EcoLux☆Lifestyle: Outgrown Your Home? How to Find a Real Estate Agent that Fits Your Needs

Whether you are buying or selling, finding a real estate agent that aligns with your expectations and ethics, may be like finding a needle in a haystack. With over 25,000 registered real estate agents in Vancouver, you really need to find someone who understands how exciting and daunting the whole process can be for you and your family.

Ideally, you should make a decision based on the person – Is there chemistry?  Do they have your best interest at heart? Do they have passion, conviction, and strong communication skills? Or do you go with the experience? Perhaps they have years of experience and great referrals, does that translate into finding a home in the community that is best suited for your family and your needs as the years go on? Only you can make that decision.

This is Your Home – Ask the Tough Questions!

As the client, you should begin the dialogue with the agent. Pay attention to how they listen to you and which questions they ask you in return. All the AI and online checklists won’t get you into the right home unless a real person understands what you are looking for in the first place!

We reached out to friends and associates and spoke with the following three BC-based agents. While they all share the same profession, you will see that they are each bringing unique key elements, experience, and understanding to the table.

Three Agents Share Insights

Jacqueline Adler PREC*
Oakwyn Realty Top Producer 2020 / Medallion Club Member 2018, 2019, 2020

Jacqueline is an award-winning real estate agent serving the Greater Vancouver, North Shore, and Sea-to-Sky markets. She is known for her attention to detail, diligence, high level of customer service, and is always bringing to market properties that are in prime locations in very livable communities. Jacqueline also brings to the table a background in marketing and communications, experience in home staging and design, and actually has a curated selection of eco-friendly vegan home decor to use for staging!

The chemistry between parties is important and Jacqueline shares: “I routinely hear from clients that I have a calming demeanour and that I am fun to work with, both of which I feel are beneficial in an environment that can be stressful or emotional at times.”

View her newest exclusive property here! This 3-bedroom with den home is in the highly desirable Yaletown area with unobstructed water views and is an incredible opportunity for investment or to settle in and grow into.

Dave Masson PREC
Royal LePage Director’s Platinum Award / MLS Medallion Club Member

With over 50 homes sold last year, Dave and his award-winning team ranked in the top 2% of Fraser Valley Realtors in 2020. Dave and Austin pride themselves on creating strong and effective plans for selling your home, paying close attention to the details and ensuring you feel comfortable and confident through the entire process.

Dave is best known by his clients as a skilled negotiator who always puts their needs before all else. He prides himself on educating his clients about the real estate market and helping them realize the best possible price for the sale or purchase of their home in the least amount of time. Dave is a self-proclaimed lover of people – the favourite part of his job is getting to know clients and maintaining relationships with them long after the sale or purchase of their home.

Dave also places a high value on giving back by supporting small businesses in these critical times and sits on the board of directors of a local non-profit called Ruben’s Shoes which provides access to education to children in the Dominican Republic.

Closing Gifts are a fantastic way to show appreciation from agent to new owner and usually are a nice bottle of wine, some chocolate, and a handwritten card. Dave takes this one step further with the gifting of a Clean Crate box. We asked him ‘why the deviation from the traditional?’ His answer was timely. “Having a clean home is especially important to people right now, and I want my clients to move into their new homes knowing that all the surfaces and handles have been cleaned and sanitized. Clean Crate is a local women-owned small business that is all about sustainability and their subscription box is filled with cleaning products made in Canada that are non-toxic and chemical-free. I love being able to provide an eco-friendly option to put their minds at ease as they settle into their new home.”

View Dave’s latest home sale here! Beautiful home with panoramic views, wraparound outdoor patio, Bosch appliances, and an open layout.

Joel Lafortune, Salmon Arm / Shuswap
Century 21 Executives Realty

Two years into a new real estate career and Joel is shining! Tapping into his experience from 7-years as a paramedic (Salmon Arm, Shuswap area) to guide how he works with his clients – having met many on the worst day of their life and having driven every street and country road to get to them – Joel and his broad smile provide comfort to the process.

Joel really enjoys the personal aspects of residential as well as the analytics of commercial and investment real estate. Always going over and above, is not uncommon to find Joel bustling about talking to neighbours, visiting contractors, looking at the Official Community Plans, and has even been known to slog through the forest and mud puddles during Zoom showings, all to ensure that his clients are informed, supported, and have a good time working with him.

Joel says: “People remember mostly how you made them feel and I apply this to provide a client and community-centred approach. With each sale, I donate up to $500 to the Hospital Foundation or a charity of my client’s choice. I also partner with local businesses for promotions and discounts, it helps the businesses and gives my clients unique value and experiences.”

View Joel’s latest listing here! It is an investment/recreation property in Silver Star that is a nice place for a get-away or short-term rental.

Be Patient and Do Your Due Diligence

The stories of these three real estate agents should reassure you that this industry is not ‘one size fits all’ and the field includes incredible diversity, specialized skillsets, commitment, drive, and some very big hearts.

5 Important Points to Consider

Here are a handful of points to run through when you have narrowed your search to find the real estate agent that is right for you and your family.

• Listen to your gut (or heart)! Do you feel comfortable with this agent?
• Ask friends and associates for a referral
• Do your due diligence on the agent – yelp.ca, Better Business Bureau, BC Civil Court Records, Google and Facebook Reviews
• Interview at least 3 agents
• Always go over your contract with a fine-tooth comb!

Whether you are buying, selling, or just adding pins to your vision board, consider the process. It will require time, effort, and resources that you may not be familiar with, but in the end, finding the best agent to represent you and your goals will be so worth it.