Last month I had the privilege of attending my 7th exclusive luncheon for Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. Realtors who have been with the brokerage for 25 years or more.
As I looked around the room, I couldn’t help but smile.
There were so many familiar faces. Faces I have known for decades. Faces that have celebrated milestones, weathered market shifts, navigated recessions, raised families, built businesses, and helped shape the Toronto real estate landscape.
What many people may not know is that I have now been a Realtor for 31 years, and every single one of those years has been with Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd.
In fact, my connection to Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd. and the family began long before I became licensed.
While I was still in high school, I worked part-time at reception after school and on weekends. Long before I sold my first home, I was answering phones, sending out pages on what I thought was a cool larger version of a calculator with an alphabet keyboard, I got to us a photocopier, tear, rip and file the MLS daily hot sheets in binders, and learn the business from the front desk. Looking back, I had no idea then that I would spend my entire career with the same brokerage. I always wanted to be a psychologist. 🙂
In today’s world, where people often change companies, careers, and industries multiple times throughout their lives, there is something truly remarkable about a firm that can celebrate so many agents who have remained loyal for 25, 30, 40, and even more years.
That speaks volumes.
It speaks to the leadership of the Kalles family. It speaks to the culture they have created. It speaks to the corporate team and administrative team who support us behind the scenes every single day. Most importantly, it speaks to a sense of belonging that has existed for generations.
As I looked around the room, I realized that I have literally grown up alongside many of these Realtors.
Some of them were already top producers when I was just starting out. Many became mentors without ever realizing it. I watched how they treated clients, how they handled negotiations, how they built relationships, and how they navigated both success and challenge with professionalism and grace.
And then there are the pioneers.
The Realtors who built extraordinary careers before cell phones, email, digital signatures, online listings, GPS, social media, and virtual tours.
My mother, Cheryl Graff, is one of them.
As The Graff Group celebrates over 31 years working together as a mother-daughter team, Cheryl is heading into her 45th year in real estate, with approximately 41 of those years at Harvey Kalles.
The newer generation of Realtors can hardly imagine what the business looked like then.
I certainly can.
I remember being a child and getting excited because my mom and I were going shopping together at Yorkdale.
What I didn’t realize was that real estate always came first.
We would arrive, walk into a store, and before long I would here the bing on her pager. Off we would go to find a pay phone. Sometimes we’d make it through one store if I was lucky.
More often than not, we’d end up back in the car on our way to a showing.
At the time, I was disappointed.
Today, I understand.
Those were the years when Realtors truly had to be available at all times. There was no texting from a hockey arena. No answering emails from the sidelines of a soccer game. No FaceTime, electronic lockboxes, or digital documents.
Clients depended on their Realtor being reachable, and Realtors made enormous sacrifices to make that happen.
Perhaps that is why so many of us have such respect for the spouses, partners, children, and families who stood beside these agents throughout their careers. Thank you Dad for all that you beared.
To every significant other who has ever been married to a Realtor, thank you.
You deserve a gold medal.
You learned to be flexible when plans changed at the last minute. You sat through interrupted dinners, delayed vacations, missed events, and countless phone calls or something I know Steve does not like I am just programmed to do is respond to my phone or do one last thing while we are watching a show 🙂 You became accustomed to hearing, “I just need to show one house” or “I just need to write one offer ” and it could end up being hours!
You understood that helping clients through one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions of their lives was never just a job.
It was a commitment.
As I reflected on the luncheon today, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.
Gratitude for Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd.
Gratitude for the Kalles family.
Gratitude for the colleagues who helped shape my career.
Gratitude for my mother, Cheryl, who not only introduced me to this industry but showed me what dedication, integrity, and client care truly look like.
And gratitude that after all these years, The Graff Group continues to do what we have always loved most…helping people navigate life’s transitions.
Because while technology has changed, markets have changed, and the city itself has changed, one thing has remained constant:
Real estate has always been about people.
And when you spend more than three decades surrounded by exceptional people, you realize just how fortunate you’ve been.
Thank you, Harvey Kalles Real Estate Ltd., for being home and family for all 31 years.
Here’s to the relationships, the memories, the lessons, and the next chapter.
Thinking Beyond Toronto?
From Toronto condos to cottages, relocations and international properties, Cheryl and Samantha are connected to trusted professionals across Canada and around the world.
Before making a move, Contact us.
https://thegraffgroup.ca/book-my-digital-coffee/
Questions before booking? 416-219-2931 samantha@thegraffgroup.ca
The Graff Group 2145 Avenue Road, Toronto, ON, M5M 4B2
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation is unique and professional guidance should be sought based on your circumstances. To discuss your specific situation with Samantha Graff Benmor, Experienced Divorce Realtor and Advisor since 1995, please use the contact details above.
