Curious about how one of the top performing teams at Macdonald Realty operates? In this exclusive Q&A with team member Jason Chan from Capstone Real Estate Group, you’ll gain some insight into life on a large team, key lessons learned from years in the industry, and more.
Real estate can be a competitive industry. What do you think sets your team apart from others? I would say the most unique aspect of our team is our ability to cover a wide range of areas in the Greater Vancouver area with expertise and experience. As a result of our internal team support, we’re able to confidently serve areas from West Vancouver to Port Moody, extending all the way to Maple Ridge.
What’s the weirdest or funniest request a client has ever made during a transaction? The weirdest request ever made by a client while viewing a property would have to be: “Would the seller consider leaving their cars with the home?”
What do you foresee as the biggest challenges and opportunities for realtors in the coming years? Consistency of market trends will for sure be the most challenging in 2024. Sales declining month over month while prices have yet to adjust to increasing inventory in most cities.
How has being a large team impacted your experience in the real estate industry? Being a large team has been extremely helpful in the way that we all experience a variety of different working styles (and specializations in different areas) up close and personal. Our team works in a multitude of languages and adopts diverse approaches to clients, enabling each of us to understand and satisfy a broader range of client specific needs.
Back row (left to right): Stephanie Dinh-Walsh, Teresa Liu, Frankie Chu, Vanessa Ram. Front row (left to right): Jason Chan, Sherman Ma, Nathan Choi.
With a team of seven agents, how do you maintain effective communication and organization? Group chats and consistent team meetings, full accountability with transparency, and a financial structure that is different from most teams.
Can you discuss a particularly challenging deal you’ve closed and how your team managed to overcome the obstacles? Challenging deals can come from a variety of situations (for example, price, conditions, after home care before buyer possession). In one situation, the buyer asked the seller to maintain all exterior landscaping with proof of professional services until completion. We’ve also seen requests for specific items (not related to the home) that get added into the negotiations; while they may be unique and worth a discussion, sometimes the focus on the main goal gets lost and we have to re-direct the conversation.
What are some key lessons you’ve learned from your years of experience in real estate that you wish you knew when you started? Systems are the key to success in this business. Market conditions will always change, but good habits and a consistent approach of being visible and relatable will undoubtedly create more opportunities for success. You never know what results will come from your efforts, so stay on your own path and focus on what you can control.
What are your favourite things about Macdonald Realty? Support at the office is essential. The best balance can only be achieved with a dedicated team and everyone’s commitment. You’ll find this level of support at Macdonald Realty.
To learn more about Capstone Team, or to get in touch, click here.
Interested in learning more about working at Macdonald Realty? Connect with one of our Managing Brokers here.
