How to thrive in any market w John Tsai & Agent DK

EMPOWER OTTAWA 06.08.2023. A production & motivational event where agents came to connect with Top Industry Experts, Network, Learn, and Enjoy the Process of Growing their Real Estate Business.

About the speakers:

[DIMITRIOS KALOGEROPOULOS @agentdk]

Superstar agent Dimitrios Kalogeropoulos or ‘Agent DK’ as he’s affectionately known, of eXp Realty, wasn’t handed his success on a silver platter. Born and raised in a financially struggling family, every aspect of his top agent status was earned the hard way: through sheer grit and determination.

This dedication to his business has resulted in an avalanche of accolades, including recognition as being among the top one percent of realtors in Canada, ranking #69 out of 18,300 Agents Canada - wide for gross earnings (Ranked #59/18,300 Agents for Units Sold Canada Wide). Top Agent Magazine named DK one of the Top Agents in North America in 2020, Real Estate Professional Magazine has named him among the Top 100 agents in Canada, and he has been a recipient of Royal LePage’s National Chairman’s Club, Emerald, Red Diamond, Diamond and Director’s Platinum and Sales Achievement awards. With well over 150 closed transactions per year and a small but dedicated team, DK is well positioned to maintain his Top Agent status for many years to come.

A veteran of the electronics industry, DK felt he had reached his potential and decided to make a change. While living in Toronto, he took a correspondence course to obtain his license, and

segued into real estate. DK enjoyed selling real estate in Toronto for a couple of years however his heart was back home in Ottawa so his family packed their bags and headed to the Nation’s Capital to re- start the business. Moving back to his hometown of Ottawa, his business immediately skyrocketed, and he was able to close more than fifty deals in that first year back home. “That’s when I hired my assistant/office manager Silvi,” he says, “and the moment we jumped to 100 transactions, that’s when I hired my buyer’s agent and my wife Freda came on board to help with the business.”

Currently, a large percentage of DK’s business is based on referrals, an impressive number considering he re-booted his real estate career in Ottawa and started from scratch which is not easy to do. This percentage is a direct result of the quality of client service DK and his team provide for each and every one of their satisfied customers. “I’m obsessed with customer service,” he says. “And having worked in retail for so long, I try to bring that philosophy into real estate. One of the biggest complaints in the industry is that clients don’t hear from their agents during the transaction or after it’s closed. We’ll communicate with them at least three times a week. We keep everyone informed at all times.”

Helping his clients is what brings DK the greatest satisfaction, he says. “I know that if you treat people right and you’re honest, the financial rewards will follow. I’ve been able to help hundreds of people who have ended up in difficult financial situations. We’ve built up quite a reputation for being able to do that.”

During those rare times when he’s not working, family time is paramount to DK, and his wife and two kids take priority. His parents are also front and center: “Being able to take care of my parents financially gives me great pleasure. Being able to tell my mom that she can stop working is the biggest accomplishment I could have.” he says. Giving back to his community is also very important to him, and to that end he donates to his children’s school and to CHEO. He has also volunteered for twenty years as the Master of Ceremonies for one of the largest and well-respected Greek Festivals in Canada here in Ottawa.

As for the future, DK plans to continue to grow his business, but not at the expense of the quality of customer service they have become known for. “We’re growing so fast that it’s scary and exciting at the same time. I never want to grow to a point where the service suffers.”

Agent DK has some advice for novice realtors: “Success has everything to do with a positive mindset,” he says. “Once you are able to eliminate negative thinking and limiting beliefs, there is nothing stopping you.

 

[JOHN TSAI @tsairealestate]

John Tsai has received numerous accolades, including the Master Medallion Club Award (2010 - 2022), President’s Club Award (2015 - 2018), and eXp Realty’s 4X ICON Agent Award (2019 - 2022), Top 1% Team in Greater Vancouver (2022). Reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad lead him to launch his real estate career in 2006. Day by day, John puts his clients first, endeavoring to find home buyers their dream home and to provide home sellers the highest possible return on their investment. John moved to the Lower Mainland fr om Taiwan as a young child and was raised in Vancouver and Burnaby. He now lives in Burnaby and enjoys his proximity to his mom and in - laws as well as his 15 minute commute to his office space at Metrotown. His goals for the future include building a team that helps over 400 families buy or sell a home a year, creating a rental property portfolio, and giving back by through charitable contribution and by inspiring other Realtors. John cites Terminator as the movie that’s most inspired him, because “he’s indestructible. He just keeps coming back until he’s achieved his goal.” Another note: John and his team are also currently in the Top 1% and ranked the Number 9 Team in Greater Vancouver out of 15,000 agents. You can read John’s journey via his new book HOW TO BE A BEAST sold on Amazon.