Professional Profile

NAME: Danny Wood.

AGE: 28 (Born 11/29/1981 in Oshawa, Ontario.)

COMPANY: Keller Williams Energy Real Estate Brokerage.

OCCUPATION: REALTOR / Speaker.

TITLE: Sales representative / Durham West director.

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVMENT:

•             Agent leadership council of KW Energy.

•             Education committee of KW Energy.

•             Regional director (Durham West) of DRAR - (Durham Region Association of REALTORS).

•             Communications committee of DRAR.

News – Durham Region, October 21, 2009... Whitby real estate salesperson Dan Wood has been acclaimed as Durham West director for the 2010 board of directors. Danny represents the Whitby, Ajax & Pickering district of the Durham Region Association of REALTORS. Collectively the board is responsible for over 1,000 agents consisting of both brokers and sales people.

Dan began his career working on the marketing side of top producer in the Oshawa area. At a young age he helped launch a new real estate brand in Oshawa Ontario in 2004. He developed the advertising used for the Internet, direct mail, and local news papers. Once fully licensed he shifted gears and went out on his own.

Most agents who succeed in real estate sales tend to start “real estate teams” many years into the business, but Dan started one during his first fulltime year in the game. This unique approach and Mr. Woods’ clear vision has served him well even during the economic recession.

His lead generation systems & marketing methods are now being offered to other REALTORS at all levels of the business. His involvement on the Agent Leadership Council has given him the perfect platform to offer his knowledge.

“Age has never held me back… my youth and ability to read trends has really given me the drive to succeed. It’s funny how quick you can gain attention and build a reputation among colleagues… at first I was afraid of the industry insiders and its cliques, but if you just give that extra effort and know what you are talking about they welcome you with open arms. ” – Dan Wood (2009 interview)

Dan is a full time agent at the fastest growing firm in Durham Region. They opened the doors in 2009 with 40+ agents and reached 100 agents before the years end. It was also one of the few brokerages in Canada to operate in profit during its first month!

Founded in 1983, Keller Williams Realty International now ranks as the third largest real estate franchise organization in North America. Total North American associate count stands at close to 73,000 (2009 and growing).

EDUCATION:

OREA Real Estate | Don Mills, Ontario, 2006

As a member of organized real estate Dan had to complete 3 phases and all prerequisites with a passing mark of a 75%. His studies included the overall procedures regarding listing authorities, types of listings and form completion.

Government of Canada | Whitby, Ontario, 2003

Intern (Youth Entrepreneurship Program)

During 2003 Dan received over $12,000 in grants and one year of business training through a program offered by the Canadian government called the "Youth Entrepreneurship Program". The government taught him first hand how to start and run a business from the ground up.

Mentors helped Dan prepare and execute every aspect of his first business plan including; market research, registration of a business, financial projections, advertising, accounting and more.

IAOD | Toronto, Ontario, 2002

Diploma in Computer Graphics.

Dan studied print, web and multi-media design for professional advertising, using industry standard software such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, QuarkXpress and Macromedia Dreamweaver.

Durham College - continued education | Oshawa, Ontario

Stock market investing, 2003

How to start a small business, 2002

PAST BUSINESS HISTORY:

Owner of ClingAds Marketing |Ontario, 2004

In 2004 Danny started a company creating point-of-sale posters for Toyota, Saturn and Saab to showcase the accessories for each model in the dealerships.

Dealers across Ontario came to Dan for his statically charged posters that would cling onto the vehicles window. As the sole proprietor his job consisted of the overall day to day operations.  He handled everything from designing, printing, database management, accounting to client relations and product installations.

In his own words – Q&As with Dan Wood:

Q: So, why real estate?

Dan: That’s funny, my parents asked the same thing. They wanted to me go into the auto sector and questioned why we would pay $24,000 for a year of design education when I openly told them I was going to become a REALTOR…. [Laughing].

I told them that no matter what I do in my life I can always take my marketing education with me. I have always felt that real estate offers the greatest opportunity to create wealth. It’s also a relatively inexpensive business to get into… I mean you don’t need to invest in merchandise or secure a storefront.

Q: What are your challenges?

Dan: Well for one I don’t have the luxury of a past client business. Sure by now in the second year I have gotten some, but on average people don’t come back to you till the mortgage comes due.

I have about 3 more years to go before my past clients start renewing their mortgages. So that forces me to chase after “cold” leads generated from my site www.openhouse-tour.com or by me door knocking and prospecting on the phone. This makes my job much tougher as those people don’t trust you like a past client does.

Q: What trends do you see in the near future?

Dan: Let’s talk industry trends first. One thing I’m really excited about is the age of our industry. According to the 2008 NAR report the average age of a REALTOR is 52! These guys don’t need to market themselves or have lavish lead generation system… they just live the good life of working from 20 years of referrals. I see a HUGE coming trend with many agents starting their succession planning. I think building relationships with people like that could prove as a win-win. They can retire and I can provide them with a passive income from a residual agreement based on their referrals. I can’t see them one day just saying I’m done and throw in the towel. My brokerage has a great business model to attract these retiring agents and utilize their past client database.

As for trends in the resale market here in Durham… I’d say bungalows and condo apartments will be seeing a greater demand. The traditional 2 story home and townhouses offer an obstacle (that being the stairs). Not so much an issue now, but many people… coming back to the age thing, will be downsizing. The apartment condo offers elevators, no exterior maintenance like shoveling and probably has underground parking. That will be the first step and after that retirement communities will be surging. I know of one company in Whitby with land ready to go so they can build a 2nd building just to meet demand.

Q: What are your plans for the next 5 years?

Dan: I’d like to own more real estate and rent them out. I’m doing that now with my first house and renting out the basement. It’s working out really well, so I think adding another isn’t that far fetched.

Even though this is still a budding career, I think I’d like to be a little more diversified and own another business within the next few years. People who know me, know of my passion for marketing so that is a natural next step. Having an online marketing company that runs on auto pilot is a real dream and I can see it happening. Social media and search placement are really lucrative for the effort involved.

One thing for sure is that I’ll be in real estate. It’s a hobby, passion, and joy all rolled into one. I guess I’m lucky to be having so much fun doing what I do. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else 5 years from now. Kids would be nice to have by that time, but I’m just so unsure of the market and how the harmonized tax will affect our sales here in Durham. I really want to be on the right financial path before I take on the responsibility of a baby.

Q: Where did you grow up and in what cities have you lived?

Dan: I have lived in Oshawa my entire life except for when I moved out on my own in my early twenties with Becky Keays. We rented a 1 bedroom in Bowmanville for $900. After a year of that we got a bigger place in Oshawa and eventually purchased up in North Oshawa.

Q: What do you do in the evenings or on the weekends for fun, it seems all you do is work?

Dan: When I’m not working I… think of work [laughing]. I just really think it’s so much fun. So knowing it’s always on my mind, I also like running, rock climbing & exercise. Photography and computer design are also big parts of my life. I’m one of those who rewind commercials and watch them because of the art direction and the way them conveyed their message. That might sound odd to many, but I really appreciate creativity.

Q: What would you say to someone thinking of getting into real estate?

Dan: Start with a game plan and know the business. What it all comes down to is lead generation. They say it’s who you know, but in real estate sales it’s “who knows you and what you do”.

Q: How can people reach you?

Dan: My direct line is 905-903-5442 and the office is 905-430-2320. They can also go to www.openhouse-tour.com