MAIN IMAGE: Christo Slabbert, Tanya Sakota, Deanne Hamilton
Staff Writer
Real estate can be one of the most lucrative career options for those who are determined enough to succeed. But, with thousands of professional property practitioners to compete against, the journey towards success is not always easy.
To help those who are new to the industry or who just have not been able to make a name for themselves yet, these practitioners share some valuable ideas and advice to enable fellow practitioners to be successful in their careers.
Christo Slabbert started his career in real estate in 2006 after serving in the South African National Defence Force for 13 years and works in all markets within Port Elizabeth.
“My advice to new agents is that you don’t have to be the best or know everything. Just be there and be available to serve buyers and sellers. That includes answering your phone and calling clients back – always,” says Slabbert.
For those who are struggling to become successful in the industry, Slabbert advises them to “go back to basics, have patience, and persevere. Do the stuff no one else does. It will pay off in the end.”
“If there is one mistake I can help other agents avoid, it is not only to focus on the big deals and neglect the small deals. Work with all people, no matter the size of the transaction. My final words of advice are to keep thinking outside the box and look for opportunities around you.”
Tanya Sakota has been in the real estate industry for 19 years. She specializes in upmarket luxury homes priced between R3 m to R35 m in Bedfordview, Senderwood, St Andrews and surrounds.
“My advice to somebody who is new to the industry is firstly to join forces with the best real estate company in South Africa. Secondly, align yourself in an area that you have networked in and build your database around your immediate circle of influence. It’s also a good idea to find a successful practitioner to mentor you in your career,” she says.
For those who are struggling to become successful in the industry, Sakota advises them to “focus on sole mandates. If you hold the stock, you control the market.”
“One of the biggest mistakes some practitioners make is to try sell everywhere and spreading themselves too thin. To become a true specialist in your area, you need to focus your energies in that area and not hop around between too large an area looking for success, as your efforts will become diluted.”
Sakota warns, “If you’re not prepared to fall in love with real estate, this career is not for you. You have to love and live real estate and your eyes and ears must be open at all times because there is an opportunity on every corner. You need to be at the forefront of your clients’ minds by creating awareness in your area. You need to be the first port of call when clients need a practitioner. This too will draw a wedge between you and your competitors.
“Lastly, securing a successful real estate career is more about building and nurturing relationships daily, and then the sales will follow. It goes without saying that honesty and integrity need to be at the core of your business as clients need to trust you with their biggest assets.”
Deanne Hamilton has been in the industry for more than 17 years and specialises in the Durban North markets. She is also an accredited agent in the prestigious and highly sought-after Mount Edgecombe Country Club Estate, Hawaan Forest Estate, and The Executive Estate.
Hamilton cautions new practitioners that this is not a half day career.
“The harder you work, the ‘luckier’ you get. Get systems in place early and stick to them. Once you are busy enough, hire a PA so you can focus on your clients. Use your Listing Management Systems extensively so that you can remain in constant contact with your database with monthly newsletters and other useful resources.”
To those who are struggling in the industry, Hamilton encourages them not to give up. “Get a coach or find a mentor. If you don’t have a great network in the area, or maybe join a real estate team where the team leader can feed you buyers /properties.”
A mistake she hopes to help others avoid is the failure to implement effective systems to help you run your business and manage your database. “Very few agents have good database systems, and this can be a big stumbling block for them.”