After seeing the Guelph real estate landscape change drastically in the last three decades, Sabrina Essery is ready for her new role as the president of the Guelph & District Association of REALTORS.
Essery said over the last 27 years on the board, she's seen the houses, technology and the industry itself change. And now with COVID-19 affecting home-buying decisions in Canada, her faith in buying a home in Guelph remains solid.
“Guelph is very special. We’re sort of multifaceted. We have the location being closer to Toronto, London, Kitchener and Hamilton. We have industries like Linamar and some of those great companies, we have the University of Guelph which helps sustain too,” said Essery.
“It's an amazing city. It really is,” said Essery. “I love people, I love helping people and I love negotiating in good faith.”
Born and raised in Campbellville, Essery took an interest in real estate because of her mother, a real estate agent in Guelph for 47 years.
Essery said despite being closer to other cities like Oakville and Milton, she gravitated toward Guelph because of its history and culture, and community.
At the age of 19, she got her real estate license, took a break after having three children, and was ready to embark on this career with her mother as a business partner in her new life in Guelph.
“We’ve been working together basically for 30 years,” said Essery who has been very involved in the industry where she served as chair of the public relations committee and the volunteer appreciation.
Essery said what stands out in Guelph is how tight-knit the community is.
“The environmental consciousness that the city has I think is so important too. Our development has been thought out and strategic so I think all of those have made us a strong community,” she said.
“All of us want to foster relationships, serve our networks, our clients, and our communities.”
She said COVID-19 has definitely changed a lot about the industry in little time.
“When COVID first hit, we were not sure if everything was going to shut down and then we became an essential service so then we said okay, we have to make sure we keep our community safe and our realtors safe so what are we going to do,” said Essery.
She said one thing that was clear was how fast the industry grasped technology.
“When I was younger, I remember driving up to Chatham-Kent and to Perth to get offers signed because there just wasn't that technology, and then when faxes came in we were super excited,” said Essery.
Now with COVID-19, the industry quickly adapted to technology and was allowing e-signatures, conducting virtual open houses, showings, and zoom meetings.
Essery said when the pandemic hit in March, home sales were affected by the lockdown but the demand for houses in Guelph remains higher than the inventory.
“It really has been a very steady, busy year,” said Essery “It’s actually been one of the strongest.”
She said historically, July and August are one of the quietest months where everyone is off on holidays.
“July and August broke records this year for sales. It was very much a seller's market again this year,” said Essery.
She said because many people are working from home, a lot of people from high populated cities are coming to Guelph and surrounding areas where they can afford a home with an extra studio or office space.
“That’s an absolute trend,” said Essery.
Essery said the industry has already changed just in terms of how people interact, which is a large part of the job.
“Going from in-person networking to a ZOOM networking is going to be different but in terms of our local association, I’m really excited about it,” said Essery.
“It’s different. It’s our new reality. It's going to be a different way of having a presidency.
“It’s the relationships that we build that are so important and I absolutely love our city and surrounding areas,” said Essery. “I’m really excited about the year ahead.”
