Maroc - STOREYS.COM - A La Une - 09/Dec 14:00

Meet The Agent: Ally Ballam, Engel & Völkers Vancouver

Welcome to Meet the Agent, an ongoing series profiling real estate agents from across Canada. With more than 150,000 agents, brokers, and salespeople working in 75 different boards and associations across the country, we thought it was about time they had a place to properly introduce themselves. If you or someone you know deserves the same chance, email agents@storeys.com to apply.THE DETAILSName: Ally BallamBrokerage: Engel & Völkers VancouverAreas of Focus: Vancouver, North Vancouver, Tri-Cities, and the Fraser Valley.Personal Channels: Instagram | Twitter | FacebookYears of Experience: 10 yearsTHE INSIGHTSWhere did you grow up?I grew up in Coquitlam, British Columbia.What neighbourhood do you live in now?I split my time between Langley, BC and Scottsdale, Arizona.What made you want to become a real estate agent?I started to invest in real estate before I became a realtor and I saw how lucrative investing in real estate could be and wanted to help teach others how to set themselves on a path to financial freedom. I also wanted a job that had flexible hours and where there was no ceiling on how big I could grow my business.What’s the biggest challenge you see facing the market today?The constantly new regulations within our province that are impacting both buyers and sellers.What’s the single best advice you have for sellers?Do your due diligence and make sure you are working with a realtor who can not only educate you on this particular sale but that can also help you plan your next move/moves to set you up for a better future.What’s the best advice you have for buyers?Buy when no one else is buying as long as it makes sense and never over-leverage.What’s the best thing a realtor can invest in for their brand (a bus bench ad, a solid Instagram strategy, etc.)?We put a heavy focus on Instagram with our team as it's free and has such a big reach. But we also invest in building relationships with other top real estate advisors and collaborating. A big portion of our business is a collaboration with other advisors, agents and professionals.Who do you look up to in the industry and why?My boss babe business partner Amy Leong. She is the most thoughtful, intelligent and hard-working woman I know. She always carries herself in the most professional manner no matter the situation.Is there anything you wish people knew or understood about realtors that you think they’re constantly getting wrong?A great real estate advisor will be able to look at your goals and be able to curate the best plan for your success. They won't just look at the one transaction you hired them for, they will look at how they can use this transaction to better your future financial and personal goals.Tell us about your favourite (or most memorable) sale.I was working with a couple who had previously tried to sell their home with another agent for months. They were trying to make the move to a bigger home due to their growing family and had become frustrated and discouraged with their selling process. A few weeks after canceling the listing they had come through my open house unknown to me looking for a new real estate advisor. They took my information and I was sitting down with them over coffee three days later. Their dream home had come on the market a week prior and they were determined to make it happen. The next day we got an accepted offer on their dream home and I was able to sell their home two weeks later for a price that exceeded their expectations. It was the best feeling getting to help turn around their story into a happily ever after.The three words you hope your clients use to describe you.Knowledgeable, trustworthy, reliable.What’s your favourite thing to do outside of selling houses?Going on little adventures with my son and husband and creating memories together.