So, it’s time for a job change? Considering Real Estate?

Be aware that it is more likely a lifestyle change than a job change for the 20% of those who succeed. Before you even read further ask yourself if you have family and friends that are supportive and understanding. You will need their support emotionally and perhaps financially. The rule of thumb is that you will need six months to a year’s income in the bank to consider getting your Real Estate License.

In Canada, Real Estate and licensing are handled differently in each Province. If you are considering getting licensed, you should do your search for requirements by looking to the Provincial regulatory bodies.

In Ontario, which has the largest number of licensees in Canada, we are guided by the Real Estate and Business Broker’s Act which is under the Real Estate Council of Ontario. Please note that a “licensee” is anyone, registered with RECO and has completed all the requirements.

 

What’s involved in becoming a REALTOR?

However, to become a REALTOR, you must work for a brokerage that is a member of a Board or Association linked to the Canadian Real Estate Association. The brand REALTOR is licensed for use in Canada by the Canadian Real Estate Association, and of course, for each level of Association, there are costs: Local, Provincial and Federal. This can cost you up to two thousand a year for your membership dues and insurance.

The course is lengthy to become licensed and then in your first two years, you must finish other courses to prepare for your future. The classes have a lot to do with rules, regulations and laws that affect the Real Estate industry however they are not sales training. I suggest that in those first two years you put your head down, take every opportunity possible, work only on your own development and don’t be too hard when you have failures; they make you appreciate your successes. There are a number of companies that offer training for new Agents. Make sure that you shop around and do your due diligence. You are now self-employed, and these decisions are not the same as when you were a salaried employee. You are in charge!

What’s next in your journey?

If you love the business and are a course junkie there is a lot to learn. Some agents take their further studies to the broker level. One must be a Broker to manage a Real Estate Office and if that is your goal or if you want further credibility, then a Broker License is the way to go.  However, if the goal is to increase your income, the designation Broker after your name will have little more effect than Agent or Sales Person. Over the years, however, the title Broker has lost some of its shine in a myriad of confusion. Clients want to know more of your past successes and referrals than care about the courses you have taken. You are as good as your last sales and through Social media, good online reviews will bring more attention than having the title Broker or Salesperson/Agent.

Great Expectations? What lies ahead?

Please know that at the end of the day 20% of the Realtor Community is responsible for 80% of the business. It is a great job but a life changer. You must set boundaries for yourself, your clients, your friends and family. At 10 PM the phone and computer are turned off and not turned on until your morning ritual for you and your family have been completed.

While it is possible to work from home, the home office can be so seductive that you are seldom at rest and you will show the stress that your new venture has invited. This can also affect your success: clients are not enamoured when they see you trying too hard to sell and issues fall through the cracks. If mistakes are made and not handled properly, it can lead to RECO complaints as well as lawsuits and certainly affect your business. Gathering all the documentation after the fact can be gruelling and affect your focus and business.

Why consider a future in Real Estate?

So, ask yourself why you’d consider a future in real estate? If the answer is, “because I’d be my own boss”, shake your head. If you have three sellers and three buyers, you now have six bosses and you will only be successful by going above and beyond your competitors in providing service to your six bosses…

Real Estate is the only business I am aware of that you sit with your competitors every night and try to negotiate an agreement, knowing that you will not get paid till the closing (two to three months later). Until then you are working for free, and there is the chance that even with all your work and a good result, when your clients are about to sign on the dotted line, decisions get reversed. No closing, no payment and not only no payment but you are in the red for services you have agreed to pay for upfront as part of your commission.

At the end of the day…

With all that being said, forty years ago, I decided to get my Real Estate License and it has been an amazing ride. Don’t get me wrong: it is a wonderful life which has afforded me a lifestyle and business that is a rarity. I wake up everyday in abundance to see what the rest of the day holds and am seldom bored. I consider myself one of the lucky ones to have survived and succeeded.

Knowing the journey over the past years, would I make that decision again? At the time that I started my career, I was convinced that I could not go back to my previous life. Having no other option is a big driver of success in newer salespeople. When your only option is moving forward you can accomplish more than you ever expected and be comforted by your success.

And in the end.

Closings become your applause and like all performers, the achievement is a drug that drives you to the next deal, and it all starts with the piece of paper called a Real Estate License.

You can also find information about Silver Burtnick & Associates on our website on Facebook

If you have more questions contact me directly at

With more than 24 years of experience in residential property transactions and real estate Petrus Engelbrecht brings a unique blend of talents to his clients, particularly in the area of negotiation. Thanks to his legal background, attention to detail, and commitment to guiding his clients towards finding their dream home, he has a proven track record of showing the highest possible level of service.

What inspired you to pursue a career in real estate?

I’ve always been in real estate. In my previous life I was a property lawyer in South Africa. My first job articling post law school was at a real estate firm in 1993. Later I started my own property law firm and by the end of my tenure we were handling as many as 1,000 closings each month. I felt extremely comfortable in real estate, so when I came to Canada moving into real estate was a natural fit.

What aspects of the real estate business excite you most? Why?

As a property lawyer who was working more as a property developer towards the end of my time in South Africa, I enjoyed all the procedural aspects of making sure my team was doing a great job. As I enter the next chapter of my career, I feel the same way, enjoying all the procedural aspects of marketing and negotiating.  I love marketing, negotiating, and getting the sale.

What is the most rewarding thing about working in real estate?

Giving a client advice and having that advice followed. I see myself more as an advisor than an agent and property is all about the options I lay out, and helping my client pick the best option for them. Whether its on the sale or the buying side it’s always very rewarding to see that come to fruition.

What is the most challenging thing about working in real estate?

I have never worried about working hard, but it doesn’t matter how hard you’re working when you run out of time. You need to gear up to get things done, implement procedures to help lighten the load, and appoint a good team to assist you. At the same time, I enjoy the challenge of it.  I am certain many agents struggle with their success, since the more successful you become, the more people need your time.

What’s the best way for someone to explore a potential neighbourhood?

There is no better way than to have someone hop in the car with their realtor to guide them around the neighbourhood. Each neighbourhood has enclaves, often by geographical markers like a river or a park. Every enclave within an area has unique attributes that you can’t pick up looking online; instead you need to physically explore it and show why this area is something that they want to look at, or why it may not be a good fit. Together you can make a list of pros and cons that will help guide their final decision.

It’s very important as an agent to be an expert in a neighbourhood.  I believe no one can be an expert on all areas. My specialty is Oakville, Mississauga, and Burlington. On the occasions when I can’t educate myself on a neighbourhood sufficiently for a client, to give the best possible services, I would refer that client to another Sotheby’s agent to make sure they have access to all the ins and outs of this area.

Where do you live and what do you love most about living there?

I live in an area called South East Oakville. This area has been established for over 100 years since the first century homes were built. My area is demarcated by the QEW to the North, Lake Ontario to the south, 16 Mile Creek to the west border, and downtown Oakville is the east border, with close proximity to Mississauga. This is an established area with big trees, is close to the lake, with big lots, big homes, and a vibrant community. Downtown Oakville has a nice small-town feel. People love being close to the lake and it’s wonderful to walk by the lake with an ice cream cone in the summer.  The area is known to have the best schooling in all of Oakville. Not only is this a huge draw for buyers with children in school, it’s also important for resale value.

Watch Petrus’ video guides to life in Oakville on his Instagram account!

 

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On this edition of Faces of Downtown Oakville, I sat down with Visit Oakville’s ‘Best Brunch’ winners Ana and Eduardo from The Crepe Kitchen.They chat about how the restaurant came to be, their famous salad dressing and what they are excited about for the future of downtown Oakville! #Brunch #DTOakville #RevtializeDowntown #SupportLocal #petrus #thepetrusgroup #oakville #oakvillerealtor #sothebysrealty #success #canada_sir #sold #buy #oakville #luxuryrealestate #sothebys #sothebysrealtycanada #forsale #lifestyle #milliondollarlisting #oakvillerealestate #oakvillelifestyle #sellers #buyers

A post shared by Petrus Engelbrecht (@petrusgroup) on Jul 14, 2019 at 3:55pm PDT

Why did you decide to be a part of the EAN?

I appreciate the like-mindedness of all the members as it’s a very giving community with people who are happy to be sharing their wealth of knowledge, as experts in specific fields. I was recently in a panel with Richard, and it’s quite enjoyable to be able to enlighten my peers and to be the quality of agent who people turn to for their expertise. I feel very honoured to be a part of the group.

How does your law background help you as a real estate professional?

The fact that I’ve done literally thousands of negotiations on property transactions translates well to real estate. I feel so comfortable and natural in my day-to-day negotiations because of it.

What would you say are some of the most important things a person should consider when buying a home?

Finding the right agent. Now more than ever in the GTA in 2020 it’s clear that literally the first thing you need to look for when purchasing a home is getting an agent with a ton of experience, and who has your best interest at heart. It is a lively market and seems to have a similar look and feel to the market of 2017, and if you don’t have a good agent you won’t do well, particularly on the buying side.

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What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

I went from being a new agent, with Sotheby’s being my first firm, to a Senior Vice President of Sales within a year and a half of starting in the industry. I am very proud of this title and that I became one quite quickly.

If you need good advice in other locales please contact us. Here is a map of our Exceptional Agent Network of Sotheby’s Agents and we will make sure you are referred to the best!

EAN map

When most people think about yoga, they likely envision a group of adults practicing in a quiet room, with flowing poses. Michelle Faber’s classes at Little Yogis embody mindfulness for children, with sessions that are loud, playful, and brimming with stories and songs. As someone who has been practicing yoga for 20 years, and is a mother of two boys, Michelle understands how beneficial yoga and mindfulness can be for developing minds.

Little kids face big stresses, even from a young age, and Michelle sees the magic within the practice of yoga helping kids develop a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Classes like these can help spark a life-long love of the practice.

When did you first discover your love of yoga?

I first started practicing yoga in high school. My mom bought a VHS tape of a yoga class like she always did with her workout videos. I would workout every night in my parent’s bedroom and after I decided to try it myself, I was hooked. I have always been an anxious person and it really took a toll on me during my student years. The constant stress and pressure really affected me physically and mentally. Yoga became the tool to get me through these hard times.

What led you towards teaching?

I spent years in marketing in the wine industry, and while I enjoyed it, it always felt like something was missing. I didn’t feel fulfilled and, most importantly, happy at the end of the day. I always dreamed of being a teacher but never pursued it until I decided to become certified in children’s yoga during my second maternity leave. I volunteered at my son’s daycare and knew it was the right path for me.

How has parenting changed your yoga practice? What new perspective has it offered?

As a mother, the mental and physical exhaustion I feel at the end of the day is intense. Being a business owner on top of that means I am often opening my computer again once the kids are in bed. I now need to prioritize my yoga practice as a form of self care to ensure I don’t experience burn out and can stay focused on what truly matters.

What new challenges do kids today face? How can yoga and mindfulness help combat that?

When I look at kids today, I see an incredible amount of stress and anxiety caused by the busy world around them. They are exposed to too much screen time, bullying and cyber-bullying, creating stress and a negative self-image, which can lead to emotional and behavioural issues. Yoga and Mindfulness are excellent practices that help combat stress and anxiety, providing resilience tools that will help them through their adolescent years and beyond.

At what age can children begin the practice of yoga?  How do you recommend a family get started in practicing yoga together?

Children can start practicing yoga as young as 18 months old. Try a class! We offer family yoga classes on weekends at Club Kidnasium. Many parents are surprised at how receptive their children are to yoga. It’s a great way to bond with your children while doing something active together.

How do you make yoga engaging for children?

Our curriculum focuses on making yoga fun and engaging for children by using stories and doing yoga poses along the way. We also use many props and tactile items during the class like parachutes, breathing balls, juggling scarves, feathers, and more. For older children we like to do partner poses and yoga flows to fun pop music.

How is practicing yoga with children different when compared to adults? What are some of the most important lessons your students have taught you?

Our classes are non-traditional yoga classes. Many parents are concerned that their child will be participating in an adult style yoga class. This is not the case! We use stories and games for the little ones. For example, we may go on a special mission to the moon and do yoga poses along the way! We may pass Mr. Avocado (our mascot) around the circle with JUST our feet, how fun! Our tween and teen yoga classes start to resemble more of an adult style class using yoga “flows,” however we make it fun by flowing to Taylor Swift and doing partner poses to encourage teamwork.

What are the most challenging and rewarding things about being an entrepreneur?

Being an entrepreneur means you must wear many hats; finance, admin, business development, sales, payroll, management, etc. It has certainly been a deeply rewarding experience and a steep learning curve, however I wouldn’t change a thing. The smiles I see on the children’s faces when they enter the room and realize that it is yoga time has been deeply rewarding. I am also able to employ 12 wonderful and passionate teachers who get to live their dream of becoming a children’s yoga teacher.

How has the community/business changed since you first started?

When I started my business, it was a team of one with just me teaching and volunteering my time at schools and daycares in my neighbourhood. Flash forward six months and we now have a team of twelve including my wonderful business partner Nikki and are at over 40 schools and daycares in the city.

Tell me about your volunteer work of yoga services during the UCC Terry Fox Run?

The UCC Terry Fox committee approached me to offer my services during the annual Terry Fox Run and I immediately jumped at the chance! I was able to lead the warmup family yoga for over 1,000 participants and it was certainly an amazing experience.

Do you think Terry Fox should be the next face on our five-dollar bill?

Absolutely! Terry Fox inspired the nation and the world through his courageous struggle against cancer and his determination to raise funds for cancer research; he deserves that recognition.

What are you reading, watching, or listening to right now?

I am a self-proclaimed lifelong learner so I am always choosing books that help me grow in my personal and professional life. Right now I am reading Gabriel Bernstein’s, Super Attractor, Methods for Manifesting a Life beyond Your Wildest Dreams which lays out the essential steps for living in alignment with the Universe. I am a true believer that you can create the life you want by leaning into your intuition, and this book outlines the steps to do just that.

Who inspires you?

My mother has always been an inspiration to me; not only in work but in life. She was always in senior managerial roles while I was growing up and she taught me a lot about being professional and having a strong work ethic. Now that she is retired her main goal is to make everyone around her happy. The way she makes so much effort to make everything perfect for her family, and especially her grandchildren is truly admirable.

Can you share something about yourself that most people don’t know?

I used to be an actor and hosted my own sports broadcast television show on GolTV, then I had a decade long career in corporate marketing which turned into a career in wine where I travelled Europe and the US tasting and analyzing wine. I truly live by the motto ‘you only live once’ and if something interests me, I will always shift my path in order to be fulfilled and happy.

What are you currently working on improving in your life?

My goal for 2020 is to be kinder to myself. In the last five years, I got married, had two children, and started my own business. It has been busy, exciting, exhausting and I think it is time for some self-care. I need to work more on work-life balance and taking time to ensure my mental and physical health are in check.

What upcoming projects are you most excited about?

I am focusing on projects that help youth become educated on various issues like poverty and mental health, and allow them the chance to volunteer their time to help others. A large element of living as a yogi is to serve others, and I want to ensure that I am giving back to the community that helped me grow and nurture my business. I am excited for all that lies ahead.

An exciting new Condominium development is arriving in Toronto at 575 Bloor Street East for those looking for luxury condo homes. ViaBloor, a new condominium from Tridel, will bring luxury, convenience, and practicality to its future residents. This article will give you important information about the building, neighbourhood, who should consider living there, and how it is a great opportunity to rightsize.

About Via Bloor and the Neighbourhood

Via Bloor is a new luxury condo development by Tridel that is scheduled for completion in early 2021. There will be 374 units spread over 37 stories. The rooms will have one to three bedrooms, one to three bathrooms, and sizes range from 1167 to 3104 square feet. Each room comes equipped with the latest smart home technology. The building also provides many attractive amenities, including a sauna, steam room, swimming pool, fitness centre, and party room.

Via Bloor will also have five exclusive penthouse suites. These suites are two-storeys, and they feature solar ceilings, intelligently designed kitchens, panoramic views of the city, and even private in-suite elevators! Tridel considers these suites to be “the pinnacle of sky-high luxury.”

The condo building is also located in a superb area, offering great convenience to its residents. It is just a two-minute walk from Sherbourne Subway Station, giving it a transit score of 95/100. It also has a walkscore of 91/100, as residents can walk to many nearby shops, restaurants, and schools. There are also many nearby parks, such as St. James Town West Park, Winchester Park, and Craigleigh Gardens Park. It is an easy walk to great Neighbourhoods: the Danforth Village, Cabbagetown, and the Million Dollar mile at Bay and Bloor.

Neighbourhood wise, Via Bloor will be a mixed community with a lot of new Canadians and “right-sizers”. It is at the junction of four great neighbourhoods: Rosedale, Danforth Village, Cabbagetown’s Parliament Street, and Bloor Yonge.

Current prices for available units range from $1,197,000 to over $3,350,000. The average price per square foot is $1102.

Who Should Consider Via Bloor

Via Bloor is great for all demographics who value a luxurious, modern, and convenient condo lifestyle. Young people will enjoy modern smart-home technology and amenities. Professionals working downtown will benefit from the easy commute. And older people will find the size of the home to be suitable and the neighbourhood to have everything they need.

Richard Silver, Senior Vice President of Sales at Sotheby’s Canada, says,

It will be a great base for people who are interested in an easy lifestyle, steps to the subway, and a location where a car is not needed.

On Rightsizing

More space is always better…right? Not necessarily. Many people, as they age, move into bigger homes and accumulate more and more things. That feels like a success when it comes to choosing a home. But eventually, so much of their home just become storage space for things that they don’t even use. As a result, they end up living in a property that’s too big for them to handle. Their “success” becomes a burden.

Barry Lebow, the founder of The Accredited Senior Agent Designation, defines rightsizing as “to undergo a reduction to an optimal size.” Lebow gives a better definition of home success: living in an optimal space that’s the most suitable for your current situation.

Via Bloor is a great rightsizing opportunity to for those who value luxury living and find their current house too big for their needs. Perhaps you’re finding it troublesome to climb the stairs all the time or to take care of the garden. Or perhaps too many rooms are collecting too much dust. Via Bloor will offer these people a great quality of life improvement with its well-designed layout, amenities, and walking proximity to parks and shops.

Some people may struggle with the idea of a reduction in space because they have so many things with sentimental value that they can’t throw away. If this is your situation, you can ask yourself, “Do you own these things, or do these things own you?” You can also use the Marie Kondo method by asking yourself, “Does this item spark joy in me?” If yes, keep it. If no, let it go. Alternatively, you can get professional help to sort out what to keep and what to let go of. Ann Christie from Declutter and Downsize has helped many of our clients downsize happily and effectively.

Silver himself is actually planning to rightsize, and he says,

We are really looking forward to moving from our large home to a smaller unit with great amenities and security that allows for travel or extended periods of carefree living. Imagine no shovelling of snow or cutting grass!

Arriving in early 2021, Via Bloor will bring an exciting living space that is luxurious, modern, convenient, and practical. It will appeal to anyone interested in those qualities, such as young professionals and older right sizers.

If you are interested in Via Bloor, you can contact Richard Silver at 416-587-3300 or . He has one 3-bedroom unit available, and that unit has a beautiful view of the Rosedale Valley Ravine. He also has a great relationship with the builder, so he can find units that may be under assignment.

You’ve gone through the long process of buying your home. You’ve been responsibly paying your mortgage every month. You wonder, “Wouldn’t it be nice if I could reduce my monthly mortgage payment? How do I do that?” Well, you just might be able to by refinancing your property, and that’s not the only benefit either.

This article will explain what refinancing a property means, the common reasons for a refinance, and whether or not you should refinance.

What Does it Mean to Refinance a Property?

Refinancing a property can mean taking out a new mortgage that pays off your old mortgage, or changing the terms on your existing mortgage. The desired result is better mortgage terms for you.

Note that a similar but slightly different term that you may see elsewhere is refinancing a mortgage. Refinancing a mortgage means taking out a second mortgage that pays off your old mortgage, but it does not mean changing the terms on your existing mortgage. So in essence, refinancing a mortgage is one of the two ways to refinance a property. 

Why do people refinance a property?   There are 5 reasons why people might refinance a property:

1. To get a lower interest rate
2. To change the loan amortization
3. To add to the amount of equity
4. To borrow against the accumulated equity
5. To cash out a portion of the accumulated equity 

If any of these reasons are applicable to you, it might make sense for you to refinance your property.

Getting a lower interest rate

The main reason people refinance a property is to save money on their monthly payments by getting a lower interest rate. Many people have worked for many years after purchasing their home, and in those years, they’ve paid their bills on time and built up a better credit score. Another possibility is that the interest rates in the economy dropped. Both these situations give homeowners the opportunity to get loans at a lower interest rate than when they first bought the property.

Changing the loan amortization

The second common reason for refinancing is to change the loan amortization, which affects how long the loan lasts; the longer the amortization, the lower the monthly payments. Many people who refinance actually want a longer amortization period in exchange for a lower monthly payment, which reduces stress around cash flow. Some also find themselves in better financial situations than before, so they choose to refinance to a shorter amortization with higher monthly payments. When interest rates fall, homeowners may also get the opportunity to refinance their property with a new mortgage that has roughly the same monthly payment but a shorter amortization, allowing them to pay of the mortgage faster. 

Adding equity

The third reason is to add a significant amount of equity to your property. When you refinance, you can pay down a significant amount of the old mortgage, thereby adding to your equity, so that in your new loan, the amount you owe is less. That means you can have lower monthly payments and/or a shorter amortization.

Borrowing against the accumulated equity

The fourth reason is to borrow against the equity you’ve built up via a Home Equity Loan, which is essentially a second mortgage with a fixed amount, interest rate, and repayment period. The interest rate will be slightly higher than your first mortgage, but still low compared to other sources of debt. Many homeowners may take out a Home Equity Loan to finance major purchases like a car, home renovations, or children’s education. Some people also choose to use that money to pay off credit card debt, which has a much higher interest rate. Finally, people may put that money into investments that will hopefully return a higher rate than the rate of the Home Equity Loan.

Cashing out a portion of the accumulated equity

The fifth reason is to cash out a portion of the equity via a Cash-Out Refinance Loan, which means refinancing your mortgage to a larger one and getting the difference in cash. This also means you’d have to negotiate new terms for the new mortgage. People often use a Cash-Out Refinance Loan to pay for home renovations because the renovations should increase the value of the home, which then compensates for the increased mortgage, while they get to enjoy living in a nicer home.

Should I Refinance my Property and When?

First, do any of the five above reasons apply to your situation? If so, then refinancing might make sense for you. 

David Smith

Next, you need to check the terms of your current mortgage to see if there’s any penalties for refinancing. Most lenders require borrowers to maintain their original mortgage for at least 12 months before refinancing is allowed. Also, they often impose a penalty if the borrower wants to pay off the loan before it matures, which often happens if you want to refinance your property.

Finally, you need to calculate if the savings outweigh the costs. 

David Smith, a mortgage broker at Oriana Financial, gives the follow advice:

The best circumstances for refinancing a property would be if interest rates have fallen and you can get out of your existing mortgage without a penalty that negates the savings.

Smith also cautions homeowners to be careful with Home Equity Loans:

If the refinance involves borrowing against the equity of the home in the form on a second mortgage, then a careful reading of the terms and conditions within the instrument is essential. Is there a renewal fee? Is there a discharge fee? What are the terms under which I can pay off this loan?

If you’ve had your mortgage for a while and you’ve been building up a good credit score, or if interest rates have dropped, then refinancing your mortgage can be a great opportunity to reduce your interest rate, change your amortization period, or get some extra funds. 

But before you refinance your mortgage, it’s extremely important to sit down with a lender or mortgage broker and do the math to see how much you’d save per month, what the costs are, and how long it’d take for the savings to exceed the costs.

If it’s not a good time for you to refinance right now, keep paying those mortgage payments and building your credit score so that you’ll be ready when future opportunities come.

Laura Peery is a Global Real Estate Advisor with expertise in the Richmond and Chesapeake Bay areas of Virginia. Before working as a realtor, Laura had a career as a behavioural health counselor, spending her time focused on helping others, including active duty military veterans, get their lives back on track.

Laura understands what’s involved in buying and selling a home and uses her previous training along with her real estate expertise to help put her clients at ease during a traditionally stressful time.  Her knowledge of the market and relaxed approach helps keep her clients happy. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in real estate?

I was a therapist for a number of years and wanted a change.  Since real estate is a career where people are making huge and stressful decisions, I figured my previous career would make me a good fit for the field.  I am a good mediator and therapist and this allows me to help people make the important, albeit stressful, decisions involved in buying and selling real estate. 

Tell me about how you got started in the industry?

I have been in the business for six years.  After I took the real estate exam, I joined a brokerage that was family owned, and the same company where I had bought two of my homes.  Their core values aligned with my own,  they had just joined the Sotheby’s brand, so it was a no-brainer for me to become a part of this team. 

What aspects of the real estate business excite you most? Why?

My speciality is representing sellers.  I am hands on from the beginning through to the end of the process, and enjoy working towards the first showing (which is online) and making sure the home looks fantastic both online and in person. I enjoy making sure that things look great aesthetically and consider that part of my brand.  Over the past year or two I’ve had the opportunity to work with more buyers and have been able to help them strategize through competitive situations where they are up against multiple offers, to help them get the best possible deal. I love finding negotiation points along the way to help put them in their dream home.

What is the most rewarding/challenging thing about working in real estate?

Easily the most rewarding thing is the relationships that I have with my clients.  The most challenging aspects of the job have helped me sharpen my game to help create an efficient process that everyone is happy with. Since buying and selling your home can be very stressful, this is where my therapist training comes in handy, giving me an intimate knowledge of what’s going on behind those stresses.

What’s the best way for someone to explore a potential neighbourhood?

Walk the neighbourhood, drive around, go on the weekend when people are out and about, see what it’s about, and get a feel for the vibe to see if it’s right for you. You can explore an area online but you won’t get the same sense unless you go out and experience it for yourself.  

Where do you live and what do you love most about living there?

I live in Windsor Farms, a neighbourhood in Richmond Virginia that I’ve called home for 27 years.  It’s the oldest formalized neighbourhood in Richmond with a lot of interesting history, and architecture.   The neighbourhood has older homes and was built in the 1930s, which I love. I also enjoy the convenience of being close to all the local highways and only 20 minutes away from the airport. 

Why did you decide to be a part of the Exceptional Agent Network of Sotheby’s Agents (EAN)?

The EAN is a great way to get to know other colleagues within the brand.  The quality and calibre of their business is similar to mine and what I aspire to be. It’s a group of like-minded professionals who are ready and willing to share best practices. I used a member of the EAN as a resource because it’s filled with  people who understand the business but aren’t your direct competitors.  

Recently I used the EAN to speak to people who had experience in real estate relating to a vineyard property. I connected with people within the brand and was able to get valuable feedback including what questions I should be asking. Thanks to the information I gained from my EAN network I am bringing the vineyard listing to market this spring. I couldn’t have gotten that without the network from the EAN. I know how to market and leverage my brand, but being able to call in on my EAN friends, I’m able to fill spaces where I might not have as much knowledge. The people in the EAN network are giving and able to share without hesitation because we are all in different markets.

Dev Parikh: Berkeley, California | Richard Silver: Toronto, Ontario | David Gemme: Lake Tahoe, California | Shawn Woof: Muskoka, Ontario | Andy Stephenson: Victoria, British Columbia | Laura Peery: Richmond, Virginia | Mckinzie Casey: Denver, Colorado | Paul Ybarbo: San Francisco, California

How did you become an expert on Virginia’s luxury home market?

I have a specialty in Richmond and the nearby counties, but my other area of expertise is in the Northern Neck of Virginia where many people have secondary homes near Chesapeake Bay on the waterfront. There’s so much waterfront in Virginia, and it’s about an hour or two away from many people’s primary homes, making it the perfect location for weekend homes, summer and vacation homes, or a place to retire. 

I have a home in the area and discovered there was no other luxury brand with a presence there, and homes are being listed primarily by local realtors. Since the housing issues of 2007-2008, sellers are looking for ways to have their properties attract the most buyers, and this is where my expertise comes into play. Until recently it has been a buyer’s market in the area, although this has begun to shift, as people are selling their secondary homes, so they rely on my help to have their home show best. Buyers tend to care more about getting a beautiful view more than what county their secondary home is in. Today I have a heavy presence in the area and people have even nicknamed me “the river queen” because of my knowledge of the waterfront area. I get a lot of referrals within the area, and I’m contacted by people remembering the work I have done with other nearby homes.  

One of Laura’s Listings – 220 Middle Quarter Lane Henrico, Virginia

What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

I am proud that I am one of the top sales leaders in my brokerage after only being in the business for such a short period of time. I love travelling within the brand and meeting people around the world.  

Last year I had a client, a couple, who wanted to sell their house in Richmond, buy a smaller place in Richmond, by a secondary property on the river, and rent a place for a month during the process.  It was a domino effect of transitions but being able to navigate a seamless group of transactions like this was a real accomplishment. They rented a house that I owned; we completed four different transactions within a month of each other. They were thrilled with the entire process and end result, and I was happy to manage that.

What would you say are some of the most important things a person should consider when buying a home?

Location is the primary factor because you can always make changes within a home, but that land where that dirt is can’t be changed. You need to live in a location that will meet your needs in terms of: where your children go to school, where you work, proximity to the airport, or whether it’s wanting green space – making sure that your home meets your lifestyle needs. Secondly, they should make sure they have a realtor they trust representing them to help look out for their interests and to help get the best deal possible on their purchase. People use doctors, carpenters, and lawyers for their expertise, and it’s no different in the world of real estate.

If you need good advice in other locales please contact us. Here is a map of our Exceptional Agent Network of Sotheby’s Agents and we will make sure you are referred to the best!

EAN map