Payam Sanai, Wendy Brisebois and Ken Davreux have joined forces to open a Century 21 Premier Prioperties office in Osoyoos. (Keith Lacey photo)
Many people don’t like to mix business with pleasure, but that’s not the case with the new Century 21 Premier Properties real estate office that opened last week in Osoyoos.
Not only do Ken Davreux, Payam Sanai and Wendy Brisebois have close to 30 years of combined experience in the real estate business in Osoyoos, but they also happen to be good friends.
Davreux has been selling real estate in Osoyoos since 2006, while Sanai got into the business a year later. Brisebois has been a licensed agent for over five years in the Lower Mainland.
“Ken was my boss when I first got into the real estate business more than 10 years ago and Ken and Wendy are also friends,” said Sanai, who is also recognized as the longtime owner of the Pizza Factory and Lounge.
Brisebois met Davreux when she was looking to purchase a condominium in Osoyoos about 10 years ago and they have remained friends ever since.
Davreux had worked at Royal LePage Realty in Osoyoos for more than a decade, but had moved to Outstanding Realty, which is where Sanai was also working as an agent.
About a year ago, Davreux first talked to Sanai and Brisebois about opening their own real estate office.
It took several months of planning and hard work, but the three good friends were all smiles as they officially opened the new Century 21 office at 8317 Main Street in Osoyoos at the former Flowers on Main location.
“We called it our field of dreams … build it and they will come,” said Brisebois, with a smile.
It’s “very common” for real estate agents to move around, but working beside colleagues he considers good friends is something he’s very excited about, said Davreux.
“We’re very excited about this because I will be working beside good people in a good location in a great town we are proud to call home,” he said. “It’s exciting.”
Sanai shares the same sentiments, but adds working under the Century 21 business banner is equally as exciting.
“The technology platform used at Century 21 is second to none and recognized around the world,” he said. “They use cutting edge technology to showcase the properties for sale instead of the old-fashioned way of marketing and advertising. They’ve always been ahead of the curve in using technology and all three of us are very excited about being involved in this new way of doing things.”
The only employees at this new office are Davreux, Sanai, Brisebois and office manager Mary Livesy, who has several years of experience in other real estate offices in town.
Sanai said it’s an exciting time to be involved in selling real estate in Osoyoos.
“The overall market is very strong, just like it is across the entire region,” he said. “It’s more of a seller’s market than a buyer’s market here in Osoyoos, but a lot of people want to live here, so that’s good news.’
The fact Town leaders appear committed to attracting new real estate development to Osoyoos is also encouraging, he said, noting the huge Southeast Meadowlark subdivision started construction last year and a new large housing development has been approved along Lakeshore Drive, across from the Walnut Beach Resort.
“If you want to bring new people to this community, you have to support development and new housing,” he said.
Saturday Jan. 6th evening, Davreux, Sanai and Brisebois were on hand to host an open house at their spiffy new location.
“It took several months of work to get this office to where we wanted it to be,” said Brisebois. “It was a real labour of love and we worked some very long days and nights getting it ready, but we’re very happy with how things turned out.”
Anyone wanting more information about Century 21 Premier Properties can call 250-495-2100.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
