When she’s not working you can find Melissa hiking local scenic trails, exploring local farms, and doing the things she loves most: Being a mom and looking for the next new adventure.
We sat down with Melissa to talk about her approach to her role as a realtor and her experience working alongside Ourboro.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background in real estate.
I got my real estate license 10 years ago now. I began my career as a part-time administrator for a brokerage in Mississauga while attending Sheridan College. At the time, I was feeling unmotivated in my program and was seeking ways to make extra money while gaining valuable experience. Witnessing the positive impact realtors were making in their clients’ lives inspired me to explore the industry further.
During that time, I had moved out really young, it was hard for me to save for a down payment. I’d been renting forever, and wanted to break into the market. I sort of mimicked the same process that Ourboro does. I have a co-investor, and we have a property together. That has helped with saving for other properties and things of that nature. So I liked the concept of Ourboro, and for myself, I’ve seen a great outcome through collaboration.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
My favourite part of being a realtor is the opportunity to guide clients through one of the most significant decisions of their lives. Whether it’s helping someone find their dream home, negotiating a successful deal, or assisting with an investment property–being able to make a meaningful impact on their lives is incredibly rewarding to me. I also enjoy the dynamic nature of the real estate industry, where every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn and grow. Building lasting relationships with clients and seeing the joy on their faces when we achieve their goals together is truly priceless.
Why don’t you tell us a bit about how the journey to becoming an Ourboro Referral Partner went?
When I first heard about Ourboro, I was skeptical about the concept. I first heard about the program on the radio and before the ad even finished, I was like, does this actually work? I quickly realized after doing some research, that the entire process from beginning to end was easy for our mutual client and it works! People have been doing this forever. Communities have been doing this. What better way to get into homeownership than through collaboration?
What’s the biggest challenge you see facing buyers today?
The biggest challenge I see facing buyers today is the competitive housing market characterized by limited inventory and rising prices. This can make it difficult for buyers to find properties that meet their needs within their budget. Saving for a down payment in today’s climate with the rising cost of groceries, gas and other necessities makes it even more difficult.
Can you tell us how Ourboro was the right fit for your client who closed with us?
During the home-buying process, we quickly realized that if you don’t have the entire down payment, or if you wait to structure a plan to save for the down payment, it takes longer and the markets change. We came together and said “What’s the plan? How are we going to put together this down payment?”
They had some money saved, their criteria were amazing, and their credit was good. It was just the [missing] down payment. What better way than to introduce them to Ourboro? And that’s what we did.
If you only had three words to describe your approach with clients, what would they be?
Client-centered, diligent, and innovative.
Is there a piece of advice you often find yourself giving to your clients?
The advice I’d often give to my clients is that their first home may not be their dream home, but it is a stepping stone to get into their forever home. These days, my advice is to find innovative ways to co-buy. Like using Ourboro!
This interview may have been edited for both length and clarity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Ourboro.
