When the decision was made to obtain my real estate licence, I was not fully aware of the extent of the challenge. Public perception of real estate agents often deviates from reality. Many associate the industry primarily with financial aspects, but for me, building and maintaining relationships is paramount. Numerous business deals have resulted from focusing on my clients' best interests, even if this required additional flexibility and problem-solving skills.
Early on, I realised that availability and accessibility are essential, and that building trust and transparency from the first contact is crucial. As a young agent in the industry, I did not have an extensive network. Most of my contacts were not yet ready to purchase a home or engage an agent for a rental apartment. This forced me to find my own ways of lead generation. My high motivation enabled me to make this adjustment.
The Beginning of a Career and the Power of Networking
One of my first transactions took place in the Financial District. The mother of a client found my profile on RentHop and contacted me spontaneously. After discussing the search criteria, she asked if I could show an apartment within an hour. Although I lived an hour away from the property, I immediately rushed there. After a day of spontaneous viewings, I helped them find a suitable apartment. Her daughter had just arrived from university, and the parents were worried about her move to New York City, but my advice and reassurance gave them the necessary confidence to make the decision. This transaction was to shape my entire career. To this day, I not only maintain an excellent relationship with these clients and have helped them find several apartments, but they also referred numerous other clients to me because of the service provided.
My career began shortly before the summer market commenced. I quickly learned that the rental market is fast-paced, aggressive, and highly competitive. My clients expected me to give them an advantage, which I ensured through extreme communication readiness, organisation, and cleverness. Social media also became an important factor for organic reach. The aforementioned rental deal led to a connection with an influencer active on Instagram and YouTube. I helped her find her first apartment in the city, and she mentioned my name in one of her videos. For five years, I have been her agent and continue to generate significant business through her followers. Even my first sales transaction resulted from this video. This motivated me to increase my social media presence, where I started posting more frequently on TikTok and Instagram, and now generate about 80 percent of my leads through my online presence.
Adaptation and Resilience in a Dynamic Industry
While working as a real estate agent offers many advantages, navigating a commission-only structure and the unpredictable nature of the business is challenging. Without financial reserves, I was determined to make this career path a success. Success in the real estate industry relies heavily on self-motivation; one must be inspired to find new business and be enthusiastic about it. The feeling of a satisfied client after a successful transaction is unparalleled, and it is important to hold onto that, as the industry is also characterised by rejection. With my background in acting, I was familiar with rejection, which made it easier for me not to be discouraged.
Rejection manifested in this industry in various ways – sometimes not only from clients, but also from colleagues. I was often underestimated as a young agent. In doing so, I learned that experience alone is not always the recipe for success. I have secured many apartments for my clients, outperforming more experienced agents, whether through efficiency, assertiveness, or simply greater ambition. At the same time, I was fortunate enough to work early on with some excellent experienced agents who were willing to support me when needed. Being part of Platinum Forbes Global Properties over the past five years has been instrumental in my development. The team offers exceptional support, fosters agent development, and equips me with the necessary tools to continuously improve my business. This makes me feel valued and enables me to achieve the best results for my clients.
The agent community, despite its size, is surprisingly closely networked, and moments of kindness leave an impression and are passed on. Over the years, the industry has changed in many ways, and we agents continuously adapt. Those who do not change and grow, unfortunately, fall behind. In New York City, there will always be a need for our services, but we must not forget that we need clients just as much as they need us. People who are well-informed about the role of a real estate agent appreciate and honour our skills. We must represent the interests of agents and continue to educate buyers, sellers, and tenants transparently and carefully. Especially in New York City, the busiest, boldest, and best city in the world.
