ABOUT US
Expertise | Resources | Governance
Investment Sales, Leasing, & Management
Our practical knowledge of the market sector, industry initiatives and trends, and our broad expertise in sales, leasing, and property management, give clients a strategic 360° vantage point to make informed decisions.
The Mission
To cultivate lasting business relationships that provide financial security through aligned purpose.
The Vision
Aiming to be the benchmark in service excellence, recognized for integrity, ethical business practices, and an unwavering commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
The Resources
Providing the resources, expertise, and governance of a large brokerage with the agility of a bespoke, client-centric, real estate firm, where dedication meets service and experience allows for ease of mind.
The Values
Integrity:
Committed to remaining mindful, honest, fair, and transparent in all dealings and decisions, and to follow an ethical culture that permeates the organizational ecosystem.
Responsibility:
Accountable for and committed to necessary decisions, actions, and behaviours, while being aware of and sensitive to their broader, long-term impact.
Diversity:
Maintaining strength in our difference—whether in experience, knowledge, ideas, interests, or cultural backgrounds—and to intentionally share these differences to create powerful outcomes.
Meet our team
If you want the best care possible for your real estate needs, our certified professionals are here to help
4 listings
Dawn Surette
Mariana is a seasoned business professional, serving as a founding member of the team that ...
1 listing
Dawn has been dedicated to the real estate industry for more than 30-years, involved in th ...
Team and REALTOR® contact information provided to facilitate inquiries from consumers interested in Real Estate services. Please do not contact the website owner or any member of its team with unsolicited commercial offers or inquiries.
The Metrics
Problems solved and relationships built – beyond measure
Lease Transactions
199
+
Property Managed
0
Msf
Budget Authority
$
450
M
Testimonials
At Pivot West Commercial, we strive to provide the highest level of service to all of our clients in every way. But don't just take our word for it - hear what some of our satisfied clients have to say:
Investor Services
I have known and worked with Dawn for several years and know her to be a fierce advocate for clear communication, contractual clarity, and doing business in a fair manner where all parties know where they stand. Her experience navigating both recessionary and high-demand cycles across all asset classes is invaluable.
Andy & Pam (Tenant)
Dawn is a very experienced and professional commercial broker. She communicates clearly on terms and costs, and even knows details about renovations (or problems) that a landlord/tenant may need to face. She is always kind to provide her professional opinion. We are grateful for Dawn’s support throughout our very first commercial lease. We highly recommend her service to whoever is in need.
Investor Services
From the moment I engaged with Dawn, I was impressed by her professionalism and acute attention to detail as a leader, directing a portfolio of industrial, office, retail, and residential properties. Her expertise in the field is exceptional, and her ability to maintain an up-to-date understanding of the industry’s trends and developments is impressive.
Investor Services
Dawn is honest, straightforward, and always available to answer my calls. My life became more enjoyable after I delegated the management of my properties to her.
Tenant
Throughout the rental process, Dawn demonstrated excellent communication skills and a deep knowledge of the real estate market. She was always just a phone call or email away, often going the extra mile, and made what could have been a stressful experience, smooth and straightforward. She has a knack for finding solutions that are satisfactory to all parties involved, making her a reliable mediator and manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm happy to answer any others you may have - let's chat
Each party to a contract deserves fair representation to balance negotiating strength.
Whether you are a tenant or a landlord, being REPRESENTED by a licensed real estate professional means that the agent:
- has a duty to be loyal and act only in your best interests;
- fully disclose all information known by the representative so that you can make an informed decision;
- avoid conflicts of interest;
- act in accordance with your lawful instruction; and
- maintain the client’s private and confidential information even after the relationship ends.
As an UNREPRESENTED party:
- these duties do not apply.
Without representation, you are relying on the information provided to you by representatives of the other party who are duty bound to protect the best interests of their client. Anything you disclose to them will be disclosed to their client.
These are our professional designations; they are a quick way of demonstrating our education, experience, and membership affiliations.
Each designation comes from an educational body or an industry association with its own criteria for experience and education. Each adhere to strict professional and ethical standards that are above and beyond those required under the Real Estate Services Act (BC) and commonly accepted practices and principles in business.
There are many, but here are a few examples:
DULE | Diploma in Urban Land Economics | Sauder School of Business (Real Estate Division – University of British Columbia) |
RI | Professional Designation | Real Estate Institute of British Columbia (founded 1960) |
REALTOR® | Professional Designation | Canadian Real Estate Association |
CCIM | Certified Commercial Investment Member | CCIM Institute |
CPM | Certified Property Manager | Institute of Real Estate Management |
AACI | Accredited Appraiser Canadian Institute | Appraisal Institute of Canada |
FRI | Fellow of the Real Estate Institute | Real Estate Institute of Canada |
You and the landlord have signed a contract that sets out certain business expectations. The amount of rent and the timing for when it is paid is a material term to any lease agreement. Stable income and expenses are critical to the success of any business operation. If there is uncertainty in the timing of rent being received, there will be uncertainty in bills and other obligations being paid.
The lease agreement will provide the landlord with specific remedies in the event the tenant is late in paying rent or stops paying rent entirely. These remedies usually include but are not necessarily limited to: a financial penalty (a fee or interest), the loss of the tenants right to renew the lease, and the distraint and seizure of the tenants’ goods and chattels contained within the premises, and the ability to assess the landlords’ legal expenses in the enforcement of the lease to the tenants account as rent.
If you are unable to meet your financial obligations, you should speak with your bank about a line of credit to help manage cashflow.
The “leaseable area” (also called “rentable are”) of a property, are the various areas demised by the landlord for lease within a property and is used to calculate basic rent and operating costs.
The “useable area” is the measure of area that the tenant actually has available to it to use for its business purposes.
The difference between these measurements is a result of the landlord “grossing up” the useable area to calculate rent and to allocate the tenants proportionate share in the recovery of operating costs and property taxes. This is also referred to as the “load factor”.
In commercial real estate, BOMA International (Building Owners and Managers Association International) has led in the development of standards to measure the leaseable area measure in Office, Retail, and Industrial property. These standards create a common and enforceable understanding between landlords, tenants, and appraisers.
Periodically, BOMA will release an updated method to measure an asset class. Each asset class has a slightly different means of measuring leaseable area from which rent is calculated.