At our Annual General Meeting in February, the Board awarded its highest honour, the John Armeneau Professional of the Year award, to Ray Yenkana.
Ray has been a member of our Board for over fifteen years and has been a REALTOR® for over thirty. He’s been a big contributor and volunteer for the FVREB since joining and has also done work with a number of charitable organizations throughout our region including Canuck Place, Canadian Red Cross and more. On top of all that, Ray has also been a teacher and mentor for Realtors across the province, sharing his insight, skills, and what it takes to be a professional in the industry.
Being such a great guy and all-around outstanding member of our Board, we reached out to Ray to learn a little bit more about him. Here’s what he had to say:
About being a REALTOR®…
- How did you begin your career as a REALTOR®?
- I began as a property manager and leasing agent.
- What has been your most memorable experience in your time as a real estate agent?
- That’s not an easy question! After doing more than 1800 transactions I have a few that come to mind. One in particular was when, at a listing appointment, I asked the seller I was working with how she would feel if we could get her home sold and she could move to her new home in another city. Understand that, at this time, the market was very slow and we were anticipating that we would have to sell their home for much less than they paid. She said that, regardless, if we could just sell the home she would still have a great sense of accomplishment and could see herself in the future enjoying her new home and reflecting on her journey of success! I am happy to report that it all came to pass.
- What key piece of advice can you give to REALTORS to stay successful in a changing marketplace?
- Be a continuous learner and stay up to date with new ideas and technology.
- What’s the one thing you wish you knew before you became a Realtor?
- That I would like it so much.
Just for fun…
- As a child, I dreamt I would become a…
- business owner.
- I grew up in…
- South America
- My favourite thing to do each day…
- is meet new people and learn new things.
- The best piece of advice I’ve been given was…
- to treat everyone with respect!
- People would be surprised to learn that…
- I’m actually a bit shy.
- I am really inspired by…
- people who rise above their problems and challenges.