On the Front Lines

The real estate boom saw city agents adapt to a whole new way of working

Wendy Lepore

“I’m not a big fan of open houses. My business is largely by referrals. I think the virtual tours and the floor plans and the technology we have today allow us to show a property so much better. But I miss driving people around in my car — that allows me to get to know my clients better. There are more calls and texts now. I really look forward to having people in my car again.” Royal LePage Team Realty

Charles Sezlik

“I’ve been in real estate since 1990, over 30 years, and this is the craziest I have ever seen it. And the 1999-2000 year was hot, we saw multiple offers and lines of 10 cars waiting in front of a house. Then, we might see half a dozen offers. But now we are seeing 20 or 30 offers on a house — that never happened before.” Royal LePage Team Realty

Reba Wilson

“Ottawa’s luxury real estate market is seeing a demand for spaces that facilitate privacy. During COVID, privacy became equated with safety. It is the sense of separating one’s bubble from those of others. But within the bubble, it is also important to have space to work and live. This is partly why studies and exterior space — including terraces, greenspaces and acreage — have become so sought after.” Marilyn Wilson Dream Properties Inc.