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: Richard Silver
Brokerage: Sotheby's International Realty Canada
Brokerage Website: www.sothebysrealty.ca
Personal Website: www.torontoism.com
Instagram | LinkedIn
Years of agent experience: 44
Area of focus: Cabbagetown, Rosedale, Downtown Toronto, the condo market
THE INSIGHTS
Where did you grow up?
Edmonton, Alberta.
What neighbourhood do you live in now?
Bloor and Parliament: I live at 575 Bloor Street, ViaBloor Condo.
What made you want to become a real estate agent?
I was a professional dancer who, when injured, decided to use my time studying another career. It seems like I am still singing and dancing!
What’s the biggest challenge you see facing the market today?
Market changes are always a challenge, as well as technology and laws. Like most careers, you must embrace the changes.
Don’t wait for tomorrow to maintain and update your home. Many times we are approached for a sale and a long list of updates needs to be done in a very short time.
What’s the single best advice you have for buyers?
Buy with your heart and not with your head. Buying something you love pays off in the long term, and if you love it, the next buyer will also.
What’s the best thing a realtor can invest in for their brand (a bus bench ad, a solid Instagram strategy, etc.)?
Video and photography. We have a full-time videographer/photographer and we keep him busy. COVID and video have reduced the number of in-person showings to a more targeted list.
Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
Any volunteers who give their time and energy.
Is there anything you wish people knew or understood about realtors that you think they’re constantly getting wrong?
The real estate market is very local. Would you go to a surgeon because you like them or because they have experience in their field and are well-referred?
Tell us about your favourite (or most memorable) sale.
In a tough market years ago, we were able to move a client into their dream home by achieving a trade plus cash sale. Two transactions on one document.
The three words you hope your clients use to describe you
Knowledgeable, hardworking, compassionate.
What’s your favourite thing to do outside of selling houses?
I have become a COVID baker — not bread, but cakes, cookies, and squares. I love to feed others!
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.
