It wasn’t your typical night at Fume Restobar. With signature cocktails in hand and business cards at the ready, more than 30 guests gathered Monday evening for Chemistry, Keys & Cocktails — a unique real estate networking event that brought together homebuyers, sellers, industry professionals, and the simply curious.
Organized by Brantford-based realtor Kamila Benhabib, the event featured a “speed-dating” format where guests rotated through mini-meetings with a lineup of vetted real estate vendors — from mortgage brokers and home stagers to designers and builders.
“This is about helping people make connections — not just with us as realtors, but with trusted professionals they might need when buying or selling a home,” explained Benhabib, a member of the Realty Advisors & Co. team. “Our clients often ask us for recommendations, and tonight is about putting faces to those names.”
“Our clients often ask us for recommendations, and tonight is about putting faces to those names”, she added.
With 12 vendors on site and an atmosphere designed for casual conversation, the gathering aimed to demystify the real estate process while supporting local businesses.
Nakita Chechalk, also a realtor on Benhabib’s team, emphasized the importance of visibility in a competitive field.
“There are so many agents out there,” she noted. “Events like this help you get your name out, meet potential clients, and form new partnerships”, shed noted.
The informal setting at Fume Restobar proved ideal for those hoping to network without pressure.
“I’m not here to sell — I’m here to connect,” said Sarita Free, a mortgage agent based in Norfolk County. “If someone has a question — whether it’s about refinancing, debt consolidation, or getting pre-approved — I’m happy to help.”
According to Free, the current real estate climate remains challenging for sellers, with a glut of listings and buyers in wait-and-see mode ahead of this week’s Bank of Canada interest rate decision.
She predicts the rate will likely hold steady for now, though a cut could come later this summer depending on broader economic indicators.
As guests rotated between tables, the buzz in the room was steady. Laughter, deal talk, and introductions flowed with the cocktails.
The verdict from attendees? More events like this are needed.
“This isn’t just good for business,” concluded Chechalk. “It’s good for the whole community.”
BrantBlog was on site and will continue to follow the evolution of local networking efforts in the real estate sector.
