Sophie Goudreau - Real Estate Agent in Eastern Ontario
Buying or selling a home is exciting but brings its share of stress and challenges. Working with a knowledgeable, experienced Cornwall real estate agent makes that transaction an easier process. As a local REALTOR® with Century 21 Shield Realty, Sophie Goudreau is passionate about making sure each of her clients gets the VIP treatment, regardless of the property value.
Here
is a friendly chat with Sophie to help you get to know her better.
1. TELL US ABOUT
YOURSELF.
I
was born in Montreal but have lived in Ontario for more than 25 years. I am
fully bilingual in French and English. My first year in real estate, I was voted
“Rookie of the Year.” Now, with over 18 years of experience, I still love what I do and have received several high achievement awards such as the Century 21 Shield Top “Sherry
McCollough” Highest Office Producer & Centurion Award,
Century 21 Canada award for the Top 1-5% Canadian performers. I work hard for
my clients, whether you’re selling or buying real estate.
When
I started in real
estate, I had three young children. Fast forward to 2023, I am now an empty nester, but I love spending time with my
amazing family. We go boating along the beautiful St. Lawrence River, visit
wineries, art galleries, attend festivals, go for hikes and feed the
birds at the bird sanctuary. There are so many fun activities to do around here
including ski-doing, fishing, horseback riding and so much more. Interior design is one of my passions, so you can often find me shopping
for decorative art pieces and furniture.
I’m
also very active in my community. I’m an avid supporter of several charities, but the Carefor Hospice
Cornwall & Baldwin House,
a local women’s shelter, are my charities of choice. I enjoy planning and
organizing annual fundraisers for them. I also believe in supporting local
small businesses, because these businesses are the backbone of
our community. As a Cornwall real estate agent, it’s my job to know
the market and the area, but my appreciation of this area goes
much deeper. I’m fully invested in this community and the people who live in it.
2. WHY DID YOU GET INTO REAL
ESTATE?
In
2005, when I became a real estate agent in Cornwall, I was a busy
working mom juggling responsibilities to raise three kids and achieve corporate
standards to get ahead in my career. Real estate was a great choice because I
love interior design and have a keen eye. I transitioned into real estate for a
better work/life balance. And it’s been great. I’ve been able to be around for
my family’s most memorable events while helping people with the biggest
transaction of their life.
3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT
BEING A REALTOR®?
I
love accompanying my clients on the most important purchase of their
lives. Buying a new home in the Cornwall
area is an important time in someone’s life. I enjoy being part
of their stories. For me, it doesn’t even feel like work. I help people buy and
sell all types of properties: from residential real estate to commercial
properties. I work in the country and city, visiting farms, waterfront
properties, and city properties. Every day brings different scenery with a
variety of people.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART
ABOUT THE CORNWALL/SDG AREA?
This
area is a tight-knit community where we truly do look out for each other. The
warm and inviting people here become your second family very quickly. I was
born in Montreal and worked in the GTA before coming here. I am now so
fortunate to be able to have settled in this beautiful area for the past 12
years where I am surrounded by so much beauty. I love the scenic waterfront and
the lush country spaces. But we’re still close to major airports and the
amenities of larger cities. It’s a short drive to the U.S. We have everything
we need right here in this affordable, vibrant community.
5. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST
CHALLENGING (OR MOST REWARDING) LISTING?
There’s
nothing more rewarding than seeing a family purchase their first home. I just
love seeing my clients find a home in Cornwall where
they can set roots and live in a warm growing community. The most challenging
thing for me is to watch buyers miss out on opportunities when they haven’t
prepared to get a mortgage. I watched many buyers wait to buy land or a house,
hoping prices would stabilize. They missed out by not thinking long-term. If
your circumstances or your guts tell you to go for it, then
I’m here to guide you and help you make one of the most important decisions of
your life!
6. WHAT IS YOUR
SELLING/MARKETING PHILOSOPHY?
Real
estate is a great investment. Although the housing market seems out of reach
for some first-time buyers, it’s important to start somewhere. Buy a small
house or condo. Buy land. One of my favorite quotes is, “Don’t wait to buy
land, buy land and wait.” That applies to any property. There’s no perfect time
to sell or buy. I believe that you have to approach real
estate with a long-term strategy in mind. We don’t know what the future
will bring. The market may slow down. It may be stagnant for a while. But it
will go back up. There are opportunities in each type of market.
When
I’m selling a property in Cornwall,
I believe in creative marketing and staging to get the home sold quickly. I
always work with the sellers to help them understand the market conditions and
how we can promote the property to get the most qualified buyers. I have the
backing of Century 21 and make sure I leverage each of my networks to find a
buyer quickly while meeting the seller’s goals. My goal is to see that my
seller has the best offer, but I also want the experience to be as stress-free
as possible.
7. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR
FIRST-TIME BUYERS?
First,
get pre-qualified so you are ready to make an offer when you do find the right
home. I know the market and communicate with my clients to help them get their
dream home even in a competitive market. What I can’t do is push you through
the mortgage process.
Second,
I recommend all buyers plan to budget 2% of the purchase price to cover the
land transfer tax and lawyer fees. Unless you are a first-time buyer, then
you’d be exempted from the land transfer tax for a first time purchase. I work with
buyers of all experience, first-timers to investors. There’s no question that
can surprise me. I may not know all the answers, but I will certainly do my
best to find them.
LOCAL
EXPERIENCE WITH GLOBAL EXPERTISE
If
you’re looking for a Cornwall real estate agent with the
experience and drive to sell your property or help you find your dream home,
contact Sophie Goudreau by calling her office at (613) 363-4233. You can also
use this online contact form.
Comments
Post a Comment