JENN RAAPPANA *PREC

Jenn Raappana is one of the few people in Victoria, BC who can proudly claim that she is a born-and-bred Victorian. Growing up on the Westshore, she has always had a deep connection to the surrounding natural beauty of the local beaches, forests, and parks. Before becoming a real estate agent in 2004, Jenn worked in the tourism industry, where it was her job to help visitors fall in love with her hometown. Her love for the South Island and her passion for helping newcomers to feel welcome enabled her to transition easily and enthusiastically to helping people buy and sell their homes. Jenn partnered with Mike in 2011, and together they have built a real estate team that combines exceptional customer service and playful professionalism. Jenn has been recognized as an MLS Award Winner and has received a President’s Gold Award.

Jenn is a volunteer realtor for the Langford’s Affordable Housing Program, assisting low-income families through the process of purchasing a home. She is also active with Rotary, acting as Secretary of the West Shore Rotary Club for four years, and most recently as President-Elect. Jenn also actively supports The Shelter Foundation andThe Cridge Centre for the Family. Jenn lives in the Westshore with her husband and son. They take every opportunity to go outside and play.

Q&A

What does "home" mean to you?

Quite simply, home is a place where I am happy, comfortable and can relax with family.

Why do you love helping people find/sell their home?

There is nothing more important than home and family. It is the place where we arrive after a long day and feel welcomed and safe. I love that I'm able to help with something as important as finding their home. And I love the relationships that I build with my clients. Over the years I've made some amazing friendships, and it brings me such joy to be invited back into the homes I helped them find!

Why did you decide to become a realtor?

My first “grown-up job” was working in tourism and hospitality, which helped me to see Victoria and the South Island with completely new eyes. My job was to help people fall in love with this city and everything it has to offer. I found that I loved the customer service aspect of tourism, that there was so much joy to be gained from making people feel welcome and giving them useful information about our area. A great opportunity came up to work for a realtor, and I realized that everything I loved about working in the tourism sector - my passion for people and love for this city - could be directly applied to a career in real estate. I loved that I moved from helping visitors find their way around to helping people stay and fall in love with Victoria.

What is unique about your approach?

I consider myself to be down-to-earth. I understand how finding the perfect home can be a stressful situation, so I don't believe in pressuring clients to make snap decisions. I am honest, and I don’t mind giving direct advice. We call our brokerage South Island Home Team because we are just that – a team. We rely on each other, and don’t compete with one another, which means we can always put the interests of our clients first.

Why do you love living in the South Island area?

I was born and raised In Victoria, the West Shore to be exact. I love the beaches, parks and being able to spend time outdoors year-round. Since having a family I'm even more appreciative of all the family friendly activities on the South Island and I'm happy to be able raise my son in this community.

What helps you to be a better realtor?

I consider myself to be down-to-earth. I understand how finding the perfect home can be a stressful situation, so I don't believe in pressuring clients to make snap decisions. I am honest, and I don’t mind giving direct advice. We call our brokerage South Island Home Team because we are just that – a team. We rely on each other, and don’t compete with one another, which means we can always put the interests of our clients first.

How would you describe your clients?

I really enjoy helping first time buyers or sellers because I think I am good at listening to what their main priorities, helping them to be realistic and still get what they want, and reassuring people that they are making the right decisions. As a wife and a mom, I love helping young families to find a home they can grow into with a budget they feel comfortable with. As their family grows, I also love helping them find a new space that fits their changing needs.

What does an ideal day off look like for you?

As you probably have guessed already, an ideal day off is a day spent with my husband, son and dog - usually a walk on the beach or visit a park and a yummy home cooked meal. If I can squeeze in a few minutes to read a good book before bed, that’s the perfect end to my day.

Reviews

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