Feature Article

CITYS FIRST LADY OF REAL ESTATE

Written By: Kim Vanderleer
Published By: Calgary Real Estate News
Article Used with permission of the Calgary Real Estate Board. © Copyright Calgary Real Estate News, 2007
2004-01-04

It was an advertisement in the newspaper that began Grace Turleys real estate career.

The advertisement asked for an experienced real estate man to work for Doug Hawkes and Associates, but that didnt stop Turley from applying, nor getting the job.

And in 1955, there were very few women in the real estate industry. But it was Turleys interest and devotion to her job that made her successful.

I never had a problem, I did my homework and built up a good name for myself, Turley said.

She worked for Doug Hawkes and Associates until 1956. She then worked with Trans-Canada Realty for a year. She joined Wilson Realty in 1957 selling commercial real estate and worked there for 10 years, before starting her own real estate company.

On June 13, 1967, Turley opened the doors to Regent Realty Ltd., a company that is still successful today.

She continued to sell commercial property, not only because she enjoyed it, but also being a mother of two, she wanted to work a 9 to 5 job so she could spend more time with her family.

Born in the small town of Ochre River, Manitoba, Turley moved to Calgary in 1947. Her Husband, Louis (Lou, as he liked to be called) was a junior high principal for many years, and they had two children, Wayne and Cheryl. Turley now has two grandchildren, Sean and Erin.

In 1975, Turley became the first female director of the Calgary Real Estate Board. She remained a director until 1978.

It is very time consuming when you are on the Board, you are involved in so many different projects, but it was a very wonderful learning experience, I enjoyed it thoroughly, Turley said.

She was also vice-president of the Calgary Real Estate Board in 1977.

Turley loved her job as a commercial real estate agent.

I used to eat, sleep and dream deals. I looked forward to every morning because I would get to create another deal.

Although she has an active license, she hasnt been active in real estate since 1998. She is also a Commissioner of Oaths.

She feels the industry has changed a lot; the biggest difference being the policies that are in place.

There are so many rules and regulations now in the real estate industry and also property sells for a lot more money, she laughs.

Turley had some large deals throughout the course of her career though. She sold the property a couple times where the Hyatt Regency now stands; a strip mall she sold went for $3.9 million, which was a significant amount of money for the late 1970s, but she feels the most interesting deal she conducted was with Place Concorde, which is now called Calgary Place.

Part of the reason for Turleys success was the type of car she drove when meeting with clients.

When I was dealing with the top millionaires in the city, I drove a Cadillac. When I was dealing with my other clients, I drove a smaller car. You dont want to be intimidating to a buyer! Turley said.

She stills drives a Cadillac today.

But the real reason for her success is her fairness to both the vendor and buyer as well as always being prepared.

It is very rewarding and lucrative. You have to work for something! she says. You are dealing with people who know what they want, all you have to do is find what they want, and list it and sell it to them.

Today, besides being an avid golfer and curler, Turley is writing a book about her real estate career in a historical context called Done Deals which should be published sometime in November by Falcon Press. The book launch will be at Owls Nest in Brittania Plaza.

This article was written for Calgary Real Estate News, a division of the Calgary Real Estate Board, for the series “Legends of Real Estate” showcasing important members of the Calgary Real Estate Board. Please visit the Calgary Real Estate Board online.This article is part of the collection of the Calgary Real Estate News. Please visit them online.