Excellence in Real Estate 2023

EXCELLENCE REAL ESTATE in

2023 EDITION

Real estate is one of the most important investments you will make. And, as any prospective homebuyer knows, it’s key to have a trusted realtor by your side to navigate the everevolving and fast-paced housing market here in Vancouver.

In this year’s edition of Excellence in Real Estate, we highlight a group of Vancouver-based realtors that are making a lasting impact on the real estate landscape in Metro Vancouver and beyond. From

seasoned realtors to rising real estate stars, these profiles highlight their collective sense of innovation and commitment to meeting (and exceeding) their clients’ goals. Woven throughout these stories is a common thread of diversity and inclusion, with an emphasis on building multicultural, multilingual, and multigenerational real estate teams in order to service people from all walks of life in the journey of owning the home of their dreams. •

EDITORS NOTE

It’s key to have a trusted realtor by your side to navigate Vancouver’s ever-evolving housing market.

For inquiries regarding the next edition, contact David Chiew: 604.250.3025

Michelle Yu

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Big plans in store for RE/MAX Real Estate Services and Team Michelle Yu

The combined knowledge and expertise of Michelle Yu’s team exemplifies their success as leaders in the industry

Michelle Yu PREC has been one of Metro Vancouver’s real estate leaders for over 28 years. The brand Michelle Yu PREC has become synonymous in the successful purchase and sale of her client’s properties; she also has extensive expertise in land assembly for over a decade.

The award-winning RE/MAX realtor and her team have big plans to share for this year and for 2024.

“I am grateful to my teammates for our solid system and structure in place that reduces so much of my burden, “ says Yu, who gives credit to the talented people who she has shared their combined success and career paths with; some of whom for as long as 35 years in the same office. The combined knowledge and expertise in the office exemplifies their success as leaders in the industry.

Yu’s brokerage has the longest history of any RE/MAX in the City of Vancouver. It was first established in 1986 and located in Oakridge Centre, the location of the upcoming Oakridge Park. During the construction of the mega project, which is morphing the original shopping centre into a state-of-the-art shopping, residential, entertainment, and workspace, Yu’s office has moved out temporarily to the Kerrisdale area. In 2024, she and her team will move back into a posh new office space owned by Yu herself.

“Oakridge Park is located in the most central location in Vancouver, it’s a great office for clients to locate us as RE/MAX agents. We have a very knowledgeable managing broker. Not many real estate firms have such a sound environment, with an experienced managing broker and support staff available full time. It’s not easy to find, and we have the resources and support for agents to reach their next level of success.”

That leaves 2023 to gear up for the big move back ‘home’, but Yu is clearly up to the challenge of preparing this whole new workspace.

“There is much to do for this AAA strata office, including the interior design amd décor to create the best atmosphere for a productive work environment to call our second home.”

The new home will include the latest technology and amenities, such as the touchless automated door system, medical grade air filtration system, a community/ aquatic centre, medical offices, parks, a running track, and valet parking. “We need to make sure our team is taken good care of,” says Yu.

With a good work/life balance front and centre for most of us after a long pandemic, the perks of the new RE/MAX space makes it extra appealing. “Being a realtor is a stressful job, so it’s nice to have green space with nearby parks, shopping, restaurants, community centre, SkyTrain and library all close by,” she says.

Yu is excited to launch the RE/MAX Mentorship Program in 2023. “If you want to learn from the best, that’s us,” she says. “Top realtors can share their knowledge and experience with new agents or agents who want to take their business to the next level. We inspire each other and keep each other accountable.”

Yu says she is busy seeking out new agents who have the passion for real estate, who are keen to be successful, and ready to give back to the community. “I am looking for full-time realtors who take their career very seriously. We are interested in experienced, mature, and new agents.”

Yu’s brokerage currently has several top producers with expertise in residential, commercial, land assembly and pre-sell projects.

“They have the skills and experiences to share and will coach our new agents,” she says. “Our training, conferences and network opportunities are extensive at RE/MAX.

I have confidence that the quality of our realtors will make us the top office in Vancouver.” •

Suite 110, 3540 W 41 Ave

Vancouver. B.C. V6N 3E6

Team: 604.329.8228

Office: 604.263.2823

info@michelleyu.com

michelleyu.com

We have a very knowledgeable managing broker. Not many real estate firms have such a sound environment, with an experienced managing broker and support staff available full time.

MICHELLE YU, PREC BROKER OWNER

Anna Litvak Joseph

BC Prime Realty

Anna Litvak Joseph expands her team

Anna Litvak, founder and group leader at BC Prime Real Estate Group, has spent six years in the real estate business focused on helping families find their happy place, otherwise known as home sweet home.

Until last year, the team consisted of Litvak herself, her husband and fellow agent Tal Joseph, and realtor Svitlana Pelletier. However, recently, Litvak has added presale specialist Alyssa Bilous and licensed realtor assistant Natalie Haikin to her dedicated group of professionals, the latter strategically located in Langley, adding efficiency and value to clients who are located or looking to move to the Fraser Valley areas.

“I excel in providing real estate guidance for any newcomers to BC,” Litvak, a Medallion Club Member, says. “I’m passionate about helping them choose the right local lifestyle for their growing families. We understand all the aspects and inconveniences of selling a property, moving, and starting again in a new place, and we are here to make these transactions as smooth as possible.”

Litvak and her team are fluent in Russian, Ukrainian, Hebrew and English, which makes communicating much more comfortable for the many immigrant clients seeking a home in the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley areas. Moving to a foreign country is daunting enough without struggling to understand the language initially, as well.

“I am very professional and responsive in my approach,” Litvak says. “Having a team of five agents allows us to be there for all the showings, whether representing our sellers or our buyers, prepare offers in a fast and neat manner, negotiate multiple offers in strategic ways, be super responsive and fast, making the process very efficient, convenient, and easy for individuals and families, both sellers and buyers.”

In the last two years, Litvak wisely introduced in-person educational seminars for buyers and sellers alike in the languages they speak. The focus of each

seminar varies, and some are “geared to presales or investors, some are for first home buyers, or newcomers, and we offer free information for everyone,” she adds. “We bring in mortgage specialists or other professionals and provide with high quality informative content of the seminar’s topic. The more information our clients have, the better and more confident decisions they are going to make for their families.”

As a professional listing agent and a mother of small children herself, Litvak says she “knows how hard it is to list a house, declutter, keep it clean for showings, and consider the needs of every family member through this stressful process. We make sure we educate our clients on where their wishes and dreams are to move to first, know exactly the product and the prices they can move to after the sale, we do all the research for our clients on locations, seek out what’s new, where the catchment areas for school are, and the parks, etc. to make sure the delicate process of selling and buying and moving is very smooth.”

A realtor with compassion and first-hand experience with such a significant life change can only add value to the buying client’s experience and comfort level.

Investors looking to buy property also benefit from the presale expert on Litvak’s team, Ms. Bilous, who is fully immersed in that part of the real estate business and regularly brings updated information to clients, VIP access to projects, and well established realtordeveloper relationships.

Sellers benefit from the complimentary staging that is available and included in all the packages on offer through BC Prime, as well.

Generally, staging is offered at an additional charge with most realtors, but Litvak knows the value of doing things thoroughly, so gratis it is. Anna Litvak takes pride in the service she and her team provides, and it most certainly shows. •

From three members to five in the past year, this realtor is growing to support her clients even better

Having a team of five agents allows us to be there for all the showings, whether representing our sellers or our buyers, prepare offers in a fast and neat manner, negotiate multiple offers in strategic ways, be super responsive and fast.

ANNA LITVAK OWNER, BC PRIME REALTY

Navid Hakimi

Navid Hakimi Group

Diversity is the key to this Vancouver real estate team’s success

Navid

Navid Hakimi is a relative newcomer to the real estate business, but his success in just five years is impressive. As a Top 1% realtor in Greater Vancouver, plus Top 30 Under 30 with Remax Canada Wide, Hakimi is paving his way just fine.

“I always felt like I had a lot of potential, but it was wasted being an employee,” he says, referring to his prior career in banking and customer service after graduating from BCIT’s business administration and analytics program. “I never felt appreciated in any way, so I thought I would start my own business, to meet and exceed my own expectations, and my clients.”

The Navid Hakimi Group’s office is located in West Vancouver, but the team casts a wide net by serving clients in Greater Vancouver and on the North Shore. With a focus on single-family houses, including townhouses and condos, Hakimi’s growing team consists of a mix of realtors.

“I am proud and selective of the individuals I have on my team,” he says. “I am big on diversity and respecting all cultures. Let’s say we have a listing in Surrey; I’ll work alongside my colleague who is fluent in Hindi and Punjabi. We are trying to serve a variety of clients from different ethnicities and locations, and make sure we understand what they need.” Hakimi goes on to explain, “it’s not just about the language differences, it’s about the cultural differences of our buyers and sellers. I believe that’s what sets us apart from other teams.”

Some say the key to success in business is to put yourself in the passenger seat, rather than the driver’s seat. “I negotiate

more for my clients,” says Hakimi. “I always try to think of every transaction as if it was my own, my family’s, or other people I care about. My Google reviews are never short of five stars. My background and education are paying off and I feel good about what I am doing and am in the right place.”

Confidence seems to be a strong attribute of Hakimi’s. “I secured a property for a client the other day, and he left a Google review in Farsi about everything I helped him with,” he says. “The client had real estate experiences back in Iran and here in Canada, but he thought what I offered him was very different, and he was very comfortable.

He felt like I was unbiased and shared the good and bad about every option so he could make an informed decision.”

Hakimi’s first language is Farsi, and he is fluent in English as well, which comes very much in handy when working with newly located Persians, and selling homes through the generations, where both languages are often spoken. “Not everyone thinks about diversity, and we bring a lot to the table. That is very important to me.”

The Hakimi team follows current market trends, and new areas that are being developed for their clients which may provide investment opportunities.

Married and living in North Vancouver, Hakimi is involved in his community and “does a lot of sponsorship, supporting what is important in cultural events and to give back,” he says. “Annual events in our community struggle without financial support, so I am selective with supporting causes where it is aligned with my values.” •

I am big on diversity and respecting all cultures. We serve a variety of clients from different ethnicities and locations, and make sure we understand what they need.

NAVID HAKIMI OWNER

Hakimi Group is big on proudly representing the cultural differences and strengths of their team members and clients alike

Carmen Leal

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Elevating expectations, that’s what you can expect from award-winning realtor Carmen Leal

Specializing in purchasing and selling residential real estate and investment properties, Carmen Leal has set herself apart in Vancouver’s competitive real estate field through her unrivalled work ethic, meticulous attention to detail, and deep understanding of the local housing market.

She has satisfied customers all across the lower mainland: Downtown Vancouver, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, East Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam which included detached, attached residence and working with small boutique developers. As someone who was born and raised in Vancouver and has lived in the downtown Vancouver core for the past 20 years, Leal has extensive knowledge of Vancouver’s diverse and ever-changing neighbourhoods and communities and will take the time to ensure each client finds the perfect location.

As a multiple award-winning realtor, Leal has received recognition as one of the top 10% of Greater Vancouver Realtors; Award of Excellence 2015 - 2017, 20212022; Sales Achievement Award 2014, 2018 – 2020, among other notable nods. Her dedication is evident not only within the Real Estate world but also with the people she works with. Finding the perfect home for her clients and getting the maximum is her top priority.

Leal’s quick rise to success stems from her client-focused approach and unique ability to grasp her client’s needs and vision for purchasing or selling their home. As a natural and firm negotiator, she strives to exceed her client’s expectations. She is experienced in working with new and resale home buyers, sellers, seasoned real estate investors, and local boutique developers.

Leal believes her strong points include educating clients and guiding them through the entire real estate buying process and the unique and creative way she markets each home; while

negotiating real estate contracts to achieve her client’s goals.

“After years of successfully dabbling in real estate, buying and selling several homes myself, I decided to share my knowledge by becoming a realtor,” she explains.

That was 11 years ago.

Equally important to her rise in the industry, Leal was drawn to real estate because of her father who was a structural engineer in Vancouver and uncle who was a local developer south of Spain, both of whom were highly successful in their careers who educated her on the ins and outs of investments, development/ construction. That, she believes, gives her a unique take on real estate.

“I approach real estate a little differently,” she describes. “Each home has its unique story, which I weave into cinematic lifestyle films that speak to a particular home’s story.”

Prior to joining Macdonald Realty Ltd., this dynamic professional enjoyed a 13year career in creative sales management before earning her Real Estate Licence at UBC Sauder School of Business.

Are you ready to sell your home? Leal’s enthusiastic, single-minded focus on helping her clients achieve their real estate goals is her passion. With Leal, clients benefit from a real estate team with a proven track record and the most current tools, including social media and stunning cinematic lifestyle films offering creative tours of clients’ homes, as well as strategies and analysis to ensure she achieves timely success for each client.

Born of Spanish descent, Leal is bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish and pleased to serve her clients in both languages.

When not working hard for her clients, she enjoys nature, hiking, running along the Vancouver seawall, traveling and spending quality time with family and friends. •

I approach real estate a little differently. Each home has its unique story, which I weave into cinematic lifestyle films that speak to a particular home’s story.

CARMEN LEAL

Carmen Leal is a captivating personality, savvy business woman, passionate realtor

Alex Yao

Personal Real Estate Corporation

This RE/MAX Hall-of-Famer puts families at the top of the list

We are all human,” says Alex Yao. “In this business, that comes first. That’s how you strive in it.”

Yao is an award-winning realtor and top performer specializing in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, and Coquitlam. Yet, accolades and achievements aside, the personal and professional act of being of service to his clients is the most rewarding component of his career.

Before being in the real estate business in Vancouver for the past seven years, Yao spent ten years in the 5-star luxury hotel sector. After studying hospitality at Glion in Switzerland, graduating as valedictorian, and then being headhunted by the Four Seasons Hotel brand, Yao travelled the globe learning much about how to meet the expectations of highincome, high-net-worth individuals. Does he bring the skills honed from those ten years into his present career as a realtor here in B.C.? “Absolutely,” he says. “Any business these days is a human business, and to be able to foresee the needs and requirements of clients, to be able to pinpoint those right away - have been key to my success.”

Yao values the opportunity to initially sit and talk with his clients during a discovery meeting and “just be genuine,” he says. “In the hospitality industry, we learned to simply be ourselves, not to be anything other than just us, so we are more reachable, if you will and have empathy.”

“I deal with mostly families, and I like to help people not just buy one thing or sell one thing,” Yao describes. “I manage the whole moving experience, lining up all the dates, dealing with all the intricacies of both or more properties, all that’s required - a one-stop shop in that sense.”

Yao’s network includes mortgage brokers, wealth advisors, private bankers, stagers, home inspectors, cleaners, notaries, and lawyers. Whatever a client needs to make their real estate buying or selling smoother, he can provide.

At RE/MAX, Yao realizes the name carries significant weight as a trusted, respected real estate brand with his clients. “Although our marketing system is proven to net our clients the highest possible amounts, we understand that not all real estate transactions are moneyforward,” he says. “Sometimes you have other needs that may surpass the dollar, which we can also tailor our services to.” Yao recognizes his strengths and what he offers professionally and that some parts of the transaction are best left to his clients.

“I have a very analytical mind, much more than a creative mind,” he says. “I read a lot of numbers, a lot of news, and see how the market reacts. I have been pretty accurate in my predictions. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I have a good feel for the market, better than most. I like that I can utilize that to help my clients and ask them to handle the emotional part - so we can collaborate.”

That ‘emotional part’ comes down to a number of factors deemed best for any family. Timing, location, funding, the feel of a home, “that is all up to them. That is the emotional part,” says Yao. “Then I will give you all the other tools you need to make the best decision. The quickest, easiest way to get there I can help with.”

Fluent in three languages: English, Cantonese and Mandarin, Yao can easily shift gears between conversations with clients, including multi-generational families. For the past few years, he’s developed a friendship with a client whose elderly parents recently needed to sell the house they built in the 50s. The home that three generations of families grew up in. On the last day, after selling and packing it all up, the extended family gathered in the front yard to reminisce.

“I showed up with a watercolour painting of their house, and the mom just burst out into tears,” Yao remembers. “That felt really good – just to understand what’s important.” •

I manage the whole moving experience, lining up all the dates, dealing with all the intricacies of both or more properties, all that’s required - a one-stop shop in that sense.

ALEX YAO

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

Diane Wang

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Award-winning Greater Vancouver realtor is driven by passion

Like a successful matchmaker uniting the perfect couple, a top-notch REALTOR finds you your ultimate dream home. Diane Wang takes this profound responsibility to heart, and she does so extremely well.

A dynamic real estate professional, Diane has recognized that success in this highly competitive industry means offering the best possible service tailored to each client’s best interests and needs.

“I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve their unique real estate goals and am committed to ensuring open communication with straightforward advice,” affirms Wang.

Prior to becoming a REALTOR, Diana worked initially for a large developer in China 1999-2003 and then immigrated to Manitoba where she obtained her Bachelor of Commerce degree and an MBA. She gained a position as a Financial Analyst with the Parkland Health Authority 2010-2012, moving back to China and working for the Canadian Embassy there 2012-2013. Fluent in both Chinese and English, she was offered a career opportunity in Canada that appealed to her desire for challenge and adventure. In 2014, she moved to Vancouver, BC and became employed at the Royal Bank of Canada until 2015, when she launched her career as a realtor. Wang was drawn to real estate because she loves helping people, both financially and spiritually. She had found her niche. In 2018, this female dynamo founded the Diane Wang Personal Real Estate Corporation and Pacific Broadway Holdings company, serving buyers and sellers of luxury properties, single family homes, townhomes and condominiums in the Greater Vancouver area and Fraser Valley.

“I specialize in relocations, including settling immigrants into comfortable new environments that suit their varied and specific needs,” Wang explains.

As a realtor for less than a decade in BC, Diane continues to break barriers and

records, and was recently inducted into the Real Estate Board’s MLS Medallion Club for 2021 and 2022 as one of the top 10% of all realtors in Greater Vancouver. Wang’s achievements are impressive, including being a Top 25 award winner for 2022 at Royal Pacific Realty Group, the largest Independent Real Estate Brokerage in Western Canada, and receiving the Royal Pacific Chairman’s Club Award for total commissions earned annually. Her secrets to rapid acceleration in the industry are her Chinese and Canadian exposures, advanced education, a strong work ethic, extensive knowledge, and collaborations with powerful teams of colleagues and loyal clientele.

A self-professed “people person,” Wang recognizes that being the best in the industry demands effective negotiating skills, integrity, honesty, reliability and eager, sincere cooperation as a team player.

Testimonials from numerous customers reiterate that Diane listens extremely well, is detail-oriented, hard working with great interpersonal skills, and continuously strives to offer the highest level of service coupled with her innate problem-solving abilities.

Diane maintains a healthy work-life balance by managing time to enjoy activities with family and friends. When she isn’t hard at work for her clients, she is walking, exercising, skating, golfing, doing yoga, watching movies, or listening to music.

Ready to sell your home? If so, Diane Wang will devote her enthusiastic drive to achieve your specific real estate goals. This is her passion. At Diane Wang Personal Real Estate Corporation, clients benefit from an award-winning real estate group with a proven track record and the most current competitive tools, including social media marketing and stunning, comprehensive video tours of your home, as well as strategies and analysis to ensure timely success for every client. •

I am dedicated to helping my clients achieve their unique real estate goals and am committed to ensuring open communication with straightforward advice.

DIANE WANG, PREC OWNER, DIRECTOR

Diane Wang continues to break barriers and records as one of the regions top real estate agents

Ronn Diaz

Revolutionizing real estate through the power of storytelling

Discover the art of luxury home selling with Ronn Diaz

Being one of the top 10% of realtors in Greater Vancouver, Ronn Diaz became a realtor with one great goal in mind.

“Through the means of storytelling, I want to simplify the process of selling a property for my clients– which otherwise can be very overwhelming for nonprofessionals to maneuver,” he explains.

As a member of Angell Hasman & Associates Realty, an industry leader in marketing the Lower Mainland’s most exclusive properties, Diaz specializes in the luxury real estate market in the Fraser Valley. He loves being part of the home selling journey of clients that are selling in the White Rock-South Surrey and Langley areas.

“I love what I do and with every new day I strive to become better at it,” says Diaz. He considers his attitude to be his biggest strength. “I have a strong energy towards my job and my clients see that. I’m extremely passionate and straight up obsessed with real estate and I want to be the most skilled agent I can be.”

Bringing properties and their spaces to life

The purpose of Diaz’s storytelling as a realtor is to bring each property to life and to help prospective buyers envision how the property can accommodate their ideal daily lives; this property could become the dream home they have been searching for all along. “It is about the stories these spaces can tell, the lifestyle they offer, and the potential they hold,” he says.

“I don’t just sell homes – I sell lifestyles, dreams, and aspirations,” continues Diaz. “The luxury market is not just about square footage or bedroom counts—it’s about selling a vision of life at its most refined.”

Diaz has a background in acting and he draws on those skills in order to create

compelling and informational stories about the properties. Diaz’s personal interactions with his clients are very important to helping him understand their needs and tailor a specialized marketing approach to advertise their homes effectively. Additionally, he frequently creates videos as an important medium of storytelling to highlight the unique features of his clients’ properties and draw in prospective buyers.

“I aim to be descriptive in my videos. I want to guide my clients with straightforward information,” he says. By producing and sharing videos on his website and social media profiles, Diaz showcases his unique marketing approach.

Top-notch quality

Diaz’s videos speak for themselves: they are excellent quality, credible, informative, often funny, and they receive a high number of clicks. Whenever one of Diaz’s clients decides to buy or sell a property, the real estate advisor then creates personalized videos, flip charts, and checklists. “I want to be as transparent as possible and advise my clients at each step throughout the process. I want to make the process of selling a home a fun experience,” he says.

Diaz is a distinguished realtor who puts his own spin on real estate. Transparency, integrity, authenticity, and commitment to his clients’ satisfaction are highly important to him. His profession is more than a job.

“Being a real estate consultant isn’t just a job, it’s a calling and a privilege. When I succeed in helping my client, I feel beyond fulfilled,” he says, adding “It gives me purpose. It gives me fuel.”

To get in touch with Ronn Diaz, visit his website at ronndiaz.com, call 778-8223429, or email ronn@ronndiaz.com. •

I don’t just sell homes – I sell lifestyles, dreams, and aspirations. The luxury market is not just about square footage or bedroom counts — it’s about selling a vision of life at its most refined.

RONN DIAZ

Graeme Lin

Vancouver realtor serves clients by bringing previous architecture experience into real estate

With a keen eye for spotting a building’s good bones and a passion for helping people move their biggest asset in life, Graeme Lin, a former architect technologist, has made a name for himself in the Vancouver real estate market “

Ihave a love and passion for helping people move their biggest asset in life,” says Graeme Lin Personal Real Estate Corporation.

Lin’s journey into real estate began in 2014 when a friend from high school asked him to join him while he looked at houses on the market.

Thanks to Lin’s inherent feel for the real estate market, his knowledge of the East Vancouver neighbourhood where he grew up, and his conversational style with other interested buyers, Lin quickly realized he had a talent for the real estate market. He got his real estate license in just four months while still employed at an architectural firm, and soon after made the best decision for himself and his clients by switching careers.

Lin spent the first few years in his early career with RE/MAX, and then joined Oakwyn Realty four years ago, a firm established in 2013 by a top producing real estate agent. Lin says the team is supportive and Oakwyn is “one of the fastest growing brokerages in Vancouver.” Specializing in condos and detached homes, Lin’s experience as an architect technologist brings value to his clients, especially first-time buyers. “I look at facades, whether or not buildings are kept well, and the bones,” he says. “I was always on the construction and technical side so I see things from that angle.”

For the past four years, Lin has partnered with real estate agent Violet Chen and has just registered as a team. They divide the work and take on different tasks

to provide full-time support to their clients. With Lin speaking English and Cantonese and Chen speaking English and Mandarin, their two-for-one team approach has proven successful.

Lin’s dedication to serving his clients, regardless of price point, sets him apart from many others. “I like to help however I can, and it doesn’t matter what price point. If I take a client on, I serve them, and they are all equal to me,” says Lin, with conviction.

He comes from an East Vancouver family that invests in property, and has a deep understanding of the importance of real estate as an investment.

“An old saying from my family is that real estate is always the best investment,” Lin says. “You can’t go wrong with real estate. Housing can go down but always rebounds. Vancouver is ranked as one of the best places in the world to live.”

Lin’s passion for helping first-time homebuyers is evident in the time he takes to educate them on the market and the process. “When they finally get to move into that home, that feeling in helping someone purchase is pretty great,” he says. It’s clear that Lin’s expertise in architecture technology and his commitment to his clients sets him apart from the rest. He serves his clients with care and attentiveness, ensuring that every purchase or sale is a success.

No matter how big and small the business, the joy from being able to help others with his knowledge and experience is the anchor of his motivation in life. •

An old saying from my family is that real estate is always the best investment, you can’t go wrong with real estate. Housing can go down but always rebounds. Vancouver is ranked as one of the best places in the world to live.

GRAEME LIN, PREC BROKER

Personal Real Estate Corporation

Brian Higgins

Setting a new standard for Vancouver’s Real Estate industry

Standing out in Vancouver’s real estate market is not easy with plenty of firms in the business. But YVR Global Real Estate team has found a way to successfully establish themselves in a highly competitive industry. Their secret: expertise and global outreach.

“Real estate can be done right or not. Who you choose as a realtor can have a huge impact,” says YVR Global Real Estate founder and CEO Brian Higgins, who was born and raised on the North Shore.

He remembers his good fortune at the beginning of his career when he chose Prompton Real Estate, as it is under the umbrella of Concord Pacific’s group of companies, Canada’s largest community builder. Along with the incredible construction knowledge bestowed to him by Tony McGill the co-founder of ITC construction group, Higgins truly knows the ins and outs of high-rise construction.

Clients benefit from YVR Global’s expertise

With Higgins’s important education –which he has imparted to his colleagues at YVR Global – his firm possesses a profound tool. This valuable knowledge allows YVR Global to speak to their clients with a deeper understanding of housing assets. “My colleagues and I can deliver fundamentally sound information that clients do not find elsewhere,” he says.

“When I help clients to find their dream property, sharing my knowledge with them has been an important part of my business philosophy. I want them to know everything there is to know about the asset in order to provide them with the information they need to make the best decision,” says Higgins.

The collective at YVR Global has over 25 years of real estate experience and an

extensive network that reaches beyond the industry. “Through our network, YVR Global has access to certain expertise that often makes a difference in our business.” The network also helps YVR Global to offer comprehensive services from a range of professionals to clients. “This is another part of our philosophy: providing an all-round carefree package that our clients can enjoy,” he says.

Through our network, YVR Global has access to certain expertise that often makes a difference in our business. The network also helps YVR Global to offer comprehensive services from a range of professionals to clients.

BRIAN HIGGINS FOUNDER and CEO

An

international outlook

and a deep understanding of localized submarkets

According to an estimate from the United Nations, from 2023 Vancouver’s metropolitan population is expected to grow by more than 0.90% annually. That means over 177,000 more people will live in Metro Vancouver by 2030 than in 2023.

“Vancouver is becoming a global city and with a significant population growth over the next few years and a more diverse community, its international influence will increase as well,” Higgins says. “This is why we have established ourselves as global experts in the real estate business. It gives us a thorough understanding of what our international clients want and the expertise to cater to those needs to the most satisfactory degree possible.”

As much as YVR Global operates on an international scale, the collective of realtors also has excellent expertise on the plenty of submarkets in the Metro Vancouver area.

“Our real estate firm delivers consistent production throughout the ups and downs of the market cycles. With decades of studying the many different micro-markets in the Vancouver real estate business, we aim to predict risks in order to mitigate those for our clients,” explains Brian. •

With an international outlook, deep knowledge and local roots, YVR Global is redefining Vancouver real estate

Matt and Adam Scalena

Real estate brothers take Vancouver by storm with award-winning podcast and thriving business

Business partners and team leaders that happen to be brothers, Matt and Adam Scalena have had successful careers in real estate for years but have an interesting service that most certainly sets them apart.

“What is unique about our situation is that we have been building our real estate team for more than a decade, but in 2016 we started our Vancouver Real Estate Podcast that we host weekly,” says Matt. The brothers share an interest in city planning and zoning, “and the culture that makes Vancouver tick. Our backgrounds have helped develop our podcast, where we bring on people every week to talk about all things real estate.”

The Scalenas’ goal is to position themselves as real estate professionals, “with a deep understanding of the market that gives us a competitive advantage with sellers and buyers,” says Adam.

With high profile guests like David Eby, Tom Davidoff, and Colin Bosa chiming in on the Greater Vancouver real estate market, offering their perspective and valuable information, the weekly podcast has 30,000 – 40,000 listeners per month.

“We want to have an ongoing conversation about how the city is developing,” says Matt. “The benefit for us is that it has connected us to major players in the city, and significantly helped our business.”

The podcast has been very successful, with an impressive list of accolades. It has had over a million downloads, over two hundred positive reviews, is consistently featured in top business on iTunes Canada, and holds a place in the top one percent on Spotify’s podcasts. However, the “biggest thing is that we

have remained a top producing real estate team while we are producing this awardwinning show, at the same time,” says Adam. No easy feat, and clearly demonstrates the passion and commitment the Scalena brothers have to their clients.

Does the podcast generate business? Absolutely. “I think it’s partly because people have been listening to us for a while, in the car or at the gym and feel like they know us a bit. We are approachable hosts, friendly, just ordinary, everyday guys who live and breathe real estate, and our industry experience is evident. They like the show and see it adds value, and often people say it resonates with them and they want to work with us after listening,” says Matt.

Have there been any copycats? “Plenty!” laughs Adam. “There are a lot of generalist podcast shows out there, but what was unique about ours was that it is niche focused just on Vancouver, the Lower Mainland.

Matt adds, “we love Vancouver, and we love real estate. We thought we would run out of things to talk about on the show but that has never happened,” he laughs. “It’s far reaching, and never gets boring. We are standing on the shoulders of giants, talking to leading developers and investors that have five hundred plus revenue properties. Leading economists, urban planners, politicians, plus real estate strategy for buying and selling from our experience of selling hundreds of homes in this market.”

For more information, visit https://www.scalenarealestate.com/ or listen to their podcast at www.vancouverrealestatepodcast.com. •

1286 Homer St

Vancouver B.C. V6B 2Y5

Adam: 778.866.4574

Matt: 778.847.2854

scalenarealestate.com

MATT SCALENA

Matt and Adam Scalena’s niche podcast connects with 30,000 – 40,000 monthly listeners and boosts real estate success

We are standing on the shoulders of giants, talking to leading developers and investors that have five hundred plus revenue properties. Leading economists, urban planners, politicians, plus real estate strategy for buying and selling.

Kulbir Anant

Personal Real Estate Corporation

This agent guarantees stress-free real estate experience

With an impressive tenure in the real estate industry, Kulbir Anant has honed his expertise to perfection. Anant’s business strategy places great emphasis on answering questions, recognizing that an informed client is a satisfied client. “The more my clients know about the property, the building, and the neighborhood, the better,” explains Anant. By ensuring his clients are well-versed in property details, building nuances, and neighborhood insights, Anant elevates the real estate experience to a whole new level.

Anant’s distinctive business approach towards real estate is deeply rooted in his professional background. Embarking on his entrepreneurial journey at just 23, he established and successfully operated multiple education centers in both the vibrant Lower Mainland and the scenic Fraser Valley.

This rich experience instilled in him a strong foundation of effective communication, a genuine passion for helping others, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service in the real estate realm. “It taught me how important it is to cater to everyone’s different needs. It taught me to be patient and to be a good listener, and how to be accountable in my job,” Anant remembers.

Keeping clients informed builds trust

Trust seems often to be the ingredient clients are actively looking for in a Real Estate consultant – and often to no end as Anant noticed. “Buying Real Estate is not as easy as ‘I like it, I buy it’. Many factors decide whether a property is suitable or not and many factors are even unknown to the client. I have experienced, in those moments, that clients appreciate an honest evaluation of the property on

hand,” says Anant. Anant describes himself as a person who loves to educate as well as to learn. He says that capitalizing on every lesson throughout his life made him a better person and a better Real Estate agent. He emphasizes: “Working as an educator teaches you a lot about ethics and I have incorporated that into my business philosophy: I am a real estate consultant who is committed first and foremost to listen to and understand my client’s needs. My goal is always to build strong relations based on trust.”

Kulbir Anant wants to guide his clients

Anant has a genuine interest in guiding his clients and helping them find the property they have dreamed of. This isn’t always a quick process, as the market has its cycles. He recalls that a few clients’ quest to find the right property took more than three years. “The last two years have been unprecedented times in the Real Estate business,” Anant says “and if no suitable property is available at a given time, it is better to wait.” However, Anant understands that his clients’ time is valuable and once the right property is up for sale, he knows how to get his clients ahead of others. “My message is clear: I am helping and supporting my clients in their wish to either sell or buy a property as if it were my own property,” he underlines.

When working with clients, Anant works in a way that his clients will remember him years after buying or selling a property. The reason why clients choose him over others is because he acts like a family member and wants to be remembered as one; to be remembered as the helping hand that made all the difference in his clients’ dream of owning or selling their property. •

My message is clear: I am helping and supporting my clients in their wish to either sell or buy a property as if it were my own property.

KULBIR ANANT

Kulbir Anant offers a communicative and transparent approach to real estate

REW A glimpse into the future

May 4th marked a significant milestone for our team at REW. After weeks of planning, the air was filled with anticipation as we gathered to celebrate and introduce the evolution of the REW Studio, along with the unveiling of a highly-anticipated project that has been a year in the making. Together, we’re about to embark on an extraordinary adventure to redefine the real estate industry.

It was a night to remember. Picture this: you find yourself amidst the grandeur of the Vancouver International Film Centre, surrounded by 150 of Vancouver’s most esteemed agents. With a drink in one hand and a delectable canapé in the other, you eagerly await the unveiling of REW’s top-secret project. You step into the theater and see the REW logo casted brightly across the red curtain. You find your seat and Monika Rau, Director of Partnerships at REW, warmly welcomes you, signaling the start of an unforgettable night.

Introducing REW Studio

When it comes to real estate content, Canadian homeseekers and agents alike have told us that they are drowning in a sea of sameness. But we believe that real estate should be one of life’s great adventures - and that the greatest adventures deserve the greatest stories. And that’s why our REW Studio creatives ingest far too much coffee each morning: to keep the same-same wallpaper inside the properties where it belongs, and produce original, compelling, painstakingly-crafted and truly human content and experiences that are impossible to forget.

Celebrating Vancouver’s best real estate guides

Now, you may be wondering what this big screen event was all about. We were thrilled to finally unveil a project that has consumed us for over a year. Through blood, sweat, and (only a few)

tears, we proudly presented the preview to the three pilot episodes of our new, all-original content series, Real Tours — a show dedicated to authentically showcasing Vancouver’s top real estate agents and hottest markets.

This premiere served as an exclusive preview screening of the pilot episodes before their official launch this summer (stay tuned for more on that), and to signal the start of many exciting partnerships with some of Vancouver’s finest real estate agents.

An Ode to our Partners – Past, Present, and Future

This experience allowed us to express our deep appreciation in person for all our partners, both past and present. We extend a special thank you to the trailblazing realtors, Chantal Vignola, Adina Dragasanu, and Casey Reynolds, who played a pivotal role in bringing Real Tours to life. We are immensely grateful for their partnership and willingness to take a leap of faith to create something amazing that ultimately led us to where we are today – planning the official Real Tours Season 1.

The three pilot episodes of Real Tours will premier this July on REW.ca with Season One of Real Tours dropping this September.

About REW

We believe that real estate should be one of life’s great adventures. We also believe that a more personal real estate experience can help people to navigate and master their own real estate adventures. This comes to life in great digital experiences and valuable content. That’s REW. And that’s the adventure that our CREW, homeseekers, real estate professionals and partners set out on with us every day. Whether you’re buying, selling, investing, looking for a great agent or simply looking, we’ll help guide you no matter where this real estate adventure may take you. •

110 W 2 Ave

Vancouver, B.C. V5Y 1C2

1.888.712.3607

info@rew.ca

rew.ca

REW is already BC’s biggest platform for real estate search but we aim to be so much more than that – we want to be the ultimate guide in people’s real estate adventure. What this means to us, is bringing together the best content, the best search experience and the best experts for your real estate journey.

SIMON BRAY PRESIDENT, REW