Brenda MacKenzie,FRI, EPC Real Estate Advisor Engel & Voelkers

Brenda MacKenzie,FRI, EPC Real Estate Advisor Engel & Voelkers Real Estate and Elder Planning information and advice. Born in Dartmouth, Brenda has lived her entire life in the Halifax-Dartmouth region.

She has moved house many times over the years, so she knows from personal experience how to make the process as stress-free as possible. She began her real estate career in 1988 and has been a trusted advisor in the industry ever since. In 1994, Brenda was awarded the prestigious Fellow of the Real Estate Institute of Canada designation (FRI). In 2014 she also furthered her education and achieved her designation as an Elder Planning Counsellor. In 2020, Brenda received her brokers license and is a Managing Broker at Engel & Voelkers. Brenda has a passion for both community and industry involvement. She is the Campaign Administrator for A Home for Everyone” project, which as of 2015 has given over $400,000 to local groups fighting homelessness in the community. She has served on various boards including the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia, the Kidney Foundation, PKD Halifax Co-Chair, KPAC (Kidney Patient Advisory Committe) She has sponsored various women’s sports organizations, and has also been involved in industry groups including sitting on the Professional Standards Committee with the Nova Scotia Real Estate Association and on the Board of Directors for the Real Estate Institute of Canada’s local chapter. In 2023:

Brenda was nominated by CREA for the Realtors Care Award. realtorscare.ca Oct. 2024

Profiled in Dec. 2023 in Real Estate Magazine - realestatemagazine.ca

Nova Scotia Health Authority Dec. 2023 - Making Waves Award for contribution to KPAC (Kidney Patient Advisory Committee)

09/15/2026

Yesterday was about so much more than a walk.

The Kidney Walk is deeply personal to me.

Having lived with kidney disease and received a kidney transplant three years ago, I know firsthand how deeply kidney disease can affect a person, a family and an entire community.

It was incredibly meaningful to walk alongside patients, transplant recipients, families, friends, volunteers and supporters — all coming together to raise awareness, support those living with kidney disease and help create a future with better outcomes.

Kidney disease affects approximately 1 in 10 Canadians, which means this is a cause that touches more families than many people realize.

I’m so grateful to everyone who walked, volunteered, donated, cheered us on or took the time to learn more. Every step matters.

If you’d like to learn more about my journey or support the Kidney Walk, please visit the link in my bio.

Together, we can make a difference.

09/11/2026

💎 HIDDEN GEMS | ALBEN LANE CANDLE CO.

You may already know that we have some pretty strong feelings about air fresheners when you’re selling your home (scroll a few videos back for proof!)

But, a beautiful candle with a soft, subtle scent? That we can get behind - especially when it’s made by a wonderful local company like Alben Lane Candle Co.

We popped into their shop on Isleville Street in Halifax’s North End and had the pleasure of meeting Becks and Jesse - best friends since they were babies who decided in 2020 to start a candle company together.

And what they’ve created is pretty special.

Their award-winning candles have been featured in several magazines and are handmade in small batches right here in Halifax, with scents inspired by memories of growing up in Nova Scotia.

Beyond the beautiful products, we really enjoyed meeting these two women and hearing more about the business they’ve built together - including how they select a candle to support a local charitable organization, with proceeds from its sales going directly to the cause.

And there’s always something new to discover - with seasonal collections and new scents appearing throughout the year, we have a feeling this won’t be our last visit.

📍 3178 Isleville Street, Halifax

Make sure you follow Alben Lane online to see what Becks and Jesse come up with next!

Another Hidden Gem found. 💎

09/09/2026

REAL ESTATE | REAL TALK

Should you get pre-approved for a mortgage before you start looking at homes?

Short answer from both of us: yes.

Knowing what you’re comfortable spending before you start your search can help you focus on homes that make sense for you - and when you do find the right one, you’re in a much better position to make a move.

In this edition of Real Estate | Real Talk, we’re chatting about why we encourage our buyers to get that pre-approval in place early - and why it can make the whole home-buying process a little smoother.

09/01/2026

HIDDEN GEMS | SAFFRON + SALT

We’re back with another Hidden Gem!

We stopped into Saffron + Salt at Richmond Yards and, if you love spending time in the kitchen, this place is dangerous. 😂

There are beautiful kitchen displays everywhere you look, shelves filled with things you didn’t know you needed, and plenty of inspiration for anyone who loves to cook, bake or entertain.

Taryl immediately had her eye on a fabulous mixer - which comes as no surprise because she LOVES being in the kitchen. In fact, after hearing about their pie-making contest while we were there, Taryl went back and ENTERED IT! 🥧

We love finding businesses like this tucked into the neighbourhoods where we work - and Richmond Yards has so much happening that it was definitely time for us to do a little exploring.

If you haven’t been to Saffron + Salt yet, add it to your list. And if you have… tell us what you think about the store and all of the exciting developments in the North End.

Another Hidden Gem found. 💎

08/30/2026

GROUNDS FOR DISCUSSION - Episode 2 ☕

What happens when you fall in love with the very first house you see?

We get it. Sometimes you walk through the door and immediately think, this is it. And honestly? It very well could be.

But our advice is to see a few more!

It's not because we want to talk you out of the house you love, but simply because seeing a few different homes gives you something to compare it to - and sometimes confirms that the first one really was the right one all along.

For this episode of Grounds for Discussion, we popped by Marco Polo at King’s Wharf, then jumped in the car and had a chat.

And can we just say… King’s Wharf continues to grow and amaze us! The Dartmouth waterfront is beautiful, the views across the harbour are spectacular, and there are so many great shops and businesses popping up in the area.

Coffee. Real estate. A little conversation from the front seat.

That’s Grounds for Discussion. ☕

What about you? Could you buy the very first house you looked at - or would you HAVE to see a few more first? 👇

08/20/2026

💎 HIDDEN GEMS | ROOM 152 💎

When you spend your days in neighbourhoods all over HRM and beyond, you get to know some pretty great local spots along the way. So, we thought we’d start sharing a few of the Hidden Gems Brenda & Taryl discover in the communities where they work.

First stop: Room 152 Clothing Boutique on Portland Street in Downtown Dartmouth.

This beautifully curated boutique is filled with curated pre-loved clothing, shoes, bags and accessories... all arranged so beautifully by colour that you’ll want to start browsing the second you walk through the door.

And browse they did. 😂

Brenda and Taryl had a great time trying things on, and Brenda definitely didn’t leave empty-handed - a fabulous pair of pants, a leather jacket, sunglasses… and perhaps a few other finds made their way home with her.

Add in the warm, friendly staff and it’s easy to see why Room 152 made our Hidden Gems list.

📍 152 Portland Street, Dartmouth

Follow along as Brenda & Taryl uncover more Hidden Gems in the neighbourhoods they know and love.

Here is a little snapshot of what's happening with the Prince Edward Island market. Now that I have my real estate lice...
08/11/2026

Here is a little snapshot of what's happening with the Prince Edward Island market. Now that I have my real estate license on the Island too, I am spending time getting to know more about the Province.


07/31/2026

🎙️ Grounds for Discussion | Episode 1

Welcome to the very first episode of Grounds for Discussion - where Brenda & Taryl grab a coffee, hit the road (well... the parking lot 😉), chat about all things real estate... and crack themselves up along the way!

This time, we stopped by Cafe GoodLuck on Portland Street in Dartmouth for coffee and one of their ridiculously good chocolate chip cookies (trust us... order one 🍪☕).

Today's topic? Air fresheners.

What starts as a simple conversation quickly turns into one of Taryl's biggest pet peeves... and Brenda has a few thoughts of her own. 😂

Hop into the back seat and join the conversation.

Are air fresheners a must-have... or a deal breaker?

Address

1901 Gottingen Street
Halifax, NS
B3J0C6

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+19024710555

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