With recent changes announced to Canadian mortgage rules, including the expansion of 30-year mortgages for all first-time homebuyers, you may be thinking about buying a home in 2025. On the other hand, you may be considering selling your first home. Without a doubt, as interest rates drop, and markets shift, you’ll need an experienced real estate professional to help guide you in your search and provide real estate tips and tricks for getting the best price.
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, someone looking for an investment property, or selling your first home, professional advice is an asset.
With this purpose in mind, we asked the winners of Zolo’s Zenith awards to provide advice for home buyers and sellers as we head into 2025.
What Are Zolo’s Zenith Awards?
To recognize our top real estate agents for their hard work and dedication to helping Canadians find their dream homes, Zolo has awarded our top agents with the Zenith Awards.
The Zenith Award is a reflection of our team’s hard work, dedication, and commitment to helping homebuyers and sellers across Canada.
Zolo agents were awarded based on their performance in several categories. Some agents won in multiple categories. The categories are:
- Gross Commission Income
- Net Commission
- Number of Transactions
Award-Winning Agents Offer Their Best Real Estate Tips as We Head Into 2025
To help Canadians prepare to buy and sell in 2025 we asked the Zolo Zenith Award winners for their best real estate tips.
Shoaib Hakemi
- Location: Barrie, Ontario
- Winning Categories: Gross Commission Income, Net Commission Income
Shoaib’s Advice:
“In a shifting market, working with an expert is crucial. Despite recent interest rate hikes and potential cuts, prices have remained stable, and inventory levels are healthy. Sellers still aim to get the best price, but market changes can make buyers hesitant. Traditional methods alone may not suffice. At Zolo, we connect directly with potential buyers, helping sellers secure the highest possible price. With spring likely to bring more demand, we might even see an upward push in prices.”
Danielle Wood
- Location: Oakville, Ontario
- Winning Categories: Gross Commission Income, Net Commission Income
Danielle’s Advice:
“The real estate market can be like a roller coaster, especially the past several years, but it does not have to be a scary ride. It is imperative that prospective buyers and sellers commit to working with a Realtor® who has in-depth market knowledge, understands the ebbs and flows of the market, knows how to pivot when necessary and truly makes an effort to build a relationship with you first and foremost. A diligent, trusted Realtor® will think outside of the box, will be honest and forthcoming, and will be a voice of reason during a process that can be very emotional at times. A Realtor® that focuses on client relationships rather than the transaction alone will be a pillar of strength to you in your home buying and selling journey.
The coming year will surely be a pivotal time in the Ontario real estate market. With the Bank ofCanada starting to reduce interest rates, a surge in inventory (new listings) and pent-up demand from buyers, the time to get a mortgage pre-approval and commit to working with a trusted Realtor® is now. They will help you plan, prepare, and execute. If you are a first-time home buyer and have been sitting on the sidelines, it is time to get in the game!”
Iryna Chadiuk
- Location: Hamilton, Ontario
- Winning Categories: Number of Transactions
Iryna’s Advice:
“Don’t underestimate the help which a professional realtor can provide you. His or her experience and knowledge can save you from many struggles and disappointments during your search for the house of your dreams. Give just a little bit of trust to the person you have chosen to work with, and remember: they are in your corner no matter what!”
Steve Liu
- Location: Richmond Hill, Ontario
- Winning Categories: Net Commission Income
Steve’s Advice:
“With the anticipated future rate reductions, market confidence and buyers’ purchasing power are slowly improving following each Bank of Canada announcement.
However, unlike the Covid years, the effects of these rate cuts will be gradual rather than immediate. While timing is important, 2024 is a market to buy with patience and sell with managed expectations.
A seasoned and knowledgeable professional will be a great asset for navigating these changes effectively in the coming months.”
Lisa Nash
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Winning Categories: Gross Commission Income
Lisa’s Advice:
“As we head into 2025, many prospective buyers—especially first-time buyers—might find themselves wishing they had taken the plunge in 2024. Toronto’s real estate market has a long-standing history of resilience and growth. While the market has faced challenges in recent years, it’s important to remember that downturns in Toronto are rarely long-lived.
For first-time homebuyers, affordability remains a major hurdle, but there are creative ways to get into the market. One strategy is to embrace the concept of “house hacking.” Instead of purchasing a home and renting out the basement, consider living in the basement yourself and renting out the main floor or upper unit. This approach can significantly offset mortgage payments, allowing you to qualify for a higher mortgage. The added bonus? You’ll be building equity from day one, even in a market that feels out of reach for many.
Remember, timing the market perfectly is nearly impossible. The best time to buy is when you find a home you love and that fits your long-term needs. Don’t wait on the sidelines hoping for a better deal—sometimes the true “deal” is getting in when you can.”
Julia Mossanen
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Winning Categories: Net Commission Income
Julia’s Advice:
“It’s a great time to buy as we head into 2025.
First-time home buyers in particular can benefit from interest rate cuts coupled with unprecedented levels of inventory not seen in over a decade. Using Zolo as a great resource, this provides the opportunity to take time searching the abundance of choices available, especially in condos, and the ability to negotiate without the stress of competition.
It’s a tricky market – having a steady experienced hand to guide you is key!”
Reza Javan
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Zenith Award Winning Categories: Net Commission Income
Reza’s Advice:
The Toronto and GTA real estate market can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time homebuyers, but preparation and research are essential. Start by securing financing, exploring government incentives, and partnering with trusted real estate professionals to guide your decisions. Stay flexible on location and property type, and carefully consider both the financial and practical aspects of owning a home.
Rod Millar
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario
- Zenith Award Winning Categories: Number of Transactions
Rod’s Advice:
It is an exciting time, and many first time home buyers rush ahead, without understanding the process and costs involved.
- Get pre-approved as a first step, it not only confirms what you can and can’t afford, but can assist positively in the offer process
- Use a professional realtor®. Often there is no cost to buyers, and they can assist with every aspect of the process. Who doesn’t want free professional advice?
- Understand and take advantage of all the incentives available to help you to save.
- Use online tools to assist you, (i.e. mortgage calculator, land transfer tax calculator) but always seek and confirm the applicable professionals.
- Avoid common first-time homebuyer mistakes like not doing a home inspection. Another reason to enlist a realtor® so they can advise you on the in-and-outs in buying a home.
- Make sure you’re prepared for closing — and that you know all costs involved!
- Understand the pros and cons of buying new, vs. buying used, a great realtor® can advise and assist with either type of transaction.
Jennifer Chan
- Location: Edmonton, Alberta
- Zenith Award Winning Categories: Number of Transactions, Gross Commission Income
Jennifer’s Advice:
“Learning to ask the right questions and hearing what the opposing side is really saying is essential. Real estate agents may be the experts of the industry but you are not the experts of someone else’s life. Whether it is in Chinese, English or even just simple body language, open your eyes and ears and be receptive to what you are actually being told. “
Pawan Kumar
- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Zenith Award Winning Categories: Number of Transactions
Pawan’s Advice:
“As a real estate agent, I understand that buying or selling a home is one of the most important decisions in life. My advice to first-time homebuyers is to get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start your search. This helps you set a clear budget and shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer. Focus on location and future resale value—buying in a good neighborhood can make a big difference long-term.
Take advantage of programs like the First-Time Home Buyer Incentive and the Home Buyers’ Plan to help with your down payment. Lastly, don’t skip a home inspection; it could save you from costly repairs down the road. With patience, determination, and the right expertise, your dream property is just around the corner. Trust the process and work with a realtor you feel comfortable with!”
Ginny Webster
- Location: Calgary, Alberta
- Zenith Award Winning Categories: Number of Transactions, Gross Commission Income
Ginny’s Advice:
“Connect with a realtor who truly understands your dreams and is passionate about making them a reality. A dedicated agent will invest their heart and expertise into achieving your goals. With local knowledge and strong negotiation skills, they’ll turn your homeownership dreams into a reality. Trust your instincts and work with someone who genuinely cares about your journey.”
Other Zenith Award Winners Include:
- Avneesh Kohli, Whitby, Ontario: Number of Transactions
- Dmitri Kagan, Toronto, Ontario: Number of Transactions
- Borna Asi, Burnaby, British Columbia: Number of Transactions, Gross Commission Income, Net Commission Income
- Jaspreet Pandher, Calgary, Alberta: Number of Transactions
- Nicola Hill, Hamilton, Ontario: Number of Transactions
- Stephen Tedford, Whitby, Ontario: Gross Commission Income
- Stephen Walker, Toronto, Ontario: Gross Commission Income
- Sudhanshu Sarsoonia, Brampton, Ontario: Gross Commission Income
- Naheed Gul, Toronto, Ontario: Gross Commission Income, Net Commission Income
- Donato Fini, Vaughan, Ontario: Net Commission Income
Zolo congratulates all of the Zenith Award winners.
