AGENT OF CHANGE
How she found the foursome a home they all love
What did you think of Jean-Paul, Mary-Anne, Noah and Jackie’s plan to invest in a house together? I thought it was brilliant . . . They joked around a lot. Like, “Are we crazy?” I didn’t even think about it. They were so enthusiastic, and their personalities are such that I knew they would have a great experience living in the same building together.
Their model is really creative, but obviously not for everyone. What conditions need to be in place?
No. 1, you need the right dynamics in place within the group. Everyone also has to be on the same page — in terms of what they want, and how they will manage the house. Things like repairs. Do they get split evenly? Who organizes them? For Jean-Paul and Mary-Anne, I think they loved the idea of helping the kids achieve that dream of home ownership earlier than they would have been able to, and helping them build equity earlier. And having everyone under one roof, seeing the kids more often . . . When there are grandkids one day, that could be a lot of fun!
House-hunting doesn’t often involve two couples who are also buyers. What was different this time around?
Because all four people were going to live in the house, it was more personal. We had to make sure that nobody felt like it was a sacrifice to move to a shared home. Especially Jean-Paul and Mary-Anne, who were moving from a great house that they loved, and were doing this to help their son and daughter-in-law. Noah wanted a nice kitchen, or the possibility of a nice kitchen. Jackie wanted two bedrooms, but without a master in the basement, which can be tough to find. And Jean-Paul and Mary-Anne just wanted a nice, bright space, and something a little more interesting.
How many different hats did you have to wear?
We always joke that we’re part-time therapists, decorators, all those things. I started out with my listening hat on . . . When we started to look, I became more of an adviser . . . I was also a cheerleader . . . I needed to balance everybody and keep everybody focused and positive. Once we found the home, I was an agent, strategizing the best approach and negotiating the deal. And then, I’d like to say: Friend!
The Bédards say you that you basically became a part of the family?
I’m really lucky in that I have worked with amazing clients across the board, but in this case, the nature of the family and their dynamic — they are just so warm, and just such a great family. I love them!
What obstacles do people run into getting into the market for the first time?
It’s the down payment. For Noah and Jackie, that’s what was holding them back.