Olga Hitchen, Sales Associate, Partner
Cell: (709) 689-2200
Olga Hitchen was born and raised in St. John’s. Her family operated Hitchen’s Cycle shop on Long’s Hill. Most would know it as Bill’s Cycle Shop in recent memory and a St. John’s landmark amongst local athletes for over 40 years. It was quite common for a trip to Bill’s to take an hour or more as patrons would show up to get services or products and wind up chatting with staff or other customers about local news, sports, who won the Royal St. John’s Regatta, or the latest political scandals. It was truly a St. John’s gathering and meeting place for many years. Olga’s father, Maurice, passed away when she was very young but her mom continued to run the store for many years. Olga worked in the store, so dealing with the public and forging relationships came naturally for her. The family home was directly over the shop, as was customary in old St. John’s, where your back yard was a rooftop or a street, and it overlooked the downtown. Bill Strickland was hired at 15 years of age and years later, when Mrs. Hitchen was contemplating retirement, Olga and her two sisters had no interest in taking over the business. Bill Strickland stepped up, bought the shop, and Bill’s Cycle Shop went on to become a popular business amongst athletes and locals in the metro area. Olga left Newfoundland and moved to Ontario where she worked in administrative and accounting positions and developed a keen business accumen. Eventually, like many Newfoundlanders who left in search of a better opportunity, Olga returned to St. John’s. She continued to work in similar positions for local companies when an administrative position with John C. Hamlyn and Son, a local independent real estate brokerage operated by the Hamlyn family, became available. “All brokerages were independent, family run businesses then”, says Olga, “and there was no MLS® system. All properties were listed exclusively and there was a lot more paperwork. We didn’t have cell phones, computers, fax machines, and the Internet could have been a piece of fishing gear for all anyone knew!”
It wasn’t long before she saw the freedom and entrepreneurial opportunity enjoyed by a real estate sales person and the potential to make a good living. Her manager, Arnold Hamlyn, encouraged her to write the entry exam. “It was a lot harder then and home prices were a lot less. You had to sell a lot of homes to make a decent living. It was tough but I stuck with it. The Hamlyn’s, especially Mrs. Jean Hamlyn, were very good to me and we became good friends. Arnold was like a big brother to me and I’ll be forever grateful for what I learned there and the support he gave me.”
34 years later, she is one of the most successful women in real estate in the local market and Atlantic Canada. Olga demonstrates an unrivalled passion for her business and clients beyond what one would expect in a business that can be emotionally stressful with the most irregular hours and extreme demands on time. She wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s what I do,” says Olga. “It’s in my blood. Helping people buy and sell real estate gives me complete satisfaction knowing I made a meaningful contribution and a difference.” That’s backed up by the amount or referrals and repeat clients she services and having received the prestigious Lifetime of Achievement Award from RE/MAX.
Olga’s interests include Himalayan cats (any cats really!!), reading, travel, food and wine, fitness training and classes, fashion, shopping, live theatre, movies on the big screen, and cars. She’s an avid fan of Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, and loves a good comedian. “I am a REALTOR®”, says Olga. “You need a good laugh every now and then!!”
Awards, Service, and Accomplishments
- Member of NLAR since 1978
- Past Memberships of the RE/MAX 100% Club, Platinum Club
- Member of the RE/MAX Hall of Fame
- Past Vice-President of Eastern Newfoundland Real Estate Board
- #1 RE/MAX Residential Team Award, Atlantic Canada, 2011
- #1 RE/MAX Team Transaction Award, Atlantic Canada, 2011
Get in Touch with Olga
If you are looking for homes for sale in Paradise, St John’s, Torbay or the surrounding area, don’t hesitate to contact Olga. She will be happy to put her Newfoundland real estate experience at your service.