Pam Golding Properties, Bedfordview
What are your top three secrets to success?
My primary secret to success is always, always maintaining my integrity and being completely honest. In this business your name and reputation are your currency, and if you lose your integrity, people no longer trust you to take care of their interests. Regardless of the size of a deal, honesty is absolutely key.
My other success secret is surrounding myself with the right people. If you have honest, hardworking people to use as a sounding board, you tend to make the right decisions.
And lastly, leaning on the support of a very helpful, understanding family, who understand the business, and so don’t gripe about the long hours, and requirements of the industry.
What is the one thing you wish someone had taught you or told you when you first started out in property and why?
What I’ve learnt with experience, that I wish I’d know from day one, is to not take things too personally in this business. It’s an emotional industry, where you’re literally playing with people’s biggest investment, as well as the roof over their heads, and when things become heated, usually it’s not directed at you as an individual, but rather at a situation beyond people’s control. I’ve learnt that it’s important to be soft with the individual, but hard in terms of the situation.
What is the most vital business tool that estate agents should have at their disposal in today’s market?
Technology is vital in today’s industry, and is the most important corporate tool, with knowledge being your most important personal tool. It’s imperative to keep current with all that’s happening in the industry, as well as knowing what’s going on in the communities where you sell.
Do you remember the first property you sold? Please tell us about it.
It was a 2 bed/ 2bath apartment in Highwoods, in Highlands North. I sold it for R465 000, a really good price at the time. In today’s market the same unit would go for around R1.1million, a great investment!
What advice would you give to new kids on the block about making a success in their career in property?
It’s imperative that people starting out in this industry first get their NQF4 qualification, so that they’re a little more aware of all the implications, complications and issues that arise during the sale of a property.
They should also understand clearly that it isn’t an easy money making business that they can do in their spare time. It requires hard work and dedication to succeed, much like any other industry.
