Hard work and a positive attitude create success. This may seem trite, but not to top Canadian performer Sophia Tan. From a humble childhood in China, to a stellar career selling upscale homes in suburban Toronto, Tan exemplifies what can happen for those who never lose sight of their dream. 

Sophia Tan has a knack for winning trust. It’s rooted in the quiet reassurance that she gives her clients, and it’s one of the primary reasons she is the top-rated real estate agent for her company in Canada. 

"I am a very confident person, but success does not go to my head," she says. And her success is considerable. She also ranks as one of the top three agents among Prudential Real Estate affiliate offices across Canada.

"By the third year, I was a top seller for Family Trust [Corp.]," she says. And, for the past 27 years she has continually topped company sales by volume, unit, and both volume and unit sales. Her listings range from $100,000 to $2 million, but the bulk of her sales are homes priced from $250,000 to $600,000.

Sophia is considered the local specialist and she works primarily in the east Toronto area. At the Prudential Real Estate Affiliates 2004 Business Conference in Miami Beach, Florida. Sophia was honoured with the Pinnacle Award, which was presented by Sara Ferguson, The Duchess of York. The award reflects Tan’s achievements in 2003 as one of the top Prudential agents in Canada. Her consistency as a top agent has spanned more than 26 years, from the beginning of her career with Family Trust and continuing through to the present within the prestigious Prudential Network. She as honopured as the top Prudential agent in Canada in 1999, 2000 and 2001 and has also received the Chairman's Circle Diamond Award,  the Top of the Rock Award and the Presidential Legend Award. In 2005 Sophia as honoured as a member of the prestigious "Quarter Century Club" by the Toronto Real Estate Board.

For example, Sophia often finds herself in the role of interior decorator, re-arranging furniture -- sometimes hiring cleaning ladies and real interior decorators so that she can properly present a house to clients. Paying attention to such detail has its advantages. Sophia makes use of other media to promote her business as well -- from  print advertising in the real estate sections of newspapers to listings on the Web, an important new tool. To make the most of the medium, she displays more than simple exterior shots of the homes on her listings to pique buyers' interest - she uses interior photos and virtual tours as well to show these properties off to their best advantage.

Sophia’s work habits also help. "I can start my day at 5:30 in the morning, but mostly I start at 8:30," she says. "Then I can go to 10:30 at night." It’s a long day, necessary for her volume of business and attention to detail. Consequently most of her leads come from referrals and repeat business.

Sophia’s five keys to success are simple but they have shaped both her personal and professional philosophy

• Honesty -- with buyers, sellers and other agents.
• Hard work. She usually puts in long hours but has not lost the personal touch with clients.
• Fairness -- with other agents. It helps to gain the respect of your peers.
• Careful analysis -- especially in knowing what goes on in the business. Gain experience.
• Creativity -- especially in presenting a home. "In everything I do, I want to be the best," she says. "I guess my mother raised me that way. If you tell me to be a mechanic, I would try and learn to be the best."

"In the beginning I had to make cold calls," she says. People would get mad and slam the phone. "I kept calling until I found someone who was receptive."

Her advice: "End the day looking forward to something." With dedication good things can really happen.

To find out what Sophia can do for you, feel free to call her at (416) 439-1660  or (416) 417-4488 or e-mail her at sophiatan@sympatico.ca.

Reprinted from www.realestateprofiles.com.