Testimonials

When choosing a real estate professional, get to know their history!

Below, you'll find information that will help you get to know me better.  I consider the satisfaction of my clients to be my greatest achievement.

Call me today 705-985-6202 - I'd love to add you to this growing list!

What My Clients Say....

For those who are considering buying or selling a home. From our first meeting with
Karen Berends of Pine Tree Real Estate Brokerage, she demonstrated exceptional
professionalism and genuine care for our needs. She listened attentively to our priorities
and presented well researched options and expertly navigated the complexities of the
current market. The words exceptional, professional, dedicated, reliable and
knowledgeable come to mind in our dealings with her.
Her communication skills and responsiveness were her strongest qualities which made it
possible to sell our home in a very difficult market. She was always just a phone call
away and there when we needed her or just had a question. She guided us through how
to best showcase our home and helped us meet our goals.
Selling a home is a stressful endeavor. Karen walks you through the process and is with
you every step of the way. She put a lot of effort into providing excellent customer service.
It was a pleasure to work with Karen and we highly recommend Karen Berends for anyone
buying or selling a home.

Thomas & Suzanne Heideman
Loyalist, Ontario
February 18, 2025

Working with Karen was an absolute pleasure from start to finish! Her expertise in the real estate market, professionalism, and dedication to finding us the perfect home truly set her apart. Karen took the time to understand our needs and preferences, and she was always available to answer our questions and address any concerns we had. Her attention to detail and strong negotiation skills ensured that we got the best possible deal. Karen's friendly and approachable demeanor made the entire home-buying process smooth and stress-free. We are beyond grateful for Karen's guidance and support, and we wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone in search of a top-notch realtor. Thank you, Karen, for helping us find our dream home!

-Monik and Silvio Abreu Feb 2024

If you are searching for a professional, proficient, caring, trustworthy, and amazing realtor, who goes a lot further than 'the extra mile', I can say with absolute certainty, look no further than Karen Berends. From beginning to end, Karen is always there when you need her. To say she goes beyond the call of duty is an understatement!

We decided to sell our home in Ontario while on vacation in Mexico over the winter months. Karen offered to enter our home; we agreed so she could clean and tidy it, staged it as best as possible, and even had a painter come in for a wall that needed a touch-up in the kitchen. We had a lot of stuff to tuck away until we could do it in person for ourselves when we returned home and put our extensive furniture into a storage unit. The things we collect, and inherit, as we age. Lol. Karen did a fantastic job of taking care of the details while we were still away.

From a personal point of view, we weren't just selling 'our house', we were selling our home, and leaving our community in Lagoon City, Brechin, Ontario. It is a big decision for most people, for us it was a life-changing decision.

We moved out of province, to Alberta. While I was away in Alberta looking for our new 'forever home', I was very grateful knowing Karen was taking care of business back home; I trust her completely in her ability to represent us, while I was in Ontario or otherwise. To say it was stressful moving from one province to another, is an understatement, but knowing Karen was taking care of business provided me some much needed comfort and relief; she is very supportive and understanding.

When I was having some difficulties with our realtor in Alberta, I had wished I/we had another Karen in Alberta. Karen is a rare jewel indeed and shines brighter than most. In my opinion, her personal experience and expertise is rare. Speaking from my own personal experience, she has no hidden agendas, and is not just all about the sale; everything is up front with Karen and she genuinely cares.

Karens knowledge, professionalism, ability to read the market and her clientele, networking within all her clientele, and ability to get the job done, is second to none! Her stick-to-it-ness and energy to go the distance is remarkable. If something came up during the process, she was right on it. Whether it was an open house, a showing, an offer, or another realtor inquiring about property information, Karen responds in a quick and time efficient manner. Nothing was ever left to, or fell to, the way-side.

Karen is caring, compassionate, she understands how emotional this can be for people, as it was for myself and my husband, especially in a market that can be so unpredictable and constantly changing. I have complete respect for her as a person, and as a realtor; my husband and I remain eternally grateful to Karen.

In my opinion, you can't ask for a better realtor, who cares more than most and is a complete professional; she loves what she does and it shows in all the details she takes care of along the way. I believe that makes all the difference in the world, it did to me. I/we appreciate all of her efforts, and thank you Karen, for being the person that you are and all that you did for us.

Photos to be posted when we can get my daughter to take them for us.

Kindest wishes,
Lynn Lecuyer and Ron Mitchell Nov 2023

Karen's review score should be at least 4.5 based on my experience with her and her brokerage. Karen found and did a full background check on my new very solid tenants. No ask was too big and she never let me down. To further expand on her skills and abilities, I live in Nova Scotia and my rental condo is in Ontario. I was not an easy client. But Karen found a way to make it all work, on time and at a reasonable cost. In addition to solving my tenant issue, she pledged to act as my point person down the road should I require help. This goes above and beyond her contractual obligation to me. I would suggest that anyone looking to rent or buy owes it to themselves to contact Karen. - D. Long June 2023

Karen helped us sell a small property that required a great deal of legal research. She took it upon herself to investigate and was up for the challenge. Her professionalism, great communication and quick responses were very impressive and helped the transaction to be completed smoothly. It was a pleasure working with her and we have no hesitation in recommending her - February 2023. Doris L.

Ms Berends has sold us 3 properties in the last 2 years. The first one was by pure coincidence , we chose to use her expertise for our other 2 purchases. She is a staple in Lagoon city and truly an amazing, kind, knowledgeable, professional and fantastic human being. She is someone who knows the area EXCEPTIONALLY WELL, and goes above and beyond in researching, advising and helping clients be comfortable with a purchase. She is also the first one to advise you if something does not make sense. She is someone who will look out for YOUR best interests, not to make a sale. If you are looking for a hard working, meticulous, knowledgeable and smart realtor, then look no further.  - June 2022.  C. Mart 

Renting a property is a small job but a lot of work. You were totally protective and professional from the beginning. Thank you for renting my house to a good tenant for a reasonable price.  Thanks again Karen.  Thank you for your honest, professional, patient, friendly and diligent approach.

Yan & Fan (November 2022)

Karen was totally proactive & professional from day one!  She took the extra step of providing staging to make the house look more appealing.  Conscientious and detailed-oriented throughout the process. Karen kept me in the loop 100% of the way.  Always prompt & courteous.  When it sold, in just 5 days, over list price, she was on top of the transaction from start to finish.  She is a total pro and a lovely person to have worked with.  

Karen, you were an absolute dream.  You took such good care of me. Your expertise exceeded my expectations!  I will not hesitate to recommend your services.  

Nancy (May 2022) 

Words to describe Karen Berends: Honest, Professional, Patient, Friendly, Diligent, Organized and Meticulous.    Selling homes during Covid adds so many additional pressures, my specific requirements during Covid times added additional pressure.  Respect and support for my additional requirements was observed with diligence. It was time for me to leave the waters edge and downsize.  A casual conversation quickly transformed into a detailed effective plan.  Applying Karen’s extensive knowledge related to the uniqueness of this community resulted in selecting the right price.  A quick very profitable sale followed.  One of the smoothest sales I personally have been involved with.  I have bought and sold many homes.  Of all the various agents I have interacted with in the past Karen is the one I would recommend and would definitely call upon again.  Karen Berends a very special and dedicated Sales Representative.
Cathy (February 2022)

We were really lucky to have worked with Karen in 2021 on our real estate transactions.  Trying to buy waterfront property during a pandemic turned out to be an incredible journey.  One that saw prices jump up on a daily basis.  It was easy to find yourself feeling frustrated as seemingly aggressive offers fell short.  It took 6 months of Karen’s determination but we now find ourselves in our fantastic and most recent forever home.  Our Lagoon City property sold in 2 days and above asking.  Karen was a delight to work with on both ends of the transaction.
Sandy and Reid Mason
Orillia, Ontario

As someone moving to a completely new city, we had many concerns, but Karen made our lives so much easier. She was always ready to answer our questions through phone, text messages or emails.Karen took the time to talk to us, understand our needs and give us options. She provided many resources for us to get familiar with the neighbourhoods and make the best choice for our family. She made us feel safe during all the property showings by strictly following all the covid safety protocols.I would absolutely recommend Karen. She's a highly qualified realtor and an amazing person. Hoping to work with her in the future again.  Thank you for all your help!

We recently worked with Karen Berends to sell our waterfront property. Karen took time going over the details of the various documents  and was always available to answer any questions we might have. She was very thorough with the paper work thus avoiding any delay at the closing.  We found Karen to be a very pleasant and kind person and would recommend her highly as a realtor especially for seniors.   

Louis and Janice (July 2021)

We recently had the pleasure of working with Karen Berends when looking to purchase our vacation home. From day one Karen was very responsive and knowledgeable about the properties she showed us. She worked diligently for us and found us the perfect home! Thank you Karen!

Adriana & Achille (June 2021)

In March 2021, Karen helped me buy my home in Lagoon City. For six months before the purchase, she kept me advised of the homes for sale in Lagoon City. During the buying process, Karen expertly negotiated the best price for my new home. She booked an inspection and kept me informed about all the details of buying a condo. Since I was new to the area, she emailed me links to the local utility companies and recommended different tradesmen like painters and handymen. Karen brings many skills to the real estate profession: friendliness, professionalism, and expert knowledge of the area and the many events and activities going on.  She is never too busy to answer any question I may have. If you are buying or selling a home, you can count on the professionalism and expertise of Karen Berends. 

L. Ganong (July 2021)

Thank you Karen for all of your help, patience, hard work, tenacity with trying to get to the truth, straightforwardness, hand-holding, and many, many tours around Wasaga Beach. In the end, we found the perfect house which best suited our wants and needs, in the quaint little community of Shanty Bay near Lake Simcoe, and got it on our terms. It was definitely an adventure, (sometimes fun, sometimes gut-wrenching), but we learned so much, and it was a pleasure getting to know you on this journey.  Cheers to you Karen...without you, this would not have happened!

S. Woolner & F. Smith (March 2021)

Karen,

We would like to thank you for everything you did for the closing of our cottage purchase in Lagoon City!  Everything including, but not limited to, organizing our multiple visits to find the right property, getting the cottage cleaned before we arrived as well as getting us contacts for all the people we needed in a new place.  We really appreciate your professionalism and your knowledge about the real estate market.

B. Sawhney (Dec 2020).

Karen has been extremely helpful through our first purchase in Lagoon City.  Her deep experience of the area and specifically what to look out for is priceless.  She has been a huge help.  Given her experience as a sales agent coupled with her local knowledge she is also well connected and has provided much guidance post sales as well.  She is caring, friendly and welcoming.  These are all characteristics that we appreciate in Karen which has made this sales journey enjoyable.

T. Wong (Dec 2020).