REP YOUNG GUNS 2020
2020
REP YOUNG GUNS LIST
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REP YOUNG GUNS 2020
YOUNG GUNS 2020 THIS YEAR’S TOP-PERFORMING REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS UNDER THE AGE OF 35 There are countless things that make a real estate professional stand out. Some are tangible: units sold in a year, licenses obtained, number of referrals. Others are intangible: advice and mentorship given to up-and-coming professionals, the depth of care put into each client before, during and after a sale, continuing to educate oneself on industry trends, maintaining a positive attitude. This year has been particularly tricky for real estate professionals, with the COVID-19 pandemic upending life as usual. But many real estate agents and brokers found a way to pivot and continue to serve their clients – including this year’s 50 REP Young Guns. All age 35 or younger, these individuals not only adapted to the unknown, but took hold of it and made it work for them and their clients.
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REP YOUNG GUNS 2020
Gino Spagnuolo RE/MAX Hallmark Durham, ON Age: 31
“Once I decided to get my license, I jumped into the profession with both feet and have never looked back,” says Gino Spagnuolo, one of RE/MAX’s up-and-coming brokers. Spagnuolo’s real estate career began at full speed. Just a year into the business, he sold 47 homes, earning him the Rookie of the Year award. Considering his achievements so far, it’s clear that he found the right fit in real estate after leaving his career in financial services. Currently, Spagnuolo leads his Greater Toronto Area team with ambition and a goal-driven attitude – all of which have led to numerous awards over the years. Regarding his approach to selling, Spagnuolo says it all boils down to one thing: hard work. “Success in any chosen field requires commitment, discipline, sacrifice and dedication to the daily grind,” he says.
Kaleb Streeter
Exit Lifestyle Realty, Orillia Orillia, ON Age: 32 Two-time REP Young Gun recipient Kaleb Streeter worked hard to ensure that career setbacks didn’t stop him from achieving success. “I fought really hard to get here,” he says. “I faced some adversity in my real estate career over the last two years but am blessed to come out on top.” For four years now Streeter has been on the leading edge of Orillia’s sales game, bolstering his reputation in the business by maintaining a positive outlook and putting his clients’ needs first. “Real estate is about mindset and making sure you maintain a positive attitude through whatever comes your way,” Streeter says. “I’ve learned that the clients value your ability to serve them more than they value the brokerage you work for.”
Kyla Stanick
EXIT Realty Town & Country Annapolis Valley, NS Age: 30 Kyla Stanick’s passion for real estate began when she was a child as a hobby of sorts, playing with interior design styles as a creative outlet while observing her mother transform rooms piece by piece. What started as fascination eventually turned into a career stepping stone when Stanick was 22 years old – when she embraced her full-time career in real estate. Stanick’s drive and dedication have helped her become one of Exit Realty’s top producers in Atlantic Canada. Years after discovering her calling in real estate, Stanick’s penchant for the industry remains untarnished: “When you love the product, it makes it easy to sell,” she says
Cody Kraus
Century 21 Erie Shores Realty Kingsville, ON Age: 27 Since Cody Kraus’ career began at 18, his dedication to providing quality service has been steadfast. Kraus walks with his clients every step of the way, striving to be not just their real estate agent, but also their trusted advisor and aide. With his unwavering commitment to educating clients, Kraus dedicates much of his time to keeping everyone up-to-date on current market changes and trends. “Becoming an expert in local real estate trends helps [my clients] capitalize on the sale and acquisition of properties with advice catered specifically to their unique personal scenario,” he says. Kraus’ expertise on niche lending practices also gives him an edge on his competition, helping him become a team lead and rank as one of Century 21’s top 1% agents in Canada.
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REP YOUNG GUNS 2020
Sebastian Sotello
Royal LePage Prime Real Estate Winnipeg, MB Age: 31 At 21 years old, just a few months after getting his real estate license, Sebastian Sotello set a new sales record at his company. From then until now, a decade later, he credits his success to putting others first. “In the last 10 years, I have developed a passion for building my client base and caring for it relentlessly,” he says. Currently one of Winnipeg’s top realtors, Sotello’s go-getter attitude and innovative marketing approach have earned him several accolades, including the prestigious Diamond and Director’s Platinum Awards. He has also used his identity as a bicultural individual to build relationships with and business in the city’s Hispanic community. This year’s competitive and tumultuous real estate market has put many realtors in a tough position, Sotello says, but it’s also challenged him to quickly adapt. “In this business, you need to learn to think outside of the box,” he says. “Learning to fortify my energy has been paramount to a successful and timely pivot in a new era of business.”
Yasen Ali
Royal LePage Village Montreal, QC Age: 31 “The heart of real estate is the relationship between broker and client,” says Yasen Ali, who began his career young and quickly realized that navigating the real estate industry takes education, dedication and a lot of hard work. “[I learned] from rejection and honed my sales skills, reassuring potential clients that my youthful age was an asset.”
Duke Pham
The Wolf Pack - Century 21 Atria Realty York, ON Age: 30 Having lived in Toronto for over two decades, Duke Pham is as familiar with the city as well as anyone can be, and his knowledge of Toronto’s real estate market is one of his most valuable assets. Using his experience in development and investment properties as the foundation to his real estate career, at age 30 Pham is already one of Century 21’s top producers. “No deal is ever small to do,” Pham says of his business approach. “Don’t be afraid – you’re supposed to make mistakes or else how would you grow? No opportunity is a waste of time.”
Jeff LeBlanc
Century 21 Bamber – Tower Real Estate Calgary, AB Age: 35 Jeff LeBlanc considers himself a jack of all trades, and his wideranging skill set has proven fruitful during his 15 years in the business. “I have built a reputation on market knowledge, passion and integrity,” he says, noting that he uses his marketing and negotiating skills to guarantee his clients top-class service. In 2019, LeBlanc was nominated as sales associate of the year and achieved one of the top producing spots at Century 21. He emphasizes the significance of “human touch” as being key to continued success, especially during the current tough economic climate. “Speaking with the clients and realtors has brought reality back to the process,” LeBlanc says. “I believe everyone benefits from human voice interaction, not a text or email.”
Today, Ali has built a solid clientbase in West Island and used his knack for sales to secure a spot in the company’s top 2% agents in 2019. Additionally, Ali has been named one of Royal LePage’s Top 35 under 35.
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REP YOUNG GUNS 2020
Michael Montgomery Renzo Real Estate Calgary, AB Age: 33
Michael Montgomery is no stranger to the challenges facing new realtors. Ten months into his career, he was struggling to find a foothold. “I thought the deals would just roll in!” he recalls. But that was eight years ago. Now, Montgomery has found his footing. Last year, Montgomery doubled his production and is currently thriving in one of Canada’s most difficult markets. “Calgary has been a challenging market to navigate over the past five years,” he says. “Approaching each conversation with empathy and a problem-solving mindset is the best way to help consumers.” In addition to his career with Renzo Real Estate, Montgomery also hosts a real estate sales podcast called “Rev Real Estate” and teaches technology courses with the Calgary Real Estate Board.
T.J. Nehmetallah
Royal LePage Binder Real Estate Windsor-Essex, ON Age: 26 At 26 years old, T.J. Nehmetallah has already established himself as one of Royal LePage Binder Real Estate’s most trusted agents, his perseverance and thirst for knowledge leading to numerous recognitions, including the President’s Gold and Diamond awards. “As an agent, I aim to maintain a ‘beyond-the-sale’ mentality,” Nehmetallah says. “Stepping outside of my perceived duties to ensure a smooth transition for each client. Each sale I’ve made, and guiding my clients in purchasing their dream property, brings me the very same excitement and pride I felt in my first purchase. No matter how many homes I sell, each client is after a unique need, with varying challenges to overcome along the way.”
Colin Krieg
RE/MAX Kelowna Kelowna, BC Age: 33 2018 was a challenging and eye-opening year for RE/MAX Kelowna’s Colin Krieg. His production dropped in half from 2017, his then most rewarding year in terms of sales. “I had been riding high off of having my best year in 2017 and felt that I didn’t need to work as hard anymore,” he recalls. “Boy was I wrong.” Learning from this experience, Krieg decided to focus and explore new ways to add value to his clients. As a result, he achieved a personal record of selling 63 homes last year, outperforming his numbers from three years ago. Krieg’s father, who has been in real estate since 1979, inspired Krieg to join the industry when he was 19. Now, with a web design and business background, Krieg is part of RE/MAX’s Top Producer Panel, where he provides valuable technology strategies to new agents as they first delve into the business.
Melissa Morin
Century 21 Advantage Red Deer Red Deer, AB Age: 26 Ten years ago, Melissa Morin left her hometown and moved to Central Alberta in hopes of better opportunities. In 2013, she acquired her real estate license and found her best fit. Morin’s passion and commitment for customer service fueled her early days in the business, and she sold 27 homes in her first year. Since then, her production has increased annually, leading to multiple recognitions like The Advocate Reader’s Choice Award for Best Realtor in 2019. As someone who also runs rental properties, Morin emphasizes the importance of consumer awareness on key home buying factors like debt and credit scores. “If we focused more on limiting debt and educating people, we’d see many more people who are able to qualify for mortgages,” she says. If the past 12 months have taught Morin anything, it would be that “worrying isn’t productive. I used to lose a lot of sleep over things I can’t change,” she says. “Now I just focus my energy on what I can control.”
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REP YOUNG GUNS 2020
John Guliker
Royal Lepage South Country Lethbridge Lethbridge, AB Age: 33 “I realized after 10 years of pulling wrenches, I needed change,” says John Guliker, a former mechanic, now a team leader at Royal Lepage South Country Lethbridge. Guliker stepped into real estate six years ago when he found the daily grind as a mechanic exhausting. It was no longer enjoyable for him, so he decided to try something new. The career shift wasn’t difficult at all, he says. In fact, his passion for public speaking and customer service became his tool to build a robust career in real estate. Success, says Guliker, is impossible to achieve without the people encouraging him along the way. “While working, I surround myself with those who are an encouragement to me,” he says. “Without all of these fine people, I don’t think I would be doing as good of a job as I am.”
Rushdi Rauf
Century 21 Innovative Realty Toronto, ON Age: 26 The Greater Toronto Area is one of Canada’s most active and competitive markets, and Rushdi Rauf says resiliency is his secret to surviving in such a challenging landscape. “It’s very clear that the GTA as a region will hold strong and be resilient,” he says. “Business practices will change, and adapting to it is essential for one to survive and thrive. This industry does reward those who are willing to go the extra mile.” For the past year, Rauf has invested in helping homeowners become landlords. “Investors are always willing to add one more property to their portfolio,” he says. “Upgrading an individual or family from being a ‘homeowner’ to ‘landlord’ is a business model that is of major focus.”
Jordyn Reid-Stevenson RE/MAX Absolute Realty Ottawa, ON Age: 30
Jordyn Reid-Stevenson became a realtor when she was 21 years old and has since worked alongside her mother, mentor and inspiration, Joanne, who has been in the industry for more than three decades. Reid-Stevenson uses her passion for teaching to aid and train her colleagues. She’s always on the lookout for social media and technology trends in the market. “This allows me to be able to sell alongside also assisting others to be more efficient and successful in their own careers,” she says. Taking care of her sons while finding perfect homes for clients has been a challenging routine for ReidStevenson, but also rewarding. “This has truly taught me how to multitask and prioritize my daily activities, and conquer each day one task at a time,” she says.
Melissa Hole
Royal LePage Westwin Realty Kamloops, BC Age: 34 Melissa Hole had an entirely different career path prior to real estate. For four years, she travelled the world as a skater-performer for Disney on Ice before moving back to Canada and settling in Kamloops. As she was wrapping up with Disney, a family friend, who was also her agent, convinced Hole that shifting to real estate was a smart career move. She grabbed the opportunity, got her license and now, 14 years later, is making her mark as one of Royal LePage’s Top 35 Under 35 agents. “I have a strong belief that real estate is not transactional,” Hole says. “But about building lasting relationships through client service above and beyond the industry standard.” Outside real estate, Hole hosts one of Kamloops’ annual golf tournaments that supports the youth and women victims of domestic violence.
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REP YOUNG GUNS 2020
Courtney Levert
Exit Realty Twin Bridges Sarnia, ON Age: 33 Sarnia native Courtney Levert’s interest in real estate began when she purchased her first home at 18 years old. She helped a busy agent at that time and realized that real estate was the perfect fit. In 2010, she became a licensed realtor and has since received multiple recognitions like Exit Realty’s Gold Award for her sales performance. “It isn’t about the big goal, it’s how to get there,” says Levert on her success. “I have owned rentals since I was 18 and really enjoy finding people the right home. Our industry always has ups and downs, but I am looking forward to finding more options for first time home buyers.”
Kristyn Webb
Royal LePage Binder Real Estate Kingsville, ON Age: 28 Kristyn Webb has always been interested in a sales career. “All I knew is that I wanted to have a job that was sales-oriented,” she recalls. She got her real estate license at age 23, and it “became my gateway of opportunity,” she says. “[Learning] the ropes in real estate came with its ups and downs, however it has proven to be very rewarding and enlightening.” For the past several years, Webb’s dedication and hard work have earned her numerous recognitions, most notably the Diamond award in 2019 and a spot in Royal LePage’s Top 35 under 35. “I do not take my job lightly, as it has proven to become more of a lifestyle than a career,” she says. “Real estate has no set boundaries. With consistent effort, the results are exponential.”
Taylor Musseau
Century 21 Assurance Realty Kelowna, BC Age: 29 A job opportunity in Ontario pushed Taylor Musseau out of her comfort zone this last year. Taking on the role of sales director in a different province was a huge risk, says Musseau, but she took it as an opportunity to further enhance her skills and strengthen her brand. “I spent the last year working across the country in Ontario learning how to run large condominium pre-sale construction projects,” she says. “I’m not afraid to step out of my comfort zone and challenge myself in order to grow and learn skills that will better serve my clients.” Focusing on pre-construction, 29-year-old Musseau is recognized as one of Century 21’s top producers. Additionally, she has secured a spot in the company’s Top 1% agents across Canada.
Vince Pontaletta
RE/MAX Treeland Realty Langley, BC Age: 31 Growing up on a dairy farm in Langley, Vince Pontaletta is accustomed to long days and hard work, and he brought that work ethic to his career in real estate, establishing a solid reputation in the industry. “I have a heart for families,” Pontaletta says. “I work hard for my own and I know how crucial the real estate movement is for the families in my own community. Every family has specific real estate needs and goals and I’m privileged to be a part of that journey.” Over the years, Pontaletta has won multiple awards, including RE/MAX’s prestigious Diamond Award, and has been part of the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board professional standards committee and his local agricultural land reserve committee.
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Alexandra Daigle
Exit Realty Advantage – The Daigle Group Oromocto, NB Age: 27 Seven years into the industry and there’s one thing Alexandra Daigle is sure about: she wouldn’t want any other job. “Doing the volume I’m doing and being a mother is not always easy, but I make it happen,” she says. Daigle was passionate about helping others even before she got involved with real estate. She studied sales and marketing and eventually got a job with the New Brunswick government. Eventually, she craved change and sought out real estate. At 27 years old, Daigle is already one of her company’s top realtors, providing bilingual services to her clients and specializing in multiple areas like military and RCMP relocation. Developing strong relationships with and understanding the challenges faced by her military veteran clients, Daigle’s team made the decision to donate $100 from every property sale to Wounded Warriors Canada.
Evan Tang
RE/MAX Centerpoint Realty Brokerage Markham, ON Age: 33 After 10 years in the business, three-time REP young gun recipient Evan Tang is still thriving and making the most out of his career. Last year, he received RE/MAX’s Diamond award; from 2014 to 2016 he was in the company’s Top 30 under 30. Tang is also involved in mentoring programs and partakes in speaking engagements, advocating for sustainable housing in Toronto. With his success in the industry, he’s been invited to speak about entrepreneurship at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa. “I hope to see the real estate industry adapt to new norms to get the ball rolling,” Tang says of his expectations in the coming months. “We should get used to online webinars instead of physical events, not only to keep social distance, but also to be more economical and environmental.”
Bryan Alan Masse
Royal LePage Prime Real Estate Winnipeg, MB Age: 33 Real estate, for Bryan Masse, is about the balance between professionalism and establishing strong, trustworthy relationships. “It’s okay to be yourself and let your guard down with clients,” he says. “They want to see the real you. Once clients feel like they know you on a personal level, building trust comes naturally.” This client-focused mindset, combined with his tenacity and drive to achieve his goals, cultivated Masse’s success as a realtor and team leader. He has even earned his way into the Royal LePage Chairman’s Club, which represents the company’s top 1% agents across Canada. Masse is also involved in mentoring up-and-coming agents. “There are no secrets to success in real estate,” he says. “I get such fulfillment when a new or younger agent follows a similar road map that I’ve followed and becomes a significant player in our local market.”
Bruno Noll
Royal LePage Riverbend Realty Steinbach, MB Age: 34 Only eight years into the business, Bruno Noll has already made his mark as one of Royal LePage’s top producers. With his passion for sales and building relationships, he has maintained a spot as one of Manitoba’s top 1% agents for three years, recently won the Red Diamond award and has been a Chairman’s Club recipient for four years in a row. “There is so much value in a realtor!” Noll says. “I would love to see more knowledge about the scope of a realtor’s work. I feel that the general public is not educated enough on what a single realtor can do.”
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Kevin Doyle
RE/MAX Elite Edmonton, AB Age: 33
Mitchell Deslippe
RE/MAX Preferred Realty Amherstburg, ON Age: 29
“I have learned that referrals are always better than sales,” says Kevin Doyle on what has helped him grow in the business. “Treat people right, be honest, do the right thing and you will be successful for years to come.”
“I have always pushed myself to give a level of service that would exceed a client’s expectations and make the home buying or selling process as comfortable and stress free as possible,” says Mitchell
This outlook has served Doyle well, providing him an avenue to further understand his clients’ individual needs. The skills he has from his oil, gas, education and home investment background have also contributed to Doyle’s success in real estate, helping him sell almost 300 homes over the last four years.
Deslippe. This mindset, coupled with his strong work ethic, has helped Deslippe become one of Canada’s top realtors, earning him a spot at RE/MAX’s Hall of Fame and the prestigious Diamond Award within his seven-year career in real estate.
“The desire to help and truly provide great service to my clients is what inspires me to succeed in this industry. I value my relationships with people and always keep a client-focused mindset,” he says.
Thomas Faris
Faris Team Real Estate Brokerage Simcoe County, ON Age: 33 Trustworthiness, hard work and diligence: these are the core values Thomas Faris has sworn by throughout his career, putting his clients as top priority and going the extra mile to address their needs. His passion and drive have led to his success, once again achieving the Faris Team Top Sales recognition in 2019. “I get to meet new people all the time, build great relationships and be involved with a very big part of people’s lives,” Faris says. “I feel honored that my clients trust me to do a great job for them.” Learning never stops for Faris, something that was especially last year. “I’ve learned to never get comfortable with the way things are done,” he says. “The pandemic forced everyone to adapt rapidly for the better. I’ve always been client-focused, but now I understand you have to always be ready to learn new ways to meet the needs of your clients.”
Recently, Deslippe acquired his broker license, providing a better avenue to serve his clients with a more comprehensive knowledge of the business.
Tina Goomber Casatank Realty Mississauga, ON Age: 34
Tina Goomber realized that a career in real estate was the perfect match for her after purchasing her first property in her early 20s. For several years, she has cultivated an impressive track record and used her talent in customer service to provide positive client experiences. At 34 years old, Goomber is one of her company’s top producers and leads a team of agents as a managing partner. Goomber believes that success in the industry entails “an exceptional client experience and a foundation built on trust, knowledge and understanding.” Building a business with her fellow REP Young Gun recipient and brother, Nick Goomber, has proved to be an excellent decision, she says. The brother-sister duo has used their individual assets to establish a sturdy reputation for Casatank Realty.
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REP YOUNG GUNS 2020
Nick Goomber Casatank Realty Mississauga, ON Age: 32
Aside from his passion for technology and broad experience in real estate, Nick Goomber believes that “sharing knowledge is imperative to building a successful brokerage and a team.” With this in mind, he established Casatank Academy and has invested in some of the best technologies available, creating full training programs to mentor up-and-coming agents. Goomber is committed to constant improvement and “continually upgrading value propositions for clients and agents, implementing new and better technologies.” He is currently creating proprietary software with his team, striving to “lead the change for the betterment of real estate.”
Andrew Russell
RE/MAX Real Estate Central Alberta Red Deer, AB Age: 33 Andrew Russell grew up in the real estate industry and, at the age of 14, had already figured out that it was the career path he wanted to take. “I loved the potential it offered to earn based on ability and desire, to be my own boss and run my own business,” he says. Russell got his license in 2006 and is currently one of RE/MAX’s top agents, earning the Diamond and Lifetime Achievement awards in the span of his 14-year career. “What I really love now after 14 years in the industry is the relationships I’ve built and the people I’ve met,” Russell says. Focusing on residential properties, Russell also leads one of Central Alberta’s top real estate teams, and is committed to guiding his colleagues, specifically new agents, to success.
Mani Batoo
RE/MAX Real Estate Centre Mississauga, ON Age: 34 North American real estate to provide excellent customer service and educate his clients on property value and market trends. Ranking among RE/MAX’s top 100 agents in Canada, Batoo’s wide range of property expertise, professionalism, creativity and client-centered mindset have led to numerous accolades like the Titan Club, Diamond and Lifetime Achievement awards. “It’s amazing to see how quickly the world of real estate has adapted to social and market changes against the backdrop of the pandemic,” Batoo says. But for him, further work is yet to be done. “My hope is that we can get to a place where we can enable buyers and sellers from anywhere in the world to transact, which could be game-changing for the international real estate market.”
Joe Conlon
Royal LePage Binder Real Estate Windsor, ON Age: 30 It took six months for Joe Conlon to sell his first property when he started in the business. As a young agent in a slower market, Conlon gradually built his clientele and decided to live by his slogan “your realtor for life” to focus on fruitful customer experience. “I enjoy giving people a great experience,” he says. “I thought if I could sell a cellphone, I could sell a house. It’s just a little bigger.” Conlon established his own real estate team in 2017 and it has continuously grown alongside his referral business. “Just like your clients, if you take care of your team, they will take care of you. Don’t take anything or anyone for granted,” he says. Conlon has earned his way into Royal LePage’s top 1% of agents, has been recognized in the Top 35 under 35 list and was also featured as one of REP’s Top 100 agents.
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REP YOUNG GUNS 2020
Ryan Pattinson
Brady Thrasher
Ryan Pattinson has been exposed to real estate since he was little, having spent a lot of time at his realtor mother’s office growing up. But it wasn’t until working for a summer at a local Royal LePage office while studying accounting that he began to consider following his mother’s footsteps in real estate. After four years at an accounting firm, Pattinson decided to switch careers and entered the industry in a small rural market.
RE/MAX’s Brady Thrasher has been a fixture in REP for the past several years, appearing as a Top 100 agent, Top 75 Team and Young Gun. After years in the industry managing a twoperson Diamond Awardwinning team and owning two brokerages in South Florida, Thrasher continues to explore new real estate projects. “The only way for me to give my professional opinion to my clients is if I have done it and learned the process myself, so I will continue to put myself in situations to learn hands on,” he says.
Royal Lepage Edmonds & Associates Pembroke, ON Age: 35
A Diamond Award and Top 35 under 35 recipient, Pattinson emphasizes the importance of positive relationships and constant improvement as keys to success. “I try my best to build strong relationships with the agents in my market so other agents enjoy working with me,” he says. “I continually focus on improving my clients’ experience with extensive marketing strategies and local market knowledge.”
Mustafa Zia
RE/MAX Centre Mustafa Zia Realty, Brokerage Mississauga, ON Age: 32
RE/MAX Preferred Realty Amherstburg, ON Age: 32
“I love the business and the endless potential to grow and scale,” Thrasher says. “I have learned to be more patient through this pandemic. I operated at such a fast pace before, now we have become more aware, more responsible and far more efficient.”
Royce Finley
Royal LePage Prime Real Estate Winnipeg, MB Age: 34
Mustafa Zia ranked as RE/MAX Canada’s number one individual realtor in the first quarter of 2020, his hard work and dedication paying off after a decade in the industry. Zia says that his career is built upon his strong business mindset, visionary skills and talent for working with people. Specializing in resale, residential, pre-construction, commercial industrial and development land properties in the GTA, Zia caters to various buyer and seller profiles, and believes that his job is only done when the client is completely satisfied with the result.
Royce Finley began his real estate journey in 2015 without any idea of the huge impact it would have on his life. Together with his team, Finley has cultivated meaningful relationships in the industry, leading to notable success over the years. “I strive to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation, technology, marketing and business development,” he says. “While I continue to grow the business and my team, I focus on providing the best service and support possible for all of my clients and colleagues.”
“To be able to learn and transact various different forms of real estate properties throughout my career has helped me grow immensely,” Zia says about his versatility as a realtor and broker of record. Over his career, Zia has achieved such accolades as The Circle of Legends award and Top 30 under 30.
Looking ahead, Finley says the industry in Manitoba still has a long way to go regarding taking advantage of technology. “Some of the things I would like to see change within our market here is becoming paperless. I feel the ability to have less of a footprint on our planet is a step in the right direction,” he says.
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Sarah Toop
Century 21 Creekside Realty Chilliwack, BC Age: 35 Her diverse set of skills, true passion for the industry and extensive knowledge of the area have propelled Sarah Toop to become Chilliwack’s top selling agent since 2015. “I’ve grown my career by staying current and being the expert that people trust locally. That is something I never intend on changing,” she says. “Know your market, be the best and work the hardest.” Toop further credits her achievements to her clients, noting that prioritizing their goals and actively listening to their concerns have helped her earn the success she has today. “By keeping my clients’ interests first, I have been blessed by ample referrals and it is those return customers and referrals I credit to helping me be in the top spot all these years,” she says.
Brandon Polsinello
RE/MAX Realtron Polsinello Realty Brokerage Newmarket, ON Age: 31
Michael Christie
Royal Lepage Royal City Realty Guelph, ON Age: 31 Throughout his career, Michael Christie has thrived in environments where he can be independent while finding innovative ways to better serve his clients. “The thought of setting and attaining the goals I set for myself is what inspires me to move forward and progress,” Christie says. “Real estate is ever-changing and the versatility that is offered from this type of career is incredibly enticing.” Being one of Royal LePage’s top 1% agents, Christie firmly believes that “success is driven not only from numbers but through communication and resilience.” Reflecting on the past 12 months, Christie has learned to remain calm amid tough times. “We must all be taking the time to digest certain information and situations, whether they are good or bad,” he says. “The way we interact is extremely important, so we want to ensure that we are making the appropriate responses regardless of the situation.
RE/MAX’s Brandon Polsinello got involved in real estate seven years ago and has since worked alongside his father to grow their family business from six agents to more than 24 team members in less than a decade. Aside from selling properties, Polsinello prides himself of managing one of RE/ MAX Canada’s high-ranking teams and is actively involved in mentoring newcomers and recruitment of highly motivated realtors. He was also a Top 40 Under 40 Torchbearer in 2019. Polsinello believes that the coming months are brimming with opportunities despite challenges posed by the pandemic. “As things start to open up from the coronavirus lock down, we are seeing high-level demand from both buyers and sellers,” he says. “We expect this to continue through to the end of the year so long as current conditions continue to improve.”
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Jad Sandhu
RE/MAX West Realty Kleinburg, ON Age: 31 Jad Sandhu witnessed firsthand how real estate could change lives. He grew up without any idea of how to help his family make ends meet. As a way to earn quickly, Sandhu took a risk and purchased his first rental property after getting his real estate license at 20 years old. More than a decade later, he has turned his business into a sizable investment portfolio and is now committed to using his own knowledge and experiences to help others find success in the industry. “I realized through this profession that I could go far beyond earning a living – I could improve my family’s circumstances and their lifestyle,” Sandhu says. “This has inspired me to show others how to build wealth through real estate and change their life as well.” Sandhu’s dedication, perseverance and hard work has paid off. He is one of RE/MAX Canada’s top 10 realtors in 2020 and recently launched his personal brand, PlatinumCondoBroker.com, to further aid clients in purchasing a home.
Dylan Slakmon Century 21 Vision Montreal, QC Age: 24
Dylan Slakmon is one of the youngest in this year’s crop of up-and-coming realtors and is already on his way to establish a stellar reputation in the industry. Slakmon began his career five years ago when he was 18 years old and from there has learned the value of negotiation and customer service. His success in real estate was built upon sleepless nights and sacrifices, and he continues to exceed his personal transaction record year over year. Slakmon has received numerous awards, including Century 21’s Top Brokers Under 30, due to his passion and commitment to his role and clients. Collaboration and teamwork have also been crucial to Slakmon’s achievements. “The concept of collaboration is essential in the practice beyond daily duties as a broker,” he says. “Helping others and watching my coworkers grow in their success make us all successful in the end.”
Adam Nadler
Royal LePage Your Community Realty Richmond Hill, ON Age: 31 Adam Nadler was a music teacher before he entered the real estate industry. At the time, he couldn’t picture real estate as the perfect career for him, but now, Nadler can’t imagine doing anything else. “I was very fortunate to start in the industry with amazing people around me and at a brokerage that has done everything possible to foster my growth and success,” he says. Nadler and his team ensure that they only offer the best service to clients. “The key to our success is our clients,” he says. “They are the most important part of everything we do. Doing right by our clients isn’t enough – we aim to wow them.” In the coming months and years, Nadler hopes the industry will focus more on transparency and freedom of information. “A more educated consumer is a better consumer,” he says. “Our industry should adopt a culture of giving and not creating barriers.”
Adam Wasser
Royal LePage Your Community Realty Richmond Hill, ON Age: 30 Real estate was never in Adam Wasser’s plans despite coming from a realtor family. He majored in psychology and medical sciences at Western University to pursue a different passion, and worked in sales and marketing to pay for school. Eventually, Wasser realized that “real estate was in his blood all along.” Equipped with a variety of skills and unwavering determination, it didn’t take long for Wasser to make a name for himself in the industry, climbing the ranks and leading his team to reach Royal LePage’s top 1% in nationwide sales. “None of us would be where we are without each other,” Wasser says, emphasizing that teamwork is Key Group’s asset and strength. “We have taken the past year and completely refined everything we do, from internal systems to outward service, to better utilize our team power.”
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Tarynn Lennox
Royal LePage Locations North, Brokerage Thornbury, ON Age: 31 Tarynn Lennox purchased her first home at 20 years old and was immediately enamored by real estate. She worked for five years in the financial industry before pursuing a career as a realtor. Buying and selling turned into Lennox’s passion as she spent hours browsing real estate websites to track market trends and property prices in her neighborhood. Lennox has used her drive, enthusiasm and tenacity to become a top-selling agent on her team and generate 62 transactions while juggling her responsibilities as a mother of two kids. “I get to spend my days viewing homes with clients, learning about their life story and helping them with their real estate journey all while doing something I love,” Lennox says.
Matt Teel
Royal LePage Community Realty Medicine Hat, AB Age: 34
Matthew Ablakan
Millennial’s Choice Realty Inc. (part of the Millennial’s Choice Group of Companies) Toronto, ON Age: 28 “In order to scale and grow, an organization needs to act more like a team – a team that feeds off of one another and supports one another,” says Millennial’s Choice Group of Companies founder and owner Matthew Ablakan. “It’s not about the size of the team, rather it is about having the right individuals in the right roles working together to achieve the same goals. I think having the right quality of people is an important recipe that has helped me in the progression of my career.” Education and financial literacy are important factors that led to the success of Millennial’s Choice, Ablakan says. At 28 years old, he has earned numerous degrees including a bachelor’s in education and an honorary degree in law and society to better serve his clients.
Michael Grocholsky
Royal LePage NRC Realty Welland, ON Age: 35
Matt Teel began his career in the industry as a real estate assistant in 2004. A few years later, he joined Royal LePage Community Realty where he was surrounded by excellent mentors and opportunities to further expand his knowledge and hone his craft. Currently, Teel is armed with 15 years of real estate experience and specializes in residential, rural and commercial properties. He also leads his own team.
For Royal LePage’s Michael Grocholsky, there is no “one size fits all” approach in real estate. “At the end of the day your clients won’t remember the details of the deal, but they will always remember how you made them feel,” he says. “You need to understand what’s specifically and uniquely important to them and make delivering on it your mission.”
“Life must have balance in all aspects,” Teel says. “When one part is out of balance, it affects the others. Strive for balance in life and the rest will work out.”
Grocholsky makes people his top priority and has quickly learned that success is built on strong and trusting relationships. Along with his team, Grocholsky ranks among Royal LePage’s top 1% and serves his hometown in Niagara.
Outside his day-to-day work as a team leader and realtor, Teel volunteers for the Medicine Hat Squash Committee and sponsors local and community events for clients.
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Ally Ballam
Engel & Volkers Vancouver, BC Age: 35 Her passion for real estate and dedication to her clients have established Ally Ballam as one of Vancouver’s top producing agents. As an investor, Ballam has built a portfolio of income producing properties just within a decade, and has committed to educating her clients and colleagues to grow their businesses through real estate investments. With almost $100 million generated in sales from 150 transactions in the past year, Ballam and her business partner, Amy Leong, attribute their career growth to finding creative and innovative ways to connect with past and present clients. They have also learned to leverage the strong relationships they have built to grow a thriving referral-based business.
Claudia Lemelin-Marsan Royal LePage Inter-Québec Québec, QC Age: 30
Claudia Lemelin-Marsan has been a realtor since 2012 and, in those eight years, has navigated countless situations and market changes. This past year especially has been both difficult and rewarding, as Lemelin-Marsan became a new mother and learned to adjust to the realities COVID-19 brought about. Ultimately, though, her goal has always been the same. “I have always been focused on my clients and making sure to give them the best services I could,” Lemelin-Marsan says. “For me, real estate and people are two joint passions. Year after year my business has grown and things continue to go faster and faster. Even after this past year, business is still going very well and I’m focused on having one of the best years and results of my whole carrier.”
Gary Khind
Bucci Developments Limited Vancouver, BC Age: 31 “Living in British Columbia, real estate is hard to ignore,” says Gary Khind. Early on he was exposed to the construction industry by his father, and the industry fueled Khind’s interest in real estate, prompting him to get licensed at 17 years old. Khind came to see the industry from a different lens when he became an auditor for the Real Estate Council of British Columbia. Now that he has pursued a career in real estate development, the skills Khind has acquired are put to good use. “I am able to apply both my soft skills and technical skills on a daily basis which is very empowering,” he says. “I owe a lot of my success to date to the brilliant people who have supported me and helped me grow. Technical skills aren’t as important as people skills. [In] working with clients, consultants, stakeholders and colleagues, communication is always at the forefront. Active listening and being able to convey your messages clearly are important life skills.”
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This special report has been compiled by Real Estate Professional For news and information on the real estate industry, visit www.repmag.ca