Billboards and flyers? That’s real estate Monopoly. Just because they’ve got red hotels stacked on one block doesn’t mean they’re the #1 Realtor for you. Consider the demographical choice.
If there’s a billboard or a flyer in your mailbox that says “#1 Realtor in your neighbourhood”…or a little video playing on loop in your elevator… that must mean they’re the best person to sell your home. Right? I get it – they’ve got four red hotels on that one Monopoly square. If the marketing says they’re #1 Realtor, why wouldn’t you call them?
That’s the kind of Realtor I refer to as a geographical Realtor. They “farm” a building, a block or a whole neighbourhood with their advertising. While it’s true that they may know your neighbourhood, are they the perfect match for you? They might also be the #1 Realtor for sales (maybe check which year & which source). But here’s the thing about being “#1” in real estate. It usually means big team…and if this is the case, you’re a small fish in their very busy pond. Odds are you’re being handled by a less-experienced agent & another with a title like “client concierge.” You may not see the #1 Realtor name after the listing appointment. Will they be as invested in your sale as they are in the other 20 listings they need to flip before the staging inventory rotates?
Fun fact: I’m the one who gets called after the #1 Realtor can’t sell the place. I’ve also gone toe-to-toe with them on the other side of deals. Some are great. Some… not so much.
I’m a Toronto Beach Realtor, a Leslieville Realtor, a Riverdale Realtor, High Park Realtor, East York Realtor, Mimico Realtor, Roncesvalles Realtor, King West and Downtown Condo Realtor. I’m not loyal to a patch—I’m loyal to your result.
I am a demographical Realtor. I specialize in people—not just postal codes.
The people I work with?
- Upsizing families who’ve outgrown their starter homes.
- Downsizers who want less square footage and more lifestyle.
- Professionals who need space to entertain and recharge.
- Folks navigating relationship changes & may need to sell that matrimonial home with empathy and ease
My approach is rooted in understanding who you are, why you’re moving, and where your next chapter actually makes sense. It’s matchmaking, not mass marketing. I see patterns in people, not just places. For buyers – It’s less about where you live now and more about what you want your next chapter to look like. You want more light, more space, more soul in your home—and I’m here for it. Past clients will tell you that showings with me are opinionated, fun, adventurous and we laugh. For sellers – I take my thoughtful, strategic, and tailored strategy to sell your home with me everywhere. I’m known for my eye for detail, creative marketing that gets noticed, detailed analysis of sales patterns for pricing & approach and a deep understanding of what buyers want—because I work with them every day too. From pricing to presentation, nothing is cookie-cutter.
My clients are city lovers. Maybe there’s loyal fur friend at their feet, a coffee in hand, and a brain that’s always half-solving something creative. They work in TV, design, law, landscape, finance, or not at all right now—CEOs, teachers, producers, actors, authors, parents on mat leave. Titles vary, but the vibe is the same: curious, grounded, real. They’ve got a soft spot for indie shops, street art, drinks on a tiny restaurant patio along Queen and underdog hockey teams. Summer nights mean live music at Bud Stage, seats under an open dome watching the Toronto Blue Jays crush the MLB, or chasing kids through a park before grabbing tacos on a patio. They want homes that feel right—stylish, functional, full of possibility. And because they didn’t win the lottery yesterday, they want the numbers to make sense. And when it’s time to sell, you know your home is great and you want an agent who feels that and will do everything possible to sell it the way she would if those dollars were all her own. Our vibe together? It’s easy: we laugh, we communicate without a middle-man on the daily, and we share the same goals.
Maybe you’ve got a semi in Leslieville and want to trade up to Riverdale. Or you’re eyeing the West end after a decade in the East. “But Karyn,” you’re thinking. “I want a Realtor who really, intimately knows this [these] neighbourhoods!” Guess what? Toronto’s best neighbourhoods aren’t that different.
Here’s an example: Roncesvalles and Leslieville sit on opposite ends of the city. Yet, both have:
- Charming mix of century-old Victorian & Edwardian houses with modern renos on picturesque one-way tree-lined streets
- Cool main drags: Roncy and Queen E offer indie shops, cafés, a go-to butcher (hi, Rowe Farms) and an ice cream shop you’d cross town for (what’s up, Ed’s Real Scoop)?
- High walkability and easy transit make car-free living doable.
- Farmers Markets, Cafe TO tables, tree-canopy-lined streets & coloured doors
- Crowds of locals on weekend walks, latte in one hand, leash in the other?
- Young families & older generations, great schools, strong community vibes & liberal-minded
- Low inventory, high demand, and bidding wars are common.
Same goes for Riverdale and High Park. Leafy streets, family-friendly, Victorian charm, and homes that scream “character” more than “cookie cutter.” And don’t sleep on the Danforth vs Oakwood Village match-up—both filled with charm, community spirit, and that slightly-underrated, up-and-coming edge. You see thousands of condos nestled in the 416, but I spend 15 minutes with you and can almost always tell what side of Yonge street matches your vibe.
If we’re the right fit I’ll cross any map line for you. Well, almost. If you’re trying to pull me north of, let’s say, Lawrence to sell your home, you’d better be as loyal as my golden retriever and just as charming. (Also—have snacks. I’m not above bribery.)
Your dream life isn’t confined to one neighbourhood, and neither is my business. If you’re buying or selling a Toronto house that suits your vibe, I’ll be there—with sharp strategy, great staging, and probably (ok, definitely) a dog treat in my pocket.