To be a successful property agent, run it like a business

• Teh considers the real estate as a good business venture that comes with low risk, low cost and high profit.

It was in 2017 when Joseph Teh’s tenant-turned-friend told the former he wished to sell his commercial land in Cheras. However, his asking price was RM500 psf, which was significantly higher than the market price. In fact, the highest recorded sale for similar commercial land in the area was only RM250 psf then. 

But that didn’t stop him.

“I took up the challenge and managed to get a few prospective developers to meet up with my friend. Finally, the deal was closed at RM450 psf in 2018,” Teh tells EdgeProp.

That was one of the highlights in his 12 years as a full-time real estate agent. Teh, now 44, says he treats his real estate career as a business venture that motivates him to become a successful agent. To him, it is a good business undertaking as it comes with low risk, low cost and high profit.

“In real estate, it is a ‘what you give is what you get’ kind of career. We just need to focus and be hardworking in building our own careers. Eventually, it will be a steadier and more profitable business,” he says.

From insurance agent to real estate agent

Teh first ventured into real estate back in 2008, following a career transition from insurance to property. Intrigued by the potential of the real estate market and its profitability, he made the pivotal decision to join a developer firm in Selangor as a leasing executive for four years.

“I was an insurance agent. In 2007, the insurance sector was talking about financial planning, and our agency was involved in will writing and mortgage consultancy. I had the chance to serve a client for a project launching in Bandar Utama, [Selangor]. It was then that I noticed the interesting aspect in real estate and became aware of its profitability,” he revealed.

In 2012, Teh moved to a real estate agency. While formal qualifications were not mandatory in the early stages, the evolving industry standards prompted him to pursue certifications. He attended the Negotiator Certification Course (NCC) in 2014 and obtained a Real Estate Negotiator (REN) tag. In 2018, he graduated with a Diploma in Real Estate Management from Universiti College Sedaya International (now known as UCSI).

Besides the good income, Teh was also drawn to the flexible working hours as a real estate agent.

“We may arrange our schedules flexibly, and the industry enables us to meet many top businessmen, especially when dealing with land and commercial sectors,” he says, highlighting some of the perks.  

Residential properties offers greater volume

Currently attached to Vivahomes Realty Sdn Bhd, Teh’s expertise lies primarily in residential properties in Selangor, with focal areas including Cheras, Seri Kembangan, Semenyih, Puchong and Kuala Langat.

“I kick-started my real estate career as a residential leasing executive for a developer, which is why I’ve continued to focus primarily on the residential sector. However, in 2015, I began leading a team in project marketing and assisted clients in marketing for commercial properties and land. I successfully facilitated the disposal of these properties for my clients during that period,” he said.

As a team leader of around 30 negotiators, Teh decided to specialise in commercial properties as well as this would give him a better grasp of the current market. “Specialising in both (residential and commercial properties) also ensures that I get to coach my negotiators effectively and seamlessly,” he explains.

However, between the two, he finds that the commercial sector more challenging as units are limited. Moreover, with matured areas like Sri Petaling, [Kuala Lumpur] and Cheras Trader Square, [Selangor], there is intense competition among negotiators to secure deals. Hence, focusing on residential properties enables him to secure units more easily and gain more volume.

He points out that these days, agents need to become condominium specialists. By possessing in-depth knowledge about condo properties and being able to give accurate advice to potential buyers or tenants, agents have higher chances of closing deals.

EdgeProp a valuable resource for growth

To navigate the ever-evolving landscape of real estate, Teh says platforms like EdgeProp have been instrumental for his career growth, offering cost-effective solutions for property marketing.

“Marketing properties on EdgeProp is considered at a lower cost, which is beneficial for newcomers who may not be able to compete with experienced agents, especially in spending for featured ads. Unlike other property portals that require additional spending on featured credit for better exposure, EdgeProp relies more on hard work in reposting,” he explains.

His advice to homebuyers in selecting a property agent is to prioritise an agent with a REN tag and expertise in the desired area they wish to purchase.

“This ensures that the agent can provide better advice, enabling you to obtain accurate information to make decisions,” he says.

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