Mariann Abram*

I was born and raised in Budapest, Hungary where I spent my formative years and developed a lifelong affinity for the Hungarian language, cuisine, and culture. In the 1980's Hungary was under Communist rule and employment opportunities for young people were scarce. So, at the age of 18, with only a very rudimentary understanding of the English language, I immigrated to Canada - arguably the best country on Earth - and took a job as an au pair for a family with three young children. I spent the next seven years in Toronto, where I honed my English language skills and worked numerous jobs to support myself, as well as lend a helping hand to my parents back in Hungary.

In 1995, while on holiday to the West Coast, I fell in love with the beauty and splendour of British Columbia - so much so that I decided to leave the frigid Toronto winters behind and relocate post-haste to magnificent Vancouver Island. Over the course of the next nine years, I went on to hold management positions in the food, beverage and hospitality industries, before ultimately transitioning into the real estate industry on a full-time basis in 2004.

With 20 years of experience as a BC licensed real estate agent, I have acquired a wide breadth of knowledge and expertise. I have extensive experience in all types of residential real estate sales, and I have represented clients in transactions ranging from residential re-sale, to condo developments, to 700+ unit planned communities. I have lived and worked in Sooke, downtown Victoria, and most recently on the peninsula in North Saanich, so I am intimately familiar with the neighbourhoods and real estate market in the greater Victoria area.

To smoothly navigate my clients through the complexities of the buying and selling process, I continually stay abreast of the myriad of ever-changing legislation and regulations governing the real estate industry. I take pride in my strong work ethic, and I am committed to working tirelessly for my clients. I am an excellent communicator, committed to a client-centric service with an affable approach, and I enjoy working with everyone from first-time home buyers to seniors looking to downsize.

I firmly believe in giving back to the community, and to that end I proudly support a number of local charities including ORCCA, the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank, BC Children's Hospital, and 100+ Women Who Care Victoria. When I'm not on the phone with a client or working at my desk, you will find me enjoying one of my favourite activities: preparing a homemade meal with locally grown ingredients to share with family and friends, hiking in the woods with Trixie - my beloved Bichon-Shih Tzu cross - or tending to my garden.

My professional philosophy is rooted in an unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity, and authenticity, and I will be the first one to dissuade a client from making a purchase if I feel it's ultimately not in their best interest. While I am honoured to be the recipient of numerous Gold and Silver MLS awards, at the end of the day, more than anything I strive to exceed my client's expectations.

YOUR HAPPINESS IS MY SUCCESS

Languages English, Hungarian