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: Tana McNicol
Areas of Focus: Langley, Maple Ridge, and the Fraser Valley.
Personal Channels: Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook | Website
Years of Experience: Seven years unlicensed working for a developer builder, and eight years licensed as an independent realtor.
THE INSIGHTS
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Richmond BC.
What neighbourhood do you live in now?
I live in Cloverdale, BC.
What neighbourhood in Canada or worldwide would you like to live in?
I would enjoy living on a larger-than-typical city lot in Langley, but with my backyard facing north to view the beautiful Golden Ears Mountain located in Maple Ridge, BC.
What made you want to become a real estate agent?
I had the opportunity to work with a developer/builder on both the sales and construction side of the new home construction business. After completing our projects in Maple Ridge, BC, the company prepared to begin building in Tsawwassen, BC. I saw this as a perfect opportunity to become a licensed independent realtor.
In a few sentences, describe what a typical "day in the life" looks like for you. Does this align with what you expected before becoming an agent?
I start my day around 5:30 or 6:00 am and return emails and other details that I perhaps couldn't get to the day or night before. I am usually out the door by 9:00 am, especially if I am showing properties that day. Often, clients like to view several properties, which I encourage. This allows them to get a good feel for the market and what is currently available. I would have mapped out the order of the showings a few days prior so as not to backtrack.
But every day is different. We are often reviewing and working on offers, sitting down with clients, taking courses, touring properties and attending sales meetings and working on marketing. A large part of our business is we need to be continually meeting people and expanding our clientele base. Like any industry, I don't believe anyone knows what is involved until you're working within it.
What’s the single best advice you have for sellers?
Before you spend time and money on upgrades to your home before selling, I would most definitely have a realtor do a walk-through of your home. Buyers often have their own ideas as to what they would like to do with the home.
What’s the single best advice you have for buyers?
Have your financing in place before you begin your search. You would like to know up to what price point you can afford and if you are comfortable with those payments. You may want to purchase a home at your ceiling of affordability or a little lower to give you more room for living expenses.
What made you choose to work with your current brokerage?
I was working with Royal Lepage in Maple Ridge while I was living in Maple Ridge. When I moved, five years ago, to Langley, BC, it was a given that I would join Royal LePage Wolstencroft. I really like Royal LePage and the agents in Langley are also great to work with.
Who do you think is making the biggest waves in the industry today? Is there anyone you recommend people should be paying attention to?
I believe that those people who are keeping up with technology and can pivot quickly are the ones making the biggest waves. There are too many to mention. However, if you are interested in the real estate market, simply Google your area and the word realtor. The websites, videos, etc. will provide you with a good feel of who you may want to work with.
What is one professional goal you have for the next year?
I will hire an administration person to do the mounds of paperwork behind the scenes which will allow me to grow.
What is one you have for the next 10 years?
My professional goal within the next 10 years is to have a full team, which will include a marketing person, one to two administration persons, and two buyers agents.
Tell us about your favourite or most memorable sale?
I worked with a buyer for several months before she found a home that she was going to purchase as an investment and rent out. Nine days before completion of the property I received a call that the building had a large fire and that everyone had to move out. We were very lucky that the property never changed title or she would have owned a property she had to pay for and was uninhabitable.
Over the course of the next year and a half, she was very scared to purchase again and we spent a lot of time in many different municipalities searching for the right property. Late last year we found a unit that she loved and she purchased! Instead of an investment property, she is now living in the unit and is very happy.
The three words I hope my clients use to describe me are:
Conscientious, integrity, and loyal.
