Dimitri Kalkounis, CIPS, President & Broker of Record
Speaks: English, Greek
1-25 Hollinger Road, Toronto, ON M4B 3N4
After 19 years in corporate leadership roles, Dimitri transferred his business experience into creating a successful real estate company. In its first year, Blue Door Realty Group ranked in the top 50% of brokerages in Toronto by transaction volume.
His straightforward, no-nonsense leadership sees Dimitri as a trusted advisor and mentor not only to his team but also for small to mid-sized business through the Futurpreneur mentorship program and various other start-ups, advisory and mentorship programs.
Dimitri understands that a successful company depends on those within, and through his leadership and support, works with his team to consistently strive for success.
Dimitri founded Blue Door Realty as he believed that there was a better, more unique way to operate in the real estate industry then the cookie-cutter service people receive today. As an authentic leader, Dimitri prides himself on honesty, professionalism and exceeding expectations. These traits, along with offering the finest service and expertise are what have set the foundations for Blue Door Realty Group.
If he isn’t working to grow Blue Door or advising a new tech start-up, you can find Dimitri spending time with his wife and family. As an avid traveler, Dimitri has had the opportunity to have worked and travelled personally to over 265 cities within 24 countries over 5 continents.
With all that global roaming, he has also developed a penchant for brewing craft beer. Just like his business, Dimitri ensures quality, patience, and premium products are used to produce an exceptional result every time; and let's be honest, who doesn’t like good beer?
His straightforward, no-nonsense leadership sees Dimitri as a trusted advisor and mentor not only to his team but also for small to mid-sized business through the Futurpreneur mentorship program and various other start-ups, advisory and mentorship programs.
Dimitri understands that a successful company depends on those within, and through his leadership and support, works with his team to consistently strive for success.
Dimitri founded Blue Door Realty as he believed that there was a better, more unique way to operate in the real estate industry then the cookie-cutter service people receive today. As an authentic leader, Dimitri prides himself on honesty, professionalism and exceeding expectations. These traits, along with offering the finest service and expertise are what have set the foundations for Blue Door Realty Group.
If he isn’t working to grow Blue Door or advising a new tech start-up, you can find Dimitri spending time with his wife and family. As an avid traveler, Dimitri has had the opportunity to have worked and travelled personally to over 265 cities within 24 countries over 5 continents.
With all that global roaming, he has also developed a penchant for brewing craft beer. Just like his business, Dimitri ensures quality, patience, and premium products are used to produce an exceptional result every time; and let's be honest, who doesn’t like good beer?
Chatting With Dimitri
Why did you get into real estate
and what did you do in your pre-real estate life?
Like many agents, I decided to
get licensed as a result of poor experiences, broken promises, half-truths, and
a general lack of effort on many agents’ parts. Originally, I had no intention
of being a full-time realtor, but what started as a hobby organically grew and
I was helping more and more people who didn’t want to work with the “classic”
realtor, and decided I wanted to do this as my career. We opened the
brokerage a short while after as well, and the rest is history. Before
real estate I spent close to 19 years in various I.T roles, building some
really cool things (that most people still use today).
What do you love most above what
you do? What is the most rewarding thing about it? Etc.
I genuinely care about what I do,
and I think that shows in my work and my clients praises. What’s most
rewarding is a large majority of my clients have become friends!
What is the best advice someone
gave you that you can share with other agents?
This isn’t an easy career, it can
be lonely, it can be frustrating. Surround yourself with people who
elevate you, help you grow and help you become more in life.
What is something you know now,
that wish you knew when you first started your career in real estate? This
could be a strategy, advice, anything.
This is a tough, tough industry
and you deal with a lot of characters and personalities. Keep doing what
you do, maintain your ethics and personal ethos, and in the long run you will
have a great career while others may not be around.
Your best advice for a Toronto
home buyer? OR Seller? OR both?
Interview your agent, talk to
them, ask questions, don’t just hire someone based on seeing signs on a lawn or because your friend worked with them. You will be surprised that some of the
top agents are top agents because some people take less time to pick their
agent then they do picking what to watch on Netflix.
Can you recall one of your
proudest/most memorable moments as an agent?
I think just seeing clients
become friends is huge to me. Building those relationships and being part
of someone’s life far after just helping them buy or sell a home… to me that’s
the ultimate, best thing that can happen!
Can you recall the strangest/most
bizarre moments or stories in your time working as an agent?
Ha-ha I can write a book!
Lets see….walking into homes with tenants or owners engaged in “private”
activities…viewing a home with 3 illegally created “sub” basements…seeing
creepy “chucky” style dolls in cabinets of one home… being attacked by a cat
(in their defense they did warn us in the viewing instructions that the cat was
not friendly), having an owner greet us at the door to let us know NOT to take
off our shoes while in the home, proceeding in to see a stream of cockroaches
running across the kitchen counter…. And yes, I did burn my clothing that day!
Your favorite neighbourhood/s in
the city and why?
Hard to list just one… but my top
2: O’Connor Parkview, maybe because I grew up here and live/work here!
But in all seriousness its close to transit, it has amazing people, its so
quick to drive downtown, you get a driveway for your car, schools are great… I
can go on!! 2. Playter Estates… I love the old homes, the character, the
walkability etc.
Your favorite restaurant, café or
thing to do in the City?
Too many to list, this city has
too many amazing options!! But get in touch with me and I’m glad to point
you in a direction if you’re looking for a particular cuisine or coffee shop in
a neighbourhood.
Why did you choose Blue Door and
how does BDR support your business?
I’m bias for obvious reasons.
What do you think sets this
brokerage apart and how does that help your clients?
We are boutique and local but
have international reach. Our agents give a sh*t about their clients and
do what’s best for the client, not themselves, and it shows in our work. We
have partner programs, discounts, etc., and not cause its catchy or looks good
in marketing materials, but because we are here to help, guide, and support our
clients now and well into the future.
Anything else you’d like people
to know about you? One interesting fact about you that you’d like to share?
I’ve had amazing opportunities in
life, and a few took me around the world. To date I’ve been to over 265
cities and towns, within 24 countries, across 5 continents.