By Melanie Robitaille, SR. Staff Writer & Graphic Designer
Across the shores from Michigan, in northern Ontario you’ll find the town of Sault Ste. Marie where one of EXIT’s longest-standing offices is breaking productivity records that are no small feat in a time where demand is high and inventory is low.
“Our 2021 per-agent average productivity, from January to December, was 30 ends per agent. We currently have 196 licensed agents within our Sault Ste. Marie real estate board, and our office closed just shy of 1,500 transactions in 2021 with 48 agents,” said EXIT Realty Lake Superior Co-Owner, Jamie Coccimiglio.
What started out as Co-Owner, Kristen Trembinski’s father’s single-office operation in the year 2000, has remained in the Trembinski family for 22 years now, expanding across the Soo into three branches. With the change to new ownership, came a fresh perspective that attracted associates ranging from the new all the way up to those looking to merge and make their exit.
Kristen started her career over 15 years ago with her father, Terry Trembinski, and has watched much in the industry change alongside the office’s growth. The ownership has always prided themselves on being a brokerage that offers training in the latest of EXIT’s and other technology offerings, and recently hired an in-house brand manager who handles all photography, video, and branding to keep consistency within their listing inventory. But these changes go beyond just the expected technological advances driven by the distancing over the last two years.
“It’s the level of professionalism of the agents we’ve attracted. We’ve not only attracted but continue to retain the most amazing REALTORS® and staff who are driven, ethical, and willing to grow! We aim to ensure that our agents know they’re the most valuable part of the brokerage, and there’s this dawning of the realism that this industry acts as a medium to build relationships, have fun, and ultimately achieve goals and live a life that most never thought they could.”
The office has nearly doubled in size over the last five years thanks to their next-level approach to creating long-term, recession-proof agents, who can navigate and succeed in any market, even extraordinary ones. She has found staying in close contact with all agents, holding weekly meetings and trainings, in addition to quarterly check-ins has been key, and they’ve added additional hands-on training in day-to-day situations, which she says is exceptionally important, so agents know how to handle them. In fact, at EXIT Realty Lake Superior, any agents within 1-2 years of being licensed have their paperwork reviewed to ensure they’re on the right track. The office also offers business and financial planning, as well as accountability programs. But it’s not all work and no play. They engage in positivity and team building get-togethers, MIND-SET training, and have as much fun together when they can. They’re also deeply rooted in their community thanks to teamwork and the continual ideas generated by their in-house charitable committee.
For Kristen and Jamie there’s nothing more exciting than being by their agents’ sides, witnessing all their success. As Kristen says, “The future is bright at EXIT Realty Lake Superior! As in most marketplaces, we are experiencing a seller’s market more than I’ve ever seen since entering into the business. We had nine agents join our team just pre-COVID and look at where the business has taken them! It’s a challenging time to enter the market as a REALTOR®, but it’s so worth the challenge.”
For this and other great stories about agent and office successes, check out The EXIT Achiever, EXIT’s corporate magazine online today at exitrealty.com/achiever or text ACHIEVER to 85377 for a mobile friendly version.
