After becoming a Realtor® in 2002, AJ Hazzi noticed a gap in the market and in 2008 he founded Vantage West Realty, a boutique firm dedicated to serving the specific needs of real estate investors. Since then, his brokerage has grown to 28 agents and support staff. From finding and pre-analyzing investment properties to negotiating the purchase and property management after the sale, AJ’s relationship with his clients is more like that of a consultant than a salesperson. Few people have as much in-depth knowledge about investment properties in the Okanagan Region as AJ. He is head of the Real Estate Investment Network (REIN) Kelowna chapter and a certified Real Estate Investment Adviser™. As an author, speaker and real estate coach, he practises what he preaches. His extensive real estate portfolio includes single and multi-family homes, development property, resort units and commercial buildings. In addition to being a Realtor®, AJ is also a licensed broker, property manager and new home builder, But for him, real estate isn’t a job; it’s a passion. He has witnessed and studied two real estate cycles in the Okanagan Region, and there is nothing more rewarding to him than using the knowledge he’s gained during that time to educate would-be investors on the right strategy to employ during boom and bust years. He is a great believer that the Kelowna market is rich with opportunity, and over the years he’s honed his skills at identifying properties with excellent ‘house flipping’ potential as well as those with high positive cash flow. AJ especially loves to work with clients to advise them on how they can secure a comfortable retirement and achieve their financial dreams through strategic investing. In 2015 AJ was honoured to receive the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. He enjoys giving back to the community through his support of the Gospel Mission, Sell a House to Save a Child, and is a proud member of 100 Men Who Give A Damn. In his downtime, AJ takes advantage of the Okanagan’s four-season playground by playing golf, baseball, boating and wake surfing in the spring and summer to wine touring in the fall and playing hockey or skiing and snowboarding in the winter. As a former competitive boxer, AJ also enjoys training and volunteering at the Kelowna boxing club. Meeting new people and a love of travel has led AJ all over the globe, but he’s always content to return to Kelowna, the place he’s called home for the last 30 years.