Katia Samson, Montreal’s extraordinary real estate professional, shares her story of how she became a successful real estate broker at a young age.
Katia Samson’s secret to success is her honest, dedicated and sociable personality, which has led her to become one of the top real estate professionals in Montreal. Katia has excellent knowledge of the real estate market and offers her clients targeted information on property values in all areas of the city. She has excellent negotiation skills and is organized and efficient, as stated by her past clients. She keeps track of trends, technological advances, legalities and anything that would impact home sales. Learn more about Katia’s experience and success story by reading her exclusive interview with PropertySpark below!
When did you start your career in real estate?
My real estate career officially began in 1996; I was 21 years old.
Please also in 2 short lines brag about yourself, if you really had to impress someone about what you do, what would you say?
I couldn’t say something about myself without talking about my team. We stand out because of our attention to detail. Everything from a quick phone call to finalizing a sale is handled with the same passion and integrity. We are honest with our clients and win them over by being their guiding light. Repeat business and referrals are an affirmation that we’re doing something right. Anyone can do an ordinary job, but it’s the extraordinary that makes us different.
What inspired you to start in real estate and how did you motivate yourself to keep going?
At 21, my independence was important to me. I felt that real estate was a career that would allow me to make a living while keeping my independence. Everything I learnt during the course and on the field slowly turned my interest into a passion. In real estate the only limit is yourself. You decide how much work you want to put in and how much of your time it’s going to take. Although I don’t consider myself competitive, I am driven by success and being successful at a young age is what motivated me to persevere. My work ethic has never changed, but the growth in my confidence and experiences have made me a better broker – qualities clients can appreciate when hiring a professional.
Comparing your business from back then to now, what has been the main thing that allowed you to expand your business?
The right team. Without a doubt finding the right people to work with and knowing how to delegate is what allowed me to grow my business exponentially. It’s impossible to evolve in this business if you’re firm on working alone. Second to that, is the technological era we live in today. When I started out it was phone calls and fax machines, only meeting people in person for signatures and handwriting listings. We certainly did not have the resources we have now; emails, texts, online listings, social media etc.…We are a lot more efficient, and it’s crucial we keep up with every technological advance to service our clients in the most effective way.
What’s the most profitable aspect of your business, why do you think this is and how can others apply this to what they are doing?
Repeat business is what keeps the wheels turning and the business profitable. If a broker had to recreate their clientele every year, the marketing and advertising costs would be exorbitant. Repeat business and referrals accounted for huge volume in 2017; over 120 transactions.
How do you work? (Do you wake up early, work late, communicate, what jobs do you do yourself, who do you talk to, etc.)
My day starts at 6:30 am. I begin by responding to emails, post new listings on social media and try to schedule the rest of my day. At 8 am I’m on my way to the gym – working out clears my head and allows me to handle the stress associated with the job. Every day in the field is different, and the schedule can be unpredictable. There could be notary signings to attend, clients to meet for new listings, showings with buyers, meetings with my team, and meetings with my marketing firm about new projects. Sometimes I can receive an offer mid-day or a call for a visit. Sometimes when I’m expecting an easy day, I’m suddenly overwhelmed with a tight deadline, showings, paperwork etc… When I have the energy, I work late to unload some of the morning tasks, which allow me to hit the gym in the am. I try to take some breaks throughout the day to catch my breath, but I’m mostly on the go until about 9pm…..and then it starts all over again.
When did you realize you were successful/made it and how did you feel/celebrate?
I guess it was the recognition of my success from other brokers and them showing their admiration for my work/life balance. The truth is, I am always celebrating. I take good care of myself, I love to travel, I reward myself regularly. It’s the best motivation!
Looking back, what could you of done sooner to of got to that point quicker?
I’m happy with the path I’ve taken because it has led me here. I made the right moves and changes when I was ready. I have no regrets.
What should other real estate entrepreneurs reading this be focusing on to expand their own business?
Like I mentioned, I’m a big advocate of teamwork. However, I think it’s crucial to start on your own for a few years, get the taste of the adrenaline and discover your personal style, your strengths and your weaknesses. Once you feel you have established that, team up with someone or people that compliment you and work out a balanced system with people you like and trust.
What do you consider the main differences between those people who have been successful in your industry and those who have failed?
This business does not only require you to care about each transaction; it requires you to care about the client. The client is the priority whether a transaction goes through or not, and people that fail to see that will not succeed in this industry. Today, buyers and sellers are well informed, but they’re looking to you for honesty and guidance, especially when they’re potentially about to make the biggest investment of their lives. If you make a connection and have a good rapport, they hire you again. Also, this is your business, and in order to grow it properly you need to invest in it; profits must go into developing your brand; it pays off in the long run.
How has social media and online marketing affected your real estate business? How much more success have you had now after implementing social media and online marketing efforts?
Social media and online marketing are essential to success. This is the world we live in. This is how people get their information and make decisions. Having online visibility and utilizing the proper tools has taken my business to the next level. Clients are easily directed to detailed listings and pictures and are constantly up to date with the latest information. I do some social posting myself because I want it to reflect my personality but I also outsource.
We hope you’ve learnt a great deal about becoming a successful real estate agent. Make sure to reach out to Katia Samson for a phenomenal and a one of a kind experience in buying or selling real estate in Montreal!
Check out Katia Samson’s Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/katiasamsonrealestate/
Check out Katia Samson’s Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/katiasamsonrealestate/
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