A Calgary-based real estate and property management company that promises a positive experience for every customer, Property Solutions Real Estate Group helps clients maximize cash flow and reduce the stress associated with investing in real estate and rental properties.
Combining a passion for helping people, entrepreneurial spirit, and background in negotiations, legislation, and contracts, Property Solutions Broker/Owner Kerry Hunter brought her vision of a full-service Property Management and Real Estate brokerage to life in 2013. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kerry has grown the brokerage into the successful company it is today, managing over 600 properties in that time, and producing top selling realtors. We spoke to Kerry recently about her beginnings as a realtor, the major issues currently affecting the industry, and the relationship-building approach that defines the company’s offering.
Building relationships
“When starting as a Realtor, I noticed a gap in the market,” Kerry says. “At the time, not many brokerages provided both the property management side and the real estate side of the business, so I really wanted to provide more options for consumers, as well as realtors to be able to offer more solutions to their clients.”
At Property Solutions, Realtors can be involved with the leasing and communication with owners and tenants. This helps the firm provide personal assistance for an owner wanting to purchase additional properties to add to their portfolio or sell their existing investments, or for a tenant looking at buying their own home.
Kerry’s route into Real Estate came about from a number of what she describes as “sliding doors moments”, with her previous legislative work leading her into a job that started her on the path to Property Solutions.
“I had a background in criminal justice and legal contracts, and I was then hired in a position overseas in Brunei Darussalam, working as a housing manager. I worked for a company providing homes for teachers, and I just loved the diversity. Every home was different, every landlord had something different to offer, and I really began to love the Real Estate process.”
On her return to Calgary, Kerry used personal and family property investment and management to start her own company. Once she became licensed, she worked with a franchise brokerage, and then expanded to a full-service brokerage.
The driving principle of Property Solutions is to recognize that each property and owner situation is different, allowing the team to prioritize responding to the individual needs of each client.
“Ultimately, it’s about taking the time to find the best solution for each client, and that is what makes us different. I feel every client deserves a Property Manager and a Realtor they can trust. We ask a lot of questions, finding out the short and long term goals, as that’s important in making a decision.”
In a constantly changing market, it pays to look carefully at what those solutions might be. By working with investors to find appropriate properties that fit their diverse needs, the company builds relationships with the owner and the tenant, further protecting their investment and maximizing profits.
“Our Administrators and our Realtors are fantastic, and an exceptional brokerage cannot run without an amazing team. Day-to-day responsibilities range from assessing properties for sale, working with tenant issues, trying to find the best tenants for specific properties, and protecting the properties – looking at minor repairs or renovations that might be needed.”
Protecting the investment property and maximizing profits are essential from a business perspective, and that requires exceptional relationship building and trust and communication with property owners and tenants.
“Right now, in Calgary specifically, home sales are on the rise, and this is reflective of the market really over the last two years, when some homeowners became unintentional landlords. They had a home, their situation changed, they couldn’t sell it at that time, so they rented it out for a while – they’re now able to sell their homes at a good price.”
Another issue in the industry is relocation for work, with many owners moving out of the country and wanting to keep hold of their homes. Property Solutions therefore works with many non-residents of Canada, supporting them through that change.
“One of the things we’re seeing recently is a lot of outside province investors, and of course they need good Property Management to take care of their investments, they’re not there just to see what’s happening. So that trust has to be there.”
The issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic forced the company to work remotely and perform virtual inspections when it wasn’t possible to enter a home. By adapting electronic delivery of services, the team can now easily switch from office mode to remote work. Clear communication has been essential during this time.
“The last couple of years have been a challenge for sure,” Kerry says, “but I’m really proud of the way the team has worked together with their landlords and tenants, having those difficult conversations with respect and kindness.”
In an ever-changing market, keeping on top of shifts in the business landscape is particularly important, something Property Solutions is committed to doing in order to help clients get the very best of its services.
“We’re working to build our Realtor team as well, making sure that our Realtors are well-versed at Real Estate and Property Management, so they can offer the different solutions to our clients and reducing that stress for homeowners, regardless of their situation, whether it’s to sell now or invest in a difficult buying market and what that might look like in the future.”
Despite the challenges of the pandemic and the turbulence of ever-changing markets, good business always comes down to respect, relationship building, communication, and trust, and these remain key components in Real Estate.
“It’s not just about the properties,” Kerry concludes. “It’s about people, their homes, their investments, sometimes emotional attachments to that, and planning for the future. Every situation is different, every person is different. At Property Solutions we genuinely want to listen, and offer sound, flexible, and positive solutions. Really, that’s what we’re about.”
By recognizing that each property and owner situation is different, and prioritizing and responding to the needs of each client individually, Property Solutions is making a real difference in the Calgary Real Estate market. Find out more about Property Solutions Real Estate Group by emailing [email protected] or calling 403-460-6553