Haley Lopez*

I was born and raised in Victoria, B.C., and the “Garden City” has remained my home for the better part of 37 years. I am an eldest daughter, the second eldest child of five. Growing up, I danced ballet for seven years and was an air cadet for six. I competed in biathlon tournaments, effective speaking competitions, drill team, flag party, and dozens of educational programs and fundraising events. I earned my Duke of Edinburgh’s silver metal when I was 16, and aged out of the program as “chief” at 19. In my early 20s, I had my first child. I spent part of those first few years living in Los Angeles and being a stay-at-home mother. In 2011, I returned to school, and in 2013 I received my B.A. in Communications from Royal Roads University.

From 2013 to 2016, I worked as a tour guide here in Victoria. It was one of the best experiences of my life. Leading tourists from all over the world through assorted neighbourhoods, gardens, pubs, and hidden gems, showing them the architecture of the “painted ladies” and other old homes throughout James Bay and the Rocklands … I absolutely loved it.

In 2015, I started a company, Surefire Safety Communications Inc., specializing in fire safety planning for new and existing commercial, residential, and institutional buildings. When I started the company, I barely knew what I was doing as a fire safety planner — or as a business owner — but I really worked to learn my roles and to grow my business. Today, the company is trusted and contracted by dozens of major companies all over the Island: BC Transit, Townline Construction, and Amica Housing, to name a few of them. Though I no longer manage the company’s day-to-day operations, I continue to watch it thrive under the care of a trusted employee.

I began my real estate career in 2017 as a member of a real estate team at Sotheby’s International Realty. Becoming a REALTOR® was something I had always wanted to do, and I was finally in a place in life to make that transition. I gained experience helping clients navigate various real estate transactions, and learned the complexities of different real estate products, including new constructions, leaseholds, and strata and single-family detached properties. That first year was a tremendous period of growth for me, not only in learning the logistics but also in learning what motivates people, and the challenges they face that affect their real estate decisions. This helped me gain of a sense for the marketability of individual properties.

In 2018, I decided to strike out on my own upon being invited to join Pemberton Holmes Ltd., a large-yet-local family-owned company since 1887. It was a difficult decision at the time, but I have never looked back. I have continued to enjoy helping people attain their goals, whether that means finding developable land, purchasing their first home, obtaining rental property, or downsizing. I believe that my job as a REALTOR® is more than (literally) opening doors; educating people on the process, their legal obligations, their rights, and their options is the single best way I can equip them to make their own optimal decisions.

I also get a lot satisfaction in finding people the services they need. Sometimes selling or buying the house is the easy part. Moving and getting the paperwork all done on time can be tricky. So I like making sure everything goes smoothly. (It’s like being a wedding planner except without worrying about rain on the big day.) Most importantly, I love building lasting relationships with my clients. Staying educated in the industry, being personable, being available, and providing honest information in a timely, clear, and concise manner is the best way I know to do that.

On a personal note, I love being a wife and mother, understanding the unique challenges of blended families, and being a parent who works outside the home. I am passionate about creating an environmentally sustainable lifestyle focusing on supporting local businesses and reducing consumption — especially of single-use plastics. I am an avid walker, so I value living where I can walk to everything I might need or want in a typical week. Since 2006, I have lived in one of James Bay, Vic West, or Esquimalt, always within 10–20 minutes of Downtown by foot. I love piña coladas, oversized sweaters, Baileys in coffee, scented candles, natural soaps, fancy chocolate, tacos, cocktail dresses, and, of course, Blundstones — a West Coast cliché, but still true.

Check out my Testimonials: http://www.therealhaleylopez.com/testimonials/