Throughout our journey, we have learned that success in real estate lies not only in seizing opportunities but also in creating them with unwavering determination and resilience. It is our mission to empower fellow agents, offering the knowledge, resources and support needed to thrive!

After the hard times that followed the 2014 market shift, my wife, Karen, and I had to reevaluate everything. Being in real estate since 1997, I have excelled in the industry, building a great reputation and providing financial well-being for my family. However, 2014 presented new challenges. The recession was devastating, not only financially but mentally.

Karen's belief in me never wavered – she encouraged and supported me through every high and low. My reason why has always been my family; my wife and two daughters, Katie and Taylor, are my world. If all of this was for them, I had to bounce back and fight.

This mindset shift led me to push harder than I ever had before. I was reaching out to everyone. In November 2018, I made a call that would change my life forever. I reached out to a builder looking for new listings.

To my surprise, the executives were interested in working with me and my business partner. They wanted us to hire and train their sales staff for a new development they were bringing to the city. It was a massive opportunity, but there was a catch. The market was in a recession, and selling condos downtown seemed impossible at the time.

Undeterred, we launched the building with 180 units and 13 stories. However, the market was so challenging that after five months, we had only managed to sell 25 units. We needed a new strategy, and we needed it fast! I traveled to Toronto and witnessed a building launch where hundreds of agents showed up. In Calgary, we could hardly get any agents interested. This sparked an idea.

We decided to shift our focus to selling the building to people in Ontario, thousands of kilometers away from Calgary. The builder was initially hesitant, but my determination convinced them to give it a try. Phone calls flooded in, and the demand soared. Within six weeks, we sold out all 180 units, surpassing everyone's expectations. It was an incredible achievement.

This was a turning point for us, demonstrating how crucial it is to adjust to the market, embrace new strategies and learn from fellow professionals. In just a year, I went from having my worst year, just 18 units, to achieving 207 units. In the past two years, Karen, my business partner and I exceeded 1,500 units! In real estate, you get out of it what you put into it – the sky is the limit when you have the right systems in place to achieve your goals.

Our continued growth has inspired us to hone in on helping agents overcome obstacles to find their own success in the industry. Many new agents lack the essential sales and marketing skills needed to surpass obstacles. Platinum Real Estate Group aims to share our knowledge and guide agents by equipping them with the necessary tools, strategies and support needed to succeed.

Karen, a former RN, possesses a natural ability to put people at ease and connect with them. She knows how to diffuse challenging situations and offer empathy, providing people with a trusted source to confide in. She has been right by my side through this journey and has joined me in real estate with a shared vision of helping fellow agents thrive.

Together, with Karen’s compassion and my business guidance, we create a system that nurtures the agent-client relationship and encourages the agent’s professional growth. Our approach is rooted in honesty, hard work and a commitment to excellence. Through mentorship and a strong support system, we save agents from years of struggle and financial hardship, creating a clear path to achieving their goals.

Sincerely,

Mark Verzyl, REALTOR® Platinum Real Estate Group (403) 617-9998 / (403) 619-1497 Office: (207) 647-5551 | Cell: (207) 256-0638 mark@greateryycgroup.com | karen@greateryycgroup.com