TORONTO 10-17-22

TORONTO EDITION

Embracing Smart Homes: DOES NEW TECHNOLOGY REALLY INCREASE HOME VALUE? FEATURED AGENTS

KAMAL AMIRTHALINGAM LEE LANDER MAY GOLDBERG SHASHI JAIN TERRY DI FELICE YVONNE HUH

5 THINGS YOU CAN DO TO ACHIEVE YOUR BIGGEST GOALS WHY EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION MATTERS & CAN BOOST YOUR BOTTOM LINE HOW TO MAKE YOUR COMMUTE PRODUCTIVE

COVER STORY

RON McINTOSH

TORONTO EDITION

Marisa Battaglini congratulates

Ron Mcintosh

MAY GOLDBERG

KAMAL AMIRTHALINGAM

as he wantswas everyhelping property her With an entrepreneurial spirit and Whenplanning, May Goldberg price. One rec to stand “I along with Professional an endless desire to learn, Kamal parents find aout. new house, she became inwas our agent Photographers photo“Iiswas Amirthalingam has found his calling trigued by the real ensure estate each industry. rent home (in 3 captured with adequate lighting,” he as a real estate agent. He started his callingexplains. and making appointments to see new home. She When a property is listed, he professional career in electronic engiproperties,” “And my dad knowledgeable reaches May out toexplains. his database of potenneering. “Working in the electronic one day meand I should look intoagents, becompersonable and tial told buyers other real estate field at the beginning was rewarding, marketing but it did not quite give me the human ® ing ansending agent,email because I wascampaigns. enjoying “Iit so May for going callHer people who I talent know would be intertouch. With plenty of disposable much.” natural for negotiating ing this such a ested in a home, and I let them know income I decided to invest in fixer-upand connecting with people is a great fit for what I have available,” he explains. He’s pers. These projects gave me what I this field, so ittowas no surpriseinthat May’s May’s free tim not afraid go door-to-door specific was missing,” he explains. He bought RON INTOSH KAMAL LEE businesskeeping quicklyeveryone grewLANDER after she earned neighborhoods, in the loop about her MAY GOLDBERG and pilates, g homes which M he c later flipped for a profit. Eventually, happening. strategies lead20 to years homes later, sell- May is thrivhe decided to earn his real estate licenseAMIRTHALINGAM in order to what’s real estateThese license.

Nearly ter, checking out new re top dollar inagent recordand times. represent himself in his transactions. Kamal ended up ing foring as an loves assisting her clients in their cal events.

She loves wh ® From young age, Terry Di Felice In his spare time, Terry spends time helping Toronto REALTOR Yvonne Huh knows transaction and rela helpingahis friends and family purchase and selldevelreal real estate endeavors. “It’s something I’m so passion- soaking up everything Tor Kamal spends his free time with family, attending his estate,awhich inadvertently led to him growing a busioped passion for real estate.

As soon as out in his community.

He has been a volmuch more about homes thanate their listactivities. clients know th about,” explains. the greater Toronto so important to bethat out the events andshe He Serving loves exploring ness and helping other clients. As time went on, Kamal children’s he turned 18, he starting taking classes to unteer hockey coach and soccer coach in area (GTA) and surrounding regions, May goes above people, it’s how built price and square nearly 20 any time.

NoI’ve hesita new things, new places as well.

Kamal is also planning fell in love with this industry, and foundfootage. immense After get license while he real wasestate stillpursuits. in high for his and previous years, andclients participates every year future, which includes growing his client joy his in assisting people in their beyond expectations, wanting tobase set her up years in the industry, ®she can explain if and to provide high quality service to each Margaret RoadThe sev- and continuing He decided to become a full-time REALTOR school.

Several years later, after graduating in The Princess Hockey for success. ultimatetogoal for May every person he encounters. He has undoubtedly eral years ago, why and nowhouses works as anare empowered solo andor well priced mispriced.

Yvonne uses mous business, with “eve a team university, earning anarea.

MBA, and working found his dream career, and can’t wait Conquer Cancer to see what the event where his team has agent in the greater Toronto “I have their best interests at heart,” she explains.

“I deliver the same superior She can even explain prices eyes future has in store. are “I love seeing been people the happy.

I am for a multinational corporation, he madewhy top fundraising team get raising overon a listins never pressure them.”

With her slogan ‘Helping You to expand her business b making others smile and bringing Much of his business consists of repeat clients and higher on the west side ofabout town. says the decision usually to focus his career full time on so passionate $1,000,000 for cancer research.

Last the year brokerag referrals, as those who work with him are contin- them joy.”

Make the Right Move,’ May is also not afraid to ad- vestment properties and ab the commercial of real estate.

Joining alone, his team raised over $200,000 for®because “Ifby side you look at theextensive data, home values on buying this goal ually impressed his talent.

With his vise them against or YVONNE selling if the moment “I would love to show pe SHASHI JAIN TERRY DI FELICE HUH background in flipping he is able to share CBRE Limited in homes, 1999, Terry’s first joba littleisn’t a lotfreedom of compa “I treat mycancer clients research. the way I Terry would also treat spends financial they can the west side are usually bitright. higher technology his ideas on home improvement projects and how to my friends and family.”

Personable and approachable, was working with one of the senior people at the firm. time with his wife and three kids doing fun activities increase property He helps his sellers invalues. every major citydecide because of sun and a vast integrated n and sellers trust herrunning, wholeheartedly, on possible renovations, as wellthe as staging, so theyRookie May’s Within a year, he became top earning agent buyers together like golfing, and exercising. They patterns.”

Yvonne her stuff, connections all ov knowing she would never and guidebethem in the wrong dican obtain the wind highest sales price possible.

Having knows across the whole of Canada.

He’s now been at CBRE love to travel outdoors. worked closelyand with she mortgage brokers, Kamal can rection.theirs Even if it means waiting years for a client to wants herofclients tosupport know 1,000 offices in 8 for and the hasright built a team people to also23 linkyears them with financing for their sitpurchase a home, May is patient, understanding that too.

“I believe one of my listing inform uation, the loan meets theirToronto needs.

HisArea. vast biggest strengths him as ensuring he serves the Greater Each team between New 70-90 transthis is likely the year, largestTerry’s purchase theycompletes will ever make. network of vendors allows him to refer his clients to is educating buyers and sellers”.

Sheactions. is business and Asthem he looks to the future, he hopesmajor to continue “I’m always there for when they need assistance. trusted professionals when they need them, which I justclients, wantgrowing to help them in any way I can,new and junior they people makesaround each transaction smooth.

With 50% of his business comingwith from repeat his business, adding his within sincere and forthright her in thetoworld For more about Kamal Amirthalingam, know that when they come to me for advice I’m goclients and 30% coming from referrals, Terry has a right team along the way. “For anyone looking tohigh get into real visibilit which builds brand call 416-903-9999, visit getkamal.com Marketing is one of Kamal’s greatesttrust assets, and as he confidence ing to be kamal@getkamal.com honest and real with them.” The foundation 1 Sparks Ave, Suite 1 1, Toronto ,Ontario M2H 2W16 or email strong fuels growth. “We pro- estate, the commercial side is a great business with a lot tends tonetwork each detail.that Photos are constant taken with careful

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21 LEE LANDER

If you had told Lee Lander 15 years ago that she would be th #1 REALTOR in her area, sh never would have believed you But at the age of 37, Lee start SHASHI JAINHUH, YVONNE BROKER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDEN TERRY DI FELICE ed her journey into the world o real estate and started a whol grated to Canada for you. His knowledge and negotiation 22 25 26 career. new ned to carve out skills cannot be matched. He always goes It all started from customertoservice experience Lee had tha to live up to the the extra disappointing mile for his customers get their left her believing sherecommend could deliver something better y family had in dream home!

I would highly oldest daughter was starting university, w e started his jour-featured for Canada Shashi for“When all realour estate needs.” on being were looking for a place for her,” Lee recalls. “A friend r-to-door, honingAgent Magazine! in Top referred me to an agent inofthetheir area, and the experienc mer service skills.

Sellers enjoy extensive marketing justwith wasn’t great.utilizing Now thatallI’mthe a REALTOR I realiz achelor’s degree properties, Shashi whatHea gift their financing in place MBA in finance. has aa referral presencethat onhad social MARISA BATTAGLINI latest tools. of his past expemedia platforms likethey facebook, knew what neededInstagram and was going to re sell in 5 Principal Broker his education and TikTok, he husband posts information yearswhere was. My told me, ‘You should become CONTENTS 416-790-4120 s real estate. “I about new listings. send targeted Realtor, you“We could do out so much better!’ and within a few 647-895-871 1 (mobile) entrepreneur,” buyers whoback are was inlooking school for at 37. School was neve 4) he EMBRACING SMART emails tomonths, 19)I WHY EMPLOYEE o earn my license specific properties, host openback houses for marisa@sequoiamortgage.ca my thing, and going was really overwhelming bu HOMES: DOES NEW APPRECIATION MATTERS has his ownTECHNOLOGY team, agents before it’sCAN listed, and more.”

I worked through it and got itThese done within 8 months. Af sequoiamortgage.ca REALLY & BOOST YOUR to area, and has become part of innovative techniquesterresult in his homes receiving I BOTTOM did my first deal, I was hooked! I loved the adren INCREASE HOME VALUE? LINE from the beginning. captivating marketing enables li of May’s work is built on lasting relationships, Homelife Canada. Shashi loves multiple, top dollar offers. aline rush and of aeveryone beingwith happy good vide a high quality service and stay in touch with our people of freedom balanced lifestyle,” he says.and “Myfeeling famany returning to her for real estate help muland seamlessly showcased. d will do everything possible and knowing that played a part inexperienced that.” Through an clients at5every stage oftothe process,” he says. To ed-times. vorite part getting toITO meet with Copyright Agent tiple “There is aisTop client ofMagazine mine whoand haswork bought 15) THINGS YOU 23) HOW MAKE YOUR Along with education, Yvonne gives clients her hieved. ucate and inform, Terry has created Alwaysa program thinking about serving his community, Shashi that business leaders on a day-to-day basis. and sold abundance with me six times, which then turned into At CBRE, you of hard work and determination, Lee’s busi CAN DO TO ACHIEVE COMMUTE PRODUCTIVE To contact M individual focus.

In every interaction and transaction, Whenever clients move, Y multiple purchases asentrepreneur they then referred their parents, her an active supporter of local mental health initiatives includes brochures containingisin-depth information can be an within a corporate environment, ness took off, and the rest is history. at Century 21 Fin siblings and friends to she putsforherself in her clients’ shoesand and provides themto to plan and strategize. S YOUR BIGGEST about each property sale.GOALS This includes pictures blending theme.” bestsage of both worlds.” ning the best possible outcome through fundraising mentoring.

He hopes eduplease call 4 and advice – upcoming advice thatgenerations shein would follow herself. energy as day one of her and is anbuilt amenities map of the area they are interested visit career maygo My business on ahonest strong cate about financial management When it comes to selling properties, May advertises Lee now owns her own boutique brokerage, Lande withPhone the best“I restaurants, transportation methods,listings and or email info@m have two amazing assistants, but I prefer to deal with exhilarating” and she is energi 310-734-1440 | Fax 310-734-1440 thoroughly, homes sell quickly and forenjoys a high rrals.” Those referrals pour in and investing at an early age.soFor leisure, Realty, andformula for theShashi past 4 years sheflexible has been #1 major companies located directly, nearby. “We trythat to give peomy clients and has been a winning experienced, andtheext | www.topagentmagazine.com mmitmentple tomag@topagentmagazine.com going above and having movie nights with his family and loves to travel REALTOR® serving the Eastto Gwillimbury area.The An a feel of for the neighborhood withshe useful information my business” says.

“I feel like the best way to Asmatters the overall results. es friendsthat with them during the and try cuisines from around the world. a profesNo portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher.

Top Agent Magazine will help them make an informed decision.” impressive 75-80% oftoLee’s businessoutcome comes from re provide glove consistently to beto attentive apublished successful becaus is published

by Feature Publications GA,service Inc.Shashi Although precautions taken ensure the accuracy of materials, Top with them after closing.

“I white am sional, hopes peat toareiscontinue expanding his team and referral a testament theyou lasting Agent Magazine cannot be held needs responsible for opinions expressed or facts itsclients, authors. to my clients’ without losing sight of supplied all ofbythe lightning speeds,toand haveret In addition, his team has a strong marketing program hout the journey,” he explains. and serving more happy clients.

“Every day, I wake up To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com. events fo moving parts.” clients. They run a very lationships she forms.aShe 360hosts view parties – everyand day.” to get the word outU.S. to potential Published in the em, whether they are buying grateful to be where I am. My passion for making my comprehensive marketing program that includes email her clients, “Any way I can be in touch, follow up with mes so close to his clients that clients happy has led me to rank in the top five percent them,first, and be she says. announcements, digital advertising and putting social media.

With a reputation for her clients it isa part no of their lives,” ® Top Agent Magazine rk with 2their extended family of REALTORS in Canada.”

They also utilize moreYvonne traditional methods, such as almost entirely on wonder runs her business to now help my clients’ adult brochure and post card marketing campaigns and of https://

www.

www.

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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Embracing Smart Homes:

Does New Technology Really Increase Home Value?

Technology and innovation move at a lightning-fast clip, so it can be hard to keep up with all the smart-home trends sweeping the market at a given time. From smart thermostats to security systems accessed through an app on your phone—there are endless options to customize and update your home for the modern era. But which, if any, of these smart home products add 4

value to property in a significant, worthwhile capacity? Especially with new generations of the same products released in quick succession, it can be hard to determine whether it’s worth it to take the plunge. With that in mind, we’ve conducted a deep-dive into the smart home options out there that make the most sense for your bottom line and real estate investments.

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Smart home amenities range in price and return.

There are certain smart home products that won’t break the bank while still adding lovely touches and time-saving features to your space. For instance, a smart thermostat may not run more than a few hundred dollars, but it can take so much of the guesswork and analog nuisance out of programming your home’s internal environment. That said, buyers selling properties with mid-range amenities like this can’t expect a windfall in return. While smart home features can certainly lure buyers and give the sense that a home is attractively modern (and thus move-in ready), it doesn’t mean that you’ll be reaping a sizable monetary reward for your foresight. Conversely, this reality doesn’t mean those smart options

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are without value entirely; it just means that the value of smart home options may be apparent in a different capacity, like luring a particular buyer or creating a desirable, sleek image for a property headed to market.

On the other hand, larger scale smart home amenities that are being left behind for the buyer—like a smart refrigerator or wired sound throughout the property—may be able to lure particular buyers who value high-end details. While it can be difficult to state definitively the value of smart home options, the rule tends to be that the more you put in, the higher the likelihood you’ll reap the investment you sow. Focus your smart home options on home appliances first, then work your way toward security, thermostat, and entertainment options.

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Smart home amenities capture the attention of buyers

Agents must know how to pitch the value of smart home options

Even if you have mostly opted for small or mid-range smart home options, you can still benefit from their presence in a property—even if they don’t inflate your bottom line as a result. Smart home amenities have the power to focus the attention of buyers, sending a clear signal that the previous owners were tech-forward and made an effort to upgrade the property for the contemporary era. Millennial or Gen Z buyers especially value these up-to-date modifications, and the presence of these desirable gadgets can create added interest and drive up value naturally. Likewise, featuring these options in listing photography can also drive interest from younger or high-end buyers looking for move-in ready spaces.

Remember that smart home features are relatively fresh to the market. While some new construction properties are equipped with these smart amenities, just as many homes on the market don’t offer these upgrades and modern flairs. This means that many buyers, of all ages even, aren’t familiar with the benefits and perks of these options, let alone how they’re operated. Before you can derive value from a smart home or smart home features, you’ll need to understand a product’s proper usage, cost, and benefits. Do your homework regarding what smart home features can offer in terms time or cost savings, and be able to show prospective buyers how easy these objects are to use, as well. Do both, and you’ll be in proper command of what smart home features can offer buyers and pitch them accordingly.

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RON McINTOSH Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Ron McIntosh is a Broker and International Team Builder with eXp Realty, where he leads a global team of more than 70 agents that spans not only from Canada to the United States, but also worldwide to nations like Mexico and India.

Throughout his life, Ron McIntosh has always been drawn to real estate.

After growing up in the business, he went on to launch his own real estate sign company, along with earning his Home Inspection and Mold and Air Quality certifications, which inspired him to pursue his own license in 2012.

From there, Ron would go on to author an accomplished career in the industry, building teams and recruiting hundreds of agents for some of the leading brokerages in Canada. Most recently, though, he decided to take his work to the next level and join the elite team at eXp Realty.

Today, Ron is a Broker and International Team Builder with eXp Realty, 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

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where he leads a global team of more than 70 agents that spans not only from Canada to the United States, but also worldwide to nations like Mexico and India. Alongside his business partner, Rhonda Camara, he has cultivated a boutique process to meet the demands of any transaction.

When listing a property, Ron prefers a comprehensive strategy. After helping

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his clients prepare for the market and providing them with a suite of professional photography services, he shares their listing via a targeted blend of digital and social media campaigns. He also leverages resources like 3D Matterport capturing, as well as his own worldwide network at eXp Realty, to ensure a seamless transaction throughout—no matter if theirs is a $2 million dollar listing or a $500,000 listing.

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“From a young age, I was taught that if you do the right thing and worry about your clients, the rest will fall into place,” he says. “That’s how I’ve always run my business: I put my clients first, and I apply those same principles to management and recruiting.”

This year, Ron expanded into new construction with Rhonda, assisting with the successful launch of a gorgeous waterfront condo overlooking the Kawarthas, as well as a ten unit townhome complex in the region. In his career, he has earned a fantastic reputation around the globe, with the entirety of his volume coming from repeat clients and referrals. Having completed over 100 transactions with Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

Rhonda in the last two years alone, he returns to the thoughtful approach that has consistently set him apart.

“From a young age, I was taught that if you do the right thing and worry about your clients, the rest will fall into place,” he says. “That’s how I’ve always run my business: I put my clients first, and I apply those same principles to management and recruiting.”

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Outside of real estate, Ron is dedicated to his community. On top of contributing to local fairs around Kawartha Lakes, he supports charitable organizations like the Boys and Girls Club.

When he’s not with clients or giving back, he can be found waking up early

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to go to the gym or spending quality time with his wife and four kids.

Ron has strong plans for the future of his business. Having recently garnered eXp Realty’s illustrious Ethics in Action award—out of a pool of over

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85,000 agents—he intends on expanding his team while scaling the core values that brought him to real estate in the first place. “As I always tell my clients: ‘Don’t worry, that’s why I’m

here,’” he says. “My goal is to set the bar high and exceed it. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more rewarding than delivering outstanding results for my clients and agents.”

Contact Ron McIntosh at (416) 801-9573, email ron.mcintosh@live.com or visit www.instagram.com/sambazzy1/ his website at ronmcintosh.exprealty.com https://

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Marisa Battaglini congratulates

Ron Mcintosh

on being featured for Canada in Top Agent Magazine!

MARISA BATTAGLINI Principal Broker 416-790-4120 647-895-8711 (mobile) marisa@sequoiamortgage.ca

sequoiamortgage.ca

https://

1 Sparks Ave, Suite 11, Toronto ,Ontario M2H 2W16

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mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

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Top Agent Magazine

5 Things You Can Do To Achieve Your Biggest Goals If there’s one thing successful people can agree on, it’s that setting goals has been key to their success. Whether you’re creating a five year plan or just settling on what you want to achieve by the end of the day, setting goals gives you the focus and direction you need to complete even the biggest tasks.

But there is a method to setting them. It’s a process that takes careful thought and conTop Agent Magazine

sideration up front, which is then combined with the hard work necessary to implement your plan. Luckily there are proven methods to goal setting that you can start using immediately.

1. MAKE YOUR GOALS SPECIFIC

Yes, it’s fun to think in grand terms of where you want to end up in life and in your career, but it’s better to have a specific

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Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. goal like “Increase my sales by 25%”, than “Get rich.” When a goal is clear and specific, it allows you to figure out the exact steps you need to take to accomplish it. The more general it is, the more paralyzed you might be when it comes to figuring out what to do since, the choices may be overwhelming.

2. MAKE IT ATTAINABLE

Making attainable goals might seem boring, I mean afterall, you want to dream big! But you don’t want to suffer through the disappointment of not reaching your goal, something that may not even be possible at this stage in your life to begin with. One solution to that is creating goal levels. You can have the dream goal, but underneath that you have the realistic goals that are setting up a foundation for achieving the big one.

Things that are attainable still take work and effort to achieve. Those small victories will keep you motivated and encouraged to go for the bigger dreams. And don’t forget, those little goals may have been things you wouldn’t have gotten done if you didn’t set out to achieve them, so be proud!

3. PUT A PLAN OF ACTION IN WRITING

Your plan of action should include daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. There is something about seeing things in writing and crossing them off the list that is oddly satisfying.The daily goals are especially

important in regards to building up those good habits. The first few weeks of your plan of action are critical when it comes to your long term success. Reaching a goal is something you are doing every day, all throughout the day, in numerous ways.

Achieving goals is all about creating good new habits.

4. MAKE IT MEASURABLE

This is key, since you definitely want to reward yourself for a job well done, and having a goal that is measurable in some way is a sure way to know. Maybe it’s to increase your lead generation or to cut expenses, whatever the case, have a measurable test you need to meet, as well as a time frame. Then calculate what you have to do to reach that goal. Not only should your goal be specific, but the plan and the measure of success should also be set in stone.

5. ADJUST AS YOU GO

You can have all the best laid plans, and you still might quickly realize that what you thought would help you reach your goal, might not be cutting it. Commitment to reaching your goals is good, but commitment to a plan you know isn’t going to work is not only a waste of time, but will be a devastating blow to your motivation.

Sticking to a plan everyday means adjusting it accordingly.

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KAMAL AMIRTHALINGAM With an entrepreneurial spirit and an endless desire to learn, Kamal Amirthalingam has found his calling as a real estate agent. He started his professional career in electronic engineering. “Working in the electronic field at the beginning was rewarding, but it did not quite give me the human touch. With plenty of disposable income I decided to invest in fixer-uppers. These projects gave me what I was missing,” he explains. He bought homes which he later flipped for a profit. Eventually, he decided to earn his real estate license in order to represent himself in his transactions. Kamal ended up helping his friends and family purchase and sell real estate, which inadvertently led to him growing a business and helping other clients. As time went on, Kamal fell in love with this industry, and found immense joy in assisting people in their real estate pursuits.

He decided to become a full-time REALTOR® several years ago, and now works as an empowered solo agent in the greater Toronto area.

Much of his business consists of repeat clients and referrals, as those who work with him are continually impressed by his talent. With his extensive background in flipping homes, he is able to share his ideas on home improvement projects and how to increase property values. He helps his sellers decide on possible renovations, as well as staging, so they can obtain the highest sales price possible. Having worked closely with mortgage brokers, Kamal can also link them with the right financing for their situation, ensuring the loan meets their needs. His vast network of vendors allows him to refer his clients to trusted professionals when they need them, which makes each transaction smooth.

Marketing is one of Kamal’s greatest assets, as he tends to each detail. Photos are taken with careful Top Agent Magazine

planning, as he wants every property to stand out. “I along with Professional Photographers ensure each photo is captured with adequate lighting,” he explains. When a property is listed, he reaches out to his database of potential buyers and other real estate agents, sending email marketing campaigns. “I call people who I know would be interested in a home, and I let them know what I have available,” he explains. He’s not afraid to go door-to-door in specific neighborhoods, keeping everyone in the loop about what’s happening. These strategies lead to homes selling for top dollar in record times.

Kamal spends his free time with family, attending his children’s events and activities. He loves exploring new things, new places as well. Kamal is also planning for his future, which includes growing his client base and continuing to provide high quality service to each and every person he encounters. He has undoubtedly found his dream career, and can’t wait to see what the future has in store. “I love seeing people happy. I am so passionate about making others smile and bringing them joy.”

For more about Kamal Amirthalingam, call 416-903-9999, visit getkamal.com or email kamal@getkamal.com www.

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LEE LANDER If you had told Lee Lander 15 years ago that she would be the #1 REALTOR® in her area, she never would have believed you.

But at the age of 37, Lee started her journey into the world of real estate and started a whole new career. It all started from a disappointing customer service experience Lee had that left her believing she could deliver something better.

“When our oldest daughter was starting university, we were looking for a place for her,” Lee recalls. “A friend referred me to an agent in the area, and the experience just wasn’t great. Now that I’m a REALTOR® I realize what a gift a referral that had their financing in place, knew what they needed and was going to re sell in 5 years was. My husband told me, ‘You should become a Realtor, you could do so much better!’ and within a few months, I was back in school at 37. School was never my thing, and going back was really overwhelming but I worked through it and got it done within 8 months. After I did my first deal, I was hooked! I loved the adrenaline rush of everyone being happy and feeling good, and knowing that I played a part in that.” Through an abundance of hard work and determination, Lee’s business took off, and the rest is history.

Lee now owns her own boutique brokerage, Lander Realty, and for the past 4 years she has been the #1 REALTOR® serving the East Gwillimbury area. An impressive 75-80% of Lee’s business comes from repeat and referral clients, a testament to the lasting relationships she forms. She hosts parties and events for her clients, “Any way I can be in touch, follow up with them, and be a part of their lives,” she says.

When it comes to marketing her listings, Lee takes what she calls a “paper and digital” approach, covering all the bases to ensure optimum exposure. That includes marketing on social media including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn, as well as on her own website. “We get a lot of hype around our listings,” Lee says. “The best way to market a property 18

doesn’t change no matter what market we’re in, so I have always done staging, pre-marketing, beautiful photos and videos to get listings out there.”

Lee loves giving back to her community, and she celebrated her 50th birthday by doing 50 acts of kindness.

“It was so fun! I learned so many things about needs in my community,” Lee says. She is also involved with Rose of Sharon, an association that helps young moms. Lee is also on the board of the local Chamber of Commerce. When she is not working, Lee enjoys health and fitness, travel, and spending time with her family, including her two grandsons.

Looking toward the future, Lee says, “I plan to keep growing my business and keep trying to do the best I can. We’re always looking at ways to revamp my clients’ experience, and at the end of every transaction I ask my clients what I did well and what I could have done better.” Even as she grows, Lee says she wants to stay a small boutique brokerage to preserve the client experience. “I don’t want to build a big team. I want be hands-on and help everybody the best I can, with the knowledge that I’ve gained doing hundreds of deals over 15 years. It’s never lost on me how blessed real estate has made our life, and I appreciate the people who have been brought into our lives and who trust me to be a part of their lives. It’s the best business ever!”

To find out more about Lee Lander, you can call her at 289-231-0937 or email lee@leelander.com. You can find her online at LeeLander.com www.

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Why Employee Appreciation Matters & Can Boost Your Bottom Line Attracting and retaining talent creates a positive working environment for your business, but it’s also good for your bottom line. When team members come and go constantly, your office becomes a revolving door, with no steady workforce, abiding company culture, or continuity for your clients. What’s more, breaking from your duties to post ads, interview applicants, and train new hires takes up valuable time—and time is money. Instead, creating a working environment with built-in Top Agent Magazine

perks and morale boosters makes everyone happy, including you as a leader. You’ll have fewer fires to put out or squabbles to referee if your employees are motivated, feel appreciated, and inclined to work together for the business’s greater good.

In that vein, let’s consider the concrete benefits of employee appreciation and how to apply these principles to your business in meaningful ways.

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What is employee appreciation and how do you enact it?

Whether built-in through perks and benefits or by hosting regular events, employee appreciation is about making your team feel valued and part of a whole. No one wants to feel replaceable or voiceless, so it comes down to this basic truth: employees who feel heard and appreciated invest more in their work and your business. Likewise, no one wants to hop jobs every six months.

Employees desire reliability and consistency in their work options, but they’ll be forced to move on to greener pastures if they don’t feel like their talents and contributions are recognized, or if there isn’t enough value to match their output.

By displaying gratitude through employee appreciation, you’re sending the message that your employees’ efforts are respected and considered integral to your operation’s success. Employee appreciation also sets the right tone for professional relationships in your office to flourish, which makes for better workflow and communication on an interpersonal level. Motivation and morale are closely tied to employee appreciation, so there is a clear symbiotic benefit to investing in your employees’ happiness in order to breed a happier, more productive work environment.

How do you make employee appreciation an active part of your business model? To start, keep it simple. Treat your employees to a bagel spread on a Monday morning to boost morale ahead of the workweek. Or, consider 20

an employee happy hour on a Friday, or a group lunch mid-week. Well-timed moments of generosity can lift spirits and signal your intuitiveness as a leader, while creating fuel for upcoming projects and deadlines.

If you want to take it to the next level, consider in-office perks from which your employees can derive value or morale. For instance, some offices allow employees to bring in their docile pets. Other offices keep the communal kitchen stocked with sparkling water, fresh fruit, and quality coffee to keep team members satiated. Maybe your office would benefit from a modern décor update, which might make for a more compelling, progressive workspace for your employees to enjoy. Whatever route you take, cultivating a positive office environment can extend employee appreciation on a daily, hands-on basis.

Perks and benefits are another way to build-in employee appreciation and demonstrate your investment in your team. Bike-to-work benefits, subsidies for public transportation or gym membership costs, or even supplying your team with their own smartphone—all demonstrate a company culture that’s focused on fueling your team’s morale and productivity.

While some of these steps may seem like a costly investment, the returns are unequivocal when it comes to lasting employee retention.

Turnover is a blight on your bottom line, so taking a proactive approach to employee appreciation can inspire a dynamic team, lead to a more positive work environment, and boost your financials for the long term.

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MAY GOLDBERG When May Goldberg was helping her parents find a new house, she became intrigued by the real estate industry. “I was calling and making appointments to see properties,” May explains. “And my dad one day told me I should look into becoming an agent, because I was enjoying it so much.” Her natural talent for negotiating and connecting with people is a great fit for this field, so it was no surprise that May’s business quickly grew after she earned her real estate license. Nearly 20 years later, May is thriving as an agent and loves assisting her clients in their real estate endeavors. “It’s something I’m so passionate about,” she explains. Serving the greater Toronto area (GTA) and surrounding regions, May goes above and beyond expectations, wanting to set her clients up for success.

“I have their best interests at heart,” she explains. “I never pressure them.” With her slogan ‘Helping You Make the Right Move,’ May is also not afraid to advise them against buying or selling if the moment isn’t right. “I treat my clients the way I would treat my friends and family.” Personable and approachable, May’s buyers and sellers trust her wholeheartedly, knowing she would never guide them in the wrong direction. Even if it means waiting years for a client to purchase a home, May is patient, understanding that this is likely the largest purchase they will ever make.

“I’m always there for them when they need assistance.

I just want to help them in any way I can, and they know that when they come to me for advice I’m going to be honest and real with them.” The foundation of May’s work is built on lasting relationships, with many people returning to her for real estate help multiple times. “There is a client of mine who has bought and sold with me six times, which then turned into multiple purchases as they then referred their parents, siblings and friends to me.”

When it comes to selling properties, May advertises listings thoroughly, so homes sell quickly and for a high Top Agent Magazine

price. One recent buyer/seller said, “May was our agent for both the sale of our current home (in 3 days), and the purchase of a new home. She is not only professional and knowledgeable as an agent, but also very personable and easy to work with. Thanks May for going above and beyond, and making this such a wonderful experience!”

May’s free time is spent practicing ballet and pilates, going for walks by the water, checking out new restaurants, and attending local events. She loves where she lives, and is always soaking up everything Toronto has to offer. “I think it’s so important to be out there making connections with people, it’s how I’ve built my business.”

The ultimate goal for May is to create a more autonomous business, with a team of agents in place that will deliver the same superior service as she does. She plans to expand her business by teaching people about investment properties and about the power of real estate.

“I would love to show people, especially women, the financial freedom they can attain through investing.”

To contact May Goldberg at Century 21 Fine Living Realty Inc., please call 416-689-SOLD, visit maygoldberg.com or email info@maygoldberg.com www.

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SHASHI JAIN When Shashi Jain immigrated to Canada in 2002, he was determined to carve out his own path. “I wanted to live up to the confidence and trust my family had in me,” Shashi explains. He started his journey selling products door-to-door, honing his marketing and customer service skills.

Shashi also earned his bachelor’s degree in engineering and his MBA in finance.

It was the combination of his past experience in finance and his education that led Shashi towards real estate. “I always wanted to be an entrepreneur,” he explains. “So I decided to earn my license 19 years ago.” Today he has his own team, serving the greater Toronto area, and has become part of the Super Elite Club at Homelife Canada. Shashi loves his buyers and sellers and will do everything possible to ensure their goals are achieved.

“I always focus on obtaining the best possible outcome for them,” he explains. “My business is built on a strong foundation of client referrals.” Those referrals pour in because of Shashi’s commitment to going above and beyond. He often becomes friends with them during the process, staying in touch with them after closing. “I am honest with them throughout the journey,” he explains.

“I support and guide them, whether they are buying or selling.” Shashi becomes so close to his clients that they often have him work with their extended family members. “I am starting to now help my clients’ adult children, nephews and nieces. It is great to work with generations of families.” When it comes to assisting his buyers, he walks them through every step, ensuring that they are confident with the entire process. Shashi provides them with all the knowledge and tools they need to make educated decisions. He attributes this nature to his love for his own family and aims to guide his clients as he would his loved ones.

One recent client raved, “I have known Shashi for over 18+ years. Shashi is absolutely wonderful to work with.

It is like having a friend on the inside that is working 22

for you. His knowledge and negotiation skills cannot be matched. He always goes the extra mile for his customers to get their dream home! I would highly recommend Shashi for all real estate needs.”

Sellers enjoy extensive marketing of their properties, with Shashi utilizing all the latest tools. He has a presence on social media platforms like facebook, Instagram and TikTok, where he posts information about new listings. “We send out targeted emails to buyers who are looking for specific properties, host open houses for agents before it’s listed, and more.” These innovative techniques result in his homes receiving multiple, top dollar offers.

Always thinking about serving his community, Shashi is an active supporter of local mental health initiatives through fundraising and mentoring. He hopes to educate upcoming generations about financial management and investing at an early age. For leisure, Shashi enjoys having movie nights with his family and loves to travel and try cuisines from around the world. As a professional, Shashi hopes to continue expanding his team and serving more happy clients. “Every day, I wake up grateful to be where I am. My passion for making my clients happy has led me to rank in the top five percent of REALTORS® in Canada.”

For more about Shashi Jain, please call 416-910-0742 or email 9100742@gmail.com Copyright Top Top Agent Agent Magazine Magazine

How to Make Your Commute Productive The highest caliber business owners and entrepreneurs utilize every minute of their day.

Though this may be a lofty goal, there are certainly ways to make our daily routines more efficient and productive. Consider the morning and evening commute—time blocks that are accounted for every day. For some of us, daily commutes may mean a lengthy drive through gridlock traffic, or perhaps just a quick fifteen-minute crosstown excursion. However short or long your commute may be, there are ways to maximize this component of your daily routine and reap the rewards.

With that in mind, take a look at some ideas below to inject some energy and productivity into your daily commute.

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Listen to the latest industry-centric podcasts or audiobooks Whether you drive, bike, walk, or take public transportation, a commute is the perfect time to tune into an industry-oriented podcast or audiobook as a way of building your skills or getting into the zone for the day. Instead of letting your commute time be passive, you can process insights from leading industry professionals, or develop your skillset on a topic you haven’t yet made time for. Perhaps you’d like to develop your social media presence, or maybe you’d like to tap into the millennial homebuyer market—whatever the case may be, there is audio material out there suited to your interests. What’s more, podcasts are free and easy to incorporate on your smartphone or

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tablet, and there are ample audiobook subscription services out there that make regular listenership cost effective.

Create a mental to-do list to get a head-start on your day, or to prepare for tomorrow Getting your thoughts in order with a straightforward to-do list can help you dive in once you make it to your desk, or serve as a conclusive mental routine to end your work day.

If you drive to and from work and don’t have your hands free, don’t fret. Speaking your to-do list aloud can help you detangle your thoughts and tasks by vocalizing them. You can also try breaking down your to-do list by verbalizing the day’s goals, the week’s goals, and the month’s goals as a way of structuring priorities. If your commute is hands-free, you can incorporate a variety of apps that serve as custom-made todo lists that’ll organizationally map your duties for the day. In either case, use your commute window to identify and name the tasks ahead of you, and you’ll be able to hit the ground running when the time comes to perform.

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Tend to your personal commitments and planning A productive commute can boost your professional performance, but it can also serve your personal growth and out-of-the-office responsibilities, as well. Perhaps you can think out and plan your meals for the week so that you don’t come home burnt out and with nothing in mind for dinner. Maybe you check in with a relative or partner and catch up for a spare twenty minutes.

Not only does this eliminate a few items off of your personal to-do list, it can actually give you a more focused mind at the office. If your personal life is in good order, you’ll be able to devote your full attention to work tasks.

As the old saying goes, there are only so many hours in a day. If you added up all the minutes spent commuting around town, how many hours would amount? Though the trek to and from the office is an engrained part of professional life, it doesn’t have to be a drag. Account for those spare commute windows in productive ways, and in only a month you’ll have devoted a significant portion of your time to bettering yourself as a person and a professional.

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TERRY DI FELICE From a young age, Terry Di Felice developed a passion for real estate. As soon as he turned 18, he starting taking classes to get his license while he was still in high school. Several years later, after graduating university, earning an MBA, and working for a multinational corporation, he made the decision to focus his career full time on the commercial side of real estate. Joining CBRE Limited in 1999, Terry’s first job was working with one of the senior people at the firm.

Within a year, he became the top earning Rookie agent across the whole of Canada. He’s now been at CBRE for 23 years and has built a team of people to support him as he serves the Greater Toronto Area.

With around 50% of his business coming from repeat clients and 30% coming from referrals, Terry has a strong network that fuels constant growth. “We provide a high quality service and stay in touch with our clients at every stage of the process,” he says. To educate and inform, Terry has created a program that includes brochures containing in-depth information about each property for sale. This includes pictures and an amenities map of the area they are interested in with the best restaurants, transportation methods, and major companies located nearby. “We try to give people a feel of the neighborhood with useful information that will help them make an informed decision.”

In addition, his team has a strong marketing program to get the word out to potential clients. They run a very comprehensive marketing program that includes email announcements, digital advertising and social media.

They also utilize more traditional methods, such as brochure and post card marketing campaigns and of course, they keep in touch with clients through regular phone calls. “Once a quarter, we send an email with market statistics, trends, transaction reports, and available listings,” explains Terry. “Our clients are educated throughout their transaction and beyond.”

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In his spare time, Terry spends time helping out in his community. He has been a volunteer hockey coach and soccer coach in previous years, and participates every year in The Princess Margaret Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer event where his team has been the top fundraising team raising over $1,000,000 for cancer research. Last year alone, his team raised over $200,000 for cancer research. Terry also spends a lot of time with his wife and three kids doing fun activities together like golfing, running, and exercising. They love to travel and be outdoors.

Each year, Terry’s team completes between 70-90 transactions. As he looks to the future, he hopes to continue growing his business, adding new junior people to his team along the way. “For anyone looking to get into real estate, the commercial side is a great business with a lot of freedom and a balanced lifestyle,” he says. “My favorite part is getting to meet and work with experienced business leaders on a day-to-day basis. At CBRE, you can be an entrepreneur within a corporate environment, blending the best of both worlds.”

To learn more about Terry Di Felice, call 416-495-6209 or email terry.difelice@cbre.com 25

YVONNE HUH, BROKER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, SALES Toronto REALTOR® Yvonne Huh knows much more about homes than their list price and square footage. After nearly 20 years in the industry, she can explain if and why houses are well priced or mispriced.

She can even explain why prices are usually higher on the west side of town.

“If you look at the data, home values on the west side are usually a little bit higher in every major city because of sun and wind patterns.” Yvonne knows her stuff, and she wants her clients to know theirs too. “I believe one of my biggest strengths is educating buyers and sellers”. She is sincere and forthright with her clients, which builds trust and confidence right from the beginning.

Along with education, Yvonne gives clients her individual focus. In every interaction and transaction, she puts herself in her clients’ shoes and provides sage and honest advice – advice that she would follow herself.

“I have two amazing assistants, but I prefer to deal with my clients directly, and that has been a winning formula for my business” she says. “I feel like the best way to provide white glove service consistently is to be attentive to my clients’ needs without losing sight of all of the moving parts.”

With a reputation for putting her clients first, it is no wonder Yvonne runs her business almost entirely on repeat business and referrals. “I am at that sweet spot in my career where my clients are upsizing, their parents are downsizing, and some of my clients now have children who are transacting in real estate.” In addition to social media marketing, Yvonne keeps in touch through emails and texts, along with more traditional methods. “I still call people. I still write letters. I send email newsletters, and I really enjoy getting to know my clients on a personal level. So, I visit them after they move in, and I also meet my clients for coffee or a meal. It is very important to be regarded as a source of valuable information and contacts when needed, whether or not they are moving at that particular time.” Yvonne’s philosophy is that the 26

transaction and relationship never end. Her clients know that they can count on her at any time. No hesitation whatsoever.

Yvonne uses “every single avenue” to get eyes on a listing. The Sotheby’s agent says the brokerage helps to facilitate this goal because Sotheby’s is really a technology company. The brokerage has a vast integrated network and can make connections all over the world via their 1,000 offices in 80 different countries.

New listing information is sent to every major business and real estate publication in the world within one day. In addition, the high brand visibility around the globe and captivating marketing enables listings to be beautifully and seamlessly showcased.

Whenever her clients move, Yvonne is right beside them to plan and strategize. She still has the same energy as day one of her career because “real estate is exhilarating” and she is energized by people. “Being experienced, flexible and extremely detail-oriented matters to the overall results. The little details contribute to a successful outcome because real estate moves at lightning speeds, and you have to run fast while having a 360 view – every day.”

Contact Yvonne Huh at 416.505.0153 email yhuh@sothebysrealty.ca or visit yvonnehuhrealty.com http://

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