When people start thinking about buying or selling a home in Orillia, Severn, Midland, Tay, or throughout Simcoe North and Muskoka, one of the first questions that comes up is how to choose the right real estate agent. Most people naturally assume that the answer is to find someone who has been in the business for a long time. While experience absolutely matters, the reality is that time in the industry and active experience are not always the same thing.

The data you see below tells an important story about the real estate landscape. A large percentage of agents are completing very few transactions each year, and more than half are not completing any at all. That’s not meant to take anything away from anyone, it’s simply the reality of a changing and competitive industry. But it does highlight something that matters when you are making a significant financial decision: real estate is not static. Markets shift, buyer behaviour changes, lending conditions evolve, and pricing strategies that worked even six months ago may not work today.

This is where active experience becomes incredibly important. There is a meaningful difference between understanding real estate in theory and actively working in it every single week. When you are negotiating, pricing, showing homes, and communicating with other agents consistently, you develop a level of insight that can’t be replicated any other way. You see firsthand what buyers are responding to, where deals are falling apart, what is creating multiple offers, and where pricing is missing the mark.

For clients, that translates into very real advantages. It means more accurate pricing based on current market conditions, not outdated assumptions. It means stronger negotiation strategies because you understand how deals are actually coming together right now. It means better guidance on timing, whether that is when to list, when to wait, or when to move quickly. And it means having someone in your corner who can interpret what is happening in your specific area, not just the broader market.

At Sarah J Stevens Real Estate Group, we are a two-agent team serving Simcoe North and Muskoka, with a strong focus on Orillia, Severn, Midland, and Tay. While we have been honoured with recognition at a high level, that has never been the focus of our work. The results we’ve achieved are simply a reflection of how committed we are to the people we serve. Every transaction is an opportunity to learn, to refine our approach, and to better support every client who trusts us to guide them.

What matters most to us is not the number of deals, but the quality of the experience we provide. Real estate is not just about buying and selling homes. It is about helping people navigate major life decisions with clarity and confidence. That means taking the time to understand your goals, building a thoughtful strategy, communicating honestly, and guiding you step by step through the process. It also means being willing to have real conversations, even when the answers are not always the easiest ones to hear.

There are many great agents in this industry, and this is not about comparison. It is simply about awareness. If an agent is only completing a small number of transactions each year, they may not be as immersed in the day-to-day shifts of the market. In a slower or more complex market, that can make a difference. Small details—pricing, positioning, negotiation terms—can have a significant impact on your outcome.

Because we are actively working in Orillia, Severn, Midland, Tay, and surrounding areas, we are not relying on assumptions or outdated data. We are seeing what is happening in real time. We are hearing buyer feedback during showings, watching how listings perform, and understanding where opportunities exist. That insight becomes part of the guidance we provide to every client we work with.

If you are thinking about making a move, you do not need to have everything figured out. In fact, most people don’t. The best place to start is simply gaining clarity. Understanding what your home might be worth in today’s market, what your options could look like, and what timing makes the most sense for you. From there, everything becomes more manageable.

If you would like to start that conversation, I am always happy to help.

Alisa Herriman
📧 alisaherriman@kw.com
📱 705-323-2814

2025 Standing with Keller Williams Experience Realty