Whistler Realtor Q&A – Dean Linnell

Why did you move to Whistler?

I’m originally from Kenora, ON and moved to Whistler in 1992 to teach skiing. I was previously teaching skiing in Banff, but it was too cold!

What made you stay here?

I had initially been returning home during summer to work as a chief steward on a private yacht, but I met my wife Betsy and we both made the decision to settle here.

When did you first get into real estate?

I got my license in 1998 and I’ve been a full time Realtor here in Whistler ever since. It’s hard to start out in any new business, but with real estate you just can’t be part time, you have to be all in.

What advice would you give to someone looking to buy a property in Whistler?

I think the most important thing is to find someone who knows the different areas of town really intimately. We get a lot of questions from people wondering what the different areas are like, or they may have a preconceived notion about a certain location.

It’s important to find someone who can steer you in the right direction for your needs.

What advice would you give to sellers?

Working with sellers, you really need to have a marketing platform that is very diverse and especially digitally diverse. It’s important to find the right balance between digital and traditional marketing for your property.

As a company we have a focus on digital, more so than any competitor we feel, but with a lean towards more traditional channels as well.

What’s your favourite thing about working with your clients?

Because I’ve been in the business so long, I really like working with repeat clients. It’s really cool to reconnect with those people and see what they’ve been up to and where their lives are.

Do you have a most memorable sale?

Maybe not a most memorable sale, but I did receive a random phone call once from a woman staying at the Four Seasons who asked me to meet her to discuss property here.

I went over to the hotel to meet her and it turned out to be Queen Latifah, so we spent the afternoon together and that was pretty memorable!

If you weren’t a real estate agent, what would you be?

I think I would be in marketing. That’s one of the aspects I love most in real estate and I think if I wasn’t a Realtor I’d perhaps be a partner in my wife’s marketing business.

What do you enjoy about the lifestyle here?

I really like that while we have a very professional office and work environment, at the same time you can just walk out the door and you’re immediately out in nature and can do any activity you want!

What’s your favourite season and why?

I’m turning more into a summer person and it’s because I really love road biking and mountain biking. I’m actually one of the partners that organizes the NIMBY Fifty in Pemberton, which is a great event that I always look forward to.

What makes you smile the most?

Hanging around with my family, goofing around and just doing fun things with them.

How do you decompress?

I think exercise is really important and I also practice meditation, so the combination of mindfulness and bike riding is how I decompress.

What accomplishment do you consider to be the most significant in your career or life?

When I was a kid I would always tell my mom that I was going to move to the mountains. And I think the most significant thing for me is being able to raise a family and have a wonderful life here and enjoy this lifestyle.

Finally, in one sentence, why should people come to live here?

Because it’s not the city!