I guess the first thing I'd like to say is that I'm blessed.  When I started in the real estate business back in '89, I had two dreams.  One was to conduct business so well that someday, new clients would become satisfied clients who would in turn become raving fans.  The other was to be happy in my work and content with my days.  Really, to be able to sleep well at night.  Today, I have these two things and every day is a pleasure.

I love to laugh with my clients and share their hopes and frustrations as well.  I work from the heart and people genuinely know they can trust me.  I'm a perfectionist too, and protecting my clients' best interests is always my number one priority.  Together with my dynamic licensed assistant, Chris McCormick, we scale the heights, jump backwards, and proudly, we have built a successful real estate practice.  We're very proud to know that over 90% of our transactions come as a result of referrals or new transactions with our existing clientele! 

In the last eighteen years, I have been honoured to receive various outstanding achievement awards, each and every year.  As well, I have worked at becoming very versatile in my Real Estate practices.  I have received the Market Value Appraiser - Residential designation from the Canadian Real Estate Association and have also been awarded a designation for expertise in the use of the Internet for communication and eCommerce.  In 2001, I completed my full Brokerage courses and am proud to be a Broker with RE/MAX four seasons realty limited; the most successful Brokerage office in South Georgain Bay area.

My family is my inspiration and centre of my life.  My husband John and I love watching our "kids", Ashley and Kris, grow and change.  Their collective support is what lets me do what I do.  I also firmly believe we should all give something back of ourselves to the community and have been an active volunteer for over thirty years.  In this millennium, I have chaired the local United Way campaign, and was honoured with the Collingwood Chamber of Commerce award for "Volunteer of the Year" in 2000.  I have served as a director with our local Georgian Triangle Real Estate Board, and was the original chair of Collingwood's "Vision 2020" committee.  Among other things, I also served as chairperson of the Georgian Triangle Economic Development Corporation, was a member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee and wrote a controversial "Straight Talk" column for the local newspaper.  This year I am Chair of our local ratepayers association and, am a member of our real estate boards Professional Standards Committee.  All of these involvements strengthen my community network and allow me to keep my finger on the pulse of our community.

I'm not a big fan of stock or template websites so invested heavily in building a custom website that would inform and engage readers.  It's proven to be a very good decision and maybe you can take a look and share your thoughts: http://www.collingwood-bluemountain.com/.  A few years ago, I started the area's first real estate blog at www.collingwood-bluemountain.com/blog.  I guess it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks after all.

What Buyers Should Know

I had to laugh when one of my clients once called me the "anti-agent."  They called me that because they said I talked them OUT of more houses than INTO them.  I guess that's true but also the hallmark of any agent who cares.  When I bump into one of my clients downtown or at the grocery store, I want them to be glad to see me because they had a great real estate experience and, that means keeping an eye of things like resale value, potential pitfalls and potential gains.  It also means being brutally honest 100% of the time.  Every house has a buyer that has the right fit - I look for that fit under every stone and in every nook and cranny until we hit that Eureka moment when you know you've found home.

What Sellers Should Know

I'll never "buy" a listing by giving an inflated price nor will I under price a property for a quick sale.  As a Market Value Appraiser, I take the pricing of homes very seriously and will always give an honest opinion of market value even if it's not want my client wants to hear.  With over 50% of the properties listed for sale never selling, proper pricing is essential.  Once that's done, I love the marketing process of bringing properties to the marketplace using the most innovative methods I can think of.  Given that over 80% of my listings have sold each and every year for the last ten years, I know it's working.  And then come negotiations.  My philosophy is to always seek the win-win point where everyone is happy and I'll do whatever is possible to bring that about.