Pamela Alexander
When any broker/owner decides to move on, it’s important that they make sure they transfer their “baby” to the right person, says Pamela Alexander. So that’s exactly what she and her husband did. Following an extensive search, Re/Max Professionals’ 1645 Dundas St. office in Mississauga, the first Re/Max franchise office in Eastern Canada, was sold to broker/owner Tariq Khursheed of Re/Max Legacy Realty.
Re/Max Professionals was established in 1980 by Frank Polzler, president and co-founder of Re/Max Ontario-Atlantic Canada, and operated by owners Pamela and John Alexander.
The property was purchased in 1972 in the village of Erindale, now part of Mississauga. An existing house was torn down. The new one-storey office built there housed Polzler Real Estate. The property was chosen for its great ravine location, visibility and parking, Pamela Alexander says. In 1980, it became the first Re/Max Professionals office. In the ’80s, it was a quiet but centralized location, she says. “We were in our early 20s when we started. Many of the agents were in their 20s. We had lots of fun. There was a pool in the backyard and we had picnics. Those were the good old days.”
Over the years, two additions have been made to the building, which now offers 11,000 square feet. “We created a safe haven with tools, equipment and training,” Alexander says.
Mississauga has grown at an unbelievable rate, and now feels younger, hipper and multi-cultural, Alexander says. “The face of the agent has also changed to be younger and multi-cultural.”
The Alexanders’ decision to sell the Dundas Street office seemed right. Khursheed will build on the office’s history. “Tariq has the passion to keep it going and to take business to the next level. That’s important. We have 32 years of history with the business, since the beginning of Re/Max Professionals.”
In a news release, Alexander says, “The timing of the sale is perfect on several levels. From an industry standpoint, demand for housing in Mississauga remains brisk and the population continues to climb. The city is clearly taking new shape, as evidenced by the abundance of condominiums now dotting the skyline. The time has come to pass the reins to a younger, more dynamic leader with a vision for the future.”
Tariq Khursheed
In the news release, Khursheed says he is honoured to have been chosen as the successor. “The vote of confidence is humbling. It only strengthens my resolve to bring Re/Max Legacy to the next level. The pioneers and leaders of our industry – like Frank Polzler and the Alexanders – have always known that the future of this business rests upon the integrity of the cornerstones laid down. I’m proud to uphold their respected values and unwavering dedication to delivering the highest-quality programs, services, support and value proposition to those on all ends of the transaction.”
Re/Max Legacy Realty opened its doors for business in 2010. In addition to more than 80 agents at its North Mississauga office, the acquisition of the Dundas Street office will add 115 more sales reps. In early April Re/Max Legacy will open a new office in the Square One Shopping Centre. The brokerage says it expects its sales force to reach 300 agents within the next 12 to 18 months.
Re/Max Professionals continues to serve buyers and sellers from its Toronto and Etobicoke locations. – Connie Adair
