Ong vividly recalls a client who came to the sales office but didn’t talk much. “I went up to him and explained the details and unique selling points of the project. Each unit cost approximately RM1mil. I still remember he chose six units and he asked for the total amount he should pay. After I calculated, he said ‘Okay, I want all six units.’
“In my heart, I was shocked, but it got me thinking. For someone to buy properties like ordering dishes at a restaurant, this must mean that properties can make money,” said Ong.
However, Ong is quick to add that first-time home buyers should do their homework before buying because they do not want to regret whatever decisions made.
Sales industry
Ong, a graduate from Malaysian Institute of Management (MIM) was in the sales industry for the past 10 years.
“Before working as a real estate agent, I did door-to-door sales and tried different kinds of sales job but somehow it didn’t give me the satisfaction and incentive that I wanted. Most of the sales jobs are about the same – you get commission or a percentage from what you sell. So I thought if I want to continue to be in this line, why not sell something that is worth much more? That’s why I chose the property industry,” said Ong, 28.
“I really enjoy what I’m doing now. My time is flexible as I am free to fix my schedule to my convenience. I’m not very hardworking as I come to the office only once a week – on Tuesdays because there’s meeting,” said Ong with a laugh.
To Ong, a 9-to-5 job is definitely not his cup of tea. He prefers to go out and meet clients. His areas of expertise are around Petaling Jaya and Damansara.
“Basically, I do my marketing by putting advertisements online and on newspapers. It will generate the calls and leads. Customers also introduce their friends to me – that’s the most powerful way of marketing,” he explained.
“My record was RM50mil in sales for a project. It took me only six months to achieve such sales and I’m really satisfied with that,” said Ong.
On the benefits of being in the real estate industry, Ong is quick to answer, “Being a real estate agent, there’s no limitations. It depends on how many units you want to sell. The more you sell, the more you earn. Therefore, the sky is the limit.”
He continued, “In this industry, you have a lot of free time and will be able to allocate your time accordingly. You will have more time for your family and friends.”
Trend
“Online advertising is now the trend. It’s the fastest way to reach the public and it provides vast information. I always list my properties online via property portals,” said Ong.
“As agents are always on the go, our smart phones come in handy. With all the latest mobile applications, our life becomes much easier,” he pointed out.
One of the phone applications that Ong uses is the mortgage calculator application. “With this application, I do not need to call the bankers and refer to them. I can just type in the information and immediately inform my clients of the monthly repayment,” explained Ong.
Another application used by Ong is Waze, a community-based traffic and navigation app. “I use it all the time and I can get to anywhere I want,” he added.
Ong and his colleagues also use the chat application Whatsapp where they share updated news and information.
Singapore Vs Malaysia properties
Ong who grew up in Singapore, shared that if one is looking to invest in a stable property market, it’s in Malaysia.
“In Singapore, the property market is like the stock market. One day it can be RM16,000 per sq ft and the next day it can fall to RM3,000 per sq ft. That’s the Singapore market.
“So, investors, if you are willing to take the risk – you can go to Singapore. Properties there are not cheap. If you buy a property in Orchard Road, your toilet will cost you RM1mil. It’s the similar case in Hong Kong,” said Ong.
By Melisa Ng | melisang@starmedia.my
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