Interview with Andres Ramirez
- Toronto Artists
- Mar 15, 2023
- 8 min read
Written by James Mac Donald
Interview with Andres Ramirez
This weekend James had a chance to catch up with local Real Estate Agent superstar Andres Ramirez...hailing from Toronto. He made an impact on the “Real-Estate Industry” at a very early age. However, this was not his first choice as we found out from him. This weekend allowed us to better understand what Andres Ramirez has been doing lately in terms of projects. And the bigger question of what is going on in Toronto’s hot property market? Toronto-Weekend also learned from him possible ways to explore opportunities to get the dream home you're looking for.
How did you get into Real-Estate?
When we first read about you in one of your posts you said that your first dream was to be a firefighter. However, we learned that your first business venture was being involved in the nightclub industry in Toronto as a promoter. In reading your post I’ve tried to read some but a few points stick out one of them is Branding. It was a great article which you say. “The key to being successful online is to come with an open mind, ready to learn. New trends show up daily, so make sure you are setting your brand up to be adaptable to grow with your audience. This means, if your audience is obsessed with a new Tiktok trend, join the obsession! Find a balance between strong content creation, and posting random stuff. Put yourself out there, test the waters, and get dirty!!! (Sorry, I can get passionate about content creation!!).”
James: How did that change you or shape your business path which led you to make that change of you wanting to choose to get into the current field you are currently in?
Andres: The passion of being a firefighter and mixing with the social skills of the Toronto nightlife, definitely taught me a lot. A lot of experiences both positive and negative but both types were always lessons. I think being a nice person but not too nice has been the biggest change, you want the best for everyone but at the end of the day making the hard decisions is what makes a great leader. I look at real estate as leading the path for your client. Realtors are usually the first point of contact for clients to buy or sell.
Traditional Media vs Social Media
James: How do you learn to measure what works and does not work when Traditional media and social media sometimes has for better words over saturated? How do you reach your customers faster than other agents can dream of?
Andres: I believe they both work, growing up with a single mother, I learned to work with what you got. Finding solutions instead of just crying the sad story is something I try my best to live by. I quickly learned that social media was a cost-efficient tool to advertise your business if worked properly. To be honest I am starting to open my mind to some traditional media because the budget is now there. In traditional media, I believe you have to go big or go home, with social media you can be cost-effective and have a reach of thousands of people. I reach my potential clients faster due to personal relationships; I always try to connect personally with anyone I meet, either with a nice gesture, making them laugh, or having a quality conversation with them. I’m a believer in good karma and respect whether that person is my client in the future or not, there is still value in a nice gesture, laughter, and quality conversations.
What are some of the big projects you are working on?
It seems like being an agent is no longer just being an agent in today’s fast-moving market. One of the things that agents are doing, is taking on big projects like pre-selling of condo units or new housing developments.
James: Have you handled projects like this where you get multiple listings with people that want to sell multiple properties at the same time? What are some of the current projects you working on? (If it's safe to ask)
Andres: The big project I'm currently working on is SOL PROPERTIES, 4 years ago I bought my first international property in Panama with my mother. During that process I realized how differently things are done in Latin America VS here, some good, some not so good, this is when I realized the disconnect with the guidance for Nothern Americans to buy in Latin America. My goal is to be an international real estate consultant for people thinking of purchasing in Latin America, making their purchases as easy as possible for them.
The Neighborhoods you grew up in and Networking.
James: I remember moving back to Canada after spending some time in Europe. The first thing I noticed was that almost all the places I grew up with in Toronto had changed. It was an interesting experience and a shock at the time and felt like a tourist. Having said that we have all had different great experiences revisiting the places we grew up with. Have you gone back and noticed the tremendous change in the neighborhoods you grew up in changed drastically since you lived there? How has the housing market shifted?
Andres: I grew up and was born in Toronto, so going back to Colombia is always interesting to see the expansion of infrastructure, transportation, business, etc every couple of years I go, the more I go the less Colombian the cities feel.
Toronto diverse culture
James: Toronto has such an amazingly diverse culture and ethnicities it has made Toronto an incredible place to visit and inspires. Thus many people from all sorts of different walks of life would like to call Toronto their home to live work and play. What are some of the tips for a person who is wanting to move into the city to find a great network of people to help them settle in?
Andres: My main tip would be to not believe all the hype, Canada has been a great place for people to start from zero before, but not has become very expensive. I would suggest for them, that they really do their research, if they are not moving in with family it can be extremely difficult to find a place to live. Facebook groups are a big help to connect with people and suggestions for various things.
James: Having grown up in a diverse Neighborhood in Toronto with so many different cultures. Did you find it easier for yourself to grow in this field and build a stronger business Network?
Andres: The interesting part about growing up in such a diverse neighborhood is that we were so different but felt like we all belonged. We were kids that were all mostly born in Canada or came at a young age. I remember going to different friends' houses and loving to try all the different types of foods. It strengthens my network by understanding what different cultures are like, their sense of humor, what they take seriously, etc.
Overused words and Jargon.
James: In the past, we often heard the term curb appeal and other great wording to entice buyers. Some of the terms used can actually start to sound like the making of a novel. Do you find some terms overused when people are selling their homes or condo? Do you have a list of words to avoid that make you want to run away from the property view? For example, newly painted and recently updated renovations.
Andres: I think when you oversell it, it makes potential buyers feel a bit awkward. I feel being more direct, with some sort of upsell but not too much is the way to go. Nowadays people are very judgemental you want to lean more towards neutral words vs overselling a home as if it’s a mansion in Beverly hills.
Open House and smell of fresh apple pie
James: I remember the smells of when I first was buying my own house. My Real estate agent at the time said to be careful of the smell of fresh apple pie as it was a way to mask other odors. What are your thoughts on that, because nowadays we all know that was used as a way to get people's senses of smell to buy a house? Do some agents still practice this or are there new ways to entice the sense of smell to get the deal closed? (Or use other senses)
Andres: First smell you should look out for is a moisture/ mold smell, if the house has this as soon as you walk in, it could be a concern. Also sometimes the moisture smell is common in older homes, especially if the windows have been closed. Hard to explain but with my renovation background I know the difference. If the house is covered in “Febreze Air Freshener ” that is a concern as well. The apple pie smell I think is a thing of the past.
The current trends in Toronto and living in Toronto
James: The Toronto Housing Market changed since we are entering the post covid era drastically. We often hear from one side that it's becoming easier to get a house and then we hear the opposite. What are your thoughts or opinion on the topic is it getting easier or has it become more challenging?
Andres: There has been a big push for new homes to be built in the upcoming years, hopefully, that creates more options for the struggling first-time home buyer market, but on the flip side 500k immigrants are coming to Canada, with half projected to come to the GTA, well see how the housing market holds up
James: What is the latest and trendiest place to be buying in the city of Toronto? Is it still the bridle path known as the most expensive property to buy in Canada?
Andres: Trendiest in terms of young professionals would be liberty village along with other downtown communities, bridal path and those around are still the most expensive. Sunnybrook, Yorkmills, etc
James: On the opposite scale of trendy and out of reach for many, where is a good starting place to buy in Toronto for someone that is looking to get their first home in the city?
Andres: If you work from home or don’t work too far from the Niagara, St. Catherine region I would have my client consider those options. Much growth to still happening there, many plans for Niagara to bring tourism, and plenty of upsides.
James: What are some of the latest apps you would suggest to your future clients when buying property in Toronto in finding their dream home or place to live?
Andres: House sigma, and realtor.ca, those are the two most used by clients
James: Last question if you could live anywhere in the city of Toronto where would you like to live and why?
Andres: I’m not sure if I would like to live in the city, I grew up in North York, when it wasn’t so busy, and now I feel I would like to move even more north or possibly west. I say west instead of east because it's just what I grew up around, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton etc, Going east with the way the 401 has been looking would be a nightmare for me personally
James: Toronto-Weekend.com would like to thank Andres Ramirez for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer some hot topics about Toronto growing housing market. If you would like to follow him or contact him we have provided some great links below. We look forward to doing a live interview on camera when he has more time available.
Ways to follow Andres Ramirez https://www.ramirezrealtor.ca/
https://www.kicksforkidsto.com/
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