Joel Schlesinger © Postmedia Network Inc.
Sotheby’s is a name synonymous with luxury. Yet Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is for all homeowners — with a difference.
“Luxury isn’t about the price point,” says Mary-Ann Mears, managing broker with Sotheby’s International Realty Canada in Calgary.
“It really is about service and the experience for the client, whether buying or selling a home.”
Indeed, the Sotheby’s brand is associated with the sale of the world’s most prized artwork and antiques, with its origins as an auction house since 1744.
“Our iconic brand is indeed important,” Mears explains. “When a client puts up a Sotheby’s International Realty Canada sign, it automatically gives their home that extra boost, an aura of uniqueness that stands out.”
By no means is this appeal exclusive to Calgary’s luxury resale market, adds Mears, a real estate industry leader with more than 20 years of experience.
“Seventy-five per cent of our listings and sales are under $1 million,” she says. “I always say to our clients, ‘Your home deserves that difference that only Sotheby’s International Realty Canada can offer.’ ”
That panache for high-level service has allowed the realty firm to quickly go from a small presence in Calgary about a decade ago to one of the leading real estate brands not just in the city itself, but in Edmonton, Canmore and Lethbridge.
Of course, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada is also the realtor for some of the most sought-after properties in the city and beyond.
“In Alberta, our team has shattered several historic real estate records.”
The firm has also represented the sale of many of the most “significant architectural masterpieces” in the nation and internationally, she adds.
Another key characteristic that sets the company apart from competitors is its long-standing investment in technology innovation. This allows for industry-leading, early adoption of new technologies such as digital marketing on a global scale, virtual reality tours and augmented reality, as well as in-house development of proprietary technology such as Folio, an exclusive online platform with a personalized dashboard that clients can access from anywhere, at any time.
“We are a group with international reach, and that unity gives us the strength to do the best for our clients,” Mears says. “Because our brand is Sotheby’s International Realty Canada, we really are like no other firm — and it shows in our unequalled service, and unrivalled local, national and global marketing.”
This story was created by Content Works, Postmedia’s commercial content division, on behalf of Calgary Economic Development.