Agent spotlight: Why I joined Property.ca

The decision to join a real estate company isn't one you should make lightly: you need a place that's the right fit. And one of the best ways to figure out that fit is by talking to agents who work there. So we did a bit of the legwork for you and spoke to Sales Representative Alexander Evans about his experience as a Property.ca agent.

After struggling to find success at another company, Alexander joined Property.ca in December 2017, and his career quickly took off. He was Rookie of the Year in 2018, and in 2019 and 2020, he landed a coveted spot in the Top Producer Club: the Company’s Top 20 agents based on annual sales volume. Here’s the scoop on his first 3 years with the company, and why he says it’s the perfect place for agents who want to level up their success.

Read more: I'm a new agent, how do I choose the right brokerage?

What made you decide to join property.ca?

After I got my license 8 years ago, I joined a well-known real estate company. I did everything they said would make me successful, mostly cold calling and door knocking, looking for leads. But it was a lot of work for very little payoff: after a year, I had burned through my savings and actually had to get a second job to pay my bills.

I thought maybe being on my own was the problem, so I joined a team. That made things a bit better, but it didn't bring me the success I wanted. And the commission structure was horrible. Even when I did get busier, I still didn't feel like I was making any money. So I decided to move to another company – a place where I could stay long-term and really succeed.

With Property.ca, I really liked that I didn't have to spend my days cold calling. Once I understood the quality of the leads I'd be getting, I made the switch and the difference was immediate.

Read more: 7 questions to ask before picking a new brokerage

How did things change after you joined Property.ca?

My business jumped massively. I had spent so much time searching for leads and now I didn’t have to do that anymore: lease and buyer leads came my way every day and all I had to do was follow up. The lease leads were a great way to get to know condo buildings and neighbourhoods, and to start building relationships (the very first lease I did turned into a buyer...and then later a seller). Plus, since leases typically close within 30 days, I started rebuilding my savings quickly.

In my first year as an agent, I did close to $200K GCI and was named Rookie of the Year for doing the most business as a new agent to the team. Since then, every year has gotten better: in 2020, I did over $400K GCI and this past February I had the most transactions in the brokerage.

Read more: Top 5 reasons to joining Property.ca

What makes the leads at Property.ca so high-quality?

It’s a brand people know: when we call and say we're from Property.ca or Condos.ca, they've been to the site, so it gives us instant credibility. And it really changes the conversation. When you're cold calling, those first few seconds when you’re introducing yourself are tough and awkward, and people aren't receptive. But now all I have to do is say where I’m calling from and the acceptance level is so much higher.

Read more: Why agents love Property.ca

What's your next goal?

Staying consistently in the Top 10. Not only is it a measure of success, but the top 20 agents get to go on an amazing trip each year. Last year we didn't go because of COVID, but the year before, we were in Saint Lucia. It was so much fun, and I got to connect with my fellow agents on a personal level, which really helped build a sense of community.

What’s your advice to agents looking for a real estate company?

Don’t waste your time chasing leads when there’s a place that just hands them to you. It’s a game changer. Honestly, the only regret I have about switching to Property.ca is that I didn't do it sooner.