What Is It Like Being a REALTOR? Veronica on Her First Years in Niagara Real Estate

What is it actually like to be a REALTOR®? In this episode of the Niagara Real Estate Podcast, Joe Gonzalez sits down with Veronica, who joined Right Choice in 2021. They talk about what she’s learned, what the market was like when she started, what buyers were going through, and one mortgage tip every buyer should know.

This episode was recorded in September 2023. Market conditions and interest rates have changed since then.

Real estate isn’t what people expect

Veronica came in without expectations, and that turned out to be the right approach. What people think real estate is before they get into it is rarely what it actually is.

Even her mom wasn’t sure real estate was the right move at first. Now she says joining Right Choice is one of the best things Veronica ever did.

Working alongside Kevin

Veronica and Kevin Murphy were already a couple when she considered joining Right Choice, so the three of them sat down first to talk about what working at the same brokerage would look like. It has worked out better than any of them expected. They rarely work the same deals, so it’s less like working together and more like having a sounding board who understands the job.

What she’s learned at Right Choice

When Joe asked what she has learned, Veronica’s answer was “everything.” That included:

• Caring about people beyond the transaction. In past jobs, caring about a customer lasted for the moment you served them. In real estate, caring about people long after the paperwork is signed shows up in your business, and clients notice.
• No BS. Every price and recommendation should have proof behind it, not a number pulled out of a hat.
• How to run your day. From scheduling to deciding what matters most, the business side takes as much learning as the real estate side.
• Health and business go together. Feeling good and confident shows up in your work and makes you proud to show up every day.

Joe added something he looks for in every agent: you can teach people how to build on their care for others, but you can’t teach someone to care. Veronica had that from day one. He also appreciates that once she learns a lesson, she doesn’t repeat the same mistake.

An open playbook

At Right Choice, Joe shares everything about how the business works, from how he built it to where it’s going. His goal isn’t just to make agents the best REALTORS® they can be, but the best business people, and to help everyone keep growing outside of work too.

Starting in a red-hot market

When Veronica started, the market was on fire. She had about six accepted offers in her first six weeks. Things moved so fast it was hard to stop and absorb every step. A slower market gives new agents more time to learn the process, from prospecting to putting deals together.

What buyers were going through

At the time of recording, interest rates were the biggest factor in the market. Prices were similar to two years earlier, but higher rates meant higher payments. Fewer people were moving, and the late-summer back-to-school season slowed things further.

The buyers who were moving forward usually had a clear reason, like a life change or a deadline. Their focus wasn’t on complaining about rates. It was on finding the right home in their price range within their timeline.

Joe pointed to the volatility behind the uncertainty. When he started in real estate, average prices in Canada went up about 3% a year. In August 2023, Niagara prices moved 5% in a single month. With swings like that, every buyer’s situation is different, and there’s no blanket advice that fits everyone.

Lock in your rate with a pre-approval

One of the most useful tips in this episode: when you get a mortgage pre-approval, your rate is usually held for a set period, often around three months, depending on your lender.

• If rates go up during that time, you keep the lower rate.
• If rates go down, you can usually get the new, lower rate.
• If you’re not likely to buy within that window, time your pre-approval carefully, so it doesn’t expire just before you’re ready.

Veronica had a buyer who would have been priced out of the market if their rate hold had expired. Terms vary by lender, so always confirm the details with your mortgage broker.

Questions answered in this episode

What is it like being a REALTOR?

It’s people-focused, fast-moving and different from what most people expect. Caring about clients and being honest with them is at the heart of it.

Should I get a mortgage pre-approval before I start looking?

Yes. It tells you what you can afford and usually holds your rate for a set period, which protects you if rates rise.

What was it like starting in real estate during the 2021 market?

Busy. Deals moved fast, which meant a lot of experience in a short time but less time to absorb each step.

Ready to start your home search?

We’ll help you get pre-approved, prepared and ready to move when the right Niagara home comes up.

Call 289-276-1716 or see our buyer guide.