Q_01_web-singlepage_Jun15
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
What sets you apart from other agents?<br />
My network and my passion for helping my clients get the<br />
best deal with the least amount of stress! Stress reduction<br />
is primarily a result of good communication and taking<br />
care of the little details that make a transaction and a move<br />
as smooth as possible. For example, where possible, I like<br />
to get neighbours to sign a welcome card for my buyers to<br />
introduce them to their neighbourhood and make them feel<br />
at home.<br />
I feel that one of my strongest differentiating factors is my<br />
network of international agents. As I mentioned I do a lot of<br />
relocation business, and during the 2008 US market crash, I<br />
helped many clients invest in the United States. One of the<br />
reasons I joined Keller Williams was to continue to build my<br />
network of agents.<br />
At KW I earned my Global Property Specialist designation,<br />
and I am also really excited by Keller Williams global<br />
expansion and the opportunity I get to meet realtors from<br />
all over the world. Real estate is a local business but I find a<br />
global perspective very helpful! I am able to work with my<br />
clients in Toronto as well as help them if they want to buy<br />
a second home in the sun or relocate to the US, abroad, or<br />
elsewhere in Canada.<br />
What do you think is the biggest barrier to success in<br />
today’s real estate industry? How have you overcome it?<br />
One of the hurdles realtors face today is overcoming the<br />
myth that the market is so strong that the “property will sell<br />
itself”. In reality, a great deal of work goes into ensuring that<br />
the client receives maximum exposure for their property, so<br />
that they get the best possible price with the least amount of<br />
stress. I have a consistent track record of ensuring that for<br />
my clients. It is so much more than just adding a sign to the<br />
lawn and placing the property on the Multiple Listing Service<br />
(MLS). A flurry of activity goes on behind the scenes. I create<br />
a unique marketing campaign for each listing that includes<br />
networking, internet & print exposure, social media and<br />
preparing the house to be competitive.<br />
How would you describe the current market?<br />
In one word—unique! We have had such a long run in our<br />
real estate market that, short of a 6 month dip in 2008, our<br />
prices have continued to climb for my whole career. Most<br />
real estate cycles are about 5-7 years, but we are far past<br />
that and 2<strong>01</strong>5 has been the best year since 2007. Given the<br />
continued demand for real estate in Toronto I don’t see a<br />
large correction unless the interest rates increase rapidly or<br />
there is an unforeseen world event that affects consumer<br />
confidence. Although, given the prices, I have to wonder<br />
about affordability. When I talk to realtors in US they find<br />
our prices unbelievable. Toronto has been the city with most<br />
cranes in America and all the condo units continue to be<br />
absorbed each year, and I don’t foresee a decline in demand<br />
for 2<strong>01</strong>6.<br />
“A flurry of activity goes on<br />
behind the scenes. I create a<br />
unique marketing campaign<br />
for each listing that includes<br />
networking, internet & print<br />
exposure, social media and<br />
preparing the house to be<br />
competitive.”<br />
You made a move and joined Keller Williams<br />
Neighbourhood Realty, how is it different from other<br />
leading real estate brokerage firms?<br />
How do I count the ways? Since I joined Keller Williams, it<br />
has become the largest brokerage in North America by agent<br />
count and was named by Training Magazine, the #1 training<br />
organization across all industries. I made my decision to<br />
move to KW for several reasons, primarily because of their<br />
business models and training programs.<br />
I am always looking to grow my business and improve my<br />
service standards and through KW University & their focused<br />
conferences, I have learned more in the last 3 years than I<br />
learned in the preceding 10! I wanted to specialize further<br />
in international real estate and marketing high end luxury<br />
properties to compliment my existing business and through<br />
the Global Property Specialist designation and the Luxury<br />
designation I’ve been able to put best practices in place that<br />
benefit my clients enormously.<br />
Most importantly though, I love the culture, all the agents<br />
are cooperative and it is an open, supportive learning<br />
environment and that makes it a fun place to work…. And<br />
given that real estate can be a 24/7 career … fun is important!<br />
Keller Williams Neighbourhood Realty · 2968 Dundas St W.<br />
416.236.1392 · ld@lizannedobson.com · www.lizannedobson.com<br />
31