable REALTOR®.

Andrea’s ability to communicate effectively with clients has helped her build long-lasting relationships based on trust and mutual respect. Whether you’re looking to buy or sell a property in the Haliburton area, Andrea is the go-to expert who can help you navigate the market with ease and confidence.

Today Andrea and Jeff are part of the Parish & Strano Team, consisting of themselves as well as John and Marj Parish. Serving Haliburton and specializing in waterfront real estate, they provide superior service to each buyer and seller. By keeping their team small, they’re able to offer a personal approach, getting to know their clients on a deeper level. “When you work with us, you don’t get passed onto another team member,” she explains. “We do it all ourselves, we handle the transaction from start to finish.” During the process, their clients begin to feel like family, so remaining in

touch after the transaction is easy. “We often become friends afterward,” Andrea says. “Developing those relationships is really important to us.”

Andrea was awarded the RE/MAX Chairman’s Award in 2021 and 2022 and her team received the RE/MAX Diamond Award in 2020, 2021, and 2022, one of RE/MAX’s highest sales achievement awards.

Andrea and her team have a high percentage of repeat and referral business, which is a testament to their exceptional level of customer service. Approximately 80% of their business comes from referrals, demonstrating the trust and satisfaction that their clients have in their services. Andrea believes that the key to maintaining long-lasting relationships with clients is by keeping in touch with them even after the transaction is complete.

Her team customizes each client’s experience based on their individual needs and personalities. By doing so, they create an individualized experience that resonates with their clients and helps them feel valued.

As a dedicated community member, Andrea values giving back. She has been involved in various volunteer groups and has served as the president of the Haliburton Chamber of Commerce for several years. She is also an active member of the Lakeland Real Estate Board and has received recognition for her contributions to the industry. During her free time, she loves to travel, golf, stay fit, and relax with her family. “We have a cottage on the lake, so we enjoy going boating, swimming and watersports with our kids and our Labrador retriever.”

As time goes on, Andrea plans to continue growing her business and assisting people in their real estate dreams. “Typically this is the biggest financial decision they will make in life, so it’s my goal to make sure they feel comfortable and happy.”

For more information about Andrea Strano, please call 705-457-5984 or email andrea@parishandstrano.ca

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MIKE SLOAN Throughout his life, Mike Sloan has possessed an entrepreneurial spirit.

While building a successful career as a full-time marketing professor at an acclaimed business school in Ontario, he began investing in student rentals near campus. This experience fostered a passion for real estate that influenced Mike to pursue his license. Leveraging his strong foundations in sales, he found his niche as “The Marketing Professor REALTOR®” along Ontario’s West Coast of Lake Huron and specifically in Grand Bend where Mike is still living today. Since then, he has gone on to author an accomplished career as an agent, earning numerous awards and establishing a network of satisfied clients that spans throughout Ontario.

At present, Mike is a Sales Representative with Royal LePage Triland Realty, where he assists clients in a myriad of waterfront communities fronting the Canadian side of Southern Lake Huron. As a distinguished member of Royal LePage’s Chairman’s Club, which honors agents whose production ranks among the top 1% in all of Canada, he has cultivated a boutique marketing process to meet the needs of any buyer or seller.

When listing a property, Mike draws from his background in brand storytelling to develop a multi-platform approach. Starting out, he helps his clients fully prepare their home for the market, providing them with a suite of professional photography and videography services. From there, he utilizes a variety of resources, from professionally scripted voice over video walkthroughs to detailed copywriting, Matterport tours, and digital campaign advertisements to highlight the distinctive lifestyle of a given home. Along with broadcasting his listings through the regional MLS, he

gives his clients an added advantage via a highly targeted blend of digital and social media campaigns.

Elsewhere, Mike is just as attentive when assisting his buyers, carefully guiding them to the right investment for their best interests. In fact, he prefers to keep in touch long after the deals are done through regular check-ins and market updates—all to ensure they are satisfied with their new homes. Over the years, he has earned a fantastic reputation along the Lake Huron shoreline, as evidenced by his rapidly growing rate of repeat clients and referrals.

Now averaging close to 140 ends per year (close to 100 transactions), Mike remains dedicated to the leading standards that set him apart. “In our industry, no two days are the same,” he says. “Every property and client are unique. For me, there could be nothing more rewarding than developing new ideas to make these properties stand out and achieve my client’s visions through rich media and marketing.”

On top of serving on his local Chamber of Commerce, Mike is an avid supporter of elementary school extracurricular activities, downtown musical performances, area beach cleanups, and other outreach efforts throughout the year. When he’s not with clients or giving back, he can be found spending quality time with his wife and children, kitesurfing and surfing the waves of Lake Huron, or practicing music with friends.

Mike has exciting plans for the future of his business.

Going forward, he intends on building his team while scaling his vision of personalized client service further across Lake Huron. In the meantime, though, he looks forward to all the new clients and opportunities that await in the community he loves.

To learn more about Mike Sloan, email 123myproperty@gmail.com, visit grandbendrealestate.ca or call (519) 870-765 http://

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How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions

and Up Your Productivity As a real estate professional, staying tethered to your phone and computer are likely par for the course. When your office is on-the-go and you’re fielding round-the-clock questions from clients, it’s only natural that you’ll be drawn to your phone for professional updates. From refreshing your inbox and engaging with clients on social media, to drafting email blasts and coordinating with colleagues by text message— Top Agent Magazine

it can feel impossible to untangle yourself from the worldwide web.

As a professional, you may not be able to withdraw from the digital world completely, but there are a few techniques you can use to limit your extraneous digital distractions and streamline the time you spend online. After all, it’s entirely common to faithfully begin one task and then

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get unexpectedly drawn down the digital rabbit hole. To save yourself time and virtual burnout, here are a few ways to unplug, recharge, and make the most of your time online and off.

Focus on one digital task at a time.

While multi-tasking may seem like a sound approach to productivity, this method usually results in surface-level progress across a few tasks, rather than reaching the finish line on any.

Instead of opening multiple tabs and trying to do it all at once, hone in on one digital task at a time. Have emails to return? Allocate an hour to work exclusively on this to-do list item. Need to post a new blog entry? Pencil in a dedicated half hour. If you focus on one task a time and exclusively devote your energy and productivity to it for a set period, you’ll make a far bigger dent in your list of duties for the day.

Give yourself a curfew.

In the real estate business, the hours may seem never-ending, but if you don’t want to slow your productivity with fatigue, you’ve got to set some boundaries. Try setting up a digital curfew for yourself and put your phone away after a certain hour. Devote an hour or two before bedtime to time away from your computer and your phone—read a book, prep your lunch for the next day, or try a round of mindful meditation. Carve out space and time to disconnect from your technology and stick to the habit. By morning, you’ll be refreshed and ready to dive back in.

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Mute social media notifications and create dedicated check-in times instead.

Instead of taking a reactionary approach to social media—waiting for the dings and pings that lure you back to your screen—try muting some of your social media alerts and instead dedicate three timed windows per day to check-in on your timelines and engagement. If you’re constantly interrupted at unexpected intervals when someone likes a post or leaves a comment, your whole workflow can be derailed. Instead, unchain yourself from the instant gratification of responding to every buzz and beep your phone emits. Systematize your professional social media life and you’ll stay organized and on task.

Keep your inbox organized.

While it may take some time and effort to create a sorting system for your email inbox, it can go a long way to limiting distractions and stress. Create folders and an organizational flow and every communication will have a place and a priority.

That way, when you open up your inbox and have to go digging for old emails or exchanges with past clients, you won’t have to waste time sorting or feel overwhelmed by the clutter. If everything has its place, you’ll have an unobstructed, streamlined canvass to conduct business from.

Digital distractions don’t have to derail your day or sap your productivity. Email, internet, social media—all are tools to be commanded. With the right planning, understanding, and consistent execution, you’ll be able to wield the power of each without the downside of distraction.

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PAUL BOURQUE Paul Bourque of Ottawa, Ontario, celebrates a successful real estate legacy built on simplicity, interpersonal connections, and an unwavering dedication to client satisfaction. “I just like helping people – it’s what I’ve always done, and it’s what I’m good at. I’m fortunate because now I get to help newer agents as well as my clients, and when they come to me talking about interest rates or market fluctuations, I tell them, ‘You’re not in the interest rate business. You’re not even in the real estate business. You’re in the people business – keep going forward with that, and you’ll never look back.’”

Forty-three years ago, at the age of twenty-two, Paul was inspired by an unlikely source: his girlfriend’s mother! “I was in college at the time, kind of sitting around her living room every other night sort of thing, and her mother was working as a REALTOR®. I decided then and there, ‘You know, that’s what I want to do.’

So I got my license and started selling houses.” After spending the first twenty years of his career working as a solo agent, Paul signed on with Keller Williams in 2002 and enjoyed a meteoric rise in North America. He steadily recruited a team of agents and diligently built a database of contacts, and at the pinnacle of his career in 2008, Paul was ranked #3 in all of Canada and #44 in all of North America. “I’m not a hugely religious person, but I do believe that God gives everyone a gift, and if you go out there every day and use it then money will come your way.”

With his position as an agent cemented in the industry, Paul presently enjoys the challenge and nuance that comes with the mentorship, multi-generational client service, and new home construction that falls under his purview as the leader of Team Bourque. “My business is run almost entirely through referral,” he exudes, “so I do a little bit of everything. Most of my homes are luxury listings, but not everything – I have children of clients Top Agent Magazine

who are becoming first time home buyers, and I still love making deals, so I get to keep one foot in the world of coaching and one foot under the negotiation table.” In addition to his sphere of influence (which includes a database of over 5800 individuals), Paul leverages the robust digital footprint of Keller Williams to competitively market his listings. “We really have an A-to-Z marketing plan. Social media, open houses, door knocking, flyers – we do it all. And I’ve got a team of about ten builders who I do a lot of work for, doing new builds and in-fills; connecting all of these people is the heart of my work.”

In addition to growing his ever expanding professional networks, Paul is excited to continue supporting the greater Ontario community. “My sister passed away at the age of forty-two – she had breast cancer – so I’m constantly raising money for research or donating to help build new machines, and we built a library in her name at the biggest hospital here. That’s my focus for improving my neighborhood, but reality, it’s what I do every day. To be a great REALTOR® is a lifestyle – I embrace and enjoy it.”

Concact Paul Bourque at 613-324-5959, email paul@teambourque.com, or visit his website: teambourque.com https://

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SANDIP RATH Driven by a passion for helping people and a dedication to educating his clients every step of the way, Sandip Rath truly stands out. Since entering the real estate business in 2012, Sandip has become an award winning agent with Century 21 People’s Choice Realty Inc. Now a licensed broker, Sandip helps his clients achieve their real estate goals with ease and comfort as Real Estate is not just a job for him, it’s his passion.

Sandip primarily serves the communities of Oakville, Hamilton, Milton, Brampton, Mississauga, Waterloo, Kitchener, Ajax, Oshawa, Pickering, and Toronto. Repeat and referral clients are a cornerstone of his business. “I totally believe in providing the best customer service and 100% customer satisfaction,” Sandip says. “I give my clients great service, and negotiate to the best price to get their dream home. In return I get a good number of referrals from my past clients.”

It’s easy to see what keeps people coming back. “I make sure to show my clients the right property. There are loads of properties in the market, but I listen to them carefully. What are their specific requirements? I cater exactly to their needs, and I don’t waste their time. My clients really like that.”

Sandip also earns his clients’ trust through honesty and giving good advice. “I’m not a pushy agent. I tell them the good and the bad, and if they shouldn’t buy something, I tell them so. I always close a deal with mutual understanding and rest assured that I have answered all their questions before they put in an offer.” Sandip explains, “Buying is very easy, but liquidating a product is much more important. The three most important things when buying a property are location, location, location. I educate my clients rather than just blindly taking them to the property. That way, we are always on the same page.”

When it comes to marketing his listings, Sandip uses a combination of methods to ensure optimum exposure.

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He markets listings on his own website, through various social media platforms, as well as across various WhatsApp groups in different communities. “I’m attached to various networking groups such as Chinese and Indian groups in the area,” Sandip says.

“When I have a listing I reach up to 70,000 people on the first day. The reach of my listings is quite high, and I have my own agents in the GTA whom I work with.” This translates into results, and helps the listing sell faster than others. This past year Sandip was a Platinum Award winner. He has won multiple awards each year of his 11 year career.

Sandip loves to give back to his community. He is involved in a variety of ways, including sponsoring youth cricket and badminton players as a way to encourage young people in his community. During Covid, Sandip was also very strongly involved in distributing masks, sanitizer and gloves in his area.

Looking toward the future, Sandip says, “I am working towards establishing a team. I want to go beyond what I’m currently doing. With a proper team located in each corner of the GTA, I will be able to help my clients at an even higher level.”

Contact Sandip at 647-981-8807, email sandiprath7@gmail.com, or visit housebuysellmississauga.com www.

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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 22

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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TRISTAN DUNDAS After earning his Bachelor’s and Teaching Degrees, REALTOR® Tristan Dundas followed in his father Reid’s footsteps by joining him in real estate four years ago, creating The Dundas Team. Having a mentor with over 30 years of experience in the industry provided a strong foundation for Tristan’s career, but his innovative spirit and passion for helping others are what makes Tristan stand out from the crowd today.

With a fresh perspective on the market and understanding of new technological advances, Tristan is able to reach various generations looking for homes. Together, he and his father are a dream team serving St. Marys, Ontario, Canada and its surrounding areas.

Being based in a small community gives Tristan the opportunity to work on residential, commercial, and farm projects, serving a wide range of clientele. “Our town has a lot of history and it’s very interesting to work with clients on the different styles of properties,” says Tristan. As his dad has a history of real estate success, their business is composed of 75% referrals. This makes it possible for Tristan to focus more on helping people buy and sell rather than prospecting, as many new agents must do.

When it comes to marketing, Tristan employs a range of strategies to keep clients coming back and to attract new ones. He hosts client events throughout the year, sends out yearly market newsletters and provides weekly updates on active listings to keep clients informed. He has also branched out with video footage and new practices on social media. “In addition to using a professional photographer, we use drones to get aerial views of the properties to help provide perspective and context,” he explains.

With every sale made, The Dundas Team is committed to supporting various charitable organizations, Top Agent Magazine

including St. Mary’s Healthcare Foundation, the Children’s Miracle Network, The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and the Pyramid Recreation Centre in St. Marys. Tristan is also a corporate member of the local golf course and enjoys golfing as well as hockey. In his spare time, Tristan loves being with his wife, Nicole, and dog, Oakley.

This year, Tristan and his father completed 55 transactions which totaled over $40 million in real estate sales. He is excited to continue to grow his business and is currently concentrating on employing new technology and systems to stay one step ahead of the curve in terms of the local real estate market. Looking to the future, Tristan plans to expand his work with agricultural and commercial properties while continuing to focus on residential homes and ways of improving their practice. “Each day is a different challenge and getting to work with people and helping them achieve their real estate goals is something that continues to drive me.”

Contact Tristan Dundas at 519-275-7721, email tristan@reiddundas.com or visit their website at reiddundas.com www.

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