The movement control order (MCO) initiated to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has restricted the number of Malaysians going to work to a trickle.
Only those who provide ‘essential services’ were allowed to continue to function as normal as they can, given the restrictions.
The rest of us either find ourselves occupied by working from home or keeping ourselves entertained while on leave.
Given the tasks of property agents often comprise outdoor activities such as meetings and home viewings, one would be hard-pressed to imagine what these agents are up to during this period.
Yet the most illustrious of real estate agents and negotiators continue to get work done from home as well as use the extra time at hand resourcefully.
Work does not cease
As a team leader and co-founder of Kith & Kin Realty, Freeman Woo actively works from home. He stresses the need to continually communicate with teammates and keep them motivated on the objectives.
Woo has an MCO strategy of targeting well-maintained properties of distressed sellers for cash-rich ready buyers.
Eswary Chew of CiD Realtors Sdn Bhd says she continues to work from home by keeping clients updated on their listings and broadcasting development projects to her database, which are easier to sell during this period.
“This is the best time to talk to clients and follow up with their buying or selling status,” says Kelly Tan, a probationary estate agent (PEA) with IQI Global.
A common agenda shared by these agents is also using this time to organise their databases and keep social media pages updated.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
The MCO provides everyone with time to spare even while working and for property agents, the ideal time to expand their knowledge, learn a new skill or pick up a hobby.
Chew believes in staying positive, focused and using this downtime to upskill.
Besides keeping abreast with online forums and training by the Malaysian Institute of Estate Agents (MIEA) or property agencies, Chew has managed to crochet a scarf in a day, complete a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle in five days and finish a book on Real Estate Marketing.
Woo advocates keeping fit at home with basic exercises and is picking up new skills such as cooking and video editing aside from venturing into trending new social media platforms.
Tan crafts contents for her Youtube channel, so when the market is ready, she will be seen and reachable.
Despite juggling the chores of motherhood, Tan also finds the time with online courses, books, blogging and organising her customer relationship manager (CRM).
The key to survival
In a separate interview with StarProperty assistant general manager, Ernest Towle, the top brass of global proptech powerhouse Juwai-IQI Holdings Group spoke on the key to survival for property agents during these challenging times.
The guest speakers are IQI Holdings Sdn Bhd managing director Daniel Ho and Juwai IQI Holdings Group executive chairman Georg Chmiel and chief operating officer Nabeel Mungaye.
These esteemed gentlemen also shared how technology has helped the company prepare for the crisis brought on by the pandemic and discuss if artificial intelligence will ever replace people in the real estate industry.
Catch the full interview here:
Stay ahead of the crowd and enjoy fresh insights on real estate, property development, and lifestyle trends when you subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media.
