“The main difference with this new mall location is it represents a totally new and different concept in the real estate brokerage business,“ said Ray Jarvis, co-owner of the 18-year-old real estate brokerage. Jarvis started the company with his brother John and just one employee. Now, their company employs 40 people at six locations.

“When we heard that this location was becoming available, we jumped at the chance to secure it,” said John. “We have thought for many years now that Huntsville Place Mall offers a unique property marketing environment in Muskoka.”

Ray explained, “For years, we have wanted to develop a concept for the marketing of real estate that would fully involve the general public, along with buyers and sellers. At the mall, our listing centre will focus on the public having full complimentary access, electronically and otherwise, to all aspects of real estate.”

The new retail-style listing centre will include several self-help computer stations pre-programmed with links to many real estate-related sites. Along with innovative listing displays, there will be a resource centre offering real estate information from working with a realtor to mortgages, environmental concerns, surveys, title insurance, purchasing costs and taxes.

“After almost 20 years in the business, I might be able to shed some light on this part of it,” smiled Ray.

Both brothers knew they wanted to stay in Muskoka after completing their post-secondary education, and both chose to work for a real estate broker after graduating. With the support of their family, the brothers renovated and opened their first office at 67 Main Street West in 1989. Four years later, an 1,800 sq. ft. addition was added. When the business continued to expand through the purchase and merging of several smaller brokerages, the Jarvis’ brothers relocated their business to its present location at 7 King William St.In 2003, Ray and John purchased the respected 27-year-old Bracebridge real estate company Fife and Sander, and hired 15 new employees.

The following year, they opened an office in Dwight due to demand in the waterfront property market. In 2006, the brothers purchased the 5,400 sq. ft. former TD Canada Trust bank building on Manitoba St. in Bracebridge and expanded further.

Asked when they might stop expanding, Ray said, “We will always continue to expand in positive ways. Any expansion that helps our salespeople reach more buyers and sellers, and gives our clients the high profile marketing they demand, will always be first priority on our  agenda. With the mall expansion, we are especially pleased because it has offered our buyer and seller clients alike a unique venue in which to do business.”