Royal LePage® agent and 2023 Top 35 Under 35 Award Winner, Mike Villaneuva, shares his advice for agents looking to build a profitable and fulfilling career in real estate.
For most real estate agents, the journey to success starts with cold calls, online ads, and endless hustle. Royal Lepage’s Mike Villanueva, one of Royal LePage’s Top 35 Under 35 in 2023, has leveraged those tactics to grow his business into a thriving referral-based operation.
After six years in the industry, Mike is now at a place where nearly all of his business is generated from past clients, family and friends. That evolution, from cold calling to gaining trusted referrals, reflects his dedication, hard work and the strong relationships he’s built along the way.
In this interview, Mike shares how he navigated the early stages of his career, what motivates him to stay productive, and why giving back to his community has been such a vital part of his journey.
Congratulations on achieving Top 35 Under 35 status! Can you give us some insight into your book of business? Where is the majority of your work focused?
Over the past six years, I’ve grown my business to the point where I’m now almost exclusively taking referrals. Every year, I handle at least one commercial deal, but the majority of my work is residential. In the beginning of my career, I did everything I could to get business, from calling family and friends to running Facebook and Kijiji ads. It’s tough at first; I remember getting really nervous before making calls or following up with people, but once you push through that, it gets easier. Now, I’m fortunate to have built relationships that lead to valuable referral business.
What motivates you to succeed in real estate?
My motivation comes from helping people achieve their real estate goals. Whether it’s a family buying their first home or someone selling a property they’ve held for years, knowing I’ve played a role in something so important to them keeps me going. It’s about making a real impact on their lives. That’s what drives me and makes the process easier and more rewarding.
What inspires you to get involved with your local community, and can you share some community initiatives you’ve participated in?
Giving back has always been important to me. I love that our industry allows us to help those who are in need. Last year, our office held an event called ‘Declutter for a Cause,’ where we helped clients donate gently used items to families in need. It was such a rewarding experience. I’ve also volunteered at CIBC’s ‘Run for the Cure,’ and every year, I sponsor basketball jerseys for kids’ teams in the Filipino community. It’s a great way to stay connected and give back to a community that supports me.
What advice would you give agents to help them attain a similar level of success? What should they focus on when getting started?
When you’re just starting out, focus on two things: 1) Call everyone in your database. It sounds simple, but it’s a step many new agents skip. Reach out to old friends, family and even coworkers. Let them know you’re in real estate now. It’s much easier to build rapport with people you already know than to generate business with people you don’t. 2) Host open houses. In my first two years, I did four open houses every weekend – two on Saturday and two on Sunday. It gave me the confidence to talk about homes, learn what buyers are looking for, and rapidly expand my network. That consistency really pays off in the long run.
If you were chatting with an agent from a competing brand, what would be your top three reasons to join Royal LePage?
Easy. 1) The in-house training and support are unmatched. Royal LePage invests in its agents and provides the resources we need to succeed. 2) The network is phenomenal – you get access to top agents across Canada who are truly willing to lend a hand or provide advice. 3) Royal LePage is the most recognized and respected real estate brand in Canada. That reputation alone gives you a huge advantage when you’re out there building your business.
Tell us about your best day as a REALTOR® so far.
Being recognized as one of the Top 35 Under 35 agents in Canada was definitely a career highlight. It’s an award I’ve always admired, and seeing my name on that list was a huge accomplishment. Everyone I know who has received that recognition has gone on to build successful real estate careers, so it feels like a big milestone in my journey.
Ready to take the first step towards a successful and fulfilling career in real estate? Join us at royallepage.ca/en/realestate/join-our-team.
