As featured in the June 2008 edition of Dream Homes
Two years ago, this month, Dwayne featured his first property in this magazine. Since then, he has created an incredible amount of recognition for Bragg Creek and, in the process, has not only become the number 1 realtor in the Greater Bragg Creek Area, but also has made it into the real estate big league. Zaba is ranked in the top 1 percent of realtors nationally, based on sales volume. In less than two years, he has earned a place in what is known as the Chairman's Club, an unprecedented feat in such a short period of time.

His passion for Bragg Creek is obvious in everything he does and in the enthusiasm with which he has applied himself to the real estate business in Bragg Creek. I met with him one afternoon recently to gain insight into how he has realized his success, and to find out ''who exactly is Dwayne Zaba?''�

What inspired you to get into the real estate business in Bragg Creek?

Bragg Creek herself provided the inspiration. When I moved to Bragg Creek, I was commuting back and forth to Toronto for work. My family and I moved here because we were absolutely blown away by the stunning natural beauty of Bragg Creek, and we still are. Not long after we moved to Bragg Creek, I trademarked the phrase
Feel the Gentle Power of Beauty™ and, a few years later,
I decided to go into the real estate business because I knew I could market and sell Bragg Creek from the heart. I believe that being happy is the highest form of worship and it is directly linked to a deep acceptance, appreciation of, and passion for beauty. Bragg Creek is a masterpiece and she enables my passion for real estate. Frankly, it is astounding to me that we can actually own a piece of her.

Once you decided to take this path, how did you approach the business?

The most important decision I made was to focus exclusively on Bragg Creek. Before I entered into the real estate business, I took a step back and thought about success within the context of my entire life. There is a logical order to life and that order urges us to fit our profession into our life, not the other way around. Towards that end, I knew I needed to establish and maintain boundaries within the real estate business, and the key boundary I established was Bragg Creek. I exclusively focus on Bragg Creek. I only help people buy and sell real estate in Bragg Creek. It's a beautiful thing. Communities are nurturing. The very reason communities exist is to help people who live within them. Communities are inter-dependant and loyal to the people who are loyal to them.

You have given Bragg Creek a very high level of recognition. How important is that to your success?

It is absolutely integral. Building a real estate business is relationship building. The level of business I receive from the people of Bragg Creek is directly relational to the level of commitment and service I give to my clients, the people of Bragg Creek. My guiding rule is to treat people like I'd like to be treated myself.

How do you see Bragg Creek changing within the next couple of years?

I think we're going to see a lot more of the same. An area structure plan was brought into law within the past year and it articulates that the natural beauty of the area will be protected and maintained. There are a huge number of people who have a vested interest in maintaining the beauty of Bragg Creek. High density development will not be allowed and with low density and high demand, the value of properties will consistently go up.

Are there any aspects of Bragg Creek that took you by surprise when you moved here?

One of the concerns we had moving from downtown Toronto to Bragg Creek was taking our family from a very cosmopolitan area to rural Alberta. However, we were rather delighted and somewhat surprised by what we found: Bragg Creek is quite a cosmopolitan little place in its own right. We have people from all over the world living here, and a disproportionate number of artists. We have some of the most accomplished and interesting people in the world living in Bragg Creek, so we have a kaleidoscope of colour as it relates to people and personalities.

What challenges do you see down the road?

The natural beauty of the area is both an opportunity and a challenge. I think Bragg Creek, as it relates to the evolution of the community, is still in its infancy. It's really limited by one's imagination at this point. Bragg Creek is known as the gateway to Kananaskis, which is a 4,200 square kilometer wilderness reserve and, when I think about the community within that setting, Bragg Creek is literally a diamond in the rough. And, in Bragg Creek's case, the beauty is the wilderness. Given our dependence on the natural beauty, I believe our collective success as a community will be determined by our environmental stewardship and how respectful we are of the hand that feeds us. We must be mindful and preserve the goose that laid the golden egg.

Did you expect to have come this far in two years?

I'm delighted to say it took us a shorter period of time than I had planned. I came into the business with the intention of earning 50% of the real estate market share in Bragg Creek and we are rapidly approaching that level now. Given the importance people rightfully associate with buying and selling homes, I am honored to have earned so many peoples' trust in such a short period of time.

What would be your message to someone in Calgary thinking about living in Bragg Creek?

During my first year in the business, a senior executive from a large oil company came into my office; he was interested in a Bragg Creek property he had seen on the cover of Dream Homes. I asked him why he wanted to live in Bragg Creek. He was taken aback by my question and told me that he wanted his life to be more than his career and went on to say that he saw Bragg Creek as an opportunity to have a life beyond his career. He saw Bragg Creek as an opportunity to have a better life. I believe that it is true for many people. Bragg Creek offers people an opportunity to enjoy a thriving career in Calgary and also have a fantastic resort lifestyle in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Bragg Creek is a great way to nourish yourself and your family in a more holistic way. I believe people should follow their heart and make a conscious, heart-felt decision to live in a community that offers them and their family the most — and not just financially. The community you live in can nourish your mind, body, heart and soul if you choose the right community for you. So, choose a place that inspires every aspect of your being. Bragg Creek will also nourish your investment portfolio, because as the desire to live in Bragg Creek increases, it will provide you with a great return on your real estate investment along the way.

Phil Soper, CEO of Royal LePage Corporate has known Dwayne for several years and also added his comments on what makes Dwayne so successful.

''The most successful realtors exist to serve their clientele and are often a reflection of the success of the community itself and the community’s enthusiasm or growth potential. They can often broaden the appeal of a hidden gem like Bragg Creek by exposing it to a much larger audience. I think Dwayne has done that wonderfully with the connections he has formed within the large Royal LePage family and through his membership in the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, the largest international real estate organization in the world. Dwayne brings an entire screen of skills to the table, and also has the ability to listen very effectively to what his clients are looking for, and to what his listing clients believe to be the key elements that distinguish their property from others, enabling him to offer effective sage advice and council. These are just a few of the key elements that make Dwayne as successful as he is.''

We asked Rick Sukovieff, a long-time resident of Bragg Creek and one of Zaba’s clients, for his comments and this is what he had to say:

''Real estate transactions deal with large sums of money and often involve your current or future home. Given this importance, I think it's crucial that you deal with a realtor who is knowledgeable, honest, hard-working and bright; someone who delivers on commitments and who gives you a truthful answer rather than a convenient one. Dwayne Zaba is all of these things and is simply the most professional and competent realtor I know.''