Blog

As my readers know – this is my forum to discuss real estate – and things that happen in my life/business.  

I get asked all the time about REFERRALS… “Do you know someone who does this???”  

Fun Fact: according to a study by Nielsen, 92% of consumers trust referrals from people they know. Shows how important recommendations are!

In my world, I give referrals to ALL types of businesses – ALL the time. I literally have a rolodex (yes I am old and still call it that!) of people, companies, trades – that I can count on!  

Plus, I have resources to help find support for my clients – for whatever they need! And I am super creative and persistent. I vet the companies/individuals before I refer – because ultimately that referral (and how that experience was for my client) comes back to me!!!!! Reflects on ME. And I will NEVER refer someone that offers me a kickback or financial gain for the referral.

I LOVE that my clients come to me first for everything. I want them to text or ask me – before going to “Google” 😉

Of course, I refer lawyers, mortgage brokers, movers, cleaners, handymen, painters, contractors etc. – but I have been known to find the perfect spot to order a birthday cake for a teen girl’s 16th in Airdrie…advise re the perfect restaurant downtown for a special anniversary – and I have also researched volunteer opportunities in a neighbourhood for a client new to town wanting to meet friends! I am a pleaser by nature – so bringing good people together – truly makes me happy.  

But NO matter how confident I am in a company or person’s past services – a referral can go wrong.

When we moved my own mother-in-law – I used a MOVER I had referred to hundreds of clients! And the experience was not good.  

Not good at all….and left me wondering if any of my past clients had also had a bad experience – and just not told me!??? Or did this mover – who had proven results in the past – just had a bad day? VERY Possible. VERY probable. But when I called him AFTER the move was done – to discuss my concerns (remember we had a relationship!) … he BLAMED me … told me I gave him the wrong address (which I did NOT!) …. and ultimately at the end of the conversation – did not give me what I needed – and thus I no longer refer him. 

I live in a world where things go wrong or “different” than expected all the time. You can never prevent that – but what you can do is:

SHOW UP when things are NOT going well 

(not just on the good “Instagram-worthy” days!)

Be present.

Be available.  

Show empathy.  

OWN it – if YOU did make the mistake.  

Then find a solution – ANY solution.  

My famous line in life (and in business) is:    

“Sometimes you just throw money at it”. 

I can’t prevent frustration, dissatisfaction or disappointment – but I will continue to do my best – at checking track records and engaging with companies and individuals with similar values.  

On the other side – I ask you – my trusted contacts – PLEASE to inform me if someone I recommended – did NOT meet your expectations!!!!! I am always striving to learn and do better!!!!!!  

Since at the end of the day – in my business – the clients come FIRST!

March 1st, 2024 = the 2 year Anniversary of ClientFirst Real Estate!

Fun fact:  by the age of 2, a child goes from being completely dependant – to eating, talking, walking, climbing, jumping and running?  

OK maybe our accomplishments aren’t “life changing” – but for us – they are HUGE!

Learnings:

Welcome February – makes sense that this post is going to be about LOVE……

I help newcomers to Calgary find their homes all the time – and I ALWAYS caution them to understand that there is a cool thing about this city and the people who call it home!!!!

If my clients talk to co-workers, family that live here already or even the person who delivers pizza to their rental – the answer will ALWAYS be:

” move to xxxxxxx – it’s awesome! “

Calgarians are FIERCELY loyal to their neighbourhoods.  THEY LOVE where they live – and they want everyone else – to live there too!!!!  

It is very nice to have people that are ADVOCATES of their community – but VERY HARD when someone arrives in the city and has NO idea how many communities we have, what schools are available, where dog parks are, is there a climbing centre (or gym/or pool/or dog park) etc etc etc.

There is a common perception that selling a home in January translates to lowball offers, less interest from buyers, and months spent on the market. While the spring is still real estate’s busy season, it’s time to take a clear-eyed look at why selling in January can make a lot of sense for some homeowners. 

If selling your home tops your list of New Year’s resolutions, you don’t want to miss an optimal window to sell in your market or procrastinate when you could be free of this house and into your new one before spring even hits.

The morning before we were taking photos at a new listing, my client informed me that since I had seen her home the week before, it was now completely decorated for Christmas, including garland on the stairs and three Christmas trees. 

I told her, “If I can sell your home in two weeks, the decorations will look great in the photos. Otherwise, your home is going to look dated in the photos by January 1st.” Our solution? I showed up early for the photos and we literally moved each tree out of its respective room while the photographer clicked the photos – then moved the tree back. We took everything off the mantle. Then, click for photos and we moved it back!  

For those of you who know me REALLY well – I move furniture around at AirBNB’s, vacation rentals and hotels for the duration of my stay – then I move it back….so this was really not a big deal!!!!

In my opinion, Christmas decorations for photos are a big DON’T. They will make the room look more cluttered and no one wants to see Christmas décor after New Year’s Day!

But what about Christmas decorations during showings? 

If you are thinking of listing over the holidays – take note of these tips! 

Or call me for my advice – 4037102502! 

Did you know….

I HATE asking clients for reviews!!!!!!!!  

I LOVE my job …. I pride myself on my ability to maintain relationships with clients AFTER the transactional piece is over (FUN FACT – I go through a real grieving process when the deal is “done”!!!) 

But – I find it very very difficult to ASK for a review. Details about how my clients felt throughout the transaction. Feedback on what I can do better! 

According to BigCommerce, 72% of consumers say positive reviews and testimonials make them trust a business more and 88% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations! 

Trust and Reputation are some of the most important factors when it comes to success in the real estate industry. Money CAN NOT buy a good reputation!

It’s a beautiful thing…to chart your own course!   

I saw this quote – and it is PERFECT for today.  

I have the privilege of formally announcing – that Bailey Keveryga just passed her Real Estate License test!!!!

I couldn’t be more proud of her. As her mother and as her co-worker. GO Team 😉

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…..”  

Haha – we have all heard that commercial – as it relates to kids going back to school!  I truly LOVE everything about this time of year…the school supply shopping, the new backpacks, picking first day outfits, photos on the front lawn ……so exciting.  The promise of a new beginning….the fall season crunch of leaves – as kids walk to school…..my kids are 21 and 25 now – but I MISS IT ALL!

But you may be wondering….does “back to school” – impact Real Estate? 

Some are likely wondering if they have missed the “Spring/Summer Rush” to sell their home.  A lot of people are asking if now is a “bad time” to put their home up for sale. Spring and summer timing – meant that properties had more curb appeal – with the long bright sunny days, green grass and blooming flowers. 

I am here to assure you – that in TODAY”S market – there is NO such thing as a BAD time to sell!

A few weeks ago, I was scheduled to have a listing of mine close at 12pm on a Thursday. The buyer’s agent called me from the final walk-through inspection the day before – with his buyers frantic.

“It’s completely dirty!” he exclaimed. “It looks like a bank owned home. The cabinets and floors have not been swept, there’s dirt and dust everywhere, and there are personal belongings left behind and the oven looks like it wasn’t EVER cleaned.  

And they took EVERY LIGHTBULB OUT OF THE HOUSE!”

YIKES.

I had discussed common courtesy with my clients – about how to leave a home for possession – vacant of all belongings inside and out + clean.  *To be fair – a professional cleaning was not written into offer on buyer’s side…but I believe its hard to define “professional” clean from a legal standpoint anyways!  Turns out my sellers had a personal emergency to manage – that affected their move out (which they did not share with me!)

In this case, I profusely apologized. Contacted my sellers and they went back to the home to clean it immediately and remove the rest of their items, some of which they thought they were just leaving for the new Buyers! 

 **But again, these items were not confirmed or requested by the buyers.

It can be confusing when you move out. What stays…what goes? If you have paint, flooring, tile, lightbulbs!!!!!, flower pots that match deck etc. – is it courtesy to leave – or is it going to cause an issue!

I always say ask first – on both buyer and seller side – do NOT assume!

Did you know some agents ONLY want to work in ONE geographic area – or ONE price point – or help ONE type of client?

NOT ME!  

I have listed and sold an apartment in Claresholm for $65,000 – I have helped clients BUY multimillion dollar homes in inner city Calgary – and I have sold acreages around Calgary!  

I do business – where my clients WANT to live – or WANT to leave.

People ask me all the time…who is your perfect client? 

IMPOSSIBLE question to answer.