Award-Winning Agent Believes Future is Promising for Fort McMurray Families
Realtor Susan Lore has spent the past 15 years finding the perfect home for her Fort McMurray clients, and due to personal dedication and family support, the hard work is paying off with award-winning results.
Determined to find a career opportunity, Lore made her way to Fort McMurray from Tumbler Ridge, B.C. with her family in 1998. Since the move, she has fallen in love with her career, the community and its people.
In 2000, she landed the job of her dreams in Fort McMurray’s fast-paced real estate industry when she started out at the Century 21 Dynamic Realty agency, and later moved on to Coldwell Banker Fort McMurray in 2012.
“I love the flexibility and that no two days are exactly alike,” she says, on her 24-hour unpredictable and exciting work lifestyle. “And, I love meeting new families at the exciting and pivotal periods of time in their lives.”
A mother to four daughters and one son, and a grandma to four granddaughters and one grandson, Lore works around the ‘real estate’ clock with her life and career partner Michael Cammock at The Lore Group.
“We are a family business,” says Lore, who is also in partnership with her daughter Jamie Hewat and son Tristan Parker at the local real estate agency. “We are a close-knit group with diverse backgrounds that meet the needs of all different types of clients.”
Having a dynamic family team has helped The Lore Group gain multiple real estate awards on a Canada-wide level. From gaining the title of the Coldwell Banker International President’s Elite Team to claiming the #1 Team in Alberta, Lore says she’s privileged to be the recipients of the honours.
Lore describes how her business philosophy has been based on the growth and strength of her award-winning family team, who take pride in themselves on being flexible for their clients and respectable towards their clients’ real estate must-haves.
“I emphasize service first to our clients and to our community,” she says. “Our team prides itself on being hard-working and flexible, valuing above and beyond client service.”
Understanding the market isn’t always an easy task for new home buyers. Lore explains the importance of hiring a certified realtor and says many would be surprised to learn their services don’t come with a cost.
“Home buyers are often not aware that our services to them are free of charge,” she shares. “It is best to choose a skilled and dedicated realtor that understands your needs and can act in your best interest… using multiple realtors can be stressful and confusing.”
The real estate field can be an emotional roller coaster for both clients and agents. The market never stops moving and has its ups and downs. Lore shares how she helps her clients cope with the process by limiting stress with fun and positive activities.
“Moving is one of the most stressful times in a family’s life. Often accompanied by a change of a job, school, social circle, and in many cases, starting over again,” Lore says. “It’s important to be kind to each other and take small breaks when house hunting and do fun, relaxing family activities during the process.”
As for the house hunting, Lore says leave the planning and organizing to the realtor and take notes during the process to remember which homes were favoured most. Lore adds clients should also plan their budget ahead of time with a consultation from a qualified lender.
“Let your realtor take the stress out of organizing the house hunting days,” she advises. “Make good notes about your favourite homes while shopping and don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions. Know your budget ahead of time and what type of monthly payment you will be making within the budget.”
According to the recent collapse of sales due to the oilsands industry crude’s price, the Fort McMurray market has dropped to 66 per cent in MLS sales of single-family homes, in comparison to stats from February 2014.
Lore expresses how this downturn has its benefits as it’s a buyers’ market. She believes the future of our region is promising because the community is growing with residential and commercial property.
“Fort McMurray is definitely experiencing a hesitation in the market,” Lore says. “The good news for buyers is that this is the perfect time to buy because there’s lots of choice and rates are at a low. I have full confidence that we will bounce back.”
According to an announcement on BIG Wood Buffalo Economic Development in July 2013, the Lore Group and Avison Young have partnered together to sell commercial real estate space at the Prairie Creek Business Park Development. Lore says she’s excited about the new 700 acre commercial and industrial business park.
“I am excited about the coming years’ development,” she says. “Our community is growing, and so are the opportunities for businesses to relocate. Finding suitable space has never looked better. Check out the Prairie Creek Business Park on Highway 63 for example.”
As the real estate market becomes more and more competitive in today’s economy, Lore shares some of the life lessons she has found within her career and works to live by each day.
“Be kind to others and to yourself,” she says. “Share. Real estate is a competitive career, but it’s important to share your experience, even with competitors, and especially new agents. Success breeds success. Share it. I am grateful to continue to learn from successful people who share with me.”
When it comes to being kind, Lore and her team have exemplified it throughout the Wood Buffalo region. The Lore Group has been actively involved with the Fort McMurray SPCA, the Wood Buffalo Food Bank, the Snow Angels program, the Northern Lights Regional Health Foundation, the Keyano College Foundation and many other social profits and organizations throughout Alberta.
Lore believes volunteering is crucial and it’s a great way to get involved. She says it allows people to connect with one another and even the simplest acts of kindness can go a long way.
“Volunteering allows us to connect to our community and help make it a better place,” she says. “Even the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals and organizations in need.”
She further describes volunteering as a two-way street. “It benefits each of us, as well as, our families. As we grow personally, we learn from our experiences and teach our children and grandchildren the importance of giving back. Fort McMurray is the most generous and supportive community I have ever lived in.”
