About Next Home Hub
Real Estate Expertise for Seniors and their Families
We are passionate about educating and empowering seniors and their families to make informed decisions about their housing options as they age. It can be an overwhelming and emotional journey and we are working vigilantly to ensure you have the support you need, at the pace you want.
Customized Support for Senior Serving Organizations
Our goal is to make sure that our clients, and all seniors, are supported by an ethical and talented supporting cast - their own “Senior Support Team”. We also want to make sure that supporting senior-serving organizations have the tools and resources they need to offer the very best tailored solutions. Together, we can change lives.
The Vision
Next Home Hub was founded by Michael Draper. After his own personal experience being a part of the “sandwich generation” with a young child at home and supporting his own aging parents and in-laws, Michael quickly recognized that there was a gap in resources being offered for older adults.
He realized that he wanted to make a difference for other families dealing with the same stuff. It shouldn’t be so difficult.
Michael has made it his mission to find superior support for seniors and their families as they navigate their next steps, and align himself with the most talented service providers in the Edmonton area.
As a designated Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) recognized by the Canadian Real Estate Association®, Michael truly understands the unique and challenging real estate needs of seniors, and their families.
Late in 2024, Michael partnered with long-time friend and former colleague, Jennifer Hillmer, to launch the Next Home Hub website and resources, and to support the strategy for our next phase of growth. It is a collaboration like no other in the city and it is over two decades in the making. They’ve both been involved in the housing industry since 2004, each developing their own specialities along the way. Together, they are making it easier than ever for seniors and their families to understand their housing choices, and to feel empowered to make decisions that will help them move into a situation in which they will thrive.
Michael has always been very service-minded, with a client-first attitude. After a successful career in the hospitality industry, Michael moved into new home sales. That never felt like quite the right fit - in new home sales you are responsible to sell a very specific product, making it difficult to be client-first.
In 2009, Michael was inspired to make the shift into real estate, where he could better serve people. As a REALTOR®, he can represent a client’s best interests - it is not about selling them a specific product - it is about working on the client’s behalf to find the best house to suit their needs. It is about securing the best terms, negotiating successfully and making sure his clients are well protected.
Since launching his career in real estate over 15 years ago, Michael has consistently been within the Top 10% of Agents licensed with the Edmonton Real Estate Board, and often within the Top 5%. Ask him about awards, however, and he’ll tell you - it’s not about winning little trophies for his desk, for him, it’s all about happy clients that will choose to work with him time and again. He believes the awards come from clients, in the form of Google Reviews.
Michael was born and raised in Edmonton and now resides with his wife, son and family dog in Sherwood Park. He loves fishing, camping, golfing and is a lifelong Edmonton Oilers fan. He is a second generation member of the Kinsmen Club of Edmonton and a passionate advocate for the Centre for Family Literacy, serving as the Chair of their Golf Tournament Committee.
A Few Fun Facts About Michael
A Few Fun Facts About Michael
Michael has always been very service-minded, with a client-first attitude. After a successful career in the hospitality industry, Michael moved into new home sales. That never felt like quite the right fit - in new home sales you are responsible to sell a very specific product, making it difficult to be client-first.
In 2009, Michael was inspired to make the shift into real estate, where he could better serve people. As a REALTOR®, he can represent a client’s best interests - it is not about selling them a specific product - it is about working on the client’s behalf to find the best house to suit their needs. It is about securing the best terms, negotiating successfully and making sure his clients are well protected.
Since launching his career in real estate over 15 years ago, Michael has consistently been within the Top 10% of Agents licensed with the Edmonton Real Estate Board, and often within the Top 5%. Ask him about awards, however, and he’ll tell you - it’s not about winning little trophies for his desk, for him, it’s all about happy clients that will choose to work with him time and again. He believes the awards come from clients, in the form of Google Reviews.
Michael was born and raised in Edmonton and now resides with his wife, son and family dog in Sherwood Park. He loves fishing, camping, golfing and is a lifelong Edmonton Oilers fan. He is a second generation member of the Kinsmen Club of Edmonton and a passionate advocate for the Centre for Family Literacy, serving as the Chair of their Golf Tournament Committee.
Our Story
01
Built to Trust
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On Time, On Budget
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Stress-Free Process
04
Family-Centric
05
Top-Notch Architecture
Our Values
Our Team
This is the space to introduce the team and what makes it special. Describe the team culture and work philosophy. To help site visitors connect with the team, add details about team members’ experience and skills.
Sarah Thompson
Chief Architectural Designer
Tom Reynolds
Lead Project Manager
Lauren Walker
Sales and Marketing Strategist
Alex Martinez
Structural Engineer
Lucas Miller
Development Manager
Emily Harris
Customer Relations Manager
Awards & Recognition
What People Say About Michael
“He has always been a trusted partner in our search for the perfect home. He gives it to you straight so you can always make an informed decision and when these decisions are some of the biggest you ever make, it's comforting to know you're getting an honest trusted opinion. I would recommend Mike to anyone looking for an honest, hard working, friendly real estate agent.” - Darian T.
Jennifer Hillmer is an experienced and award-winning Business Development Manager who has been leading teams to sales success for over three decades. For the last decade, she has been hyper-focused on serving seniors and their families, with five of those years spent working with one of the largest senior’s housing providers in Canada.
Jennifer believes very strongly in advocating for older adults and supporting them to make decisions that will enable them to flourish. She has specialized training in senior living, working with people who are living with dementia and earned her designation as a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging®.
As a Business Strategist, Jennifer has the ability to envision and develop creative big picture strategies and make data-driven, informed decisions. This makes her an invaluable ally for businesses and non-profits looking to grow and senior living organizations that want to improve occupancy.
Jennifer was born in Saskatchewan (Go Riders!), raised in Edmonton, moved to Calgary, then Kelowna and Vancouver, then returned to Edmonton in 1999. She is a devoted Edmonton Oilers fan, completely enamoured by her three young grandchildren, and quite fond of her husband and spoiled little dog with whom she shares a condo in Sherwood Park.
A Few Fun Facts About Jennifer
A Few Fun Facts About Jennifer
Jennifer Hillmer is an experienced and award-winning Business Development Manager who has been leading teams to sales success for over three decades. For the last decade, she has been hyper-focused on serving seniors and their families, with five of those years spent working with one of the largest senior’s housing providers in Canada.
Jennifer believes very strongly in advocating for older adults and supporting them to make decisions that will enable them to flourish. She has specialized training in senior living, working with people who are living with dementia and earned her designation as a Certified Professional Consultant on Aging®.
As a Business Strategist, Jennifer has the ability to envision and develop creative big picture strategies and make data-driven, informed decisions. This makes her an invaluable ally for businesses and non-profits looking to grow and senior living organizations that want to improve occupancy.
Jennifer was born in Saskatchewan (Go Riders!), raised in Edmonton, moved to Calgary, then Kelowna and Vancouver, then returned to Edmonton in 1999. She is a devoted Edmonton Oilers fan, completely enamoured by her three young grandchildren, and quite fond of her husband and spoiled little dog with whom she shares a condo in Sherwood Park.
What People Say About Jennifer
“Jennifer is a wonderful asset to any business. Networking comes so naturally, connecting with Jennifer gives you & your business so many wonderful opportunities. A thorough professional that delivers on deadlines in a timely manner & the end product is always impeccable. Working with Jennifer is always so inspiring.”
Sharon Pandza, Chartwell Retirement Residences
Charitable Work
Both Jennifer and Michael believe in giving back to their communities in meaningful ways. These are the organizations we are currently supporting.
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WeSeniors West Edmonton and WeSeniors Strathcona County - Next Home Hub is a supporting organization
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The Centre for Family Literacy - Michael serves as the Golf Tournament Committee Chair
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Kinsmen Club of Edmonton - Michael is a long-time member and volunteer
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Moose Hide Campaign - Jennifer is volunteering to support the Fort Saskatchewan Campaign
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Silver Connection Network - Jennifer sits on the Steering Community tasked with launching this new initiative
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Women in Business Association, Strathcona County - Jennifer is the co-founder and now serves as Past-President
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Edmonton Age Friendly Alliance - Jennifer supports the Seniors Week Planning Committee; Michael is sponsoring
If there is a project you would like us to consider, please reach out. We are in the process of developing our strategy around our charitable endeavours, we appreciate your understanding if we are not able to support your project at this time.
Presentations and Workshops
We regularly partner with various Seniors Centres, Condominium Corporations, and other organizations to bring them tailor-made education pieces and workshops to support their members.
We have developed a series of presentations and educational workshops designed to educate and empower seniors and their families as they explore their options as they age. We have also partnered with the leaders in their respective industries to support educational pieces that might be outside of our specialized expertise. If you’d like to explore our educational pieces to see if you would like to attend, you can learn more on our Events page.
If you would like to book Michael or Jennifer for a speaking engagement, schedule your complimentary consultation.
Presentations and Workshops
We regularly partner with various Seniors Centres, Condominium Corporations, and other organizations to bring them tailor-made education pieces and workshops to support their members.
We have developed a series of presentations and educational workshops designed to educate and empower seniors and their families as they explore their options as they age. We have also partnered with the leaders in their respective industries to support educational pieces that might be outside of our specialized expertise. If you’d like to explore our educational pieces to see if you would like to attend, you can learn more on our Events page.
If you would like to book Michael or Jennifer for a speaking engagement, schedule your complimentary consultation.
Next Home Hub | Real Estate for Life’s Next Chapter
Reach out today for a friendly, no-pressure conversation.