Interviewer’s notes: There are quite a few couples in the real estate business, but Mark Xiao Dong and Linda Bai Li stand out. Bai Li’s hearty laughter and Xiao Dong’s steady demeanor endeared me to this couple. They both started their career as full-time real estate agents since year 2000. When they came to the editorial office this time, I played the role of a host in a "couple drama," allowing them to explain their lives, careers, and family to the readers of "Real Estate Weekly."
Xiao Ke: Bai Li, Xiao Dong, welcome to our editorial office. Many people know you from advertisements, but not many know about your experiences. Could you please introduce yourselves to our readers?
Bai Li: I graduated with a degree in English and worked in foreign trade in China for over a decade. When I came to Toronto in 1999 and saw so many compatriots immigrating here, I realized that settling down is crucial for happiness and safety in a foreign country. Given my outgoing personality and love for communication, I decided to become a real estate agent in Canada.
Xiao Dong: So, when Bai Li took the first step, it affirmed our initial judgment of the real estate market. I quickly followed suit and immersed myself in this challenging work. Working in real estate is fulfilling; we’ve made many friends, which we consider as wealth. The recognition we receive for our work is also an affirmation of our character and actions.
Xiao Ke: Many people want to know what kind of house real estate agents have. How did you choose yours?
Bai Li: When you find a job in a foreign land, the most pressing need is housing and transportation. Having a home gives a sense of stability. Our criteria for selecting a house were clear: a rural environment with an urban feel, good high schools and elementary schools, a multicultural community, and a well-structured and oriented house. Based on these conditions, we narrowed down our options to Unionville. The community here is mature, surrounded by lush greenery, highly regarded for its cultural and natural environment, with convenient shopping and transportation. We are very satisfied with our choice.
Xiao Dong: Maintaining a house is necessary; I enjoy doing tasks like designing and renovation related and searching for good opportunities for investments. .I like having a spacious backyard and beautiful landscaping. Whenever we host summer parties and see our friends gathered, I think immigrating to Canada was worth it.
Xiao Ke: How well do you complement each other in your work? How do you divide tasks? Are your personalities complementary? Have you ever had different opinions? How do you resolve them?
Xiao Dong: Our personalities complement each other, making us suitable partners. Bai Li excels in communication and expression, so she handles presentations, follow-ups, and some advertising copywriting. I focus more on strategic analysis of the market and work direction. We usually work separately, but in crucial moments, like when making offers, we often cooperate behind the scenes.
Bai Li: We both spend a lot of time preparing so that we can speak confidently and convincingly to earn the trust of our clients. Sometimes, working together allows us to approach buyers and sellers separately. Of course, we also have disagreements; for example, we may have different opinions on whether a house with a swimming pool is desirable. In such cases, we present our respective views to the client, and they make the final decision.
Xiao Ke: You've been through ups and downs together for over a decade. How did you manage to develop such a seamless collaboration?
Bai Li: Our experiences negotiating for businesses have honed our psychological resilience in negotiations. We have a good grasp of our clients' psychology, often finding the right house for them on the first visit. I act quickly, while Xiao Dong takes a more long-term view, which complements each other well. If there's any friction, we don't take it personally.
Xiao Dong: We share a common understanding: to be trustworthy and sincere in our actions. We don't push our clients, and we try to leverage each other's strengths.
Xiao Ke: I know you work in a real estate company run by local Canadians ..Why did you choose this?
Xiao Dong: Our company is a large locally-owned firm managed by experienced broker who successfully practice real estate for over 40 years. Our broker of record is very professional, meticulous, and diligent. Not only is he experienced, but she is also willing to mentor us, and we admire him greatly. Working here is a continuous learning and practicing process. The company operates like a well-oiled system, providing us with information, mastering skills, and teaching us how to face success and setbacks calmly. That's why we chose this company.
Xiao Ke: Where do your clients come from, and how do they evaluate you?
Xiao Dong: Over the years, our clients have come from various ethnicities. Buying or selling a house is a significant event for every family. Recently, we did a property evaluation for a young Western couple. When signing the contract, the lady said: "You're the 15th agent we've interviewed, and we really like you." When they entrusted us with a house worth over half a million dollars, we genuinely felt their expectations and trust.
Xiao Ke: What are your unique characteristics in real estate?
Bai Li: Firstly, we both have a sense of salesmanship, thanks to our past experiences, which has instilled in us confidence and a professional attitude, making clients feel comfortable without pressure. We receive a lot of help and guidance from our Western colleagues, which provides strong support and allows us to understand the Toronto market better, making clear market judgments. We consider our reputation as our lifeblood and commit to long-term business. As a team of two, we offer a double commitment to clients from various ethnic backgrounds.
Xiao Ke: Xiao Dong, if you were to describe Bai Li and give her some advice, what would you say?
Xiao Dong: (laughs) Bai Li possesses the qualities a salesperson should have. She is proactive and flexible in her work, which will lead to great development in the future.
Xiao Ke: Why does that sound like a managerial speech? (laughs)
Xiao Dong: (laughs) Her personality is "quick." Our advertisement slogan "accurate, prompt, enthusiastic, thoughtful" truly reflects her character. I hope she can strike a good balance, take it easy at work, and make life richer and more planned.
Bai Li: Xiao Dong is steady in his actions. He's the kind who thinks thoughtful before acting, which is why we often discuss matters. I just hope he can cut down on some of his hobbies: literature, sports—so his energy isn't spread too thin. But according to him, that's just Canadian life.
Xiao Ke: A deeply affectionate couple and sincere business partners stand before our readers (laughs). Do you have any regrets or biggest gains in this line of work?
Bai Li: The recognition and trust from our customers have deeply moved us. I remember when my client found a house with a price lower than the market rate. At the time, five other buyers had made offers, but after our analysis, we advised the client to offer $50,000 more than the asking price. In the end, they got the house. As a client, after going through such a battle to secure a house, they always wonder if it was worth it. Several years later, the house's value appreciated rapidly, and they thanked us for our market judgment and boldness in making the offer.
Xiao Dong: Thank you! Our biggest gain in this line of work is not only helping clients settle in Canada and invest in real estate but also making friends from various walks of life, enriching our lives. We have no regrets. Through this magazine, we want to thank our clients for their trust and wish them an increasingly better life.
Interviewer’s Notes: Bai Li and Xiao Dong exemplify a successful blend of personal and professional life. Their partnership in both marriage and business is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and mutual respect. As they continue to navigate the complexities of the real estate market, their dedication to integrity and customer satisfaction shines through, earning them the admiration and trust of their clients. Their story serves as an inspiration to aspiring real estate professionals and couples alike, demonstrating the rewards of hard work, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
我们选择几年前媒体对我们的一次采访作为“关于我们”的介绍,让大家对我们有一个初步的了解。
记者手记:两个人都做地产的夫妻不少。晓东和白丽是其中很有特色的一对儿。白丽爽朗的笑声和晓东的办事稳健让我喜欢上了这对夫妇。这次把他们请到编辑部来,我也扮演了一次“夫妻剧场”的主持人,让他们把自己的生活、事业、家庭统统对《地产周刊》的读者作个“交代”。
小柯:白丽、晓东,欢迎你们来到我们编辑部。从广告上认识你们的人不少,但是对你们的经历了解的人并不多,请给我们的读者介绍一下。
白丽:我是英语专业毕业,在国内做了十几年的外贸,来到多伦多,感觉那么多同胞移民过来,安居才能乐业,再加上自己的性格特别开朗外向,喜欢与人沟通,所以对号入座,我到加拿大就做了地产经纪人.
晓东:所以白丽迈出第一步后,更印证了起初我们对房地产市场的判断,我也迅速跟进投身到这个充满挑战的工作中来。做地产这行工作很充实,交了很多朋友,这些都是财富,而我们的工作得到认可,也是对我们为人做事的一种肯定。
小柯:很多人都想知道地产经纪自己的房子是什么样的?你们是根据什么选择的?
白丽:人在他乡找到工作后最大需要就是房子、车子。有了房子才有落地生根的感觉。我们选房的标准非常明确:乡村的环境、城市的气息;要有很好的高中和小学;多元文化的社区;房子结构和朝向要好。根据这些条件,我们就列出了一些被选区域,最后选到Unionville。这里的社区已经成熟,绿树成荫,人文,自然环境有口皆碑,购物交通也都方便,我们特别满意。
晓东:住房子需要维护,我喜欢做水管、屋顶、油漆等等这类的工作。我喜欢宽大的后院和漂亮的园艺,每当夏天Party的时候,看着朋友们欢聚一堂,心想也不枉移民加拿大一场。
小柯:你们在工作中搭配得怎么样?如何分工?你们的性格是互补型的吗?有没有过不同的意见?产生过分歧?你们又是怎么处理的?
晓东:我们的性格互补,做搭档挺合适。白丽的表达和沟通能力好,她做的Presentation、Follow-up以及一些广告文案方面的工作比较多。我会多做一些远距离的Showing, 对市场和工作的方向作策略性分析。我们一般是分头工作的,但在重要的关头,比如抢offer的时候,经常会台前幕后进行合作。
白丽:我们都会用大量时间做准备,这样准备充分,说起话来言之有据,能够得到客户的信任。两个人在一起有时是个商量,还可以分头对买卖双方做工作。当然我们也有意见相左的时候,比如带泳池的房子好不好我们想法就不同,我们会把各自的意见告诉客户,由他们决定。
小柯:你们在一起风风雨雨十多年,你们是如何磨合做到配合默契的呢?
白丽:在国内与外商谈判的经历,在人民大会堂当翻译的经历都锻炼了我们在谈判中的心理素质。我们对客户的心理把握得也比较准,很多时候第一次看房就能有他们喜欢的房子。我行动快,他看问题更长远一些,相得益彰。如果有任何摩擦,我们都不往心里去。
晓东:我们有一个共同的认识:做人要做长久,做事要以诚为本。对客户我们都不会push。而且我们尽量发挥各人的特色和优势。
小柯:我知道你们是在西人的地产经纪公司,为什么这么选择?
晓东:我们的公司是当地一家很大的西人管理的公司,我们的老板姓西门子,是德国后裔,她非常专业、严谨、认真,勤奋。不但经验丰富,而且乐于传授,我们都很佩服她。我们工作也是一个不断学习,实践的过程,公司像是一个运作良好的系统,规范有序,帮助我们获得信息,掌握技巧,也让我们学到如何坦然地面对成功和挫折,所以我们选择了这家公司。
小柯:你们的客户从何而来,对你们如何评价?
晓东:这些年做下来,客户来自各个族裔。买卖房屋对每个家庭都是一件大事,不久前,我们为一对年轻西人夫妇做房产评估,在签订合同时,女主人说:“你们是我们面试的第15个经纪,我们很喜欢你们。”当他们把价值超过Half Million的房子交到我们手里时,我们真切的感到了他们眼中的期待与信赖。
小柯:你们做地产有哪些是自己的特色?白丽:首先,我们都能找到销售的感觉,这要归功于我们以往的经历,磨练出来一种信心和专业的态度,让客户觉得舒心,没有压力;我们在西人公司得到很多帮助和指导,我们身后是强大的支持,这让我们更了解多伦多市场的运作,形成清晰的市场判断;我们做的是长久生意,把信誉当作我们的生命;我们是两个人的团队,客户来自各个族裔,他们可以有一个双份的承诺。
小柯:晓东,如果让你形容一下白丽,并对她提点希望和建议,你会说些什么?
晓东:(笑)白丽她具有一个销售人员应具备的素质,她工作积极主动又非常灵活,将来会有很好的发展。小柯:怎么听着这么像领导啊(笑)?!
晓东:(笑)她的性格就是“快”,我们广告上的话“准确、迅速、热情,周到。”就是她性格的真实写照。希望她掌握好Balance,工作悠着点,让生活变得更丰富,更有计划。
白丽:晓东做事沉稳。属于敏于思而慎于行的那类吧,所以我们凡事经常商量。我就是希望他的爱好能少几项,什么钓鱼、下棋、文学、体育,这样精力被牵扯得太多。可按他的话说,这叫Canadian Life。
小柯:一对深情的生活伉俪和诚恳的事业伙伴浮现在我们读者面前(笑)。你们做这一行有没有什么遗憾?最大的收获是什么?
白丽:顾客对我们的认可和信任让我们深受感动。我记得我的客户看中了一个叫价低于市场价格的房子,当时有5个买家都下了offer,我们分析后就建议客户高于叫价再多加5000元,最终拿到了这幢房子。一番征战,抢到房子,作为客户内心都会问,花了这么多钱,我抢倒的房子是否物有所值呢?几年后,该小区房价增值很快,他特别感谢我们当时对市场的判断和抢Offer时的果敢。
晓东:谢谢!我们做这一行最大的收获不单是能帮助客户安居加国,投资置业,更因此结交了各行各业的朋友,因而使得我们的生活更丰富多彩。我们一点也不遗憾。我们想通过周刊感谢广大客户对我们的信赖,愿他们的生活越过越好。