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KATIA SAMSON, AN EXCEPTIONAL MONTREAL REAL ESTATE BROKER, TALKS ABOUT HER METEORIC RISE IN THE REAL ESTATE BUSINESS.
The secret of Katia Samson’s success? First and foremost, it’s her personality. Genuine, honest, sociable and dedicated, she quickly rose through the ranks to become one of Montreal’s top real estate professionals at a very young age. Katia has an excellent knowledge of the real estate market, providing her clients with targeted information on property values in all areas of the city. In addition to her excellent negotiating skills, Katia is, according to her clients, an efficient and organized professional. She keeps a close eye on market trends and developments, technological advances, legal aspects and all the elements likely to influence the sale of properties. To find out more about Katia Samson’s career and success, read her exclusive interview with PropertySpark.
HOW DID YOU BEGIN YOUR CAREER IN REAL ESTATE?
I officially became a broker in 1996, at the age of 21.
IN A FEW WORDS, COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR QUALITIES AND SKILLS? IF YOU HAD TO IMPRESS SOMEONE WITH YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
I couldn’t talk about myself without mentioning my team. We stand out for our attention to detail. Every step of the way, right down to the phone call to finalize a sale, is marked by passion and integrity. We make it a point to be honest with our customers at all times, and to earn their trust by giving them the right advice. I believe that the loyalty of repeat and referral customers confirms that we know how to do things right. Anyone can do a job – but offering a little more and aiming for the extraordinary instead of the ordinary is what really makes a difference with us.
WHAT DREW YOU TO A CAREER IN REAL ESTATE? HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO STAY MOTIVATED ALONG THE WAY?
At 21, independence was very important to me. I thought that real estate was an avenue that would enable me to earn a good living and remain independent. Everything I learned during my training and in the field turned my interest in real estate into a real passion. In our business, the only limit is the one you impose on yourself. You decide how much work you will invest and how long it will take you to achieve your goals. Although I don’t consider myself very competitive, success motivated me to succeed at a very young age, and that’s really what kept me going. My work ethic has never changed, but my confidence and experience have made me a better broker – qualities that customers appreciate when they hire a professional in our industry.
IF YOU COMPARE THE WAY YOU DID THINGS AT THE BEGINNING OF YOUR CAREER WITH THE CLIENTELE YOU HAVE TODAY, WHAT WERE THE MAIN FACTORS THAT ENABLED YOU TO EXPAND?
A good team. For me, there’s no doubt that recruiting the right people and knowing how to delegate is what has enabled me to grow my business exponentially. It’s impossible to get ahead in real estate by working alone. Secondly, digital technology has been one of my greatest assets. When I started out, everything was done by fax and phone, and we only met people for handwritten signatures and listings. We really didn’t have the resources we have today: emails, text messages, online registrations and social media… We’re much more efficient, but on the other hand, we have to constantly stay on the cutting edge of technology to serve our customers as efficiently as possible.
WHAT IS THE MOST PROFITABLE ASPECT OF YOUR BUSINESS, AND WHY? HOW CAN OTHER INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS APPLY THIS TO THEIR ACTIVITIES?
Returning customers – and their loyalty – are what make a business profitable and help it continue to grow. If a broker has to repeat business every year, marketing and advertising costs quickly become exorbitant. At our company, customer loyalty and referrals from former clients led to a high volume of listings in 2017, with over 120 transactions.
WHAT’S YOUR WORKING DAY LIKE? DO YOU GET UP EARLY? DO YOU WORK LATE? WHAT TASKS DO YOU PERFORM YOURSELF? WHO DO YOU TALK TO?
My day usually starts around 6:30. I answer my e-mails, then upload new entries to social media. Then I organize the rest of my day. At 8 a.m., I’m off to the gym – exercise helps me get my head in the right place and better manage the stress associated with my work. Every day is different when you’re a broker – your schedule can quickly become unpredictable. For example, you may have to go to a notary for signing sessions, meet customers for new listings, visit buyers, organize team meetings or attend meetings with marketing companies for new projects. Sometimes I receive offers to buy in the middle of the day, or calls for a visit. And sometimes, just when the day looks like it’s going to be relaxing, it can go completely crazy, filled with tight deadlines, visits and documents to prepare… When I have enough energy left, I work a little later, to lighten my workload for the next day. So I can get to the gym earlier in the morning. I try to take breaks during the day to catch my breath, but more often than not, I’m at work until around 9 p.m… and the next day, it’s all over again.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE SUCCESSFUL? HOW DID YOU ACHIEVE IT, AND HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS?
I think it’s the recognition of the other brokers, their respect, and a kind of admiration for the way I manage to balance life and work that has enabled me to achieve it. In fact, I think I celebrate my success every day! I have a healthy lifestyle, I take time for myself, I like to travel and I regularly give myself small rewards. That’s my best motivation!
LOOKING BACK, WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU HAD DONE SOONER? DO YOU THINK DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY WOULD HAVE BROUGHT YOU TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY MORE QUICKLY?
I’m happy with the path I’ve chosen, because it’s allowed me to be where I am today. I made the right decisions and changes when I was ready. I have no regrets.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER REAL ESTATE ENTREPRENEURS LOOKING TO GROW THEIR BUSINESS?
As I’ve already said, I’m a firm believer in teamwork. But I also believe it’s essential to work solo at first, for a few years, to get used to the adrenalin and discover your own style, strengths and weaknesses. Once you feel comfortable in the saddle, team up with people who complement you, and set up a structure based on balance, with people you like and trust.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUCCEEDED IN YOUR INDUSTRY AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN LESS SUCCESSFUL?
The industry in which I work demands that you not only pay attention to every transaction, but that you also give your customers your undivided attention. The customer must be your priority, whether the transaction materializes or not. If you don’t know how to deal with this reality, you won’t get anywhere in real estate. Today’s well-informed buyers and sellers expect honesty and guidance from their broker, especially if they’re about to make the biggest investment of their lives. If you know how to build a good relationship with your customer and have a harmonious rapport with them, they’ll do business with you again in the future. Remember, too, that this is your business, and to grow it properly, you need to invest in it. The profits you make must be reinvested in your brand image; in the long run, this is always profitable.
TO WHAT EXTENT HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE MARKETING HAD AN IMPACT ON YOUR REAL ESTATE BUSINESS? HAVE YOU SEEN AN INCREASE IN TRANSACTIONS AFTER ADDING SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE MARKETING TO YOUR SALES TOOLS?
Social media and online marketing are essential tools for success. They’re part of the world we live in, and people use them to inform themselves and make decisions. Taking advantage of good online visibility and using the right tools has propelled my business to another level. My customers are easily redirected to detailed listings and photos, and I can also keep them informed on a daily basis. I also post on social media myself, because I want the media I use to reflect my personality. I also entrust the work to other people.
We hope you’ve learned a little more about how to be successful in real estate. For a unique experience when buying or selling real estate in Montreal, call on Katia Samson!
Visit Katia Samson’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/katiasamsonrealestate/
Discover Katia Samson’s Instagram page at: https://www.instagram.com/katiasamsonrealestate/
This article was originally published in English on PropertySpark
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