I grew up in a small town in Niagara along with my Mom, Dad (who was in construction), 3 brothers, and 3 sisters. With 9 of us, we very quickly learned the importance of working and playing well together. We all had a valuable place in the family and were expected to contribute our gifts. We were all different…together. And that worked! Understanding the common goals led to success for everyone! We were stronger when we worked together.
Early on, it was evident that I was a total ‘people person’ so when the owner of the local general store/gas bar approached my Mother to ask if she would consider allowing me to work for him part-time, I begged my Mom to allow it. My parents finally conceded. I was 12 years old (almost 13!) and I loved that job! It was then that I knew that whatever I did in life, I wanted to work with and serve others and somehow had to integrate that into my future. It was and still is my passion!
As a young adult and as I raised my young children, I worked mainly in the hospitality and service industry in varying capacities. I then had the opportunity to become co-owner/operator of a successful plumbing operation involving new construction, home renovations and a large showroom. From a young age, I was exposed to the construction world and so this transition went quite easily. In everything that I did, my line was always the same: “The thing I love most about my job is the people”
In my early 50s, I had the opportunity to redirect the course of my life and, as I reflected on my life experiences, it became evident that so many life experiences had prepared me for the obvious transition into Real Estate. Though more than a bit daunting to me, my desire to take this next step was stronger than my fear and in 2017 I became a licensed Real Estate Agent! Woo Hoo me!! I absolutely love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else as fulfilling as this. It has always been about giving my clients a great experience in whatever type of service I was offering. Whether in the hotel, serving a meal, designing a bathroom or choosing a product, my greatest pleasure has always been seeing the joy that our mutual collaboration brings to those I am serving! We were stronger when we worked together.
My approach to business reflects the way I do life. I am relational and I work on the building blocks of acceptance, authenticity, honesty, integrity and open communication to establish strong relationships of trust and respect. Much as each home is different, so is each client and it is my goal to know each of my clients so well that I understand their motivation, lifestyle, values, needs, and wants. This relational approach expands beyond my clients into all aspects of my business, including my colleagues, lenders, lawyers, and inspectors. I am not about high-pressure sales, but rather will give my honest assessment of every situation and open that up for discussion between us. That said, there may be times when I strongly recommend that you hold back or jump right in with both feet! I love a good negotiation at the best of times and so much more after having established a great rapport with a cooperating agent on our deal!
Realtors® all have the same job, but how we do it can differ greatly. My integrity drives me to honour my clients in every possible scenario. It also requires me to be honest about the pros and cons of every situation. I promise you my best efforts while serving you with integrity, transparency, and honesty.
I love watching my family grow. With 3 grown children and their wonderful partners, I finally have the six children that I always wanted! Add 2 boisterous little grandsons and a tiny granddaughter and my heart just bursts out of my chest with pride and thanksgiving for my blessings! My (new ♥️) husband Henry is also an incredible gift to me, my kids and grands as well as our extended family. Life is full and oh, so good!
I love volunteering at the Perfect Find thrift store! The only problem is that I often come home with something that I like but don’t really need.
I love everything summer but the very best is when I have my toes in the sand, a book in my hand, a friend by my side and of course when I get to play in or around the water. It is truly my happy place.
My husband and I worked with Dorothy Van Amelsvoort as first-time homebuyers in ON & couldn’t be happier. She understood the local market, guided us through the process & tailored options to our needs. Dorothy was patient, detail-oriented, and dedicated, from open houses to negotiations. She made the experience seamless & we highly recommend her as a knowledgeable, reliable & personable realtor!
Ananya Choudhury
Myself and my partner were referred to Dorothy. She made the first-time home buying experience as easy as it could be for us, even with the challenges we faced along the way! Dorothy was incredibly knowledgeable all throughout the process, and was always quick to get back to our questions or concerns. I would highly recommend working with Dorothy!
Stephen Wells
We bought a house and our realtor was Dorothy. She is the best realtor one can imagine to work with. She went over and beyond to get a a deal that worked for us. She found us a house we always dreamt of. She is a great listener, she was very keen on learning what we want in a house and checked all our boxes for the deal she brought to us. She has the best smile and the amazing attitude for things.
Supreet Kaur
