Q_01_web-singlepage_Jun15

Phil Beecher
Beecher & Associates Real Estate
Right At Home Realty Inc., Brokerage
i n t e r v i e w : David Menzies
p h o t o : Wilson Huynh Studio
Phil was making a good living in the mergers and
acquisitions business but his heart just wasn’t in it. The
former competitive swimmer and water polo player found
the profession mundane, and it seemed like a cruel fate
that he was now confined to a cubicle on a daily basis.
Itching for a career change where he could make the most
of his passion for people and building relationships, he
jumped on the Toronto real estate market wagon.
Phil went on to successfully form an experienced team
of agents working under the Beecher & Associates Real
Estate banner.
They say information is power. So how do you keep
up to date regarding the ever-evolving Toronto real
estate market?
Every morning and every night, I check the market. I also
network with people who are in my circle of influence—
people who know things that aren’t necessarily public
knowledge. I also take continuing education courses. I try to
keep my finger on the pulse. The thing is, I love doing this—I
don’t even feel like I’m working. Even when I’m on vacation
I’m still involved.
Can you tell us about your team?
We have more than 45 years’ combined experience in the
Toronto real estate market. They are people I trust and people
I’ve known for a very long time. We have the same mindset,
which is that as an agent, your only employer is your client.
An agent doesn’t answer to anyone but the client... and, of
course, the regulating body!
Can you tell us about your client base? Some are
famous, correct?
Well, I won’t name drop because it’s confidential. But
over the years there have been rock stars, movie stars,
professional athletes—Blue Jays, NHL players, and so
on. And my referrals come by word of mouth. As an
agent, you put in all the time and energy in the first five
years then it gets better thanks to those valuable word of
mouth endorsements.
There’s certainly no shortage of real estate agents in
Toronto. What attributes do you bring to the table that
would make a buyer or a seller choose you?
I come from a very disciplined background. I’ve always
looked at the bigger picture to realize my goals. My parents
taught me to have a good work ethic and always put people
first. People come to you because of the way you make them
feel. If the client feels you are working for them, you have
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