Robert Provost (left) and Jennifer Perkins are agents with Century 21 Shield Realty. They came to real estate from other careers but believe their unique life experience is a benefit to each of the clients they serve. Tinkess Photo

CORNWALL – For many people the purchase of a home will be the single largest purchase they will make in their lifetime. That is why it is essential to work with a realtor you feel comfortable with, and that you believe has your best interests in mind and that you feel you can trust.

Rob Provost and Jennifer Perkins who work with Century 21 Shield Realty Ltd. in Cornwall are two agents you should consider.

Century 21 Shield Realty Ltd. is one of the area’s premier real estate brokerages, and when you work with one of their agents, you access the knowledge and experience of a brand known world-wide. Of course, it is the agent or agents you work with that become the face of the company, and in the case of Provost and Perkins you are working with real people, each with a unique background that makes them a good choice to help you navigate the sales process, whether you are a buyer or a seller.

Rob Provost has been a part of the real estate industry in this area for almost three years but brings with him extensive experience as a red seal electrician, something that can benefit his clients when choosing whether to buy, sell, or invest. “I was an electrician for over 30 years, and my wife got into real estate,” said Provost.  “I thought it would be a good transition to slowly retire out of the electrical and start something totally different.

“It does also give me a bit of an advantage,” he adds. “You know, I can pick out possible red flags for old panels or aluminum wiring or knob and tube wiring, that kind of thing. So, it’s a good transition.”

Jennifer Perkins has five years of experience in real estate and came to the industry from a management level career in social service work. Unfortunately, those positions often are reliant on unpredictable government funding, so she decided it was time to move to something more permanent. “I finished the real estate course and had to make a decision eventually over whether to take a leap of faith.

“I had to choose whether to start this new career or stay where I felt comfortable and where I received a steady paycheque. I decided to take the leap of faith, and honestly it is the best decision I’ve ever made.

Perkins says her skills as a manager and being very hands-on with the administrative functions have really helped her with the paperwork aspect of real estate.

There are many factors which influence the real estate market in Canada, and according to Provost, eastern Ontario currently is what could be described as a buyer’s market. “There’s a lot of homes on the market and there’s more room for negotiation and sellers have to be a little more willing to negotiate with the buyers,” said Provost.

Real estate, like most industries changes over time and there have been changes in various pieces of legislation in Ontario. The goal in many cases is to protect the consumer, but according to Perkins, if an agent is being honest and transparent with their client, they are probably already living up to the spirit of any legislation that is passed.

“There have been some changes,” she said, “Personally, I thought that it was going to be a bigger change. The trust in real estate act, came in a few years ago. I thought that it was going to be more shocking than it was, to be honest. It didn’t really change the way that clients, perceive us.  I think that if you just treat people like people and you’re honest and open and transparent with them, it hasn’t really, made much of a difference.”

When asked if they had encountered any surprises since becoming real estate professionals, both Provost and Perkins say the same thing: Social Media.

“I didn’t know I had to be an actress to be a realtor,” said Perkins. “That’s huge.”

“I don’t think anybody’s prepared for that coming out of the schooling,” adds Provost. “You have to be comfortable in front of a camera and, I mean, it does get easier, but it can be a little uncomfortable when you’re first starting out.”

Another thing that both agents agree about is what is missing from the housing market, and it isn’t a surprise. The missing element is affordable housing.

“Especially affordable homes that don’t need a whole lot of work and that are in decent, good neighbourhoods,” said Perkins. “Because the definition of an affordable home is a lot different than it was eight years ago.”

While home ownership may seem out of reach for some, it remains something that many are willing to scrimp, save and reach for, and there are still programs, and ways of structuring a real estate deal that can provide some relief. Programs like the one which removed the HST from some new home sales help, but having a knowledgeable and experience guide to help you navigate through the process can make a difference as well. Both Provost and Perkins offer that. If you’re planning on buying or selling, it might be worth reaching out to them for advice.

Both Robert Provost and Jennifer Perkins work out of the Century 21 Shield Realty Ltd. office in the Cotton Mill complex, located at 703 cotton Mill St. Unit 109 in Cornwall.

You can reach Robert at 613-362-6056 and email is RobProvost.trmt@gmail.com.

You can reach Jennifer at 613-362-8590 and her email is jenperkinsrealtor@gmail.com.

If you would like to have a light shined on your business, please contact us at: editor@etceterapublications.ca or call us at 613-448-2321.