PROPERTYSPARK ARTICLE

Christina Clavero on Building a Real Estate Empire with The Agency

Women in Business

Author: Christina Clavero

Christina Clavero is a successful realtor and business woman who has made her mark in the industry with over $150 million in sales, awards, and recognition for her expertise all whilst growing her family and expanding her business with her husband by her side.
They have built a real estate empire through The Agency Oakville branch and joined forces with David Bakowsky to form the CB Group to expand their horizons for the future.

In her very own words, “I wanted a career where I could help people—and real estate allows me to guide individuals through one of life’s most important milestones,” says Christina. “Helping someone buy or sell a home gives me a huge sense of fulfillment. I love working with my clients, getting to know them and their families. There is truly no greater privilege.” Here is her success journey as a woman who thrives doing it all.

Tell us about when you got started in real estate?

I started my real estate career in 2014 because I wanted a career that allowed me to spend more time with my family and I focus mainly on residential, but I touch on the commercial side as well. My husband and I are a team but last year we also joined forces with another luxury realtor, David Bakowsky and we are officially the CB Group with the focus being the luxury market in Oakville and Burlington.

We started our real estate careers in 2014 and focus mainly on residential but we touch on the commercial side as well. My husband and I are a team but last year we also joined forces with another luxury realtor, David Bakowsky and we are officially the CB Group with the main focus being the luxury market in Oakville and Burlington. Where should people focus their investments when thinking of Ontario? Right now, across Canada, the real estate market has been on fire for most of 2021and 2022, but I would say focus on those outlier cities just outside of Toronto.

Where should people focus their investments when thinking of Ontario?
The residential real estate market has been on fire across Canada for most of 2021 and 2022, but I would say focus on those outlier cities just outside of Toronto. These cities have seen the most growth and increase in price over the past year. For example, Durham Region went up 29% last year, Halton region where I focus my business on has gone up 23% in one year and cities like Hamilton and London Ontario are up 30%.

Due to the pandemic, we’re seeing a lot of people leaving big cities like Toronto looking for more space, because they are working from home, and it seems like the consensus is going to be that most people are going to have a hybrid model. They’re going to work from home most of the time, then go to the office once a week or so. For that reason, people need more space and are looking for a home office, a finished basement, and a backyard. If you’re going to invest, I would look at those cities from thirty minutes to an hour outside of Toronto.

What is your vision of the CB Group growth in the next 5 to 10 years?

I would like to grow our team to have around 10 agents, and I want us to be the go-to luxury team in the Oakville and Burlington market. My team and I don’t just put a “For Sale” sign up and disappear. For us, luxury is not about a price point but rather an
experience and we strive to provide exceptional service throughout the entire transaction. We also partner with the best service providers, such as the best photographers, stagers, home inspectors, and lawyers, so the client has a seamless transaction from start to finish.

On a personal level with my husband, I would like to build our real estate portfolio and buy some investment properties. I feel like that’s a very good place to put your money in the long run. It also creates passive income that gives you security and value at the
same time.

How do you manage your personal and professional life?

That’s a tricky one and I think it’s the same for a lot of people. Obviously, I work with my husband, so it is hard not to talk about work at the dinner table. I find that you really must make your relationship and family a priority and you must schedule it like you would with a meeting or home showing. In my calendar, I schedule my son’s soccer games, my daughter’s dance recitals, dinner with friends, and date night with my husband. Those moments are so important. I find that if it’s not in your calendar then you forget and end up scheduling a client instead. I think being organized and keeping everything on a schedule helps create that balance.