As part of our Agent Spotlight series, today we’re talking with Jenny, who has been part of the BREL team since 2018.
Why did you get into real estate?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been obsessed with houses. I used to browse real estate listings for fun in high school. Yes, highschool. I always wanted to be a REALTOR (but my mom thought it was probably a good idea that I go to university first). Fast forward a few years…after a business degree from Laurier, pursuing further education in Public Relations from Humber College, and working at a Toronto marketing and communications agency doing PR for some pretty high-profile clients like Netflix…it was still a career dream lingering in the back of my mind. And, as it turns out… Mom was right. All that schooling and work experience set me up pretty perfectly for a successful career in real estate.
Real estate is most people’s plan B, but it’s always been the goal for me.
What did you do before becoming an agent?
Right before I made the “jump” to real estate I was working at that same PR agency mentioned above. And before that… I was a server at Earls, and a Production Assistant for CBC Sports — which is a more resume-proper way to say that I brought Ron and Don their coffee on Saturday nights during Hockey Night in Canada. All of these jobs share a common thread — making people happy. It’s what I’ve always done, been trained to do and still do today.
What’s it like being on the BREL team?
IT’S. THE. BEST. We’re one giant work family. We genuinely like each other and love working together — definitely a rarity for this industry. I joined BREL in 2018 and I’ve said countless times to so many people that it’s the best decision I made last year…I also got married and bought my first house last year. 😛
BREL isn’t just the best for me, it’s also the best for my clients. After my previous PR career, I was used to having my hands in award-winning marketing campaigns… and I couldn’t help to think I had made a terrible mistake the first few months after I got my license. There was so much about the real estate industry that didn’t sit right with me. I’m looking at you tacky bus stop ads, ancient websites and an ongoing reputation for weak morals and unethical business practices. When I found BREL, I found my people. I also found next-level marketing that’s unmatched in Toronto real estate, systems, and organization that meets my A-type standards and a client-centric approach to business that I could get on board with.
What do you love most about buying and selling homes?
I can’t possibly narrow it down to one thing I love most. It’s a 3-way tie between:
1) Touring homes online and in-person EVERY DAY.
2) Helping people make better decisions about where they live which is a huge, if not the greatest contribution to their quality of life; and
3) Being so extremely fortunate to wake up in the morning and be excited about what I do for a living. It’s a career where every day is different, there are endless opportunities for skills advancement and you get out of it what you put into it.
Tell us about where you live.
I recently left my loft and my King & Spadina downtown bubble in search of more space. My husband and I bought a townhome in Dufferin Grove. We adore the area…we’re a 10-minute walk from Enoteca Sociale, 10 minutes to my brother’s home and super close to all the amazing things found on the Dundas, College and Ossington strips. And we’ve started filling the “space” with a new four-legged family addition — Ruby — our 14-week old Australian Labradoodle.
What does ‘home’ mean to you?
Home to me is not a place, it’s a feeling. For me…that feeling is sanctuary and safety. It’s also a great canvass to express your personal style and to fill a space with furniture and items and colours that make you happy…and make you feel at home.
What’s your craziest real estate story?
Hmmm…does walking in on and startling a young 20-something guy playing video games in his boxers with noise-cancelling headphones count? Not the craziest story, but the first that comes to mind.
In 25 words or less, what’s your best advice for a Toronto home Buyer?
Team up with the right agent. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with them and sharing a lot of personal information with them. Buying a home is stressful enough so why waste your time with someone you don’t like, someone not trained, not qualified, or not 100% invested in finding the perfect fit for your next home.
In 25 words or less, what’s your best advice for a Toronto home Seller?
Take your home prep seriously but only spend money where it will count. It’s not always easy to decipher, so make sure you’re following the guidance of your Realtor and stager!
What we ❤️ about Jenny
By Melanie, Broker/Owner
There are so many things we love about Jenny! First, she’s an over-achiever (and we kinda love over-achievers around here). She’s the only person I know who scored 100% on SEVERAL of the pre-licensing real estate exams – and her lowest mark was 98%. So she’s smart, obviously.
Jenny’s also obsessed with details and loves a spreadsheet and a plan more than anyone I know. Her positivity and contagious enthusiasm come in really handy when her clients are dealing with the stress of buying or selling a home – but don’t let that sweet demeanour fool you: she’s a shrewd negotiator too. Jenny guides her clients with professionalism and ease, and they often remark about how much they appreciate her communication skills and prompt attention to their questions. Having just been a first-time Buyer herself, she knows first-hand what it takes to get what you want.
And then, of course, there is THAT PUPPY! It’s worth getting to know Jenny just to hang out with little Ruby (who yes, is as soft as she looks).
