Royal LePage’s A.E LePage REALTOR® of the Year for the Quebec region, Sébastien Parent, shares his advice for agents looking to grow their business.

In an industry like real estate, new technological advancements are ever-present, and many real estate professionals have to learn to navigate the latest digital trends. However, the most effective strategy for success often involves returning to the fundamentals. Royal LePage’s A.E. LePage REALTOR® of the Year for Quebec, Sébastien Parent, has demonstrated that focusing on honesty, hard work and deep market knowledge yields the most impressive results, and sets you apart in a dynamic industry.

We spoke with Sébastian, who explained how mastery in one area and a commitment to foundational principles can pave the way to success. Here’s how our conversation unfolded:

First off, congratulations on being named an A.E. Lepage REALTOR® of the Year! What an achievement. We’d love to hear more about your lead generation strategy. 

It is truly an honour to be named one of the A.E. LePage REALTORS® of the Year alongside a group of well-respected professionals in our industry. For me, living and working in a community where people genuinely care about one another is a blessing. It’s incredibly rewarding to see that most of my business comes from referrals. When a client trusts me enough to recommend my services to their friends or family, it’s a huge compliment that I don’t take for granted. It means the world to me because it’s not just about getting another lead, it’s about knowing I’ve made a real difference in someone’s life and they want to share that experience with others.

Given your accomplishments, what advice would you share with a fellow agent looking to achieve a similar level of success in their career?

Honestly, I don’t believe I’ve done anything extraordinary to get where I am. It’s all about sticking to the fundamentals. My advice? Be honest. Advocate for your clients like they’re your own family. Defend their interests with everything you’ve got. And, don’t underestimate the power of collaboration. Treat your colleagues as partners, not competitors. Building those strong, lasting relationships is key. Also, be adaptable. The market can throw curveballs, and being ready to handle anything that comes your way is crucial. This approach has worked for me, and I believe it’s a solid foundation for any agent looking to build a successful long-term career.

​​Your dedication to your clients and your business is clearly a driving force. What motivates you as a top-performing agent?

Beyond my love for architecture and design, I’ve always had a passion for serving others. My background in the service industry taught me the importance of putting people first, and that naturally translated into my real estate career. Becoming a sales representative wasn’t just a career move for me; it was a way to continue being that trusted person who people can rely on for guidance. Helping clients navigate the real estate market and making the process as smooth and rewarding as possible – that’s what drives me every day. For me, the best part is knowing that I’m helping people make one of the most important decisions of their lives.

Your focus on helping others is inspiring. Can you share some of the daily habits that have been essential to your success?

My day starts early. I’m up before the sun, and the first thing I do is exercise. I don’t think I could have achieved this level of success without that discipline. It keeps me energized and focused throughout the day. 

After that, I dive into the details – reviewing new listings, familiarizing myself with every aspect of the market. Knowing my listings inside and out is non-negotiable. But, perhaps the most important thing I do is focus on my area of service. Specializing in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu has allowed me to become a true expert in the region. I can anticipate changes, spot opportunities, and give my clients advice that’s rooted in deep, local knowledge. That has been a game-changer for me.

Do you lean on any tools or resources to increase your business’s productivity? 

Royal LePage® offers many valuable resources and tools that have been essential to my success. The blog post articles, market reports and statistics are a few of the materials we love sharing with our followers and clients because they provide such great insights. We also rely heavily on Protection Royale – it’s a Quebec-specific service that offers our clients peace of mind throughout their real estate journey. Knowing they’re protected allows them to move forward with confidence, which is incredibly important.

​​Tell us about your best moment as a REALTOR® so far. 

So many moments have stood out throughout my career, it’s difficult to pick just one. I’d say the most rewarding experiences come from taking on listings that have been sitting on the market for a long time without selling. When a client comes to us after working with other agents and we’re able to step in, apply our unique strategies and see the property sell quickly – and at the original asking price – it’s a fantastic feeling. It’s not just about closing the deal, it’s about proving to the client that their trust in us was well-placed. That’s why I love what I do. It’s not just about selling homes; it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives.

Looking to build a fruitful career in real estate? We’ve got you covered royallepage.ca/en/realestate/join-our-team/.