Residing in a small suburban town between Cleveland and Akron in Ohio, busily engaged in the process of applying for permanent residence in Canada, we had decided to explore housing possibilities in Nanaimo after having first visited Victoria and determining that the real estate in the capital of British Columbia was just too steep for our blood. We called Marilynn and were immediately struck by her warm, engaging manner and the patience and time she took to answer our many questions, all of which served to immediately put us at ease as we pursued our exciting, new adventure. Marilynn communicated with us both by phone and through the internet, e.g., e-mailing us the many photographs and descriptions of homes that were for sale, and by the time we visited Nanaimo for the first time in August, 2005, she had thoroughly familiarized us with the housing market and the different residential areas of the city. Once we arrived in Nanaimo she picked us up at our bed and breakfast and spent many hours and many days taking us around to view the different prospects in the different sections of the city. She was always extremely patient in showing us around, at no time did we ever feel we were being pressured by her to buy a property, she was always most professional and highly knowledgeable, and when it came time to select a home and there were two prospects, she actually advised us that the less expensive of the two represented a much better value, this despite the fact that she would thereby make less of a commission. The fact that Marilynn has lived in Nanaimo a long time makes her especially knowledgeable and astute in regard to historical and current trends in the housing market. It is this finely tuned "sixth sense" of fluctuating market conditions coupled with her warmth and gentleness which has served her and her clients so well in the highly competitive real estate market. When we had to return to Ohio Marilynn was always on top of things in regard to the final inspection of the property and all the other components of the long and arduous closure process, never failing to communicate with us if a problem or situation arose which required our input. Marilynn has been especially helpful after and since we have taken possession of our home, advising us about burglar alarm companies in the area, heating and plumbing contractors, landscapers and the many other myriad and like services required by the new owner of a home. It is precisely this quality of Marilynn that is so rare and precious - her interest in helping you purchase your dream home does not end with the purchase - she doesn't "cut and run," but on the contrary remains your real estate agent and friend for life, quite willing and able to patiently answer the thousand and one questions the new home owner is likely to ask long after he has taken final possession of his property. When you e-mail a question to Marilynn you always receive a very quick reply, and when you call her 800 number you are more than likely to hear her soft and pleasant voice on the other end. My wife and I have just officially become Permanent Residents of Canada, and when we finally make the big move from the United States to beautiful Vancouver Island and our lovely new home, we know that the long and arduous process of relocating from another country and moving into a new home will have been made that much easier because of Marilynn Kennedy's thorough professionalism, incredible expertise and sterling integrity, all coupled with her gentle and compassionate manner. Robert A. Silverberg, MSW, Ph.D Associate Professor Kent State University Kent, Ohio USA