Like sports, a real estate agent must carefully weigh numerous factors when choosing a team: unconditional trust, dedication, hard work, skill, and a common goal. Finding the ideal team is not easy. For Tannis Palmer, however, her perfect team was at home.

It’s all in the family for Tannis. With Tannis at the helm, she thrives on the business that she has formed with her husband, Ken, and son, Jason.
“Team Palmer”—Tannis, Ken and Jason—have formed a formidable trio that has taken the Calgary real estate world by storm. Their business partnership flows with a synergy that many realtors can only dream about. They are able to bring their own unique talents and abilities to the business, while being simultaneously focused on the same goal.  “It’s so nice to have someone who cares about everything the same way you do,” Tannis says. “We’re all one family, and we all have the same goals.”

Tannis has been working with Ken since 1992. He was at a crossroads in his marketing  career when his employer wanted to transfer him to Toronto. Rather than uproot the family, he obtained his real estate licence, and joined his wife. Ken’s experience with marketing has proven to be a valuable asset to the business. “Ken does all the marketing, he’s a natural at it,” says Tannis. Jason joined his parents in 2002.  They all agree that Jason brings a younger perspective to the business. “I have the mindset of a younger person,” Jason says. “I have a different way from the old school, and new ideas. I deal with the younger clients.”  In addition, Jason also has exceptional people skills, coupled with business knowledge. Tannis says having a team behind her benefits clients and allows her to be at the top of her game. “I would never do business without a team. I think teams are perfect. It’s a win-win situation. We don’t get worn out. Having a team is also good because you have different personalities, which adds something special into the mix.”

Real estate can be a pager-driven industry, where agents are continually unavailable, and where clients habitually experience long waits for call-backs. In this fast-paced, wheeling and dealing industry, great customer service can be elusive. Tannis Palmer, however, is a breath of fresh air. Her goal is to provide the best possible service for her clients, and she is determined to make herself and her team available. “My office is always run by a real person,” Tannis explains. “One of us is always in the office. Clients feel that we’re all one person and feel equally comfortable talking to any of us.”

Tannis bubbles with such enthusiasm for her work, and exudes such confidence in herself and her abilities that clients are certain Tannis will give them the first-rate service they deserve. Tannis not only loves what she does, she has superb people skills, and is a top negotiator. Coupled with Ken’s marketing savvy and Jason’s modern and youthful perspective, it is no wonder that most of their business comes from repeat and referral clients. And Tannis never disappoints. Clients are thrilled with the work Tannis, Ken and Jason do, and the results they achieve. “We strive to be the best and make the process of buying and selling as stress-free as possible for our clients. Our clients know very quickly that they have a strong, effective, and hard-working team who are there for them during the whole process, and just as importantly, even after the sale,” Tannis explains. “We make sure that nobody cares for their clients or tries to understand their clients’ needs better than us.” She continues: “We do everything first class. We are up-to-date with all technology, we are in touch with our clients, and we do nothing shoddy.”

Tannis’ website, www.sold4you.com, contains a wealth of information for clients, including Tannis’ listings, mortgage information, community information, and the Homeowner Newsletter, an online bulletin with tips and tidbits for homeowners. In addition to her website, Tannis uses both print and internet marketing, full-colour brochures, and networking.

Ken says their service is a complete package. “It’s just a whole package. We do everything so well. No-one works harder than us. And having the right people doing the work means success.”

They also present themselves in a very professional, classy manner, both by their dress and the presentation of their office. “We have the most wonderful, up-to-date office which is a reflection of the service that people will be getting,” Tannis says. “We also dress up. There’s no fooling around here,” Tannis laughs. “When I come to work, I dress for work. I wear a suit everyday.”

Tannis’ professionalism and class have won her many awards since she became a realtor in 1990. She consistently wins Re/Max Chairman’s Club Award, which is presented to less than 1 per cent of Re/Max agents. She also won the Lifetime Achievement Award for sales excellence over the years. In addition, she has been a member of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) $1,000,000 Club, since she started real estate in Calgary, which is awarded to the top realtors each year.

So how does Tannis achieve such amazing results? What is the secret of her success? To Tannis, the answer is simple. “We just work very hard. We’re very dedicated, we’re very hard workers and we’re people people.” Tannis says devoting time to the business is critical. “We put the time in,” she explains. “You never ever stop working and then the business will always be there.” She continues: “It’s the most enjoyable job in the world. You get out of it what you put into it. You will have a very fun life and a lovely time if you put the effort in.”

In addition to the hard work and dedication, “Team Palmer” has an unparalleled loyalty to and knowledge about their community.  “We work in a wonderful community. Calgary is a wonderful place,” Tannis explains. “People love that we live in the community. People can relate to us. They know we support these communities. We’re not trying to sell houses in areas we don’t know. For us, it really helps to be part of the community. We believe in it.”

In addition to her love for and belief in her community, Tannis’ love for her career quickly becomes apparent when you speak with her. “I love everything about my career. I’m rewarded for my hard work and I never get tired and I never feel like I’m working,” Tannis says. “It’s like I’ve found my own little niche, and I am good at it. We have fun and make people happy.” It definitely seems like Tannis has found her perfect career match. Prior to real estate, however, Tannis began her working life as a teacher. She quickly discovered that teaching was not as fulfilling as she had hoped. “I worked very hard as a teacher. I found that I would get kids who couldn’t read because the teachers before me weren’t teaching them, and I decided I needed to make a career change.”

She says her teaching background gave her a unique opportunity in the real estate business. “When I went into real estate, it was like teaching all over again. I was using my skills to teach clients, and it was so much more rewarding. So much from teaching went into real estate—communication, marketing, being a positive person,” Tannis explains. “You’re guiding a family on how to sell their house or how to buy a house.”

Paramount to “Team Palmer’s” success is the family values they uphold. Despite the heavy demands of the real estate business, they are able to carve out quality family time. Daughter Robyn, 14, brings a balancing force to the family. “If I didn’t have Robyn, I would verge on being a workaholic. With having a child, it’s very easy to have balance,” Tannis says. In addition to family time, Tannis is also an avid runner, and enjoys going away for ski weekends with her daughter.

As for the future, Tannis and “Team Palmer” will only get stronger. “We want to keep building, we want to keep looking after our clients,” Tannis says. “We love this business. We want to get better, keep doing business and having fun. We want to become better realtors as the days go on.” Ken sees a real estate spark in daughter Robyn, and says he wouldn’t be surprised if “Team Palmer” adds a new generation to the team in the future. With hard work, honesty and integrity, and good family values, Tannis and “Team Palmer” will be a winning force in real estate for many years to come.