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
Andrew Perrie/Instagram
Name: Andrew Perrie
Brokerage:REVEL Realty Inc.
Personal website: thefineestatesteam.com
Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter
Areas of focus: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Niagara Region, Burlington/Oakville, Simcoe, and Muskoka/Cottage Country
THE INSIGHTS
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Newmarket, Ontario, and lived in Aurora until I was 10 years old. But I would say I really grew up in Innisfil. It was amazing growing up with your closest friends, hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and really enjoying the outdoors.
What neighbourhood do you live in now?
I currently live in Old Town, Niagara-on-the-Lake. I split a lot of my time between there and Parry Sound in the summers.
What made you want to become a real estate agent?
Mostly, I was looking for a change in my life. I was selling gym memberships and barely making over $100,000 but working 6 days a week 12+ hours a day, just young and hungry but still feeling like there was more for me. I would see good friends of mine like Thomas Faris from The Faris Team out there doing amazing and he was a big inspiration for me to even enrol in the courses. But my goal was to create an empire for myself. I saw a massive hole in the real estate industry and I knew that with my skills, willingness to learn, and determination I could really make something of myself.
What’s the biggest challenge you see facing the market today?
Honestly, I don't now, or ever, let "The Market" dictate my business. We have been growing steadily by 25-30% a year and have our core group of clients and referral partners that trust us to make the right decisions for them. But, if I had to give a specific answer, it would be that the clients need to be educated. The realtor has got to do a better job being a professional, and being confident in presenting ALL information, even if it costs them the deal. But also on the flip side, being confident in presenting the value of buying and selling right now. For some people it's not a good time but for others it's an amazing time, and if your clients don't know that you aren't servicing them properly. This is a skills-based market and clients deserve a professional.
READ:Meet the Agent: Kyle Bridson, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices
What’s the single best advice you have for sellers?
For sellers, it's important to find out why? Why are you selling? Are you in a situation where selling is a must (new job, defaulting, divorce, downsizing)? Are you considering leaving to explore new markets (is this a want?)? Or are you just testing the market? If it's a need situation, we always make sure that the pricing is reflective of the current market the day we go to market. It's so important to price the home right the first time, especially when it's a need-to-sell. Make sure you take the advice of the professional, make sure the curb appeal is perfect; clean up, paint, do all the things the agent has suggested and you will be fine.
If it's a 'want' or a seller is just testing the market, we have separate programs for that. Typically, we test the market through our own database of thousands of buyers, sellers, and other realtors with what we call an Exclusive Listing, we get all the marketing done and we typically list at a higher price. Again, this is a good option for those who are looking to test the market and don't necessarily have a 'need' to sell.
What’s the single best advice you have for buyers?
It's alway the right time to buy, when you are ready. It's that simple. A wise agent once said, "waiting for the market to crash is like waiting for an avocado to ripen... "Oops just missed it". You don't realize it's the bottom until the market is on the rise again. When it's right for you, make the purchase.
What’s the best thing a realtor can invest in for their brand (a bus bench ad, a solid Instagram strategy, etc.)?
The best thing is investing in how to make your current database feel appreciated. Hands down the best piece of marketing advice is servicing your past, current, and future clients. "It's more expensive to acquire new business then it is to retain existing business". Build a solid brand and work on educating and inspiring your database. If you don't have a database, the best way to get your name out there is to market outside of your market. Wait, what? How does that work, you ask? Think about it like this: You're new to a market or you are a new realtor. Everyone locally does not know you. They know you don't have for sale signs in the ground. So why would they trust you to help them buy or sell? Present yourself as the market expert you are and focus your attention on buyers and sellers moving into your area or focus on marketing yourself to other realtors who may eventually have clients buying or selling in your area.
Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
I think the most obvious people would be the founders of REVEL Realty. At the end of the day any realtor can join any brokerage and find success... or failure. The question is, which brokerage provides you with growth opportunities and treats you like family? Is the brokerage supporting you and your goals? Well, Ryan and Nicki Serrvalle truly embodied all of the above. Not only do they fully support me and my growth goals, but they're often providing me those growth opportunities directly. Their ability to anticipate change, innovate, and continuously add value to my business is why I look up to them so much! Last but not least, my good friend Chris Knighton who owns and operates Knighton Real Estate Advisors. Chris always answers my calls, and is a wealth of knowledge on building and growing teams. I really appreciate all of his support over the years.
READ: Meet the Agent: Kevin Wong, Right at Home Realty
Is there anything you wish people knew or understood about realtors that you think they’re constantly getting wrong?
Absolutely. I can see how some people have a distorted vision of what it is we do. I don't blame them, they just haven't been educated. I had no clue what we actually did until I got into the industry. We don't just magically get business and make money. It's a business and should operate as such. It costs a lot of time, money, and energy to acquire business and we are not service people, we are business owners. Literally no different from the mom and pop pizza shop or barber, we own our business... Yes, we are licensed to sell under a brokerage, but we own and operate our own business, we are independent contractors or, in my case, the owner of a registered corporation.
Tell us about your favourite (or most memorable) sale.
We recently had a deal (in the slowest market ever) come down to the absolute last second -- and I mean that literally. We had an offer on my client's purchase and we had their home for sale and the purchase had already been extended once and was not going to allow it again. Magically, we got a firm offer minutes before the deadline and everything worked out... it was a genuine miracle. I was so happy for our clients and we secured both transactions to make it a smooth move for them! Yes, it was a miracle, but it was also a testament to working with professionals who care, have experience, and who are well worth their pay.
What are the three words you hope your clients use to describe you?
Fast. Effective. Caring.
What’s your favourite thing to do outside of selling houses?
Definitely being a father and husband. I have three beautiful boys and a wife who fully supports the journey and they make it all worth it! I also love spending time outdoors, out on the boat, playing sports, golf, hockey, guitar, and just enjoying life.
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.
