Welcome to Meet the Agent, an ongoing series profiling real estate agents from across Canada. With more than 150,000 agents, brokers, and salespeople working in 75 different boards and associations across the country, we thought it was about time they had a place to properly introduce themselves.
If you or someone you know deserves the same chance, email agents@storeys.com to apply.
THE DETAILS
Name: Kirsten Clayton
Areas of Focus: West end of Toronto
Personal Channels: Instagram | Website
Years if Experience: 15
THE INSIGHTS
Where did you grow up?
I grew up on the beautiful Bay of Quinte in Belleville, Ontario.
Where do you live now? And what neighbourhood (in Canada, or worldwide) would you love to live in (that isn’t your own)?
My family and I live in The Junction, Toronto. One day, we’d love to spend our summers on the East Coast of Canada and our winters in the Montreal area.
How did you end up becoming a real estate agent?
After we bought and sold our first home, our Realtor noticed my passion for real estate and encouraged me to pursue my license. I'm so glad she did — it completely changed my career path.
In a few sentences, describe what a typical “day in the life” looks like for you.
A typical day in real estate is anything but typical! You know what they say about 'the best-laid plans' — things rarely go as expected. While we might start the day with a rough idea of what’s ahead, everything can change in an instant. In this business, you have to be ready to pivot quickly and juggle many roles at once. You might be a designer, marketer, salesperson, analyst, and negotiator — all within the same hour.
What’s the single best advice you have for sellers?
You only get one chance to make a great first impression. Buyers often make up their minds about a property while still standing in the front entry. That’s why we advise our sellers to live by the three D's: declutter, deep clean, and depersonalize.
What’s the single best advice you have for buyers?
Educate yourself! Buying a home is often the largest investment you'll make, which is why I prioritize educating my clients on the current real estate market, neighbourhoods, the offer process, negotiation strategies, and various property types. This empowers them to make informed, confident decisions quickly in a fast-paced market.
What made you choose to work for your current brokerage?
After obtaining my real estate license, I interviewed with several West End brokerages. However, when I met Ann Hannah, the Broker of Record at Sutton Group Old Mill at the time, I immediately knew I had found the right fit. I was drawn to her candor and her willingness to offer valuable advice. Ann even suggested I meet with another agent in the office, Wendy Hammond. After meeting with Wendy, I knew I had found the perfect match, and I haven’t looked back since. Now, Sutton Old Mill is led by Ann’s son-in-law, Loic, along with an amazing support team — and I couldn’t be happier.
Is there anyone you recommend people should be paying attention to right now?
I strongly believe in the power of staging and am fully embracing the more organic, lived-in approach that top stagers are taking today. In Toronto, we’re fortunate to work alongside some incredibly talented professionals who are transforming the way homes are presented. Gone are the days of impersonal staging — thank goodness! The shift toward creating spaces that feel warm, inviting, and truly livable has made a world of difference in how buyers connect with a property.
What is one professional goal you have for the next year? What’s one that you have for the next 10 years?
Wendy Hammond and I started our team with the vision to create a West End blog highlighting all the great things about the neighbourhoods we live and work in. In the next year, we would like to refocus on providing our clients and neighbours with insights into all the amazing things going on in the West End. Within 10 years we would love to incorporate design and in-house staging services to our portfolio.
Tell us about your favourite (or most memorable) sale, and why it stands out to you.
My most memorable sale would have to be my first one. The trust my clients placed in me, despite me being new to the business, was an incredible compliment and played a pivotal role in building my confidence. That sale continues to remind me of why I do what I do — helping people navigate life-changing decisions and supporting them every step of the way. It also highlighted the importance of building and maintaining trust throughout the process.
What are the three words you hope your clients use to describe you?
Professional, personable and patient! I’ll admit, I cheated and took a look at past client testimonials! The three words that came up most often were professional, personable, and patient. I really love this because they reflect how I approach every client relationship — delivering a high level of professionalism while making sure clients feel heard and supported every step of the way. Patience is key in real estate, as it can be a process, and I strive to ensure my clients never feel rushed or pressured.
This interview may have been edited for both length and clarity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of STOREYS.
