For condo home buyers and sellers who want to "go with a winner", I'm proud to report that I remain a top Realtor with Discover Real Estate, which is Calgary's second-largest brokerage, and a home-grown brokerage, at that. In the number of affiliated Realtors, Discover follows CIR, and places well ahead of ReMax Central.
While I strive for quality service rather than business volume, my clients keep calling back and having friends and family call me, consistently putting me among the top 10 Realtors at my office. A while back--in 2005--I accomplished top-Realtor status with my brokerage at that time, Realty Executives-Chinook City. With about 60 Realtors on the roster there was real competition to come out #1, but it confirms that serving and protecting clients as they buy and sell homes brings increased business and success.
Word-of-mouth recommendation by clients to friends, of course, is how busy Realtors stay busy. When clients know that their needs were understood and their objectives were achieved, they tell their friends to enjoy the same experience and pass on a business card or a web-site address. So while there are 5,000 real estate agents in Calgary, only a few hundred seem to enjoy a full calendar, as new clients line up on the recommendation of earlier clients.
Earning on-going referrals comes through concrete steps on behalf of those buying or selling a condo home, and listening is the first step. Be they Realtors or show-home sales people, many talk too much, when what is needed is to listen to the client's needs, wants, and concerns. Next, product knowledge and specialization are vital. We don't use a condominium Realtor to shop for a rural acreage property, so I'd not retain an acreage-specialized Realtor or a house-only Realtor when you're buying or selling a condo home.
A consumer-protection approach on behalf of clients is then my creed for shopping, making an offer, and helping clients take possession of their condominium homes. Even in selling, this approach protects those who might otherwise sell a condo home without a disclosure that could come back to haunt them after the buyer takes possession. Condominiums are a complex field, with pitfalls along the path for both buyers AND sellers. Helping clients avoid problems often leads to them urging friends to call me for the same protective approach.
My informative web site also plays a role in finding new clients. It's the information age, folks, so extensive articles on condominium questions serve a need. Prospective buyers reading www.CondosInCalgary.com are well informed before they buy, and sellers know that thousands of readers also click on my web site's "resale homes" button, resulting in sales before some properties I list even make it to the MLS. The package of services outlined above obtains results for my clients. I'm proud to have served more buyers and sellers in recent years than many of my brokerage colleagues. I look forward to serving many more this year and next.
Calgary Condominium Directory
