An innovative thinker with broad experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, Eugen Klein is the founder and principal of Royal Le Page Westside Klein Group. The British Columbia native started his career after he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of British Columbia. He founded the Klein Group in 1999, which is now an industry-leading real estate brokerage in Vancouver, and was recognized as #1 in Canada among brokerage teams by Royal LePage Commercial in 2017.
Along with experience in real estate, finance, capital markets, investment, and asset management, Eugen has proven his ability to think outside the box when delivering creative and profitable solutions for competitive markets.
"When we look at our world, we realize that we need to look at it differently and work to provide trust, value, and improvement. It is something to strive towards and a link to what we see as a better future."
Here, he talks with Haute Residence about building lasting client relationships and how he got his start.
1070 Groveland Road, West Vancouver BC -$9,600,000
Why did you choose Real Estate?
My parents had me present to the tax appeal board of BC Assessment at the age of 14 which was an incredibly daunting but great learning experience. By the time I was 15, I knew that I wanted to do something in real estate, and by the time I graduated, I had spoken to enough industry leaders that a brokerage was a great starting point. The real reason is the people. Real estate itself, hard real property, is simple; it's the people that add complexity and the opportunity to help and create more value.
How did you get to where you are today?
I focused on my education in the beginning and aligned myself with several great mentors, a few of which went far out of their way to help me. Much of their advice was unknown to me at the time, but I made a good choice to follow several of them blindly, and that made all the difference. From there, I took the same approach in our brokerage and I'm incredibly grateful to all those who have joined and helped lead our company to amazing accomplishments over the years.
What is one of your favorite client stories?
I learned probably one of the most important lessons in my first year as a commercial REALTOR®.
27725 Quinton Ave, Abbotsford, BC V4X 1J7, Canada - $2,997,000
Then, one Saturday morning something happened that changed the way I approach my business. I called Linda to speak about the assignment and some materials I had sent to her, but she was unable to hear me out. Speaking in a low voice she told me that she was experiencing a terrible migraine headache and that she suffered from them often, and that she could not continue the conversation. “Can I call you back tomorrow?” she said. “Of course,” I replied, “I hope you feel better.”
A quarter of an hour later, I was back on the phone. “Eugen,” Linda answered, “I’m sorry, but I thought we were going to speak about my property tomorrow?” “We were, but that is not why I am calling. The reason for my call is that I have arranged for you two potential appointments with a top neurologist. I thought it would help you to get the opinion of an expert on the treatment of migraines.”
Four days later, I received a call and Linda listed the property with our firm. Two days after that I had two referrals from her closest family friends. Today, she remains one of my best clients.
There are no limits when the people we serve genuinely matter to us.
What is your biggest success story to date?
Over the past 25 years, I have been fortunate to have completed thousands of transactions and served as many clients. However, over time you realize this is only a catalyst for what really matters – helping those around you to succeed beyond yourself.
Over the past three years, I have helped two new agents, buy their own homes. It's an incredible feeling to see them come in with energy, education, and foresight. Then watch failure and rebound, seeing expressions of belief and disbelief over time, and then ultimately watching them turn their knowledge and experience into understanding and then a possibility. The satisfaction is seeing them taking possession of their home when they thought it may never have been possible.
1070 Groveland Road, West Vancouver BC: $9,600,000
What makes your market unique?
The Greater Vancouver real estate market is a special one. Many know it as expensive - which it is - but the mountains, snow, clear water, and ocean are why very few ever leave. Our market consistently outpaces top cities around the world because of our geography, limited land mass, and increasing population. With many new people immigrating here from other parts of Canada and around the world, the search for cash-flow properties, commercial spaces, homes, and businesses that can provide equity for families is a constant. This places strong demand on our services, even in down or recessionary markets.
