I became a licensed real estate salesperson in 1983 shortly after finishing a degree is Sociology at the University of Toronto. At that time, I started in Scarborough where I had grown up and moved to Willowdale when my son was promoted to the CyberArts program in the Bathurst Manor area not far from Willowdale. I believe in the value of a company like Royal LePage because in my experience as a Realtor, I found that Royal LePage had the most to offer my clients and me. For that reason, I went to Royal LePage Partners Realty Inc, at 169 Willowdale Ave, just north of Sheppard and east of Yonge Street in 2002. The office was also near Earl Haig High School, rated one of the best schools in Canada for many years.
The decision to buy or sell a home is so important to one’s financial future that I felt it was a major element in a client’s life that I could contribute towards. I was used to working nights and weekends to support my schooling and I was a motivated hard worker. I felt I had a lot to offer.
I believe that one should support the community that one does business in. I work all over Toronto but advertise mainly in the area that this office is located in, the Willowdale district. Donating to local schools and using local businesses is important to me.
In my real estate dealings, I admit to harassing my secretaries, being fussy and meticulous in regards to legal issues, how advertising looks and checking all the facts. A little extra work never hurts and that little bit of caution can ultimately save a deal that would otherwise fall apart. In this amazing market that we have had the last few years, people believe that all homes sell no matter what. I would refer you to the Toronto Real Estate Boards statistics, published on a monthly basis, that show over two-thirds of homes on MLS fail to sell the first time out. As for advertising, every one of my listings gets a web site of their own as well as professional pictures of the homes’ interior on the Toronto multiple listing service, the public site, www.mls.ca, www.royallepage.ca and www.royallepagepartners.ca, and in my own web site, www.lindakara-george.com. Compare that to the majority of homes for sale that do not go the extra mile to sell the house for the best possible price (by searching for just the right buyers).
P.S. Lately I have run into a number of very unhappy unsuccessful property sellers. They sign a contract, find out their agent isn’t all they thought he’d be and then are stuck till the end of the contract. A large percentage of homes I sell come from this category of second time sellers. One thing that I highly recommend to people who are thinking of selling is; ask the agents you interview if they have a guarantee of service. Will they let you out of the contract if you are unhappy with their work? If not, don’t sign up with them! I offer a signed guarantee on paper; if you’re not happy, you’re free to do what you want. Can you see how that could be crucial to a property seller? Tell your friends! This is a little known but important feature.