Hi! I’m Despina

The world is evolving, and so is the Toronto real estate market. Women are getting married later, choosing to have children later (or never), and are just as focused on their careers as men. They’re also purchasing real estate like never before. Single women, for example, are buying homes at twice the rate of their male counterparts. So why are the vast majority of realtors still failing to meet the needs of their female clientele?

I’ve spoken with far too many women who have given up on the search for a home because their agents were too aggressive, talked over them, or simply refused to listen. No wonder they’ve put a pause on finding their dream home!

If you’re ready to buy or rent, but are feeling put off by past experiences, I’m here to change that. Here’s why:

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    I GET YOU BECAUSE I AM YOU.

    I understand the unique needs of women in real estate because, hey, I’m a woman too! As the co-founder of Lean In Canada, I’m a strong proponent of empowering women, whether through career progression or home ownership. I’ve been featured on CBC Radio, the National Post, Apartment Therapy, Flare Magazine and Sun News Network. I’ve also sat on panels, in front of all-female audiences, discussing issues that are pertinent to women. As you seek out the home of your dreams, I’ll take on the role of house-hunting partner or real estate coach — the way I see it, we’re in this together.

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    I ask the right questions. But just as importantly, I listen.

    There’s nothing worse than setting aside a chunk of time to see a bunch of properties that just aren’t you. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with more than 200 clients, and I can honestly say that every single person has their own unique likes and dislikes. What one client loves for its simplicity and minimalism, another thinks is cold and uninviting. That’s why I make sure to ask the right questions and actively listen. In short, I make it a priority to understand what ‘home sweet home’ means to you.

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    I know Toronto like the back of my KATE SPADE PURSE.

    I was born on University Avenue and grew up on the Danforth. By the time I was a teenager, I had moved to Yonge and Church. As an adult, I’ve called both King West and Little Italy home. Over the years, I’ve said good-bye to some favourite spots as I’ve watched the city grow and evolve (Hello, condos!). Do I know the downtown core? Heck, yeah. We go way back. It’s safe to say I know which neighbourhoods to steer clear of and which are ideal for female buyers like you.

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    I know the ins and outs of real estate.

    I flipped a home in Toronto’s Leslieville (and made a profit) when I was still only 16. I’ve lived in condos and co-ops, apartments and homes. I bought a condo in 2000 and sold it by 2004. I even purchased a century home, and renovated it with a modern touch. I don’t believe wiring, plumbing, or hiring contractors are a ‘man’s job.’ And I know all about working with the city. If a lot of this is new territory for you, I can help you build a lasting foundation.

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    I have an eye for design.

    Let me tell you a story: When I first bought my home, it was pretty run down. Friends and loved ones could not understand why I would invest in such a “disaster.” But the moment I laid eyes on it, all I could see were the possibilities. Now those same people are stunned by its transformation. And, no joke, Airbnb uses this same home in their ads. But that’s because I’ve spent years studying colour theory, texture, and light. I know what works and what doesn’t. I’m also a sought-after thought leader in the design industry and a multiple award winner — most notably for the IABC international Gold Quill Award of Excellence. If you’d like my help finding a home, I’d love to bring those possibilities to life.

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    I understand how to market a home.

    I’ve founded two successful digital consultancies and have over 25 years of digital agency experience. Believe it or not, I started working in digital marketing when people were still using dial-up. Needless to say, I’ve been there. Done that. With me, you aren’t just getting a real estate agent. You’re getting an experienced marketer who knows how to make a home stand out — someone who knows which marketing avenues to go down, and which social channels to use to your advantage. When it comes to buying and selling your home, I will happily wear many hats. (And not because I want to make a fashion statement.)

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    I’m great at building (and maintaining) relationships.

    $50,000. 5,000 people. 5 years. What do these numbers have in common? Networking. I love meeting new people and helping them as they work toward a goal or dream. And they like to return the favour when they can. I was responsible for securing the initial $50,0000 sponsorship for Lean In Canada — partly because I’m a good negotiator, but mainly because I’m a people person. In five years, our network has grown to 5,000 strong. If you’re an introvert, you’ll love what sort of connections I bring to the table. If you already have a large network, sounds like we’ll make a winning team.

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    I care about people and the world.

    In addition to co-founding Lean In Canada in 2013, I’ve dedicated both my time and talent to social causes that help prevent teen suicide, promote diversity in education, help homeless youth, fight childhood cancer, and place more focus on the environment. I couldn’t agree more with Sheryl Sandberg’s famous quote, “The more we help one another, the more we help ourselves.”

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    I love what I do. (Seriously.)

    Real estate is in my blood. Finding (and falling in love with) a dream home is a true passion of mine. And since buying homes isn’t the most practical of hobbies, I live vicariously through my clients instead — from understanding what constitutes their dream home, to viewing a shortlist of possibilities together, to finally finding “the one,” the process continues to inspire and excite me. I’m thrilled to be working with PSR, a boutique real estate brokerage that uses cutting-edge industry tools and offers a premium, full-service experience for clients.

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Andrew B.

My partner and I were unsure of exactly what we were looking for in a home. Through the entire process, Despina was incredibly patient, helpful and diligent. She was often able to verbalize what we were envisioning/feeling, even when we were unclear. She always gave her honest opinions on both a prospective property and how realistic our goals were. We would be happy to work with her again!

Kathleen O.

Despina is an invaluable resource for first-time homebuyers. Thanks to her advice on how to win a bidding war, our very first offer was accepted EVEN THOUGH it was conditional upon financing. Pretty much unheard of in today’s market! Not only that, but Despina recommended an awesome (female) mortgage specialist whose expertise and friendly communication style I truly appreciated after speaking with other brokers who spoke over my head or made little effort to keep us in the loop during this very important step of the process. Long story short, I highly recommend Despina if you’re looking for a realtor who is knowledgeable, personable, and passionate about what she does. Not to mention, she will go out of her way to help — whether that means connecting you to the right people or sharing the tricks of the trade. 🙂

Devin and Jeremy G.

Despina helped us to get our first house and we can’t recommend her enough. She went above and beyond to answer all of our questions (and there were many!) and helped us throughout the entire buying process. Buying a house is a big investment of both time and money, and we felt confident that we were making the right choices with Despina as our agent. She was always willing to meet last-minute to show us a house or to chat with us about options. If you’re looking to buy, we wholeheartedly recommend speaking with Despina!

Christina and Matt B

I worked with Despina to sell my first condo, and to buy my forever home with my husband! Both processes can be stressful in their own way, but I felt 100% confident that by working with Despina, we would get exactly what we wanted. She is detail oriented, highly responsive and incredibly candid – answering all of our questions thoughtfully and keeping our best interests in mind. Her background in design also makes her stand out as an agent in my opinion. In selling my condo, she staged it beautifully and when looking for a new home, she knew our style and was able to shortlist homes she knew we would love. If you’re looking for a home in Toronto or the surrounding area, I can not recommend Despina enough!

Ashley B.

Despina was everything we could have hoped for in a realtor. She helped us find our dream home in Toronto’s notoriously tough housing market and made sure our condo sold for top dollar in no time. She was there to guide us through every step of the buying and selling process. We could not have asked for a better experience!

Paula R.

Despina is extremely thorough, client-focused and knowledgable. She walked me through every step and made the whole experience much easier than I had ever thought possible!

Reach Out!

I understand that buying or selling a home is an important decision, which is why I make sure you are supported every step of the way. Want to chat? CLICK HERE

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