Hard work and a positive attitude create success. From a humble childhood in China, to a stellar career selling upscale homes in Toronto. 

Sophia 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.

"I am a very confident person, but success does not go to my head," she says. And her success is considerable.

Ironically, just 40 years ago Sophia hesitated to even enter real estate. She started her career as a part timer in 1980. She also worked as an intensive care nurse in a neonatal section of a children's hospital. Despite her early hesitation, success was infectious.

Sophia works primarily in the Greater 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 30 years, from the beginning of her career with Family Trust Corporation and continuing through to the present within the prestigious Prudential Network. She was honoured 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.  As of the 22nd of May 2018, Sophia joined the local top RE/MAX brokerage in the east GTA.  “We are thrilled that Sophia is adding her great reputation for service and stellar sales achievements to the RE/MAX Rouge family” said Fabian Passmore, Broker/Manager.  “Her reputation for excellence and integrity is well-known in our industry and the Scarborough community.”

"When you dedicate yourself, good things will happen," Sophia says. "I do a lot more [for my clients]."

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 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. She says, "I can start my day at 5:30 in the morning, but mostly I start at 8:30. 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:

1.  Honesty -- with buyers, sellers and other agents.
2.  Hard work. She usually puts in long hours but has not lost the personal touch with clients.
3.  Fairness -- with other agents. It helps to gain the respect of your peers.
4.  Careful analysis -- especially in knowing what goes on in the business. Gain experience.
5.  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."

Sophia’s trek on the road to success started as a young woman in her native China. She moved to Hong Kong and later to Australia, where she met her husband and studied nursing and midwifery. She has lived in Toronto for the past 45 years.

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) 417-4488 or (416) 286-3993 or e-mail her at sophiatan@sympatico.ca