It’s been a long time coming – nearly 100 years, in fact – but the FVREB finally hit an important milestone on June 22, 2021.
We processed our 4,000th member joining the Board – a hearty Fraser Valley welcome to Matthew Rogers of RE/MAX Little Oak Realty in Abbotsford.
Although we’ve now surpassed that major threshold – as of the end of June, we were sitting at 4,014 members – hitting that marker was a special moment, and one that Matt had no idea was going to happen.
Laughing Matt recalled, “I think she was even more excited than I was,” referring to the Board’s Membership Coordinator, Shaista Nazir, who has been busier than gophers on a golf course.
“I had no idea if I was the 1,000th member or the 10,000th member, but it was great to hear that it was me.”
The new licensee transferred over from the Chilliwack board after deciding to change brokerages six months into his practice. He’s now a member of the Hardy Real Estate Team at RE/MAX Little Oak and has an amazingly positive attitude about the opportunities ahead in real estate and as a member of our Board considering the timing of his decision to start a new career.
“I signed up for the UBC course in January of 2020 and then we all know what happened in March. I couldn’t even take the test for two months because it had to be in person.” Like all good entrepreneurs, Matt was nonplussed; he seized the opportunity offered by the lockdown.
“I took advantage of it. I dove into podcasts and books and tried to learn as much as possible.”
The newcomer says he’s heard it all regarding the unfortunate timing to embark on getting his license two months before a world crisis hit. Last fall, his family and friends were telling him, maybe this is a ‘bad, bad idea’. And in the last few months, when the market was skyrocketing and was so frustrating for buyers and for professionals trying their best to help them, Matt says fellow colleagues kept saying to him over and over again, ‘I’d hate to be a new Realtor right now’.”
What did Matt say to that? “It takes a lot of focus to block out negativity. But I’ve learned from Ben (Hardy) and our team that it’s all part of what you need to do to succeed. Work hard and learn as much as possible.”
A member less than two weeks, and he’s already completed the Board’s free Paragon Connect webinar – and thought the session was very valuable and instructor Dimpu Thandi, “great!” Next up, learning more about Paragon’s Collaboration Center to capitalize on that functionality to benefit clients.
In talking about the current market, the Realtor says he’s grateful for the change that’s underway.
“I have tremendous empathy for what buyers have been going through and are still facing.
“My wife and I bought and sold in February and she was in tears. It was very, very stressful. It’s a tough market in which to be a buyer, but thankfully it’s getting better.”
And when asked if it’s a tough market to be a new Realtor, Matt thoughtfully replies, “In all my reading, one of the quotes that most stood out for me and gave me purpose was, ‘I would rather regret the things I’ve done than regret the things I’ve never done.’ I want to be a great Realtor and I’m going to give it my best.”
With an attitude like that, the Board couldn’t have asked for a better 4,000th member. Congratulations Matt! And thanks for joining the ‘best little-big board in Canada’.
Source: FVREB Communications