The Agent Tales: #7 Michael Tudorie

I came to Canada on a container ship.

Yes, that’s true. I wanted to be in Canada so badly that I arrived as a stowaway onboard a container ship that berthed at Halifax. It was May, 1990, and it was the beginning of the adventure that has led to who I am today.

This isn’t a story I share to be dramatic, but rather as an illustration of one of the lessons my journey has led me to believe is key for success: resilience. Particularly if you are looking to make a name for yourself in this sometimes crazy world of real estate.

You can blame my parents if you like, but my view of the world - and of real estate - is one rooted in “old” values. I don’t know of a Becoming a Real Estate Agent for Dummies book so I thought I would share some of what I have learned - and what I practise to this day.

Never give up. And never give up.

Resilience means that you need to approach things like there is no plan B. No one will ever be prepared to be a realtor. I know many agents who were assistants for months or years before they ventured out on their own because there are no guarantees in this business.

As a refugee, I had to build every relationship I now have from zero, making my life over again whilst working full time and attending university. Believe me, I soon learned resilience.

Make sure your heart is in the right place.

I also learned to wear my heart on my sleeve. I’ve found that some people cultivate a realtor “persona”, but you’ll find that I am who I am, no matter where or when we met.

I’m also incredibly grateful. Of where I am, and who I have become. I feel like my heart is in the right place because I have managed to surround myself with kind, encouraging and positive people, plus an incredible and supportive family. This is how I have persevered when there were so many reasons to quit and go work for someone else, and how I became the kind of business person I proudly believe is a great example for my son.

I think (well, hope :) that my clients can sense this too.

Old fashioned is never out of fashion.

Off- or on-line, it all begins with the image you convey. The smallest things can make the biggest difference. If you treat a video call with as much respect as an in-person meeting, portray a positive image, be conscious of how you dress, be respectful and - of course - keep a sense of humour, you will be best placed to succeed.

Sure, this may sound like your grandmother’s advice, but is that really a bad thing? A public image is a hard thing to impress upon any field, and so easily destroyed by just one poor judgement. We need to swim against the stream of impressions of poor industry standards and perceptions. A few bad apples do not make up the industry norm.

Clients who become friends.

You’ll hear it again and again because it is true: real estate is a people business.

Tech companies keep on trying to make home purchases or selling experiences faster, “simpler” and purely transactional, but you can’t add a house to your Amazon shopping cart. The Zillows of this world will never be able to take into account the nuance that makes real estate a personal experience. Always.

Compensation is equal to the value you bring to the marketplace. And - for me - that value is having the client's interests first. I worked in the hospitality industry for 15 years, and if I learned one thing it is that - just like homes - short- and long-term relationships are built. I have several lifelong relationships with close friends who were once my clients.

Stand for something you believe in.

One pillar of my business is helping seniors and their families with downsizing or “rightsizing”. Of course, I didn’t ever set out to specialise in this. As I had more and more senior clients, I would find myself helping to fix a roof, or going out to buy a new TV, doing lawn care or picking up milk and bananas when I went for a visit.

I spent countless hours going for lunch as a companion, and sharing life stories with friends without any expectations. After much learning (including a senior downsizing certification), I now specialize in helping seniors to improve their lives in their current homes, or exploring alternative living conditions based on their needs.

It all comes down to building trust, whether that be with Boomers or Gen X or Z. If there is no trust, nothing else matters.

We’re all in this together.

The person I have become after 13 years in this industry is what I truly cherish most. My passion is to serve others, and not just in my industry. No matter your level of success, giving back to the community where you live and work in any way you can is (in my view) both a duty and a responsibility. Being a community realtor, this is what I mean.

Because we are all better together. Which I would say is the most important lesson of all.

If you are unsure as to who to support, I can thoroughly recommend the Children Miracle Network, Canuck Place or Kits Neighbourhood House.